Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Two Very Different (But Worthwhile) Movies

from the mom

We recently watched Facing the Giants. I am always a bit relunctant to run out and rent a known "Christian" movie. They are usually horribly disappointing on all levels. But I had read good things about this one and it was about football. So we rented it.

Christianity Today didn't like it at all (one out of four stars), so I wasn't expecting much. And yes, the plot was a little formulaic, and sometimes the theology seemed a little easy and unrealistic. Some of the acting was bad; some of it was pretty good. But this movie was a faith-builder. It was inspirational. And it made me proud to be a believer. Plus, Ben really liked the football scenes. For a little movie made by a church on a shoestring budget, it was pretty good. I hope the Kendrick brothers will make a few more movies in the future.

This weekend we watched The Queen. Helen Mirren rightfully won the best actress Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in this movie. She was fabulous. And so was Michael Sheen as Tony Blair. The other actors did a fine job portraying people that are alive and well and known to the general public. The story is a fine look at the way the Royals and the Blair camp reacted to the death (and the public's response to it) of Princess Diana. If you ever wanted to know how it all came down, this movie gives an insider's view. And it is worth watching just to catch Mirren's performance.

1 comment:

Janice Phillips said...

I quite agree w/you re: Facing the Giants, worth the watch if nothing more that to make one more aware of the need to be salt/light.

Have you seen Mirren in QE1? That was really good, too.