I am a watcher of movies, but also a viewer of them. As a viewer, I can give a reading into the film, in terms of what I saw as the themes, ideas, etc. So, onto this, with Darkest Hour (2017), a summary. Taking responsibility, actions and consequences, the valley of decision, should one change their mind, the world relies on a decision, and having courage to be strong in the face of the enemy, even if it is involves being sacrificial.
In this summary, of an article I wrote for Challenge Weekly in 2005, New Zealand Marist Brother Richard Dunleavy who had been in Rome for 13 years, explained how Pope Benedict XVI would fulfil his role as Pope. “I believe he is really ‘conservationist’ in regard to the truths of the Church as updated and described at Vatican II. His bases are natural law, scripture and authentic tradition,” said Brother Richard. Pope’s Benedict’s “depth of understanding of post-modern culture means that he will always be seeking to communicate with the secular world, especially in Europe, but never at the expense of the truths as he sees them.” Pope Benedict has since moved on as Pope, making way for the current Pope, Pope Francis.
Had the opportunity to watch Darkest Hour (2017) again–a five star gem, so why not? It’s a larger than life portrayal of English responses–mostly political, but also militaristic, personal and public–to the German invasion of Europe during World War II in the month of May preceding the Dunkirk evacuation. Winston Churchill’s reply, as the Prime Minister of England, is riveting. This well-mounted film, with its finely tuned and brightly tempered aesthetics, combined with, as Churchill, Gary Oldman’s flashy, headstrong and transformative performance makes for something quite a bit more than life, which makes it palatable to watch, of what was a real depressing time in Britain. But which touches on the gravity of the moment–their ‘darkest hour’–in some sobering scenes. This one riveted me to the seat.
I wasn’t really that motivated to watch A Christmas Carol. It seemed a quite obscure film from 1984. But being in the mood to record and watch later, I recorded this Christmas movie to watch at a later time, and this I did. I’m glad I watched this, what turned out to be a little five-star gem. The straightest, soberest, most well produced film I’ve seen for a while and what is as straight-forward and dramatic presentation of the Charles Dicken’s classic Victorian novel that you’re likely to get. It’s about the well-off, well-to-do, and very alone Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott), who is disliked for his miserly ways, until he has a crisis of a sort, which makes him rethink his selfish lack of giving to others in need. The crisis is wonderfully done–involving Scrooge’s past, present, and future Christmases, told in flashback, and what may happen to him in the future if he continues to withhold good things from others in need. Scrooge isn’t characterized as all bad, though, the background to this apparently shallow character is sympathetically handled and the truth about him is revealed. George C Scott makes a wonderfully believable and engaging Scrooge and the acting is otherwise superb in this inspirational, uplifting Christmas film.
I’ve always believed, quite rightly, that the key characters of the original Star Wars trilogy were one of the films’ trump cards, as they are believable and life-like. But I’ve noticed something else about Han and Leia that is quite true, as well.
Continue reading “In-crowd”
An observation I picked up being around strangers and acquaintances is that if you’re together in a group there can be an expectation to play for the team. But maybe I don’t want to.
Continue reading “One for the team?”
As I reflect, for a moment, there’s a different style, tone, and sound for pieces of different lengths that I write.
Continue reading “Strokes here and there”
Celine Dion’s The Power of Love is the catalyst for remembering the trinity.
Continue reading “The power of love”
That it’s okay to feel like a loser. That the American Dream won’t happen for everyone. In fact, acknowledging one feels like a loser can liberate the soul with emotional truth and you feel better about yourself–as a centred, calm individual and not a striver.
Continue reading “How I interpreted a movie commentary”
If possible, I believe to present my best work to publishers, in fitting with their publication requirements. Sometimes, I feel, why should I use an idea here? But I still use it here. Because it’s better to use the idea on a road I know it will be published in, rather than speculating my good idea may or may not get published somewhere untested.
Continue reading “The tried and true, and the possible”
One of my happy places is a lovely read of old film annuals which I have collected. I just try and pour and meditate over every word, to digest, and absorb knowledge and content. Pur.
When I was scouring through older articles of mine last year, I announced I had the thought that my early stuff was better than the latter, and that I wanted to recapture a bit of the old way. Well, it’s like putting new wine in old wineskins. Somehow, it bursts.
I’ve since thought better of the older stuff. Good old.
