Category Archives: Contemporary

Believe it or not, not every movie I enjoy involves large amounts of action. There’s a lot to be said for a simple story, likable characters, and an upbeat message. “Ramona and Beezus,” a live-action adaptation of the classic children’s books by Beverly Cleary, certainly fits the bill – and is a refreshing change from the Hollywood norm.

Ramona Quimby (perfectly portrayed by newcomer Joey King) is an imaginative nine-year old with an unfortunate propensity for getting into mischief. She struggles in school, feeling like she’s always stuck in the shadow of her straight-A teen sister Beezus (short for “Beatrice” – played by Selena Gomez). But when bad times strike the Quimby household – her father loses his job, and the family home is jeopardized – Ramona vows that she’ll find a way to help her family.

It sounds like a simple plot, and it is. Where the film shines is in its ability to blend a myriad of charming storylines together into a cohesive whole. Ramona’s desperate attempts to please her seemingly aloof teacher…her father’s nerve-racking struggle to find a job….the Quimby girls’ Aunt Bea reconnecting with her roguish long-lost sweetheart…the gentle awkwardness of Beezus’ relationship with schoolfellow/love interest Henry Huggins…all of it works in the context of Ramona’s world. Refreshingly, it avoids the modern Hollywood trend towards “grittiness,” instead taking a look at the brighter side of everyday life.

Film directors, take note: not everyone is struggling through a sad, miserable existence. Some of us actually enjoy life.

The film is also one of the best book-to-movie conversions I’ve ever seen. It departs from the source material enough to keep things interesting (combining the most memorable elements from an 8-book series into one film, and updating the books from the 1950s to the 2000s) while never compromising the series’ core values. This movie is about family – and even better, a family that truly loves and cares about one another. Ramona’s father is never portrayed as the stereotypical bumbling Hollywood dad…he obviously loves his wife and daughters, spends time investing in them, and is willing to make sacrifices for them. Likewise, her mother is portrayed as caring and kind, even during stressful times. And while Beezus and Ramona have the expected sibling disagreements, they’re never truly malicious toward each other.

This is not a movie with a real message, other than maybe “home is where the heart is.” It’s not a worldview film – it’s a family movie that doesn’t try to tackle the “big questions” of life. And that in turn brings up an interesting question: would Christian movies perhaps be more effective if they didn’t try to cover quite so much ground in every film? If more Christian filmmakers created films like “Ramona and Beezus,” that celebrate traditional family values, some of those put off by heavier-handed techniques might be much more receptive to the gospel message. The same holds for a movie such as “The Blind Side” – it’s clear that Christianity is a driving influence on the main characters’ lives, though the message is never overemphasized to the point of becoming didactic. I think it’s possible to reach a balance between embracing culture (becoming like the world) and encountering it (being in the world, but not of it).

I think this may be the only movie I’ve ever reviewed where I can honestly say there is no objectionable content whatsoever. There’s no innuendo, violence, or language whatsoever. It’s wholesome entertainment that both kids and adults can appreciate, without veering into “trite” territory. I personally enjoyed this film because of its blend of innocence with intelligent humor – it’s legitimately funny without ever being crass. That’s not very common in modern movies, unfortunately.

If you need a change from the often-depressing movies and books pervading our culture, go see “Ramona and Beezus.” It’s definitely worth your time. And if, like me, you read the books when you were younger, this one’s a must-see.

VERDICT: 8.5/10
It’s a real shame that there aren’t more movies like this.

Normalized Score: 6.9

The world has ended. Again. Marauding gangs haunt the ashen wastelands of America, preying on innocent passersby. The few survivors have clumped together into ramshackle settlements that are beginning to crumble from within. Into this world steps machete-wielding road warrior Eli – a man on a mission from God.

At first it sounds wholly derivative…and then, entirely incongruous. Postapocalyptic films and literature in recent years have, for the most part, remained devoid of overt spirituality. Books like “The City of Ember” and “The Road”, while they may acknowledge a dim sense of spirituality or hope, generally steer clear of explicit Christian references. But Denzel Washington’s latest film, “The Book of Eli” unapologetically confronts issues of faith, sacrifice, and, most notably, the Bible.

That’s right – the Bible is the titular “Book.” And without ever veering toward the “preachy”, directors Albert and Allen Hughes seamlessly develop the concept into a dark, emotional masterpiece.

As the film opens, Eli is traveling west across a burned-out America, carrying a machete, a pistol, a canteen…and the last known Bible on earth. He is taking the Book to a place where it will be “safe” – where its message can be finally be shared with the world. But Carnegie (Gary Oldman), the power-hungry dictator of a decrepit survivor’s colony, is also interested in Eli’s Book – for very different reasons. Carnegie believes that the power of the Bible’s words will give him an effective means of manipulating his citizenry…in effect, he hopes to twist the words of Scripture to crush his opposition.

Carnegie initially tries to lure Eli into complacency, distracting him from his divine mission. He sends a young girl, Solara (Mila Kunis), to Eli’s room in an attempt to seduce him. (He turns her down, of course). But during their brief interlude, Eli introduces Solara to the concept of prayer – a concept that quickly draws Carnegie’s attention. From then on, Carnegie begins an insane quest to capture the Book at all costs – even if it means killing dozens of other people in the process.

It’s a tight, fast-paced plot that effectively balances both its spiritual underpinnings and intense action sequences. But is it worth watching?

First, the good:

I have never seen another secular, mass-market film with such a reverence for the Word of God. Scenes in which Eli defends the Book with his life are extremely convicting as a Christian, and thought-provoking for nonbelievers. Even better, through several memorable scenes, Eli begins to show Solara the power of the Bible – not as a tool for conquest, but as a handbook for living. Psalms and Bible verses are quoted throughout the movie, and Christian imagery and symbolism are present in many scenes.

For that matter, Eli is something of a modern-day Elijah. His dangerous (and often self-sacrificial) mission, inspired by God and rooted in a deep-seated personal faith, is certainly inspiring. He obviously struggles with his own personal failings, but, for the most part, acts according to the Book he defends so vehemently.

That “defense” is, unfortunately, the source of most of the negative elements in this film.

This is a violent movie – a VERY violent movie. Within the first ten minutes, Eli dismembers, stabs, and decapitates six attacking thugs with his trusty machete – and things only ratchet up from there. (Plenty of blood and gore accompany all the killings). It’s implied that the roving gangs rape, murder, and then cannibalize their victims – horrific imagery that’s often depicted onscreen (along with Eli’s righteous revenge). There’s a fair amount of language as well, including about 10 uses of the f-word. This postapocalyptic universe is frighteningly visceral, and viewers see it in all its ugliness.

It’s left unclear whether Eli is really acting in a “Christian” way by brutally killing his enemies. To his credit, he does attempt to warn any would-be ambushers (“Don’t touch me again if you want to keep that hand!”), but quickly proceeds to dispatch anyone who threatens him. Whether or not these actions (albeit in self-defense) are consistent with “Christian love” is certainly a matter for debate.

But through all the nightmare and horror, light still shines. The Word of God is “living and active,” and this film effectively portrays its power in an ever-darkening world.

Should you see it?

I would not recommend “The Book of Eli” for any young or sensitive viewers. There’s just too much nightmarish material onscreen – from bloodthirsty motorcycle gangs to towns filled with decaying corpses. I would, however, recommend it for older teens and adults interested in seeing one of the most compelling portrayals of Christian faith in modern secular cinema.

VERDICT: 9.5/10
A compelling, thought-provoking postapocalyptic epic.

Normalized Score: 8.7

WARNING: “The Book of Eli” is rated R for brutal violence and language. This film is intense, dark, and frequently disturbing. NOT recommended for viewers under 17.