Reviews With Mike Furches: spirituallity

Showing posts with label spirituallity. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2012

Disney's The Tigger Movie on Blu-ray

I unapologetically admit, I have for most of my life, for whatever reason, been a huge fan of Winnie The Pooh. I was actually excited to get the opportunity to review the new release of Disney’s The Tigger Movie on Blu-ray DVD. As is the norm with most Disney products, there is an exceptional product made available for the consumer. The imagery and sound is spectacular, and even if owning this film in standard DVD, one can’t go wrong with the purchase of the Blu-ray version if they have a high definition television. One of the excellent features with the Blu-ray is not only the special features, which are refreshing, educational, and enjoyable, but also the sound quality. In a seemingly hand drawn format, the visual images are are stunning and the story is as good as this fan could have wanted. While Pooh is the star of the Winnie The Pooh franchise, there is enough of the other characters to keep all the fans of Pooh happy. I loved them all, their portrayal, and story. There is very little to be critical of this spectacular feature.

The premise of The Tigger Movie centers on Tigger accepting himself and the circumstances he is in as opposed to the images that often hurt, even if brought on by ones self. Unfortunately, Tigger is a representation of what many experience. It is hard for many. In this premise, I think of the command in my faith that dictates that we love others as much as we love ourselves. Many will understand that it is often difficult to love ourselves, thus we have a hard time loving others. Disney has produced an extremely spiritual concept here that is that we can often learn to love ourselves by the recognition of the fact that others love us, despite our differences. Unfortunately, many, like Tigger have a hard time understanding this. It is through the love of others thought that Tigger sees himself in a different light. I was once told by a friend, while we were filming an educational video documentary for The Sandoz Corporation that it was as others believed in this one person, that she begin to believe in herself. That is how it is not just for Tigger but many of us. As we love others, they experience the love and thus, feel loved, making it possible for them to love others not just more, but more perfectly. I loved this movie for that reason. For fans of Pooh, you can’t go wrong here; this is one to be enjoyed by not just the children, but by all ages. I know I did and this one will be on my must watch list, many more times in the future.

To see the video below, just click on it, if for some reason the video doesn’t appear or is distorted or not in full frame, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBnw_3r0wtM

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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

October Baby

Few subjects can create controversy like the subject of abortion. For far too long there has been little beneficial discussion on this subject that brings about a measure of respect for those engaged in the conversation, it seems as if the word abortion builds up walls of defense that has people engaging in war as opposed to reasonable discussion. The heavy handed tactics from both sides of the fence had for me created an atmosphere where I didn’t think intelligent discussion on the subject was possible. That is until I saw the movie, October Baby.

For me, abortion is a subject that hits home because of the circumstances of my own birth; the 1950’s, my mother is pregnant in her mid teens prior to being married. It was an era where abortion was not legally available, and over the years, I have contemplated on how I benefited as a result. That isn’t to say my life has been a barrel of fun, it hasn’t, it isn’t to say that my life at times hasn’t been tragic, it has, but the breath that comes from life, at least for me is something I value. I value it so much that later in life, after being married for some years, my wife, daughter and I decided to adopt a hard to place child. It was on December 26 that our son came into our lives as a result. A child whose mother sought out to have an abortion, but pleasantly and gratefully, decided against it, as a result our family became whole.

When screening this film I did something I normally wouldn’t do, I watched the screener with a group of people. I had no idea what the film was about. I, through our church, operate a shelter for homeless women. We normally either have the television on or show movies on our big projection unit each night. Knowing I needed to see this movie for review I decided to watch it with approximately 20 homeless women. I was impressed with the movie as it progressed and especially with the sensitivity, yet reality of how it dealt with the subject of abortion, or in the case of the movie, attempted abortion since it explores the journey of a young girl whose birth mother attempted to abort her. It isn’t until shortly after a breakdown on a theater stage while in her late teens that the primary character finds out her birth mother birthed her during an abortion attempt, something not unheard of.

As the story came together on screen, something begin to happen, the gals at the shelter watching it, they became enthralled with the story, and at the conclusion of the film, approximately 10 of the 20 gals were not just crying, but sobbing. For many, the movie hit home and conversations begin as they asked me questions about the subject of abortion, many coming to the conclusion that the fetus in the womb was in fact, ‘a baby.’ For one young lady, she couldn’t get the tears and emotion out of her head for the next days as she detailed to me; she was pregnant and had many care providers encouraging her to have an abortion. She was desolate, on the streets, single, homeless, yet she recognized the value of contacting someone to give the baby up to for adoption as opposed to having the baby aborted. It was over these days that I realized the potential impact of this film, especially on those in similar situations, if they in fact, had the opportunity to see the movie.

October Baby stars Rachel Hendrix as Hannah, the teen daughter of Grace and Jacob, played respectfully by Jennifer Price and John Schneider. While the acting is credible and the film well produced and put together it is story driven. It is well told however and once the viewer gives the movie a little time they will be drawn into the story, caring about the characters and their journey. One of the things I appreciated about the film is the conflict between the primary character Hannah and her adopted parents. These conflicts, often resulting in the need to search out the birth parent are difficult for those going through that particular experience. Yet the love of the adopted family is well presented and shown in a loving and caring way. The script of the story allows for this to take place from my own personal experiences, in a real way.

Hannah is a bright young girl who has the benefit of having good, caring friends around her. These friends help lead her in the right direction and provide the appropriate types of support. This scenario is unfortunately not always the case for adopted children. October Baby though shows the value of loving and caring parents, along with the appropriate support system around that family. That isn’t to say there isn’t difficulty, the reality of that difficulty for many is one of the drawing factors that will have many appreciating the movie. The characters are developed and played nicely on screen. This is especially the case in the role of the father, played by John Schneider of Smallville and The Dukes of Hazard fame among others.

While the subject of abortion is controversial, this movie presents the journey to understanding by the primary character Hannah. No where in its portrayal is the movie ‘preachy’ and the story is presented in a non threatening, caring way. It is one of the things I think will give the movie some impact if given the opportunity. I have no doubt October Baby will convey the importance of life, while at the same time, respecting the audience it is presenting the story to. If the story presented never happened one could easily look over the premise of the story, in that the story does and has happened though, it isn’t presented as much as an anti abortion movie as it is the story of a young lady who went through a unique situation. The courage and journey of young girl discovering herself is a story that many will appreciate, no matter what they have had to journey through in life. It just so happens that with the subject matter of this movie, there will be others who experience life because the choice and benefits of life are presented. I am reminded of the Bible passage where it states, ‘I knew you and formed you while you were yet in your mother’s womb.’ More than that though, I have learned to appreciate and value the young women, despite difficulty, who chose to give life, even if giving the child up for adoption, because they recognized the potential of life as opposed to the uncertainty of what could have been which comes about with abortion.

Abortion is a subject many are passionate about; it is one where in the support of a position, we often loose respect for the person with a differing belief. It is rare that that uncertainty, which produces heated discussion, is presented in such a way as to bring people together to understand or contemplate the realities of abortion. October Baby, in and of itself does such a thing; whether those who choose to engage in the debate will do that is yet to be seen. I know the surprise and impact I experienced of watching this movie with a group of women, some who had had abortions and others who were contemplating and being encouraged by others to do so. The bottom line is October Baby will save the lives of future babies. I have already seen it do so with at least one baby. I personally don’t know how one puts a price on that, the value of a baby, but in my book, the movie, the story, has already been worth the cost of production, and October Baby did it prior to hitting theaters. Quite an accomplishment if you ask me, but don’t ask me, ask those who see the movie who walk in similar shoes of those I saw the movie with. If that doesn’t persuade one as to the viability of life, I don’t know what will.

On a scale of 1 – 10, while this isn’t a perfect movie, it is still very good and well worth seeing, you might even say it kind of matches that holy number that many refer to, and so, I give this movie a well deserving 7

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L52Lciaui4o

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

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Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

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

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 subscribe to my blog

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

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

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Griff The Invisible on Blu-ray

I love superhero movies, especially the ones that are believable with a hero I can relate to. I especially like it when the hero is a regular guy or gal with a few perks that enables them to fight crime. As of recent, one of my favorites in these genera was Kickass. On the surface, in some ways, with the packaging, promotion and hype, Griff The Invisible reminds me of Kickass. What one sees on the surface and gets in reality though can be two things altogether different. Such is the case here. We have a character we aren’t quite sure of that is either quite delusional or something all together different. The confusion doesn’t stop there though. This movie on the surface may appear to be a poor effort at a superhero movie but it turns out to be a nice love story.

Griff The Invisible is actually a film made on a shoestring budget, it is a superhero movie without the expensive special effects. It is driven more by story and written quite well, especially in its character development by Leon Ford who also directed the film. There are some moments that are lacking, especially in the soundtrack but as some movies go, it is quite nice from a technical perspective.

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riff stars Ryan Kwanten from HBO’s True Blood as the lead character Griff. He is a misfit of an office worker through the day with desires of becoming a super-hero who protects the innocents of his community by night. We see his struggles and poor relationships with his coworkers and his brother. It isn’t until he meets his brothers’ new girlfriend, Melody, played nicely by Maeve Dermody, (a misfit in her own right) that the story takes off. The two falls in love and their willingness to be there for the other, in all things, creates an atmosphere where an action hero movie turns into a good love story. Unfortunately, a love story may not be what people expect when they watch this movie.

Despite what some may expect, I found myself liking the love story in Griff more than I did the hero movie. It is as the two characters develop their relationship that the real chemistry between the actors takes place. Kwanten has done a good job of playing innocents in the past. His portrayal here in some ways is similar to his character in True Blood. While innocent in nature, he does not always make the best decisions. As his love for Melody starts to develop he comes into his own and while predictable in style, it is still done quite nicely and in a respectful way for those watching the film.

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riff touches on the concepts of going after ones dreams and the importance of caring for those who have been hurt. I appreciated the ability to display the importance of one taking care of their self before venturing out to take care of the world around them. It is as Jesus admonished people to do, ‘to love your neighbor as yourself,’ that we get to the place of ultimately being able to love and care for others. Just like Griff in the movie though, there are often barriers in life which seemingly prevent one from loving and caring for themselves. Unfortunately, until we are able to do this, the level of help given to others is diminished. Just as Griff has to learn to value himself before he can adequately help others, so must we. It is through the love of another that Griff ultimately learns the importance of this. For some in life, that love comes from God directly and they are able to recognize it, for others, it comes from another whom God may have placed in our lives to demonstrate that love.

While Griff The Invisible is not quite what I expected, it is still an enjoyable movie. I especially liked Ryan Kwanten. I wish the movie had focused on either a love story or the superhero movie though; it seems to lack direction which in return takes away from the enjoyment and credibility of the movie. While worth watching it is not a movie I would recommend owning. The Blu-ray transfer had little if any value over that of a standard DVD. The visual quality of the Blu-ray and the soundtrack quality have nothing spectacular. There are numerous special features that are fun to watch and the director’s commentary gives some good insights into the film. That all said, I recommend the film as a rental as opposed to a purchase. I enjoyed it but there really is nothing new here to get excited about. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching, I would recommend it for a romantic viewing with a loved one instead of an action movie night though. If doing that, I think most will be pleased.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9NBxXbbmk0

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tallgrass 2011, One Of America's Best

Over the last few years I’ve covered one of America’s premiere film festivals, The Tallgrass Film Festival held in of all places, Wichita Kansas. This growing and developing film festival has grown to be recognized by many filmmaker and experts as one of the top 10 festivals in the country. This, the 9th year of the festival, has me doing something different. While I have covered and reported on the films in the past, this year, I am going to also report on being at the festival as a filmmaker who has a contributed film in the festival. My film, The Long Walk will be appearing on Sunday afternoon but my experiences at the festival will involve much more than just the showing of my film.

So far I have had the opportunity of being at other festivals with my film but the expectations for Tallgrass are high. It has garnished the attention of filmmakers around the globe, and this year, films from over 40 countries were submitted but there are also many films and short films from the United States. There is an annual recognition award that goes to individuals whom have made significant contributions to film called the Ad Astra Award. Award recipients from the past include Cloris Leachman, Don LaFontaine, Dan Glickman, Seymour Cassel and numerous others. This year’s recipient, Elliott Gould is also making an appearance at the festival where 2 of his films are being shown, including his new one, an independent film titled, The Encore of Tony Duran.

One has to wonder, what it is that makes Tallgrass such a respected festival, I think, from word on the street and observation, it evolves around three particular areas. One is its effort to obtain and provide quality, world class independent film. Tallgrass has a reputation, which they have helped promote, of being ‘stubbornly independent.’ That is something I have to agree with, from year to year, some of the best movies I have seen in any given year I have seen at this festival. I have already seen one exceptional film this year among the best I have seen over the course of the year titled Hermano, a dramatic sports film from Venezuela which features brothers caught up in poverty and the violent nature of their community. There is the possibility of football, (soccer) to provide a mechanism of escape from their environment. There struggle is breathtaking and thought provoking.

In the past, Tallgrass has also included such films as Do It Again, a documentary of the story of Geoff Edgers, a Boston Globe reporter, who has the desire to reunite the popular band The Kinks. The festival has also included powerful documentaries such as Saving Luna, a newly reedited film featuring the story of a Killer Whale that got lost from her pod and lived her life in a local fishing community. That particular film has made its way to the big screen in the last weeks, and Do It Again is currently playing on PBS stations in a reduced and edited version across the country. These are but two examples of the incredible films offered, both among my personal top 10 of the year during their release.

There is a second thing that makes Tallgrass exceptional; the way they treat the filmmakers in attendance. While it may surprise many, Wichita KS is a fun town to visit. If you are a filmmaker who has been blessed to have your film accepted into this festival, the Tallgrass staff and volunteers will treat you like royalty. There are ample opportunities to enjoy the long weekend and they will provide assistance in obtaining lodging, travel, speaking opportunities. They also take pride in taking care of you and this is something most filmmakers really appreciate. There is an ongoing VIP Lounge open to filmmakers throughout the festival and the food and beverages are exceptional.

There is a third thing that makes Tallgrass the quality festival it is. The community base of volunteers is second to none. Tallgrass is a community event, using community persons, who work year round in various capacities of film, from presenting terrific educational opportunities for filmmakers, to presenting quality presentations of independent film in the community, of all styles and in various venues. I would challenge, there are as many volunteers at Tallgrass, as some festivals across the country have in attendance for the duration of their festival. While some may not know of the benefit this program brings to the community, it attracts the filmmakers, movies, and response it does for a reason, it is run by quality individuals who in my opinion, put on one of the top 2 or 3 events, hands down, in the state of Kansas, and one of the top film festivals in the Midwest, if not the top film festival in the Midwest. I challenge, there is no single event as well planned, structured and entertaining in the city of Wichita as The Tallgrass Film Festival. It is, that good!

In the past I have had the blessing of seeing this first hand as a member of the press and one who loves film and is actively involved in film. This year though, I get to see it with new eyes and with new experiences, this year I am here not just as a reporter for Hollywood Jesus, I am here as a contributing filmmaker. For filmmakers across the country, looking for a festival to submit your film to in the future, you can hardly do any better than Tallgrass. It isn’t easy to get in, but when you do, you know you are in an established, quality festival that is garnishing recognition across the globe.

Independent film has produced quality, quality that is seemingly lacking in many of the studios over the last few years. There are those who complain about ‘Hollywood,’ but some of the best film in any given year is at a film festival in your community, and that filmmaking is from places like Tulsa, Portland, Wichita, and even smaller communities you may have never heard of like Sedan. If you are lucky enough to have a Film Festival in your community, support it because when you do, you support the future of filmmaking. I am blessed, I can support my local festival which is one of the best in the country. This year, I am also blessed because I happen to have a short film showing at it. On this weekend in October, Wichita is a heavenly place to be, thanks to the filmmakers, city, and especially the volunteers who make Tallgrass happen. Now I have to finish this report up so I can get a free massage being offered for filmmakers through the duration of the festival. While I’m enjoying that, my wife will get to enjoy her makeover being offered to those who would want one this weekend. As for me on that one, I’m happy with my scruffy beard.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BkDfZUv5Ww

Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

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

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 subscribe to my blog

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

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Lion King, Diamond Edition on Blu-ray

Over the years there have been a handful of animated movies that have moved from family fare to classic film. Many of those come from the Disney Library and the new release of The Lion King on Blu-ray DVD on the tails of the recent rerelease of theatrical release and a #1 weekly box office rating shows this film is a timeless classic for a reason; it resonates and endures, not just for a little while, but a lifetime.

Seeing The Lion King in theaters back when it was originally released was a memory I will likely never forget. It was 1994 and I took my young daughter and then very young son to see the movie. My daughter, while older was entertained, and my son, who was around 3 years of age, was also glued to the screen, on top of all of that was the family experience, my wife and I also enjoyed the movie. It had great animation for the children, along with memorable characters but it also had an enjoyable story line for the adults.

It is hard to imagine that animation technology and CGI have evolved as much as it has since the release of the film in 1994. At the time, The Lion King presented state of the art animation, possibly equaled by none. The reality of that quality is no better displayed than how the animation holds up today, especially with the Blu-ray format. The images are crisp, clear, and bright. Another benefit is the high quality of sound on the Blu-ray format. The voice acting of the actors playing their respective parts such as Matthew Broderick (adult Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Nathan Lane (Timon) and Jeremy Irons as Scar, just to name a few, still stands out. Some of the voice acting and animation to match the characters is among the best Disney has ever offered. On top of all of this is the score and story which is still outstanding.

The premise of the film is one that most people likely already know. The story takes place in Africa where a pride of lions and the animal kingdom is led by Mufasa. Musfasa has a jealous brother named Scar. Scar is deceitful and seeks to inherit the kingdom by any means necessary. As fate has it, Mufasa has a son, named Simba who will inherit the kingdom. Simba in his innocence listens to his uncle and this unfortunately leads to the death of Mufasa. Scar talks Simba into going into the dark lands where he will escape the punishment of the animal kingdom for what he thinks is his own role in his father’s death. While there, he comes across two friends, a warthog named Pumba and a meerkat named Timon, (Ernie Sabella.) These three embark on a journey of growing up and in the process learning to do what is right.

In the journey of Simba, we see him grow up and become a lion worthy to be king. He recognizes the need to make things right and to follow his call in life. One of the unique attributes of a Disney film is that while targeting children, with animation and fun characters, there is a willingness to not only show the good, but to also show the dark side of life, including revenge, difficulty, and even ultimately, death. It is in their willingness to show these things that the adult viewer can relate to the characters and story. Simba is memorable for a reason; we grow with him and ultimately understand his journey into adulthood. There are difficulties in life, but there is also a need to overcome.

There is a reason The Lion King is the best selling home entertainment release of all time, it delivers with a story that is eternal. The story is based in part on stories from the Bible, including Moses and Joseph, we see the concepts of being outcast, and then the return where justice is served and leadership qualities are developed. In real life my faith tells me to persevere. It is a concept Simba eventually learns, he recognizes the reality of a higher power in his life and the need to submit to the calling on his life. While there has been tragedy, it is through the concept of perseverance that strength is developed and things of value accomplished. The need to hear these themes, to be reminded of them is a likely reason parents took their children to see it in theaters to the extent they did during its recent release. We recognize that in a hopeless world, we need leaders who persevere. These characters were created with some of the stories from the Bible in mind. It hopefully will have some going back to the original stories to learn about characters like Moses, Joseph, and even Jesus, who all persevered to the point of doing something of value not just for their families, but the world around them. In those lessons of discovering our gifts and talents, we can be inspired to find the hope we need to persevere in our own lives.

I loved The Lion King in 1994 when it was released, I still love it. The transfer quality onto Blu-ray is outstanding and Disney again provides so many quality special features they can’t all be mentioned. For the film buff like me, one will be very satisfied with the product. The only drawback I can think of is this product is going to only be available for a limited time. For those who have followed Disney, they know that when Disney says a limited time, they mean it. I suspect it will be hard to find this product during the Holidays, but I could be wrong. If a fan of the movie, and wanting to give it as a gift this year, I wouldn’t take the chance, Buy it right away, it is worth every penny it costs. I reviewed the Diamond Edition which includes not only the Blu-ray version but also a regular DVD. There are a variety of packages available, all worth the cost.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL1JmPCogq0

Monday, September 19, 2011

Dumbo on Blu-Ray, 70th Anniversary Special Edition

There are some movies that pass the test of time; Dumbo is one of those movies. Disney has just released this classic on Blu-Ray DVD and the question for most will be this, is it worth it? Let me tell you, as a fan of Disney, and especially as a fan of classic animation, this product is well worth it and we now have the opportunity to see Dumbo like never before.

There was the magic age of Disney where it seemed like everything they touched turned to gold, Dumbo is among that era, and the fact that Walt Disney himself had his hand involved in this is no coincidence. The fact that a film released in 1941 would still have appeal to a small child today, and at the same time, entertain their parents or grandparents is a testament to the reason Dumbo is a classic. This animated tale includes valuable lessons in everything from family, to friendship, and from bullying to obtaining dreams. There is more though and the reality that it is all included in only 64 minutes is outstanding. Some would consider Dumbo a part of Disney Gold, count me among them.

For those not familiar with the story, Dumbo is the new baby delivery to Mrs. Jumbo the elephant. He is delivered by the stork, and early on we see how much mothers love their children, whether a lion or a chimpanzee, parents from all walks of life love their children, (or at least they should.) Unfortunately Mrs. Jumbo doesn’t get her baby on time, he comes a little late. We see her go from sadness to joy, back to love and protector as she discovers that Dumbo has an apparent defect, he has giant ears. In a moment of Dumbo being bullied and her trying to protect him she is put into captivity and separated from her baby. This scene, some years later, still brings tears to most that see the love of Mrs. Jumbo for her son when they are separated. Fortunately, Dumbo is befriended by Timothy Q. Mouse who takes Dumbo under his wing, and in the process, helps Dumbo learn to accept himself.

I used the word ‘magic’ earlier, along with the word ‘outstanding.’ I don’t use either of those words lightly. What happens on screen, especially with the time frame given, is nothing short of either of these two words. We see an outstanding, magical story that has many life lessons for those watching. The 64 minutes of this presentation may be as close to 64 minutes of perfection ever put on screen. We see everything from plot development, incredible voice acting, brilliant animation, (not the CGI we are used to, but real animation) and life affirming, eternal messages that will last as long as movies exist. I have seen movies that have lasted for hours that were unable to come close to the character development we see here. I have seen entire series that have said less in their hours than Dumbo presents in its 1 hour. I have seen less entertaining films, that get boring and yet after numerous viewings I have never gotten bored with this story, yes, I use the words ‘magic’ and ‘outstanding’ with intent.

There are so many lessons that one could touch on with Dumbo, but one I have thought little of in the past is the importance of friendship and encouragement we see in the character of Timothy Q. Mouse, not just him though, but in other characters like the crows who encourage Dumbo to find a way to put his giant ears to good use. Those lessons of encouragement, of befriending the outcast, the one who is bullied is a message and theme just as important today as it was in 1941 when this movie was released. In a world where we see bullying and making fun of others played out so much, to know that a lesson of friendship can be learned, appreciated, and at the same time, entertain even for a 2 year old is refreshing. That refreshing concept is the concept I appreciated as I watched the movie with my 18-month-old granddaughter who was entertained throughout the film. I understood, those are lessons I will be able to revisit with her over and over again as she gets older, not just those messages though, but others that are presented in the film such as the love and appreciation of family. The spiritual lessons of how we are to love each other, to see the positive in each other, despite those things we consider faults in others is another life lesson of value. If we could learn to see the benefit and potential in others in the same way God sees those things in us we would be in such a better place. Of course real friends can help with that process. We can learn, whether the one needing encouragement, or the one giving encouragement, there is benefit to loving each other and treating each other like family. Dumbo and Timothy both learn those lessons and we learn along with them.

One of the things I normally like to comment on is the quality of the DVD and the special features. In those aspects, Disney, with Dumbo, delivers. While we have a small screen format as opposed to a widescreen presentation, the colors and sound are more vibrant and brilliant as ever. Disney has included some special features including artwork around the framing of the film to fill out the television screen. I also found myself enjoying as much as ever the abundant special features that Disney brings to this product. In the past Disney has mostly been a hit in the special features they present; sometimes there is a let down; that is not the case with Dumbo. While the navigation bars are not the easiest to navigate, there are numerous features that I have not seen before which make this DVD a definite must own for those owning Blu-ray players. I would go so far as to say this; the purchase of a DVD player would be worth it if buying it to watch this movie. One will quickly find out there are ample features on the Blu-ray DVD’s, (generally speaking) but when finding a blu-ray like this one, you realize, your purchase of the player, plus the extra cost for the DVD are well worth it because it isn’t often we get the opportunity to enjoy a magical, refreshing, outstanding film and product like this version of Disney’s Dumbo.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvTstdw1g6o

Monday, August 29, 2011

Bambi II On Blu-ray

One of the classic films of all time is the Disney film, Bambi. Just released on Blu-ray DVD is the sequel Bambi II. The film released in 2006 is the follow up to the original which was recorded in 1942. Despite the difference in time regarding the release of the sequel, the story in Bambi II starts soon after the death of Bambi’s mother.

Bambi’s father, The Great Prince, voiced by Patrick Stewart, is a single father facing the conflict of raising a son. Bambi goes through many issues that others may be going through, as a result Bambi II is more than just a coming of age story, it looks at the relationship of single fathers and the conflicts they go through in raising a child on their own. Through a series of events, Bambi and The Great Prince learn to realize the need for each other, but not just each other, the community around them.

Over the years I have been quick to praise Disney for their outstanding work, especially in the field of Blu-ray transfer. Bambi II has a great story that is mature enough for adults and children to watch and learn from. The voicing of the characters of the film is quite good, especially Alexander Gould, the voice of Bambi, Brendon Baerg as Thumper, and Nicky Jones as Flower. The story is well crafted. What is lacking isn’t so story, but the magic animation Disney is noted for. There are several good scenes with quality transfer but those are few and far between. The quality is more of what may be expected of a television program than a DVD or movie release. Whatever the expectation, one who has viewed Disney DVD’s in the past will agree this is not as good in its animation.

One of the strengths of the DVD is the story and in that story the understanding of the two primary characters, Bambi and his father The Great Prince. While the story could have been a tad longer, the basics of the characters are intact. One of the weaknesses is the movie plays to the attention span of small children too much. It would have been possible to add some moments appreciated by small children, and developing the characters for the adult audience. For those who have gone through single parenthood, there is enough information but for those wanting to understand the issues, more could have been worthwhile.

Just as in real life, lessons for both father and son are learned through experience, sometimes, even the bad experiences. We see this transpire in a natural and real way, if seeing the story as an allegory. Thankfully, the ultimate lessons doesn’t come at the cost we of the original Bambi film. That doesn’t mean there isn’t tragedy involved, and it doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons to be learned. While some of the events may be difficult for the very young viewer, there are ample opportunities for discussion between child and parent and due to the nature of the events and growth process within those characters it is likely discussion will need to take place.

We unfortunately live in a society where family is becoming more fragmented. Disney recognized that I believe when they decided to do this sequel. The struggles of single parenthood are at its root the theme of this film. While there are difficulties in single parenting, Disney in the character of The Great Prince recognizes that the concept of love within the family, even in broken or single parent families is important and needed. Ultimately that love is transferred not just from a father to a son but from a son to a father. That love involves a sacrifice where one is willing to go beyond the norm. We see that sacrificial love throughout the Bible, a love that reflects not only the goodness of God, but the goodness and love to be communicated to our fellow human. While there is at times conflict, the ultimate desire is to love God and each other. Through the experiences, which require sacrifice, we can get to the place where there is not only understanding, but a life worthwhile for each of us.

I find myself having mixed opinions about Bambi II. I loved the story, although it could have been longer than the 74 minutes of the film, but I was disappointed in the quality of animation. I expect more from Disney and this product just didn’t deliver. While there are some special features on the DVD, I also found them lacking. If purchasing the DVD, I would recommend the purchase of just the standard version of the film as there is nothing worth the additional expense of the Blu-ray. It is nice to know that Disney is offering a value price of the Blu-ray that comes complete with the standard DVD. If able to find the standard DVD in a stand alone package, that is what I would recommend.

I still find myself reluctantly recommending this product on the power of the story and the well acted out voicing. It isn’t the best, but a less than average Disney product is still better than the standard run of the mill animated or children’s product. This one isn’t much better, but it is better on story alone. For that reason, it is worth owning and seeing several times, especially for those coming from single parent families and fathers.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PqdgiSq52Q

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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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Monday, July 18, 2011

Disney's Have A Laugh, Volume 4

Disney is continuing its series Have A Laugh where it is redoing some of its classic cartoons, many of which have not been seen in some time. Their unique approach of releasing the DVD’s with updated music and quality re-mastering improvements to the original product has received quite a bit of praise. For the fans of classic Disney, the current release of Volume 4 will likely keep them happy.

I was actually quite pleased to see some of the older Disney pieces I hadn’t seen in some time, and a couple I had never seen. What I didn’t expect was a remix of some of the features using contemporary music as music styled videos. The transfer quality of the old footage was done quite well. The reproduction and editing with its usage of contemporary music while done nicely actually hindered my enjoyment of the cartoons using that style. The original cartoons with their original score were the highlight of the DVD’s.

One of the pleasures of the old Disney features is the reminder of the early and classic Disney. The characters, from Mickey Mouse to Pluto, and form Donald Duck to Goofy will bring back memories for many parents watching the with their children. Each character is a character many will know well and Disney and the early creators did an excellent job at maintaining character traits with each character over the years.

These old Disney cartoons bring back a seemingly time of innocence. One thing I fully expect them to do is to bring back memories and times where parents and young children can spend quality time together. There isn’t so much the concern of pressing social themes which seems to exist in many contemporary cartoons, there is instead an innocence which has as a primary purpose the desire to make one laugh.

While there is on the DVD what is called ‘Re-Micks’ which has the cartoons playing to contemporary music, I didn’t care for it. The real pleasure of this DVD is the original cartoons themselves. There are special features that are primarily marketing ploys using the same cartoons we see in remixed forms. I was rather let down and disappointed. Unfortunately, there just weren’t enough cartoons on the DVD.

If there had been a few more cartoons on the DVD, despite the issues regarding the remixes and adaptations to the cartoons, I would have been able to justify owning the product. The original cartoons were actually quite enjoyable and entertaining. There may be those who have enjoyed the series that will enjoy this more than I, but I imagine most would agree with my assessment. If looking for a good time with the kids this is an easy and fun hour. This DVD will bring back memories and provide children a taste of the past, a past that all too many parents will relate to.

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

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 subscribe to my blog

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

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

Monday, June 27, 2011

Barney's Version

Barney’s Version is a film garnishing critical acclaim in 2010, from its wins for Best Actor for Paul Giamatti at the Golden Globes for his portrayal as a love struck, alcoholic hockey loving, aging television producer, Barney Panofsky, to the Academy Award Nominated film for make-up as we see a 30+ year span in the life of Barney. There is also the supporting cast representing his 3 wives, his father played by Dustin Hoffman, his children, and ultimately his one true love, Miriam played by Rosamund Pike.

Barney is a tragic story of love lost, love found, and love lost again, well sort of lost. Barney while at his own wedding meets the love of his life, a woman other than his new bride. He leaves the wedding to ask her to marry him even though the two just met. What transpires is her initial rejection and then Barney’s attempt at getting out of a failed marriage doomed at the very beginning and his quest to be with his one true love, Miriam. The journey takes place over a 30+ year time span.

Barney’s Version is a tragic, yet touching and meaningful tale of love, and life. This acting tour de force is an incredible example of quality direction provided by Richard J. Lewis and the lasting story based on the book of the same name by Mordecai Richler. While the screenplay by Michael Konyves does the story justice, the movie does suffer at times from likely movie versus book comparisons. While the movie does a good job, it is impossible to follow the complete concepts of the book, yet, Richler does a good job at doing so and Lewis does a nice job of directing this story driven drama.

Through the story we see Barney from a young man fresh out of college, to the later stages of his life. The make-up transitions are simply put, amazing. Just as amazing is the character development. We never have quite all the answers which keep us glued to the screen as the viewer questions and searches for the pieces of the puzzle. While there are holes in the story, there is enough continuity to keep us mesmerized. The primary credit for this is the outstanding performances on screen. Giamatti is one of the top actors on screen today. He is a treasure to the cinema. He doesn’t let down one iota in this film. We hurt for him, grieve for him, get mad at him, and at times, want to curse him for the decisions he makes. Despite all of the emotion, we never get to the point where we don’t care for him. The end of the film had me tearing up for his character. He never loses love for his one true love, despite the tragedy that falls on him, and there are lessons we can all learn.

Barney’s Version is a reminder of the reality that real love is possible. It powerfully portrays the power of love and the lasting nature of love, even when it seems as if love at times fails. It also reflects on the power and damage that can come about due to jealousy. While jealousy appears to be the downfall of Barney, he quickly realizes his mistakes. Unfortunately the recognition of the mistakes and seeking out of forgiveness doesn’t take away from the consequences of his sin. Just as in many real relationships, while Barney loves his wife and family with a deep passion, he begins to take for granted the things he has. There are consequences for Barney as a result of this attitude, but in the end, despite the tragedies, he comes to the place where he never really loses the thing he desires most.

Many live in a world where heartache and tragedy are an all too real part of life. Some take love for granted. Barney’s Version shows that true love is possible and one should not give up hope. There is power in the love of family, yet many take it for granted. I suspect the director Lewis touches on this theme for a reason. While many of us feel sorry for Barney, we can relate to him. Some will be inspired to love more. Right after watching the movie, I did something out of the ordinary; I went gave my wife a kiss and tell her that I love her. I was inspired to not make the mistakes Barney had, I didn’t want to suffer the same consequences. I wanted my wife to know that I love her.

1st Corinthians 13 in the Bible is in my opinion the most perfect of all definitions in regards to what love is. It is patient, kind, never envious, isn’t jealous, and the list goes on. It would have done Barney well to have known the definition of love as described in 1st Corinthians. Maybe the tragedies wouldn’t have fallen on him. Who knows?

The power of Barney’s Version and Paul Giamatti’s portrayal is that I found myself caring for this character, even after the movie was over. While the characters and their development could have been a little tighter, there was only one criticism I had of the Blu-Ray DVD I had for review. The Blu-ray version of the DVD, (it comes with a standard DVD and a Blu-ray) didn’t work. I worked for over an hour on the crazy thing and just couldn’t get it to work. Unfortunately, all of the special features are on the Blu-ray version. I love special features, and it appears as if there are a number of good ones, unfortunately, I can’t comment on them because due to the defective Blu-ray disc I couldn’t watch them. I wish I could as I wanted to know more about the story. The DVD advertises an interview with the original author of the novel, a behind the scenes making of feature, and more.

While this is a powerful story, well acted, well presented, I honestly don’t know if I would watch it enough to justify the purchase price of it. I would certainly strongly recommend the rental of it and believe film enthusiast and those who enjoy quality movie making with good story will greatly appreciate this movie. I know I did, and while it may be awhile before I watch it again, it will be awhile before I forget the excellent characters and story as presented in Barney’s Version.

To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsfjXNMQt8I