The Black Sawn

Genre: Drama/Thriller
Year: 2011
Stars: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey
Director: Darren Arenofsky
Spoiler Alert: The whole review.

As a ballerina, Portman is a dedicated perfectionist. Her inability to portray accurately the black swan in Swan Lake cause a psychological break. She does not get help from her mother who simply drives her daughter to self-destructive behavior. She is also encouraged to get in touch with her "destructive" self by the producer and director of the play. He uses ballerinas just to throw them to the curb when he is done with them.

I went to the theater with two women and one other guy. To my surprise the two women hated the movie and the two of us guys liked it very much. Us two guys did not like the film because of the numerous erotic sex scenes, but rather for the twists and psychological turns, and "Was it real or imagined?" type of questions that were brought to mind.

One of the women said, she did not like the movie because there was no joy nor was there a happy ending. I suspect that their expectations were not met. I admit all the characters were dark with no lightness nor comic relief in the movie.

Portman, deserves the Oscar. She made me forget that she was Portman and really was crazy, however, I give this movie a six wishing I could give it a higher mark.

Spiritual Application: Although we should live our life as if commissioned to spread the word as we were by Christ. We also need a safe place to refresh our spiritual batteries. More than that, getting in touch with your dark side is playing with the evil nature of man/woman. The devil delights when his job is made easy.

The Tourist

Genre: Drama, Suspense
year: 2011
Actors: Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie


This movie does not get interesting until about one-third in to it. Unless you what to see the Angelina Jogelina Jolie show. The film makers were counting on Jolie carrying this movie. Close up after close up, head shot, mid shot, and the again a close up. Depp sleeps through this movie as much as I did In my first viewing. The TV show Criminal Minds has episodes regularly that are just as good as this movie.

Spoiler Alert: The so called twist is just a curve. The climax wasn't

Spoiler Alert: Johnny with his multiple altering surgeries makes me think "things are not always what they seem." A perfect example is Balaam's talking donkey In Numbers 22

BBC Sherlock Holmes

This BBC's effort to bring the popular sleuth into the twenty-first century Is successful were all other portrayals failed. I am glad to say that this series surpasses my expectations. It is every bit as good as the Basil Rathbone and the Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes. No interpretation will move Rathbone or Brett'S out of their top standings. However, it seems that Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Sherlock understands the character and has it in him to bring Sherlock to life.

This Watson could be the best of the lot. Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson brings color and professional ability to the role like no one else has.

Due to a wound during his service In Afghanistan Watson walks with a cane because of a limp. In the excitement of keeping up with Sherlock,dashing out of the apartment Watson forgets his cane to walk without a limp forevermore.

(REEL BLESSINGS)
And, so it is with anyone that focuses on Jesus their Frailties dissolve into the background.

Bataan

Genre: War
Year: 1943
Actors: Robert Taylor, Thomas Michel
Spoiler alert, the good guys win!

This movie was made before WWII V. J. Day! This is definitely a B movie. The movie does not hold up well. It is interesting to see Thomas Mitchel not at the top of his game and I mean that in the best possible way. The stunts are not good, the solder's camp is hokey. My little grand children in their play can do better than this movie's fight scene. You would have to be hard core to view this film. This movie is not recommended I give it half a star.

REEL BLESSINGS
Near the end of the movie the enemy in camouflage sneaks up to the edge of the camp. Just in the nick of time the good guys shoot it out and are victorious.

When sin is camouflaged and snicks up on you all you have to do is call on God to dispatch angles to save the day.



Summery http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035664/synopsis

Welcome to the reel movies

Thinking of pop-movies and Christian values.  

"Spirituality in the light of the silver screen.  ...even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you. "- Psalm 139:12

This blog is the thoughts and reflection of a Christian that loves movies and the lessons they can teach.