CNA Columns: Movie Reviews

North Country

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

I was eager to see director Niki Caro's new film because her previous feature, Whale Rider (2003), struck me as a quiet yet profound work. The harsh setting of North Country is a far cry from the intimate Maori village of the earlier film, but Caro brings her powerfully human style of filmmaking to this story, which is simultaneously tragic and encouraging.

Josie Aimes, a young mother of two, decides to leave her abusive husband, eventually supporting her family working at a local mine. The job pays well, but Josie and the other women at the mine face daily harassment and even abuse at the hands of many of their male coworkers and superiors.

Set in 1989, the film tells of Josie's fight for the safety and dignity of these women at a time when few policies were in place to protect them against sexual harassment. Her personal struggle and legal battle are nothing short of heroic; for most of the film, Josie stands alone against the powerful men who run the mining company. One of the film's most important messages is the need to fight for truth, justice, and human dignity, even when the cost is high and the outcome uncertain. (Read more)

Ushpizin

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

Released in the United States the fall of 2005, this simple and charming comedy-drama is now available on DVD. An unassuming and unexpected film from Israeli director Giddi Dar, Ushpizin follows the story of a pious rabbi and his wife on the Succoth holiday in Jerusalem. This movie should draw the attention of Christians and Jews alike for its humble but convincing portrayal of a couple's faith in God.

The rabbi, Moshe, has recently undergone a major conversion from a life of crime, and he is too poor to afford the items necessary to celebrate the upcoming holiday. In their despair, he and his wife turn to God to provide a miracle. Their miracle comes in unexpected ways, however, when two guests (in Hebrew, ushpizin) impose on the couple and disrupt the sacredness of the holy day.

Consistent with the humble story and characters, Dar�s style of filmmaking is so simple as to go almost unnoticed. What is so remarkable about this film is its exaltation of religious devotion, its celebration of conversion, and its unapologetic praise of God. For those uncomfortable with subtitles, the Hebrew in Ushpizin may seem daunting, but it can provide an excellent introduction to foreign film. Ushpizin is accessible, beautiful, and inspiring, and I recommend it with enthusiasm for all audiences. (Read more)

Vatican paper delves into new Twilight movie

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By CNA Staff

In an article entitled, �The Secret of Twilight,� the Vatican newspaper L�Osservatore Romano reviewed the first of the Twilight movies. The film tells the story of a lonely teen who doesn�t fit in and a young vegetarian vampire who has decided to abstain from human blood.

Reporter Silvia Guidi begins by questioning the reason for the success of the movie, which �fascinates millions of people (not only teens, as there is also a Twilight fan club of moms).� �Bella�together with the fans of the series�has been conquered by the fascination with difficult love, which is worth the risk,� she writes of the main character.

Twilight is a �maximalist� story capable of conquering readers and viewers by giving voice to the deepest expressions that are censored by contemporary culture, expectations of the human heart, Guida says. (Read more)

Truth, Drama and a Film That Really Matters

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

Many Catholics will remember Steve McEveety for his work as producer on The Passion of the Christ. Married, the father of four and serious about his Catholic faith, McEveety has a 30 year film career that began as a child actor and matured to include Payback, Immortal Beloved and Braveheart as executive producer, and We Were Soldiers and other major Hollywood titles as producer.

He also co-founded Mpower Pictures, which in 2007 released the extraordinary portrait of a young man�s conversion, Bella. This year, McEveety and his Mpower colleagues bring The Stoning of Soraya M. (www.thestoning.com) to limited screens across the country on June 26. Don�t let the summer go by without somehow seeing this film. Superbly written, directed and photographed, with compelling lead performances by two astonishing actresses, The Stoning is the most moving screen story I�ve seen in years. Once you�ve watched it, you�ll never forget it.

Based on real events, the movie is adapted from the book of the same name by the French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam. In the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, a husband grows tired of his young wife, who has borne him two sons and two daughters. Under Islamic law, a man may have up to four wives � but he�s also obligated to care and provide for each of them properly. Interested in a potential child bride and unable to afford the added expense of a second wife, the husband maneuvers his wife into tending house for a recent widower. Then he falsely accuses her of infidelity, after blackmailing other male village elders, including the mullah � the town�s religious leader -- into colluding in his lie. (Read more)

Star Trek (2009)

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

Let me begin by saying that I have never seen an episode of any Star Trek television series. Nor had I seen a Star Trek movie until J.J. Abrams�s recent update of the cult classic. No longer held prisoner by obsessive fans and Trekkie conventions, Star Trek proves itself to be a stylish and intelligent story, palatable to wide audiences.

The biggest reason I wanted to see Star Trek was that its director, J.J. Abrams, is the creator and director of Lost, the world�s most brilliant television show. And Abrams does not disappoint, as the film incorporates many themes from the show like the dynamics of revenge and forgiveness, heroic self-sacrifice, the tension between reason and emotion, and, of course, time travel.

Star Trek tells the story of how James T. Kirk becomes captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It is a prequel, if you will, to the original Star Trek series. The movie opens with Captain Kirk�s father, George Kirk, serving as captain of another ship on the Starfleet, which is a peace-keeping entity for this galaxy and beyond. When an unknown enemy attacks, the elder Kirk sacrifices himself to save thousands on board his ship, including his wife who is at that moment giving birth to their son. (Read more)

The Soloist

Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

Joe Wright is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors. I fell in love with his 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, and, although I have yet to see his Oscar-nominated 2007 film Atonement, I think he has another winner this spring with The Soloist. The story depicts real human misery and authentic compassion, packaged together in a refreshingly unique style of filmmaking.

The Soloist is based on a nonfiction book by Steve Lopez, columnist for the L.A. Times. In 2005, Lopez met a homeless man named Nathaniel Ayers on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Nathaniel had a gentle disposition, a serious difficulty communicating comprehensibly, and a unique ability to make music on a violin with only two strings. Lopez�s book, also called The Soloist, tells the story of how he befriended Ayers, trying to extend a helping hand to him, and how it ultimately changed his own life.

Initially, Lopez�s interest in Nathaniel is purely selfish. He is desperate for material to use in his column, and the novelty of Nathaniel�s story appeals to him. Over time, Lopez�s desire to benefit from his new acquaintance develops into genuine curiosity and eventually into real friendship. The bond between these unlikely friends removes Lopez from his comfortable, sterile, and lonely suburban environment and introduces him to the best and the worst of authentic human experience in the urban quarters of LA. (Read more)

'Terminator' TV Series Serves As Unexpected Vehicle for Faith and Values

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Denis Grasska

Sometimes the best messages can come from the most unlikely sources.

A good example is �Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.�

The weekly television series, which ended its second season on Good Friday amid rumors of possible cancellation, has proven to be a surprising show. (Read more)

I Love You, Man

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

I don�t get to the movies very often these days. So, it is especially disappointing to waste my time on an artistically and morally bankrupt film that lacks even vague entertainment value. The one thing that redeems my experience of I Love You, Man is that by writing this review, I may be able to spare others the agony.

I Love You, Man begins with a simple premise that has a lot of potential. Paul Rudd plays Peter Klaven, who proposes to his girlfriend and, in the process of choosing their wedding party, realizes that he has no close male friends. He embarks on a series of "man dates" to find fun and meaningful male friendship. In the hands of even a single talented filmmaker, this could have been a brilliant movie.

It isn�t only the unnecessary and crude sexual humor; it isn�t just the blatant misunderstanding of marriage; it isn�t even the irritating personalities of all the film�s characters. What ruined this movie for me was all of the above without any decent writing or acting. I�m not opposed on principle to recommending an inappropriate movie to mature audiences if it is genuinely funny (There�s Something about Mary comes to mind). But, in 105 minutes, I Love You, Man made me laugh once. And, with an evening movie costing around $10, it was a very expensive laugh. (Read more)

Slumdog Millionaire

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

A rare word-of-mouth phenomenon, Slumdog Millionaire has captured the nation�s attention in the last few months. To me, the most impressive feat of this movie has been its ability to attract everyday Hollywood moviegoers to arthouse theaters to watch a foreign film. I am still a little mystified by the question: What about this movie has made it so universally appealing?

The plot of the film is a typical Hollywood story: a poor young man battles his destitute circumstances, seeks to change his luck, and chases after a beautiful woman. While the movie�s plot may be basic Hollywood fare, its style is not. In my mind, making this brutal and jarring style of filmmaking palatable to the American public is the Slumdog�s most surprising achievement. I found the film visually creative and even stunning. The poverty of Mumbai�s slums is strikingly uncomfortable, but the camera uncovers a life and vibrancy there that is innate to a place where human persons live, love, struggle, and die.

Slumdog tells the story of Jamal Malik, a teenager orphaned in the slums of Mumbai as a child. Although other characters call Jamal �slumdog� as an insult, the term takes on a quasi-triumphant meaning as his natural honesty and virtue raise him above the desperate circumstances the world and the corrupt social structure have given him. (Read more)

Doubt

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Hilary Rowe

Based on the trailer for writer/director John Patrick Shanley�s recent film, I expected Doubt to be a predictable cheap shot at the Catholic priesthood. Since the sexual abuse scandals of recent memory, it has been far too easy for filmmakers and media outlets to demonize the clergy. Because Doubt deals directly with the topic of clerical sexual abuse, I pegged this movie as more of the same.

I was surprised and relieved to find that Shanley presents a fair and nuanced portrait of the American Catholic Church in the 1960s and of the issues involved in accusing someone of such a serious offense. Doubt achieves a difficult balance, being simultaneously respectful of authority and critical of those who abuse their authority.

The story takes place at St. Nicholas Catholic parish and parochial school in New York City in 1964. Sister Aloysius is the principal of the school, and she is a rigid disciplinarian. Father Flynn, the parish pastor, takes a more casual approach to ministry, befriending students and preaching compassionate homilies. These two adversaries are brought to life by Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose skillful portrayals constitute the film�s most outstanding artistic achievement. (Read more)