The Great Escape

I was around 8 when I first saw this great film. I did not know it at the time, but it was based on a true story. Recently, a group went out to find the original tunnel. They had to research the location of the camp, and then approximate the location for the tunnel. To their surprise, they found it! They even found the "door" plate and the gripping tool to pull it out (as seen in the movie). They then brought in one of the survivors to inspect the dig, and he was totally amazed at what they had found. Pull this movie out and blow off the dust. It is so worth it! Here is an interactive map of the escape tunnel "Harry".

The Blind Side

It is rare to see movies that portray Christians as genuine people and not narrow-minded morons--let alone Conservative Republicans. The Blind Side tells a true story with great humor and touching reality. It also touches on issues like the severe disconnect between the upper-class and the lower-class sections of one's own hometown. Yet that does not make them bad people for such, just not thoroughly engaged in being able to help. Drugs are the real problem that keeps those in its grip, slaves to the very end. And there are more than enough scum to keep you in those bonds for their own gain. A sad untold story, touched upon in the end credits, is the young boy hanging with the dealer who used to play ball. The sorrowful epilogue was that he was killed in a gang-related incident. While one stayed in football and went on to play with the Baltimore Ravens, the other found only death in his slavery to poverty and drugs. It stands as a stark contrast.

The Ten Commandments

What more difficult role could be played than Moses? Yet, Heston did it with such power and reverence, I was awe inspired as a kid watching it at the Fox theater. The grandeur of the Exodus scene would never be matched with today's computer graphics, and seems to becoming a lost art like special effects model-making. I actually sent Heston a treatment for a sequel to the Ten Commandments that takes place during the wilderness wandering. I wish it could have been done.

Ben Hur

Ben Hur rates high in my top-ten all time favorite movies. Although Judah Ben Hur gets top billing, it is the sub-title that is the real key to this classic... "A Tale of the Christ". It is Jesus who seems to appear at various chapters of Judah's life story. And it is Jesus who takes the sword of vengeance from his hand in the end. I truly love this movie.

Star Trek

I cut my sci-fi teeth watching the classic Star Trek on television. So mind you, I am pretty protective of the characters and how they are portrayed in movies. I am very pleased to announce that not only did they get the characters perfect, they also did not dumb down the plot. It was both complex, and very sci-fi.
The 1979 Star Trek: The Motion Picture was an abysmal failure. A few years later, Paramount redeemed itself with Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. This latter offering should be watch before or after watching Star Trek (2009). There are many references within the movie that relate back to Wrath of Khan, such as the Kobayashi Maru. It is interesting to note that in Wrath of Khan, Kirk is eating an apple when describing how he outsmarted the no-win scenario. In Star Trek (2009), Kirk is eating an apple when commanding in the scenario.
This is rock-em sock-em sci-fi at its best. The actors played their counterparts to perfection, and the effects were flawless.

Amazing Grace

Many do not realize that one of the main issues that began America's separation from Great Britain was slavery. If Britain employed black slaves, then America will as well. As hard as it was for America to break from such injustice, it was doubly hard for Britain. It took men of great character and will to go against the tide of power that kept blacks in servitude. One of such men was William Wilberforce, and movies such as this should be repeatedly shown in schools throughout the country. Their reasoning not to is why homeschooling is so popular.

Sense and Sensibility

Can't say that I am much of a "chick flick" guy, nor a big connoisseur of Jane Austin fare, but Sense and Sensibility has to stand out as a favorite in the genre. The photography makes simple scenes into oil paintings, the dialog is not forced or contrived, but personal and intriguing, and all actors gave standing-o performances. Most notable in this mix is Alan Rickman as the Colonel. His subdued charm and controlled emotional response in the face of unrequited love are unmatched in many movies I have seen.