THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL - 1951

RATED - G (Some fairly mild violence by today's standards)

RATINGS - 360 Amazon (4.5/5), 25,714 IMDB (8.1/10), 366,729 Netflix (3.9/5).

AWARDS - AFI TOP 100 THRILLS, 1952 GOLDEN GLOBE 'Best Film Promoting International Understanding' and nomination for 'Best Musical Score'.

STARRING - Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Sam Jaffe, Hugh Barlowe and Billy Gray.

THEMES - Peace, justice, understanding, nuclear war.

STORY - This classic science fiction, the defining film of the genre for many people, is about a humanoid that travels 250,000,000 miles from another planet with a message for the people of our planet. He lands in Washington, D.C. with his guardian robot and attempts to connect with world leaders to make his message known. There is mistrust by those in power of someone they are unfamiliar with and powers they have not seen before. They are not willing to give him the opportunity to speak so he must attempt to get his message out through other channels. Are there people who will listen to his message of how to prevent Planet Earth from self destructing or being destroyed from outside forces? Will anyone take him seriously? You have to remember that this was made during the height of the Cold War and nuclear war was on the radar screen of almost every citizen. Watch the newsreel that coincides with the release of the movie to see what was going on in the world at that time and it will help to put the movie into context. While there is action and some violence this is also a movie of relationships and how people react to something/someone they're not familiar with. A classic still worth watching today with good entertainment value as well as plenty of food for thought. You can play it online at Netflix. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/28/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, TCM

THE FOURTH WISE MAN

THE FOURTH WISE MAN - 1985

RATED - NR but most likely G.

RATINGS - 41 Amazon (5/5), 4,707 Netflix (3.5/5), 173 IMDB (6.7/10).

STARRING - Martin Sheen (Artaban), Alan Arkin (Orontes)

STORY - Based on the novel by Henry van Dyke, 'The Story of the Other Wise Man', it is the story of Artaban, a Magi and medical doctor who leaves his practice and wealth behind to find the King of Kings he believes has been born in Jerusalem. His father assigns his servant Orontes to go along and protect Artaban and promises to set him free when he returns safely. Artaban brings three precious and valuable gifts to present this new King. Pursuing every lead they find, they are always just missing Jesus at every turn. Their journey lasts 33 years culminating on Easter Sunday. Though fiction, it incorporates many Biblical facts and is a fascinating tale of one man's search for meaning in life and how that changes him along the way. Arkin also does a great job as the reluctant, humorous servant more interested in returning home and getting his freedom than finding this Messiah. Although not a big budget film, the acting is good and the story is very meaningful. Add this to your Christmas watch list for the whole family. It's available for instant play on Netflix. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

JOYEUX NOEL

JOYEUX NOEL - 2005

RATED - PG-13 for some war violence and a brief scene of sexuality/nudity (it is very brief and very little is shown in a darkened room). The 'R' rating at Amazon is wrong.

RATINGS - 102 Amazon (4.5/5), 132,468 Netflix (4/5), Roger Ebert (4/5), 6,836 IMDB (7.8/10).

AWARDS - 2006 nominee for BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Academy Awards, BAFTA, & Golden Globe.

STORY - Based on a true story that took place on Christmas Day, 1914, during WWI, this film depicts the worst and best of the human spirit. On the one hand, it shows the brutality and insanity of war as we see men in the trenches literally being sacrificed by those calling the shots from the comfort of their headquarters. Trench warfare was brutal and the trenches were separated by only 50-100 yards. Soldiers tried to capture the enemies' trench by crawling on their stomachs across 'no-man's land' and surprising the other side or just plain attacking and hoping to overpower them with numbers and force. Much of the fighting was fought at very close range with bayonets or rifles. Living in the trenches during the winter was especially bitter with the cold and snow. But in 1914 something happened that showed that the power of Christmas and the Prince of Peace can overcome (at least for the moment) the hatred and fighting. It was an amazing evening under the stars as enemies came together in worship and fellowship and dropped their weapons to recognize there is One who has come and will come again to bring peace to the world and overcome all the differences that currently separate men from one another. The film personalizes the story through the lives of four people showing their lives before the war and how they arrived at the same place on earth that same night. A very inspiring movie about the true meaning of Christmas and 'Peace On Earth'. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, ROGER EBERT.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM - 2007

RATED - NR but probably G. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 49 Amazon (5/5), 3,440 Netflix (3.9/5), 16 IMDB (9.1/10)

STORY - Was the Star of Bethlehem as told in Matthew's Gospel of the New Testament true or was it a myth made up later by early Christians? What if you could go back in time and actually view the ancient skies at the time of Jesus' birth? This film attempts to answer the first question by doing the 2ND. Using state of the art software, the same as used by NASA and other agencies, it is possible to examine the skies of Bethlehem in the days and years surrounding the estimated date of Christ's birth. The stars and planets move in such mathematical precision that it is possible to project forward and backward with incredible accuracy using this software. That in itself is so amazing when you consider the 100 BILLION galaxies that contain 100 BILLION stars each. Each one has a precise orbit and path that never deviates. Is it possible for all this to be coincidence? What Frederick Larson, author, lecturer and attorney, attempts to show is that it was astronomically possible and indeed probable that at the time of Jesus' birth the Planets Jupiter and Venus converged into what looked like a very bright star to the naked eye. He lists the nine characteristics of the star outlined in Matthew and then shows how his theory satisfies all nine of those conditions. Does this prove the birth of Jesus or that He was God come in the flesh? No, but it is more evidence (not necessarily proof) as to the historical accuracy of the Bible and that the Bible narrative is not destroyed by science. If you are a follower of the one called Jesus, you will be encouraged and strengthened in your faith. If you are not, it will cause you to at least stop and consider the claims of this ancient, yet modern, story of the miracle of Jesus' birth. Worth watching just for the lesson on astronomy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/20/2008

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WEBSITE

LAKE OF FIRE

LAKE OF FIRE - 2006

RATED - NR but caution as two abortions are seen as they are actually taking place, there are disturbing pictures of murder victims and a graphic picture of a woman who died while using a coat hangar to abort her baby and there are pictures of babies who have been aborted and their various body parts.

RATINGS - 10 Amazon (4.5/5), 13,486 Netflix (3.5/5), 569 IMDB (8.5/10), Roger Ebert (4.75/5).

STARRING - Tony Kaye, who worked on this for 18 years, is the producer. Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe), Terry Randall, Pat Buchanan, Noam Chomsky, Alan Dershowitz, etc. as themselves.

STORY - This is easily one of the most difficult films I've ever watched. It is a documentary about the abortion issue. It is told as objectively as humanly possible. Whatever your position, you will be angry with the story. It takes you into the operating room and you watch two abortion procedures as they happen. It shows the baby being suctioned out and the doctor emptying the bag into a dish to count all the body parts to make sure nothing has been left. Kaye takes you into the middle of the picket lines where both sides are shouting and cursing one another. You are there with a young woman when her boyfriend picks her up to take her to the clinic for the abortion and you sit in on her pre-op interview, view the abortion and hear the emotions she is experiencing after the procedure. You go into the homes and offices of those active in both the pro-life and pro-choice sides and hear their stories. You will hear one of the guests speculate why neither political party seems to want the issue to go away as it is an issue that activates the parties' bases like almost no other and it is always a winner in raising money. You will hear from pro-life activists that believe murdering doctors who perform abortions is morally necessary and justified. You will hear the remarkable conversion of Norma McCorvey, the anonymous Jane Doe in Roe vs Wade, from abortion advocate to pro-life Christian. You will hear some honest discussion about why abortion is such an emotional and divisive issue and how we must raise the level of discussion to more than the rhetoric that is typical currently from both sides. Is there room for compromise or is this an issue that will forever divide our country? I do not know anyone who is neutral on this subject. This film will only help to raise the understanding on both sides of this very, very divisive and emotional subject and hopefully lead to meaningful and serious discussion between the viewpoints. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/20/08.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, ROGER EBERT

THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER

THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER - 1968

RATED - G

RATINGS - 28 Amazon (4.5/5), 4,327 (3.7/5), 1.028 IMDB (7.8/10).

STARRING - Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke

AWARDS - 1969 Academy Award & Golden Globe nominee in both Best Actor & Best Supporting Actress categories. Also Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture nominee.

THEMES - Relationships, loneliness, handicaps, discrimination.

STORY - The film is based on Carson MCuller's best-selling novel which is an Oprah Book Club selection. John Singer (Arkin) is a deaf-mute who works in a small town jewelry store doing engraving and repairs. He also apparently has responsibility for another deaf-mute, Spiros(Chuck McCann) who continually gets into trouble with the law and is sent away to a 'facility' in another small community. Singer moves there to be close and help his friend. He rents a room from a family struggling with finances due to the father's hip injury and inability to work. He enters into the life of the teenage daughter struggling with her identity and coming of age. His disability makes him very sensitive to the needs and hurts of those around him including an African-American doctor who refuses to treat whites. While selflessly reaching out to those around him, Singer harbors a secret known only to himself. A powerful story of love and relationships and redemption and the world of silence occupied by those who cannot physically hear or speak but in reality hear and say more than most who are not handicapped. Top performances by Arkin and Locke carry this timeless film. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/6/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, BOOK

SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE

SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE - 2007

RATED - Not recommended for under 13. Graphic images of war and violence and adult language.

RATINGS - 12 IMDB (8.5/10). Not listed on Amazon & Netflix as of this date.

AWARDS - BEST DOCUMENTARY at the Rhode Island Film Festival, the Foyle Film Festival and the Salem Film Festival. Other nominations. Shown on PBS - Point of View (POV).

STORY - This documentary tells the story of four Iraqi war veterans who became conscientious objectors (CO)and their individual paths to that decision. All four are very thoughtful and very articulate in telling their stories. They are all different with the common link being the inhuman treatment they had all witnessed in Iraq toward civilians and enemy soldiers. Two of the soldiers were enemy interrogators, one at Abu Ghraib. The film begins with a study done by the U.S. Army after WWII in which it was discovered, on average, only 25% of soldiers fired their weapons at the enemy during combat, even when their own lives were in jeopardy. In effect, in the heat of battle, 75% of the soldiers became CO's. The military set about to change this, realizing that if the decision to shoot to kill had to pass through a soldier's conscience, the vast majority would choose not to. They started training soldiers to kill instinctively, making it a reflex action, rather than a conscious decision. They were successful in raising those numbers to 85-90% during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The Army cooperated in making this film and their point of view is also given and no attempt is made to manipulate the viewer even though the story is really about the soldiers' journeys. In fact, there are difficult questions to answer regarding conflict. A West Point professor asks, 'how would Jesus have portrayed the Good Samaritan if he had come upon the victim while he was being attacked'. Would he have joined in and helped defend against the attacker? There are actual scenes from the military at training camps where soldiers are being 'trained' to kill. This film opens the door for potentially many great discussions about the nature of the military and what it does to young men and women who are trained to kill and then must 'turn that instinct off' when they come back home. Are CO's really cowards hiding behind a convenient philosophy? What really is the purpose of the military? Is our military today reflective of that purpose or have we gone way beyond that as President Eisenhower warned in his farewell speech? Watch it and join the discussion. It is a discussion that needs to happen. The pictures of civilians and enemy soldiers who are killed or wounded are quite graphic and not appropriate for young children. All four of the soldiers have written books and are linked in the CT Review below. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/6/2008.

LINKS - CT REVIEW, FILM WEBSITE, IMDB, PBS-POV

RESURRECTING THE CHAMP

RESURRECTING THE CHAMP - 2007

RATED - PG-13 for boxing violence (in and out of the ring) and brief language.

RATINGS - 17 Amazon (4/5), 85,188 Netflix (3.5/5), Roger Ebert (3/4), 4,973 IMDB (7.1/10).

STARRING - Samuel Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Alan Alda, Kathryn Morris.

THEMES - Forgiveness, redemption, role model, ambition.

STORY - Based on a true story, Eric Kernan (Hartnett) is the son of a famous boxing broadcaster and is trying to get his career as a sports reporter, assigned to the boxing beat with the Denver daily paper, off the ground. His editor (Alda) is always on him about being lazy and sloppy. He is also trying to reunite with his son and wife, from whom he is separated. His wife (Morris) is a star journalist at the same paper. He literally falls into a career changing story about an ex-boxing great (Jackson), now homeless, an alcoholic and living on the street. The story propels him to the top of his career overnight. The rest of the story centers on some disturbing things he learns about the 'Champ' and ultimately about himself. Jackson is superb in his role as the 'Champ'. Hartnett could have been better but the overall performances and the story make this an entertaining and thought provoking film. For some reason, many of the best movies about human nature and ambition and greed are boxing stories. Add this to your list as one worth watching. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/29/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT, TRAILER

BLEAK HOUSE

BLEAK HOUSE - 2005

RATED - NR but probably G/PG. Very family friendly but probably for teens and up.

RATINGS - 128 Amazon (5/5), 87,013 Netflix (4.2/5), 1,574 IMDB (9.1/10). One of the highest (if not highest) overall ratings I've seen.

AWARDS - Nominated for 2 Golden Globes including Best Mini-Series for TV and won/nominated for 24 others including several Emmys.

THEMES - Justice, relationships, forgiveness.

STORY - Charles Dickens is arguably one of the best at using the power of the story to attack injustice in society. The BBC is arguably one of the best at turning a novel into a miniseries for TV. Combine the two and you have BLEAK HOUSE. The injustice in this case is the legal system that was known for dragging out the settlement of wills and estates until there was nothing left for the rightful heirs. The story begins in the Court of Chancery where the lawyers would meet regularly to give the court updates on their cases and get their fees approved. The heirs would be there, also, in hopes of some good news about their case, only to hear that 'progress was being made' and here's your invoice for services. The case in the story is Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a very large estate that has been contested for decades because there is a dispute over the will. Many have been ruined by the cost of the suit and many have given up, including John Jarndyce, an independently wealthy heir. He brings into his household a young man and woman, orphans and cousins, who are heirs and still hopeful of a settlement. Along with them comes a young lady who will be their personal attendant. From there the story takes many twists and turns as the lawsuit 'progresses' and so do their lives. It takes you from the country estates of the aristocrats to the squalid slums of the homeless as the plot emerges and expands. You experience the entire social strata of England during the story and how they are affected by the law. The acting is superb as well as the costumes, the music and the sets. It is 7.5 hours long so it is a commitment to watch but yet you can hardly stop watching. It is well worth the investment of time. A great story told by some of the best in the business. If you enjoyed the high quality of the HBO mini-series on John Adams, I think you will appreciate this, also. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/29/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WEBSITE

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL - 1973

RATED - PG -There is some non-explicit violence and two very brief scenes of rear nudity after a sexual encounter which is unseen and it is in a very dark room.

RATINGS - 137 Amazon (5/5), 159,393 Netflix (3.8/5), 10,816 IMDB (7.9/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

STARRING - Edward Fox (The Jackal), Michael Lonsdale (Investigator Lebel).

AWARDS - Nominated in 1974 for an Academy Award, 4 BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, and 2 Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture.

STORY - This political thriller, based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth, begins with a failed assassination attempt by the OAS, an organization angered by President DeGaulle's liberation of Algeria. They realize they are now under intense surveillance by French security and intelligence and must go outside France to hire a professional killer. His code name becomes Jackal. When the French kidnap and torture a member of the OAS, they get the word 'jackal' out of him before he dies. With that slim clue and Investigator Lebel they go to work to track down this apparent assassin. The film runs two parallel tracks between the French security forces and The Jackal, who always seems to be one step ahead. While the film covers in great detail the plans of The Jackal to carry out the perfect plot and the painstaking intelligence work on the part of the French government (before computers and cell phones), it never seems to bog down or be boring. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, building to the climactic 'Day of the Jackal' when DeGaulle is to be assassinated. You don't have to suspend logic to believe this film. It is based on the cleverness and genius of the assassin as well as the intuition and perseverance of Investigator Lebel. Both are obsessed with their jobs and are up to the challenge. A top notch thriller. Roger Ebert calls it 'spellbinding'. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/22/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, ROGER EBERT

WE ARE TOGETHER

WE ARE TOGETHER - 2006

RATED - PG for some thematic elements.

RATINGS - 2 Amazon (5/5), 453 Netflix (2.6/5), 121 IMDB (8.6/10).

STARRING - The children of the Agape Choir as themselves, Alicia Keys, Paul Simon.

AWARDS - 12 Wins at various film festivals.

THEMES - Relationships, spirituality, racial reconciliation.

STORY - Paul Taylor, writer and director, opens this beautiful documentary with a group of African children being awakened in the morning like kids anywhere, the difference being that these children live in The Agape Orphanage in South Africa. Their parents were the victims of AIDS. It is estimated there are 1.2 million AIDS orphans in Africa. Agape serves about 50 of these children. Music is a big part of the life of Agape as it is all throughout South Africa. As we enter the story, the children are rehearsing for a trip to England where they will perform to help raise money for the home. The story takes several turns as the trip to England is cancelled and two tragedies strike the home and the children during the three years of filming. Along the journey we get to meet and know 12 year old Slindile and her siblings along with many other children and get to know a culture so much different from our own. The music will inspire and uplift you as well as the infectious personalities of the children. The film is worth watching just to see the recording session in the studio of 'O Happy Day'. If you somehow feel we are suffering in our country because of the economy, etc., watch this movie. It will make your day. I believe you will realize how much we have in comparison to the rest of the world, even with our challenges. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/22/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, SOUNDTRACK, WEBSITE

TORA! TORA! TORA!

TORA! TORA! TORA! - 1970

RATED - G

RATINGS - 208 Amazon (4.5/5), 177,964 Netflix (3.8/5), 8,252 IMDB (7.5/10).

AWARDS - One ACADEMY AWARD for Best Visual Effects in 1971 plus four nominations.

THEMES - War, relationships.

STORY - TORA! TORA! TORA! is the Japanese signal to attack and this epic film co-produced by American & Japanese interests shows both sides of the story as it builds to the climatic attack on Pearl Harbor which ultimately brought America into WWII. The film does a terrific job of alternating back and forth between the Japanese and American stories so that the viewer gains a good understanding of the circumstances on each side as well as the sequence of events leading up to the attack. The story, by most accounts almost documentary like, is very accurate in depicting the mistakes made by the U.S. military in being caught off guard but it could have been much worse had any of the aircraft carriers been in port which were the real Japanese targets, knowing they had to try to defuse America's air superiority in the Pacific. In the end the Japanese realize they may have won the battle but 'they had awakened a sleeping giant' which they will now have to deal with. The battle scene is spectacular and even more so when you consider it is before computerized graphics and deservedly won the Oscar for visual effects. This is a history lesson that is both entertaining and family friendly. The commentary and additional documentaries with the special addition are excellent. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/16/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

AFTER THE TRUTH

AFTER THE TRUTH - 1999

RATED - NR but probably PG for some language and a shadowy image of an elderly man getting out of the shower.

RATINGS - Amazon - none, 2 Netflix (4/5), 476 IMDB (7.6/10).

STARRING - Gotz George (Dr. Josef Mengele), Kai Wiesinger (Attorney Peter Rohm)

AWARDS - Many nominations including EUROPEAN FILM AWARD for Best Actor (George).

THEMES - Justice, truth, eugenics, social Darwinism.

STORY - The Holocaust continues to haunt the world with the unbelievable evil and atrocities that occurred. This is the 'what if' story of Dr. Josef Mengele, the Auschwitz 'Angel of Death'. What if Mengele had turned himself in and was tried for his crimes. Who would defend him? Attorney Peter Rohm (Wiesinger), who grew up in Mengele's home town and is fascinated (obsessed?) with his story must decide whether to accept that challenge. He has wanted to write a book about Mengele but has been holding off because he can't understand why someone who was a former neighbor could be responsible for the deaths of some 400,000 individuals. He wanted to title the book 'One of Us'. In addition to believing everyone is entitled to legal representation, he wants to find out the truth so he accepts. What follows is a sobering and fascinating look at the mind of Mengele as he stands trial. First, we learn he was not alone. In 1920 the book The Permission to Destroy Life Not Worth Living was published and set the course for German medicine for the next 25 years. This is part thriller, part courtroom drama, part moral question. Was Mengele a psychopathic monster or just your neighbor gone wrong? In his closing argument Rohm says, 'The road to Auschwitz isn't so long, as long as you take it one step at a time.' As the end of the film is fading out, Mengele looks directly at the camera and asks, 'Do you see at least a bit of yourself in me?' Don't answer too quickly. A powerful film about evil that still haunts us today. Very highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/15/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA, CHILDREN OF THE FLAMES, IGNATIUS PRESS

BLACK MAGIC

BLACK MAGIC - 2008

RATED - NR but probably G.

RATINGS - 3 Amazon (5/5), 251 Netflix (2.4/5).

STARRING - Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe, Dan Klores (Director), many players and coaches as themselves.

THEMES - Relationships, racial prejudice, justice.

STORY - The first thing viewers have to understand is that this is NOT simply an ESPN basketball highlight film. It is that, too, but much, much more. It is a serious, historical documentary about race and sports, particularly basketball, in our nation as seen through the eyes of those athletes who attended Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). HBCU's were formed after the civil war to give African-American young people the opportunity for a college education that they were denied at the public & private segregated schools. Examples would be Howard, Grambling, Tennessee A & I, Southern University, etc. There were about a hundred schools. For many decades they produced outstanding students and athletes whose careers were limited by the racial situation in our country after they graduated. This film concentrates on those basketball players who played at one of the HBCU schools. Many you have never heard of and some went to become stars such as Earl Monroe, Bob Love, Avery Johnson, etc. The film moves back and forth between three main tracks: 1) letting the athletes tell their stories about growing up black and trying to succeed in a white world, 2) the civil rights movement that was happening parallel to their careers (including clips from various high and low points in that movement), and 3) their successes on the basketball court as players and coaches (lots of highlights-some of the footage is older and not of high quality but is all that is available). Hearing their stories always makes one wonder 'what if' our world had been different then....? These were some of America's greatest athletes hidden behind the curtain of racial prejudice from ever getting the recognition they deserved. It's a lot like the Negro Baseball League. Ironically, when integration finally happened it became the downfall of the HBCU's as white schools swooped in and recruited many of the best athletes. If you've watched any of Ken Burns's documentaries, this has the feel of one of those. The music is excellent and appropriate. If you really want to understand where much of black American has been, this is an important addition to that conversation and if you like basketball, that's icing on the cake. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/8/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, NBA, TRAILER

EXPELLED

EXPELLED - 2008

RATED - PG for thematic material, some disturbing images and brief smoking.

RATINGS - 318 Amazon (3/5), 16,783 Netflix (3.6/5), 5,115 IMDB (3.6/10).

STARRING - Ben Stein as writer & host. Richard Dawkins, Guillermo Gonzalez and many others as themselves.

THEMES - Intelligent Design is being censored in the academic world and those who promote it are being expelled from higher education world.

STORY - First of all, Ben Stein is a talented and very smart individual. Second, there is no attempt to be unbiased in this documentary. The theme is that those who take a stand for Intelligent Design in the elite world of science and higher education are finding themselves out on the street sooner or later for their beliefs. The metaphor he uses for the science/academic world is Communist East Germany. The film flashes back and forth to Germany beginning with the building of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of academia building a wall around itself and its cherished Darwinian philosophy so that no competing theories can get in and muddy the waters. The film bounces back and forth between interviews with Intelligent Design proponents who, apparently, have lost their positions because of their beliefs, Atheistic evolutionary proponents and clips from Germany. The film moves along quickly and is entertaining, if not factual. Some might call this a 'red meat' film that plays to the ID base audience. There is very little, if any, attempt to validate the ID theory versus Darwinian evolution or to document that those 'expelled' actually lost their jobs due to prejudice. It is assumed the evolution is wrong and, in an effort to protect its turf in science and academia, it is purging the ID enemies. Ben Stein is no dummy and he has crafted a 'documentary' that 'proves' his point through some rather strong metaphors including using the Holocaust as an example of what random selection, survival of the fittest evolution leads to ultimately when it falls into the hands of someone as evil as Hitler. This is worth watching to better understand the battlefield between ID and Darwinian evolution in halls of science and academia which ultimately filter down into our schools and society. It is not the kind of film I would make if I was really wanting to start a serious conversation with those who differ with my viewpoint. Lu G. for Lus' Reviews. 10/30/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS - I believe that Intelligent Design is the product of good science and is a valid theory, one that is actually more and more becoming acceptable in scientific and academic circles. It is hard to defend the Origin of Species as proposed by Darwin. The science is outdated and would be akin to defending a 'flat earth' today. The problem seems to me both theories have been hijacked by those wishing to prove a religious belief. The creationist viewpoint of the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam all point to ID as validating their religious faith in a Creator God. The Darwinians have been hijacked by a militant atheistic faction with spokespersons like Richard Dawkins and others. Both sides want science to do something it cannot - prove the existence or non-existence of God. I believe there is tremendous evidence for a loving Creator who is personally involved in our world and wants a personal relationship with each person through the historical person of Jesus Christ. But that does not mean ID is the proof for my faith. It is good evidence but it may give the same 'proof' to those who believe some intelligent alien force created the world. On the other side, there is a denial of the seemingly overwhelming evidence that life cannot be reduced to a simple cell that came from nothing and then through random selection and survival of the fittest got us to where we are today. Whether you go small and end up confronting DNA, the string theory, etc. or go big and encounter billions of stars and galaxies, and hundreds of events that must all be kept working together with zero tolerance for error to support life such as distance from the sun, the tilt of the earth's axis, the composition of our atmosphere, the odds are immeasurable of chance being the cause. Both sides need to follow the science and be willing to accept it for what it can and cannot do. ID is a valid theory but we should not assume that it automatically confirms our faith view as much as we might want that to be the case. Evolutionists need to follow the science, admit that legitimate science confirms there is intelligence behind the universe and not continue to claim that somehow this came out of pure chance. Those of us with religious beliefs should not force people who accept ID to accept our faith. Let's all work together and let legitimate science take us wherever it will without preconceived ideas. Science and faith are not mutually exclusive.

SEVEN MEN FROM NOW

SEVEN MEN FROM NOW - 1956

RATED - NR but at least PG for western violence.

RATINGS - 45 Amazon (4.5/5), 5,795 Netflix (3.6/5), 827 IMDB (7.6/10).

STARRING - Randolph Scott, Gail Russell, Lee Marvin.

THEMES - Justice, relationships, honor.

STORY - First of all, this is in color and widescreen and the scenery is fantastic - the Arizona desert. This is not just a formulaic western with the good guys versus the bad guys, although it is that, too. The problem is we're not sure who the good guys are and who the bad guys are and sometimes they change. If you don't like westerns, this probably won't change your mind but if you're at all interested, this is worth watching for the complexity of the characters as well as some beautiful western background. Lee Marvin is a cool, cold blooded character like the kind he became known for. Randolph Scott is the somewhat detached ex-sheriff hunting for the seven men who held up Wells Fargo and killed his wife, an innocent bystander. Along the way he helps Gail Russell and Walter Reed, a married couple trying to get to California. Everything is not as it seems with them, also. When Lee Marvin and his sidekick join the trio, the tension mounts as you discover there was a past relationship between Marvin and Scott that still smolders. An underrated and not well known gem of a western. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/26/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, NY TIMES REVIEW.

IRON JAWED ANGELS

IRON JAWED ANGELS - 2004

RATED - NR but probably at least PG for violence and adult themes. The DVD cover (left) is not a reflection of the content of the movie but there is a bathtub scene (nothing revealed) in which she appears to be fantasizing about a romantic encounter with a young man on a picnic (nothing sexual is shown). Also, there is some violence during a protest that turns violent and when Hilary is force fed in prison during a hunger strike.

RATINGS - 103 Amazon (4.5/5), 2,096 IMDB (7.4/10), 114,612 Netflix (3.9/5).

STARRING - Hilary Swank, Anjelica Huston, Margo Martindale, Frances O'Connor.

AWARDS - Winner of Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress and nominated for 5 Emmys plus a number of other awards and nominations.

THEMES - Civil rights, women's rights, relationships, the Constitution.

STORY - This is an HBO movie about the final fight for women's voting rights. It probably helps to have had some background in the long battle for women's right to vote as this story picks it up in the final stages and takes it to the finish line. Others have said that it may try too hard not to be a period piece and that is probably a fair criticism as the characters may be a little more reflective of today than the early 1900's. Having said that, it has always taken people who have that radical toughness and obsession to break down barriers in society. Isn't it amazing that our Constitution that proclaimed 'all men are created equal....' took so long to make it really viable for half of our population, not to mention the battles for freedom from slavery and the subsequent struggle for voting rights of African-Americans. Our country was founded in revolution and struggle-both ideological and physical and that was the beginning as we have struggled to define 'all men' since then. This is a movie worth watching for the reminder of the hard fought (they literally experienced physical violence and wrongful imprisonment) rights that some in our society have had to battle for while others have been able to take for granted those same freedoms. This is the story of a sad chapter in our history and the women who paved the way for their daughters and granddaughters to have an equal (mostly) seat at the table. In a year where we had a woman almost achieve the nomination for President and a woman is on the ticket of the other party, this is a testimony to those who made it possible. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER

ROOTS

ROOTS - 1977

RATED - NR but at least PG for some violence and non-sexual nudity.

RATINGS - 161 Amazon (4.5/5), 132,101 Netflix (4.3/5), 3,019 IMDB (8.7/10).

AWARDS - Winner Golden Globe Best TV Series, 9 Emmy Awards and nominated for 35 other Emmy Awards plus, plus.

STARRING - LeVar Burton, Ben Vereen, Sandy Duncan, Lynda Day George, Ed Asner, Chuck Connors, Lloyd Bridges, Lou Gossett, Jr., Cicely Tyson and on and on.

THEMES - Family, relationships, slavery, freedom.

STORY - Perhaps the most famous TV miniseries of all time. Played for eight straight evenings in January of 1977. The country practically came to a halt during that time slot every evening. Over 130 million views tuned in to watch this amazing story of Alex Haley's family's roots and history. It has been translated into 28 languages since. While the story and technology may seem a little outdated today (how can it not?), this is one story worth watching to gain a better understanding our country's history and where we have come from. In many ways it is the story of our nation from the days of slavery through the great struggles for freedom for all. Kunta Kinte is the main character who was captured and forced into slavery as a young man and brought to America. Perhaps the most poignant moment in the movie is where he has refused to give up his African name and be called Toby, the name his master has given him. He is beaten until, finally, he verbally says his name is Toby. While he may no longer be Kunta Kinte on the outside, he retains his African identity inside and longs to be free to be himself. He tries to pass that heritage down to the next generation. Although slavery obviously plays a major role in the story, it is first and foremost a story of family and what gets passed down from generation to generation. I understand the request for family records from archive sources skyrocketed after the series played. Haley spent over 12 years researching his family's roots before writing the best-selling book that was the basis for the movie. The movie rights were actually purchased before the book was finished and the screenplay was written and finished at the same time as the book. It is a 12 hour investment of your time but something you will not regret. You don't need to watch it all at once-spread it out. Get some friends together. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROOTS THE BOOK, TRAILER.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL: THE WAR ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES

UNCONSTITUTIONAL: THE WAR ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES - 2004

RATED - NR but probably PG

RATINGS - 29 Amazon (4.5/5), 24,746 Netflix (3.9/5), 223 IMDB (8.2/10).

STARRING - A cast of political characters as themselves.

STORY - Our country has been here before. During WWII, we put innocent Japanese citizens in internment camps because they were all considered to be security threats to our nation. In retrospect, most people can see what a horrible decision that was. Maybe it was not so clear at the time given the state of the world. When the horrible attacks of 9/11 occurred, it seems that same mindset reappeared and certain people are paying the price again for the evil deeds of others. Is it right to take away the liberties of people who happen to have a skin color or name similar to the terrorists? How far do we go in balancing security and individual freedom? Is the USA PATRIOT Act really making us safer? Was there enough thought and discussion before passing this bill that was rewritten during the wee hours of the morning and not one member of Congress read it through before voting? These and other controversial issues are discussed in this documentary as well as interviews with people whose lives have been affected by the PATRIOT Act such as a US Olympian whose name has made him a target. This is not a partisan issue as you see Bob Barr and Barney Frank teaming up in challenging the administration's actions. These past few weeks have shown us once again how politicians can 'use' a 'crisis' to push through governmental controls and once our freedoms are gone, they don't ever come back. The film makers have tried to present a balanced story although I'm sure not everyone will agree. It is a very difficult job trying to balance security versus freedom and one worthy of every one's involvement. How much freedom are you and I willing to give up to feel secure? Is this what our founding fathers had in mind? A worthwhile investment of your time. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/17/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA

UNCOUNTED

UNCOUNTED - 2008

RATED - NR but probably G/PG

RATINGS - 14 Amazon (4.5/5), 347 Netflix (3.4/5), 30 IMDB (8.2/10).

STARRING - Emmy-winning filmmaker David Earnhardt

THEMES - Justice, Democracy, Freedom.

STORY - This is a documentary about the votes that go 'uncounted' for various reasons during elections. There are a variety of reasons, some through negligence and human error and others through deliberate attempts to sabotage our voting system. The story is mostly told from the Democratic' viewpoint, although it does try to be impartial. Obviously, the Democrats have been on the losing end of the national elections this century until 2006. The Republicans have no incentive to tell the story. Stripping all the politics away, this is a report about how susceptible our system, especially the electronic voting machines, is to to fraud. It's almost unthinkable that we are using a system that virtually has no check and balances to detect fraud. The same people, Diebold, that manufacture our ATM machines and verify who we are before it dispenses or takes our money and then gives us a receipt to verify the transaction, are responsible for much of the electronic voting equipment used in America. They alone have access to the computer code that control the machines so the government can't even check to see if the code has been altered after an election. It has been proven that these machines are easily rigged, yet they cannot provide equipment even as good as the ATM machines we use every day. Those with high blood pressure and heart disease may want to beware before watching this film. It will make you angry that our Democracy rests on such fragile legs and that we cannot be assured that the real winners of our elections actually get into office. The one check and balance is the exit polling that is done on election day. In both the 2004 & 2006 elections, the exit polls were significantly different from the tabulated results. Statistically, they were way beyond the margins of error from the final vote totals. Who was wrong and what went wrong? You decide. A secure and honest system is all that lies between us and the regimes that govern the countries we so oppose. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/12/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB. BLACKBOXVOTING.COM

THE LONGEST DAY

THE LONGEST DAY - 1962

RATED - G

RATINGS - 199 Amazon (4.5/5), 193,480 Netflix (4/5), 13,712 IMDB (7.8/10).

STARRING - The list is too long. From Eddie Albert to John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, etc, there were over 40 international stars.

AWARDS - Two Academy Awards and five nominations including Best Picture. AFI Top 100 nominee for Best Thrills and Top Movies. 1963 Golden Globe nominee for Best Picture.

STORY - This is the definitive story of D-Day. It's almost beyond comprehension today to think of the scope of this mission which involved 11,000 planes, 4,000 ships and 3,000,000 men. The logistics of coordinating the attacks, keeping everyone supplied with fuel, ammunition, medical supplies, etc. is mind boggling. This film follows the day from start to finish from a number of different Allied assignments including the U.S., the English, the French and even the Irish contingent led by the ever present bagpipes. It also shows the day from the German side. You get the big picture that is not usually present in most war films. This was an incredible day in history. As big as it was, it was made up of individuals, all trying to fulfill their assignments. As we see, sometimes with humor, not all of them went well. Many ended tragically because of human error or weather conditions. There were also many, many heroes that day and we meet some of them. It was also a day that reminded us that 'war is hell'. There is no other way to describe war, even for the most noble causes-for those on the front lines, it is pure hell. We can all be grateful for the thousands of men from all countries who sacrificed their lives. One of the credits of the movie is that it is G rated and although there is plenty of war violence, it is not graphic. While some may say it is sanitized, and, therefore, not realistic, I think it allows for this film to be shown to a wide variety of audiences who will be able to better understand and appreciate the magnitude of this mission. There are plenty of graphic war films for those interested. This is a classic epic worthy of watching more than once. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/04/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

SECRET BALLOT

SECRET BALLOT - 2001

RATED - G

RATINGS - 5,048 Netflix (2.9/5), 682 IMDB (6.5/10), 20 Amazon (3.5/5), Roger Ebert (3/4)

AWARDS - 10 wins and 3 nominations at various Film Festivals including Venice and London.

THEMES - Democracy, gender discrimination, politics.

STORY - The film begins with a plane dropping a large crate with a parachute on what appears to be a remote desert area by the ocean. It then pans to a bunk bed in the open by the beach with a soldier sleeping. He wakes and discovers the crate contains all the ballots and voting materials for the upcoming election and a notice that the voting agent will be arriving shortly and his assignment is to chaperon the agent around the island to collect and verify the votes. This is an Iranian island and when he discovers the bureaucratic agent is a woman, that is his first problem. The second is locating all the voters on the island and convincing them that voting is their responsibility and that it does impact their lives. The one day adventure of this odd couple, a reluctant Iranian soldier and enthusiastic, persevering female agent produces some humorous as well as sobering encounters with the reality of life on this island. Is the film primarily about democracy, gender discrimination or life in Iran? Perhaps it's a combination of all three in this documentary-like film. If you're only into action and fast-paced adventure, this movie is not for you, but, if you enjoy learning about other cultures and the people in other parts of the world who may be very different (or maybe not) from us, this is worth the time investment. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/03/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT.

LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN

LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN - 2004

RATED - NR but probably G

RATINGS - 4 Amazon (5/5), 362 Netflix (2.6/5), 24 IMDB (6.1/10).

STARRING - The church members themselves and directed by Academy Award-nominated David Petersen.

AWARDS - OFFICIAL SELECTION - 2004 Sundance Film Festival other film festival awards.

THEMES - Spirituality, reconciliation, hope, justice.

STORY - This highly acclaimed documentary takes place in a small, storefront Black Pentecostal Church in Washington, D.C. in the shadow of the Capitol. While geographically close, the worlds of these two institutions are light years apart. This week our government has proposed hundreds of billions of bailout funds for Wall Street. In the film, church members pass the 'plate' to raise $200 so one of the members can repair their car to get to work. The film follows four members of the church for a year as they pursue their dreams and hopes. Each one faces significant challenges, both of the external variety and those of the self-imposed consequences. It also shows the church going into the community. While they are most of very modest, perhaps even impoverished means, they care as much for others in the community as they do for themselves. They offer free clothes, food shelves, shelter, medical care and counseling and, of course, spiritual healing to everyone regardless of whether they join the church or not. There is nothing subtle about their faith, that it is Jesus who has changed their lives and gives them strength for living each day. Whether you agree with them, you can't help but love these people who are so authentic and genuine in their care for each other and their community. They don't play church. They live it in a way most of haven't experienced who live in nice, neat suburban areas. Director David Petersen does a great job of letting them tell their own story without either glamorizing or putting it down. Perhaps our legislators should visit this church instead of the big cathedrals. It might help to keep life in perspective. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/20/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB, CT REVIEW, THE FILM MOVEMENT.

KANDAHAR

KANDAHAR - 2001

RATED - NR but probably G.

RATINGS - 25 Amazon (3.5/5), 42,647 (3.3/5), 2,582 IMDB (6.7/10), Roger Ebert (3.5/4).

THEMES - Injustice, Gender Discrimination, Evil.

AWARDS - Many film festival nominations and several wins.

STORY - This is more of a docudrama than a film with a plot and satisfying ending along with character development. Roger Ebert says it well: "KANDAHAR does not provide deeply drawn characters, memorable dialogue or an exciting climax. Its traffic is in images..." It is the images that stick. This was made before 9/11 to show the persecution of women in Afghanistan. It is partially based on a true story involving Nelofer Pazira (Nafas), an Afghan-born Canadian journalist. In the film she has received a letter from her sister who was left behind when the family evacuated Russian-controlled Afghanistan. Her sister, now living under the rule of the Taliban, no longer wants to go on living and has given a date, the lunar eclipse, when she will commit suicide. The letter was delayed in getting to Nafas and she has arrived at the Iranian-Afghan border with only three days until the eclipse. As a woman, she is not free to travel alone into Afghanistan. She must arrange for some male assistance. The rest of the film is about her journey to find her sister. Along the way she meets a Black American disguised as an Afghan medical doctor, a Red Cross camp helping land mine victims who have lost legs. The image of the doctor (he doesn't know she is from Canada initially) asking questions of Nafas thru a third party and being separated by a sheet with a hole to examine her ears, eyes and mouth would be humorous, if not true. A Red Cross helicopter makes a 'leg drop', parachuting artificial legs to the camp below and we are overwhelmed by the image of several dozen amputees with crutches literally racing each other to get a pair of legs. The image of a her young male guide (10-12 years old) pulling a ring off a skeleton in the desert and trying to sell it to her is wrenching. Once again, we are struck by the incredible cruelty that the human race is capable of inflicting on one another, simply because of race or gender. You will probably not remember the plot but you will remember the images, images the reinforce the knowledge that there is both good and evil in this world and we must counter evil wherever we find it. A sobering film. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/13/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT.

THE PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND

THE PRISONER OF SHARK ISLAND - 1936

RATED - NR but probably PG.

RATINGS - 5 Amazon (4/5), 793 Netflix (3.3/5), 472 IMDB (7.4/10).

STARRING - Directed by JOHN FORD with Warner Baxter & Gloria Stuart.

THEMES - Justice.

STORY - The film begins with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth jumping on to the stage and making his escape out the back of the theater. In jumping from the balcony, Booth breaks his leg and soon needs medical attention. In the movie he asks for directions to a local doctor and appears unannounced at the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who, of course (without the Internet & cable TV) has not yet heard of the assassination. He treats Booth and keeps him overnight until he can travel again. The authorities trace Booth's escape to Mudd's estate and arrest him for being an accomplice. He is tried in what appears to be somewhat of a kangaroo court and sent to Shark Island Prison in the Florida Keys. He tried to escape once, unsuccessfully. A violent outbreak of Yellow Fever in which he heroically saves the lives of many of the prisoners while risking his own, convinces his accusers to rethink his guilt. The question is whether Dr. Mudd was an innocent bystander as the movie depicts or was he, in fact, part of the Booth conspiracy. This movie is well done and entertaining and is a terrific introduction to the whole story of John Wilkes Booth and the conspiracy theories. Like the JFK assassination debate, was this a lone gunman or a conspiracy much larger? A fascinating subject. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/07/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IDMB, TCM(Spoilers), WIKIPEDIA

THE LAST HURRAH

THE LAST HURRAH - 1958

RATED - NR but probably G/PG.

RATINGS - 15 Amazon (4/5), 8,591 Netflix (3.6/5), 815 IMDB (7.4/10).

STARRING - Spencer Tracy, Basil Rathbone.

AWARDS - Nominated for 1959 BAFTA Best Foreign Actor (Tracy).

THEMES - Politics, relationships.

STORY - The films begins with Mayor Frank Skeffington (Tracy) coming down the staircase of his large home and stopping to put a fresh flower in the vase under the picture of his deceased wife. He is soon joined in his large home office by his loyal staff who prepare him for the day's activities and getting ready to run for a fifth term. Soon he opens the door and one by one visits with the hundreds of people that have lined up outside his home to see him, a daily event. He's an old time politician, taking in every event in the city that concerns his people. He's got the people on his side but not the establishment whom he regularly 'blackmails' to get things done for 'his' people. They decide to go after him in this election and put up their own candidate backed by the local paper. It's a fresh, young man who knows how to use the 'new' medium called TV. What follows is classic Tracy with humor and drama as the contest turns into a horse race. The film is widely thought to be based on the life of Boston mayor James Curley. If you like Tracy, politics and a good story, this is worth the time. If, as they say, all politics is local, then this is a classic political film. Terrific acting by all involved and a heart wrenching ending. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/06/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TCM(Spoilers)

RECOUNT

RECOUNT - 2008

RATED - NR but probably PG-13 for language. The 'f' word is used quite a bit.

RATINGS - 7 Amazon (4/5), 16,343 Netflix (3.8/5), 2,286 IMDB (7.7/10),

AWARDS - Nominated for 6 Prime Time Emmy's.

STARRING - Kevin Spacey, Tom Wilkinson, Bob Balaban, Denis Leary and Laura Dern. All of them were nominated for individual Emmy's.

THEMES - Justice, democracy, politics, winning at all costs.

STORY - We all know the outcome of the 2000 Presidential race so why would you want to watch this HBO made for TV movie? Like watching a movie about a sporting event or athlete where you know the end, it's about the game itself. This film is about the Florida recount in 2000 as seen mainly through the person of Ron Klain, Al Gore's former Chief of Staff who was dispatched to Florida to head up the Democratic team pursuing the recount. The acting is terrific and so is the writing. Since the event is so recent and all the players are still living, getting the story straight was important and it seems that they did. Even knowing the ending, this movie draws you in so that you almost forget what happened as you follow the events and drama within the inner circle of each party as they fight for Florida's 25 electoral votes and the Presidency. It's really a story about democracy and how it does and doesn't work, about our legal system and how it does and doesn't work and whether a Republic like ours can survive a crisis like that. Whether you think the system works, depends, of course, on what side you were on but our country did survive and I think some credit must be given to the parties involved, particularly Al Gore as the underdog, who could have gotten their supporters all riled up and created a very ugly situation. There were hardly any demonstrations by Democrats. Gore also called off the pursuit in the end when he could have continued to the further detriment of the country. It seems that there was a tangible case of 'Country First'. It is also a reminder that we still don't have this voting thing figured out in our country. We can put the proverbial man or woman on the moon but can't develop a consistent, reliable national voting system for national elections. Maybe there's a case for letting each state and precinct determine its own way, but in an election that affects every one of us, I'd like to think we were all playing by the same rules. This is another outstanding docudrama by HBO. Enjoy during this election year. Who knows, maybe it will be deja vu all over again. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/06/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

FOYLE'S WAR

FOYLE'S WAR - 2002

RATED - TV-PG

RATINGS - 76 Amazon (5/5), 159,370 Netflix (3/5), 831 IMDB (9.0/10).

STARRING - Michael Kitchen, Honeysuckle Weeks, Anthony Howell.

AWARDS - Nominated for several British TV awards.

THEMES - Justice, relationships, ethics.

STORY - This is a BBC made for TV series about Chief Detective Christopher Foyle (Kitchen) set in 1940 England in a small coastal community. Foyle would rather be defending his country somewhere but he must stay home solve the crimes (often related to war activities) that still occur on the home front. The chemistry between Foyle and his driver, Samantha Stewart (Weeks), and his assistant, Sgt. Paul Milner (Howell) is outstanding, as they go about solving crimes in this WWII environment which affects everyone in England. If you like WWII, detective mysteries, and character driven shows this is almost perfection. I can't recommend this highly enough. Aside from some violence around the crime scene, there is almost nothing to deter family viewing. This is about real people living out real life in a war-plagued country and they do it in a most entertaining and satisfying way. Try one and I think you'll be hooked. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/23/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

STATE OF THE UNION

STATE OF THE UNION - 1948

RATED - NR but probably G/PG for adult themes.

RATINGS - 24 Amazon (4.5/5), 6,638 Netflix (3.7/5), 869 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Van Johnson, Angela Lansbury. Directed by Frank Capra (IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE).

THEMES - Relationships, Justice, Honor.

STORY - The story begins with Kay Thorndike (Lansbury) rushing to the side of her dying father, Sam Thorndike, newspaper publisher baron. He challenges her to remain ruthless and get back at the Republican Party which he feels betrayed his chance to be president. Kay decides the best way to get to the White House is by backing (with all her personal assets and the newspapers she controls) her good friend and wealthy aviation manufacturer Grant Matthews (Tracy). Rumors have linked Matthews and Thorndike romantically because he is unofficially separated from his wife Mary Mathews (Hepburn). A public image of a happy marriage is important to a successful campaign and Thorndike and company set about to get the marriage back on track, at least for the public. Matthews knows that Mary is no pushover and will not be manipulated for the sake of his campaign. Yet Mary believes in him and knows that at the core his ability to be honest and his business skills are what the country needs, especially someone outside the influence of the Washington insiders. She decides to wholeheartedly back Grant's run for the nomination all the while fighting back the rumors of his unfaithfulness and the influence of the ruthless Thorndike. This begins the tug of war between Mary and Thorndike as to how the campaign should be run - total honesty and openness or politically shrewd playing all sides. It would be hard not to have an entertaining film, especially about such a hot topic, with the stars involved and under the direction of Frank Capra. A lesser known gem of Tracy and Hepburn, this is a great time to pull it out and watch. Maybe there is still a Grant Matthews lurking out there that we could nominate. For aviation buffs, there is a great scene where a couple of Grant's test pilots pull up alongside the campaign plane and challenge him to a little game of 'chicken' in the air. The picture quality is excellent. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/23/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TCM (Spoilers)

1968 WITH TOM BROKAW

1968 - 2008

RATED - NR but probably PG for brief scenes of drug use.

RATINGS - 6 Amazon (3.0/5), 255 Netflix (3.4/5), 46 IMDB (7.7/10)

STARRING - Tom Brokaw as commentator and various celebrities as themselves.

AWARDS - Nominated for an EMMY.

THEMES - Change, crisis, turmoil, tragedy, triumph.

STORY - This History Channel documentary with Tom Brokaw as host highlights the most turbulent year of, arguably, the most turbulent decade in our country's history. It is hard to dispute the statement that America changed dramatically during the sixties and 1968 seemed to be the year that everything changed. There were two major assassinations, a riot at the Democratic convention, violent protests on college campuses, and a very contentious presidential campaign with the sitting president, Lyndon Johnson, opting not to run again. Drug use was rampant among the 'hippie' generation. But there was also the 'silent majority' who continued to pursue their version of the American way. These views clashed in often violent ways stretching the ability of law enforcement to contain them at times. Not to mention the race issue inflamed by the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. Did I mention feminism and the rise of the women's liberation movement? And for good measure add a resurrected politician named Richard Nixon into the mix. It was fitting that the year should culminate in one of the greatest achievements of mankind, the Apollo 8 Space Mission to the moon. 1968 is not just a year in the past, it is an experience that still influences society today among those who experienced it and those influenced by them. If you missed the sixties, this is a good place to start in understanding what happened. Plenty of good archival footage from actual events. The low ratings of some people seem to have more to do with what's missing than what's included. Unfortunately a 90 minute documentary about 1968 will inevitably leave out some important events or different perspectives. Lu for Lu's Reviews. 08/16/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

49TH PARALLEL

49TH PARALLEL - 1942

RATED - NR but probably PG

RATINGS - 19 Amazon (4.5/5), 5,920 Netflix (3.5/5), 1,399 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - Laurence Olivier, Raymond Massey, Anton Walbrook & Leslie Howard.

AWARDS - Academy Award for BEST WRITING, ORIGINAL STORY and nominated for BEST PICTURE and BEST WRITING, SCREEN PLAY.

THEMES - War, propaganda, relationships.

STORY - First of all, this Criterion-restored version is a great quality picture, clean and crisp. Second, it is a movie with an ulterior motive, that of getting the then-neutral USA into the war. While I don't think it detracts from the entertainment merits, some people do. The story begins with a German U-Boat somewhere in the northern part of Canada. It destroys a Canadian cargo ship and then refuses to help save the survivors. The commander decides to head for Hudson Bay to lay low for awhile until they can escape. They send a small crew ashore to steal supplies they will need. While the U-Boat is surfaced, it is spotted by the Canadian Air Force and destroyed. The stranded crew on shore must try to navigate their way to the 49TH PARALLEL (the line dividing the US and Canada) and the neutral U.S. where they can find freedom. The propaganda enters in when they encounter Canadian citizens in their journey and enter into debates about the merits of democracy versus the white supremacy worldview of 'The Fuhrer'. There are some surprising turns and twists and a satisfying ending. A very interesting aspect of WWII and how it affected Canadians. There were some 500,000 Germans living in Canada at the time and apparently some 850 were interned for being Nazi spies as well as subversives and saboteurs. There are several interesting extras along with the Criterion edition. Enjoy. Lu for Lu's Reviews. 08/16/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TCM

THE SOUTHERNER

THE SOUTHERNER - 1945

RATED - NR but probably G/PG

RATINGS - 10 Amazon (4.5/5), 2,158 Netflix (3.2/5), 552 IMDB (7.6/10), Leonard Maltin (4/4).

STARRING - Zachary Scott, Betty Field. Directed by Jean Renoir.

AWARDS - 3 Academy Award nominations including BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SOUND and BEST MUSICAL SCORE. Winner of BEST FILM at the 1945 Venice Film Festival.

THEMES - Perseverance, the American dream, justice, relationships.

STORY - Why would someone in 2008 watch a B & W film made in 1945 about a 1930's family who are dirt poor trying start their own farm? First, this is a Jean Renoir film and many think he is the best director ever, certainly in the top five. Second, this is a film most of us can identify with at some level. It's about wanting a piece of the American dream, about starting your own business (farm) and creating something based on your abilities and desires. It's about trying to beat the odds, the odds like nature, no money, opponents and limited resources to make it. It's about having faith in yourself and in a higher power that gives purpose and meaning to what you do. Is there justice in this world for those who work hard and live a moral and upright life? You may or may not think so after watching this film. It's another reminder of what makes this country so great are the opportunities that it gives; though not are all equal, they are there for those with the courage and perseverance to follow a dream. Though the film quality is a little poor and Beulah Bondi as Granny Tucker is a weak link in the movie, it is definitely worth watching this little slice of Americana. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/09/2008.

LINKS - Amazon, IMDB, TCM

THE BEDFORD INCIDENT

THE BEDFORD INCIDENT - 1965

RATED - NR but probably PG for adult themes.

RATINGS - 44 Amazon (4.5/5), 16,139 Netflix (3.6/5), 1,306 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - Sidney Poitier, Richard Widmark.

THEMES - Cold War, Nuclear War, Justice

STORY - It's during the height of the Cold War and a U.S. Naval destroyer, The Bedford, is racing through the icy waters of the North Atlantic as it tracks a Russian sub below. So the film opens and then a Navy helicopter comes into the picture keeping pace overhead with the destroyer. Two men, a black photojournalist, Ben Munceford (Poitier), and a Navy medical doctor, Liet. Cmdr. Chester Potter (Martin Balsam) are lowered onto the deck. Both men will come to wish they had not left the helicopter as they are introduced to Captain Eric Finlander (Widmark), the destroyer's skipper. Finlander is obsessed with pursuing and confronting this sub which has violated territorial waters. He knows he is pushing the sub beyond its limits to stay submerged and something will have to give sooner rather than later. As Mumceford, who is doing a feature on Finlander (he stood up to the Navy after a 'Cuba' affair and was subsequently passed over for Admiral) and Potter observer the Captain and the crew, they can see that not only is the sub reaching the breaking point of being submerged but The Bedford's crew of over 200 sailors is also being pushed physically and psychologically to the limit by constantly being called to 'GQ' (full alert) with very little rest. The tension and friction build to the breaking point on the ship as they continue to pursue relentlessly the cornered sub. This is a little known but powerful drama about the Cold War. One wonders how many of these incidents happened or nearly happened in real life. How many Cuban Missile Crises and Bedford Incidents have there been that brought the world to the brink of nuclear disaster? Poitier and Widmark are at the top of their game. Just a footnote - Wally Cox does an outstanding job playing the 'Radar' of the ship. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/06/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TCM(Spoilers Here)