Is there anything better than going to the movie theater during the holidays? I submit that there is not. It may seem odd to you, but few things put me in the spirit of the season faster then a trip to the megaplex. It's probably because, as great as the summer movie season is, nothing can compare to the holiday movie season. Lucky for me, Alisa has come to grips with this and has begun to indulge me. Don't tell her but I think I have snuck a tradition into our family. (Fun fact for Carl: I just discovered that sneaked and snuck are in fact both words and completely interchangeable!) This marks the second year in a row we have seen a movie on Thanksgiving Day. Thankfully we are two for two having loved the movies we saw on both occasions.
This year, bless my lucky stars, we followed that up by seeing another movie the day after! Christmas has a new date and it is the day after Thanksgiving!! Alisa's whole family was going and there is no more sure fire way to get Alisa to do something then to tell her her whole family is going. For those of you who can no longer contain your curiosity, I'll let you know now that the two movies we saw were Rise of the Guardians and Life of Pi. I tried to get permission from Alisa to go see Lincoln by myself on Saturday because, let's be honest, it's blasphemous for a guy trying to get into a masters program for American history to not see a movie about American history. I was rightly denied because it turns out it's even more blasphemous to spend money your saving for tuition on a movie... Go figure. But let's not spoil the wonderful events of the past week with what-might-have-been's.
What I found most interesting and enjoyable was that both movies had a strong message of faith and belief. This may not be a big deal for some of you unless you have considered the direction of society in this regard which is decidedly pointed away from such subject matter. However, I would highly recommend both of these films for more than just there underlying messages. Let's discuss them each individually!
Rise of the Guardians:
If I recall correctly (which, of course, I do) I recommended this movie to you all last year after merely seeing the poster and reading a short synopsis. I am happy to say that my premonition was not in vain. This is definitely a movie that the family should see together. In fact, after seeing this film the one thought that kept running through my mind was "Disney better watch their back!"
If we compare Disney's most recent work (Wreck-it-Ralph) with this film. it's clear that in regards to clever, imaginative narrative creation, Disney is still sitting pretty as King. However, if we compare visual creations, it seems Disney has been dethroned for quite sometime, and they may not have a chance to win back the crown. This movie's animation wasn't just splendid: it was awe-inspiring. Not only was it realistic, but it was creative, it was imaginative... it was just plain cool! It is a truly stunning experience to see the creations of Dreamwork's conceptual art team. Don't misunderstand, their narrative skills may not be up to par with Disney's, but they are still extremely enjoyable and entertaining. 
Rise of the Guardians is a tale about the most famous fantasy figures in history (Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth-fairy, and the Sandman) as they battle for the faith of children all over the world against the Boogeyman. The combined efforts of the Fab Four don't appear to be enough, so Jack Frost is called to be a new Guardian and thus the stage is set for our story. One of the underlying messages I loved most is that none of our magical participants can be seen unless they are believed in. Note that their existence does not depend on people believing in them, rather their ability to effect others lives depending on that individuals faith in them. It's a profound and deeply spiritual analogy for larger truths.
What I noticed with How to Train Your Dragon is that Dreamworks is starting to create films that kids and adults love equally without resorting to the cliche. Although this film is not a full realization of that fact, both age groups will love this film. The acting is incredible, the narrative twists are exciting, the message inspiring, and the animation is beyond praise. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a solid 7.5! As much as it pains me to say, Disney really has a lot to fear here. Go see the movie with the family or without and enjoy yourself!
Life Of Pi:
I was extremely apprehensive about this film until I read the book. From that point on, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Unfortunately for people reading who haven't read the book or seen the movie, I can't tell you why without spoilers. So I'll wait to explain until the end. If you haven't seen or read yet, I'll give you just enough to get you eager to see the film.
I will let you know from personal experience that some of the animal violence is to much for kids 10 and under despite it's safe PG rating. There are a few jokes that miss but that is forgivable. Additionally, some of the film is drawn out and slow but over all the narrative is true to the book and as such compelling and profound. As a whole, I would give this film a 7 out of 10. Now then, I want to get to my philosophical discussion here so all you who don't know the ending might want to get outta here ;) Go see the movie and enjoy!
***Disclaimer! The ending is about to be discussed!***
***Disclaimer! The ending is about to be discussed!***
All right, straight to the point. My biggest reason for wanting to see this movie was the ending. I loved the book a lot! But it drove me crazy that it leaves the ending completely up to you to decide which story is true. Was the story filled with animals and hope and truth or was the reality a terribly violent and inhuman corrosion of mankind?? I talked to Alisa about it after reading the book, and she never gave the second story a second thought. But I couldn't get it out of my mind. So I was hoping that somehow the movie would give a strong indication of which one we were supposed to lean towards. After watching, it seems that we are supposed to realize the animal story is the truth. I felt extremely vindicated because that means there was a truly beautiful spiritual message at the center of this story. Sadly, I have to condemn myself to express that message. My first inclination was to think that the second story was the truth. Why? Because the first just seemed so impossible to believe. They don't include one of the book scenes in the movie: one of the most unbelievable parts of the book is when Pi's boat bumps into another boat in the middle of the ocean holding a similar shipwrecked victim who at the time is blind just like Pi. If I were supposed to take the story as more than fiction, I would want to believe the first but would ultimately believe the second. It just makes more sense that after an extremely traumatic event a young mind would invent the animal story to cope with the truth.
If we are honest, most of us would say the same. We as a society have developed the tendency to accept the more terrible story as the truth; the more pessimistic it is, the easier it is to accept. Is it really because we think negative experiences are more common then positive ones? That, of course, isn't true because people show altruistic tendencies ten to one over evil ones. Yet we still accept the pessimistic to the optimistic one hundred to one. And so somewhere along the line, skepticism became equivalent to pessimism. That, dear friends, is how we have lost God in the world."Thus it is with God," Pi says after recounting the two stories. People are more likely to accept a truly terrible story over one of hope and faith because it is more familiar. But the truth usually requires faith. It takes something within us to believe. The story of God is incredible and unordinary, and it is also completely optimistic. But it is the truth. It just requires us to believe in it. As I said before, faith doesn't change the way things are, it just makes it easier for us. The truth is usually incredible and that is what makes it worth believing.
I am a little apprehensive about pi too but maybe we will go see it now, maybe when it gets in the cheapies! And I am glad that Guardian was good because I REALLY want to see that! That is also one we are hoping to see in the cheapies.
ReplyDeleteAlso Steven and I went to wreck it Ralph, not in the cheapies. Friend wanted us to go and I knew you said you liked it. Needless to say we LOVED it! Great recommendation Carl. I think that movie is one of the best disney movies.