LIVING PROOF

LIVING PROOF - 2008 (TV)

RATED - NR but probably PG for mature themes. Family friendly but not for young children.

RATINGS - 11 Amazon (4.5/5), 17,365 Netflix (3.9/5), 239 IMDB (6.7/10).

STARRING - Harry Connick, Jr., Paula Cale, Bernadette Peters and others.

THEMES - Relationships.

STORY - This made for TV movie is based on the book, HER-2, which is the story of Dr. Dennis Slamon's passionate pursuit of a cure for breast cancer. It is essentially the battle between Slamon and Genentech, the company that owns the rights to Herceptin. Slamon is the lead research doctor on the drug and believes with all his being that it can give new life to at least 40,000 of the 200,000 new breast cancer cases each year. Genentech does not believe it has the potential to be financially successful, which is their definition of a successful drug (at least how it is pictured in the film). At a point in the development of the drug, Hollywood friends come to the rescue and raise the money to keep the project going. It is clearly Slamon's drive and passion that is keeping the research alive. It is also the general story of what it takes to bring a new drug to market through the FDA approval process-no insignificant task no matter how great your drug is. The film becomes very emotional as he finally wins approval to begin testing on women in stage IV breast cancer-those that are considered without hope from any approved treatments. Because of the extremely tight restrictions put in place by Genentech, he must exclude some women who are desperate for any hope of a cure. Even more heart wrenching are those who are helped in the Phase I testing but are not allowed to move to Phase II because of the Genentech restrictions. He also discovers that it helps some but not others which is powerfully visualized in a scene where the treatment room is shown full of the test patients that started and one by one those who have died disappear. The film is a testimony to the belief and perseverance of one man who was determined to make a difference against great odds. Where might that apply in our lives? While the drug is not without controversy today, it has saved thousands of lives and fulfilled Slamon's dream of making a difference in the battle against breast cancer. The one shortcoming in the movie is the depiction of Genentech as, more or less, the evil enemy of this dedicated doctor (which they may very well have been) but there is another side to every drug story. And that is that there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of potential drugs out there to cure all kinds of diseases and some are worthwhile and some are not. There is not enough money to find out if they all work and someone has to make the decisions of which ones to pursue and they all sound great in the development stage. Making those kind of life and death decisions requires the wisdom of Solomon, something very few people have. These decisions will only get more difficult as our population ages and the money shrinks to provide treatment for everyone for every disease. This is a wonderful, inspirational film worth watching. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/26/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

MEMPHIS BELLE

MEMPHIS BELLE - 1990

RATED - PG-13, most likely for language and war violence and some fairly brief closeup scenes of wounded soldiers. A pretty mild PG-13 compared to many.

RATINGS - 97 Amazon (4/5), 314,220 Netflix (3.8/5), 8,472 IMDB (6.7/10), Roger Ebert (4/5).

STARRING - Harry Connick, Jr., Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, etc.

AWARDS - Nominated for one BAFTA in 1991.

STORY - This WWII film is based on the true story of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 bomber and crew based in England and flying daylight (the most dangerous) bombing raids over Western Europe. They have flown 24 successful missions and one more and they'll be done and able to go home. They would be the first crew in the Eighth Air Force to finish all 25. The fatality rate of these daylight missions is so high as to almost be considered suicidal. Over 200,000 men were killed in air battles over Western Europe during WWII. Because of their size and flying relatively low over targets, they were especially vulnerable to being shot down. The bombs were dropped by visually sighting the target and dropping the bombs. Needless to say, there was a great deal of 'imprecision' in hitting their targets. If the lead plane was off target, the rest of planes following their lead would be wrong, also. In the film, we see how seriously this particular pilot took the commitment to hit military targets and avoid civilians, although that wasn't always the case (they're all Nazis as one crew member screamed in defiance). They Army and Look magazine have already lined up a 'victory tour' around the U.S. to promote the war once they finish their 25th mission. But have they jumped the gun? They draw the Bremen, Germany assignment, one of the most dangerous. Once the plane takes off on their final mission, you are drawn into this drama and it won't let you go. The film is also punctuated with some archival footage of aerial combat. Take the time to watch the heroics of these crews who put their lives on the line every mission and changed the course of WWII and, ultimately, world history. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/19/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - 1958

RATED - NR but probably PG for adult content/mild violence.

RATINGS - 105 Amazon (5/5), 32,833 Netflix (3.7/5), 5.520 IMDB (8.0/10).

AWARDS - 1959 Golden Globes Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Film is in English but produced in Britain.

STORY - Most everyone is familiar with the story of the Titanic but if you've only seen the recent film versions, you may not know the real story. This is, arguably, the most accurate version of what happened that fateful night on April 15, 1912 to a ship that was 'unsinkable'. The film has the feel of a docudrama with no villains or fictional romances. The story of what actually happened is more than interesting. There are archival clips from the actual launching of the Titanic mixed in. In addition to the obvious arrogance of people thinking they had built an unsinkable ship, there was the arrogance of 'class' in society. The difference between those traveling first class and those in 'steerage' is shocking and , in the end, heart breaking, seeing the lower class passengers trying to escape the sinking ship. There are no CGI's but it was state of the art for that time and probably more realistic than CGI's. The extras on this Criterion version are excellent and very helpful in understanding the culture and setting for this tragic event. For example, there are two memorials side by side in the home of the Titanic, one for Titanic victims and one for war casualties. The names of the shipwreck victims are in order of importance and the soldiers are listed alphabetically. As tragic as the event was, caused by human error and poor decisions, there are true heroes and many more lives would have been lost if not for them. It was A Night To Remember. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/12/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, THE BOOK

INTO THE STORM

INTO THE STORM - 2009 (TV)

RATED - TV-PG There is some fairly minor language including a couple 'F' words by Churchill. Some archival war footage with war violence but not overly graphic. Churchill is shown taking a bath and talking to FDR. His chest and feet are showing and when he gets out, his aid wraps a towel in the appropriate place which promptly falls off, leaving FDR pretty much speechless. We don't see anything other than the rear upper torso of Churchill. This is pretty family friendly and should be of interest to teens and older.

RATINGS - 4 Amazon (3/5), 1,937 Netflix (3.5/5), 461 IMDB (7.1/10).

STARRING - Brendan Gleeson (Churchill), Janet McTeer (Clementine Churchill).

STORY - An excellent HBO production on the life of Churchill during the war years following up on their terrific film, THE GATHERING STORM, leading up to the war years. I didn't think Gleeson was quite as outstanding as Albert Finney in GATHERING STORM or McTeer as Redgrave but they both gave excellent performances. There is no question that Churchill, warts and all, is one of the most fascinating men in modern history. In the GATHERING STORM we learn of Churchill's sense of destiny for his life. In this film we see why he may have indeed been destined for 'such a time as this'. The circumstances are overwhelming for Britain. The future of the country and the empire are literally on the line. The film begins with the very early stages of the war in 1940 and quickly flashes forward to 1945 with Churchill and family vacationing in France by the ocean, waiting for the results of the election for prime minister. These flashbacks and flash forwards are both the strength and weakness of the film. They show us the 'before' and 'after' Churchill but often make it a little confusing at first until you understand what's going on. It also helps to have some knowledge about Churchill and WWII as the scenes are usually fairly short and don't give a lot of context. What you do you get is some very interesting insights into the mind of Churchill in the various war situations. For example, when deciding whether to bomb Dresden, his military advisers are concerned about civilian casualties but Churchill shows no concern for civilians and we learn shortly after the decision that 58,000 civilians are killed and 200,000 lose their occupations due to the destruction of war factories. We learn that he has loved military strategy from a young child and people question whether this might just another 'game' for him. His relationship with 'Clemmy' is also a fascinating one. She is a strong person in her own right and without her, it is doubtful Churchill would have fulfilled his 'destiny' in the way he did. A highly entertaining and informative HBO film. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/05/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

I'LL BE SEEING YOU

I'LL BE SEEING YOU - 1944

RATED - NR but probably G. VERY family friendly but not very interesting for young children. Older teenage girls may be interested in what a young woman (Shirley Temple) was like in the 1940's.

RATINGS - 19 Amazon (4.5/5), 14,657 Netflix (3.6/5), 381 IMDB (7.1/10).

STARRING - Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotten & Shirley Temple.

THEMES - Relationships, forgiveness.

STORY - A soldier and a young, attractive woman in a hurry to catch the train 'home' for the Christmas holidays, both stop at the newspaper stand simultaneously. The soldier (Cotten) is obviously nervous and distracted and the woman (Rogers) is confused why gum is not available. They end up sitting across from one another on the train. The conversation is awkward but the soldier decides quickly to create a story about going to the same destination in the hopes of seeing her again. As the story develops we learn the secrets each is carrying and the obvious risk there is in sharing that secret with someone they might care about. They each must deal with their secrets apart, also, as they wrestle the demons from the past. The story of the soldier could easily apply to any one of our troops today coming home from Iraq or Afghanistan. This is a well done story and performance by everyone involved. Shirley Temple is a little over the top as Roger's niece but turns in a solid performance as well. While not as well known as THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, it is a worthwhile addition to your Christmas collection. It's readily available from Netflix but is OOP and very expensive to purchase on Amazon. I bought a new copy very reasonably on Ebay from a foreign source and it played perfectly with a great quality picture. Enjoy the Christmas season and remember those you meet may be dealing with unseen demons in their lives. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/05/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

THE RON CLARK STORY

THE RON CLARK STORY - 2006 (TV)

RATED - NR but probably PG for some minor violence and language. Family friendly. Best for age 12 and above.

RATINGS - 59 Amazon (4.5/5), 134,128 Netflix (4/5), 3,461 IMDB (7.6/10).

STARRING - Matthew Perry who was nominated for an Emmy as the Best Lead Actor.

AWARDS - Numerous nominations, including Emmy and Golden Globe. Won Family Film Award for Best TV Movie/Drama.

STORY - This is the true story of Ron Clark, a teacher in rural North Carolina, who had a dream to teach in the toughest area of New York City. The dream wasn't just for himself, it was for that indifferent young boys and girls, against great odds, could become successful in life if only they could believe it was possible. Not only were the odds great against any of his students going beyond elementary school, the odds seemed even greater against Ron Clark making it through his first year of teaching in the toughest school in Harlem. But he had a dream and he was 'naive' enough and idealistic enough to believe he could reach that goal. While optimism and belief are essential, it is also helpful to have talent and Ron Clark is a very gifted and creative teacher. He was willing to experiment with various ways to reach this rebellious kids who wanted nothing to do with school or him. If making a fool of himself trying to 'double dutch' jump rope would get their attention, then so be it. The kids were more important than his ego. His relationships with parents should be an example for any teacher who really wants to make a difference with their students. This is one of those truly inspirational films and stories that comes along once in a great while. Not only has he helped students reach their potential but he has written a best selling book of classroom rules called THE ESSENTIAL 55 for teachers. We may not all have the same talents as Ron Clark but we can all be inspired to use what we have to the best of our ability and for the benefit of others. Put this at the top of the list. Unfortunately, it's OOP and somewhat expensive to purchase but readily available as a rental. Enjoy! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/15/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

GIFTED HANDS

GIFTED HANDS - 2009 (TV)

RATED - NR but probably PG for mature themes, minor violence and intense surgery scenes. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 27 Amazon (4.5/5), 12,094 Netflix (4.3/5), 452 IMDB (7.3/10).

STARRING - Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Dr. Ben Carson

THEMES - Justice, relationships, spirituality.

AWARDS - 4 prime time Emmy nominations.

STORY - This is the life story of Dr. Ben Carson, chief of pediatric surgery at Johns Hopkins University and considered the world's best pediatric surgeon. The story begins with Dr. Carson being asked to consider operating on the two sons of a German couple who are joined at the abdomen and skull. No one has ever performed this surgery successfully with both children surviving. The film then flashes back to the childhood of Dr. Carson. He was raised by an illiterate but very loving and determined single mother who married at the age of 13 and was divorced soon after when she discovered her 'husband' was married at the same time to another woman with another family. She was determined that her two sons would not turn out the same way she did. It is an amazing story of this mother and her love and determination. Ben, not realizing he needed glasses, consistently performed way below the other students in class until his mother used all their savings to get him a pair. That, along with her firm hand in making the two boys read two books a week from the library (along with written reports) as well as limiting TV watching to two programs a week turned Ben into the 'student of the year' in 8th grade. Even that, however, was tainted, as a teacher at the award ceremony berated the other students for letting a 'boy of color' with serious disadvantages and a single mother outperform them. The story continues with his achievements and struggles through high school and his scholarship years at Yale and on to his residency at Johns Hopkins. The story then takes us back to the conclusion of the decision whether or not to operate on the German twins. It is an incredible story of someone who not had the 'gifted hands' needed to be a great surgeon but also the determination, humility and faith to make a life of great service to his fellow humans against great odds. The acting is outstanding. I would encourage everyone and every family to make this a 'must watch'. I would also highly recommend SOMETHING THE LORD MADE, another story about a great African-American surgeon, Dr. Vivian Thomas, who was born 30 years too early to be able to have the same opportunities as Dr. Carson, but nevertheless made a great contribution to medicine that is still being used today. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/15/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, SOMETHING THE LORD MADE REVIEW

P.S. As I was watching GIFTED HANDS and THE RON CLARK STORY and reflecting, also, on SOMETHING THE LORD MADE, I was impressed by how these men (in these particular cases), who were/are extraordinarily gifted, used their gifts to benefit others as opposed to the kind of greed and ego we see so often today, especially on Wall Street, where some (not all) have so abused their positions and ruined the lives of millions of others and almost took down the entire U.S. economy. It also reminded me that those of us who have lesser gifts still have those same options - whether to use them for the benefit of others or simply to profit from them. How will we be judged for what we have done with our giftedness??

OVERLORD

OVERLORD - 1975 (Not released in U.S. until 2006)

RATED - NT but PG/PG-13. Some language, very brief glimpse of bare breast when a young woman starts to undress in a dream-like scene. No sex or other nudity. Some fairly tame war violence by today's standards.

RATINGS - 11 Amazon (3.5/5), 6,706 Netflix (3.0/5), 583 IMDB (7.5/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

AWARDS - Won two and nominated for one the 1975 Berlin International Film Festival.

STORY - The film, shot deliberately in black & white, opens with a young man in England leaving home for boot camp. He appears to be the definition of average, neither overly bright nor stupid. Naive might be a label that applies, if anything. Young men all over England are being called up as casualties mount on the European front and the Allies prepare for D-Day. The strength of the film is in its use of terrific archival footage from the Imperial War Museum within the movie. Our young soldier survives boot camp and thanks to a fellow soldier becomes a little more worldly than before he entered the service. The use of the archival film to show the massive buildup of troops and equipment contrasted with the loneliness and fear of the solitary soldier is effective in understanding D-Day. Some of the footage from the archives is amazing and worth watching the film for that alone. You have the most massive military invasion in history and yet at its core is the individual soldier. He meets and falls in love with a very nice young girl but will there be a future together-will there be a future at all? Neither of them can be sure. His unit learns that they will be among the first to land on D-Day. Cannon fodder-that's what they begin to see themselves. How would you react knowing your chances of surviving the invasion are slim and none? While some see this an anti-war film, I think it is more a reality of war film. While war may be a necessary evil in the face of greater evils, that doesn't change the fact that is evil and young lives and families are forever changed. A film that will make you pause and consider the consequences of even the most just war. The extras are very worthwhile. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/7/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT

EARTH: THE BIOGRAPHY

EARTH: THE BIOGRAPHY - 2008

RATED - NR but probably G. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 25 Amazon (4/5), 14,022 Netflix (4.1/5), 295 IMDB (8.9/10).

STORY - Subtitled 'The Story of Our World', this is the BBC documentary on the make up of our planet; how it works, what sustains it and why our planet is unique in our solar system and probably in the universe (at least so far). There are five episodes: VOLCANOES, ICE, ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS & THE UNIQUENESS OF PLANET EARTH THAT ALLOWS FOR LIFE. If you're really into science there may not be any revelations here but at the very least this is a reminder of the incredible planet that we inhabit and the amazing way that it sustains itself and how unique and precise everything has to be to sustain life. Being a typical non-scientist, I can say there were things that I learned, especially about how important volcanoes are to sustaining life and how the atmosphere works. It also reinforces the mysteries that surround the origins of and life on planet earth. The BBC, in my opinion, has no peers in producing documentaries about nature. They are education and entertainment of the highest level. The host is Iain Stewart, an entertaining and energetic daredevil. The five episodes were seen on the National Geographic Channel in one hour shows. Planet Earth is truly amazing. Enjoy! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/07/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

GREEN FOR DANGER

GREEN FOR DANGER - 1946

RATED - NR but G/PG. Nothing offensive but mostly adult content.

RATINGS - 32 Amazon (4.5/5), 11,769 Netflix (3.5/5), 1,453 IMDB (7.8/10), New York Times (4/5).

STORY - The setting is England during 1944 and the Nazis are sending V-1 unmanned bombs over. When the noise overhead stops, you know the bomb is about to explode and you better take cover. A postman who just completed a delivery on his bicycle to the rural hospital (temporarily converted estate) nearby that operates on bomb victims becomes the next victim. While his wounds require surgery, they are not life threatening until the surgery begins. He mysteriously and suddenly dies on the table. The new hospital administrator states there will be a full inquiry. A whimsical Scotland Yard inspector is brought in who quickly sequesters the surgery team and boasts he knows who did it and will reveal the killer shortly. One of the better whodunits I've watched, it is tightly scripted and the acting is superb. Every word and gesture counts. The eccentric inspector antagonizes just about everyone with his arrogance. Did I mention the tangled web of relationships that will keep you guessing? This Hitchcock-like British murder mystery will hold you to the end. The Criterion version has been restored exceptionally well. Lu for Lu's Reviews. 10/31/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

BULLITT

BULLITT - 1968

RATED - PG but some brief but fairly bloody and graphic violence for a PG.

RATINGS - 247 Amazon (4.5/5), 365,493 Netflix (3.8/5), 18,596 IMDB (7.5/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

STARRING - Steve McQueen (Detective Frank Bullitt), Jacqueline Bisset (Cathy-Bullitt's girlfriend), Robert Vaughn (Senator Chalmers).

AWARDS - 1969 Academy Award for Best Film Editing, AFI TOP 100 Thrills, 1970 BAFTA nominees for Best Direction & Best Supporting Actor (Vaughn).

STORY - Most people remember this film for perhaps the best (or one of the best) car chase scenes in film history with Steve McQueen (driving himself) in a Mustang Fastback chasing two gangsters in a Dodge Charger up and down the hills of San Francisco. It is memorable to be sure, but the movie, as a whole, is decent. While there is some brief but bloody violence it's not just a shoot 'em up film. Steve McQueen insisted that it be realistic and as a result you do get inside the character's heads. You experience detective work as much of it really happens, methodical with patience. Bullitt is assigned to what should be a fairly routine witness protection weekend assignment at the request of Senator Chalmers (Vaughn) who is on a crusade to clean up the mob and get credit for it - the credit is what he mostly cares about. This is his star witness and the hearings will be his stage. However, the assignment quickly goes bad and Bullitt wants to find out who leaked the location and who are the assassins. There are enough twists and turns to keep you involved and, of course, there's the car chase. Roger Ebert likes it because the role of the stoic cop Bullitt is so close to the real Steve McQueen. Lu for Lu's Reviews. 10/31/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB WITH TRAILER, ROGER EBERT

GATES OF HEAVEN

GATES OF HEAVEN - 1978

RATED - NR but probably PG. Nothing offensive but the subject matter is mostly adult oriented.

RATINGS - 26 Amazon (4.5/5), 20,232 Netflix (3.4/5), 1,640 IMDB (7.7/10), Roger Ebert (4/4)

STARRING - Academy Award-winning Erroll Morris (THE THIN BLUE LINE) is the film maker. The pet owners and pet cemetery owners are themselves in this documentary.

STORY - Roger Ebert calls this documentary 'A masterpiece...one of the top ten films of all time...They say you can make a great documentary about almost anything, if you see it well enough and truly, and this film proves it.' While on the surface, this might seem to be a film about people and their pets, it's really a study in human nature and psychology. It is people opening up to the camera about their dreams, hopes and disappointments. It initially is centered around the developer of a pet cemetery in Southern California that ultimately went bankrupt and how the 450 buried pets had to be dug up and transferred to another cemetery. The film then shifts to the owners of the new cemetery, a family run business, and the dynamics of the father and two sons as they share their 'success' strategies for life. Interspersed are interviews with owners whose pets had to be transferred and the trauma that goes along with that experience. This might have been a good candidate for 'reality TV' if that had existed. Not your everyday documentary but fascinating in its own way. Read Roger Ebert's fascinating review at the link below. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/10/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT

NATURE'S MOST AMAZING EVENTS

NATURE'S MOST AMAZING EVENTS - 2009

RATED - NR but probably PG. This is a very family friendly series but there are some scenes of animals attacking and killing other animals. Not overly graphic but perhaps a caution for younger children.

RATINGS - 17 Amazon (4.5/5), 12,558 Netflix (4/5), 69 IMDB (9.1/10).

STARRING - David Attenborough as narrator and some awesome camera and production crews.

STORY - This outstanding series from the BBC covers six of the most amazing events in nature that take place on a regular basis. You will travel from the Arctic to British Columbia and to the Serengeti on the first disc and then back to South Africa, on to Botswana and back to the Pacific Ocean and Alaska on the second disc. Not only are the events themselves amazing but the camera work is spectacular. It would be hard to overstate the work of the BBC in producing documentaries about our planet and nature. They are the best. Just as interesting as the episode itself is the 10 minute 'diary' at the end of each episode showing clips of the camera crew filming various scenes and the challenges they encountered in producing that particular show. These men and women are true adventurers in every sense of the word to get these films produced. I don't think anyone will regret the time spent watching these amazing films and learning more about this incredible planet we inhabit. Five stars all the way. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/27/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

GOD ON TRIAL

GOD ON TRIAL - 2008

RATED - NR but probably PG for adult themes. Total rear nudity of male prisoners being 'examined' by the doctor to determine who dies and who lives.

RATINGS - 12 Amazon (5/5), 4,476 Netflix (3.4/5), 360 IMDB (7.3/10).

THEMES - Spirituality, justice, character of God.

STORY - This outstanding PBS Masterpiece Theater film recreates what was possibly an actual event that took place at Auschwitz. Some of the prisoners, including a group of new arrivals still in shock, were discussing (not unlike the debate Job and his friends had) whether God had broken His covenant with them as His chosen people by allowing them to be exterminated by the Nazis. They decided the only way to decide was to put God on trial. A panel of three 'judges' was selected, one of whom actually taught criminal law in real life. . What follows is a passionate discussion of whether God has abandoned His people and, therefore, is guilty of the atrocities happening there. The discussion is well reasoned and intelligent. How can a loving God allow this evil, especially with those He is supposed to have such a special relationship with? You may find yourself asking the same questions. How is this possible? What kind of God would allow this? A father and son, one slated to die the next day, vigorously disagree. It's one thing to talk about evil in the abstract. It's quite another to talk about when you are facing the death sentence the next day. You may be surprised at which one defends God and why. The debate is vigorous and stimulating. You may be surprised at the 'verdict'. For many people, this is the ultimate question. How do we deal with evil and a loving God? The acting is terrific and realistic. Watch this and 'you be the judge'. A wonderful contribution to quality programming on television. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/12/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ELIE WIESEL BOOK -TRIAL OF GOD

HARVARD BEATS YALE 29-29

HARVARD BEATS YALE 29-29 - 2008

RATED - NR but probably G. This is a football documentary.

RATINGS - 13,718 Netflix (3.6/5), 130 IMDB (7.4/10).

STORY - It's November 23, 1968 and, for the first time since 1909 Harvard and Yale are meeting in the last game of the season and both teams are undefeated. Yale is ranked 16th in the nation and is heavily favored. The title of the film gives away the ending but doesn't tell you or show you the improbable, almost impossible, ending to this game. If this was Michigan & Ohio State it would have been the game of the century. For the most part, except for Calvin Hill and Tommy Lee Jones, there are no household names in either lineup. But it's more than just a game, it's Harvard & Yale, the elite of the elite, and it's 1968 and the Vietnam War is at its height and the country has had two more assassinations with MLK & RFK. As exciting as the game was, the film is also a commentary on our country, particularly what was going on in the colleges & universities. The documentary is the game footage interspersed (sometimes in the middle of the play to create suspense) with commentary from the actual players involved in that play. As you might expect, the players are articulate and intelligent. You get a lot more than just comments on the game. Do you want to hear one opinion on why the sexual revolution was going on? Do you want to know what it was like to date Meryl Streep and what was she like as a college co-ed? How about who roomed with Al Gore and George W. Bush and the pranks they were involved in? What of a former decorated Marine just back from Vietnam and what it was like to confront war protestors in front of every classroom building and play on the same team with players who protested and participated in SDS. While I agree that mostly real football fans are going to want to watch this, it has broader appeal than some reviewers give it credit for. It's very well done and entertaining as well as quite a game. A little nostalgia for baby boomer football fans. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/12/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER

MICKEY

MICKEY - 2004

RATED - PG for adult themes. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 15 Amazon (3.4/5), 34.086 Netflix (3.5/5).

STARRING - John Grisham wrote the screen play and Hugh Wilson (WKRP Cincinnati, Police Academy, First Wives Club) directed. Harry Connick, Jr. and Shawn Salinas (film debut) starred.

THEMES - Relationships, justice.

STORY - John Grisham is a huge baseball enthusiast and even has built a Little League complex on his property and runs the league every summer so this is not a subject far from his heart. And it shows in the film. The players are really top notch players, not actors trying to look like ballplayers. They actually recruited players from coast to coast and taught them acting skills. It has the feel of real competition when you're watching the game scenes and Grisham understands the dialogue between coaches and players and it seems very realistic to someone who has also been there. The story is about Tripp Spence and son Derrick. Tripp is recently widowed and his life revolves around coaching Derrick's Little League team. Derrick is 12 and has just finished his last year of Little League (or has he?). This is the point at which many boys quit or are eliminated from baseball as they have to make the move from the reduced size fields of Little League to full size fields. Derrick would love to have the last season over and stay at the magic age of 12 forever. Unfortunately, he will get the chance. Tripp has been cheating the IRS on his taxes due to the medical bills (sounds familiar in the health care debate) surrounding his wife's death. When the IRS comes calling, rather than face the music, he decides to create a new identity for himself and Derrick and leave the state. Derrick is now 12 again. There's plenty of action and suspense to keep you engaged and the story takes several unexpected twists at the end. Very family friendly. The couple negative reviews on Amazon seem to think the film encourages cheating and deception. I would disagree and say just the opposite. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/09/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON

EIGHT MEN OUT

EIGHT MEN OUT - 1988

RATED - PG for adult themes, some language, smoking & drinking.

RATINGS - 63 Amazon (4.5/5), 209,647 Netflix (3.7/5.0), 7,880 IMDB (7.2/10), Roger Ebert (2/4).

STARRING - John Cusack, John Sayles, Charlie Sheen & others.

THEMES - Relationships, justice.

STORY - This is the story of the 1919 Chicago White Sox scandal in which 8 of the players were bribed to 'throw' the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, in which they were heavily favored. The Series had changed to best of 9 games that year so the star pitcher who won 29 games would get at least three starts. Without his participation in the scandal, they would have been unbeatable. He became 'in' when Sox owner Charlie Comiskey refused to pay him his bonus for winning 30 games because he 'only' won 29. Comiskey had ordered him benched toward the end of the season for two weeks, missing five starts, to prevent him from reaching 30 wins and earning the bonus. This was but one example of Comiskey 'cheating' his players out of money they had earned. At that time, the owner was king. There were no unions and not even a commissioner for the players to appeal to. This is a fascinating story about a major black spot on Major League Baseball and subject to much discussion as to whether all the players implicated really did intentionally play below their ability. Roger Ebert's lower rating is primarily due to his feeling you had to have too much knowledge of the scandal and the individual players before watching the movie because the individual players and other characters were not identified clearly and distinctly early on in the film. His criticism does have some merit but certainly not enough to avoid this very interesting incident in Major League Baseball and one of the few full-fledged scandals in profession sports, although steroid use may end up being right up there. The costumes and settings are well done and give you a real feel for the period. Another interesting sidelight is the players' relationship to the community. They were a real part of the community, even walking back and forth from home to the stadium for games and, of course, travel by train provided for a much different environment between players and the sportswriters who traveled along. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/09/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT, TRAILER

POWER, PASSION & GLORY

POWER, PASSION & GLORY - The real story of Texas football madness. (2004)

RATED - PG Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 6 Amazon (4.5/5), 694 Netflix (3/5), 9 IMDB (7.6/10)

STORY - Celina, Texas (30 miles north of Dallas) is a small community of about 2,000 people with a big reputation for its high school football program. They were riding the crest of 57 straight victories and 4 state championships in their division, 2A and then lightning struck during the summer before the 2002 season. Their legendary coach, G.A. Moore, resigned, seemingly for no reason, and moved down the road to their biggest rival, Pilot Point, along with 3 of the nine coaches. Their enrollment for the coming school year also put them over the 2A limit by three students and they were bumped up to 3A where they would compete as the smallest school in the division. Can they continue their streak under new coach Butch Ford, who coached under Moore for 25 seasons but had never been a head coach and handle the bigger schools? Narrated by NFL great Pat Summerall, the documentary takes you behind the scenes with the players, coaches, parents and fans as well as highlights from the season. In Texas, football is life, whether the NFL or the smallest communities. As one of the former players summed it up, 'the season lasts about eleven and half months in Celina". If you love football, high school sports and small town America, this is for you. It is fun, lots of good football action and a look behind the scenes at the winningest football program in Texas history. Hollywood could not have crafted a better ending to a film. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/26/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA

BEING THERE

BEING THERE - 1979

RATED - PG Probably best suited for older teens and above. Some sexually related dialogue and a scene where a woman fully clothed masturbates (mostly off screen) to attract a man who is not interested. No nudity and one scene of language from a gang member.

RATINGS - 16 Amazon (4/5), 445,118 Netflix (3.8/5), 22,017 IMDB (8/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

STARRING - Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine,

AWARDS - 1980 Academy Award for BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR & BEST ACTOR nominee. AFI TOP 100 Laughs, 1981 BAFTA nominees for BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS & BEST FILM. 1980 Golden Globe awards for BEST ACTOR & BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR and nominees for BEST MOTION PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR & BEST ACTRESS.

THEME - Satire, relationships.

STORY - Peter Sellers plays Chance the long time gardener for a wealthy gentlemen who dies early in the film. Chance's life revolves around television and gardening. He has a TV close by wherever he is, even while working. His ability to communicate with others is limited to parroting what he hears and sees on TV. Put out on the street (literally) when the owner dies with nothing but a suitcase full of the owner's custom made suits (perfect fit except about 3 inches short in the legs) he tries to find what life has next. A minor accident lands him in the home of a wealthy and dying industrialist who has a powerful influence on the presidency. (the film is set in D.C.) who assumes that his cryptic speech and tailor made clothes represent an eccentric genius. (The real genius is Seller's acting in the film) His 'words of wisdom' (often the most recent words he has seen on TV) take on a life of their own when coming from the mouth of this 'genius'. Read Roger Ebert's review for a more in depth discussion of the various levels of interpretation one might read into the film. While not everyone (action oriented viewers) will appreciate this film, it is a terrific satire on our culture and the way people react with pre-conceived perceptions of the way people dress and talk. While set in D.C., a great deal of the movie is filmed at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, an unbelievable landmark. People have discussed the meaning of the last scene, where Chance (appears to) walks on water across the pond, since the film was released. Great discussion potential, terrific acting and a fun (although somewhat quirky) movie. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/19/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB/TRAILER, ROGER EBERT

GEORGE WALLACE

GEORGE WALLACE - 1997 (TV)

RATED - NR but probably PG-13/R for a scene of sexuality (passionate embracing on the bed clothed), violence in scenes of racial protest, various foul language of all sorts and cigar and cigarette smoking and drinking by almost all major characters. No nudity or sexual scenes except above. Mature teens and above.

RATINGS - 12 Amazon (4/5), 2,801 Netflix (3.5/5), 601 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - Gary Sinise (Wallace), Mare Winningham (1st Mrs. Wallace), Angelina Jolie (2nd Mrs. Wallace), Clarence Williams III, directed by John Frankenheimer.

AWARDS - Three EMMY'S for OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR, OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR, OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Winningham). Jolie was nominated for an Emmy and won a Golden Globe for her supporting role and there were many other nominations and wins in various categories.

THEMES - Racial prejudice, hatred, reconciliation, forgiveness, justice.

STORY - The film begins with Wallace and second wife, Cornelia (Jolie), passionately embracing on the bed. It seems an odd beginning but as we learn later, this would be the last or one of the last times George Wallace experienced any physical pleasure. The movie then begins a series of flashbacks and flash forwards of the life of this man who become such a lightning rod for the civil rights movement in America. He came to represent what so many saw as what was wrong with the South and their policies of segregation. Wallace's campaign slogan became 'segregation now, segreation tomorrow, segregation forever'. Was he a true racist or a populist who played the cards he thought would get him elected. He ran for governor of Alabama four times and for president four times. Many thought he had a serious chance to be elected President before the assassination attempt. This would have been the reverse of what happened in 2008, only 36 years earlier. Is this a summary of how far our country has come in the last four decades or was Wallace simply a political aberration? This is an outstanding film, the acting (especially Sinise) is terrific and it gives a balanced picture of this unusual politician. George Wallace is a very real part of American history and anyone under 40, especially, should watch this to understand why the subject of racism, while different than the 60's, has not gone away. There are actual archival scenes of civil rights protest mixed in the film. It is a three hour mini-series, not the 370 minutes it says on Netflix. Well worth watching to get a fair picture of this man and the period of civil rights struggles in our country. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/12/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CAPITALISM

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CAPITALISM - 2008

RATED - NR but G/PG for mature themes and discussion.

RATINGS - 16 Netflix (3.5/5)

STARRING - Ted Koppel

STORY - Imagine if the population of the U.S. quadrupled and the increase came mainly from rural areas and earned a fraction of what the rest of us earned. That would be something like the great contrasts that exist in China as it establishes itself as an economic superpower and the U.S. and China go forward, awkwardly 'joined at the hip', possibly irreversibly so. In this four part documentary Koppel takes a look at this complex love/hate relationship. We hate China when they take our jobs with their cheap labor but the same people who lost their jobs are the same ones (with millions others) who love shopping at Wal-Mart and other retailers with cheap, imported goods from China. We all probably know that but what doesn't seem to make the nightly news is the appetite the growing Chinese middle class have for high end 'American-made' products such as Ethan Allen furniture where the fabric and some components come from China, assembled here and shipped to China. Same is true autos. GM & Ford are flourishing in China and Asia. A Black Buick is a status car in China where 25,000 new cars are added to the highways EVERY DAY - 9,000,000 every year. 80% of Chinese car buyers have never owned an automobile. Think of America's love affair with the automobile back in the 1950's. The segment on auto insurance and how they handle the tsunami of accident claims is entertaining. Making money is the new religion in China. It comes before everything else - product safety, environmental concerns and even morality. In 2006 over 24,000 government workers were convicted of graft. While clearly many more goods come from China than are exported, our relationship is not as simple as the sound bites make it seem. Many American companies have established a very strong presence there and will benefit from the continuing growth of this amazing country and the seemingly unlimited potential of its growing middle class. To understand our future and the future of the planet, we need to understand China, both the good and the bad (huge environmental and energy issues, lack of political freedom). Will we compete or cooperate or both? This excellent documentary is a good beginning for those of us who are not experts. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/04/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS

INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS - STORIES OF THE KINDERTRANSPORT (2000)

RATED - PG for thematic elements.

RATINGS - 28 Amazon (5/5), 60,111 Netflix (3.8/5), 781 IMDB (7.9/10).

AWARDS - Academy Award for BEST DOCUMENTARY. Another 5 wins and 4 nominations.

STORY - Imagine being a young child and your parents put you on a train to England to live with people you've never met in a place you've never seen. This is the story of 10,000 children who lived in German-held lands and whose parents sent them to Great Britain with the hopes and prayers that they would have a better chance of surviving the terror and horror the Nazis were already inflicting on Jews and others. Mixing interviews with some of these children and their 'foster' families with rare archival footage, this Oscar winning film for BEST DOCUMENTARY, is a powerful story of the courage of not only these children but their parents who were willing to sacrifice for them. Almost all of these children lost their parents to Nazi atrocities. Some of them were able to help get their parents liberated after they reached England. One girl was pulled out of the window of the train as it was leaving because her father couldn't bear to see her go. She survived eight concentration camps to tell her story. Her parents did not. 1,500,000 children were exterminated by the Nazis. These 10,000 lived because of the compassion and kindness of the citizens of Great Britain. According to the film, a bill in the U.S. Congress died in committee because it was determined that 'adopting' the 25,000 children being proposed was a violation of God's law by separating parents from their children. While many of the films rightly emphasize the horrors of the holocaust, this one shows the goodness of those who gave of themselves so 10,000 children could live. A fascinating and moving film, not like other holocaust films. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/27/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

THE EDWARD R. MURROW COLLECTION

THE EDWARD R. MURROW COLLECTION - 2005

RATING - NR but G/PG. Family friendly but probably not much interest below mature teens.

RATED - 6 Amazon (5/5), 3,790 Netflix (3.6/5).

STORY - This collection consists of four discs covering a broad range of work by Murrow, arguably setting the gold standard for journalism since the beginning of television. He was determined to make sure this new medium would be used with the greatest possible integrity while at the same time being immensely entertaining. There is no doubt he accomplished his goal and, fortunately, some have tried hard to imitate him and maintain credibility with audiences while, unfortunately, others have deteriorated into the journalistic versions of professional wrestling. The disc, THE MCCARTHY YEARS, was the basis for the very successful movie GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK. Those five words were his trademark parting message every show. The four DVD's include the story of Murrow and his start in radio in London during WWII, clips from his show, 'See It Now' on location in Korea during that conflict, his journey into the South during the Civil Rights demonstrations and a very interesting interview with Grandma Moses. The last two discs are the complete shows of his confrontation with Joseph McCarthy, the Jr. Senator from Wisconsin challenging his communist witch hunt activities in the Senate, including McCarthy's response, and the full show on Thanksgiving Day in 1960 about the plight of migrant workers called "Harvest of Shame", one of the most famous documentaries of all time. A must watch for those who want to see what television has the potential to be and do. There was only one Edward R. Murrow. Unfortunately, a heavy smoker, he died from lung cancer at the age of 57. Nostalgia for some, but maybe a challenge and a goal for those considering journalism and the media as a career. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/27/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON.

WHEN IT WAS A GAME - TRIPLE PLAY COLLECTION

WHEN IT WAS A GAME - TRIPLE PLAY COLLECTION - 1992

RATING - NR but G. Very family friendly.

RATED - 24 Amazon (5/5), 19,967 Netflix (3.8/5), 157 IMDB (8.6/10).

STARRING - Every old time baseball star you can name and then some.

AWARDS - Winner of 1992 Television Critics Association Award for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS.

THEME - Baseball - WHEN IT WAS A GAME!!

STORY - This HBO documentary is divided into three one hour segments, each remembering a different era. You can buy or rent them individually but I recommend watching all three. The entire series consists of 8mm and 16mm clips shot entirely by fans and players. Almost all are in color and none are done by professional photographers. The quality is amazing considering the sources -clear, sharp pictures. There are special features on Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and others. This is for those of us who remember or want to know about when players lived in our neighborhoods, shopped at our stores and had second jobs during the off season to make ends meet. Dick Raddatz recalls making $6,000 pitching for the Red Sox during the season and $11,000 during the off season as a furniture mover. We lived for several years next door to Camilo Pascual, the great pitcher for the Senators and Twins. We would play catch in the back yard and my sisters would babysit his children. Jim Kaat shopped at my (future) in-laws corner grocery store and lived down the block. They were real heroes to all of us and they were regular people, too. This series starts in the 30's (they really did have color film) and ends in 1970 with the advent of free agency, which arguably changed the game forever, whatever you might think of its validity. This is nothing but three hours of fun and nostalgia. If you're a baseball fan, it would be hard to recommend anything else that would be as much just plain fun. None of us can turn back the clock but for three hours you can relive those years when baseball was just a game. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/22/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

THE GATHERING STORM

THE GATHERING STORM - 2002

RATED - NR (Adult language, adult content, brief non-sexual nudity).

RATINGS - 55 Amazon (4.5/5), 62,399 Netflix (3.8/5), 1,852 IMDB (7.5/10)

STARRING - Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave.

AWARDS - 2002 EMMY for BEST MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE plus 12 other wins and 21 nominations.

STORY - The HBO film opens with the camera under the bed of Churchill as he gets up stark naked from the rear and goes into the bathroom to relieve himself. With this very undignified beginning, we enter into the world of Winston Churchill in the days leading up to WWII. This is more than just about the political climate in England, it is the personal side of Churchill as well. It is about his life-long love relationship with his wife, Clementine as well as his life on his estate where he is struggling financially when the film opens and Clementine must step in to take over the finances to stay solvent. Much of the filming takes place on the actual estate which is amazing in itself. Of course, the focus of the film is the political world and Churchill's attempt to warn Great Britain and the world about the looming threat from Hitler and the Nazis. His is a lonely voice, at first. He had a true sense of destiny for his life and role in saving England. He had help, too, from inside the foreign affairs office, that would provide him confidential information about Hitler and his activities. It would be hard to imagine anyone playing Churchill better and more convincing than Finney. Redgrave is outstanding as well and is no minor character in his life or in the film. This is a film that deserves a much broader distribution than it has had. Really, a very brilliant picture of Churchill and the events leading up to WWII. You have to ask yourself, what would the world look like today without a Churchill? Warts (there are many) and all, this was an amazing human being. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/20/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

THE BAND'S VISIT

THE BAND'S VISIT - 2007

RATED - PG-13 for brief, strong language. A brief sexual encounter happens off camera. Pretty family friendly but probably a little slow for children.

RATINGS - 40 Amazon (4.5/5), 81,485 Netflix (3.5/5), 4,195 IMDB (7.7/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

AWARDS - 40 nominations and 9 wins at various film festivals including BEST PICTURE from the Israeli Film Academy.

THEMES - Relationships.

STORY - An Egyptian police band from Alexandria travels to Israel to perform at the grand opening of an Arab Cultural Center in a small town. Somehow their connections get mixed up and they end up stranded in the middle of nowhere in Israel. The picture of the eight of them in their formal powder blue uniforms against the stark desert landscape says it all. They're lost. What happens next is not a summit meeting that will solve all the Israeli-Palestinian issues but it does show how, as human beings, we all share similar stories in this journey called life. The story centers on three main people, the very stern, rigid leader of the band, a young free-spirited ladies man in the band and a middle aged woman who runs a deli and agrees to put the band up for the night since there is no hotel and the last bus for the day has left. Both the woman and the band leader open up to each other in ways they would never have expected at the beginning of that day. This is a delightful little story that reminds us that some of the best moments in life can be the unplanned ones, the interruptions that are initially very frustrating but can be life changing or, at least, very influential. Like having a flat tire in the middle of nowhere and a stranger stops to help. Though this movie does not attempt to solve any of the world's big problems, it does remind one that, as humans, we forget that we have more in common than we realize. While world leaders may use angry rhetoric and accusations, the vast majority of the world wants to learn to get along even with those we may call 'enemies'. Enjoy this entertaining hour and half. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/14/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT

SALAAM BOMBAY!

SALAAM BOMBAY! - 1988

RATED - NR but some language (several 'f' words, some violence, no sex or sexual nudity shown).

RATINGS - 28 Amazon (5/5), 47,653 Netflix (3.8/5), 2,685 IMDB (8.0/10), Roger Ebert (4/4).

AWARDS - Nominee for BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM -Academy Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globes.

THEMES - Relationships, justice.

STORY - I would call this film a docudrama. The screenplay is like a documentary but it feels like a real life drama. It is SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE without the millionaire. The entire film is shot on location in the slums of Bombay (now Mumbai) and it feels like you're right there with all the filth, the squalor and the mobs of people. The filmmakers also used real street children for the film. Krishna, an 11 year old boy, has been sent by his mother to work in the circus to earn money. One day, the circus leaves without him and he finds his way to the nearest 'big town', Bombay. There we meet the other main characters, street children, pimps, druggies and prostitutes. In their own way, they stick together and fight to survive. When they try to earn money honestly, the employers take advantage of them, knowing they have no one to defend them. Others give up on honest wages and turn to crime and drugs to survive. But they are all real people and have a story and that's the strength of this movie. You really feel like you have entered into the lives of these people and walked with them in their journey, however short and difficult it may be. Krishna's only goal is to make 500 rupees to take home, a modest goal for most people, but a huge obstacle in that environment. While there are plenty of depressing moments in the film, there is also hope, that with the right kind of guidance and opportunity, these are bright and resourceful children who would be successful in legitimate society if they were given a chance. The sad truth is that very few of them will have that life changing opportunity. There are millions of street children in India and around the world. Many of them just waiting for a sponsor to get them out of the cycle of poverty and crime through organizations that are doing a great work of love and compassion. One of the outstanding ones is COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL. If you watch the film, and I highly recommend it, don't stop there, get involved in making a difference. It changes our lives, too. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 06/14/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT, COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

EMPIRE OF THE SUN

EMPIRE OF THE SUN - 1987

RATED - PG for violence and intense scenes of terror. Not overly graphic but take it seriously for younger children. Recommended for 13 and over.

RATINGS - 255 Amazon (4.5/5), 590,285 Netflix (3.9/5), 29,383 IMDB (7.7/10), Roger Ebert (2.5/4).

STARRING - Christian Bale (film debut), John Malkovich, Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire), Ben Stiller.

THEMES - Relationships, the human spirit.

AWARDS - 6 Academy Award nominations and BEST PICTURE nominee Golden Globes.

STORY - Christian Bale makes his stunning movie debut in this Spielberg directed film as Jamie, a 12 year old British boy, who grows up in luxury and opulence as the son of a wealthy textile factory owner in China during WWII. Having attended the best private schools, having every conceivable luxury available to a young boy growing up in that era, not least of which is being able to give the servants orders in direct contradiction to the instructions given by his mother, his life is abruptly changed when the Japanese take over that part of China. His family moves into a hotel temporarily to see what happens and when the Japanese bomb that part of the city, thought to be safe, there is a panic as thousands of British and Chinese try to escape. Jamie and his parents are separated and do not reunite until the end of the war, approximately four years later. The film is the story of Jamie's survival during that time. An extremely bright and resourceful boy (played brilliantly by Bale), he uses his natural leadership and aggression to stay alive and become indispensable to the American who becomes the unofficial leader (godfather) of the prison camp. The camera work, acting and screenplay are exceptional, not to mention the music. The film loses a little something (I think) when Spielberg gets a little too artistic and surreal but this is still one of Spielberg's best. Overall, a very interesting and worthwhile movie about another slice of WWII and how the human spirit adapts when it is put into survival mode. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/25/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER, ROGER EBERT

THE INCIDENT

THE INCIDENT - 1990

RATED - NR but probably PG for some language (family friendly).

RATINGS - 5 Amazon (4.5/5), 5,499 Netflix (3.7/5), 228 IMDB (7.2/10).

STARRING - Walter Matthau, Harry Morgan, Susan Blakely.

AWARDS - EMMY for Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special & nominated for several other awards including two Emmy's.

THEMES - Justice, prejudice.

STORY - This made for TV special takes place in 1944 in the fictional town of Bremen, Colorado (it was filmed in Colorado Springs) which is home to a POW camp for German soldiers just outside town. The long-time, popular town physician (also the camp doctor) is murdered at the camp late one night. A makeshift Federal Court is set up in town to conduct the trial. No one doubts for a minute that one of the prisoners, Wilhelm Geiger, did it. To give him a 'fair' trial, he must have legal representation so the judge 'drafts' local down and out attorney, Harmon Cobb (Matthau) to do the job. Cobb, a decorated WWI hero, with a son serving in the military in France, is reluctant to take the job. The judge 'convinces' him to do it. Immediately, he and his family become targets for the local townspeople as 'German lovers'. As he gets into the case, he realizes that it's not all that it appears to be. The acting is great and the story is intriguing, especially since this is a part of WWII that has not had much publicity. A very informative and entertaining 100 minutes, especially for those who like courtroom dramas. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/24/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, POW LINK

P.S. I have to admit I was not aware that there were approximately 500 of these POW Camps in the U.S. during WWII. There were between 400,000-500,000 German and Italian soldiers held prisoner. Because of the war, there was a shortage of farm labor and many of them ended working on farms. It is a subject not given much publicity as far as I know. If you google 'german pow camps in america' you will find some interesting websites.

TAKING CHANCE

TAKING CHANCE - 2008

RATED - TV-PG

RATINGS - 52 Amazon (5/5), 14,784 Netflix (4.2/5), 2,284 IMDB (7.3/10).

STARRING - Kevin Bacon as Lt. Col. Mike Strobl

THEMES - Sacrifice, relationships.

STORY - Based on a true life events, this HBO docudrama follows the journey of Lt. Col. Mike Strobl who volunteers to escort the body of Chance Phelps, who was killed in action in Iraq, to his home. Strobl initially volunteered because he saw that Phelps, who he had never met, was from the same home town in Colorado. It turns out, however, that the family wants him buried in Dubois, Wyoming and the real reason he wants to accompany the body is a deep feeling of guilt for not serving in Iraq. This is not only the personal story of Mike Strobl but an incredible look at the process of getting the bodies of fallen soldiers from foreign soil to their final home. The care, reverence, honor and respect that characterizes this process is amazing. From the smallest detail of making sure the last uniform they wear is absolutely perfect to the protocol of everyone involved along the way, including the civilians involved from airline ticket clerks to the pilot of the plane, the love and care will overwhelm you. It is also the story of Pfc. Chance Phelps, whose promotion to Lance Corporal had been overlooked the week before his death, a young man who died way before he should have. A gunner in a Humvee, his mission partners credit him for saving their lives when their convoy is hit by an IED. A potential college scholarship athlete, he chose the Marines to serve his country the best way he knew how. Like many gifted, confident young men, he probably thought he was invincible. Another terrific HBO movie and a great tribute to those who serve our country prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. Make sure to have a Kleenex handy. The extras about the real Chance Phelps and Mike Strobl are very good. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/23/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, TRAILER

LIVE AND BECOME

LIVE AND BECOME - 2005

RATED - NR but probably PG-13 for some language and violence.

RATINGS - 7 Amazon (4.5/5), 2,477 Netflix (4/5), 2,130 IMDB (8/10).

AWARDS - 9 wins and 6 nominations at numerous film festivals.

THEMES - Relationships, spirituality, justice.

STORY - This is the story of Schlomo (Solomon), a 9 year old Ethiopian young boy whose Christian mother disguises him as an Ethiopian Jew to take the place of a Jewish boy his age who has just died and whose mother is being airlifted out of a Sudan refugee camp in 1984 as part of a rescue mission operated by the Israeli secret service to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel. His mother's parting words as he very reluctantly leaves are 'go, live and become'. He does go and he does live (his 'new' mother dies shortly after arriving in Israel) and the film is about becoming. He is adopted by a secular Jewish family. Becoming is hard enough growing up under normal circumstances. What if you must keep the secret that you are not Jewish and should never have been admitted to the country, learn to live in family where you don't fit in easily, adapt to a culture that is foreign and unfriendly to blacks and experience all the many adolescent challenges of hormones, loneliness, and a great ache for your homeland and birth mother? How does one cope with all these challenges? The three actors that play the various stages of Schlomo's life do an outstanding job. There are many levels which hit your emotions as you watch this. You want to him to survive and mature but it's so difficult, the odds are not good and you know he most likely would have been dead had he stayed in Sudan. Somehow he must persevere and overcome and 'become'. A heart-breaking and uplifting story of the human spirit and the will to live and become. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/16/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA

A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA - 1982

RATED - NR but probably PG for some violence and thematic material.

RATINGS - 9 Amazon (5/5), 1,108 Netflix (3.4/5), 261 IMDB (8.4/10).

STARRING - Ingrid Bergman and Leonard Nimoy

AWARDS - Golden Globe and Emmy for BEST ACTRESS plus several other wins & nominations.

STORY - The made for TV mini-series begins with a limousine pulling up to an elementary school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Out steps Golda Meir, the former Prime Minister of Israel and the most famous graduate of this school. Born a Russian Jew, she and her family were forced to leave Russia in the early 20th century and emigrated to the US. Golda's dream became to live in Israel. As she answers questions from the school children she flashes back to her life and the events that led to her being the Prime Minister of Israel and one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Ingrid Bergman is outstanding as always and was a great choice to play the part of Golda Meir. This is not only the story of an incredible and influential woman but it is the story of Israel, its journey to statehood and its fight to survive in the midst of its enemies. It's a great biography and an excellent history lesson. It makes one wonder what it would be like now if there were a woman of her stature in Israeli leadership. It's four hours long with the DVD divided into two sections. Well worth the investment of time to learn more about this important area of the world. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 05/16/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

INDIA - FIVE FILMS

THE STORY OF INDIA - 2007


LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB


SUMMARY - This is the PBS documentary in six one hour segments narrated by Michael Wood. A good place to start to get the overall picture of this amazing country. The blu-ray version is as cheap as the regular version and brings the country and people alive through great camera work. 4.5/5, 4/5, 8.7/10 ratings.

GANGES - 2007

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

STORY - You can't understand India without understanding the Ganges River and this three part BBC production is simply stunning in its photography of the river, the wildlife and the people that live on its banks. Almost 10% of the ENTIRE world's population lives within the Ganges' basin.

MOTHER TERESA - 2003


LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB


STORY - Starring Olivia Hussey as Mother Teresa, this made for TV movie is a wonderful portrayal of an amazing woman. Mother Teresa has become synonymous with Christian works of charity because of her work with the dying in Calcutta. Not only a family friendly story of her work but more insight into a segment of India's culture and the steel will of this woman who was determined to love the unlovable as Christ would love them. 4.5/5, 3.9/5, 7/10 ratings.




MOTHER TERESA - 1986



LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB




STORY - This is a documentary about Mother Teresa. Follow her around Calcutta and the world as she ministers to those forgotten by the rest of society. Her powerful witness to the love of Jesus is seen not only in the slums of the world but as she speaks to students at Harvard, the UN and world leaders around the globe. Her drive and determination to help those rejected by their communities are an inspiration to everyone. 5/5, 3.6/5, 7.3/10.

BORN INTO BROTHELS - 2003

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

STORY - This film won the 2005 Oscar for BEST DOCUMENTARY. It is the story of eight children of prostitutes in Calcutta's red light district, an area of extreme poverty and crime. Zana Briski is a free lance photographer who has been trying, unsuccessfully, to do a picture story of the red light district and the prostitutes who live there. She decides to choose eight children of the 'workers' and give them cameras and teach them photography to tell their own stories. She falls in love with these children and sets on a mission to get them out of their environment and break the destructive patterns they are most likely to live out. This is their story, the successes AND the failures. At the same time, both heart breaking and uplifting. One person can make a difference in someone Else's life if they care enough to sacrifice. 4/5, 3.8/5, 7.8/10 ratings.

I was inspired to watch these films as a result of our son's recent trip to India. He was profoundly affected by what he saw in the country and particularly in the slums as well as his visit to Mother Teresa's facility. Here is a link to his blog. It is hard for those of us who live in the West to understand the culture and the way of life in that fascinating part of the world where the majority of the world's population lives.