Leap Year

I have been married for 30 years and my wife and I love movies. I especially like horror and psychological thrillers. My wife especially enjoys romantic and comedy ‘chick flicks.’ We go on dates, a trait we still follow through on quite often despite the years together. Those dates more times than not, involve movies. My wife on a rare occasion goes to the movies I like, and sometimes, like in The Book of Eli, she really enjoys them. For me, well, reread that first sentence of the paragraph, ‘I have been married for 30 years and my wife and I both love movies.’

There is a reason we have been married over 30 years, there is give and take, sacrifice, for example, more often than not my wife doesn’t like the movies I like, especially those in the horror genera. I often find myself surprised and enjoying the movies she wants to see, even the ‘chick flicks.’ We recently had an event cancel so decided to go to dinner and a movie. My wife wanted to see the movie Leap Year starring Amy Adams, known largely for her role in Disney’s Enchanted, but more recently Julie and Julia. We decided go and as I often found out, it wasn’t a bad thing.

Leap Year is a simple story that has been told many times before. Anna, (Amy Adams) is a successful assistant in real estate where she gets the property ready to sale by making it look like a home. Her boyfriend, Jeremy is a successful cardiologist. The two are looking at moving in together but Anna has dreams of the two of them getting married. Jeremy has other ideas. Shortly after applying for a high end apartment in New York, Jeremy decides to attend a conference in Ireland. Anna hears from her father (John Lithgow) of the legend of prospective brides proposing to their prospective husbands in Ireland on Leap Year Day. She decides to take a spur of the moment trip to Ireland to propose to Jeremy. On her trip she incurs inclement weather, her flight is redirected and she begins a journey to get to Dublin by Leap Year day. She finds an owner of a pub in a small town who is dangerously close to having his pub repossessed by the bank. In order to obtain the needed funds, he decides to taxi Anna to Belfast. Along the way Anna gets to know Declan (Matthew Goode), more than she anticipated, but she also gets to discover more about herself.

I have to tell you, if you are looking for a movie with technical quality you can do better than Leap Year. There are various mistakes in the film and it seems as if there may have been a rush to complete production. From the editing to the special effects, such as a hail storm that seems to only hit parts of the scenery there are numerous glitches. There are also changing accents that for some may be somewhat of a let down, but I believe few will notice or care about those aspects where Leap Year is lacking.

What the movie does excel on is story. Although this is a story that has been told many times before, I couldn’t help but finding myself liking the characters. Amy Adams is a beautiful actress in her simplicity. She is not only effective as Anna; she is easy to look at in her simplistic beauty. There is something about her mannerisms, especially in the parts where she is in uncomfortable surroundings. In places where she is confused as to her feelings, you find yourself believing her. I also found myself really enjoying the sometimes obnoxious character of Declan, her companion on her journey to Dublin. Matthew Goode does a very good job of mirroring off of Amy Adams in their parts. He is a man that most men, like I who am not the super well built GQ type can appreciate. He can cook a good meal, enjoy a good pint of Guinness and at the same time enjoy a good time with the lads. He has known heartbreak and is ultimately looking for love that he knows is beyond his own credentials. I have to say, the Casting Director for Leap Year did a great job because what these two do have as the story progresses, is the ability to build off of each other and to get the viewer to actually care about the characters, despite all of the technical issues in the film.

I think stories like this and the reminders they provide are among the things I find myself liking about some of the ‘chick flicks’ my wife drags me to The reminder of what and where real love comes from. Sometimes we find ourselves in positions like Anna where we have expectations based on what society wants for us as opposed to what is best for us. Sometimes we need a wake up call and if we are lucky, we discover the things that are really important to us. We can’t underestimate the concept of love and the importance of love in a relationship. Sometimes we can discover that love in places we never considered looking. For some of us, that may be in physical relationships, for others, it could be in spiritual avenues. Nonetheless, unless we search for love or at the very least open up our spirits to receive love, we will never know the ultimate and full joy love can provide. There is a theme here that reminded me of the concept of the ‘One Thing,’ as presented in the movie City Slickers. That is, what is the one thing most important to you? If there was a fire in your home, what would be the first thing you would save if you only had one minute. It is in those moments we discover what is important. Ultimately, those things have the potential to last a life-time and beyond if given the chance.

I’ll admit, I already know my overall rating of this movie will be deceptive, it isn’t a great movie, it isn’t even really a very good movie, but what it is, is a really fun and enjoyable movie. I would watch it again because I appreciated the story, and I appreciated the fun, innocent way it was told. There is little that will offend anyone in this story, and it is a story that makes for a good date night movie. I’ll ignore the technical failures of the movie because sometimes, well, sometimes life is about more than perfection, and in that manner, Leap Year provides a good reminder of some of the things in life that really are important.

On a scale of 1 – 10 while far from perfect, if you take the 29th of February, and take that 2 from the 9 you still have an enjoyable, entertaining 7

The following is the trailer for the movie Leap Year, just click on the video, if the video don't appear, just click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etm4VMLrSnc


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Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

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Legion

I love apocalyptic thrillers, I love movies that take a look at Biblical characters, I love a lot of things about movies that challenge ones spirituality. I was actually looking forward to what I had seen in the previews and early trailers of the new movie Legion. There was something unsettling about the concept though. Legion appeared to be a movie displaying a civil war in heaven among the angels of God. It appeared to be a movie displaying a civil war due to God’s desire to destroy all of humanity. In some ways that is what the movie is, but instead of a civil war it is one angel’s rebellion against God, the rebellion of Arch Angel Michael who arrives to earth shortly before God is to destroy the earth. Along the way though, out in the desert is a little bar named Paradise Falls where a group of interesting characters are about to face their own pending doom.

Paradise Falls has a strange group of employees and restaurant guest from various backgrounds and walks of life. From owner Bob Hanson played by Dennis Quaid, to his son Jeep played by Lucas Black who has a passion for waitress, 8 month pregnant Charlie played by Adrianne Palicki and others such as Percy Walker, one of the only enjoyable characters in the film played by Charles Dutton. We see a variety of characters that seem to have some promise. Some of the characters are somewhat likeable, yet we know so little of any of them that it is hard for the viewer to really care. Their experiences are varied but so little character development takes place that what we do see, may cause some to lose any interest in the characters of develop any likeability for them.

Legion opens with the arrival of Arch Angel Michael as he leaves Heaven to come to earth to protect humanity. He has rebelled against God and is taking on the concept of protecting humanity for some reason, which we are never given real clarity on. In his early arrival, we see the possession of two police officers by apparently other angels who have come to act on God’s plan to destroy the earth. Shortly thereafter the angel Gabriel arrives and attempts to kill Michael, but Michael escapes to travel to Paradise Falls where for some reason there is the need to save the child which is to be born to Charlie. For the rest of the movie Michael is working with the humans at Paradise Falls in an attempt to save Charlie and her soon to be born baby from Gabriel and the multitudes of angels that traveled with him to carry on God’s work. Some angels maintain their angelic form, while others posses’ people, those that posses’ people take on horrific forms to destroy the humans God desires to destroy.

Legion develops with sloppy editing, story telling, and as confusing a plot and concept as I have seen in a major film in some time. The characters, plot and story are as sloppy and insulting to the audience as any movie I think I have ever seen. There are so many unanswered questions that I frankly can’t put together much of a story synopsis that makes any sense at all. I left this movie with more questions about what I had seen on screen than I did answers, for example, why does the baby boy born to Charlie on Christmas day represent the salvation of humanity. How is it that one angel can supposedly defend and protect himself against the whole host of angels including the Angel Gabriel and multitudes of other angels that are attempting to fulfill the desire of God. Why do some angels’ posses’ people and some don’t, what is the need of that? Then for me, the primary question, if God exists as the film presumes he does, why does he need the angels to carry out his desire to destroy the earth? If one angel rebels against God, isn’t God capable and able to take care of his own business? While there may be some imagery that represents Satan, remember, in the story of Lucifer, there where multitudes of angels, the bible says as many as 1/3 of the angels of Heaven that went with him. Poor ol’ Michael goes at it all alone.

For all of Legion’s inadequacies, the use of Biblical characters should have one presenting some interest to see what the Bible actually says about angels, especially Michael and Gabriel. Both of those angels are represented in the Bible, the concept of God’s desire to destroy humanity at one point in history is there, but it isn’t this story. In fact this story is a contrast to the God we ultimately see in the Bible, a God that loves humanity so much that he found a way to provide salvation for them. Legion should cause one to reflect on the position that God at one time, according to the Bible, destroy all of humanity because of their turning away from him, but while it appears to mirror parts of that story, it never delivers. A fair question would be, if God did this once, why wouldn’t he do it again, especially if we are to believe the street preachers and prophets who present us with concepts where God is going to destroy the earth for a variety of reasons? One of the confusing aspects in Legion is that even though there appears to be some good people left, who believe in God, are willing to serve and protect others, why would God still desire to use his angels to destroy the whole of humanity which he according to the movie was created to be in a higher place than the angels?

The main thing I liked about Legion was the potential for what it could have been in the characters it explores. There are as many interesting characters as I have seen in a movie for a long time. From a little old lady who cusses like a sailor prior to turning into a demon to destroy an innocent for confronting her about her mouth, to a old salty cook who has as deep a passion and love for God as anyone presented in a movie in some time. Unfortunately, while there is potential in the character there is tragedy in the direction and story as there are so many open ended questions opening up this movie for a sequel that frankly insult the intelligence of the movie going audience as I have seen in some time, maybe ever. I don’t have a problem with sequels, Resident Evil for example did the same thing, but it respected the audience it played for. Legion is so bad that I would like a refund for the $7 I spent for a matinee. Heck, I would feel ripped off if I had spent $1 at the Red Box DVD rental store on this one. If using a Netflix account to watch the free online viewing I would be disappointed for the waste of time as I could have found more value in my time by taking a nap.

Now I am aware of the aspects of negativity in a movie, for those who read my reviews, you know I am seldom this negative. I could talk about how the film insulted my faith, but I don’t need to, on the technical merits alone I believe Legion was a waste of time. It simply didn’t hold water within even its own variations of Biblical characters and the role of God. While there may be some ways to view the movie as presenting ultimately a changing, or loving God, while the movie may show glimmers of possibility, it just doesn’t deliver on hardly any account.

I haven’t done this in a long time, that is give this bad of a review, but I can’t help it, on a scale of 1 – 10, for the 3 folks who totally agreed with me I spoke to as I left the movie, I give a very disappointing 3.

To see the trailer for Legion click on the following video, if it don't appear, click on the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8lGCjd9W8U



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Click to visit and join the new group The Virtual Pew, at MySpace. Become a part of a different kind of Christian group, check out the page for more information,all welcome, including those who are not followers of Jesus.

Click to visit the Virtual Pew Website and become a part of that ministry.

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Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
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Wichita, KS 67217

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew

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The Book of Eli

As of recent, from The Wall Street Journal to the New York Times, and from ABC News to Rush Limbaugh; it seems as if everyone has noticed the influx of overt spiritual themes included recently in the movies. For a buff like me who loves searching for those truths, it is almost like a Movie Spiritual Heaven. I love apocalyptic thrillers and there has been a fair share of those and more to come. Among the best has to be the new release of The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis.

The premise for The Book of Eli is simple; Eli, played by Denzel Washington, is living in post apocalyptic America. He has heard a voice tell him to take a book he is in possession of West, we don’t know where, but it doesn’t take long to see that Eli has special powers, especially when it comes to fighting. There is more for the viewer to learn and trouble along the way for Eli and those that would side with him. There is even those who would have the book to use for their own evil ways, but Eli is a protector, a prophet if you will who has a mission, and nothing is going to stop him from doing what he has heard the voice tell him.

The Book of Eli reminded me of the Mad Max series with Mel Gibson. While there are depressing events along the way, it is not nearly as depressing as the recent movie, The Road starring Viggo Mortensen. In The Book of Eli, there are ample action sequences, and ultimately images of hope. I found The Book of Eli more enjoyable, that is if one can find a movie like this enjoyable.

The Book of Eli is beautifully filmed and there is some quality direction provided by The Hughes Brothers. While the movie could have used a little more plot development, that isn’t its intent and I think many a reviewer just flat out misses the intent of what the Hughes Brothers are trying to do with the story. I believe many things are left vague for a reason. This movie has as enlightening epiphany moment as any movie in a very long time. Not sense The Sixth Sense has a movie suddenly caught the attention of the audience as does the epiphany moment here. Unfortunately, many will spoil the movie, and they should have to run their finger across the sword of Eli for doing so, but the imagery, the vagueness of some of the story hits home when that moment in the film occurs.

While this may not be a great film to some, for me, a person who loves to find the spiritual components within film, it comes as close to bordering on greatness as anything that has come out in some time. I challenge, movies intend to include far more spiritual commentary than many fans and even critics like to believe. We see it in the challenge to Christianity in Rob Zombie films; we see it in classic scenes in such television shows as The Sopranos. Sometimes we have to search for those truths, sometimes, in rare situations; they hit us up beside the head like a Professional Wrestler in a Cage Fight. Such is the case in The Book of Eli.

It doesn’t take long into the film to discover that the book that is worth the sacrifice of life is The Holy Bible, not a representation of The Bible, but The Holy Bible. We see how this book has impacted this futuristic prophet; we see his dedication to keeping the book in a safe place. Eli knows the copy of The Bible he has is the last surviving copy from the Apocalypse. He knows what the voice inside him has told him, he lives the message to a large extent while recognizing his own imperfections. He has a love, a passion that is so deep though that others can’t help but notice. We see the power of love, the desire to pray and so many more spiritual themes portrayed in this film. We also see displayed in the Gary Oldman character, Carnegie, the danger that can come about from one desiring to use the Bible to promote their selves in inappropriate ways. There are allusions to the way many religious leaders and politicians have used the Bible to promote their own agenda. Eli understands that and it is the reason he has dedicated himself to the cause of completing the task that the voice, (God) has called him to.

I loved this film as it incorporated things I appreciate. One of those is that while I enjoy looking and searching for Spiritual concepts, my wife, and children who often attend movies with me like to go just for the entertainment value. This was special though, my wife really liked the movie and couldn’t stop talking about the spiritual concepts portrayed in the film.

The Book of Eli doesn’t present the utmost of hope for humanity regarding a post apocalyptical America; it does provide a glimmer of hope though. It presents a God who can work through common men, and do miraculous things to the point that God can perfect and use even that which is not perfect in ways we couldn’t imagine. It also represents a concept of walking by faith to accomplish the purpose God has called us to. We don’t have to be perfect and God can use us, it is in fact in using imperfect people that we can see the majesty and reality of a working God. There is also the representation of the influence we can have on others when we are willing to walk by faith. The impact on society we can all have that can make a difference not just on us, but on society.

The Book of Eli represents a faith in the Bible, a respect for the Bible we haven’t seen in a movie in quite some time. This movie would make a great study for not only people of faith, but also people outside the faith of Christianity. It isn’t just The Bible though that is presented in a positive light, it is a God who still has power, and still finds ways to use human beings beyond their own expectations.

For those that have seen the movie, don’t ruin the epiphany moment for others, let them experience it themselves. As for me, I want to see this one again on the big screen. While not perfect, it was a fun and wonderful experience. One I am glad to repeat again in the near future.

On a scale of 1-10, for the letters in Bible and God I give it a rather enjoyable 8.

To see the video of Denzel Washington talking about the Spirituallity of The Book of Eli, just click on the video. If the video don't appear, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQEm5YMkfwA


Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Wichita, the Church in Wichita Kansas where Mike is the pastor.

Click Here to Go to The Virtual Pew Daily Verse and Read The Bible in a Year Passages

Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.

You can also Help The Virtual Pew by shopping on our web site or at Amazon, click here to shop at Amazon and help The Virtual Pew, it won't cost you anything extra, but we get a small percentage of the purchase.

Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to visit and join the new group The Virtual Pew, at MySpace. Become a part of a different kind of Christian group, check out the page for more information,all welcome, including those who are not followers of Jesus.

Click to visit the Virtual Pew Website and become a part of that ministry.

Click to subscribe to my blog

Click to visit and join our sister group at MySpace Hollywood Jesus.

Click to visit Mary Jane Furches' new MySpace Page

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
P.O. Box 17731
Wichita, KS 67217

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Mary Jane Furches MySpace Page

Mike Furches MySpace Page

Mike Furches MySpace Blog

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News

MySpace Hollywood Jesus Group

MySpace The Virtual Pew Group

The Virtual Pew Live Radio Web Page

To Subscribe to The Virtual Pew Live Feed