The Declaration of Independence — Happy 4th of July!
Posted on July 4, 2015 at 7:00 am
The Expendables 3
Posted on August 14, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Everything I said about the last two “Expendables” movies, blah blah, with some new additions from the AARP branch of the action heroes club: Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, and Mel Gibson, plus a couple of Expendable interns to bring down the median age a bit.
Sylvester Stallone got the gang back together for one more Over-the-Hill gang run-with-a-gun-fest. Once again, he plays Barney Ross, as one of those guys who is most comfortable when he is least comfortable. One of these guys, given a chance to sleep in a bed, puts the bedspread down on the floor and settles in for the night. Barney and the gang are the guys you call when you need the impossible and off the books. I need to point out, however, that it isn’t too hush-hush as Barney’s first meeting with Drummer (ah, the machismo of these names), the CIA big shot played by Ford, replacing Bruce Willis as Church. (There are a couple of cracks about Church, directed at Willis, who reportedly asked for too much money to be in this film.) Barney and Drummer have a nice chat about all the black ops stuff in a hospital parking lot.
Who cares whether it makes sense? We’re here for the stunts and explosions and they are fine. It’s the winks to the camera and the manly quips that are hard to take. Note to the hard-core fans of hard core, however: while the first two films were rated R, this one is PG-13. Which means, basically, just one f-word and less blood.
Despite their name, of course each and every one of the team is vitally important to Barney, and he has a collection of dog tags from those who didn’t make it hanging in the plane like sad little wind chimes. Barney hates to put people in danger, which is something of an occupational hazard when you are in the tough guy business. When one of his team is hit hard, he fires everyone else and brings in new recruits, which (1) gives us a chance to see him hopping around the world with Kelsey Grammer as his talent scout, for one of those “Magnificent Seven,” “Oceans 11” let’s see what these guys can do episodes, and (2) gives them a chance to cast some people audiences under age 25 might recognize, including boxer Victor Ortiz of “Dancing With the Stars,” Kellan Lutz of “Twilight,” and MMA champion Ronda Rousey. Conveniently, each of them can do two things: fight and hack computers, fight and Parkour, fight and rock a mini-skirt, etc.
They’re going after a bad guy played with way too much relish by Mel Gibson, as though he is saying, “You want to hate me? Bring it on!” Of course he is impossible to find and surrounded by armies of security. And Drummer wants him brought back alive. But this is what Barney does. So, he takes his padawans and pretty soon they’re jumping out of plans and exchanging manly quips. And they’re showing old Pops a thing or two about using computers and being in the 21st century. It works out just fine until it doesn’t, and it’s time for the old folks to come in and save the day.
It’s fun to see these old guys in action, and it gives you a lot of bang-bang for the buck.
Parents should know that this movie includes some strong language and crude insults, extensive and graphic violence with knives, guns, fights, explosions, and many characters are injured or killed.
Family discussion: How did the two generations of Expendables differ? Why did Drummer and Galgo care so much about getting into the fight? Why did Barney take off his protective gear?
If you like this, try: the earlier “Expendables” movies and the 1980’s action films featuring these stars
Movie of the Month: The Passion of the Christ
Posted on March 3, 2013 at 8:00 am
Thanks to the editors at Beliefnet for inviting me to write about our Movie of the Month, The Passion of the Christ.
Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” is both more and less than a movie. In one sense, it is less a movie than the heartfelt prayer of a gifted film-maker and devout Catholic who has had some very public struggles with sin. In another it is a narrow and harrowing perspective on a story that, no matter what your faith, is bigger than any attempt to portray on film.
Mel Gibson has made this movie to convey his view of the last hours of the life of Jesus. It is not history and not drama, though it has elements of both. It is not a full retelling of the Gospels or of the life of Jesus. It is a personal and spiritual statement about the view that the suffering Jesus endured in the last hours of his life demonstrated his divinity and his sacrifice in taking on the sins of the world.
According to the film’s website, the use of the word “passion” is taken from the Latin for suffering, but is also used to mean a profound and transcendent love. The theme of the movie is Jesus’ statement, “You are my friends, and the greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them.”
– See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Movie-Corner/Movies/Passion-of-the-Christ.aspx#sthash.j9sOUKS6.dpuf
Mel Gibson’s Maccabee Movie Falls Apart with Angry Accusations of Anti-Semitism
Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:13 pm
It is hard to imagine a more explosive combination than Mel Gibson and Joe Eszterhas. Both are famously volatile and outspoken. Mel Gibson is a devout Catholic, an actor, writer, and director whose many appearances in the tabloids have included a drunken rant with ugly anti-Semitic comments, a drunken rant with misogynistic and abusive comments directed at his girlfriend and the mother of his baby. Many critics also accused him of anti-Semitism in the portrayal of some of the Jewish characters in his film, “The Passion of the Christ.”
So it was a subject of more than usual interest when Gibson announced he would make a movie about one of the most famous triumphs in Jewish history in the first-ever war over religious freedom, an event that is celebrated each year at Hanukah. He was working with Eszterhas, raised Catholic, a reporter and editor turned screenwriter (“Showgirls,” “Basic Instinct”), who has received awards for his two films about anti-Semitism (“The Music Box” and “Betrayed”).
Eszterhas, who worked on the script for two years, has now quit the project and sent Gibson a nine-page memo accusing him of never having any intention of making the movie and announcing the project only to deflect the accusations of anti-Semitism. “I’ve come to the conclusion that the only reason you won’t make ‘The Maccabees’ is the ugliest one: You hate Jews.” The memo includes truly shocking descriptions of Gibson’s statements and actions, including his saying that he wanted the movie to “convert Jews to Christianity” and ugly comments and threats about Gibson’s former girlfriend.
I am sorry to see the talented Gibson apparently brought down by his demons. And I hope someone else will pick up the idea of a film about the Maccabees.
A Controversial Choice for a Judah Maccabee Film
Posted on September 12, 2011 at 8:00 am
The story of Judah Maccabee, one of the greatest warrior heroes in Jewish history, could make a great movie. He led the first revolt against religious oppression in 167 BCE. His victory is celebrated by Jews around the world each year at Hannukah.
One of the most successful directors in Hollywood is behind the project, someone whose previous film about a rebellion was an Oscar-winner. But that director is Mel Gibson, whose anti-Semitic tirade when he was arrested for drunk driving and portrayal of the ancient Jews in his controversial “The Passion of the Christ” suggests that he may not be the person to tell this story. Gibson has said repeatedly that this is a movie he wants to make. But his choice of screenwriter is also sure to raise concerns. It is Joe Eszterhas of “Basic Instinct,” “Flashdance,” and “Showgirls.”
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, released a statement: “We would have hoped that Warner Bros. could have found someone better than Mel Gibson to direct or perhaps even star in a film on the life of the Jewish historical icon Judah Maccabee. As a hero of the Jewish people and a universal hero in the struggle for religious liberty, Judah Maccabee deserves better.” They have asked Warner Brothers to “reconsider” Gibson’s involvement.
I am skeptical about Gibson’s ability to tell this story, not because I think he will promote stereotypes or bigotry but because I think his increasing fascination with anger and violence will give the story the wrong focus. I hope I’m wrong.