My parents watch It’s a Wonderful Life (1947) every single Christmas and for the first time, I watched it all the way through. I was really impressed with the amount of humor, the warmth, and the message…all without color.

George Bailey is a talented, likable, above average guy living in Bedford Falls. Bedford Falls has the opposite of opportunity for a guy like him. Through many different happenings, he is constantly held back from his opportunities. Even through all that he is wonderfully successful, marries a wonderful woman and has wonderful children. But he is tempted to suicide after a horrible mistake is made at his business.

God sends an angel (second class) to save him. This classic is original, heartwarming and shows that one person can have an huge impact on those around him.

It’s a Wonderful Life runs 130 minutes of black and white awesomeness. It is a great family film and shows that the bells and whistles of technology don’t make a movie. I give it 10 ramheads out of 10.

Movies are not the “true meaning of Christmas”–of course God sending Jesus to be our Savior is–but many Americans associate certain films with the now commercialized holiday. Christians have no problem with Christmas flicks, as long as we don’t get distracted from the importance of Jesus. I have a few timeless classics that are my favorites at this time of the year:

1. The Family Man (2000)
2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
4. A Christmas Story (1983)
5. Elf (2003)

I hope you get to watch them all this Christmas! God’s blessing to you and your family!

P.S. My favorite Christmas TV special is A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). It is 25 minutes and is awesome!

We’ve all seen “Lazy Sunday“, the Chronicles of Narnia SNL digital short. (If you haven’t, watch it now!) Andy Samberg raves about the Narnia film he’s going to see. I didn’t see it on a Sunday, but I still really enjoyed C.S. Lewis’s Christian themed fantasy novel turned film.

This film isn’t the best film you’ll ever see, but I’ll tell you that it is one of the most exciting family films I’ve seen in a while. There is sword fighting and a battle with a sea monster and more…all with a PG rating.

The exciting musical score is composed by newcomer David Arnold. He incorporated the previous Narnia theme written by Harry Gregson-Williams excellently and added brilliant new characterizations to this salty sea flick. (The Dawn Treader is the ship that the characters spend most of their time.)

This film is really quite eye-popping. I didn’t see it in 3D, because I’m sick of overpriced 3D films and the dimmer picture. I appreciate the beauty of the film and I don’t need gimmicks like 3D to make it entertaining for me. The battle sequences and fight scenes are really well done and visually believable. The story is well told, and the Christian themes definitely come out.

The only complaint I had were the characters/acting. The acting was fine, but I didn’t feel like the story was about the characters and what was going on with them. I felt like the story was being told, and the characters were just kind of there. The only character I really got in to was Eustace, played by newcomer Will Poulter. He will be the lead in the next couple Narnia films, if they get made. Even with some lackluster numbers domestically for the opening weekend, I’m praying that the worldwide totals bring in the profits necessary for another film.

Overall, this is an awesome film for everyone (even little kids). Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader runs 115 minutes and is rate PG. I give 8 ramheads out of 10.

If you haven’t seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, you may not want to read this, as I talk about what is and isn’t in the film. If you haven’t read the book, you’ll be confused.

5. Phineas Nigellus in the beaded bag

4. Harry stealing and eventually burying Mad-Eye Moody’s magical eye

3. Harry, Ron, and Hermione listening to their friends on Potterwatch radio

2. Dudley’s heartfelt goodbye with Harry

1. Harry telling off Lupin at Grimmauld place

To make room for some or all of these scenes I could have gone without the Harry-Hermione dance. It was a little weird and didn’t really go with the flow of the movie. I didn’t hate it, but I could have gone without it.

What do you think? What scenes did you want or did you not like?

About 12 hours ago I got home after a great night at the Movie. The Movie that millions have waited for. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1. This movie wasn’t a whole movie, but it was a whole half.

Part 1 will please the most fans of the books since Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in its true-ness to the books. It was exceedingly true to the books, it was more naturally adapted than some of the recent Harry Potter films, and it was very well paced. This is mostly to do with the wise decision that Warner Bros. made to split Hallows into two films. WB’s decision was good for them (more $$$) and good for fans (fewer fans angry about what they left out).

The pace of this film is what made me really happy. In the past 3 films the plot just seemed rushed and I was disappointed about certain things that were missing (especially the key plot points that are now plot holes.) In the Hallows book, the first half is mostly fearful, figuring-out-what-to-do-next camping. It is a little slow and anxious feeling. I believe that the filmmakers did an excellent job creating this feeling and pace onscreen. They really set the tone for the film right at the beginning with Voldemort and his disregard for life. He is really evil.

The acting was phenomenal. Rupert Grint gave us an outstanding emotional performance of Ron. Radcliffe is excellent and Watson is completely rid of her trying-too-hard facial expressions. The amount of care and effort is definitely visible. Also, while watching the credits I got to realize how many top-notch actors this franchise has, all of which are British (of course).

The cinematography is amazing. This film was very beautiful and the scenes were very visually pleasing. New composer for Harry Potter Alexandre Desplat’s score is superb. The only thing I wish would have been included was some more of Hedwig’s theme from John Williams’ original score. There was a little, but I would have like a little more. Other than that little detail, I loved Desplat’s work. (I’m listening to it as I type this.)

There are a few scenes from the book I wish would have been included, but I will wait until my next post to divulge.

As a story, it was incomplete. But since that is what the filmmakers were intending, I’m fine with it. It was much better than the split between Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3 as the film was just better. For those people who haven’t read the books and are casual fans of the films, this one might be a little tough to follow. That is because it isn’t shallow or flaky, it is pure plot meat. Mmm….meat. To the die hard fans, you will be pleased.

Part 1 runs 146 minutes and is rated PG-13. Definitely not a kid’s movie. I give it 10 ramheads out of 10.

-Literally?

-Well, no, not literally. That’s disgusting.

The Indy flick gone mainstream (500) Days of Summer (2009) features many of these hilarious, random lines. There are a lot of things going for this movie.

First off, the film has a lot of acting talent. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are both excellent and perfect for the roles.

The film really has no plot. It is kind of like Up in the Air in that way. In a lot of ways. This film is real. Well, no. Not really. But it does have to do with real (in the movie) characters that are not idealistic or extraordinary. This film is not like most films. It isn’t what you’d expect. The characters aren’t what you’d expect.

I was actually a little confused with some of the happenings. The characters aren’t predictable. They are just like us; they are human. This is what makes this film something different and something special. It is brilliantly written.

There was this really funny scene that reminded me of a scene from Spiderman 3. It was really cheesy and awesome. I like cheesy and awesome in ways like this.

(500) Days of Summer runs 95 minutes and is rated PG-13. (I would definitely abide by the 13-year-old-and-up rule). I give it a pleasantly surprising 8 ramheads out of 10.

The Matrix (1999) is the brain-racking story about how machines took over the world, and are creating a virtual world [The Matrix] that tricks the imprisoned humans’ minds. Neo (Keanu Reeves) gets called over to the real world (out of the Matrix) because it is thought he is the chosen one. Only through him can the war between the machines and the humans end. That is, if he is really the chosen one…

This film is a major thinker with an incredibly complex, inventive story. The most recent film I can think of that compares to it is Inception. If you have not yet seen this piece of filmographic history, I suggest you buy it now. (You can get the trilogy at Walmart for like $13).

The acting is spectacular. The music is good. The effects are awesome (even with today’s standards).

This film is in my top ten best films ever. It changed the way films were being made. It changed the way films were being watched. It definitely is a work of art.

The Matrix runs 136 minutes and is rated R. This is not a film you should show to your kids. I give it 10 ramheads out of 10.

A couple days ago I was privileged to view Dinner for Schmucks (2010). I was expecting to enjoy it, but not nearly as much as I did. Hilarious slapstick gold.

Paul Rudd plays a guy who’s trying to move up in his company. In order to do so, his boss is making him attend a dinner, but he has to invite one interesting idiot. Then he meets Barry. By meets, I mean hit with his car. Barry (Steve Carell) is a clueless, lovable man who likes taxidermy-ed mice. He is amazing. Perfect. He makes a mess, but you still love him. The film also features Zach Galifianakis (from The Hangover), Jemaine Clement (The Flight of the Conchords), and Jeff Dunham (in a small role).

The story is interesting, the acting is phenomenal, and the humor is the funniest I’ve seen since Anchorman. Props to Steve Carell.

Dinner for Schmucks runs 114 minutes and is rated PG-13. I would abide by the 13 rule. I give it a deserved 9 ramheads out of 10.

…I just watched License to Wed (2007). It stars Robin Williams as Reverend Frank who takes Mandy Moore and The Office‘s John Krasinski through extreme premarital counseling.

Just a precursor: this film is not the best ever, nor does it pretend to be. It is a humorous, light, romantic comedy with a decent message. It does miss a lot of points, especially with a reverend as a main character. God is only mentioned and the premarital sex is not at all frowned upon.

It’s not my favorite film, but it is one that I’ve watched–and laughed at–more than once. License to Wed runs 91 minutes and is rated PG-13. I give a replayable, above average rating of 7 ramheads out of 10.