12 Years A Slave

Movie Review

Last Night was date night.  Kids were put to bed by 8:15 which is very early considering we let them stay up til at least 9pm on most nights to have Daddy Time.  

John picked up a movie from Redbox that I have been aching to see since it won so many awards this year for best picture.  Steve McQueen directed this film and I couldn't wait to see it for myself.  It is sadly based on a very true story.  My recommendation for all of you out there, do not watch this on a date night.  It was such a sad and cruel movie about our history's past (which I knew it would be) but seeing it was really difficult at parts.  And definitely not a romantic mood movie.

I think it left both John and I just plain MAD.  How could things like this happen in our country not so long ago.  In the North this man was totally free, and after a week of trickery with two musicians (the main character plaid the fiddle) he ends up being sold into slavery in the South.  A minute ago he was with his beautiful wife, in his home, with his daughter and son, and the next minute he's in a dirty basement outside of DC, with shackles on his hands and feet.

The part of the movie that got to me the most was the beatings and the cruelty, and the rape.  Slaves were seen basically as cattle.  They were sold completely naked, it was awful to see how debase our society was and it was all about making money off of their free labor.  The part that got John the most (I think) was the way they separated families.  I mean young kids were sold separately from their mom and it was devastating to watch.  And once the mom arrived at the new plantation crying over her lost babies, the woman of the house said, "Don't worry your children will soon be forgotten."  I really wanted to smack that lady!  No mother ever would or could forget her children.  No matter how many days, months, years, slip by.

This movie was so well directed and acted, painful at times to watch, but definitely a must see.  Sometimes we have to remember the painful past to step forward into a brighter future.  I am so glad this movie won awards.  It deserved every single one.

I learned that just because the Masters were cruel to the slaves, they had major issues as well, whether it be alcoholism, or just hardened hearts.  It reminded me that we all have this broken/hard heart problem and that we all need a Savior. Every time I saw a scene where a man or a woman, or a child was beaten by the Masters, I thought of Christ.  He took a horrible beating for me.  Because of my sin.  And it made me reflect on the fact that I have the same heart problem that these men had.  The main character of the movie, Solomon, needed a hero, he needed a hero to get him out of slavery.  He needed his papers back in the north which said he was free.  And it made me think how Jesus paid for my freedom with his blood on the cross.  By his stripes we are healed.

This movie was a must see.  

What's the stink about Noah?

Husband/Wife Movie Review

I really love when John gets excited about one of my upcoming blog posts.  He knew how I felt about the movie Noah and he wanted to share his point of view also.  And being that he's awesome, and my better half, I totally let him.

John's View

Thoughts on the movie “Noah”

My opinion of the movie as it pertains to a film:

Fantastic actors and acting, amazing cinematography, awesome special effects.  I would highly recommend it.

Thoughts on the controversial aspect:

I do believe that in an attempt to be faithful to Jesus the conservative zeal of conservative Christians (of which I am one of) can lead us in the opposite direction Jesus might be going.  (You see this often in the Gospels when Jesus ate with “sinners.”  I think this may be the case here with the criticism Noah has faced.

I’m pretty sure every biblical movie that has ever been made had its own dose of artistic embellishment by the writers/directors.  For example, the 1956 10 Commandments with Charleston Heston.  Um, where was Aaron?  Didn't he do all the talking to Pharaoh for Moses?  Or how about the Passion of the Christ.  Which verse was it that little demon children were haunting Judas?

The greater issue than artistic embellishment to believers should be theological truths, what the theme of the movie communicates and the intention of the director to either highlight or degrade the Biblical accounts.   I think Noah certainly tried to highlight and appreciate the Biblical account with some creative imagination.  In contrast a film like the Di Vinci Code clearly tried to tear it down (with some horrible historic amnesia might I add).  

Here are some of my favorite theological themes and truths the movie Noah communicated:

1. There is one creator of heaven and earth who made all things by His power and might and should be worshipped by humanity.

2.       Mankind sinned in the garden of eden, a perfect place where God, man and animal communed together in a perfect world.  Man sinned by disobeying God and sin entered through our disobedience.

3.       The creator is loving and merciful yet also is holy and the righteous judge of mankind who hates unrighteousness. 
4.       Sin is in every man, even those who live righteously (Noah).
5.       Man deserves God’s judgment but also provides a way out of that judgment. 

The one effect Noah had on me was that it inspired me to go back and read the story of Noah.  The creative areas that were not mentioned whatsoever in the Biblical account were to me, fantastic imagination that inspired my faith (even though I knew it wasn’t accurate).  The angels that were banished to the earth because they loved Adam and wanted to help him, crash landing from being cast to the earth,, hitting it and becoming encrusted with rock and mud and looked like deformed rock creatures with a glowing core – come on! - Fantastic imagination!

If you never went to seminary you may not know that ancient believers told stories about biblical powerhouses with their own twists to inspire faith (i.e. Testament of Abraham).   Gnostic Gospel writers on the other hand tried purposefully to corrupt the faith with their stories of a false Jesus.  Two very different positions in antiquity.  Here with Noah we have a mixture.  A non-believer appreciating the Biblical account. 

I’m glad an atheist found such an interest in the account of Noah and he portrayed it in an exciting way and also stayed completely true to theological themes the Bible communicates.  I am thankful that a non-believer took a step towards us with his work.  He gave us a great bridge to conversation we should be happy to dialogue about.  I think Jesus would have had dinner with the director and encouraged him in the longing of his heart towards God’s Word and righteous character.  Jesus did this all the time in the Gospels, I think we should follow His lead. 

Kristi's View

After reading John's movie review all I wanted to type was DITTO.  But here's a more wordy answer:

First of all, I do not understand what the "stink" about the movie is?  It's a movie about Noah made in Hollywood by an atheist.  Did Christians think it was going to be a totally accurate portrayal of the Bible?  And why would Christians not want to see a movie that was inspired by the bible and may have used some creative licensing...the bible does not tell us everything that happened in the story of Noah.  Some things are left unsaid. 

The director (I watched an interview on Friday with him) wanted to make this movie since he was 13 years old.  How cool is that?  He has been wanting to make a movie about Noah since he was 13 and was able to reach that goal and have Russell Crowe star in the movie as Noah...AMAZING!

As a believer, I was so excited that this movie was out and even put into the theaters!  I see movies like this as an opportunity to talk about God even more to all my friends.  Isn't that what we are told to do in Matthew 28?

The movie was beautifully done and it was SO COOL to see the ark! (The Director used the actual cubits and sizing from the Bible) It was AMAZING to see the animals on the ark.  The whole movie is about how God loved man, and how wicked man got, and how God had to punish that sin because he is holy.  Ummm, that is all biblical.

Throughout the movie I just kept marveling at the directors imagination and at God's workmanship of the earth.  And the common theme that is so prevalent in my every day life that rang true throughout the whole movie: God always provides.  Noah was constantly amazed at how God always provided all along the way as he built the ark and how God preserved his life and his family's life on the ark.  This was all portrayed clearly in the movie and beautifully done.

Should young children see this movie?

I would not allow my children to see this movie because of the violence portrayed and the wickedness of man.  I can read them the story in the Bible and leave it at that.  But when my children are teenagers and can see past black and white issues and not take everything literally because the director used creative license...absolutely I would let them see it.  And I would love to talk and dialogue with them about it and answer any questions they may have.  As parents we need to talk to our kids, explain things to our kids, and teach them how to differentiate between real and Hollywood.

The movie made we want to re-read the account of Noah in Genesis 5

I am confident in my faith and the integrity of the Bible that I could see this movie and see past the creative licenses.  I totally enjoyed the movie and I am so excited for the conversations I can now have with friends who have seen it.  Any movie that makes me want to dig deeper, read the Bible more, and love my God and marvel at his love and provision for mankind, is a great movie to watch in my opinion, plus I got to see it with a really handsome guy whom I love dearly.

Pollyanna by Walt Disney

She brings life to wherever she goes...

Every parent thinks their child is extra special, come on, it's human nature.  I think all three of my children are fabulous in their own ways.  It is so neat to see the people they slowly become and their personalities taking form.

On Monday, my library chum Yvonne, was recommending some old movies to me that I could watch with the kids.  Yvonne is very very picky about the movies her kids see and so am I.  She recommended Pollyanna.  I had never seen this movie but people at church used to call Julia Pollyanna.  I never knew why until I saw this movie.  

This little girl becomes an orphan and her rich Aunt Polly takes her in.  She lives in a huge home with her Aunt and since she came from very meager means she is just amazed at having her own room, having her very own dog, and going shopping for real clothes as opposed to hand me downs sent to the church.  Her parents were both missionaries.

Pollyanna enters her Aunt's life and no matter who she meets or where she goes she brings life to every situation.  She makes everyone stop and start appreciating the little things in life and she has this keen sense of right and wrong and having a positive attitude no matter what.  She always refers to her father's teaching with, "My father used to say..."

Everyone in the movie is so negative and grumpy (even the local preacher) until they meet Pollyanna.  And once they meet her.  They just can't help loving her and picking up on her positive ways.  She always tries to think of how each situation could make her glad...although people in the beginning find her very annoying she begins to grow on everyone.

I give this movie two thumbs up!  And while we watched it I couldn't help but think of my very own Pollyanna right within my home.  Julia is always finding ways to bring joy to people's life.  Whether it is by sharing, or making them feel comfortable, or helping out.  Yesterday we were at the car and I was packing all of our bags in and she goes, "Mommy what can I do that would be most helpful?"  Oh, bless her heart!  Julia you are my Pollyanna!!!

*1960 Disney Studio Album

* We rented it from our Public Library for $1

Lee Daniels' The Butler

MOVIES

This past Friday I was so thrilled to have a movie night with my bestie, Christy.  Both of us being moms it was so nice to get out and enjoy a baby free evening. Not to mention we were both really eager to see this movie on The Butler, based on a true story about Eugene Allen a black man working in the White House for 3 decades and focusing most of the story during the Civil Rights Movement.

I am a history buff so watching a movie and being able to see 8 different presidents starting with Harry Truman and ending with Ronald Reagan was more than a thrill for me!  What is so captivating in this movie is the amount of history you see in this 2 1/2 hour movie.  The story begins on a cotton plantation in 1926 and ends with the elected presidency of Barrack Obama in 2008.

As a person of color this movie truly impacted me.  Seeing the first scene with Cecil Gaines (the later butler to be played by Forest Whitaker) as a young boy working the cotton field and seeing the mistreatment of black slaves, we've heard about it, we've read it in history books, but seeing it in a film really does something to you.  It just brings back all the feelings of racism and hatred that one feels when you are "different".  It brings back all the feelings of injustice that our country allowed for 200 years.  I know this was just a movie, but the plantation owners in this movie allowed rape, murder, and mistreatment of human beings in the worst degree...and it makes me wonder how hard life must have been for blacks in our country in the 1920's all the way up to the 1960s when you see Blacks really starting to stand up for their rights with the Freedom Riders, the Sit ins and the bus boycotts they did in the south.

To think that there was a time in our country when we couldn't drink from the same water fountain.  We weren't allowed to sit where ever we pleased on the buses, we couldn't vote, we didn't receive fair wages, we weren't allowed to be served at the main counters in restaurants.  To think that schools were not integrated.  How could we have allowed this in our country?

In home school I am teaching the kids the meaning of the colors of the American flag: red for courage, white for purity, and blue for truth...but when I think of all the things that our country has done to Black Americans it just breaks my heart.  And so many people just went along with the crowd.  Survival of the fittest mentality.  People were treated so wrongly and it was just accepted.

In this movie you grow to have a heart for Cecil Gaines and his wife (played by Oprah) and their two sons.  Cecil goes out of his way to move North, away from the injustices of the South (only to see that no matter where you live in America there is still injustice).  They raise two very different boys, both who love and respect their father.  One who fights for his country in Vietnam, and one who because a huge activist during the Civil Rights Movement.

I left this movie asking myself what injustices of today am I accepting of?  Do I wear blinders?  Do I treat all people equally regardless of gender, race, religion, or origin?  Am I kind and loving to people?  Do I treat wealthy people and poor people alike?  Do I speak down to people?  Do I stand up for my beliefs and do I defend people who maybe can't defend themselves.

I thank God that I did not live in the time of the 1920's or the Civil Rights Movement.  I am thankful for the men and women who went out on a limb to stand up for my rights as a Black Woman.  The people who rode the Freedom Buses they were so brave.  The college students who participated in the sit ins.  The people who protested peacefully and were met with bats, dogs, and hoses, all in the name of liberty.

I don't think I ever would have been able to be so brave, or survived such a sad time in our history.  I'm thankful for the strides we have made as Americans and I pray that we continue to see past color, race, gender, and love each other.

This movie made me think.  It reminded me of how far we've come as a nation.  It made me thankful.

Argo...movie review

Argo: My Movie Review

Synopsis from Fandango...click here.

Well, having a newborn has lots of benefits...one of which happens to be breast feeding...and if you are going to breast feed for the next 20-30 minutes...one needs a good movie/show to watch.

John rented this from Redbox recently and we decided to have a date night after the big kids were asleep.  Micah joined us on our date, but he's allowed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, the second and third time I watched it...the first time, on our date...I fell asleep...sorry babe...it's not you, it wasn't the movie, just pure exhaustion.

This movie is based on the true story of when 6 Americans were in hiding by the Candadian Ambassador from the Iranian government and anyone who was found hiding Americans was killed at that time of civil unrest during the Iranian Revolution.  It is a nail biter.  Lots of great acting and suspense.

Ben Affleck plays the role of CIA agent Tony Mendez.  Tony Mendez creates this fake Hollywood film production in hopes to rescue the 6 Americans over in Tehran.  Alan Arkin, John Goodman, and Bryan Cranston co star in this movie and not only do they bring some comedy relief to a very stressful and suspenseful movie/time...they also have the most difficult task of saving these 6 Americans lives.

I could not stop watching this movie...and it's during the 70's so the hair and clothes intrigued me as well.  To have this declassified story to watch on film was awesome.  Ben Affleck did an amazing job with this movie! Loved it!!!

It reminds you that sin/evil is in this world...and that there is this constant need for a hero...a savior if you will.  We constantly need someone to rescue us from the evil that is all around us.  As a christian it reminds me that I am so blessed to have a Savior who rescued me once and for all on the cross.  He is my forever hero.  He has saved me from a life full of doom and gloom to a life of everlasting hope...hope that there is goodness in the world, hope that there is a Savior who is greater than all the Evil, and hope that He is coming back because He loves me.

Yes, I see everything through my God-lens, I know, but how can you not?  God created this world and for me He is my world.

The Life of Pi

The Life of Pi
Movie Review

John and I  recently saw this movie about a young Indian boy who is basically shipwrecked and left to fend for himself on a boat in the middle of the Pacific.  The "only" problem is the boat has several wild animals on it: a monkey, a hyena, a zebra, and a tiger!  Plus, he is stranded in the middle of the ocean for several months.  And he loses his whole family when the freighter he is on is shipwrecked.  Your heart breaks for him as he loses his mother, father, and brother and struggles to survive against the harshness of wide open sea.

The movie, The Life of Pi, starts out with the Indian man sharing this experience with an author who is anxious to write his story.  So you know from the beginning that obviously he survives this awful ordeal.  But as the movie goes on and the boy tries to survive and stay hydrated, keep away from sharks, and find food you wonder how it is possible he will live one more hour.

It is very similar to Tom Hank's movie Castaway.  Except, Tom is stranded on an island alone, and the boy is stranded in the middle of the ocean alone.

If I were to rate this movie, I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.  We saw it in 3D which was cool, but the amount of money that movie tickets cost these days, it was really hard for me to hand over the money knowing in a few months I could've just rented it from Redbox for $1.

The movie has a happy ending which of course I enjoyed and you expect and so for all of you happy ending people, you will like that!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Historical Movie

John came home early last night so I could lay on the bed and rest which was a very wonderful rarity in my life at this point.  So I grabbed the IPAD and put on netflix and came across this movie and now I can't stop thinking about it.  The movie was made in 2008 and I would give it 5 stars and highly recommend it for adults.

One of the saddest periods in our history is the holocaust.  The millions of innocent lives who were killed for no other reason than their nationality/race just breaks my heart to the core.  Between slavery and the holocaust I could watch a million movies, read a million books, and still want more.  I just can't fathom such idiotic hatred for fellow man.  But I do understand that all of our hearts are wicked.  And left to our own sinful desires a holocaust, slavery, genocide, all of it happens and is possible.

This movie was about a head soldier who moved his family within feet of a concentration camp where there was a labor camp and a crematorium.  This family was very high up in Hitler's top soldiers and very wealthy.  They had servants, drivers, and even teachers/tutors came to teach the children of the family which was a 12 year old girl and an 8 year old boy.

The 8 year old boy, Bruno is the main actor of the movie.  He is sweet.  He is curious.  He is innocent of anything to do with Nazi's and Adolf Hitler's agenda...as is the mother.  Bruno doesn't want to move to a new home but Father convinces the family it will be a good move for the family.  He never mentions to his wife that it is less than a mile from a camp.  He never mentions to his wife what takes place at the camp, or how horribly the Jews are treated, or how the Jews are being exterminated.

Bruno first meets a servant in his home who peels the potatoes.  Under this servants apron are those silly striped pajamas.  "Why do the people in the farm outside my window mom all wear pajamas?"  You are watching the movie through an 8 year olds eyes and it is a very awesome perspective.  Bruno wonders why this servant is treated so roughly.  Why is he yelled at and belittled in front of everyone?  Father explains, well those people on the "farm" aren't really people.  At this point you want to shake the dad.  Even Bruno doesn't buy the words that are coming out of his father's mouth.

At this point Bruno is forbidden to look out of his window or go in the back yard of his home where there is a barbed wire electric fence, poor Bruno thinks the fence is there to keep in the animals.  Little does he know that there are no animals.

Bruno meets a young 8 year old at the fence and they become fast friends.  The Jewish boy becomes Bruno's teacher about the war.  Bruno has no idea about why everyone hates the Jews, or that what his father and the soldiers are doing is bad.

One line that I will never forget is when Bruno asks the Jewish boy, "Are you proud of your father?"  Because the more Bruno learns about the war, the more he sees how the Jews are treated and what his father allows, the more his eyes are opened to the truth of the ugliness and hatred in his father. 

It is a sad and moving movie...and the end is very very unexpected.  It is a must see.

Les Mis

On Friday I got to have a girl night with my bestie, Christy, to celebrate her birthday.  We always take each other out for a movie night because since we are both moms quality time is very hard to come by.  She suggested Les Mis and everyone I talked to who saw it, loved it.  I had never seen the Broadway play and was really excited to finally see it on the big screen.

If I could sum up the movie in 3 words they would be Grace and Forgiveness.  Now, you know how foreign films are known for raw, true to life, keep it real, not always happy ending films.  That's what makes them so great.  Well, even though Les Mis had a lot of American actors and actresses the time period and place was set right before the beginning of the French Revolution in France and the poverty that the people faced and the sadness could truly be felt throughout the movie.

Anne Hathaway (Fantine) played a single mom and she did an amazing job as the lovely Cosette's mother who tried to do anything and everything to support her daughter during such an economically difficult time.  I didn't know Anne had such a beautiful voice...oh my word, when she sang "I dreamed a dream..." it was so passionate and sorrowful, and yet beyond beautiful.  I can promise you that we have all been where she was in her pit of despair.  We've all imagined our lives to be different from what they turn out to be...we all start out as little girls or little boys with great big dreams of a prince charming, or wealth, or a powerful position...and sometimes, obviously, all of our dreams don't come true.

I loved Hugh Jackman's (Jean Valjean) and Russell Crowe's (Javert) characters.  These two men were the main characters of the show...good vs. evil.  I kept envisioning the movie gladiator, because to me Russell Crowe is not the type to sing in a musical with his big muscles and all...but he was awesome...even if he was the villian of the show.  And is there any part or any thing that Hugh Jackman can't do??? He was phenomenal....I think he deserves an Academy Award for this film!  I never have a chance to watch the Academy Awards so if he did get one already he really deserved it.

And then there is Cosette, and Eponine...with the famous songs as "On my own," and "Castle on a Cloud."  I've always known those major Broadway songs because of all the auditions and plays I've been a part of, but I never knew the story behind the songs, and now I have a full appreciation for them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie...even when the baby was literally jumping on my organs because he loves music...seriously he is a music lover.  And the reason why wasn't the great acting or singing, but the story line of grace and forgiveness that runs throughout the movie.  It shows you how every man and every woman, every boy and every girl deserves a second chance, a third chance, etc.  Yes rules should be followed, yes honesty and integrity always win out, but no one is perfect and we could all use a little grace.  Grace is worth fighting for, and dying for.  I couldn't help but think of Christ on the cross.  The one man on earth who actually lived a perfect life and wasn't arrogant or haughty but so generous with his forgiveness of our sins and grace.

Les Mis is a must see!

Mommy Movie Review: Shiloh

This was one of our favorite movies/novels in third grade.  My students loved every bit of reading the novel and then as a treat watching the movie.  We loved to compare and contrast what happened in the book and what was added or left out in the movie.  It is the story of a boy, Marty, who comes across a beagle who he names Shiloh that he can tell has been mistreated by it's owner.  Marty grows to love the dog so much that he ends up lying to his parents and the Judd Travers (bad guy in the book/movie) and hides the dog on his property.  Marty's parents have no idea what he has done and soon one small little lie turns into more lies and big problems. 

Kristi's Positives:

1. Julia and Mark love movies with real people in it and animals.  Julia has liked this movie since she turned 2!  She saw it in my DVD collection and wanted to see it and since it is a great movie I allowed her to see it.

2. I like how involved Marty's parents are in his life.  Marty has chores and helps take care of his younger sisters.  This family has many values and helping out is very important.  Lots of shows today seem to leave out the part where children have to be taught responsibility before they just become responsible.  I like how the family shares meals around the table together and everyone has a voice and is important.

3.  When Marty's Mom catches Shiloh on the property and confronts Marty he asks her to not tell dad.  Mom goes into a long speech about trust, and integrity and how she does not keep secrets from her husband.

4. Marty learns that although his love is strong for the dog, telling the truth and being honest and open with your family is what is more important.  He has a talk with his dad and asks for forgiveness for lying.

5. There is a happy ending where Judd allows Marty to work on his property to pay for Shiloh, although it is hard labor, Marty gladly accepts.  Judd goes back on his word at the end of the week and decides he still won't give the dog away, and as Marty and his dad walk away, Judd lets the dog go at the last moment!

Kristi's Negatives: 

1. There are two scenes where Judd visibly kicks or hits the dog (definitely quick scenes but for young eyes I would fast forward)

2. I'm not a fan of guns and Marty and Judd carry guns around (it was during a time when hunting was super common and they both live on ranches/farms).  

3. A girl Sam is added to the movie and it is clear she has a crush on Marty, not necessary at all.  I don't know why she was added to the movie, quite honestly.

My rating: 8

Be sure to stop by Suzette's blog and read her movie review of Horton Hears a Who.

Mommy Movie Review: The Jungle Book

Here is another Walt Disney Classic: The Jungle Book.  This movie was always a favorite of mine because of the relationships with the characters and all the fun music.   Each song has such a fun beat that you just can seem to get it out of your head.  Mowgli is an orphan boy who is raised by a family of wolves.  Although you only see him as a new baby in a basket and then a little boy.  But at the very beginning of the movie a problem arises where Shere Khan a man-eating tiger is back in the jungle and the wolves are afraid if they don't send Mowgli back to the man-village Shere Khan will not only kill Mowgli but anyone who tries to defend him.  Bagheera (loyal panther friend) is the one appointed to take Mowgli back to the man village and along the way they meet Baloo, a free-spirited bear, Kaa a snake who is always hungry, and some elephants and monkeys.

Kristi's Positives:

* Bagheera is a loyal friend who just can't seem to let Mowgli go without protecting him and defending him to the very end.  Even if he risks his life he can't rest until he knows Mowgli is okay.

* Baloo learns a valuable lesson that when you love someone you have to stop thinking about yourself and what would make you happy and put the other person's safety and best interest first, even if that means saying goodbye.

* Mowgli learns that listening and obeying authority protects you from harm.

* Kaa the snake is always trying to deceive and trick the animals in the jungle so he can devour them and it is a great parallel to how our enemy, the d*vil works.  He too is always lurking about seeking to devour us and so we always need to be on guard.  A great lesson to show our children how sneaky and evil he is.

* King Louie the orangutan wants Mowgli to teach him how to make fire.  He sings a whole song "I want to be like you!"  Here is a lesson that teaches us to be content with how God made us and not desire what isn't meant for us.

* A little girl is drawing water out of the river to bring back to the man-village and Mowgli is captivated by her and ends up following her right into the village where he belongs.  Shows the attraction between a boy and a girl and how God has designed for humans to live with humans and animals to live with animals, the way things should be...

Kristi's Negatives:

* Couldn't find any!  If any of you have seen the movie and there was something you didn't like or agree with please feel free to post a comment.

Kristi's Rating: 10

Stop by Suzette's blog to read her review on Tarzan.

Mommy Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast

 Hi Friends! Be sure to visit Suzette's blog and read her review on Babe.

One of the many reasons why I love this movie is because of the clear message that beauty is truly found within.  We all have ugly, wicked, hearts, but only by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ can we be truly beautiful and clean on the inside.  When we give our life to Jesus he makes what was ugly and dirty and cleans and beautifies it with his love and his light.  How often have you met someone who was attractive on the outside but after spending only a few minutes with them you realized they were really "ugly"?  Our outer appearance is temporary, and is only one part of us.  Our inner lives are eternal and what we should really be focusing on.  I know plenty of people who work far too hard on perfecting their outer appearance and pay little or no attention to their inner person.

Kristi's Positives:

* Belle is finally a Princess who is not only beautiful on the outside, but beautiful on the inside as well.  She doesn't judge people by the way the look but rather by the way they treat people and care for others.  As a believer in Christ I constantly need to ask God to give me eyes to see people the way He does.  Eyes that are blind to the outside looks but eyes that are open to the core of  a person's soul and needs.

* The Beast was once a handsome Prince who treated a stranger very cruelly and would not allow the old haggard looking woman in for help, she warned him not to be deceived, because true beauty is found within, but it was too late, because of the way The Prince treated her he was put under a curse, he and his whole household.  It reminded me that our sins affect the people around us and especially affect the people we care about the most.  It also reminded me that we should be kind and loving and hospitable to all people because we never know who may be "entertaining".  Jesus says when we are kind to the least of these we are really showing our kindness and love to Him.  When we go out of our way to minister to the people who need the most help and who cannot repay us, that is when God is truly glorified.  It's easy to be kind to the kindhearted and loving to the lovely, but it's a lot harder to be kind to difficult people and it's very sacrificial to be loving to poor people who will not necessarily be able to repay us or give us a pat on the back.

* I love how Gaston, the man who wants to marry Belle, is so over the top in love with himself, he is so prideful and conceited and it is easy to show our children how we SHOULD NOT behave or treat people.  There are so many lessons we can teach them about being humble, and gracious.  Yes he was handsome and strong, and powerful but he used all of his "gifts" for his own glory and not to bless anyone else.  God calls us to use our gifts and talents for His glory, not just to pridefully strut our stuff!

* I like how the characters in the castle like Mrs. Potts and Lumiere and the Clock all try to help the Beast be kind and welcoming and gentle to Belle.  They want to see the Prince fall in love with Belle so she can help break the curse.  The Beast learns to stop being selfish and learns to love someone else and put their needs before his own.

* Belle learns to love this Prince who may not be your typical "handsome" bloke, but he's gentle, and fun, and he loves books, and he loves making Belle happy.

* I love that Belle is not a typical beautiful princess with no brain.  She loves to read, and imagine, and loves adventures, she doesn't want to settle for what everyone else says she should do.  She is confident and defends and sticks up for her father and his inventions.  She loves her father very much and that is why she offers to take his place in the castle so he can be free.

* I think it is beautiful how The Prince sacrifices his life for Belle, and she realizes how much she cares for him.  And it's wonderful how just at that very moment the last rose petal falls and the curse is broken.  And they could live happily ever after.  Very good timing!

Kristi's Negatives:

* I wish this movie could be entitled Beauty and the Ugly Prince (The Beast has very negative connotations when you look in the book of Revelations Satan is referred to as the beast)

* The candlestick character Lumiere is always flirting with the broom girl in the castle and their behavior is a little off color.  I would have liked those parts deleted out.  They were not necessary for little eyes.

My Rating: 9

Mommy Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland

Today I will be reviewing Alice in Wonderland and Suzie will be reviewing Joseph: King of Dreams.

When I first watched this movie I immediately though of a cute, curious, blond third grader I had.  Alice and Cecilia could have been twins!  Both had these amazing imaginations, but sometimes their curiosity got them in a bit of trouble when they were supposed to be minding their studies.  I had the privilege of teaching Cecilia in third grade and fourth grade since that was the year I looped with my students.  I got to see how Cecilia's amazing mind worked even better and how she began to grow and mature into a young woman.

Kristi's Positives: 

* The characters in the story are a part of Alice's imagination so they are made up creatures with sill personalities.  In Alice's world all things that couldn't happen, do, and all things that wouldn't happen, would in her wonderland.  So doors talk, flowers sing, and a special drink can help you to shrink or grow!

* The lesson that I got from this story is that although living in a land where anything is possible sounds fun, actually staying there is NOT fun.  And after awhile home is where the heart is.  Alice discovers that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and once you actually get there, you start to see the weeds!  A great lesson of being happy and content where God has you is a wonderful lesson to learn at every age.

* Alice isn't naughty or rude or mean.  She's a sweet little girl with an awesome imagination and she is rather curious.  But you never see her being fresh or naughty to authority, which is hard to find in a lot of children's movies these days.

Kristi's Negatives:

* After awhile I wanted to leave Wonderland...just my opinion but the movie bored me and my kids after a bit...the story line isn't that enthralling, there aren't real bad guys and good guys just a girl lost in Wonderland, so there is no major urgency or sense of "I can't wait to see the next part!"

* The Queen of Hearts and her constant: "Off with their heads!" really didn't need to be so awful.  I wish she didn't have to say it.  The last thing I need is for Julia to pick up on that phrase!

My rating: 8