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