Movie Review: A Man Called Otto

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A lovely comedy/drama. \\

This is a film that rests heavily on its main character. Luckily this character is its strongest asset. Though the character is a very grumpy man and often yells at everyone, he is also a character that it does not take long for us to grow to care for. Why we should care about this character is well set up very early on. You seem him, outwardly act grumpy and rude towards his new neighbors (who will play an important role in the film as a whole) but do nice things for them while acting this way. He helps them park their car and fixes certain things around the house. This little touch simply tells us so much about the character. We can tell that he is very angry and lets this emotion take over, but underneath that he has a good heart and in spite of his anger at the world around him, he simply can't help but to stop and help others. The movie doesn't have any dialogue directly stating this about him, but anyone watching can easily pick up on that and that is an example of well-done filmmaking. Unlike many lesser films that explore similar characters, this movie understands the idea of showing instead of telling and that makes it all the more effective and makes the character all the more real. Of course, this character's likability is helped by having the great Tom Hanks in the role. Tom is a true movie star with a charm and relatability in each of his roles that always seems completely natural. Because of the character is even likable and charming in his angriest moments. Yet he is not the only one who shines in this cast. Mariana Treviño is truly wonderful as one of his neighbors across the street. She also brings a sheer amount of likability and charisma to this character that makes it so she steals nearly every scene that she is in. 

One of the best things about this movie however is how well it balances the comedy and the drama. While this is often a really funny movie, it also has no fear to go into darker and more serious places. This film deals with our main character's pain after losing his wife and multiple suicide attempts from him due to this pain. This may seem like heavy stuff for what is supposed to be a feel-good film, but that is just why it works. To be able to find joy in the midst of great pain is a powerful thing and that is what this movie provides. Despite being a feel-good film, it never trivializes or tones down these darker moments and that makes the feel-good moments all the more effective. The use of comedy also helps immensely as it helps us through these darker moments. At the same time the humor works well because it is wonderfully worked into the drama. The humor often comes from the main character's grumpiness and various remarks about what is wrong with the world around him. As funny as these moments are they are also character moments that come directly from the emotional place this character is in. Therefore it does not feel abrupt when the tone switches from comedic to dramatic (or the other way around), because both the comedy and the drama come from exactly the same place. 

If I had a complaint about this movie it would be that the side characters are often very one note, but this feels like a small complaint as it never affected my enjoyment or emotional involvement with the film. 

A true delight. 

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: The Bishop's Wife (1947)

 

One of the best Christmas movies ever made. 

This film has a storyline that is simply hard to resist. Around Christmas time a bishop (David Niven) is spending all his time focusing on building a new church. The stress and overwork are making him increasingly unhappy and distant from his beautiful wife (Loretta Young). In a time of desperation, he says a prayer for guidance and an angel (Cary Grant) appears to help him. However, when the angel makes his wife the happiest, she has been in a while, he starts to suspect the angel is trying to steal her away from him.

This film did not come about easily. The original director was William A. Seiter, who my fellow Laurel and Hardy fans might know as the director of the classic Sons of the Desert (1933). However Samuel Goldwyn did not like how the film was progressing and replaced him with Harry Koster as the director. The angel was originally going to be played by David Niven, and the Bishop by Dana Andrews, and Tersea Wright as the wife. However Tersea Wright had to leave due to pregnancy. The wife was to be played now by Loretta Young. However she was under contract to RKO. Dana Andrews was traded to RKO in order for MGM to get Young. The Bishop part was given to Cary Grant. However it was discovered that Grant would work better as the angel, so Niven and Grant traded roles. On top of all this the preview did not go well. Goldwyn was unhappy with Leonardo Bercovici and Robert E. Sherwood's script, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett were hired to refine the script, both without receiving credit. The film did well with critics, but less so with an audience. Because of this the title was temporary changed to Cary and the Bishop's Wife. Adding Cary Grant's first name to the title somehow did increase the box office results somewhat.

Even with all those issues to overcome, this turned out to be a near perfect movie. Everything in this film works near perfectly. The fantasy element is wonderful and this whole movie comes off as a wonderful Christmas themed fairy tale. The film only gets more magical as the more times you watch it. The romance is simply wonderful. This may be one of the most touching romances in movie history. The chemistry between all three leads is fantastic and there is never a single scene about the romance where it is not 100% believable. The humor is delightful. While the film may not always be laugh out loud funny, it does always keep a smile firmly on your face. There are also a few really good laugh out loud moments. What really makes the movie work though is the little moments that are simply charming. There is such a sweet an irresistible charm to scenes like the ice-skating scene and the choir scene, that gives one that heartwarming Christmas feeling. 

This is a film that always gives me a great feeling of joy every time I watch it. 

Movie Review: Cuando Sea Joven

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A really charming comedy film from Mexico. 

This movie's plot is one that may not be exactly original. An older woman finds herself turning back into her 22-year-old self and gets a second chance at the life she missed out on. However this film stands above many similar movies because there is such a real undeniable charm to it and this charm lasts for the film's whole run time. The main characters are all simply delightful and while they each ay have their faults, there is a real likability to all of them. Over the course of the film, the characters feel more and more real to us. This is why even during the most cliché and predictable moments (which there are quite a bit), you never stop caring about them and the charm never wears off. The way the characters relate to and interact with each other is also wonderful. The scenes between the now younger grandmother and her grandson are simply delightful and really brought a smile to my face. This film is laugh out loud funny. Though this movie has all the typical jokes you might expect, they work exceptionally well here. Even though these may not be original jokes, the delivery, writing and characters are all so delightful that they are really funny. I expected to smile at this movie ore than actually laughing, but I ending up laughing a whole lot watching this film. What an incredibly pleasant surprise that was.     

This is simply a delight of a movie. 

Movie Review: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A very sweet and warmhearted movie.

This film is very much a fairytale. This is not as much true in what happens but in how the story is told. Like most fairytales this film is dedicated to all those who dare to dream and who believe their dreams can really come true. This is a very important factor because it is what makes the film feel so completely believable. While nothing in this movie is impossible, most everything is very improbable. Yet it is just the kind of dreams come true type of story that so many people love. To simply see a good-hearted person, achieve all their dreams is something that simply makes one feel good, and that is just what happens in this movie. Mrs. Harris here is a character who is hard not to like. While she is not completely perfect, she is the type of person we would all want for a friend. In other words she is someone who knows how to put other people in front of herself. Yet at the same time she always conducts herself with dignity and respect. There is no doubt she belongs just as much in the fashion world as any of the wealthier characters in the movie.  Her dream to see herself in one of these expensive dresses, makes so much sense because there is a certain indescribable elegance to her even as a house cleaner. She is a Pollyanna type of character, who can even turn around the most cynical people in the fashion world. Yet this is handled in a way that is never cloying. None of this would work though if she wasn't played by the right actress. Luckily Lesley Manville (who you may remember played a very different character in a fashion-based film in Phantom Thread (2017)) is wonderful. She plays the character with such charm and grace that even the most sugar-coated moments feel believable. 

This is also a very beautiful looking movie. Important for a movie about fashion, the costume work is wonderful. As beautiful as a lot of the fancy dresses made at Dior's are, where I really appreciated this work was in how Mrs. Harris was dressed as a cleaning lady. The clothes she wore may not have been expensive or fancy, but they looked good on her and showed us that this is a character, who cares about looking nice and keeping a good appearance. She is not a character who would ever be out in raggedy or ugly clothes and this just illustrates the dignity that she conducts herself with. This movie could also be an advertisement for Paris. While countless films have shown us how beautiful Paris is, the magic of Paris in the movies has never faded. This film captures everything that people love about Paris in the movies. 

This movie is admittedly very familiar and there is no time, when you cannot guess what is going to happen next. There are no real surprises in this film's story. However this is overcome by this movie having considerably more charm than many of the similar films.   

Movie Review: Mr. Malcom's List

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B-

A charming romance film. 

No better word can describe what works about this film than charming. We have seen these types of period romances many times and there is a reason for that. That is even with how familiar they get, there is still a certain comforting feeling about them and this is certainly present here. It has just what anyone who is a fan of these movies wants to see. The characters are likable and easy to relate to. They have their faults and don't always have the best intentions, but underneath this you can truly tell that they have good hearts. There is not a real villainous character in this movie and there doesn't need to be. There are just good people who sometimes do the wrong thing. And for this type of non-cynical escapism, sometimes that is what works best. Adding to this is the wonderfully charming performances from the cast. Everyone here plays their character with such an easygoing and delightful charm but in a way that still makes their characters feel real to us. There is simply such a likability to these performances that it is hard not to respond by liking the characters themselves. Even the moments where we just see one of them smile adds more charm to the film. This is also a period piece, and the movie takes full advantage of that. The sets and the costumes are lovely and make the film a delight to look at. There is also a fair share of humor here. Like many romantic comedies, it is rarely laugh out loud funny, but it does often put a smile on your face.

On the downside this is one of those films in which you can always guess what is going to happen next. As soon as the storyline is set up, you pretty much know beat for beat what is going to happen. However, there is definitely enough charm to make up for this.

This film may be very familiar stuff, but it is also charming enough to make it a nice trip to the movies.

Movie Review: Phantom of the Open

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A completely delightful British comedy-drama. 

This is a movie that does exactly what it sets out to do. It is a feel-good story and it truly makes you feel good. This film is based off a true-life story and it is easy to see why this story had to made into a movie (okay, it was made into a book first). The basic story is irresistible. A man who has never played golf before, decides he wants to play in the British Open and when he gets the chance to, he plays the worst round in the history of the Open. Yet despite this and being labeled "the world's worst golfer" he does not let this stop him from his dream. Too often we don't do things that we know we would truly love, because we also know that we might fail or that the odds are against us. Yet as this film shows us, sometimes it is enough to simply live our lives to the fullest and still "reach for the stars" when we do fail.  In a world that has become so cynical this is a type of movie that we need right now. Because as much as we may laugh at his failed attempts at golf, deep down we truly admire this man and wish that we could be more like him. With this incredibly effective sweetness and optimism it is no shock that the writer, Simon Farnaby, also co-wrote the wonderful Paddington 2. 

Of course, for a film like this much of it relies on its stars. Luckily this movie has a truly fantastic cast. Mark Rylance is always incredible with any role he is given, and I don't think I have ever seen a movie with him, where he didn't give a great performance. However, he is at the top of his game here. No matter how familiar you may be with this actor, he so becomes the character that you forget you are watching an actor play a role. He brings so much warmth and humanity to the role that only makes this already charming movie, more charming. The always great Sally Hawkins is also incredibly charming as his wife, and she brings a sweet charm to this movie that results in some of its finest moments.

This is also a very funny movie. This is not only a film that will make you smile but one that will make you laugh out loud. While I expected the film might give me a few laughs, I did not except to laugh as much or as hard as I did. Yet all of this comedy is at service to the story and adds to the story the film is telling rather than distracting from it. Plus, any modern movie that has a comedy scene referencing the Keystone Kops has easily won my heart.

If you want to leave a movie simply feeling good, this is a must see. 

Movie Review: 12 Mighty Orphans

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A good hearted and truly feel good underdog story. 

We have all seen many sports underdog stories in movies and truth be told this one adds nothing we haven't seen before. However it tells its story in such a sincere and heartfelt way that I couldn't help but be overcome by its charms. Much of this is due to our main character (Luke Wilson) a football coach who like the boys on his team grew up an orphan and have been hurt by the harshness of life (in his case the horrors of WW1). This is a man who has life knock him down and the past often comes back to haunt him, but who still fights to be optimistic and believe that with hard work and dedication he can accomplish anything. In this extremely pessimistic age, this is kind of unabashed optimism is just what we need. 12 Mighty Orphans is optimistic in all the right ways and this main point of the story comes across incredible well. We get the feeling that the filmmakers truly believe in what they are saying with this film and this sincerity makes us leave the theater feeling the same optimism that our main character feels. One of the most heartfelt scenes involves the coach talking to his star player (Jake Austin Walker) about the pain he still feels. This scene is surprisingly emotionally effective and very well written. It perfectly conveys the message of this film without sugarcoating or talking down to its audience. The movie also benefits from a very authentic feeling 1930's setting and a fantastic cast all around. Martian Sheen in particular often steals the show.  

Unfortunately this movie's two main antagonists (Wayne Knight, Lane Garrison) are bland, uninteresting and incredibly over the top. In fact they are so over the top that they feel like they came out of a parody rather than a legitimate sports movie. This puts them at odds with the sincere and down to earth feeling of the rest of the film. The use of a narrator proves pointless as he just describes what we have already seen and can infer for ourselves. 

All and all, if you like feel good underdog movies, you should really enjoy this. 

Michael J. Ruhland 

Movie Review: Dream Horse

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent feel good movie. 

The main job of a feel good movie is obviously to make the viewer feel good and judged by this standard the film does a darn good job. Much of this is due to our main character. Thanks both to the script and Toni Collette's performance, the character is instantly likable. This is true even at the start of the film when she is bored of life. The transformation between her earlier bored self and her latter passionate about life self is incredibly well done. It does not happen instantaneously. Instead we see her gradually come further out of her shell as she becomes more and more attached to the horse. The first time we see a big smile on her face, we are overcome with joy because the movie has fully earned even this seemingly small moment. Of course it has long been said that you can't have happiness without sadness. This movie knows and understands that saying. Along with the moments of great joy, we also have moments that are not so joyful. In the end we connect with these characters more because we have felt both joy and sadness with them. However this of course does not mean the filmmakers ever forget what kind of movie this is and I definitely had a big smile on my face through much of this film.  

The humor in this movie can be a bit hit or miss. There are moments were it is very funny and other times when the jokes fall a little flat. Still the funny jokes make up for the misses. 

This movie has two real problems though. The first of these is that the horse simply has too many owners, to make them all well rounded characters in the length of a less than two hour movie. Therefore some of them are very well defined, while others come off as stereotypes of movie characters. There is also the fact that we have seen this movie too many times to not know what is going to happen in any given scene. 

All in all if you want to go to the movies and put a smile on your face when you are there, this film will do a darn good job of that.  

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000)

This Disney Channel Original Movie is as corny and silly as possible. However around this time of year isn't that just what we want.

13 year old Allie (Hallee Hirsh) and her best friend Sam (Brenda Song) see an old man (who unknown to them is Santa Claus (John B. Lowe)) throwing a strange machine in the garbage. Though Sam tells Allie that they shouldn't take it, the young teen takes it anyways. Once Allie discovers it is actually a weather machine, she decides to create a snow day (in L.A.) so she can start Christmas Vacation early and not have to turn in a book report she hasn't even started the next day. However the machine causes many problems and nearly ruins Christmas for Allie and everyone around her.

This may be no Christmas classic, but it certainly is charming and fun on its own merits. Allie is in many ways your typical Disney Channel early teen. She wants to become popular. She has a best friend who is often the unwilling sidekick in her crazy schemes. She spends much time deciding what to wear and how she looks around her crush. However she is not completely shallow and has a good hear underneath it all. This type of character may seem cliché, but the reason it has become a cliché is that it works. Saying that Allie is a likable character and a lot of fun to watch. The movie itself is a lot like this character. It is quite faulted, but its heart is always in the right place. This movie has a message about the importance of family over presents during the Christmas season. This message is presented very well. It is never preached to us but rather plays out as a natural unforced part of the story. Underneath how over the top and silly the story is, there are some genuinely heart warming moments in this film.

Adding to much of this movie's sense of fun is an enjoyably over the top villain. You can just tell that Peter Scolari is having so much fun playing this part and chances are you will have just as much fun watching him as I did. John B. Lowe (who continues to enjoy success in made for TV Christmas movies thanks to Hallmark (he was in two just this year)) is fantastic as Santa also adding much fun to this film.

The weakest parts of this movie are the two elves (John Salley, Bill Fagerbakke) and the younger brother (Spencer Breslin). The elves are about as unfunny as comic relief can get and unfortunately the brother is written in a way that most of his lines are whined.

A nice little movie to get you in the Christmas spirit.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: Noelle (2019)

When the Disney+ streaming service started it came with some new original movies as well as a huge collection of Disney classics. These new original movies were an original Christmas movie called Noelle and the live action remake of Lady and the Tramp. I have not yet seen the new version of Lady and the Tramp and probably never will with my low opinion of the Disney live action remakes (even as a huge Disney fan I can't muster any excitement for them). However I will admit I quite enjoyed Noelle.

Noelle (Anna Kendrick) is the daughter of Santa Claus (Jay Brazeau), and someone who loves Christmas more than anything in the world. Her brother Nick (Bill Hader) is being trained to be the next Santa but is not especially interested. After Santa dies, it is time for Nick to take over as the next Santa. He struggles with this and soon becomes completely miserable. Noelle suggests that Nick take the weekend and go somewhere to get away from all the stress. After the weekend is over he doesn't come back and Noelle sets out on a journey to find her brother bringing Christmas cheer to the people she meets along the way.

Yes that storyline sounds very familiar and if you aren't able to guess early on where the film is going than you have never seen a movie before. Despite this familiarity I found a lot to enjoy here. Anna Kendrick is downright fantastic in the lead role bringing tons of energy and charm to this character. Never does her high energy or enteral optimism and kindness ever feel forced. There is a real sincerity to this performance that can charm even a Scrooge. The humor in this movie is often quite funny. I was surprised by the amount of times I actually laughed watching this. Don't get me wrong there are some jokes that fall flat, but the ones that work are really good. Of course Anna Kendrick's great delivery helps a lot. The story may be very cliché but it is simply and charmingly told without any excess.

This may neither be a Christmas classic or a Disney classic but for what it is it is quite charming and a good movie to get you in the Christmas spirit.

By the way try to see how many hidden Mickeys you can find. There are a heck of a lot of them.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Movie Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

What makes this movie so magical is what made Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood such a respected TV show. That is saying that this film tackles deep and important subject matter without an ounce of cynicism or ever talking down to its audience.

This movie could not be more different from director, Marielle Heller's last bio-pic Can You Ever Forgive Me? Unlike that film, we don't focus on a character who could easily push the limits of likability. Even if you are not a fan of his TV show, it is impossible not to respect or admire Fred Rogers as a person. This movie does discuss (albeit at times almost too briefly) Fred's more human faulted side, it does this in such a way that never gives us a more cynical view of the man. In fact it makes us respect him all the more as we learn that he worked hard to be the extremely nice person he was. Through his faith in God and his ways of finding positive ways to deal with negative feelings, he became the type of man many of us would aspire to be. However the focus is on the reporter who interviews him. It is hard not to relate to this reporter who is also shown to be a good man, but one who struggles daily with dealing with his negative thoughts. Here is where the movie hits its heaviest theme. That is how to forgive someone who hurt you deeply and how not to let that pain run the rest of your life. There is no one in the world who such a thing is easy for and therefore it is hard not to have an emotional connection to what we see. Most of all this film is about the effect Fred has on this young man.

This is also a masterfully made movie. The filmmakers know how to get the most out of so little. In fact one of the most powerful scenes in this movie involves two characters sitting in complete silence for about a minute.

My familiarity with Mr. Rogers is fairly limited. I never grew up with his show, since as a kid I was more into slapstick comedy. In fact many more serious "kids" movies and shows, I got more interested in once I grew up because as a kid I simply wanted something that would make me laugh. However this never once hampered my enjoyment of this lovely movie. So even if you never grew up with this show, I still can't recommend this movie enough.

This is the kind of feel good non-cynical movie that would be nice to see more often in today's times.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Movie Review: Last Christmas

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A sweet and charming Christmas movie.

I will be honest, I adore Christmas movies. It doesn't matter how sweet and sappy they get, I still adore them. This is probably why I am more susceptible to this film's charms than a lot of critics were. True this film offers nothing new and can often feel too much like a tradition romcom for some, but it is genuinely heartwarming and that is just what I want from a Christmas movie. Much of this charm comes from the film's lead actress, Emilia Clarke. Unlike many of you, I have never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, but even with never having seen that Emilia has left quite an impression on me through her movies (for all the film's faults, her performance in Me Before You, especially impressed me). This movie only makes me appreciate her more. Watching her here, I can see her making an incredible career in lighthearted comedies. She brings such a simple and seemingly effortless charm to this type of role. She tells you more about her character through simple expressions in her face than could ever be told in dialogue. She commands the screen each time she appears, bringing the perfect amount of energy to this role. Despite being known for his over the top and often very vulgar slapstick comedies, director Paul Feig does a surprisingly good job in this more low key movie. You can tell that he is truly a fan of this type of Christmas movie and gives himself fully into the pure sappy sentimentality. There is a full sense of sincerity here that is completely and utterly charming.

This movie may be sappy and corny, but sometimes that is just what you want from a Christmas movie and this movie gives Christmas addicts like me their much needed fix of Christmas cheer. So just sit back and let the holiday spirit overcome you.

-Michael J. Ruhland      

Movie Review: Addams Family

Michael's Movie Grade: B

This charming little movie successeds heavily due to the likability of the Addamses, and some surprisingly quite funny humor.

What has kept the Addams Family good through all their incarnations is that there is a charm to these characters. They are kooky and spooky, but they still function as a truly loving family in their own way. The fact that they are so strange but also so much like us has endeared them to many people. This movie, I am sure will continue that tradition. While this film may have a cliché storyline and message (though even that is still not without its charms), they take a backseat to what we really care about here which the family dynamic. Honestly it is a joy to watch these characters simply interact with each other. They play off each other perfectly in the comedy scenes, and you can tell how much the love each other in the dramatic scenes. Speaking of the funny scenes in this movie they are actually quite funny. I excepted just light chuckles from this movie but I actually found myself laughing quite a bit, even the silliest of puns were quite funny. There is also some great slapstick here that is executed fantastically. The funniest parts of the movie were given to Lurch and It at the organ and piano. These scenes were fantastic, showing that pantomime humor is just as fun today as it ever was. Similarly everything with the spirit of the house certainly made me laugh.

The design work of this film, honestly has me split. I love the designs of the Addams Family and their house. All this is perfectly atmospheric and pulled me right into the movie. The house itself showed such great attention to detail with little things that didn't need to be there, but added a lot to the look of the film. What is so odd is that this design work is fantastic, yet the designs of the townspeople is actually quite bad. The worst is a friend that Wednesday makes that honestly is just very unappealing to look at. These characters often times look like they were created towards the beginning of computer animated movies instead of in 2019.

This film also unfortunately has a very weak villain that is too much like too many other animated movie villains as of late.

Still the good in my opinion very much outweighed the bad and I love the sing and snap along at the end.

-Michael J. Ruhland      

Movie Review: Brittany Runs a Marathon

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A likable film that is both darkly funny and heart warming.

The title gives away what type of movie this is. You know what is going to happen from the moment it starts. That however does not mean this is not a good film though. One thing I really appreciate about this movie is the portrait of our title character. We root for her, but still acknowledge as a person she is very faulted. The reason for this is that she is all too relatable. She is insecure and pushes everyone who shows her any love away. She doesn't love herself and therefore will let nobody else love her. We forgive her for the mean things she says, because we understand why she is saying them. Sometimes because of this the scenes when she says something mean can become a little hard to watch, because we all have said not nice things that we now wish we hadn't. This is all enhanced by simply a great performance by Jillian Bell, who adds to the humanity of the role. I also appreciate that this movie's message isn't just simply about reaching our goals but instead to make sure our priorities for why we are doing them is correct. This is highlighted as when we see Brittany both progress and regress as a person over the course of trying to achieve this goal. This is a nice addition to what is mostly a predictable story. Also helping is a smart and cynical sense of humor that often gets the laughs it desires easily (though the British accent thing can get a little annoying at times).

The romance however falls flat and feels like it is forced in because these movies typically have a romance. Not every film needs a romance and this one would have been better off without it.

All in all this is a well made feel good movie, despite its faults.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Overcomer

Michael's Movie Grade: B

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's Grace.

A moving and inspiring faith based film that overcomes faults in its storytelling with great messages and a good sincere heart.

This is a movie that always has its heart in the right place. Its messages are very important and as a Christian myself, I admit these can be tough lessons at times. It is too easy to not realize at times that we are not actually putting God first. We like to think we are but too often we put our own troubles in front of our faith. It is often too easy to say we will pray for somebody but not actually do it. It is also to struggle to forgive those who have hurt us. Most of all though this movie is about who we are in Christ. A common question characters ask each other in this movie is "who are you." This is a question all of us Christians should ask ourselves and make sure God has something to do with it. The main characters in this movie are very likable and easy to root for. They are not perfect but they struggle with the same things we do making them easy to root for. This is a movie without any real villain or antagonist. This is a movie where no character is beyond redemption and each one has good inside of them, that their faith helps bring out. This is truly a feel good movie that really makes you feel good. I certainly had a smile on my face after watching it.

One thing that surprised me and really impressed me with this movie was that it was such a visually good looking movie. Much of this is due to cinematographer Bob Scott. The opening shot as we move into the school from the outside is very impressive.

Despite this movie's good heart, it does have its faults. Much of the movie is very predictable and more than a little cliché. The film is mostly a family drama and not much of a sports movie. This is not a problem until the climax, which revolves completely around sports. This makes that climax feel like it wasn't properly built up to. There are also multiple lines that feel more than a little forced. Despite any of these faults this is meant to be a feel good movie and it makes you feel good. That means it did what it set out to do and when a movie does that it can be viewed as a success.

-Michael J. Ruhland

     

Movie Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon

Michael's Movie Grade: A

A good-hearted feel-good movie that never delves into cheap or forced sentimentality.

This movie offers exactly what one should want out of this type of movie. A story about three misfits on the road and finding a family in one another may sound cliché, but many similar movies just simply are not told anywhere near as well as this movie is. Each of our three main characters felt completely real to me. I felt I knew them. Not only that but I felt glad I knew them. The characters are extremely likable and just a joy to spend time with. It doesn't hurt that the three actors (Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen) cast in the roles play their parts to perfection. Even with how great the other two are, Zack Gottsagen (in his first feature film role I might add) is a clear standout. He hits all the right notes and easily is a huge part of why his character feels so real. The script by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwatz (both of whom also directed the film) is as human and honest, as it is feel good and heartwarming. A film that is heartwarming but also feels real is too rare these days. It is true that the script can get a little corny. However it is the good kind of corny that makes you feel happy inside opposed to the bad kind that makes you cringe. Also not hurting this film is the lovely cinematography by Nigel Bluck. There are so many shorts here that are so completely memorable and will stay in your mind long after watching the movie. The film also has many laugh out loud moments.

I also have to say as a fan of country and folk music, I loved the choice of songs used in this movie's soundtrack. It was a delight to hear such artists as Sara Watkins, Ola Belle Reed, Chance McCoy and Parker Ainsworth as I was watching this movie. Each of these songs was used very well fitting the on screen action fantastically.

If you want a feel good summer movie, you can not do better than this.

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Movie Review: Mission Mangal

Michael's Movie Grade: B

If you are looking for a serious look into how this amazing feat (The Indian Space Research Organization sending a satellite to orbit Mars), you should look somewhere else. However if you want a fun but safe popcorn movie that is exactly what this film provides.

What makes this movie work so well is that we completely feel the passion of the main characters. When they talk about the project, you can just see and hear the passion in them. Even if you aren't into science, you get swept away in how much this means for them and you easily root for them. This makes many of the scenes very exciting. Especially the very well done climax. Of course it doesn't hurt that this is a great story, based off an amazing real life achievement. The film was made in India and is told in an extremely patriotic way. The patriotism feels completely real and unforced. Plus this is a very appropriate thing to feel patriotic about. The cast is really good in this movie as well. Each nails down the part perfectly. There is also some great humor here as well.

While the mission scenes are very fun, the family drama scenes pale in comparison. They simply feel bland and uninspired. This movie also has quite a few cliché moments, where regardless of what you know about the true life story you can see what comes next. Still what is good about this movie overcomes these faults.

A good movie based off, a great story.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Movie Review: Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Michael's Movie Grade: B-

Review: This should be a movie I would not like. I, for the most part, can't stand cartoon characters being turned into live action for the sake of a movie. To add to that I never grew up with Dora the Explorer. In fact I have never seen one episode. So nostalgia is not on my side for this movie either. That's why it is such a surprise that I enjoyed this movie like I did.

The heart of this film lies in Dora herself. This character is handled very carefully. In many ways this movie highlights the stranger aspects of her character for comedy's sake. She is extremely energetic, positive, very socially awkward, speaks to an audience no one else can see and likes to make up songs about everything. Despite this the character never becomes a caricature. She always feels real enough for us to root for and relate to. Deep down she is the nicest and most loving person you could ever wish to meet. I can't see anyone watching this movie and by the end not wanting a friend like Dora. Characters like this also tell us socially awkward people that we are not alone and that we are as deserving of love as anyone else. What really makes this character real though is Isabela Moner's excellent performance The performance is so energetic and you perfectly believe that this young woman is really enjoying herself to the fullest. As much energy as she brings to the comedy, she also brings extreme sincerity to the more dramatic parts. She does this without making it seem like she is playing two different characters the transition seems so naturally. The other highlight of this movie is Swiper the fox. Though his character does not get as much screen time as he should, he does bring many of the film's biggest laughs. The action scenes are also very fast paced and fun.

Unfortunately as fun as Dora and Swiper are the rest of the characters are simply movie stereotypes and are not that interesting at all. This film certainly could used a better villain (heck why not make Swiper the main villain). It is also easy to see almost every story point before they happen.

This movie while not a perfect film was certainly a pleasant surprise.

-Michael J. Ruhland      

Movie Review: Bethany Hamilton Unstoppable

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: Inspiring and very good hearted documentary.

This is a feel good movie, of the type we all need to see sometimes. It is one of those films that I can see somebody putting on for themselves when they feel down just to lift their spirits. There is something about Bethany's optimism that is completely contagious. It doesn't matter if she loses a competition, if she falls off her board or if she has her arm eaten off by a shark, no matter what happens to her she will get right back on her board and ride again. Although having her arm eaten off by a shark, helped bring her fame, it never once defines her. Though early in the film you might look at where her arm is missing as the movie goes along you stop looking there. That is because you learn that that is not what matters, but instead what is important is the beautiful person she is. She is a brave and strong person and she was even as a little girl before the accident happens. The more you get to know her the more you get to love her. She is a sweet and loving person that it is near impossible not to like after this movie. She is also not just an inspiration to surfers or those who have been through an accident that makes them think that they can never live the way they used to. She is also a strong Christian and her faith will certainly help inspire Christians (including myself). Though her Christian faith is not the focus of this documentary, the film never tries to hide it. She talks multiple times about how God helped her through her accident and during the end credits she can be seen talking to young girls about how beautiful God finds all of us. What happened to her was terrible but what God has done through it and the people he has inspired and given faith to through her is much greater.

Filmmaking wise this is a very conservatively made documentary with little risks or anything new. However this does not mean the filmmaking is less than capable. The scenes with her surfing and just the view of the ocean itself are breathtaking.

If you want to see a movie that will make you feel good inside, this is a great recommendation.

-Michael J. Ruhland 

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: Millions (2005)

Millions is a truly fascinating and unique movie, that is much different from most anything we see in mainstream cinema. It blends fantasy with a realistic setting very effectively and has us accept both with great ease. The movie has a beauty and charm all of its own. The characters feel completely real, the story is moving, the fantasy is absorbing and most of all the movie is beyond charming. 

Seven year old Damien (Alex Etel) is playing one day when he finds a bag of millions of pounds. Only he and his older brother Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) know about this. Anthony wants to spend the money on frivolous things, while Damien (who has visions of various saints throughout the movie) wants to give the money to the poor. Things get more complicated when the boys learn that the money was stolen.

One thing that helps make this movie as involving as it is the relationship between the brothers. They have little to nothing in common and do not understand each other in the slightest. However they do care about each other and constantly look out for the other. There is a both a warmth and an awkwardness between them that feels completely real and relatable. There is an awkward but funny scene where the two are looking at women’s breasts on the computer. The director wondered whether to explain this scene to the kids but decided not to because the comedy came from the fact that they didn’t fully know what they were talking about. In the DVD commentary it is stated that the kids found it funny how much the behind the scenes crew were looking at the computer. This scene also shows the relationship between the two brothers very well. Damien is completely confused by this, but Anthony is enjoying it. Anthony tries to be helpful by explaining it to Damien and sharing his joy with his younger brother, but Damien still remains confused.

The visual look of this movie is perfect. The film has a beautiful look that perfectly blends the fantasy and reality. Though the movie takes place at Christmastime, it was shot during the summer to give the film a sunnier look. This sunny look worked perfectly as it added a bit more of a warm and nostalgic feeling of childhood. This nostalgic feeling makes the fantasy fit better and become more acceptable. To heighten the fantasy of the film, this movie features some great uses of stop motion.

This movie has a fantastic soundtrack. It contains some rock and pop songs in the background.  There are songs by such artists as Muse, El Bosco, Feeder, Vangelis, S.-Express and The Clash (this is director Danny Boyle’s favorite band and in the DVD commentary he states that he was happy to finally get a Clash song in one of his movies). They feel completely natural and just add to the fun of the movie, because they fit perfectly with what we see on screen. As this film takes place at Christmastime there are also some traditional Christmas carols heard in this film as well. These songs also bring you further into the movie by creating a great sense of atmosphere.  

-Michael J. Ruhland