MacGillivray Freeman’s Dolphins

IMAX film on my little 109″ screen . . . still looked great!  I like documentaries, and this is a good one.

Highlights included great footage and explanation of a group of dolphins which were surrounding a school of anchovies (in 3D space).  It looked like a group of cowboys circling a herd of cattle.  The dolphins took turns swimming into the “bait ball” and eating as much as they could while the other dolphins kept the “anchovy ball” in tact and manageable.

Also, I really enjoyed watching the dolphins look in a mirror.  They would bring things to the mirror to look at the toys and themselves.  I think they really understood that they were looking at their own reflection; they acted so differently there.

Lots of other great scenes, and the “making of” video is absolutely worth the time.  Maybe even better than the actual film (but watch the film first).  Some good information about dolphin and ocean abuse, but not heavy handed or angry.  Very well done.

Worth Watching!

Star Trek Generations

I love the new Star Trek so much, I thought I would go back and re-visit the movies I don’t know well.  That was a mistake.  What a stinker!  Not even worth talking about much . . .

In a few minutes of listening to commentary from the writers on the DVD, they admit that the script was poor and would like to change major plot lines and character development in the story.  They admitted they tried to do too much and it all got lost in the cacophony.

Not recommended at all.

Juno

Juno (2007) is a beautiful movie I saw last night.  It’s funny without being silly.  It’s dramatic without being sappy.  It’s clever without being self-conscious.  There’s a good reason it is nominated for 4 Academy Awards this year.   A 16-year old gets pregnant.  What does she do?  How does she feel?  Incredibly well-written.  In fact, perhaps too well-written.  The 16-year old lingo is deceptive.  In the midst of all the jargon and slang, I felt like Juno was saying things that a teenager would not say.  She’s far too articulate and clever.  However, if her lines were closer to a real teen’s language, it would be a boring movie.  It’s anything but boring.Juno reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite in that it is told from a quirky teenager’s perspective.  Very creative.  Definitely worth seeing.

Lost

I have become a Lost fan, thanks to my friend, Matt, who loaned me the first season.  A few days later, I started on the second season.  I’m almost done. Lost is written brilliantly on many levels.  The dialogue is very clever, the story arc throughout the seasons is terrific, too.  The characters are incredibly round (rather than flat).  At different times throughout the show, I have liked and disliked each of the main characters.   I need to finish the rest of the available episodes before the start of season 4 at the end of the month.  More importantly, I want to think and read about some of the themes of the show.  Is it a coincidence that a few of the characters are named John Locke, Rousseau, and Hume?  The clear themes of fate vs. free will . . . head vs. heart . . . being vs. nothingness.  Hmm . . . this deserves further thought.I did not expect to find this along with a really funny, suspenseful,  clever and interesting show.  Good work.  Highly recommended.  

Pink, Dear Mr. President

Kid Nation

CBS is currently running Kid Nation, a reality show with 40 children (ages 8-15) by themselves in an old ghost town in the Old West.  Think Survivor except the kids don’t get voted off.  They can leave if they like, but only by their own choice.  The only adults are the film crew, who don’t interfere.

The kids go through various challenges, mental, physical, emotional, etc.  The show’s producers rachet up the drama with various competitions, rewards, etc.  I’ve watched all the episodes so far and it is very entertaining.  All episodes are available for free at Kid Nation, and also on YouTube.  But is it moral?

Is there a moral problem with giving kids emotional pain to let us watch for entertainment.  These kids manipulate and control each other . . . at times there is abusive language and the beginings of physical fights (but none have really materialized on screen yet).  For example, the town’s chickens become pets for the younger kids, a source of friendship and emotional security.  Then, the older kids decide to eat the chickens and so they chop off their heads with everyone standing around.  Some kids crying.  Is that a valid source of entertainment?  This is not just something that happened, it was staged for our entertainment.

What do you think?  Does this show cross some sort of moral boundary? 

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (2007) is a decent film.  Perhaps it is a good film.  I was frustrated, though, because they didn’t tell the whole story.  William Wilberforce was an amazing man, a true hero.  They selected part of his story to tell, and I know that it was a good decision for a screenplay to focus so narrowly, but it is still frustrating.

Nonetheless, the acting is pretty good, the dialogue is a stiff at times, but at other times it’s creative and helpful.  Historically fairly accurate (as best as I know), but incomplete, for sure.

For more great information on Wilberforce, check out John Piper‘s lecture on his life.  Piper really brings him to life.

Baraka

Baraka is a documentary (?) film.  There are no words.  None.  Here are some images.

More here.  Thanks to Victor for this recommendation.

Groucho Marx

One of my favorite comedians. A creative genius.

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian is set to come out May 16.  Here is a sneak preview.

Thanks to Justin Taylor over at Between Two Worlds.