Life Itself (2018) Review 7/10

 The film begins strangely to say the least, but don’t turn it off, give it 10 minutes and you’ll settle into the movie.  Settled may not be the right word because you never know who is narrating the movie until way later. Some reviews say the narrator is annoying, but I liked it and it keeps you wondering “who is it?”  I like movies with flashbacks and things out of sequence which is maybe why I also love anything with time travel in it. 

The cast is stocked with many experienced actors such as Isaac who does a masterful job of playing a man haunted by the loss of his wife.  My wife and I practically jumped out of our chairs at one point while watching this film.   Mandy Patinkin plays the soft-hearted role as Will’s father. Characters come and go quickly startling the audience, but they are acted so well you feel all of it.  Banderas’ character is somewhat of a mystery which I liked.  Costa is easy to like and plays the long-suffering woman caught between two men’s egos. There is a philosophical message to the film and Olivia Wilde is interesting because what we learn about her is mostly from the mental images and memory of her husband played by Isaac. As in real life we don’t always remember things as they actually were. 

The film reminded me of the TV series ‘This is Us’ the way it jumps around making it hard to follow if you miss anything, but I liked it.  In the parade of characters we begin to know and then they are gone. For me this actually helped me relate to what the character must have felt.    Monner is introduced to many American things not the least of which is the craziest and most intense April fool’s joke I’ve ever seen.  I won’t spoil that for you.  Some viewers will feel dazed, but I got that ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ & ‘Up’ vibe that one life touches so many others and its what we do with the cards we are dealt that defines us like Cortez’s character eludes.  To me this is the moral of the story.  She tells Monner her son that life will bring you to your knees but that he must get back up because love is just ahead if you keep going.  Get up and keep going.  I love this message and it’s true.  I’m 61 as I write this review and I realized later in life that if I hadn’t kept going in my marriage and on the job etc. I would never have gotten to where I am now.  Life is tough for everyone and one moment I can feel like I want to die and the next day I’m loving life and I have to wonder in those quiet moments of inner reflection “what happened to those bad feelings”  “where did they go?”

I marvel at reviews that say this movie is too unrealistic or extreme because dah that is the reason we go the movies.  If we wanted realistic and normal we would stay home.  I want extremes and to feel something.  I want to see other points of view, and fantasy and epic stuff. 

 We first see Abby snuggling with Will discussing a Bob Dylan album “Time Out of Mind”.  For half my readers I will define Red Herring; something, especially a clue, that is or is intended to be misleading or distracting. A red herring is anything that leads you away from the truth for instance when trying to solve a crime or mystery.  The reason I mention that is because in the beginning of this film Will is in turmoil & we cannot be certain what we see is actually what happened (thus a red herring).  It makes it difficult to know what really happened until we have more evidence.  Will is mentally unstable which we all relate to at some point in our lives. 

The movie is done in acts like a Broadway play.  Abby’s college thesis is on the concept of the unreliable narrator. She explains to Will that the ultimate unreliable narrator is “life.” I agree.  Most of life is completely out of our control and the only thing we can do is make choices moment by moment and hope they work out as they conflict with everyone else’s choices around the world.  Life is a kind of game with rules and cultural norms done in real time with few second chances and no do overs.  Life is relentless and exciting and horrifying all in one lifetime.  We cannot choose our parents or where we are born.  We cannot be someone else only ourselves. We cannot choose what century we are born.  Cortez had it right – life brings us all to our knees and we must choose whether or not to get up and seek love.  God said essentially the same thing but from the Creator of the universe chair.  He said I have set before you life and death; choose life and that life is in my Son Jesus Christ alone.  He said you will seek and me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.  That doesn’t mean God is hiding from us as some suppose, but it means you must be all-in.  God takes second fiddle to no one.  He sent his Son to die for us because we couldn’t do it on our own and the price for getting that great salvation is all-in surrender by faith in His Son Jesus Christ.  Life is uncertain as this film makes clear, but it also makes clear we are to strive for love regardless of what cards we are dealt.  I like the film. 

 

REBUILDING YOUR LIFE

 

Read the book of Nehemiah about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  It’s a lesson to us today on how to persevere and rebuild our spiritual lives which can be a great help us in our daily lives on how we can also persevere.  Most of life is completely out of our control which makes us all feel helpless at times.  Here are some lessons from Nehemiah that can help you if you apply them:

First let me first describe some symptoms that you may be off mission in your life:

1.       1 .Spiritual growth slows or ceases

2.       2. Attention shifts away from your mission (urgent things that in reality may not be that important)

3.       3. Attention shifts to our obstacles

4.       4. Pessimism prevails

5.       5. Obstacles seem bigger than they are – funny how some distance makes everything seem smaller

6.       6. Fear sets in

The only time its easy being a leader is when one is not needed. 

There are times when folks won’t fight for country or even God, but they will fight for their brother or father or mother etc.  A godly leader knows how to correctly motivate his people for the good of the city and or state.

Fear is contagious, but courage is even more so.  Be strong and of good courage when your cause is just. People don’t plan to fail, but they do fail to plan and don’t forget security measures as necessary.  Evil doesn’t play fair so do what you must to persevere keeping the faith. Don’t be short sited remember the long game is also important.  Don’t forget many in the Bible gave their lives for the cause of Christ. We are in good company if it comes to that.  You may be afraid at times, but stay the course and remember in whom you have believed and put your ultimate trust. 

Now here are the things you can do when you are having a tough time:

1.       1. Stop feeling sorry for yourself – its actually hurting you more

2.      2.  Be faithful

3.       3. Remember tough times don’t last forever – God wins!

4.      4.  Learn any lessons you need to learn – don’t waste your pain

5.      5. Silence the distractions – you don’t need the constant noise; get alone and pray like Jesus did

6.       6. Plant some new seed (be about Gods work, use your gifts, kindness, mercy, prayer, giving, listening, teaching, coaching, art, music, administration, business etc.)

7.       7. Live in victory! Those in Christ are a child of the King of Kings no matter your situation & feelings

 

Hanna 2019 TV series Review 10/10

 

Hanna (TV series 2019)

I found this series very engaging and fun to watch.  It begins with a father and daughter in the forest living alone in a highly disciplined manner.  The physical training and survival skills make it clear the father was in special ops or something similar in the past and you quickly understand they are off the grid.

I’ve seen the first 2 seasons and hope they do more.  Hanna is the star of the show, but the series has plenty of other interesting characters.  Marissa is my second favorite character who at first hunts Hanna and her father Erik, but then changes her mind due to various complicated reasons few others are aware of.  Also I think Marissa actually begins to let her heart influence her which in her line of work can be very dangerous. 

The episodes move quickly. I was amazed at how much content could be packed into each episode.  It’s a thriller coming of age drama with a ‘Bourne Identity’ feel.  Sinister forces are at work attempting to build an army of female assassins from youth who have no family looking for them.  Brainwashing and training are crucial to success along with integrating them into society. It’s a fun kick-butt ride literally.  Pun intended.  Unconditional love, friendship, avoiding capture, lies and deception and twists and turns abound.  The search for truth and Hanna’s hatred of lies was refreshing.  She understood the difference between lying to protect a loved one and lying to hurt and manipulate.  And she also understood truth ‘does’ exist and cannot be manipulated and interpreted differently thus meaning something else to different people – in other words people cannot make up their own truth.  Hanna understood all that nonsense to be exactly that – nonsense.  Truth is the truth no matter what anyone thinks or believes.  Example the earth revolves around the sun.  You can believe anything you want it doesn't change facts and even when no human on earth knew this fact it was still true. 

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

I hope you relish this series as much as I. 

The Queens Gambit (TV miniseries Netflix 2020) Review 10/10

 

The Queens Gambit (TV miniseries Netflix 2020) Review 10/10

This is a serious drama revolves around chess.  Why the ten rating you ask.  Because it really hits home to what it means to be human.  When I saw the trailer, the chess got my attention and the actress was cast perfectly for the part.  Casting for the entire series was outstanding.  I was a lad in the 60s myself maybe that’s partly what got my attention as well.  It is so well written and if you read my reviews I hate to give too much away as I believe each viewer should be surprised and feel the essence of the film for themselves and not have half of it given away before they’ve seen it. 

The series never loses stride and it uses flashback which I have grown to love in movies.  When done well its hard to beat.  It takes us on a journey of a young orphan girl into a man’s world of chess and world travel.  You also get the feel of her entire life in this short series – no small feat.  It made me realize again life is worth living not just for yourself, but for others though at the same time how important it is to take care of yourself along the way.  It showed me afresh how we can learn anything in 4 or 5 years regardless of our age.  I saw friends rally around those in need.  I witnessed human drama at its highs and lows which we all go through one way or another.  It tears down walls and shows us the cost of certain life choices and the need for helpers along the way.  It’s the adage ‘no man is an island’ though we are indeed a universe unto ourselves in many ways.  It showed me we must fight our self mostly to do what is right and good – it rarely comes easily. 

You will find yourself rooting for her and crying with her and glad for that phone call.  You find yourself wanting to talk with her and give her advice, but you can’t – its only a movie.  But I for one think stories are magical and powerful things turning the hearts of people for good or evil. 

You see how our past is always with us but can be used to motivate us to do better or destroy us if we’re not careful.  I hope you enjoy this period piece that is timeless in its lessons of love and friendship and hard knocks, respect and finding a place in this life. Enjoy.