It was a pretty good film and inspirational. I liked the first story best. It was about a family who was being deported. It showed how God can work miracles in some of the most unlikely ways. I liked the good attitude of that family and how much they respected their father. The second one, the door to door book selling story, the brunette woman who did not think the woman would reach her goal, had such bad dry mouth that I had to fast forward through her parts. But it is all about answered pray and how no request to God is too big or to small. The book seller needed to raise money for a trip overseas.
Reviews
10 Reviews
The Chosen
(2017– )
This isn't the Jesus of the Bible.
8 April 2023
Just a few examples:
The birth of John the Baptist had been foretold by prophets, and an angel was sent to notify Zacharias of the event. The heavenly messenger expressly enjoined upon the father to bring up the child with strictly temperate habits. Some may inquire why the Lord should be thus particular; but God, who made man, knew that Satan's most powerful temptations would be on the point of appetite.
In the show it has Jesus making fun of John's diet of carob and honey. Jesus would not be making fun of his own instructions.
John and Jesus are laughing about the "pool scandal." Jesus would not make light of a spiritual lesson.
If you're looking for entertainment, this might be for you. If you want to learn about Jesus, this won't inform you accurately. I wouldn't let impressionable children watch it.
In the show it has Jesus making fun of John's diet of carob and honey. Jesus would not be making fun of his own instructions.
John and Jesus are laughing about the "pool scandal." Jesus would not make light of a spiritual lesson.
If you're looking for entertainment, this might be for you. If you want to learn about Jesus, this won't inform you accurately. I wouldn't let impressionable children watch it.
The Murder of Laci Peterson
(2017)
Not Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
20 September 2017
This show goes to show doubt about Scott Peterson's guilt. After watching the show, I definitely think there should be an appeal. The show was very informative, very interesting and it tells info that was overlooked and not included in the trial. I *think* without Amber Frey's testimony, Scott would have been found innocent. I have a hard time thinking well of anyone who runs to Gloria Allred.
American Housewife
(2016–2021)
Family Ties wannabe with Obnoxious Mother
3 May 2017
The show is so negative about everything. The mother is probably the worst example a child could have, not counting mothers who are criminals. She is rude, hateful, self-loathing, and thinks it is wrong to try and get along with people. It's one of those shows you don't want your children to watch, while it's tolerable to watch during re-run season.
King
(2011–2012)
Show is great, please fire Karen Robinson
8 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Not sure if this has spoilers, but to be safe, I have to include it. This show is so good, the police drama, along with all of the relationships and their interactions. It's a shame they hired a supporting actress who sounds like she has a set of ill-fitting dentures. Please, either fire Karen Robinson or get her voice fixed. It sounds like a monster-steroid-bad dentures-voice, I don't know, but something is seriously wrong with her voice. Her acting is fine, but I have to mute the parts where she speaks and I miss parts of the show. They brought her in mid-season and I have no idea why. She must know someone high up in the show because there is no way anyone would hire that voice or allow it not to be dubbed.
The investigations are interesting, stimulating. The chemistry is great between all except Karen Robinson. She just doesn't fit in with the group. I love the tousle-haired new detective, the long-term male detective and King's husband. His female partner on the job is someone you love to hate. King, very likable, very intelligent and sees things that others miss. Her boss is the typical long-term cop who is extremely jaded and distrusting.
If you like a fast-paced well-written police drama where you see the outside relationships developing, you will love this. But don't say I didn't warn you about Karen Robinson's voice. It's scream invoking. I'd rate the show higher if not for having to endure that awful voice. Something is seriously wrong, dentures, hypermegaly, I don't know, but she needs to get to a physician.
The investigations are interesting, stimulating. The chemistry is great between all except Karen Robinson. She just doesn't fit in with the group. I love the tousle-haired new detective, the long-term male detective and King's husband. His female partner on the job is someone you love to hate. King, very likable, very intelligent and sees things that others miss. Her boss is the typical long-term cop who is extremely jaded and distrusting.
If you like a fast-paced well-written police drama where you see the outside relationships developing, you will love this. But don't say I didn't warn you about Karen Robinson's voice. It's scream invoking. I'd rate the show higher if not for having to endure that awful voice. Something is seriously wrong, dentures, hypermegaly, I don't know, but she needs to get to a physician.
Birdsong
(2012)
Boring, Bird Yawn
5 February 2012
I really tried to like this series. I guess I am a bit repulsed by the main character, well, basically Eddie Redmayne. He is a horrible actor and not attractive at all. I assume his method is, where there is no acting ability, just give long blank stares. He kisses like a frog going after a bug, ZAP! Absolutely no kissing technique at all.
The female lead also was just blah.
The story was laid out so badly, you don't know how one character got to the place they were in a relationship, and there was no build-up whatsoever. Scenes jumped back and forth and there was no logical sequence of events.
I have no idea what the plot was to this story, it just seemed like a bunch of events were thrown together as if blindfolded, throwing each scene on a dart board and letting it stick where it landed.
Great cinematography, beautiful costume designs and landscapes, but I think the director surely must have been asleep and the actors took their direction from that. They nearly put me to sleep, too. The screenwriter was obviously on a deadline.
They also must have all been on some medication that gave them dry mouth, because you could hear every smack as they would open their mouths and slurp all over each other and you could hear every gulp as they drank. It was disgusting. I have not been so revolted by a show that I can remember right now, but I hope Eddie Redmayne's publicist will quit pushing him into every TV part. I am getting so sick of seeing him in every new show that comes on the screen. Overall, he was the worst part of this series.
Not sure if links show up, but if so, this is a good description in this trailer for the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGMWjD4OgBM
if not, do a search on youtube.com for "Birdsong trailer 'I pose, therefore I am'" It's not my link, but it is apropos.
The female lead also was just blah.
The story was laid out so badly, you don't know how one character got to the place they were in a relationship, and there was no build-up whatsoever. Scenes jumped back and forth and there was no logical sequence of events.
I have no idea what the plot was to this story, it just seemed like a bunch of events were thrown together as if blindfolded, throwing each scene on a dart board and letting it stick where it landed.
Great cinematography, beautiful costume designs and landscapes, but I think the director surely must have been asleep and the actors took their direction from that. They nearly put me to sleep, too. The screenwriter was obviously on a deadline.
They also must have all been on some medication that gave them dry mouth, because you could hear every smack as they would open their mouths and slurp all over each other and you could hear every gulp as they drank. It was disgusting. I have not been so revolted by a show that I can remember right now, but I hope Eddie Redmayne's publicist will quit pushing him into every TV part. I am getting so sick of seeing him in every new show that comes on the screen. Overall, he was the worst part of this series.
Not sure if links show up, but if so, this is a good description in this trailer for the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGMWjD4OgBM
if not, do a search on youtube.com for "Birdsong trailer 'I pose, therefore I am'" It's not my link, but it is apropos.
The Tree of Life
(2011)
The connection of the visible with the invisible world.
30 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The movie starts off with 2 verses from the Bible. It is God responding to Job, a righteous, rich man who went through great suffering and God is asking him why he is questioning God's authority, since He is the Creator of this world:
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Side note: The "morning stars" are a reference to God's angels. After man fell, the angels guarded the tree of life so sinful man would not become immortal.
The mother speaks and says there are two paths to choose in life, nature or grace. She holds the view of grace, but the father, Brad Pitt's character, takes the path of nature.
If you read more verses of God speaking to Job, you might see some of the symbolism in the movie and hear the words of the first great Poet, i.e. God:
"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth; ... When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!" Job 38:4-11. Then in verse 17 it reads: "Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?" This gives you an explanation of the doors in the movie. To explain the movie scenes of the sea, sky, the universe and all of the wonders in nature, the chapter goes on to speak more of the wonders of God and the marvelous creation in the earth and the universe, referencing Pleiades and the bands of Orion?
In one scene Brad Pitt says to one of his on screen sons something to the effect of, "If I tell you to do something, will you do it without questioning my authority?" This is symbolic of God telling man to do something and since He is the Creator (our Father), we should not question His authority. We should not wonder why bad things happen to good people, because God has control of the world and He is constantly watching over things. We ask this question, but we should be asking, "why is God putting up with this world after it sinned?" Throughout the movie the question of "why?" is put forth by the characters when there is calamity and death.
In another scene the mother tells the son if he doesn't love, life will pass by him. This describes another aspect of God and that is God is love. If we don't love, then we've missed the point of why we were created.
At the birth of Jack it shows the mother in labor, but it has also shown a child swimming through a door of what looks like a room in the middle of a swimming pool. I think this is symbolic of man entering the door to life. Later on, you see Sean Penn aka grown Jack, pondering at another door that leads to vast fields of clay. These two symbolic things are spoken of in Job, too. I believe this is symbolic of the door to death.
Job's example is given to us to show us that calamity does come to the righteous man so just because we are suffering, it doesn't mean God has forgotten us or that we are being punished for some grievous sin.
Toward the end, the mother folds her hands toward heaven and says, "I give you my son," and I believe this is symbolic of how God gave His only begotten Son so we could be saved, so how foolish to question if God has forgotten us and if that's the reason bad things are happening. Bad things happen to good and bad people due to sin in the world. There is a lesson to be learned there.
Some have questioned whether Terrence Malick is showing he is pantheistic, meaning he worships nature as God, but I believe he is showing the wonders of God and that he worships God as the marvelous Creator. You hear Jack saying something about when he knew of Him (God) but didn't know what to call him. I think this is another reference to the theme of the movie, i.e., God's and man's relationship and man's relationship to one another.
In the scene with the two dinosaurs and also in the scene of young Jack's interaction with the burned boy, it shows glimpses of goodness coming forth where bad thoughts were at first ignited.
I think the movie is showing us a view from Terrence Malick about our growth and movement back to the Creator. Toward the end of the movie Brad Pitt's character is saying how he was wrong all along about nature over grace. In other words, his wife had the right idea all along. This is another suggestion of moving back toward the Divine or grace, rather than nature or being harder and it being dangerous to be good.
If you have no clue about the Bible, it might be difficult to understand this movie, but I hope I have perhaps cleared up a few questions. I think this movie is deep and you probably should do a little homework before seeing it, so you know what you are seeing.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Side note: The "morning stars" are a reference to God's angels. After man fell, the angels guarded the tree of life so sinful man would not become immortal.
The mother speaks and says there are two paths to choose in life, nature or grace. She holds the view of grace, but the father, Brad Pitt's character, takes the path of nature.
If you read more verses of God speaking to Job, you might see some of the symbolism in the movie and hear the words of the first great Poet, i.e. God:
"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth; ... When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!" Job 38:4-11. Then in verse 17 it reads: "Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?" This gives you an explanation of the doors in the movie. To explain the movie scenes of the sea, sky, the universe and all of the wonders in nature, the chapter goes on to speak more of the wonders of God and the marvelous creation in the earth and the universe, referencing Pleiades and the bands of Orion?
In one scene Brad Pitt says to one of his on screen sons something to the effect of, "If I tell you to do something, will you do it without questioning my authority?" This is symbolic of God telling man to do something and since He is the Creator (our Father), we should not question His authority. We should not wonder why bad things happen to good people, because God has control of the world and He is constantly watching over things. We ask this question, but we should be asking, "why is God putting up with this world after it sinned?" Throughout the movie the question of "why?" is put forth by the characters when there is calamity and death.
In another scene the mother tells the son if he doesn't love, life will pass by him. This describes another aspect of God and that is God is love. If we don't love, then we've missed the point of why we were created.
At the birth of Jack it shows the mother in labor, but it has also shown a child swimming through a door of what looks like a room in the middle of a swimming pool. I think this is symbolic of man entering the door to life. Later on, you see Sean Penn aka grown Jack, pondering at another door that leads to vast fields of clay. These two symbolic things are spoken of in Job, too. I believe this is symbolic of the door to death.
Job's example is given to us to show us that calamity does come to the righteous man so just because we are suffering, it doesn't mean God has forgotten us or that we are being punished for some grievous sin.
Toward the end, the mother folds her hands toward heaven and says, "I give you my son," and I believe this is symbolic of how God gave His only begotten Son so we could be saved, so how foolish to question if God has forgotten us and if that's the reason bad things are happening. Bad things happen to good and bad people due to sin in the world. There is a lesson to be learned there.
Some have questioned whether Terrence Malick is showing he is pantheistic, meaning he worships nature as God, but I believe he is showing the wonders of God and that he worships God as the marvelous Creator. You hear Jack saying something about when he knew of Him (God) but didn't know what to call him. I think this is another reference to the theme of the movie, i.e., God's and man's relationship and man's relationship to one another.
In the scene with the two dinosaurs and also in the scene of young Jack's interaction with the burned boy, it shows glimpses of goodness coming forth where bad thoughts were at first ignited.
I think the movie is showing us a view from Terrence Malick about our growth and movement back to the Creator. Toward the end of the movie Brad Pitt's character is saying how he was wrong all along about nature over grace. In other words, his wife had the right idea all along. This is another suggestion of moving back toward the Divine or grace, rather than nature or being harder and it being dangerous to be good.
If you have no clue about the Bible, it might be difficult to understand this movie, but I hope I have perhaps cleared up a few questions. I think this movie is deep and you probably should do a little homework before seeing it, so you know what you are seeing.
Never Let Me Go
(2010)
Lesson to Be Learned
28 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not sure if this novel was written to provoke people into not just accepting their fate in life or was a view on complete unselfish behavior. Either way, the movie was thought provoking, the cinematography was beautifully done and the casting was perfect. This is the type of movie that you might wish to watch more than one time because the theme is very perplexing. It shows us how if conditioned either from birth or over long periods of time, we can be molded into thinking we have no other choice than what has been told to us. Either that or we can see that selflessness exists in some people so strongly that they put others needs ahead of their own without much effort to find happiness for themselves. Either way, I would suggest this as a movie for domestic abuse victims to watch. It could be life changing for them.
The Perfect Host
(2010)
Love this movie
17 October 2011
There were surprises the entire way through and I was so pleasantly surprised by this "sleeper" that I am recommending it to all of my friends. I thought I knew what to expect, but I kept getting surprised. It was comedy, even some romance, suspense, drama, crime, all rolled into one. I absolutely loved it. It was nothing like I expected. Some very fine acting all the way around and such an exceptional combining of actors. I didn't think it would work, but it was near perfection. It is one of the cult type movies you will watch more than once.
David Hyde Pierce was perfect for his part and Nathaniel Parker gave some good balance in it. I was shocked at the ending, but I loved it still.
David Hyde Pierce was perfect for his part and Nathaniel Parker gave some good balance in it. I was shocked at the ending, but I loved it still.
New Tricks
(2003–2015)
Exceptional show except for Alun Armstrong during mealtime
17 October 2011
How that man is allowed to eat with such disgusting table manners is beyond me. I simply fast forward and miss his parts as he has a fist full of food in his mouth as his yammers on. But, other than his disgusting table manners, it's a very delightful show. You can't miss with this cast, even Alun Armstrong if he never ate. You can do a show without so many meals or at least have him dub over his lines with no food in his mouth. Sorry to go on about it, but it really turns the stomach and gets so ingrained in the ear, it is tempting to just break the telly. But I love his acting, so wish this could be corrected with the eating.
Not just to pick on British actors, I could do without the gum smacking of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon and it's such a shame because they are great actors, but it's unbearable to watch. Everyone is probably thinking this, I simply have the nerve to say it. For them to do this to create an unlikable persona is totally wasted since I am betting most people fast forward through these disgusting sounds.
But, New Tricks is great in spite of these things and I do recommend it. I love Amanda Redmond, Dennis Waterman and the rest. It is really a great cast, great writing, let's just keep the little buggers starved while they are filming. I have seen people pull off good table manners and they can still seem like lower class through dress and speech if that is what they are trying to portray through their eating habits, except Alun Armstrong has done this in every show he's been in, so it must be him and not the directing. Keep that man away from the food. I hate to have to miss parts of this great show due to the unbearable smacking and slurping coming out of his mouth. Please don't cheat us out of the entire episode due to having to avoid Alun while he eats. He is such a fine actor.
How about some lessons in table etiquette for these fine actors. I would definitely rate it a 9 or 10 without the slurping.
This is mainly a message to the creators of the show if they want to know how to attract all viewers. I can find nothing wrong with this show except the table manners. I really look forward to the show, but wish I did not have to fast-forward through certain parts.
Not just to pick on British actors, I could do without the gum smacking of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon and it's such a shame because they are great actors, but it's unbearable to watch. Everyone is probably thinking this, I simply have the nerve to say it. For them to do this to create an unlikable persona is totally wasted since I am betting most people fast forward through these disgusting sounds.
But, New Tricks is great in spite of these things and I do recommend it. I love Amanda Redmond, Dennis Waterman and the rest. It is really a great cast, great writing, let's just keep the little buggers starved while they are filming. I have seen people pull off good table manners and they can still seem like lower class through dress and speech if that is what they are trying to portray through their eating habits, except Alun Armstrong has done this in every show he's been in, so it must be him and not the directing. Keep that man away from the food. I hate to have to miss parts of this great show due to the unbearable smacking and slurping coming out of his mouth. Please don't cheat us out of the entire episode due to having to avoid Alun while he eats. He is such a fine actor.
How about some lessons in table etiquette for these fine actors. I would definitely rate it a 9 or 10 without the slurping.
This is mainly a message to the creators of the show if they want to know how to attract all viewers. I can find nothing wrong with this show except the table manners. I really look forward to the show, but wish I did not have to fast-forward through certain parts.
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