The Zookeeper's Wife is a sobering true story of WWII drama and heart

Movie Title:  The Zookeeper's Wife

Grade: A-

Rating: PG-13, although I would give this movie an R rating due to its grim nature and two glimpses of a topless woman.  
126 minutes long

In a Nutshell:  This sobering film is based on the true story that unfolded in Poland during World War II.  It’s an adaptation of Diane Ackerman’s bestseller The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story and does a very good job illustrating different kinds of cages: for animals, Jews in the Ghetto and on trains headed to concentration camps, small-minded Nazis imprisoned by Hitler’s terror, and more.   

Uplifting theme: 

• Heroism, sacrifice, friendship
• Humanity
• We will never know all of the stories of the many brave men and women who risked so much to save others during “the war to end all wars.”

Things I liked:

• Jessica Chastain did an excellent job as Antonina Zabinska.  Her emotional performance made me cry several times.  I loved seeing her with the animals and she seemed to genuinely care for them. Oscar-worthy?  Should be.
• How they managed the animals in the zoo is truly impressive.  How did they get the animals to do all those things they did?  You get to see people cuddle with skunks, lion cubs, elephants, a symbolic bunny (aww), and more.  I loved the little camel that ran freely around the zoo.  All of the animals were real; there was no CGI used!
• The film does a very good job demonstrating the cruelty of Hitler and his Nazis.  They destroyed soooo much that was good in this world.
• Belgium Daniel Bruhl is slickly evil, but even still not quite as menacing as he could be. He has too likable of a face.  Jessica Chastain said that he taught her how to swear in German during their breaks.
• Before the credits roll, the screen displays text where you can read about what happened after the last scene, including the good news (SPOILER ALERT) that the Zabinska’s zoo has survived as the Warsaw Zoo.  Although the film is about Warsaw, it was filmed entirely in Prague!
• Critics complain that the movie isn’t realistic enough, as in….they want it to be more gruesome and bloody?  I thought it had so much gore and violence that it should have been rated R.  Besides, we REALLY don’t have to see people’s heads get blown off in every disgusting detail to know what’s happening and be affected by it.  Sometimes we see the gore and brutality in this film, but sometimes we just hear gun shots and the horror is implied.  Both were equally effective, making the audience I sat with groan, jump, and gasp every time.
• It was clever and symbolic that a piano was used to give both comfort and warning to the Jews hiding in the zoo.
• SPOILER ALERT: I thought the scene where the children innocently trusted Jan to lift them up into the train was powerful and heartbreaking.
• It made me think of the many refugees that are in the world today.  If you would like to find out how you can help, check out JustServe.

Things I didn’t like:

• Critics don’t seem to like this movie very much, but I’ve noticed that most of those who don’t are men.  Just sayin... Everyone in the audience I sat with seemed to be really touched, based on the crying and sniffling I heard around me in the dark theater.

• It’s not on par with the epic Schindler's List, but I appreciated the perspective from a woman’s lived experience in this story.

• There was no humor to break up the tension.  It was 100% drama. 80% tension.  One of the best WWII/Holocaust movies I've ever seen and one that was able to mix humor with incredible drama was Life Is Beautiful  It still haunts me.

Interesting lines:

• “Maybe that’s why I love animals so much.  You look in their eyes and you know exactly what’s in their hearts.  They’re not like people.” – Antonina
• “A human zoo.” – Antonina
• “Whatever we do, we have to hide it in plain sight.” – Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh)
• “You are a wonder.  You are Eve in the garden.” – Jan
• “People always want to run when they don’t know what’s coming.” - Antonina

Tips for parents: 

• Both animals and people are slaughtered in this movie.  In other words, this is NOT a family-friendly movie.  It is powerful and only appropriate for older teens.
• You see dead, bloody animal carcasses.
• You see a bloodied, stunned girl after she has been raped and you see another man attempt to rape a woman.  There is also a passionate scene in bed, although clothes are on.
• You see some animals mating while Nazis cheer on.
• There is a lot of violence and suffering.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

Allied feels like a film noir spy romance

Movie Title:  Allied

Grade:  B

Rating:  R, 124 minutes

In a Nutshell: World War II offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic spy adventure, featuring two good looking actors who fall in love.  It has a cat and mouse, film Noir feel to it that makes it look old-fashioned and will remind you of some of the scenes from the classic movie Casablanca.

Uplifting theme: 

• Duty, love, honesty, patriotism, loyalty.

Things I liked:

• Brad Pitt speaks French and looks cool in every scene.
• Marion Cotillard is mesmerizing as Marianne Beausejour.  She really looks and sounds like she stepped out of the 1940's.  She hits the big screen again in a couple of weeks in the movie "Assassin's Creed."
• The CGI blends really well with real-life shots.
• There is a funny scene when Brad Pitt shuffles playing cards.  Marianne later says, “So, it’s in the cards for our chance to make history.”
• This is more romance than spy thriller.

Things I didn’t like:

• It’s a bit slow moving.
• The last time Brad Pitt was in a spy movie, he got a divorce.  Just sayin…
• There are a lot of subtitles, although sometimes French is spoken without subtitles so you have to guess at what is being said. According to the Duolingo app, I'm 11% fluent in French.  So there's that.  ha ha
• A guy throws up.  Ick.
• Some scenes could have been trimmed a bit to be more effective.
• There could have been more spy stuff. 

Interesting lines:

• “Who are you thinking about?” – Max

“My mother.” – scared soldier

“Don’t.  Think of your father.  He’s proud of you.” – Max 

Funny lines:

• “Salute me, first!” - George

“Go to hell.”  - Max Vatan

 This IS hell. It’s an office.” – George

Tips for parents: 

• You see the side of a naked Marion Cotillard and Brad Pitt’s rear end.
• A lot of F-bombs.
• It’s starts to get hot and heavy in a car, as well as in a bed.
• There are a lot of subtitles to read.
• Lesbians kiss.
• Shooting, violence, suicide.

The Woman in Gold has heart, humor and history

Movie:  The Woman in Gold

PG-13, 1 hour 50 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  This is a fascinating, true story about a woman’s and nation's journey toward justice and peace after the Holocaust.   The film has heart, humor, and history as the David vs. Goliath story unfolds.

Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds demonstrate a quirky chemistry as two Americans with unique and prestigious roots in Austria.

The value of art is not monetary, but about the feelings it evokes when we experience it.  Great art should stir our humanity, don't you think?  Film is art too and this one does just that very well.

Uplifting Theme:

·       “Your only enemy is fear.” – Adele

·         Maria wants restitution and defines it as: “to return something to its original state.”  She learns that we can never be the same after life’s experiences.
*  "Remember us."  - Maria's father.    We need to never remember what happened to the world during the horrific Holocaust so that we don't repeat it.  We also need to see some of the atrocity's that are still happening in the world today and stop them.

Things I liked:

·         The woman in gold may actually be the talented Helen Mirren, winner of the prestigious golden statue named Oscar.  She always brings grace, elegance and wise maturity to any role.  I simply adore her.  She’s believable as a moody Austrian who struggles with pain and pride.   

·         I loved that Casting found an actress (Antje Traue) who very closely resembles the real Adele Bloch-Bauer who was portrayed in Gustav Klimpt's famous painting “Woman in Gold.”  Maria learns that Adele’s name was removed from the title of the artwork by the Nazis to hide the fact that she was Jewish, exclaiming “Her identity was stolen as well.”

·         The plot may be simple, but it’s still a remarkable story.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Helen Mirren wears dark contact lenses to make her look more like the real Maria Altmann.  I wasn’t bothered by it, but some people say they were distracted.  Whatever.  If that’s the worst thing you can say about her performance…

·         The court scenes didn't quite reach the status and thrill of To Kill a Mockingbird , but they're still inspiring.

·         Katie Holmes is sleepy in bed during most of her scenes in the movie.  They could have cast me in that role. 

·         Sadly, there was no one in the audience under the age of 50 when I watched this movie.  All you young ones out there may feel the need for more speed, but you’re missing a little gem in this film.  Wow, that sentence made me sound so old.

Funny lines:

·         “Against my better judgement, I think I like you.” – Randy

·         “Smile Maria.  It’s good to exercise your facial muscles once a year.” – Maria’s father

·         “My sister finally decided to move in with me.  The only problem is she didn’t do it until she’s dead.” – Maria

·         “This is like a James Bond film and you’re Sean Connery.” – Maria to Randy

·         “I want to go to Austria with my daughter some day.  She loves kangaroos.” – Dumb clerk

Interesting lines:

·         “I have to keep these memories alive, you see, especially because the young forget.” – Maria

·         “What’s in it for you?” Randy

“Let’s just say it’s a very particular brand of patriotism.” – Austrian journalist

·         “It’s hard to believe Hitler applied to be an art student here.” – Randy

“I wish they had accepted him.” – Maria

Tips for Parents:

·         Children may be bored with the legalese in court scenes and the slow drama.  The subject matter of the Holocaust is dark, although the film doesn’t show some of the horrors of the time like other Holocaust movies do.

·         1 F-bomb, but very little “other” profanity.

Want to know more?

I studied abroad in Spain and traveled to Vienna back in the 80’s before the Judenplatz Holocaust memorial was built.  It is a somber, haunting structure that makes you feel uncomfortable intentionally.  It honors the 65,000 murdered Austrian Jews during WWII.
                               

If you’re fascinated by the history of artwork stolen by the Nazis during WWII, you’ll enjoy learning more in the film The Monuments Men   You can read my review of that movie here.   The Rape of Europa can be watched for free on Netflix right now!

       

To learn more about the artwork of Gustav Klimt, check out the following:

The Book Thief illustrates the power of words

Movie Title:  The Book Thief

Rating: PG-13, 2 hours 5 minutes

Grade: A-

In a Nutshell:  I had to drive past several theaters near my home to find one that carried this film…truly a hidden gem. The sobering, yet inspiring film is based on the international best-selling novel by Marcus Zusak, The Book Thief , which was on the New York Times bestseller list for 200 weeks.  It introduces a provincial German town and how it experiences the close-up pains of WWII, contrasting life and death, darkness and light, hope and a haunting humanity.  We rarely see WWII movies that illustrate the “other” side of the story: how German families were affected by the Nazis, the Jews who lived beside them in their neighborhoods, and the sacrifices that would be required of them all. 

Liesel is exposed to her first book, ironically “The Gravedigger’s Handbook”, and becomes fascinated with reading and words.  The power of words is illustrated beautifully in so many ways: Nazi propaganda posters on the town’s walls, name-calling by school bullies and Mama, Liesel’s storytelling in the bomb shelter, the eery words narrated by Death, etc.  The film is guided by popularDownton Abbey: The Complete Seasons 1, 2 & 3 (9 Discs) director Brian Percival.

Uplifting theme:  There were actually so many positive messages around every corner that I had a hard time writing them all down in the dark theater.  This movie should have your family discussing many ideas for a long time.  (See list below in the parent section.)

Things I liked: 

I’m an author of 17 books, so you KNOW I liked this movie!  There were so many things I enjoyed, such as the picturesque European streets, the visual contrasts between the stark white snow and the black shoes that crunched on it, the playful use of words and images, and the powerful acting. The lovely Sophie Nelisse (Liesel) was believable and adorable.  Geoffrey Rush (Hans) was a sweet foster papa you wanted to spend more time with, and Nico Liersch (Rudy) was a dear best friend who had the looks that Hitler would kill for…and did.  Roger Allam narrated the film as a character that is unclear until the end.  I loved the anticipation as I waited for his character's true identity to be revealed.

The talented Emily Watson (Rosa) played a stern German woman who Liesel describes as being a thunderstorm, but who Death knew had a big heart. I loved the image of her falling asleep with Papa’s accordion.  My German grandmother died when I was just a little girl, so I regret that I never got to know her well.  She seemed to me a typical austere German matriarch, but my father adored her and I knew there was more to her than I understood.  “Mama” in the movie was this kind of multi-layered woman.

Inspiring quotes:

* “A person is only as good as his word.”   - Papa

* “Better that we leave the pain behind, than ever forget the music.”  - Hans

* “I am haunted by humans.”   - Death

* “You’ll meet me soon enough.”  - Death

* “A mother never gives up on her child.” – Elsa

* “Memory is the scribe of the soul.”  (Aristotle) quoted by Max
* "Many young men feel the excitement of the rush to war, thinking that they are running to their enemy, but they were really running to me."  - Death
 * “Words are life.” – Max

Things I didn’t like:  The children don’t seem to age during the 5 year period.  I know that’s hard to do in a film, but still…I had my tissues ready and was prepared to cry, but I never did.   Perhaps it was all that German stoicism that prevented me from shedding a tear.  My husband said "It was all I could do to keep from crying.  I guess when you get older, your faculties and body decline, but your empathy, understanding and insight continue to strengthen."

Funny lines: 

• Liesel asks “What’s an accountant?”  Papa answers “Something we will never need.”
• “He’s the dumbest kid in school, but he shaves.” – Rudy
• “It’s the best thing I ever threw up.”  - Max
• “Every mother loves her child, even Hitler’s.” – Max 

Things to look for:

• Wintered old vines growing all over the schoolhouse facade
• Be sure to read the subtitles for song the school children sing
• I’ve always fantasized about having a library like Elsa’s that is so large you need a ladder to reach the books on the top shelves, complete with cozy chairs, Tiffany lamps and a window to look out and see the world in a new way.
• Liesel appropriately reads The Invisible Man to Max, the Jewish boy her family hides in their basement.
• German Christmas tree with candles on it

Helpful German words to know as you watch the movie or read the book:

auf wiedersehen    -  goodbye

bahnhof                 -  train station

dreckiges               -  dirty 

Frau                       - Miss

Führer                    - leader

gesindel                 - vermin or lowlife

gut                          - good

guten morgen         -  good morning

herr                         - Mr

ja                             -  yes

Juden                      -  Jews

Nein                       -  no

saumensch              -  pig (used as an insult)

und                          -  and

Tips for parents:  While two of the stars are children, it’s not really a film that will hold the attention of young children.  Mature, older children may find it interesting, but the theme is dark and requires some understanding of the dangers of being a Jew in WWII Germany.  There are some scenes with dead bodies, although they are mostly pale, not covered in blood.  There is some violence, bullying, and profanity in German.

The movie presents great topics to discuss with pre-teen children and older ones, such as

• Should censorship of books be allowed or not?
• What do you consider to be “intellectual dirt?”
• If your eyes could speak, what would they say?
• Liesel was a book thief.  How was Hitler one as well?
• Which emotion is the most powerful: love, fear, or hope?
• What did you think when Max painted over the pages of the book Mein Kampf? 
• How did Liesel demonstrate courage beyond words? 
• What insight into this story do Christians gain when reminded that the WORD is Jesus Christ?

I would love to hear what YOU thought about the book or film!