Many people hate on the Catholic Church for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, the reason for the hate can be traced to the failings of people and not the core of faith itself. Despite these failings, we have to acknowledge that the Church accomplished a great deal of good, including guiding Christianity, western civilization even, through some of its darkest periods.
Continue reading “Conclave”The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man who spent most of his childhood and life in a wheelchair due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but found freedom in the virtual world to do what he couldn’t in the physical one. His unique circumstances highlighted an aspect of life that many still fail to grasp. Many parents scoff at or even sneer at computer games and online social interactions. But whether we like it or not, the digital aspect of our lives is real and profoundly influential. It brings people together, bridging distance and even time. In Mat’s case, it even transcended the limits of physics. As parents, we need to accept it and take it seriously. To quote Mats’ father, Robert: “We should have more respect for it and more understanding. And when we have more respect and understanding, we can also reassume the role of parents in the digital lives of our children.”
The East
Who would have thought that you can make an espionage thriller from an environmentalism theme? I guess you can and this movie pull it off nicely. It’s like Erin Brockovich fictionalized and on steroids. Brit Marling (Arbitrage) was great as Sarah a conflicted private intelligence operative who is infiltrating a shadowy environmentalist anarchist group called “The East”. Her role is well supported by actor Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood) who was equally as good as Benji, the charismatic leader of the group. As Sarah stays longer with the group, she gradually sympathizes and eventually switches sides. But as she doesn’t agree with Benji’s methods she decided to strike out on her own. There’s not much, if any, gunplay or chases but the suspense and the drama is very much there. Well done!
A Single Shot
A small-town hunter accidentally shoots and kills a woman while hunting in the woods. He also finds a big stash of cash in what appeared to be her camp. Soon after, the woman’s companions, who turn out to be hardened criminals, come around the town looking for her. Somehow it reminded me of No Country For Old Men. But that’s where the similarity ends. A Single Shot is the simpler, easier to watch movie. And yet it delivers fleshed-out genuine characters and a believable story.
La Migliore Offerta (The Best Offer)
La Migliore Offerta (original title) by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, is an interesting film to say the least and I definitely wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone. Set against the streets, cafes, and auction houses of charming-as-always Europe, Geoffrey Rush is an eccentric art auctioneer Virgil Oldman. By eccentric, it means I’m saying he’s rich and not poor. If he were, then he would be a loon :P
Virgil has a nifty sideline going on where he assesses and undervalues works of arts that he covets, and have his conspirator bid for it. He also filches bits and pieces of stuff from his clients. So he is arrogant, prickly, and terribly dishonest. Yet he’s charming and somehow likeable. Maybe it’s those delicious lines he delivers.
One day, Virgil is contacted by a wealthy heiress named Claire who seeks to auction off and dispose of her recently deceased parent’s stuff. Claire suffers from some phobia where she not only doesn’t want to go in the open, but doesn’t want to be with people at all. Thus, they conducted business through a wall. At first, the two didn’t get well along but eventually they got along and into a more than just professional relationship (hint: involves activities with less and less clothes on).
The cynic, like myself, would think that a young woman being interested in an old man like Virgil would be all about the money. And yet, Virgil, maybe because of his inexperience with women, actually believes her. Personally, it was already stretching it when Claire started showing that hint of an interest in Virgil. But hey, maybe it’s her eccentricity, yeah?
It is a good film to watch. Better than good if you are less cynical.
Rating: 4/5.