The Church of Chris Martin

Violence: Heavy
Racism: None (Morgan Freeman’s in it)
Homophobia: None
Blasphemy: None

I suppose the reason I’ve always liked Batman is that unlike all the other superheroes, he doesn’t actually have any superpowers. He can’t fly, wasn’t bitten by a mutated spider nor changed by radiation - he’s just a regular guy with some hi-tech toys and something to prove.

A lot like Chris Martin, really. He’s a normal man, who just tries a little harder than the rest of us. By living his life more purely, he has become what he wanted - The Messiah.

Sure, Batman may be a bit of a vigilante, but nobody’s perfect. He’s headstrong with ideals, makes mistakes, and sometimes acts before he thinks. But instead of a angry, violent man with a fetish for rubber, we see a man who is battling his personal demons, and trying to do what’s right. Those who have been part of the Batman era for a long time know that Batman’s no killer - he cares about others and wants to do the right thing. Just like Chris Martin. So anyone who says he shouldn’t have hit that journalist, or scraped the other guy’s car with his keys can shut up because he’s no worse than Batman, and everyone knows Batman is cool.

This is the fifth Batman movie - but the first one to get it right. It is far and above the last 4, and probably even better than Spider Man but in a different way. I’m also glad that whacko Tim Burton isn’t allowed to make them anymore. It’s brilliantly directed by Christopher Nolan, and Christian Bale is brilliant as Bruce Wayne/Batman (oops! possible spoiler!) Katie Holmes out of Dawsons Creek is brilliant AND gorgeous as Wayne’s childhood sweetheart, even if she is a Scientologist.

Batman Begins shows the importance of compassion, especially to those that don’t deserve it. Batman’s motivation is a reminder that it is not only what you do, but why you do it. Indeed, our actions are open to misinterpretation, and erroneous conclusions being formed - like Chris and the journalist. This movie reminds us that the decent, moral position is to understand, that evil is actualy the result of being poor, and that criminals are to be understood and treated and helped, rather than justly punished and locked up like they deserve.

There was a strong message here about facing your fears, about learning to control them, and using them to your advantage, that was very poignant. Truly, I could picture Chris watching this film.

I loved this film - straight off the bat!

No Comments » Posted by drobbingdon / reviews

Violence: Some (Terrorism)
Rasism: None
Homophobia: None
Blasphemy: None
There are some films that are just important for the world, not created for entertainment, but as an examination of the human spirit in the face of extreme circumstances. United 93 is one of those. It ranks up there with Shindler’s List, Titanic and Cocoon.

Untied 93 has come upon us soon after the fact. Some feel too soon after the fact. But whatever you feel about the moral issues, as a movie, it is a staggering Tour-de-France.

Writer/Director Paul Greengrass says Untied 93 is a fictionalized retelling of what happened on 9/11. At the same time it depicts the ‘fog of war’ better than any documentary on the subject could. There’s no political slant here, and there’s no finger pointing – except where the finger should point, at all the Islams in the world.

Untied 93 has been cast for a documentary feel, and there’s barely a familiar face on screen. Ben Sliney, national operations manager for the FAA at Kennedy Airport and actually in charge of the command center on 9/11, appears, playing himself. This casting decision adds an eerie sense of realism. However he’s rubbish at acting, and his performance actually lets the movie down.

The movie’s clear on what is really important in life. This collection of strangers came together to confront an unthinkable threat. Valour in the grim face of death shows heroism above human capability, and resides within the spiritual. They asked themselves, are we going to sit here waiting, or are we going to do something? As Chris sang, “If you never try, then you never know.” I think there is wisdom in that.

The only problem I had was that much of the movie was filmed with hand-held cameras, and the person in charge of the movie camera panned too fast and my stomach got nauseous.

9/11 should never be forgotten. Each generation has a duty to pass down religious fundamentalism, racial prejudice, bigotry, and genocide to the next. I think people NEED TO BE REMINDED of what happened on 9/11, it being hardly ever mentioned in the media. This movie does it’s job and for that I am greatful.

Perhaps it is distasteful to make a blockbuster movie so soon after the real events. But if it is going to produce top-notch infotainment like Untied 93, I say –

“LETS ROLL!”

No Comments » Posted by drobbingdon / reviews