Sicario (2015) - M5.8/E8

This was a very thought provoking movie.  One that can bring up some tense conversations from people on different sides of the political spectrum.   In essence, the government crosses some moral lines in order to maximize the saving of lives.  Is it ever OK to make such compromises?

While drawn from the train of science fiction and fantasy, two examples come to mind. In the book Ender's Game, the need to brutally and finally punish your enemies so that they can't seek out revenge on you is repeatedly brought up.  The following are some of the deepest lines of the novel and is an exchange that occurs between Ender and Valentine in chapter 13 of the book:

Ender: "In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them -"
Valentine: "You beat them." For a moment she was not afraid of his understanding.
Ender: "No, you don't understand. I destroy them. I make it impossible for them to ever hurt me again. I grind them and grind them until they don't exist."

Ender kills multiple boys and almost causes the genocide of an alien race.  The guilt he has to bear is insufferable. Is it OK to go so far too ensure the safety of oneself or one's family? One's country? Are the psychological, spiritual consequences worth it?

In Batman, we constantly see Batman's dilemma with confronting the Joker. If he's really such a violent criminal, shouldn't it be OK if Batman kills him?  Isn't he being irresponsible and contributing the deaths of so many by simply turning him over to the authorities?  The constant response is that if he did kill the Joker, how would he be any different from any criminals he has vowed to bring justice on?  Any different from the man who took his parents away from him?  The difference between willing to take someone's life for pleasure or to end it to ensure the lives of countless innocents that would otherwise die? There is a line that shouldn't be crossed, and it may be different for different individuals (a seemingly scapegoat statement). Otherwise, the world would be out of balance.

Was it for the benefit of the world that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed? Did it end up saving more lives in the end to end it so dramatically and brutally? Would doing so again send a similar message to similar, present-day antagonistic groups?  I don't know. I wish it were as easy as saying it's never worth it.  In the Bible, God commanded the demolishing of cities for the good of his people. Yet, on a smaller, family scale, beyond stern and occasional corporal punishment (hopefully infrequent and under control) for an out of control child, sometimes a parent has to wait out the craziness in love and patience. Granted not everyone should be treated as one's child, but it's worth thinking about, if anything, to keep us humane.

[Spoilers may follow...]

It's too easy to cross a line in the heat of emotion and give up your humanity.  In the end, the revenge killing of the man's family was wrong, but the overall operation would supposedly save so many lives.  Undoubtedly someone else would step in and re-initiate or continue the crimes committed by the drug lord.  But as also mentioned, this will continue (in part) as long as Americans use and crave illegal drugs.

Watched on VidAngel filtering out only f-words and blasphemy and it was still followable.  There are some graphic scenes of violence that could be filtered out without disturbing the storyline too much.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) - M6.2/E8

I haven’t read any Michael Connelly books, but I’m guessing they fit right in there with Grisham’s best legal thrillers (of which I’ve only seen the movies). This was a well done movie and even more enjoyable as I’m just being introduced to the TV series the Firm (even sharing Josh Lucas with this movie).

I’ve always wondered about defence attorneys. How can someone defend a person who has committed awful crimes? This show made me remember (along with the Firm) that we believe in innocence before proven guilty. That proof is offered in court and often decided by a jury. Even the alleged criminal deserves justice, and shouldn’t be labelled a criminal until decided in a court of law. (It could be argued that not all criminals are caught, and thus not “alleged,” but that’s not the point of this short insight.)

We tend to sympathize with the victims of crimes, which can easily cause us to demonize those who defend their aggressors. But I like the thought that everyone deserves a fair trial. Our justice system was created with the thought of “innocent before proven guilty.” Which is why, for example, it’s unlawful to target American citizens for assassination without a fair trial. Our laws and justice system aren’t meant to prevent bad things from happening, it is a reactive system. If we want dangerous people off the street, we need to figure out lawful ways to bring them to justice and prevent them from pursuing more evil.

Back to the movie, Mick Haller isn’t the noble lawyer that Mitch McDeere is in The Firm, but his nobility does shine through his sleaziness as he gets entwined in his new client’s case. When what he values most is in danger (his and his family’s lives) he straightens up and is able to put evil in its place. His gratitude shines through as he offers to work pro bono for one of his shadier frequented clients who’s team of motorcycle buddies do Mick a huge favor. The resolution may not come as much of a surprise, but it’s the journey, not the end results that make the movie a fun, worthwhile experience.

Mick and his wife appear to be separated, though not totally distant.  However, all that they end up going through and Mick realizing how much he loves his family, makes it possible to believe that they'll try harder to make things work.  This isn't really a main point of the movie, but another good thought that adds to its value.

Do be aware that there is some strong language and a few scenes of violence, but the overall content is extremely mild considering the rating this show received.

The Next Three Days (2010) - M4.3/E6

I was told this would be a movie with an interesting moral dilemma, and though we are shown that the main character contemplates this dilemma, the dilemma shouldn't have existed in the first place.  This was a pretty intense thriller, more suspenseful than action packed, and worth a watch on Netflix if you subscribe to their streaming service.

A happily married couple's family is torn apart when random, coincidental events make it appear that the wife brutally murdered her boss. The husband, knowing she is innocent, resolves to do whatever it takes to get her out of prison.  He first exhausts all legal means and realizes that there is nothing that can be done to free her.  He then resorts to breaking her out of prison and undertakes some serious preparations to do so.  This is where the supposed dilemma exists.

John Brennan (faithful husband) forces himself to be willing to do whatever it takes to get his wife out of prison, and ends up falsifying medical records and killing people and committing arson (though those involved were drug dealers).  Initially he is extremely hesitant to commit these illegal acts, but forces himself into the mindset to follow through with his plan.  During the process, his relationship with his son and wife (even though in prison) is  stretched pretty thin and he almost loses his wife during the break out.

Is it really a measure of a husband's love for his wife to go to any end in order to rectify something wrongly attributed to her?  If my wife were innocently put in jail, I, too, would exhaust my legal resources; and if the law could do nothing to help her, what happened next would be in God's hands.  Being a firm believer in Divine intervention, I believe God would be able to help both me (my family) and my wife through such a trial of faith, and if He felt it necessary, could even change the hearts and minds of those falsely accusing her so that she would eventually be let out (though this would not be very likely).  Our relationship could continue to grow, and one day we would be reunited.

This may sound trite given that I've never been (nor will likely ever be) put in this situation; but I honestly believe that adherence to God's law and faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ is the most anyone can do to receive the maximum assistance in the most dire of situations in which we may find ourselves.

Taken (2009) - M5.0/E8

This movie was awesome. Everything I expected it to be and more (which expectations I try to keep to a minimum). I had to keep telling myself to breathe and relax and enjoy the movie. This is one of the best action movies I’ve seen in a while.

The beginning of the movie does a great job at getting us to feel sympathy for and understand the love that Bryan Mills has for his daughter, Kim. This sympathy largely stems from the super-annoying ex-wife who has her head in the clouds and apparently cares little for their daughter and has the utmost disdain for her ex-husband, in particular with regards to his over-protectiveness. While Bryan’s over-protectiveness is attributed to his previous career as a CIA black ops agent, I would hope any competent, loving father (and mother) would be equally protective and concerned. (I liked seeing Uncle Rico in this as a buddy of Bryan’s.)

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Entertainment Rating: 5 of 5

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. It was every bit as good as Minority Report and quite a bit better than Blade Runner (all three based on stories by science fiction writer Phillip K. Dick). I was told this was more of a romance than a thriller/action movie, and so I was expecting a slower paced film that possibly wasn’t great. I was pleasantly surprised that it was much more than a romance, but a look at the value of our ability to choose our own destinies and exercise our free will.

Moral Rating: 4 of 5

[Spoiler Alert]

In contrast to Mao’s Last Dancer, the two main characters here actually decide to sacrifice their career goals because they really love the other person more than their careers. This love is what allows them to become more free and ultimately use their free will to the fullest.

Unknown (2010)

Entertainment Rating: 3 of 5

At 40 minutes into the movie, I was thinking, “this is a really slow movie” - in other words, I was getting bored pretty quick. The concept wasn’t original, it was kind of like a Bourne Identity with an old man (who still had some good fight in him, but didn’t show off much). They tried a big twist at the end, but it didn’t seem to go anywhere. Instead of some plot that we could identify with, they have everything the movie is working for end up being for corn, cool corn, but corn nonetheless.

Moral Rating: 2 of 5

Like the Bourne series, there’s no real moral battle here, not much good to be gleaned from it either.

Shutter Island (2010)

Entertainment Rating: 4/5

After watching the movie we felt like maybe we needed some sort of mental therapy: it was that good of a psychological thriller. The movie did a great job of putting us right in the shoes of Teddy Daniels, we could understand what he went through and why he made the decisions he did (with the exception of a few -possibly key - scenes that were edited out). Violence and language are the main reason for the R rating; so if you can watch it edited, it’s a cool show.

Moral Rating: 2/5

The ending line really makes you ponder Teddy’s situation: “Which would be worse, to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?” I think Teddy is beyond being able to forgive himself. Forgiveness for murder is not easy to come by (whether from God or the person that died), considering there is no restitution that can be made. Reflecting on this state of mind could also be dangerous, almost insinuating that death (whether physical or mental) is the best way out of feeling guilt.

It’s hard to construe a whole lot more of a message, I don’t think we got the full impact of the movie since most of his memories were edited out from the version we watched. But even with missing part of the movie, I feel no overwhelming urge to watch it unedited; it was good, but not that good.

On Violence

Some interesting quotes from the latter part of the film, from a conversation between the warden and Teddy:

Warden: You're as violent as they come. I know. because I'm as violent as they come. Don't embarrass yourself by denying your own blood lust, son. Don't embarrass me. If the constraints of society were removed, and I was all that stood between you and a meal, you'd crack my skull with a rock and eat my meaty parts.

Warden: We wage war, we burn sacrifices we pillage and plunder and treat at the flesh of our brothers and why? Because God gave us violence to wage in his honor.

Teddy Daniels: I thought God gave us moral orders.

Warden: There is no moral orders as pure as this storm. There's no moral order at all. There's just this: can my violence conquer yours?

Violence is not sanctioned by God. Perhaps you’d send me to the Old Testament in the Bible and ask, what of the Law of Moses? That law was meant to lead people to Christ. There was no tolerance for sin (which was the reason for the punishments). God has established a higher moral order, almost more of an individual one because our governments are not run by religion (at least in the US) like they were in Moses’s time.

God sanctions discipline. Our life on this earth is a blessing and we are given freedom to act according to the dictates of our conscience, and at the same time we accept eternal responsibility for those actions and will reap what we sow. If that reaping involves “God-sanctioned” violence (death penalty, war, etc.), he will be the ultimate judge. But what of those who kill in the name of Allah? How can we believe any man has the “right” to take the life of another man? The death penalty is sanctioned because the accused are given a trial, a chance to prove they are not guilty, if the evidence is incontrovertible, they receive their just judgement (just insofar as man can be just in his imperfect condition). Their death is meant as an example to other would-be criminals, as well as a safeguard against the accused being released and wreaking havoc on more innocent people.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Entertainment Rating: A

Nice thriller, though my wife said it was a bit lame because she guessed who Keyser Soze was half-way through the film, and so wasn't too impressed. We watched the T.V. version, and surprisingly it was pretty decent. They probably got rid of 80% of the language and left most of the violence in, but it was totally watchable - though still not for young kids.

Moral Rating: 3

The coolest line in the show is repeated twice, "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." At the end of the movie some people say they are even more scared than they were while watching it (maybe because you realize that "the Devil" has existed all along, but you let him reel you in to his story of pity). How often does Satan appeal to our emotions? Our emotions can be so strong that they often overshadow any good judgement we might receive from our conscience.

We are taught, with regards to the devil, "And behold, others [the devil] flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance." (2 Nephi 28:22) Though this is a great reference, the whole movie wasn’t that great of a moral lesson, other than to make sure you don’t get duped by Satan.

V for Vendetta

Entertainment Value

Rating: A

This was a great semi-political thriller. Why is it that deep political thrillers are R? I don't think ratings mean a whole lot anymore, other than to try to market the movie to a particular audience. If you're an adult you want to see more violence and sex and hear more profanity than a 13 year old would want to see. Makes sense, right? WRONG! That is a rather odd perspective if you ask me.

I had read the graphic novel of the same name (which the movie was fairly closely based on) and was very much impressed and excited to see the movie. This movie was a better adaptation than Watchmen was. Not because it was a closer adaptation, but because the director made it a bit more his own, he made the movie more powerful and moving than Watchmen (which could have to do with the general themes of each of the original stories - V was less "graphic" and more inspirational, while Watchmen was more nihilistic).

Moral Value – Failure to Communicate?

Rating: 4

There was a strong message that an idea is more important than a hero. Once a person gets outside him or herself and realizes that living life is more than just making sure we get through everyday or are ahead of everyone else, that person is truly free.

Terminator

Entertainment Value

Rating: C

Kind of a cool story, a lot creepier than I had imagined. I recorded this show because of it's notoriety, but was rather underwhelmed. If you've never seen it, it might be worth a view, but don't expect much.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate?

Rating: 2

"In the few hours we had together we loved a lifetime's worth." What kind of a line is that?

Minority Report

Synopsis

Society has made some important leaps in criminal technology. They have the means whereby they can detect a crime and stop it before it occurs. Those who are caught are imprisoned as if they had already committed the crime. It seems like a great solution until one of the top law enforcers is predicted to commit murder. He must try to prove his innocence and along the way make a decision as to whether this technology really is good for society.

Entertainment Value

Rating: A

From the previews we were expecting an action packed movie and also had some doubts that it could be as good as some of the critics have said. It was better than we expected! I even checked out the short story from the library in hopes of getting more of the same experience (I was rather disappointed, the movie was loads better.)

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate?

Rating: 4

There was a strong theme of agency exhibited throughout the film seeing how it revolves around capturing and imprisoning people before they actually have a chance to commit their premeditated crime. Tom Cruise is presented with the opportunity to fulfill his fate (and actually commit the crime as foretold by the precogs) or make his own destiny by making the right choice.

The story mentions that sometimes we have to "go through darkness to get to light". This is an important part of agency. There is an opposition to all things; we must endure some pain and misery in order to fully appreciate God's love and the blessings he has to offer to his faithful sons and daughters.

Inception (2010)

This review is coming only after one viewing of the movie, so I'm sure I'll miss something. This is a show that has to be watched multiple times.

Synopsis

Cobb is an expert extractionist (stealing mentally kept secrets) who longs to return home to his children. He's offered a chance to return if he can perform inception (implanting an idea) on the inheritor of a large energy business and get the inheritor to dissolve the company. Cobb is one of the few who knows inception can actually work, but he has some personal issues he must overcome for the plan to get pulled off.

Entertainment Value

Rating: A

This movie was amazing. This is what all directors should aspire to. Occasionally it is nice to be able to sit back and not have to think, but this is more than just a thinking movie; you get totally immersed in the film as if you were dreaming it yourself! Nolan has created a totally unique story so complex and deep that it begs for multiple views. Hans Zimmer does a wonderful job with the score as well. You have to see this in the theater.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate?

Rating: 5

I'll try to avoid any spoilers, though there might be some minor ones (whether the movie ends happy or sad, so read on at your own risk).

The movie does a great job of illustrating a mindset that Elder David A. Bednar related in a youth fireside that was printed in the June 2010 Ensign entitled, "Things as They Really Are." (You should read through this before you see the movie and it will really help it sink in). Basically Elder Bednar discusses his concern that we look more towards cyber experiences that distract us from real experiences; real life experiences that actually help us progress spiritually and emotionally far better than any online game or website can. In the movie we see people who choose to live their lives through dreams. Because their dreams become more interesting and exciting than their actual life, they get lost in multiple levels of subconscious dreaming, making them ultimately unable to tell what's real life any more. Elder Bednar states,

"Sadly, some young men and young women in the Church today ignore 'things as they really are' and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. My heart aches when a young couple—sealed together in the house of the Lord for time and for all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood—experiences marital difficulties because of the addicting effect of excessive video gaming or online socializing. A young man or woman may waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit vocational or academic achievement, and ultimately sacrifice cherished human relationships because of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online games. As the Lord declared, 'Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment … : Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known' (D&C 60:13)."

One of Cobb's personal issues he is confronted with is a strong feeling of personal guilt for something he has done (revealed in the movie). He learns, through the help of a friend, that he has to forgive himself in order to move on. This forgiveness isn't only important to Cobb's personal progression, but for the well-being of those he's working with. As he learns to confront his fears and realize what is real and what is a distraction, he's able to continue on his mission with a brighter hope of being united with his children.

The love Cobb displays for his children (seen primarily through his dreams and discussion with others) is the love we should exhibit for our family at all times. It wouldn't hurt to imagine yourself being in such a situation to realize how much you need your family and how much they need you.

The PG-13 rating is primarily for the intense scenes of action and violence (though nothing graphic is displayed). There are some profane references to deity, but little else. No sex or nudity.

State of Play

Synopsis

An old-school newspaper reporter (Russell Crowe) investigates the murder of a young woman who was involved in an affair with a U.S. Senator (Ben Affleck), who is also his friend.

Entertainment Value - B

Like the Informant! I had a hard time getting drawn into this film. Russell Crowe does a good job as a journalist, but he's kind of an unbelievable character in that he's up against all kinds of trained people trying to keep the Senator from falling, and his only weapon he wields is a pen. Maybe this is symbolic because a sub theme of the movie is the difficulty the newspaper industry is having with online news sources, and the juxtaposition of Crowe and these renegades underscores it.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

[Spoiler]

Very similar message as The Informant! A senator's (Ben Affleck) problems start with an extramarital affair, worse things happen, and he can't get out of it. The more the senator tries to cover up what happened the deeper entwined he becomes in his web of deceit.

A lot of ethical issues come up in the newspaper's investigation of the murder and evidence they gain and withhold from the authorities in order to make some big headlines.  Is it OK to skirt the law in this case, to help the truth get out faster?  Or to make sure you get recognized for the reporting of it?

Surrogates

Synopsis

In the future all humans have their own surrogate (think avatar) that can be controlled from the comfort of their own home and still allow them all the pleasures and business of the world around them. Until recently, the surrogates have also allowed a level of protection, keeping humans away from the dangers of the outside world. But a new weapon has been developed that can cause death to a surrogate operator with only access to the surrogate. Detective Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) is forced to venture out into the world without his surrogate to figure out what's going on.

Entertainment Value - B

A good sci-fi/action flick, reminiscent of I, Robot (even with James Cromwell playing the same role as inventor of these new robots/surrogates). I liked I, Robot better; it was definitely deeper and more action packed. Maybe this is Bruce Willis's beginning to tone down the action flicks he stars in.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 4

This film accurately depicted how constantly seeking thrills, and trying to escape reality, damages real-life relationships. It made me think a lot about David A. Bednar's CES fireside on May 3, 2009, entitled "Things as They Really Are." The following are excerpts that relate particularly well to the film:

If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse our physical bodies, then one of his most potent tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied spirits to disconnect gradually and physically from things as they really are. In essence, he encourages us to think and act as if we were in our premortal, unembodied state. And, if we let him, he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to accomplish his purposes. Please be careful of becoming so immersed and engrossed in pixels, texting, ear buds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive uses of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the importance of your physical body and miss the richness of person‐to‐person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer‐mediated interaction that can displace the full range of physical capacity and experience....

I am raising a warning voice that we should not squander and damage authentic relationships by obsessing over contrived ones. 'Nearly 40% of men and 53% of women who play online games said their virtual friends were equal to or better than their real‐life friends, according to a survey of 30,000 gamers conducted by … a recent Ph.D. graduate from Stanford University. More than a quarter of gamers [who responded indicated that] the emotional highlight of the past week occurred in a computer world.

24: Season 1

Synopsis

A Senator who is close to making it into the White House is the target of an assassination attempt. CTU Agent Jack Bauer's family is kidnapped and he must try to rescue them as well as stop the assination. Meanwhile, an affair that he had frequently comes back to haunt him.

Entertainment Value - A

One of the most intense shows I have ever seen. I got so tense in every episode that I would actually start shaking! The experience is very much like reading a book, except for the added visual stimulus. The acting in it was better than most movies I've seen; and to keep you intrigued and guessing from beginning to end is a sign of great talent.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

We also just finished watching season 2, so I'll tie in some of the messages that came from it as well, since they overlap a bit.

Jack Bauer is nothing less than a modern day super hero. He is very similar to Batman in that he is mortal, but can fight off almost anyone/thing, and puts himself above the law. Jack is constantly at odds with his superiors and co-workers with regards to how he obtains the information he gets (mostly because there is no other way and the catastrophe at hand would multiply in scale if he doesn't do whatever it takes - torture, murder, etc. - to win.)

Which brings up an interesting question, is "whatever it takes" ever okay? I think there is a higher law to follow when man's laws are obviously flawed. It helps to have the kind of superiors that will cover up everything you do to keep you in their employ, but this power could easily go abused. For this reason, these type of extreme actions (e.g., torture) are probably best prohibited, but if the person going against it has the courage and initiative to, the outcome will more than likely prove if he was right or wrong.

Senator Palmer is the most awesome character I can think of. In the face of so many people telling him to not do what's 100% right he defies them by sticking to his morals. Though he loses a lot of people he loves, he's able to rest assured that he has done what is right and has not compromised his morals.

Some specific moral dilemmas presented include:

• Jack being faced with having to kill someone in order to protect his family...never plans on doing it, but cuts it close several times


• Jack's going against superior orders when he knew something was right, willing to get chastised for something that will bring about a greater good.

Charade

Synopsis

Reggie Lampert must try to find the $250,000 her late husband hid before her husband's army cronies find it or kill her in the process.

Entertainment Value - A

This show had a great mix of comedy, romance, and suspense.  It was as good as any Alfred Hitchcock movie I've seen.  The actor line-up contributed to the enjoyment (Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, George Kennedy, Walter Matthau, and James Coburn).

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

There were several disturbing murders, but the overall message was very similar to that of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre - greed makes no one happy and can eventually lead to your demise (physical as well as spiritual).  It also can cloud your judgment, diverting your attention from what the real problem actually is.

I would definitely make an effort to at least see this once.  It may be a bit too much for a young audience.

Dial 'M' for Murder

Synopsis

A man will go to the extent of murdering his wife because of his jealousy and to get his hands on some money he would inherit from her. But what happens when his plan goes awry and the wrong person gets killed?

Entertainment Value - A

Great suspense movie. The best part is to see the how the truth unravels from the view of the head detective and watching the husband squirm.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

Some important things the show made me think about:

1. Being too busy with hobbies resulting in less communication with your spouse can lead to infidelity or just falling out of love with each other, making it hard to want to perpetuate the union.


2. It is important to be open and honest - she appears to have never told her husband that she had grown to love him more since he quit playing tennis (though her actions may attest to it, he needed a little more evidence of it).  She also could have mentioned that she was less interested in the writer. Had she been open and honest with him, he may not have tried to kill her.

Sixth Sense, The

Synopsis

Dr. Malcolm Crowe feels obligated to help Cole Sears, a young boy, who has serious problems (very similar to a previous patient of his who Crowe failed to cure).  As Cole gradually begins trusting Dr. Crowe and opening up, we see both Dr.'s and patient's lives change for the better while each is able to help the other overcome their challenges.

Entertainment Value - A

Very good, suspenseful movie; perfect for a cold Halloween night (especially when the lights go out!).  Though probably mild by most people's standards of a scary movie, it was still a little disturbing thinking back on it, but overall I enjoyed it.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 4

The Sixth Sense did a great job showing the importance of communication and how it helps us overcome our fears, show love, and strengthen relationships.

[Spoiler Alert] When Malcolm helped Cole realize he needed to confront the dead people and find out what it was they wanted with him, Cole's fear disappeared and he was actually able to help the ghosts find rest.   Fears need to be faced; sometimes in the process of confronting our fears we find that they were not really all worth being scared about.

There are many ways that our failure to communicate causes problems.  Too many people gossip and complain about things they dislike others doing, but they do nothing to communicate these frustrations to the people that are causing the annoyances; they would rather live in their misery than muster up a little courage to help others come to terms with them.

Cole's mom had a very difficult time knowing how to love and help her son.  She was able to help a lot, but it wasn't enough.  Not until Cole opened up could she really help him.  We can't ever give up on trying to communicate with those we love, no matter how obstinate they may be.  Our trying shows that we do love them regardless of their unwillingness to reciprocate those emotions.

Communication strengthens marriages.  This is a bit of a stretch, considering Malcolm was dead, but he was able to come to terms with the confusion he had been feeling since his death.  He was able to tell his wife she was never number two and that he still loved her.  This act brought the movie to a close and really made me feel good about the overall message of the movie.

Vantage Point

Luke

Rating: 3

This was a very intense movie. There weren't a whole lot of moral lesson take-a-ways in this, other than seeing Dennis Quaid's determination to fulfill his duties and keep the POTUS out of harm's way. The movie depicted the abductors/assassins with a good amount of human emotions, they weren't your unbelievably ruthless villains. This "humanity" is shown in one of the last scenes of the movie when one of the abductor's is being pursued in a stolen ambulance and swerves to avoid hitting a little girl in the middle of the street. The girl was not a part of the plan and they tried to prevent any damage outside of their original plan. You could also say that this was an unbelievable act of kindness and that with all the killing going on earlier in the movie it should have been in the abductor's nature to run over the girl, but having the girl's life spared (as well as the President's) gave the movie a bit of a redeeming factor, though I still wouldn't give it more than a 3 with all the bloodshed and lack of a strong moral message.

Some other elements of morality I noticed in the film:

• One villain chooses not to shoot one of the abducted in cold blood (yet she's willing to blow-up lots of people).
• Another character is "forced" to commit multiple murders in order to keep his brother alive. This love of family could be construed as moral, but it is nothing of the sort. You might as well say the mafia is a loving organization or the Gadianton Robbers are moral because they all vow their lives to protecting eachother, with no moral regard given to what must be done to keep such a promise.

Rear Window

Luke

Rating: 4

This movie should never have been remade (though I haven't seen the Christopher Reeves version). We watched Disturbia a while back and it is a movie that will forever spend a night in the box. Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece doesn't have to create a gory film or a terrifying background for the killer, the suspense around the murder is enough. When you start displaying the evil (serial killings, gore, etc.), it becomes either too frightening or too cheesy to enjoy.

On that note I really enjoyed this original version. It all takes place in an apartment living room and is never slow or dull. This type of movie isn't made to inspire, but primarily to entertain, and I believe it achieved it's purposes.

Jeff is a nosy, crippled man with nothing better to do than to involve himself, uninvited, in the lives of his neighbors. He ends up neglecting his own real-life relationships for his imaginary ones he forges through a telephoto lens. It is very unrealistic in the fact that he is able to understand each neighbor's situation by simply observing them and never interacting with them. This may be the purpose of the film to display the risks of being a busy body and the importance of focusing on strengthening real life relationships.

Lisa did end up relinquishing her efforts to dissuade Jeff from pursuing his new hobby of prying and immersed herself in it, though she denounced it at first. This was a selfless act that showed her devotion to him and her willingness to bring their relationship closer proving she really was interested in marriage (which was a qualm Jeff had in the movie with regards to whether or not she was ready or not for marriage).