Hugo (2011) - M6.9/E6

One reason I was looking forward to seeing this film was the fact that there was quite a bipolar response to it.  Uncle Orson nay-said it, while other notable critics found it entertaining.  These types of responses are usually fairer to read beforehand, as they don't tend to bias one's opinion, therefore providing a more genuine response.  Though Card does have a negative review of the film, his points are well-made and I even agree with most of them, but still found a way to enjoy the movie overall.

In short, Card summarizes, "So the movie we were promised -- Hugo the orphan repairs a mechanical man to receive a message from his father -- turns into a movie we would never have paid to see: sad old forgotten movie director gets a round of applause."

The one character I actually hated and cringed at every time he came on screen was Sacha Baron Cohen playing a crippled policeman.  I probably won't choose to watch the movie again solely for him, though the fact that the movie was very slow might  also be cause enough.

The style of the movie reminded me a lot of Finding Neverland, and you might enjoy this film if you enjoyed Finding Neverland.  The music and scenery are amazing, and the story not terribly deep, but endearing.

We're shown the importance of family and the fruits of hard work as we see Hugo lose his father and then take us with him on his quest to remain connected to his father.  We also see him work tirelessly (without pay) to keep the clocks running in the train station, which keeps him out of more trouble than he already gets into, and allows him to stay a little closer to his deceased father.   Through Hugo's courage and intellect, he brings hope to a man who's dreams had been crushed and in turn gains the friendship and love for which he'd been longing.

Watch it if you're in the mood for something easy going, but I wouldn't recommend buying it; go for RedBox or you check it out from your local library.

True Grit (2010)

Entertainment Rating: 3 of 5

This movie was very faithful to the book, but I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I remember having enjoyed John Wayne’s True Grit (it’s been a while since I’ve seen it). Some movies can do a great job at being faithful to the book (e.g., To Kill a Mocking Bird), others aren’t so great at it. Though close to the book, I still enjoyed the book better. The language in the book was very awkward and they carried that awkwardness into this film - a time in our history when contractions hadn’t been taught yet (not sure if people ever really talked like that, or if it was meant to illustrate some sort of obfuscated point.) All in all, the film was entertaining.

Moral Rating: 3 of 5

Rooster Cogburn’s grit was a good quality some of the time, and resulted in over-confidence and stubborness in other situations - that ultimately ended in a lot of people’s deaths (albeit they were bad people and deserved it, according to the marshall). There were some scenes of graphic violence (not uncommon in a Cohen Bro’s film) and mild swearing, but with western’s rare now-a-days, this is a decent one to see.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Entertainment Rating: 4 of 5

This and X-Men have been two of the best movies I’ve seen this year. I was a little concerned with how much I’d enjoy Captain America since I had a hard time getting into one of the graphic novels I picked up from the library (Winter Soldier) - I was, however, pleasantly surprised. The story was perfectly told with exception to some missing background on the Red Skull. How did he actually get a red skull face? We get bits of his history and position within the Third Reich, but not enough to really get pulled into his character. X-Men did a great job with getting us acquainted with the villain/s and I think that greatly increased the enjoyment of that film.

The music sequences were also great. It was nice to hear a little big band music come through the big screen.

[***Spoiler alert***]
I almost whooped when Steve Rogers doesn’t tell Peggy that he loves her right before he goes down. The film did a great job of depicting their relationship.

Moral Rating: 4 of 5

Through Steve Rogers, we are shown the value of and need for good character. Though that may not be what most people look for in a hero (e.g., Col. Chester Phillips - played by Tommy Lee Jones), it is a strong moral foundation that truly gives us power beyond what we think we are capable. Not that it is a power in and of itself, but it allows for God’s power to play a stronger positive role in our lives and the lives of those we touch.

Be sure to stick around until after the end of the credits for an extra scene from the movie and the first trailer for The Avengers, coming out next year!

Pay It Forward (2000)

Entertainment Rating: 4 of 5

This was more of a tear-jerker than I remembered, but still held a really good message with it (not just emotion-manipulating scenes and scores). Nothing was Romanticized or made to appear larger-than-life, which made it a really down-to-earth movie, easily enjoyed and we recommend it.

Moral Rating: 4 of 5

Trevor’s plan to change the world was set up perfectly. He was discouraged at first by apparent failure in each of his endeavors to “do something big” for someone else. Even though he was discouraged he never lost hope in the people he loved (and ultimately found it more worthwhile to focus on those close to him, rather than someone he happened to on the street).

Another important aspect of the film was the fact that most of the good deeds weren't made public and a lot of the time immediate results weren't seen.  We need to learn to do good for the sake of doing good and trust that the seeds are planted even if we don't get to see the outcome of our kindness.

We see Trevor’s mom in a typical abusive relationship, where she’s easily led to believe that her husband has “really changed.” Too many people return back to broken relationships in hopes that it can be repaired, choosing to fall back into an already existing (albeit dangerous) relationship. It seems to require too much courage and “putting one-self on the line” to make the needed change and redirection of one’s life toward progression. The scene where Mr. Simonet explains to Trevor’s mom where he got his burns is a perfect example of this battle many people face.

While this is a movie about a kid, the themes in the film are for a more mature audience.

The movie is based on a fictional novel from which the author started the Pay It Forward Foundation in hopes of spurring a movement similar to what was depicted in the story.