Oz the Great and Powerful

Posted on March 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm

B+

Lowest Recommended Age:	4th - 6th Grades
MPAA Rating:	Rated PG for sequences of action and scary images and brief mild language
Profanity:	Brief mild language
Alcohol/ Drugs:	None
Violence/ Scariness:	Fantasy action/peril/violence, scenes of desolation and loss, scary monsters and jump out at you surprises, some disturbing images
Diversity Issues:	Diverse characters
Date Released to Theaters:	March 8, 2013
Date Released to DVD:	June 10, 2013
Amazon.com ASIN:	B00C7JG0KG

A prequel to one of the most beloved films of all time is a daunting challenge, but Disney’s prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” manages to balance respect for the original with some fresh and appealing insights into the story. But the real star of the story is the enchanting, rapturously imagined setting, brilliantly designed by Bob Murawski and directed by Sam Raimi. From the captivating opening credit puppet theater, we are immediately in the world of magic and mystery — and hokum.

Like the 1939 Judy Garland classic, the movie opens in black-and-white. The screen is shrunken to the proportions of the 1930’s. And, like the Garland version (but not the books), the characters and themes of Oz are echoed in the scenes set back home. Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, known as Oz for his first two initials, is a showman and a con man, a magician in a small traveling circus. Personally and professionally, his life is about fooling as many people as possible. He is constantly either trying to impress a pretty girl or trying to avoid any personal entanglements, romantic or friendship.

It is telling that his big trick is to select a pre-arranged “country girl” from the audience apparently at random, making her seem to float in the air, and then wait for the viewers to think they’ve figured out the trick by noticing the wires that appear to keep her suspended. This makes possible the dramatic flourish — he cuts the wires to reveal that he has not just made her float — he has made her disappear. Oz is eternally poised on the brink between reality and illusion, between connection and distance, between appearing (no one is more visible than those whose profession is to perform in public) and disappearing (he always seems to have a means of escape handy). At the same time, the “country girl” is discovering that he lied to her, the circus strong man is coming after him for flirting with his wife, and he receives a visit from the only woman we sense he has ever really cared for (Michelle Williams), who asks him if there is any reason she should turn down a proposal from another man. He tells her to accept, though it is clear that he has some regrets. And then, he does what he does best — he escapes, jumping into the circus hot air balloon, which is whipped into a twister, and which deposits him in a strange and wondrous land of lush and vivid color — Oz.

The first creatures he meets are nasty little water fairies with big teeth and a stunningly beautiful woman with a splendid brimmed hat named Theodora (Mila Kunis). She seems to think that he is the wizard from a prophecy — a man with the same name as their enchanted land, who would arrive to rule as king and free their people. Freeing the people does not have much appeal for Oz, but he is definitely intrigued by the notion of a palace, a throne, and a scepter. “Is the scepter made of gold?” he asks, to make sure that this deal is as sweet as it sounds.

We know that Oz will be come the wizard and live in the palace. We know he will become “a good man but a bad wizard,” hiding behind the curtain as he works the controls of a huge face with a booming voice. We know he will bestow gifts that show people the greatness that is already within them. And we know he will have to take a journey to get there. Writers Mitchell Kapner and Pulitzer Prize awardee David Lindsay-Abaire (“Rabbit Hole“) weave in characters and themes inspired by some of the other Oz books as well, including a girl made out of porcelain, rescued from her shattered “China Town.” Oz meets up with two other witches as well, including one who has a very bad reaction to moisture. And he is not the only one who has to decide which side he will be on.

The visuals are fabulously imaginative, consistently surprising and new and yet consistent with our ideas about Oz from the books and the 1939 film. That’s consistent but not identical — Disney had to be careful not to get too close to MGM’s copyrighted designs. So there are flying monkeys, but very different (and even scarier), a poppy field, and an Emerald City gatekeeper (who will be familiar to fans of Sam Raimi’s less family-friendly films). The 3d effects are effective, especially during the twister. Franco’s characterization wavers at times and he never quite persuades us that he is at heart a showman. The big reveal about what prompts a witch to turn evil is disappointingly under-imagined. Indeed, for a movie with three significant female characters played by three of Hollywood’s most talented women and the China Girl (voiced by Joey King), the film’s conception of women is unfortunately superficial, simplistic, and male-oriented. It is an enchanting journey — but at the end you may wish to click your heels three times to return to the peerless Garland version and the books. There’s no place like home.

Parents should know that this film includes extended fantasy peril, action, and violence, with scenes of devastation and loss, jump out at you surprises, and scary monsters, some disturbing images, brief mild language, a character who makes advances at many women, and scenes of jealousy, anger, and sadness.

Family discussion: What is the difference between being a great and a good person? Why did Glinda believe in Oz? How did the characters in the prologue relate to their counterparts in Oz? What elements of the classic Oz story are explained in this film?

If you like this, try: the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, and the classic film with Judy Garland

Greedy Lying Bastards

Posted on March 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm

B+

Lowest Recommended Age:	Middle School
MPAA Rating:	Rated PG-13 for brief strong language
Profanity:	Brief strong language
Alcohol/ Drugs:	None
Violence/ Scariness:	Scenes of environmental devastation
Diversity Issues:	None
Date Released to Theaters:	March 8, 2013

Greedy Lying Bastards is a documentary that takes on two problems — the pernicious impact of industry on the environment and the effect of those changes on communities and the even more pressing problem of the pernicious impact of a small group of corporate executives on politicians and the laws they enact and enforce. As the title makes clear, this is a powerful attack that does not pull any punches or pretend to be objective. It’s no longer an inconvenient truth. It is a question of our survival being put at risk by a few wealthy people who are so determined to get even wealthier that they are either in denial about the consequences or just do not care. The case it makes is dramatic and disturbing.

The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to say that “everyone is entitled to his own opinion but no one is entitled to his own facts.” In this film, documentarian Craig Rosebraugh shows how a very small group of unfathomably wealthy industrialists create research and lobbying organizations designed to appear objective and broadly supported but in reality with no commitment to scientific data or to public policy. The most telling information in this film concerns the lack of transparency and accountability of organizations that have such a pervasive impact on legislation and policy. Washington insiders are already very familiar with the story of the Bush administration’s suppression of the most significant scientific report on climate change under the direction of an oil industry lobbyist serving a brief time in the government and allowing his former (and future) employers to edit the report’s findings. But seeing the details of the story in the context of a widespread and chillingly effective program by the Koch brothers and others is very compelling.

It would be nice to have some updates about the most recent campaign and Obama administration. . And while Rosebraugh has some good footage (thanks to a sneaky photo-pen) from the no-cameras-allowed Exxon shareholder meeting, he fails to connect the dots between what these executives do with corporate money and the true owners of the company — the shareholders, mostly through intermediaries like pension funds and mutual funds. As the comic strip character Pogo said when he discovered trash in a once-pristine river, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

The “what you can do” section at the end should include more than just contacting elected officials, who need the corporate money to win elections. Capitalism is as much at risk from this failure of accountability as the environment. Perhaps that point could be made in Part 2.

Parents should know that this film has brief strong language and scenes of environmental devastation.

Family discussion: Who is in the best position to counter the messages sent by corporate-funded organizations to politicians? Where do you get your most trustworthy information about these issues? How do you know?

If you like this, try: “An Inconvenient Truth,” “FLOW: For Love of Water,” and “End of the Line”

Related Tags:

Documentary Movies -- format Politics

Veggie Tales: The Little House That Stood

Posted on March 5, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Bob and Larry bring humor and wisdom to a classic story sure to delight kids and their families in The Little House That Stood, an Easter-themed story inspired by “The Three Little Pigs” and the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27).

When The Three Pigs roll into town looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt builds with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation – following the wise plans from the “Master Builder’s Handbook!” Each pig has very particular ideas about what they want for their houses, but will their choices be good ones when the rains come tumblin’ down? Find out in this pig’s tale that shows kids that when we follow God’s blueprints, we can make the right choices! PLUS: Ever wonder what happened before Humpty cracked? Humpty (Bob the Tomato) is the mayor of Gooseville, a quiet little town filled with a bunch of lively characters! From Jack & Jill’s missing crayons, to the Three Bears’ lawn problems, all the way to Little Bo Peep’s lost sheep, Mayor Humpty is literally driven up the wall with this pickled pack of problems! Now far away from the gripes and complaints of his neighbors, Humpty declares “with all these neighbors in need, I’m better helping just me!” Will all the town’s heroines and all the town’s men help bring Humpty to his senses again?

Filled with the Veggie’s sunny charm, this story is a lot of fun and it has some important lessons to teach about what we need to think about in making wise choices. There’s a “Give Your Kids a Solid Foundation” discussion guide for parents and teachers, activity pages, and of course a new silly song, as well as some behind-the-scenes glimpses.

I’ve got a gorgeous prize package to give away! Send me an email with “House” in the subject line and tell me your favorite vegetable. Don’t forget your address! (US addresses only). I’ll pick a winner at random on March 12. Good luck!

The Best Family Movie of All Time: The Wizard of Oz (and Other Versions)

Posted on March 5, 2013 at 3:52 pm

This week’s release of the prequel, “Oz the Great and Powerful” is a good reason to take another look at what may be the greatest family movie of all time, the classic MGM musical version of “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton, and Frank Morgan. The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM tells the remarkable story of how the film was made, including four different directors and a failed attempt to borrow Shirley Temple to play Dorothy.

It wasn’t until well into production that they realized they had something very special that could be an enduring classic. That was when they decided to drop a musical number that was timely when filming but would soon be out of date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP5IcbwVhqI

This was not by any means the first or only attempt to film L. Frank Baum’s classic story. A very early silent version was made in 1910, just a decade after the book was first published.

Fifteen years later, silent star Larry Semon appeared in another version, with a Laurel-less Oliver Hardy as the Tin Woodman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2WFVpSeIfA

A sequel with Fairuza Balk was too creepy for kids, but is something of a cult classic.

“The Wiz” was a popular Broadway musical and a less popular movie, with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. “Wicked” is another Broadway musical, based on a book that tells the story from the witchs’s perspective.

The book and its sequels (by Baum and, later, two other authors) continue to be popular. There is a theory that the original book was an allegory of the political conflicts of the time. And there is a very active Oz Society for fans with an annual Winkie-Con.

Coming later this year is “Dorothy of Oz,” an animated film starring Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar, Hugh Dancy, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, Megan Hilty (“Smash”), Spongebob’s Tom Kenny, and Lea Michele, and based on a continuation of the story by Baum’s great-grandson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR5kYCy7-xU

Unconditional

Posted on March 5, 2013 at 10:57 am

This faith-based drama stars two top performers who give its fact-based story the sweetness and spirit that is sometimes lacking in the heartfelt but uneven script.

Lynn Collins (“The Merchant of Venice,” “John Carter”) plays author Samantha Crawford, who is devastated by the shocking death of her husband, killed in an unsolved shooting. Feeling that she has no reason to live, she resolves to kill herself on the spot where he was murdered. Just as she is about to pull the trigger, she sees a young girl hit by a car. She runs over to help her, and at the hospital she runs into a close friend from her childhood she had not seen in years, Joe Bradford (Michael Ealy of “Barbershop” and “Think Like a Man”). They are very happy to be reunited and Samantha learns that Joe is a beloved community activist, caring for the poor and neglected children in the inner city.

Samantha is drawn to join Joe in helping the children. But she has another reason for visiting him in the projects. She thinks she may have a clue to finding the man responsible for killing her husband. As she thinks about the time she spent with Joe when they were in school and learns more about where he was and what he learned that made him the kind and patient man the kids love and rely on, she feels her soul healing and expanding.

Parents should know that there are some violent scenes and some sad deaths.

Family discussion: What did Joe learn from his time in prison? Why were Joe and Samantha friends? Were you surprised by what Samantha discovered about the night her husband died? Who do you know who is like Joe?

If you like this, try: “Touchback”