film: Lady in the Water

I fell into doubt again. Whenever a Shyamalan movie comes out I get excited, then the trailers show it as a horror, and I don’t know why, but every time I fall into thinking that "this is the one I’m not going to like." Wrong again- for the 5th time.
Here is all the background you need before watching: Its not a horror movie, it's not a scary movie, although it does have scary in it- about as much as Sleeping Beauty had. This is a bed time story inspired by a story Shyamalan used to tell to his daughers- willful suspension of disbelief required. You get the whole plot of the film in the first 5 minutes, and runs very much like a fable you used to have your parent read to you when you were little. As is always the case: the dialogue is spectacular, the moments of comedy pure, the morality very clean, and the messages poignant.

There are some great things said in the Prologue. Man in the beginning received guidance from beings who were not Men, and then Man modernized itself. I wish I could quote the whole prologue right here, “and now, they are trying again. . .but Man may have forgotten how to listen.” Man not listening is repeated twice. Which is both interesing, and true- most of the reviews I’ve read commented about how the story is unconventional and childish- duh! It’s a child’s bedtime story of course its unconventional and childish (on the surface at least). The reviewers didn’t say much about anything that was actually important.

Why is it that people tell stories? From the begining of time till now, what purpose does storytelling have? Do they even have a place in our society? Now lets talk about film- Why do people make film? What purpose does our society give to film? And do the purposes of stories and the purposes of films ever cross paths? Is there room to be unconventional?- I think maybe there is.

Mr. Night did do one thing which to this day I’m not quite sure about- he cast himself as the ‘person to bring about great change,’ the one who will be martyred in the future, the one who received ‘enlightenment.’ It seems haughty to me, but as for making a point- he’s making it loud and clear. He says his inspiration of the character and book came from Harriett Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and how it later affected Lincoln(1). This lastest film is sort of commentary on his other 4. I think that society as a whole has missed the mark and entirely misinterpreted his films. Even though his movies do entertain- as the box office proves, that's not his main purpose. His movies are largely about bettering yourself, finding your role in life, and performing that role- you can see all these in his other movies. So Lady in the Water comes out and he is cast as he is and its kind of like a slap in the face to everyone that sees nothing more in his movies than "a cool twist ending" or "really scary" or "it was dumb because I knew the twist from the start."

Now that I’ve waded into all this thematic stuff, let me wade out. Pay it Forward was all about values, and good message, and tried to change the world, all noble and stuff, and yet, I didn’t like the movie at all (besides Osment- he was great)- I know- I’m a terrible person, aren’t I? The director /writer was trying so hard to change the world- it just got annoying, and as we can see- the world did not change. However, I did like Lady- it wasn’t over the top for me, it somehow had a balance that I needed. Maybe because it was presented simply as an innocent story.

There are plenty of cherries on top after everything else is done. Being childlike, or having the attributes of a child is important in this story. People are granted special powers, and are drawn to live certain places to affect the world (does that sound familiar? hint- he made an entire film about just this...), but they aren’t ever told who they are. Everyone is given different gifts. Bryce Dallas Howard both acts well, and is simply beautiful on screen. A theme repeated from Signs and the Village is having close family die, and having to go on living with the grief, and how that is dealt with. When the writer /director throws in a line like "your faces remind me of God" you can get a feel for what kind of movie this is- polar opposite from MI:3. I won't spoil the line in case you haven't seen it, but he is being serious. I don't think a lot of other directors could pull off as well the emotional story mixed in with all the other aspects of good film. And I have to say, I've wondered before "what would happen if you only worked out one half of your body?" and I was tickled that apparently so did Shyamalan. The conclusion of the "film reviewer" is wonderful (is he trying to say somthing??). There are lots of things to think about afterward: like reflecting on moments in your past when it seems "the universe lines up and reveals that you're on the right path."
This is a good clean movie for almost all ages- the scary scenes however make it not a kid’s movie- I know, kind of ironic huh?Jerman’s rating: 4 steps forward- no steps back. If you liked any of this other movies, or you like movies that’ll make you ponder afterward- this is one for you.

film: V for Vendetta

Background:
V for Vendetta is based off of a graphic novel (comic book), which I have not read. If you pay attention closely you can catch yourself up to speed. But if you already know some background you can pay attention to other things (like Natalie Portman). This movie starts a number of years in the future where it seems extensive biological warfare has happened. The world is majorly screwed up. America and a bunch of other countries are “leper colonies”, but we don’t care – this story is only about England, who not only is doing ok after the biological attacks but has turned into a (Christian) theocracy, run by religious conservatives, which is rather important- kind of what the entire movie is about.
Apart from the authors of the comic book, the creators of Vendetta were included in the Matrix’s, the plot points, revelations, and action scenes all feel familiar. We are introduced to all the important players quickly, but not as quickly as we pick up the fact that the script and acting is fantastic, not something just any teenager would appreciate. This film has been accused of being pro-terrorist, which it is, but at the same time, it would be important to reflect what is good and what is bad, if we- as human beings- know the difference, then you will understand how simply saying “pro-terrorist” isn’t saying the whole story.
There are many things a religion or religious government wouldn’t be excited about, I found it very interesting that the Wachowski brothers used, as a symbol of religious intolerance a gay subplot. In my opinion it was done very tactfully, it was well executed, perhaps one of the most beautiful and enlightening scenes of the film.
Aside form that the movie touches heavily on what people use religion for, and politics (form of governments) for and sociologically doing, or not doing, what you know is right.
This movie has deep veins from The Enlightenment era and ways of thinking. Dare to know, everything must be questioned, freedom, peace, democracy, definition of goverment and the like. The idea of "dare to look into Galileo's telescope" and find out for yourself- the truth is out there and demands to be known. Something every traditionalist society and organization calls "dangerous ideas."
For any who cares about content or MPAA: there are enough F’s to make it R by itself, several dozen references to deity, and one brief scene of unrealistic blood gushing.

Jerman’s rating: 3 steps forward-1 step back. If you like either 1984(novel) or any Matrix you would like this. A must-see for anyone who is affected by their own or another’s religion.

church: Learn the Dance Moves

While mingling with church people this week I was re-ticked off about something I've been ticked off about for a while. It seems to me that the grand majority of people in the church perform assignments (callings, speaking, giving lessons, special assignments, etc) in a certain manor- as if there was a specified dance. The new seminary teacher recently called to the position assumes the duty and 'does the seminary-teacher-dance' until released, happy to not have to dance for a bit, then when called again starts dancing to whatever new assignment was given. I would use the term 'going through the motions' but I don’t like it. This concept of dancing came from the music video "Stand" by REM- each profession has an associated dance- but there is no possession. A Bishop does what he thinks he ought to do, a speaker says what he thinks he ought to, a teacher does his job as if there were pre-established dance moves - do the dance moves and you automatically do a good job. This group of people is frustrating. I have never had a good lesson or experience from this group of people so far in my life. Whenever a good job is done its because the person takes ownership of the job. Bishop says: this is my ward, I can do with it what I want, I can be creative. In one group the assignment enslaves the person, and in the good group the person enslaves the assignment - the assignment dances while the person tells it how.

The movie ”John Q” is also about this subject- except leaves the church world (didn't really like the movie much but was slightly redeemed by thematics). This whole thing applies to any profession. So if you're going to be a teacher- don’t dance as a good teacher dances, because then you're just going to suck. you need ownership

some Confusion Over My Name

As you can see my name is "theJerman" from which comes the title of the blog. Perhaps a short story will clear things up. When I was young, ignorant and illiterate, I thought my name was spelled Benjerman, and since "ben" is much too common a nickname for everyone with that name- and Ive spent the majority of my life living in Germany- I figure that Jerman is just as good an online-nickname /penname as anything.

the Historic First Post

After all this time of wanting to write a blog, I finally have the moitivation to actually create one(grade for a class), the first steps have been taken, now all I have to do is keep updating with what I need to write.
After three weeks of vacationing in Germanyland with my family I return to BYU to finish my education. . .