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k-tmunroe
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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
Imagine! A Funny Comedy.
I don't watch sitcoms on TV. I hate the laugh tracks first off. And most have tedious plots and lame characters that never change.
But I love Kimmy Schmidt. There is always something to laugh at, some thing or some stereotype on the barbecue spit. The pace is fast and energetic, it's bright and colorful and doesn't seem to care that it's not on regular TV. It probably couldn't be what it is if it was on regular TV.
I enjoy seeing society through Kimmy's eyes because everything is new to her and she doesn't judge people but accepts them as they are. I haven't laughed at a comedy as much since the IT Crowd.
October Baby (2011)
Much more watchable and satisfying than most Christian films, IMHO
I expected this to be your usual block of Christian movie cheese but was pleasantly surprised. Not 10 stars worth but a solid 7. The production values were quite good for a genre that usually looks like your cousin made it with his video camera using a script he wrote and friends from church as actors with maybe a Christian celeb thrown in.
The road trip didn't come off well--worst hotel ever? Obviously those kids hadn't left town before. And they didn't seem like real kids, like the writers didn't know what real kids are like. Maybe like they only ever saw photos of college age kids.
The sound track drove me bonkers--even though I've listened to my share of CCM, those days are over and those songs and the way they all sound the same are the reason why.
The acting is pretty solid, despite a sometimes weak script--as when Hannah runs away from the group. Well, that scene was kind of meh all around.
The message wasn't ham-handed, I didn't think. And I thought it was fair to all sides of the abortion issue. Others might not think so, but... I was happy not to be preached at. Some deeper character development from the writers or actors would have really pushed this movie ahead. But I've seen much worse.
The depth of the topic held the film together. The most powerful scenes I think were the nurse telling Hannah the story of her birth and Cindy facing that moment of her life alone in her office.
As a Christian, I always hope a movie made by Christians will be better than most, and mostly that is not true. October Baby, however, was quite satisfying to experience.
The Penny (2010)
Very Disappointing
This movie uses about every Christian cliché in the Christian Culture Book of Cultural Clichés. Teens who feel unloved, a sick person who coughs, unconvincing bad guys, drunk driving that leads to an accident... Instead of focusing on one or two story lines and making them powerful, it leads its cardboard characters around predictable scenes that don't resolve. It's called a thriller? Maybe if it's the first movie you've ever seen.
The writing is wooden and stiff, uses no subtext. The acting is poor, the best being the drunk girls. But it's easy to act convincingly drunk. Unfortunately, I laughed more at this than I usually do at movies that are supposed to be funny.
I don't think it's necessary to have big budgets and A-list actors to make a good movie. A good script, passion and inspired direction can do it. I find it strange that with the God of the universe on our side, that Christians consistently make weak films. What are we afraid of?
One Week (2008)
Quiet, beautiful, thoughtful
If you're looking for high drama, this one ain't it. If you're looking for action or violence, ditto. If you want a little something to make you think about what's important in your life, hit play.
When Ben is told he doesn't have long to live, he re-evaluates his life and finds it lacking. His response is to hit the open road by himself. His fiancé calls him selfish which is understandable. But it's something he needs to do.
I understand. I was diagnosed with a blood cancer several years ago. Mine is responding well to treatment, but I still look at life and wonder how to better use the time I have.
The scenery of Canada is gorgeous. I recognized Toronto even though I've been there only once. I'm not sure something like this could have been made in America. We tend to want fast, loud, over the top. Even lots of our indie films are like that. The quiet and slow pace gives the you time to make you want to see Canada, time to reflect on what's going on with Ben, time to hope he finds what he needs to.