Cross Post from Jack Yoest. Who lifted shamelessly from the Jollyblogger.

This is a cat.

Aslan's on the move

For all of you who live in the Baltimore and Washington DC area I want to invite you to an event at our church this Thursday night featuring author and C. S. Lewis Scholar Art Lindsley. Here's the announcement from the church:

C. S. Lewis has found a new generation of fans with the overwhelming success of the movie adaptation of his book "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

You are invited to a lecture and a dessert discussing C. S. Lewis and the importance of the imagination in his life and writings.

Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006

Time: 7:00 -- 9:00pm

Location: Glen Burnie Evangelical Presbyterian Church

710 Aquahart Rd, Glen Burnie, MD

For more info: 410-766-5363 or office@gbepc.org

Arthur Lindsley, Ph.DOur Speaker

Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow -- C. S. Lewis Institute

Art Lindsley has served at the C.S. Lewis Institute since 1987. Formerly, he was Director of Educational Ministries at the Ligonier Valley Study Center, and Staff Specialist with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. He is the author of the books True Truth and C. S. Lewis's Case for Christ and is the co-author of the book Classical Apologetics along with R.C. Sproul and John Gerstner. He has written numerous articles on theology, apologetics, C.S. Lewis, and the lives and works of many other authors and teachers. Art earned his M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

I hope you can come!

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Thank you (foot)notes:

Free Stuff at the C S Lewis Institute.

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Posted by Charmaine at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I enjoy posting about movies on this blog because of the great comments from you-all, my fellow movie-lovers. One of the leading movie commenters on this blog is Pat Patterson, who wrote today with recommendations for alternatives to a-certain-movie-about-cowboys. As a completely unreformed childhood reader of Zane Grey, I'm going to have to add these to the "must-see/re-see" list.

So without further ado, I give you Pat's list of Westerns Worth Watching:

The Searchers-Wayne's character pretty much exhibits most of the Biblical sins. He refuses to acknowledge the end of the war by obeying a legitimate order. He is a racist, a misogynist, a thief and even a would-be adulterer. Yet when he rises above these evils, he surprisingly receives neither grace nor redemption. He ultimately did the right thing selflessly.

The Outlaw Josey Wales-The flipside of The Searchers in that Josey is a brutal murderer but achieves redemption by making a family out of all the elements that Wayne's character was intent on destroying.

High Noon-The struggle between duty and matrimony (I have to admit when I saw this one in the theater I thought Cooper was nuts for not leaving with Grace Kelly).

Red River-Another Wayne film where his character had become embittered by loss and leads a surrogate family simply by theft and brute force. He becomes more of a man by surrendering some of his authority and being reconciled with his adopted son.

Tom Horn-Not a great film, but certainly one of the best McQueen did in the few years he had left. Horn was a murderer for hire, working for cattle interests to keep homesteaders off open range. A more contemporary film would have shown Horn as simply a thug, but in the guise of a Western he becomes the iconic loner framed against the setting sun. This film, I think, forces the viewer to judge whether to admire a sympathetic and familiar figure that is revealed to be the antithesis of the honorable and honest cowboy.

Thanks Pat!

Any others we need to add to the list?

Posted by Charmaine at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

My prediction was that Brokeback Mountain "wouldn't make it to New Years." So, just checkin' in. How's it doing?

Brokeback Mountain hopped along in limited release, roping $3 million over the four-day weekend at 217 locations. The $14 million cowboy love story averaged $13,599 a site, still sturdy but considerably cooled from its first two weeks with the addition of more suburban locales. With $7.9 million in the till, distributor Focus Features will expand the picture slightly for New Year's weekend before an aggressive addition of about 80 markets on Jan. 6.

Still trying to sell that "average per site" schtick. Well, I guess we'll see how that "agressive addition" of 80 markets works out for them.

The way I read the bottom line is that they are still only barely over halfway toward breaking even. . . on a movie that cost only $14 mill to make.

Posted by Charmaine at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

Steve thought I wouldn't post his comment with evidence of the "sensational" showing of Brokeback Mountain at the box office this past weekend.

Steve, I'll post your comment and raise ya one.

Judge for yourselves.

69 theatres in 21 cities?

I repeat: won't make it to New Year's.

And make no mistake. It's not (only) because it's about homosexuality. It's because people don't like to have a political agenda foisted on them dressed up as entertainment.

Posted by Charmaine at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (3)

How much do I wish I had had a wager on this one. Cold, hard cash on the line. 'Cause you could see this one coming a mile away.

NEWS FLASH!! Brokeback Mountain "tops L.A. crix pix," says Variety.com. The movie has won the award for best picture of 2005 from the L.A. Film Critics Association.

Well of course! Cue the violins. It's a story about "the enduring but thwarted love between two cowboys."

But it's not too late for an easy prediction: this movie will go down in flames at the box office. It won't make it to the New Year.

Guarantee it. Critics will love it, but no one is going to spend money to go see it.

<

Meanwhile, Narnia is sold out.

Friday box office for the Chronicles of Narnia -- $23,900,000
Friday box office for Brokeback Mountain --$191,543

Aslan is on the move.

* * *

Hat tip: Drudge.

Posted by Charmaine at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (20) | TrackBacks (9)

We loved Zathura. This movie has great timing -- for all of you parents who are wrestling with the bad reports coming out about the new Harry Potter: take the kids to see Zathura.

It's a great movie about sibling rivalry. Not that we have any of that around here. No siree, not the Penta-Posse. . .

(Stop hitting your brother!)

Last weekend we were looking for a way to lighten spirits after the Hurricane Heartbreak, and we were thrilled to discover this movie. Even Jack and I were entertained.

One caution: the effects are so good that the "flesh-eating" giant lizards, amongst other things, were a little intense for the two little guys.

But here was a favorite moment:

An evil robot is threatening Walter and Danny, the two little boys who have been transported, inside their house, into outer space.

Our five-year-old, the Dancer, is sitting on Jack's lap, sucking her thumb and watching intently.

The robot gets ejected from the house out into space, and one of the boys says, onscreen, "The robot is gone!"

Moments later, of course, the robot manages to return with a big, loud, scary swoosh.

Dancer removes her thumb and says plainly for all to hear: "Or not."

Posted by Charmaine at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are anything like me, Thanksgiving might be less about the turkey. . . and more about the movies!

My brother and his wife arrived in the wee hours last night, and we are already discussing the movie rentals.

Spiritually Significant?!?
It looks like my friend Joe Carter over at Evangelical Outpost is on that same wavelength, with a list of 50 "spiritually significant films."

It's a really interesting list and lots of my favorites show up. Still, call me a philistine, Joe, but I could NOT make it through your Number 7, Three Colors: Blue, White, Red, by Krzysztof Kieslowski.

(So maybe now is not the time to admit that the number one rental on our list for this weekend is Herbie?)

How 'bout your favorites readers? Spiritually significant, or otherwise. . .

Posted by Charmaine at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

One Hit Wonder?
Last Saturday night I reviewed the movie Alexander, declaring it:

"Worst. Movie. Ever."

These three words convicted me, in the estimation of Downtown Lad, of clearly evident homophobia.

Others, however, agreed with me. And, believe me, if you haven't seen Alexander, the whole gay thing pales in significance to the painful dialogue and tedious plot development.

Andy and Larry Wachowski
Anyhoo. In the comments, I asked: Why do people keep giving Oliver Stone money to make movies? And reader Pat Patterson responded with a fun and interesting list of similar directors -- those who have coasted their entire careers on one good movie.

So, for this Saturday night, here's Pat's list of Hollywood's One Hit Wonders:

Paul Verhoeven-Soldier of Orange,
Robert Rodriguez-El Marachi,
The Wachowski Brothers-The Matrix (not the sequels),
Robert Altman-MASH,
Woody Allen-Annie Hall,
John Singleton-Boyz in the Hood,
Oliver Stone-Platoon,
David Lynch-Blue Velvet,
Michael Cimino-The Deer Hunter
Nora Ephron-Sleepless in Seattle

So Nora Ephron is an interesting one. . . I was going to argue and say, "But what about 'When Harry Met Sally?' But clever! She wrote that one, not directed it. Still, there is "You've Got Mail."

Okay. I know. It's a chick flick. But it wasn't that bad. I'm not going to the mat on it though. . .

David Lynch. Have to tell you: could not even make it through Blue Velvet. The appeal escaped me.

And Paul Verhoeven. Wondering if anyone will want to argue for Basic Instinct? (Total Recall, even??) Looks like I need to rent Soldier of Orange.

So weigh in. Want to defend any of these guys? Add any others?

Posted by Charmaine at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)

Go see Cinderella Man. Quickly. It's a great movie, so says the Chairman in the movie review below. You may beat me there, so please enjoy it doubly.

But it's not just about enjoyment . . . this is, after all "Politics in Real Life" here at Reasoned Audacity, so you knew I was going to sneak in the political subtext. Oh, yes.

The Chairman reports that this is a wonderful movie that celebrates family, doesn't mock people of faith, and is for grown-ups, as well as the coveted teenage boys market. Nice for a change. But according to Box Office Mojo, the movie had a "disappointing" opening:

Director Ron Howard's $88 million Depression-era drama starring Russell Crowe as boxer James J. Braddock got off to a wobbly start, delivering an estimated $18.6 million at 2,812 venues in fourth place.

So those of us who would like Hollywood to make movies that are inspiring and uplifting need to support this one -- we need to send the message that positive, wholesome movies sell theatre tickets.

The following from the Chairman . . .

“You want to go see what?” I said.
“Cinderella Man,” she said.
“But that’s a boxing movie,” I said.
“I know. What time shall I reserve the tickets for?” she said.

Hey, if the birthday girl says she wants to go see a Depression-era boxing movie, I’m gonna take her to see it even if it does star bad boy Russell Crowe who doesn’t do much for me. Well, okay, Gladiator wasn’t bad but . . .

I can’t pinpoint the moment when my reservations about the flick began to fade away. It didn’t have a lot to do with the chemistry between Crowe and Zellweger; she isn’t my cup of tea either. Mostly it had to do with the fact that Crowe played Jim Braddock not as some swaggeringly tough fighter, but as the quintessentially good family man . . . from start to finish . . . without a blemish. This fact alone is probably what allowed me to care about him and his wife and his children.

He made me care because he was just so decent. It left me wondering how a man could be so decent and yet be such a slugger in the ring. He was a ferocious fighter, but I never got the sense that he had any malicious feelings toward his opponents . . . well, maybe Max Baer was the exception.

Boxing was just Braddock’s talent, his profession. Most importantly, it was a means of providing for his family. It never became his life. Braddock’s family was his life.

I understand how his comeback after a year out of the ring earned him the moniker “Cinderella Man,” but given the story told by this movie, it might more aptly have been titled, The Passion of the Family Man. At the outset we are shown how injury and the Depression stripped Braddock of nearly everything: his career, his home, everything but his character and values. We see the family’s desperate fight to survive and stay together during the depression . . . and their decency remains intact when everything else lies in ruin. And we care about them.

I became so gripped by the story that I lost sight of what the actors were doing. The cast was totally believable so they never got in the way of the story — some of the credit for this goes to the director, Ron Howard. I would never have believed that Russell Crowe could have acted the role of Braddock with such a low-keyed, self-effacing dignity.

There are several great scenes in this movie that will always stick with me. But one scene is particularly powerful. On the comeback trail, Braddock is asked by a reporter: “What are you fighting for?”

Continue reading "Guest Blogger: Go see Cinderella Man. . ." »

Posted by Charmaine at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Much more to come on women in combat. I will give the Pentagon meeting report, as promised, but that is still a developing story. Please check back in. (Or subscribe on the left sidebar for email updates.)

Meanwhile, the weekend is here! And the Chairman gives us a review of The Interpreter. . .

Took the love of my life to see The Interpreter last evening. Found it very entertaining at one level, but not entirely satisfying at another.

Seeing aerial footage of New York was a great delight and who can complain about seeing a lot of Nicole Kidman. Plus, my wife works periodically at the UN so it was fun hearing her reactions to seeing the various places inside the UN –– the General Assembly auditorium, the delegates’ room and others. Also, though I really dislike his politics, I liked parts of Sean Penn’s performance.

But here’s where the movie fell short.

Continue reading "Movie Review: The Interpreter" »

Posted by Charmaine at 11:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The Dude (with the help of the Diva) discovered that Gandalf has something to say about audacity on PlayStation 2. They worked very hard to get the quote for mom's blog. And it's perfect:

For ourselves there is no hope. This is our final act to give Frodo time -- time to end the evil that marshalls before us.

We now give witness that the day of men faces the final test. The eye of Sauron will be upon us, mistaking our audacity for power.

We must hold his gaze long enough for the unthinkable to become real. For hope to conquer all.

At first, the Dude gave me only the part of this quote about audacity -- that evil would mistake it for power. And I was disappointed. Where is the inspiration in that?

But it's all in the context: sometimes we are powerless; sometimes we do confront circumstances and opposition that are overwhelming. I loved Lord of the Rings for the reminder that it is a great honor to give your all on the side of good, standing against evil, even if it costs you everything. And even the weakest among us has a part to play.

You just have to go with Gimli! "Certainty of death! Small chance of success. . .What are we waiting for?" There's audacity!

(Thx for LOTR transcript.)

Posted by Charmaine at 12:27 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)