FP4 pick of the week

Seek and ye shall find

PICK #18: “THE APOSTLE” (1997) Director: Robert Duvall

Info & Trailer:

http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetials/114907

OR

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Apostle/1180104?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=466754514_0_0

ENTRY: Robert Duvall stars and directs this spiritually complex but externally simple character sketch of a fallen clergy.

SYNOPSIS: The story line centers on a character sketch of a simple Texas minister, "Sonny." It starts out with his simple and fulfilling lifestyle. However, due to the sins of the earth, we see the weakness of humans. Sonny goes through turmoil and is forced under harsh conditions and then family & personal dysfunctions surface... all leading to regrettable actions. It's evident that the movie's focus is not about religion but about life, trials and tribulations. We may not be able to stop the things that happen to us (sickness, transgressions, etc...) but we can try to control our reactions and attitudes towards these situations. Our character, Sonny, reacts the way a majority of humans and animals would react but then transforms into something else. For example, have you ever meet someone who has a terminal illness and knows death is around the corner? Or someone who has been treated horribly and abused? A small few group of these victims possess the ability to be anything but a "victim." This small group of people are at complete peace and possess a power of self-fulfillment and are a testament to the fact that humans have the ability to rise above situations and deny normal, primitive and savage behavior. That is why we differ from the animals that roam the earth Mr. Darwin.

Scope: You don't have to believe or have like-minded faith of "Sonny" to enjoy this movie and reap it's intended rewards... Seek and ye shall find.

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See rules of blog at very bottom of this post: http://zozfp4.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

FP4 pick of the week

Napoleon Dynamite meets the Gilmore Girls

PICK #17: “JUNO” (2008) Director: Jason Reitman

Info & Trailer:

http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/307406

OR

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Juno/70077553?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=307434067_0_0

ENTRY: This little gold nugget is quite the movie. Most people have probably seen it since the reviewers and awards are spewing accolades to this independent film. If you are one of the few people who haven't seen it yet, you are in for a treat.

SYNOPSIS: Starting out, I would say simply "WOW." This will be one of my favorite movies of all times. At the surface, it is a story about an unplanned, teenage pregnancy with a young girl named Juno (Ellen Page). She plays a wonderful roll and delivers the script with snappy but sarcastic remarks (which are familiar to Napoleon Dynamite's memorable & strange humor). The characters interactions with Juno only show off her witty personality of her character to a larger degree. "Juno" was made for Ellen Page's talents - the character fits her like a glove. The movie has an almost "dark humor" approach to this very serious matter - you may find yourself laughing at certain lines and scenes that don't seem politically correct or find your self amused at inappropriate times and be chuckling to one's self with a little embarrassment. However, at one very specific moment in the movie, Jason Bateman's character causes a strange tide change to the feeling of the movie. The movie seems to lightly bring you into a teenager's naive view of parenthood and then into her head during a very heavy moment. It's a moment in time when the realization of the awesome responsibility of bringing a child into the world (even with the plan of giving the baby for adoption) and her one small decision could greatly affect this future of a person's life.

Scope: Please don't approach this movie with thoughts of pro-life or pro-abortion issues. Thank you very much. You'll be missing the point. It is a coming of age movie for a character that shouldn't have to come of age in her maturity level. You will like this movie if sarcasm and witty humor fits your taste. The reviews lend the thought that a wide audience range could enjoy this movie. I agree. I would warn that some of the dialog and situations could be offending to some. However, take a chance, this could become one of your favorites too!

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See rules of blog at very bottom of this post: http://zozfp4.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html