The Post shows that the power of the press is still relevant in a day of fake news

Movie Title:      The Post

Grade:  B+

Rating: PG-13,

In a Nutshell: Spielberg, Hanks, Streep.  Powerhouse combination that reminds us why they’re the masters of their trade. 

Surprisingly, this is the first time all three have worked together on a film. 

Oscar bait?  Yeah, probably.  It has already received several nominations by the Golden Globes and National Board of Review.  Is an Academy Award next?  Probably not.  We’ll see.

                                        

Tips for parents: 

• Children and teens will be bored out of their minds.
• Some profanity.
• As more and more traditional newspapers die a slow death due to the internet, kids might think the film is irrelevant, but there is much to be learned about the Constitution as the Pentagon Papers are introduced to this younger generation.  As talk of “fake news” has become a part of everyday conversation, director Steven Spielberg raced to finish this film with unprecedented speed.  Clearly, he thought the content was extremely relevant.  Spielberg thought it was ironic that the pendulum has swung in journalism from ’71 to ’17.

Uplifting theme: 

• Women in  business.  The film is dedicated to a woman, Nora Ephron, who helped  uncover the Watergate scandal in 1972.
• Freedom of the press vs. government security
• “The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy.  The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”  Justice Black’s opinion
• Power, politics, truth

                                            

Things I liked:

• I loved how the last scene bleeds into the Watergate scandal.
• Nixon’s actual voice is used when he’s talking from the Oval office.
• Interested in this topic?  You’ll want to see the movie All The President's Men.  In fact, the last scene of this movie is almost shot for shot the same as the first scene in All The President's Men.
• I always get a kick out of Bradley Whitford in everything.
• Usually the comic relief, it was interesting to see David Cross as a serious journalist.

Things I didn’t like:

• The first half of the movie moves very slowly.
• It's a bit heavy-handed.
• It can get confusing with lots of names to try to keep straight.

Funny lines:

• “It must be precious cargo.” – Flight attendant

“Yeah.  It’s just government secrets.” – Bob Odenkirk (Howard Simons)

Interesting lines:

• “The only way to protect the right to publish is to publish.” – Ben Bradlee   (Tom Hanks)
• “I always wanted to be part of a small rebellion.” – Bob Odenkirk
• “Whatever happens tomorrow, we are not a little paper anymore.” – Ben Bradlee 
• “You know what my husband used to say about the newspaper?  He called it the first rough draft of history.” -  Kay Graham  (Meryl Streep)

Other good movies about the freedom and power of the press:

             

                                        @trinaboice

Jackie is portrayed by an elegant Natalie Portman

Movie Title:   Jackie

Grade:  B-

Rating:  R, 95 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This interesting look into the life of Jackie Kennedy features a stunning Natalie Portman, who deserves the Golden Globe nomination she received for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture.  She has just been nominated for an Oscar.

The opening sad musical notes create a tale of sorrow and prepare you for the dreary story about to unfold.   

The assassination of John F. Kennedy has fascinated generations of Americans.  That fateful day and the aftermath from the perspective of Jackie is mesmerizing and depressing, offering commentary on American culture in the 1960’s..

Uplifting theme: 

• Tradition is strength.
• “Perfect people can’t change.  Jack was always getting better, stronger.” – Jackie
• “People need their history.  It gives them strength.” – Priest (John Hurt)
• “We all live on, far after our deaths. Presidents will come and go and every one of them will look up to Jack for guidance, for inspiration.” - Jackie
• "The darkness won't go away, but it won't always be this heavy." - The Priest

Things I liked:

• You get to see some old footage.  Director Pablo Larrain also creates portions of the film to look like old footage.  Nice touch.
• Peter Sarsgaard plays Robert Kennedy with Beth Grant as Ladybird Johnson.
• Billy Crudup plays The Journalist who treads carefully with his questions to this delicate, strong First Lady as she reels from her husband’s assassination.
• The way Jackie explained her husband’s death to their children was touching.
• The Camelot scene was very well done.
• The conversations Jackie had with her priest were vulnerable and honest, allowing us to peek into her true psyche and inner struggles.
• You really feel like you're in the 1960's. The set design was very well done.

Things I didn’t like:

• There is a graphic moment when you see President Kennedy’s head get shot.  You can see the gruesome video footage of the actual moment on YouTube.
• The movie is a bit morbid with no humor to help you recover from the overwhelming sadness.
• There isn't a lot of creative directing with interesting camera work.  It feels, probably intentionally, more like a documentary.
• Despite Jackie's elegance and beauty, the film feels a bit drab and grey.  Again, that's probably intentional to help us feel the cloud of sorrow during those dark days.

Interesting lines:

• “The more I read, the more I wonder: when something is written down, does that make it true?” – Jackie
• “We have television now.  At least people can see with their own eyes.” – Jackie
• “For royalty, you need tradition and for tradition, you need time.” – Jackie
• “How do I do this?” - Jackie

“It doesn’t matter what you say.  Just hug them and tell them it will be ok.” – Nancy Tuckerman (Greta Gerwig)

• “A First Lady must always be ready to pack her suitcases.  It’s inevitable.” – Jackie
• “There are two kinds of women: those who have power in the world and those who have power in bed.” – Jackie
• “I lost track of it somehow, what was real and what was performance.” – Jackie
• “History is harsh.” – Robert Kennedy (Peter Sarsgaard)
•  "People like to believe in fairy tales." - Jackie

Tips for parents: 

• Two F-bombs.
• Some bloody scenes.
• Children will be bored out of their minds.  Older kids who are history buffs might be interested.

@trinaboice 

Loving is a quiet look at the Civil Rights movement and interracial marriages

Movie Title:  Loving

Grade:  A-

Rating:  PG-13, 123 minutes

In a Nutshell: Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, this historical drama sensitively tells the true story about the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.  

This movie received a standing ovation at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film is based in part on the documentary The Loving Story by Nancy Buirski.

Loving is the last name of the married couple, yet also a simple statement about what’s important in life.

Uplifting theme: 

• Love doesn’t come in colors.
• “Marriage is a fundamental right.” – Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll)

Things I liked:

• Joel Edgerton does a great job.  His character  becomes an unexpected civil rights activist. Wow, those blue eyes.
• Ruth Negga has incredibly expressive eyes. I first noticed her in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD - Season 2 [DVD] and think she is so beautiful.
• I love the imagery and symbolism of Richard Loving building foundations as a hard-working brick layer.  The foundation of a loving family is built on a strong marriage.  The foundation of a successful country is its good, hard-working citizens and the protection of civil liberties.
• This film’s treatment of the Loving’s story is very respectful and understated, making it all the more powerful.
• Michael Shannon plays a very small role as Grey Villet, but is a welcomed addition and a softer character than we’re used to seeing him play.  Director Jeff Nichols adores Michael Shannon, as this is their 5th film together.
• You get to see the famous picture of Richard and Mildred Loving at the end of the movie.
• Marton Csokas does a great job playing a man you don't like, the racist Sheriff Brooks.

Things I didn’t like:

• There isn’t any humor to offset the heavy sadness and drama of the serious social issues.
• It’s extremely slow moving. 

Interesting lines:

• “Now you know what’s it like.” – Virgil (Will Dalton)
• “Is there anything you’d like me to say to them?  And by 'them' I mean the Supreme Court justices of the United States?” –Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll)

“Yeah.  You can tell the judge…tell the judge I love my wife.” – Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton)

Tips for parents: 

• You’ll hear the “N” word.
• Discussion of premarital sex.
• If you’re 45 years or younger, it’s hard to imagine a time when interracial couples were not allowed to marry.  You can have a good discussion with your children about racism and civil liberties.  America has come a long way since the Civil Rights movement of the 50s and 60s, although we still have a long way to go.

Other fantastic movies about the Civil Rights movement that you should see:

Selma
Lee Daniels' The Butler
The Help
Mississippi Burning
Remember The Titans
To Kill a Mockingbird

Everest features stunning cinematography

Movie  Everest

Rating: PG-13, 2 hours 1 minutes

Grade:   B

In a Nutshell:    This is an impressive movie to watch on IMAX and in 3D.  The cinematography and sound design will surely win some awards.   While the dialogue isn’t stellar, the cast is.  This true story is a memorial to all of those who climb mountains in their life, whether literally or figuratively.

The movie begins with some sobering information: “Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first mountain climbers to get to the top of Mount Everest.  During the next 40 years, mountain climbers attempted the same feat.  One in every four died.”   It’s not called the Death Zone for nothing. 

Uplifting Theme:

·         Friendship, loyalty, determination, hope.

·         Why climb Everest?  As the characters in the movie say, “Because it’s there!”  Dream the impossible.

Things I liked:

·         You get to see stunning images of Mount Everest and beautiful Nepal.  Some of the shooting was also done in the gorgeous Italian Alps.

·         The film does a good job of explaining the risks as the movie goes along, usually by way of a trail guide or the doctor who is teaching the climbers.

·         The cast is very good: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin.  I’ve loved Robin Wright ever since I first saw her in The Princess Bride .  She doesn’t quite look herself in this film, but it’s always a pleasure to see her.  Sam Worthington from Avatar gets to use his real Australian accent in the flick.  You get to hear Kiera Knightly with a New Zealand accent.

·         Every movie I’ve ever seen about Mount Everest includes terrible deaths, so this one wasn’t any different.  As beautiful as Mount Everest is, I have absolutely no desire to summit.  I am kind of fond of breathing.  Not on the old Bucket List.  Nope.  But I admit I’m fascinated with people who do want to climb it.  Director Baltasar Kormakur does a good job showing that it’s a different breed of person who dreams of Everest.

Things I didn’t like:

·         There are some stormy night scenes where it’s hard to tell what’s going on.

·         You pretty much know people are going to die, so the only surprise is who.

·         It’s a little bit hard to keep the characters straight once they’re covered in snow and dying off.  I would have liked more character development so that I could cry when they died.  I mean, I was sad, just not heart-broken, ya know?

·         It’s hard to imagine how the climbers must have felt.  They should blast the air conditioning in the theaters that play this movie so that you start to shiver.  Right?!

Interesting lines:

·         “It’s one thing to make it on top, but you pay me to bring you down safely.  Remember that.” – Rob Hall (played by Jason Clarke)

·         “We don’t need competition between the people.  There is already competition with the mountain.  The last word always belongs to the mountain.” – Ed Viesturs (played by Clive Standen)

·         “It’s not the altitude, it’s the attitude.” –  Doug Hansen (played by John Hawkes)

Tips for Parents:

·         Young children may get bored.

·         I’m assuming the facts mentioned in the film about Everest are true.   Nature lovers of all ages will be mesmerized by the beauty.

·         Some profanity, dead bodies, intense peril.

Want to see the original Everest with the awesome Liam Neeson? Check this out!

 

Want to learn more about Mount Everest?  You can start with these:

Four Blood Moons now available on Netflix

Movie:  Four Blood Moons

Rating:  PG

2 hours 30 minutes

Grade:    B-

In a Nutshell:   This documentary was a one-day theatrical release in a limited number of cities back in March 2015.  Now it is available to everyone on Netflix and Amazon.  

Based on the New York Times Bestseller of the same name, author and pastor John Hagee explained,  “The thing that compelled me to write “The Four Blood Moons” was when I saw the scientific information that NASA was putting out:  that it (4 blood moons) happened in 1493, that it happened in 1949, that it happened in 1967 and was going to happen in 2015.  Knowing history, I knew that these 3 dates  applied to Israel and are the Jewish people.”   John Hague

If you don’t know history, those dates correspond with the expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain, the creation of the Israel nation, and the Arab/Israeli 6^th day war.  The movie walks you through each of those significant events, pointing to an equally important event to occur Fall of 2015.

Uplifting Theme:   

*  The Bible announces that God made the sun and the moon to be used as signs in the heavens.   “What we notice in science is the more you research the record of nature, the more evidences you find for the handiwork of God and so, it’s not a surprise that we see increasing numbers of scientists looking at that evidence.” – Hugh Ross, Astrophysicist/Author

*  The tagline for the movie is: Something is about to change.  If he's right, what are you doing to prepare?

          

Things I liked:

* I liked the variety of experts in science, history, and religion sharing their "take" on this fascinating symbolism.  The format of the movie is documentary-style interviews, followed by dramatic reenactments to illustrate each of the pivotal moments in history.

*  The information is extremely interesting and should leave you hanging with anticipation to see what unfolds within the next few months.  Pay attention to the news!

*  Writer and Director Keith Merrill has made several beautiful films for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; however, this is NOT a Mormon movie.  In fact, no LDS theology is even mentioned, focusing, instead on doctrine and symbolism explained by Jewish rabbis and pastor John Hagee, who founded "Christians United for Israel." 

·          

Things I didn’t like:

·    At the end of the movie, you see that the majority of the reenactments were filmed in North Carolina; however, you won't be surprised that the film was produced in the Middle East somewhere, because the majority of the actors look like Americans with bad wigs and fake beards.  The actors looked like they were recruited by a small casting company who only hired locals who wanted to dress up in costumes.  In other words, the acting was pretty bad.

*  The scientific and historical evidence is presented to an audience that is pretty much already Christian and Jewish "believers".  

*  There is no strong call-to-action at the end of the movie, only that "something" is coming.  I would have liked to learn about several theories that the experts think might happen and then hear their ideas on how to be best prepared for certain scenarios.

Interesting lines:

·         “The Talmud states clearly that the eclipse of the sun is difficult for the nations of the world.  The eclipse of the moon is difficult for the Jewish people and express a difficulty for the Jewish people.” – Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

·          

Tips for Parents:  

*  Young children will mostly be bored.  

*  Teens who are interested in the subject matter will learn a little bit more about historical events.  There are inspiring and miraculous stories that are reenacted, which could be a good launching pad for faith-building discussions.

·          

Would you like to know more? You can read the New York Times best-seller by John Hagee:

 

 Here's another one that is a fascinating read by Jonathan Cahn. You'll find a ton of interesting videos on YouTube by him as well:

 

The Imitation Game is the real deal

Movie:  The Imitation Game

Grade: A

PG-13, 1 hour 54 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Two words:  Benedict Cumberbatch

Endless are the movies about WWII that are thought-provoking, inspiring, heartbreaking, and touching.  This is definitely one of them.  I’m embarrassed to admit that I knew nothing of Alan Turing’s history before viewing this film. In fact, his story has been hidden for 50 years.

Based on the book Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film "The Imitation Game" by Andrew Hodges, the movie is a fascinating character study of a British mathematical genius who broke the unbreakable German code during the war and who created the first computer.  He was also a homosexual during a time when it was illegal. Especially engrossing is watching Cumberbatch’s multi-layered facial expressions that reveal impressive depth and deserve Oscar recognition.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Alan’s childhood friend explained it well when he said “You know Alan, sometimes it’s the very people who no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine.” -  Christopher

Things I liked:

·         I love movie titles that have double meaning.

·         I thought the suspenseful music at the beginning set the tone well for the movie.

·         The interview between Alan and Commander Denniston was hilarious.

·         Keira Knightley is always mesmerizing to watch.

Things I didn’t like:

·         It may be a little slow-moving for some, but I was intrigued the entire time.

Funny lines:

·         “You’re serious!” – Commander Denniston (Charles Dance)

“Would you prefer I made a joke?” – Alan

“I don’t think you know what those are.”  - Commander Denniston

·         “How the He** were you supposed to decrypt German communications if you don’t speak German?” – Commander Denniston

“Well, I’m really quite good at crossword puzzles.” – Alan

·         “What is it about women with little hats?” – Hugh (Matthew Goode)

·         “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.  That’s not progress; that’s just blind luck.” – Alan

·         “Well, this is inhuman, even for you.” – Hugh

Interesting lines:

·         “Do you know why people like violence?  It is because it feels good.  Humans find violence deeply satisfying. But remove the satisfaction, the act becomes hollow.  I didn’t learn this on my own, of course.  I had help.” – Alan

·         “They only beat me up because I’m smarter than they are.” – Alan

“No, they beat you up because you are different.” -  Christopher

·         “Some people thought we were at war with Germany.   Incorrect. We were at war with the clock.” – Alan

·         “I’m a woman in a man’s job and I don’t have the luxury of being an a$$.” – Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley)

·         “The interesting question is just because something thinks differently from you, does that mean it’s not thinking?” – Alan

·         “Are you paying attention?  Good.  If you’re not listening carefully, you WILL miss things.  Important things.”   “What I will need from you now is a commitment.  You will listen closely and you will not judge me until I am finished.” - Alan

Tips for Parents:

·         Discussion of homosexuality, school bullying, smoking, actual war footage from WWII.

·         The language is mostly clean and even eloquent.

·         It’s a bit slow-moving, so children may get bored.

Selma honors MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in a timely, sobering manner

Movie:   Selma

Grade:  A

PG-13

In a Nutshell:  This is a sobering film to watch, and especially now as so many racist clashes have been occurring around the country.  It’s not only a historic memorial, but a part of the continuing story of our country. We have come a long way, but there is still so much more distance we need to go.  Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films appropriately released this powerful film to run during January, when we honor Martin Luther King Jr. for what he was able to accomplish in the Civil Rights movement for our country.

I visited the “eternal flame” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Atlanta, GA when I was just out of high school.  I remember buying one of the books in the bookstore while I was there and reading some of his speeches for the first time.  One thing I enjoyed about this film was that it lets us glimpse into the personal life and private moments of this amazing and, at times, flawed Civil Rights leader.

Uplifting Theme:

·         “I’m no different from anyone else.   I want to live long be happy.  But I’ll not be focusing on what I want today.  I’m focused on what God wants.  We’re here for a reason, though many, many storms.  But today, the sun is shining and I’m about to stand in its warmth alongside a lot of freedom-loving people who worked hard to get us here.  I may not be here for all the sunny days to come, but as long as there’s light ahead for them, it’s worth it to me.”  - Martin Luther King  Jr.

Things I liked:

·         It was disgraceful that African American men were given the right to vote in the 15^th Amendment in 1870, but that they weren’t able to exercise those rights until many decades later.  Of course, women of any color weren’t allowed to vote until 1920. This film isn’t a history of the entire Civil Rights movement, but it takes a look at a small window of time in Selma, Alabama and that town’s struggle with suffrage.

·         I thought it was interesting to watch the interaction between Malcolm X and Mrs. King.  Although their tactics were different, they both wanted equal rights for the black community.

·         Several times Martin said unkind things to his wife and immediately apologized.  The movie portrayed a loving, forgiving marriage.

·         It’s difficult to watch such ignorant racism.  Tim Roth from Lie to Me: Season 1 does a great job portraying the bigoted and small-minded governor of Alabama.  (Season 1 was the best season, then it got a bit goofy.)

·         I thought British actor David Oyelowo did a FANTASTIC job as Martin Luther King Jr.   He nailed the accent and essence of the inspiring preacher.

·         I thought the song at the end was a clever mix of an earlier religious fervor with a modern-day respectful rap.

·         Tom Wilkinson did an excellent job portraying Lyndon B. Johnson’s conflicted attitudes prior to signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

·         Rarely in Hollywood movies are religious figures the heroes.  MLK and Christian values are portrayed in a very positive light in this film.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Someone barked “Jesus H. Christ!”  What does the “H” stand for?

      The movie is full of gravitas with no relief to counter-weigh the heaviness.

Inspiring lines:

·         “I accept this honor by our lost ones, whose deaths paved our paths,  and for the 20 million negro men and women motivated by dignity and a disdain for hopelessness.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. when he received the Peace prize from Norway

·         “There are no words.  But I can tell one thing for certain: God was the first one to cry for your boy.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. to the father of a young black man who was shot

·         “Our life is not fully lived unless we are willing to die for those we love for what we believe.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

·         “No citizen of this country can call themselves blameless, for we all bare responsibility for our fellowman.” – MLK

·         “I speak tonight about the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy.  At times, history and fate meet at the same time in a single place. “ – President Lyndon B. Johnson

·         “There is no negro problem.  There is no southern problem.  There is only an American problem.” – LBJ

·         “We shall do this.  We shall overcome.”  - MLK & LBJ

Tips for Parents:

·         2 F-bombs, bloody violence, upsetting scenes of brutality, full of racial slurs, vulgar hand gesture from actual footage of the time, reference to MLK’s affairs, and other profanity that are not appropriate for children.  Teenagers should be able to begin meaningful discussions about such topics as the Civil Rights movement, voting, equality, and racism after viewing this powerful film.

Another movie of this time period I recommend is The Butler.  You can read my review of that film here.

Want to learn more?   Check out these products: