Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance and Adaptation
Runtime: 2 hrs, 1 min
Rating: PG-13 for a scene of sensuality and some violence.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Lena Olin, Alfred Molina, Carrie-Anne Moss
Synopsis: Vianne Rocher and her 6-year-old daughter move to a small village in southern France, near Toulouse, and open a chocolate shop across from the church, just as the town is preparing to observe Lent. The parish priest is horrified, especially since Vianne keeps her tempting shop open on Sundays. In time, the arrival of the mother/daughter team and their shop transforms the conservative and religious locals into open-minded, fun-loving people.
This movie has become a favorite and a yearly classic to watch at Easter, so I was surprised as I watched it this time to have discovered a new insight in the movie. There are so many things that can be touched on in this movie, but as I've mentioned before, when interpreting a "parable" it is important to focus on only one aspect, and this time I want to focus on something new.
Seeing as the name of the movie is Chocolat and one of the main characters is in fact chocolate, I want to focus on this aspect of the movie. I want us to think of the chocolate (yes, all of it) as Jesus. Now, I'm not going to try to make comparisons between chocolate and Jesus, rather I want to focus on the role of chocolate in the movie and the idea of Christ.
When Jesus came to Earth, He came into a world that was "pious" and "religious", much like the chocolate. Also like the chocolate, Jesus caused quite a stir and the religious leaders of His day tried to get rid of Him.
There is one scene in particular that I want to focus on in this comparison. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
Near the end of the movie, the Comte de Reynaud (Molina)--the pious mayor who has spent the entire 40 days of Lent fasting--has reached his breaking point and believes that he has to take drastic measures in order to make sure that the chocolate (and it's maker) leave his town. So, he sneaks into the chocolate shop and, using a letter opener, begins hacking and stabbing the beautiful chocolate sculptures decorating the front window display. In what one could call a providential instant, a small piece of chocolate lands on the Comte's lip as he's destroying the display. He briefly touches it with his finger and then his tongue, as he does, something inside of him breaks and he begins to devour the chocolate that he was just destroying.
Watching this scene, I was struck with how similar it was to the moment that Christ enters a life. All too often we get caught up with the dos and don'ts of religion and lose sight of Christ's counter-culture attitude. But when we come into personal contact with Him, when we allow Him to touch our lives in a miraculous way, nothing will ever be the same. We just need to stop fighting Him, stop trying to destroy what He came to rebuild, and indulge in Him.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Secret Window
When this movies first came out, I truly had no desire to watch it...not because I thought it was scary or anything...but as much as I love Johnny Depp, the previews didn't appeal to me. Go figure, that a friend recommends it, I watch it, and my original decision about the movie was affirmed.
Genre: Drama, Suspense/Horror, Thriller and Adaptation
Run time: 1 hr, 37 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence/terror, sexual content and language.
Starring: Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton, Charles Dutton
Synopsis: Though he knows he should be at his computer writing another book, or at least walking his dog along the sparkling lake outside his dingy cabin, successful author Mort Rainey is sleeping on his favorite sofa for up to 16 hours a day. He is in the midst of a painful divorce and everything about the breakup has turned messy and unpleasant. It has sapped his energy and siphoned away his creativity, leaving him with a monumental case of writer's block that renders him incapable of even stringing a simple sentence together. Then, when it seems as if things can't possibly get worse, a psychotic stranger named John Shooter shows up at his doorstep, accuses Rainey of plagiarizing his story and demands satisfaction. Despite Rainey's efforts to placate him, Shooter becomes increasingly insistent and hostile, intimating a twisted sort of justice that could include cold-blooded murder. Forced into a mind-bending game of cat and mouse, Rainey discovers that he has more cunningness and gritty determination than he ever imagined. In the end, he realizes that elusive Shooter may know him better than he knows himself.
I was so disappointed with this movie, that it took me two days to realize that I could, and probably should, blog about this movie. At first glance, this movie is about a crazy author as he deals with personal demons, the most recent of which is catching his wife cheating and going through the ensuing divorce. After that scenario has been set up, another wrench is thrown into the wreck that is Mort's (Depp) life, when a psychopath claims that Mort plagiarized his book. Upon finishing the movie I figured it was a waste of time to blog about it because it was a simple case of "sin and consequences."
After further thinking about the movie, I've decided that it's a little deeper than that...
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!!
Near the end of the movie, it comes to light that Mort and Shooter are one in the same, the only difference is that Shooter is the dark side of Mort, the one who is willing to do what Mort would normally not do. He's able to disassociate himself from this inner darkness and deny it until it faces him head-on. At this point, Mort has a choice to make, embrace the darkness or deny it full reign.
We all have this darkness within us. As Christians we call this darkness sin. Sometimes we deny that this darkness exists within us, sometimes we ignore it and let it run its course without any interference from us, and sometimes we embrace the darkness. Every single one of us is capable of unimaginable and terrible things if this darkness is left unchecked. But as Christians, we know that there is one stronger than the darkness, that He is the only way to overcome the darkness.
Whether or not you see this movie is up to you. I personally wouldn't recommend this movie, but I know many people who have enjoyed it...to each his own...
Genre: Drama, Suspense/Horror, Thriller and Adaptation
Run time: 1 hr, 37 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence/terror, sexual content and language.
Starring: Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton, Charles Dutton
Synopsis: Though he knows he should be at his computer writing another book, or at least walking his dog along the sparkling lake outside his dingy cabin, successful author Mort Rainey is sleeping on his favorite sofa for up to 16 hours a day. He is in the midst of a painful divorce and everything about the breakup has turned messy and unpleasant. It has sapped his energy and siphoned away his creativity, leaving him with a monumental case of writer's block that renders him incapable of even stringing a simple sentence together. Then, when it seems as if things can't possibly get worse, a psychotic stranger named John Shooter shows up at his doorstep, accuses Rainey of plagiarizing his story and demands satisfaction. Despite Rainey's efforts to placate him, Shooter becomes increasingly insistent and hostile, intimating a twisted sort of justice that could include cold-blooded murder. Forced into a mind-bending game of cat and mouse, Rainey discovers that he has more cunningness and gritty determination than he ever imagined. In the end, he realizes that elusive Shooter may know him better than he knows himself.
I was so disappointed with this movie, that it took me two days to realize that I could, and probably should, blog about this movie. At first glance, this movie is about a crazy author as he deals with personal demons, the most recent of which is catching his wife cheating and going through the ensuing divorce. After that scenario has been set up, another wrench is thrown into the wreck that is Mort's (Depp) life, when a psychopath claims that Mort plagiarized his book. Upon finishing the movie I figured it was a waste of time to blog about it because it was a simple case of "sin and consequences."
After further thinking about the movie, I've decided that it's a little deeper than that...
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!!
Near the end of the movie, it comes to light that Mort and Shooter are one in the same, the only difference is that Shooter is the dark side of Mort, the one who is willing to do what Mort would normally not do. He's able to disassociate himself from this inner darkness and deny it until it faces him head-on. At this point, Mort has a choice to make, embrace the darkness or deny it full reign.
We all have this darkness within us. As Christians we call this darkness sin. Sometimes we deny that this darkness exists within us, sometimes we ignore it and let it run its course without any interference from us, and sometimes we embrace the darkness. Every single one of us is capable of unimaginable and terrible things if this darkness is left unchecked. But as Christians, we know that there is one stronger than the darkness, that He is the only way to overcome the darkness.
Whether or not you see this movie is up to you. I personally wouldn't recommend this movie, but I know many people who have enjoyed it...to each his own...
Eat Pray Love
I'm sorry about the hiatus, but I'M BACK! And what a movie to start with. Although this could be considered a "chick-flick" I prefer to call it a "real life quest".
Genre: Drama and Adaptation
Run time: 2 hrs, 13 min
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity
Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup
Synopsis: Liz Gilbert had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.
Although Liz Gilbert's (Roberts) mention of God is brief, the entire movie is her journey to a deeper understanding of life, God, and spirituality. Despite the obvious leanings toward Eastern religions, I found that much of what Gilbert discovered on her quest could be applied to any and all religions, including Christianity.
The idea of enjoying life is the first lesson that Gilbert learns during her time in Italy. While in Italy, she learns to enjoy food, to take a break from life/stress, and to enjoy life as she's been given. By the end of her stay, she has discovered a passion for life that many in the West have lost in the midst of work and entertainment.
The next stop on Gilbert's quest is India, where she lives in an Ashram and attempts to meditate and pray. I could personally understand her problems with meditation...I find it so difficult to shut off my brain and focus on one single thought, idea, or even Bible verse. But more than the focus on prayer and meditation, there were two things that I found pertinent to this section of the movie. 1) Gilbert was adamantly told by another member of the ashram, that it wasn't her job to forgive her husband or hope that he could forgive her, instead she had to forgive herself. How many of us have this problem? We know in our heads that God has forgiven us, but we don't feel forgiven and we can't forget what we've done. Part of the forgiveness process is learning to forgive ourselves. 2) Just before leaving India, Gilbert comes to a profound realization: God doesn't expect a specific type of research, or a strict form of behavior, instead God meets us where we are and uses us how we are.
Finally, on the last leg of her trip, Gilbert continues her study of balance and meditation in Bali, only to discover that true healing only comes through love. As Christians, we are deeply aware of this fact, for had it not been the love of God, we would not have had the opportunity for reconciliation with Him. "For God so loved the world..."
So...the four things that I walked away from this movie with are 1) enjoy the life that God has given us, take time to enjoy it; 2) we must forgive ourselves before we forgive ourselves before we can hope to forgive others; 3) God works in mysterious ways, we should not limit Him to certain times, places, or activities; and 4) LOVE is everything!
I highly recommend this movie to everyone, but especially to those who are on a similar journey...
Genre: Drama and Adaptation
Run time: 2 hrs, 13 min
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity
Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup
Synopsis: Liz Gilbert had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali.
Although Liz Gilbert's (Roberts) mention of God is brief, the entire movie is her journey to a deeper understanding of life, God, and spirituality. Despite the obvious leanings toward Eastern religions, I found that much of what Gilbert discovered on her quest could be applied to any and all religions, including Christianity.
The idea of enjoying life is the first lesson that Gilbert learns during her time in Italy. While in Italy, she learns to enjoy food, to take a break from life/stress, and to enjoy life as she's been given. By the end of her stay, she has discovered a passion for life that many in the West have lost in the midst of work and entertainment.
The next stop on Gilbert's quest is India, where she lives in an Ashram and attempts to meditate and pray. I could personally understand her problems with meditation...I find it so difficult to shut off my brain and focus on one single thought, idea, or even Bible verse. But more than the focus on prayer and meditation, there were two things that I found pertinent to this section of the movie. 1) Gilbert was adamantly told by another member of the ashram, that it wasn't her job to forgive her husband or hope that he could forgive her, instead she had to forgive herself. How many of us have this problem? We know in our heads that God has forgiven us, but we don't feel forgiven and we can't forget what we've done. Part of the forgiveness process is learning to forgive ourselves. 2) Just before leaving India, Gilbert comes to a profound realization: God doesn't expect a specific type of research, or a strict form of behavior, instead God meets us where we are and uses us how we are.
Finally, on the last leg of her trip, Gilbert continues her study of balance and meditation in Bali, only to discover that true healing only comes through love. As Christians, we are deeply aware of this fact, for had it not been the love of God, we would not have had the opportunity for reconciliation with Him. "For God so loved the world..."
So...the four things that I walked away from this movie with are 1) enjoy the life that God has given us, take time to enjoy it; 2) we must forgive ourselves before we forgive ourselves before we can hope to forgive others; 3) God works in mysterious ways, we should not limit Him to certain times, places, or activities; and 4) LOVE is everything!
I highly recommend this movie to everyone, but especially to those who are on a similar journey...
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