mightychurch.com

Babylon AD - 7/10.  Sensational action but unfortunately it fell apart (mainly plotwise) in the last third.
Traitor - 6/10.

Japan’s Foreign Minister obviously thinks that the latest Indiana Jones movie is a documentary :

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25399707-5001028,00.html

Indiana Jones trivialises nuclear threat, says Japan’s foreign minister

Article from: Agence France-Presse   From correspondents in Tokyo   April 28, 2009 04:44pm

JAPAN’S foreign minister has taken a swipe at the latest sequel of Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones blockbuster series for trivialising the devastation of a nuclear bomb blast.

“There was a scene in a hit movie last year in which the famous hero, facing a blast from a nuclear test, hid in a refrigerator,” Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said in a speech against nuclear weapons.

“I was surprised by the movie’s lack of awareness of a nuclear bomb blast. A nuclear explosion destroys everything in an instant. I felt concern that this kind of easy-going image might spread around the world.”

The Minister did not identify the movie, but a foreign ministry official confirmed that it was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the fourth in the hit series directed by Spielberg.

Two US atomic bombs dropped on Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities in August 1945 killed more than 210,000 people, instantly or in the following weeks. Japan surrendered less than a week later, ending World War II. 

He’s conveniently forgotten how the Japanese ‘trivialised’ Australian POW’s in WW2.

Interesting article in today’s Weekend SMH :

Differences in taste you can count on
David Dale   SMH   May 9, 2009

COCA-COLONISATION update: if Australians were just cultural clones of Americans, then the movie Wolverine would have sold $8.5 million worth of tickets on its first weekend. In fact, it sold $6.6 million worth. That left a giant question mark hanging over our national identity.

For three decades film distributors here have assumed that any big-budget international movie will make in Australian dollars roughly one 10th of what it made in American dollars. Thus Titanic made $US601 million over there and $58m here, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time in both countries. Jurassic Park made $US357m and $33m; The Sixth Sense $US290m and $29m; Independence Day $US306m and $29m;Forrest Gump $330m and $31m; and Shrek The Third $US321m and $34m.

You see the pattern. With a few variations, we have been predictable mini-mes of American moviegoers.

Until Wolverine, which made $US85.1 million in its first weekend over there, and $6.6 million here - a success in anybody’s language, but not the same success in each place. Everything was in its favour: a star who happens to be Australia’s most popular person; huge publicity, both free and paid-for; and no significant competition in the multiplexes. Its local box office should have been much bigger. Has the tall poppy syndrome set in already for Hugh Jackman? Or might other forces be at work?

If there’s one thing this column is noted for, it is drawing the longest possible bow and propounding outlandish theories about social change based on flimsy evidence. Plus being unable to count. So three things we’re noted for. We’re about to do at least one of them again. Consider these two charts:

America’s favourite movies of the past 12 months: 1. The Dark Knight $US533m; 2. Iron Man $US318m; 3. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull $US317m; 4. Hancock$US228m; 5. Wall-e $US223m; 6. Kung Fu Panda $US215m; 7.Monsters Vs Aliens $US183m; 8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa$US180m; 9. Quantum Of Solace $US168m; 10. Horton Hears A Who! $US155m.

Australia’s favourite movies of the past 12 months: 1. The Dark Knight $46m; 2. Australia $37m; 3. Mamma Mia! $32m; 4.Quantum Of Solace $US31m; 5. Indiana Jones/Skull $29m; 6.Sex And The City $27m; 7. Kung Fu Panda $26m; 8.Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa $22m; 9. Twilight $22m; 10.Slumdog Millionaire $20m.

What do we observe? First, that beyond superficial similarities, the one-10th-of-America rule no longer applies. We have cast off the cultural colonisers.

Secondly, Australian actors were the drawcard in two of America’s top three hits of the past 12 months. Thirdly, the majority of moviegoers in the US appear to be boys under the age of 14, or people who think like them. And fourthly, Australians are more diverse and interesting in their tastes than our cousins across the Pacific.

In addition to action adventures and kiddy cartoons, we are open to historic melodramas, musical comedies, epic romances and teenage vampires. It would be irresponsible to mince words. Australians are simply better human beings than Americans. Be still my patriotic heart.

For more detail, and to debate this theory, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare

link

” Australians are more diverse and interesting in their tastes than our cousins across the Pacific. “

We’ve ALL  known that for years ;)

So that’s how they did it…...

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25458084-5006013,00.html

Zachary Quinto’s fingers glued together for Mr Spock’s salute
May 11, 2009

IT IS probably the most famous greeting in the universe.

But the simple Vulcan salute left makers of the new Star Trek film with a galactic-sized headache - because Mr Spock just couldn’t do it.

After much head-scratching, experts on the $150 million blockbuster - which boasts stunning high-tech effects - hit upon a low-tech but logical solution - gluing actor Zachary Quinto’s fingers together, The Mail on Sunday newspaper in the UK reports.

Quinto, 31, admitted he found it impossible to form his fingers into the distinctive V-shaped gesture, saying: “It’s much harder than it looks. Seriously.”

One on-set insider said: “Zach could do the salute some of the time but only after he’d positioned his fingers the right way off-camera.

“In some scenes he has to do the salute while speaking his lines so they ended up using skin-protective superglue, like they use in hospitals, to stick his fingers together.”

William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the long-running TV show and the first seven Star Trek films, was also unable to do the salute, so he used fishing line to tie his fingers together.

Live long and prosper !

Kevin Goddard - 09 May 2009 08:45 AM

Differences in taste you can count on

Really?  Australian-US movie tastes aren’t all that different.  Only two films in the Australian top 10 didn’t do well in the States (Australia for obvious reasons, and Mamma Mia).

This year, you have the biggest US blockbusters all doing well in Australia too (Fast & Furious, Monsters v Aliens, Wolverine and now Star Trek).  Of course there are differing degrees of success but they still each easily topped the charts in their first week.

We saw “ANGELS & DEMONS” last night. Tom Hanks and Ron Howard unite for their fourth pairing with this follow-up to THE DA VINCI CODE. Hanks returns to the role of Robert Langdon in this film based on Dan Brown’s first novel to feature the now-famous symbiologist.

It is a well paced movie - and sure to be another blockbuster. Plenty of intrigue and action - well shot, and the story tension progressed well. The opening scenes had a great sci-fi feel about it. I haven’t read any of the books so it was all fresh to me. I know that director Ron Howard re-wrote sections of it for the film adaptation - and Dan Brown is said to be happy with the result. If you like action and intrigue - with some great scenery - and leaving the theatre knowing that you’ve been to a ‘must see’ film then this is for you. I give it 8.5 out of 10.

After seeing the garbage that was Da Vinci, I will definatly not go and see this. Although I hear voices telling me to see Star Trek.

Not interested in any of the upcoming movies of the next few weeks, but would like to see Terminator after my exams.

“After seeing the garbage that was Da Vinci, I will definitely not go and see this”

As many folk will be going to see the “Angels and Demons” blockbuster, in order to help with conversations that might arise with our friends, it is good to have resources such as this available :

http://www.truthaboutangelsanddemons.com/

This website is sponsored by Westminster Theological Seminary and I found the link on John Piper’s website. Certainly we all have differing tastes in movies, but as cinema represents one of the most influential visual experiences around these days, it’s important for us to be able and ready to use opportunities for discussing the truth about the gospel whenever they pop up in conversation.

I may be a little late with this one but I was prompted by the fact that the local picture theatre is showing the Movie “Doubt ” next week . Meryl Streep does an excellent portrayal of a School Principal who is not afraid to act on her suspicions ,and act on them quickly, to protect a child in her care.She acts so quickly that the ‘shoot the messenger ‘syndrome that is endemic in the catholic system(ref.The Irish Report out yesterday.)does not get a chance to swing into place.I came away from this movie feeling thoroughly enlightened as to why women will never be completely emancipated in the Catholic Church.There is a bishop up here who has written quite strongly on why priests should not wash womens feet on Palm Sunday caused quite a stir it did.I might ring the bishop to see how he feels about this movie.
  A great movie a must see if you get the chance.
                                Cheers Ian Lawther

I saw “Angels and Demons” yesterday and I agree with most critics that it is much better than the previous Da Vinci thing. It is more action ,story, setting, continuity etc., but more important to me it did not descend into an orgy of trash about Jesus’s personal life. It is irrelevent to me whether Jesus was married or was reincarnated as a dog or whatever. The Bible has more important things to say which can be verified by anyone today.
    I found it somewhat ambiguous about the Science V’s Religion debate, but that is what a good movie should do—food for thought, not shackles on the mind.

Jesus reincarnated as a dog???. I’m with you doug it doesn’t matter God is God isGod.But it does bring this to mind.
    Did you hear the one about the Dyslexic Agnostic Insomniac?———————-He laid awake all night wondering if there really was a Dog.
                                      Cheers Ian Lawther.

Apparently William Shatner wanted to be in the latest “Star Trek” movie :

Shatner exposes Raw Nerve to Star Trek ‘snub’
May 25, 2009

After almost 60 years playing iconic characters ranging from Star Trek’s captain James T Kirk, crusading cop TJ Hooker to Boston Legal’s zany Denny Crane, William Shatner has switched seats, moving from interviewee to interviewer with his new TV talk showRaw Nerve.

The publicity blurb for the show trumpets: “In each episode Shatner will attempt to probe his guest’s most sensitive subjects and touch upon a Raw Nerve”.

It poses an obvious question. What is Shatner’s raw nerve? What topic would make him wince in his seat?

You don’t have to be a Trekkie fluent in Klingon to be aware of the public stoush Shatner has engaged in with Hollywood golden boy, JJ Abrams, the director of the new Star Trek film, which after another bumper weekend has earned $US260 million ($A332.27 million) worldwide since landing in theatres two weeks ago.

Abrams cast the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy, in the blockbuster.

Shatner was snubbed….........

You can read more at :
link

Went to see “Night at the Museum : Battle of the Smithsonian” last night. This sequel movie is a charming, creative family adventure sprinkled with romance, humour and brilliant special effects. This is an excellent film to take young children to ( or even , as in our case, an 83 year old grandmother ). The sheer adventure in “Battle of the Smithsonian” is spurred on by lots of creative imagination and non-stop action with tons of laughs.

Many of the special effects are amazingly detailed and memorable. They bring the history and art at the Smithsonian to wonderful life. Actually, we were amazed at just how large the Smithsonian Institute is. America’s national educational facility has an astounding 19 museums in one location - and the size and scope is overwhelming. ( We wanted to jump on a plane to Washington to go exploring there. ) This movie is for anyone who still has a pulse - it’s a must see - and I give it 8.5 out of 10.

No movies for me til I finish those CFA exams next weekend ... then it’s all open slather!

Looking forward to Terminator Salvation and Transformers 2.

Went to see “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” last week - and what a well made film it is. But - be warned - this is a real gut wrencher of a movie. The following review by Adrian Drayton tells it so well :

Based on a best-selling book, this story is seen through the eyes of eight-year-old Bruno, who is the sheltered son of a Nazi officer.

Bruno’s father’s promotion takes the family from their comfortable home in Berlin to a desolate area where the lonely boy finds nothing to do and no-one to play with.

Bored and curious, Bruno goes exploring the back garden (after repeatedly being told not to) and heads for the “farm” he has seen in the near distance. After spending time looking out his bedroom window he wonders why people are wandering around the “farm” in their pyjamas, of course not realising it’s a concentration camp.

He meets Shmuel, a boy his own age who lives on the other side of a strange barbed wire fence. As his meetings with Shmuel develop into a friendship, Bruno’s is led from innocence to a dawning awareness of the adult world around him

The film encourages the viewer to see Bruno’s world through his eyes — its opening title suggests “Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows” — and the film acts as a fable, like the similarly themed ‘Life is Beautiful.’

There is a lot to think about with this film. By making the Nazis seem so “normal,” the film prompts us to ask what evil we might be tolerating in society because it seems like the normal, accepted thing to do.

It prompts us to be vigilant in the raising of our children. It also begs the question, Should we shield children from the harsh realities of life or let them discover for themselves?

This is a highly affecting and thought-provoking film that will have you discussing its themes and point of view.
- Adrian Drayton

That review hardly prepares one for the traumatic and highly emotional ending - but it is one of the most memorable and emotional movies that I have ever experienced. I saw it with someone who was moved to crying at the end and saying ‘I feel like throwing up’ - having never been confronted before with the full realisation of how horrific the sinfulness and ugliness of the Holocaust was. A stark reminder of the total depravity of man at his worst -  silhouetted by a young child’s innocence in a dark time of our history.

This is not the sort of film that I can readily say to everyone “go and see it” - because it is not everyone’s cup of tea, that’s for sure. But if you’re ready to see quality film making and a well crafted script slowly unfolding - then be prepared to experience a slow peeling away of your layers of emotion ( similar to peeling an onion ) as you delve into this memorable movie.

Emotionally, it reminded me of moments from “The Pianist” and “The Counterfeiters”  - yet this one stands apart from even those two important Holocaust movies. I have now been moved to read the book upon which the film is based. The book fills in the storyline and provides other unrevealed facts in the telling of the tale - and the ending ( albeit with the same results ) is not as confronting and in-your-face as the movie. I have been reminded again of how a good scriptwriter and director can change a good tale into a great story.

If I had to score it, I would give it 8 out of 10 as a movie. But as a film experience, i would score it as “unforgettable”.

Tonight on ABC 1 at 10.45pm comes an interesting film documentary :

Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies A People
ABC1, 10.45pm
Jack Shaheen demonstrates how Hollywood consistently reinforces negative stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. The presentation is simple clips from movies are intercut with Shaheen’s incisive commentary but the effect is devastating. As Shaheen points out, we are so used to seeing the Arab villain, the Palestinian terrorist, the lecherous Bedouin portrayed in movies that the racism has become all but invisible. Obvious movies like True Lies and Delta Force feature heavily as do less predictable candidates such as Father Of The Bride II and the Disney animation Aladdin.

The cumulative effect, argues Shaheen, is that we are less likely to empathise with Arabs and Muslims and more likely to conflate the actions of the extremist minority with the attitudes of the Arab majority. Disturbing and thought provoking, it will make you reconsider many films.

Interesting.  In the past I can certainly say that Hollywood made anti-Arab movies, but there has been a move in the past few years to make more pro-Arab ones.

I can think of Lions for Lambs, Body of Lies and Traitor, all painting Arabs as genuinely the good guys and/or attacking the US administration as the bad.

Saw Terminator Salvation today which was awesome!  I went in expecting wall-to-wall action and special effects and got it.  Don’t go in expecting any genuine romance or extended dialogue and you’ll be right. 

8.5/10 (equal with T1 & T2, thought that T2 was a shave better than Salvation).

Also saw a Hong Kong movie called PTU 2: Comrades In Arms.  Good relatively low-budget action film set in the jungle.  What was interesting was the not-so-subtle anti-Catholic propaganda portrayed near the end - which some of our forumites might like lol.  First they had a Catholic congregation sing “Amazing Grace”, which I’m sure they would not sing given their grace plus works doctrine.  Then they had a prolonged shootout where they blew up most of the things in the Catholic church building.  Finally they had a lunatic repeatedly graffiti the remains of the church with “world peace” in Chinese!

7/10 (equal to the first one).

Heh that’s pretty funny about the PTU 2 movie.

Re Arabs in Hollywood - I think 24 has done more to reinforce negative stereotypes than anything else, though in the last season they tried to redeem themselves a little, with, as always, unintentionally hilarious results.

Ong Bak 2 - awesome Muay Thai action.  Especially a middle scene which mainly involves the use of Tony Jaa’s legs only.  Just don’t expect much plot. 

If you liked Ong Bak 1 or The Protector you’d like this too.

7/10.

Transformers 2 fantastic action as expected.  8/10.  Lame jokes stopped it from getting a better rating from me.

Don’t know which movie you were watching Kev, but I thought Angels and Demons to be quite boring!  3/10

Yes Man was also very unfunny, easily Jim Carrey’s worst effort.  Another 3/10.

Hi Arthur, movie appreciation is like beauty - it’s in the eye of the beholder. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

Just returned from seeing “Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs”. The best in the series so far. Animation technology and production just continues to get better. The script was incredibly funny -  almost non-stop laughs - with plenty of adult level references to make it entertaining for us ‘oldies’. Simon Pegg as Buck’s voice was sheer pleasure. I’ve seen plenty of animation - and I’m prepared to give this one 9 out of 10. Might even go back and see it in 3D next time.

Finally got to see “State of Play” a few weeks back. Great storyline - plenty of investigative journalism - with Russell Crowe outstanding in his lead role. Lots of intrigue and enough twists and turns right until the very end to keep you fully awake and glued to the screen. And grist to the mill for all conspiracy theorists too ! Helen Mirren is fabulous as the publisher - and the other actors also put in sterling performances. Well scripted and photographed.  I love journalism thrillers - and this one is up there with the best. 8 out of 10 !

Kevin Goddard - 05 July 2009 07:38 PM

Just returned from seeing “Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs”.

I liked the first two so will give this a shot thanks!