House of Flying Daggers
Rating: A/3 – Beautifully done (acting, music, and art), just like Hero. And also like Hero and many other Chinese flicks, it was rather sad. Not a very complex story, but the simplicity of the story adds to its beauty. (Visit website for moral review).
Terminator
Rating: C/2 – “In the few hours we had together we loved a lifetime’s worth.” What kind of a line is that? Not that it’s dumb (it was meant to encapsulate the strong bond between the lovers), just that it is ridiculous in that the type of love that lasts a few hours is not love at all. He was protecting her and she felt sorry for him for never having “loved” anyone, so she basically just opened herself up to him and it was “true love”. Boloney. (Read rest of review on movies.losanderson.com)
Sleeping Beauty
Rating: A/4 – The overall love story between Phillip and Aurora is weak, just as in Cinderella and Snow White – after 5 minutes of dancing with a stranger they fall in love and know they must marry? Is the kiss really “true love’s first kiss”? This quick romance is depicted in more than just Disney films, so Disney isn’t the only one at fault. So are these fanciful depictions of love harmful to young children? This type of love is non-existent, and if anything is mostly just lustful desires that people choose not to harness. Maybe it just provides a good teaching moment for kids, because I really like this film and feel that the message of Good prevailing over Evil is the strongest and most important message.
Toy Story 3
Rating: A/5 – Great show, probably better than the first two! Read more on the website…
Secondhand Lions
Rating: B/4 – The whole mother leaving her son bit was rather disappointing. Not that all stories need to be happy, and maybe the “dysfunctionality” of this family is actually a plug for families to stick together so their kids don’t get stuck with crazy old uncles (though the story actually seemed to say that this situation was better, so maybe it’s trying to encourage external family members to step up to the plate to help family members in need.) ***Visit the website to read the rest of the review.***
Benny and Joon
Rating: A/3 – The film produced a good message on the importance of making life happy. Life’s too short to look for excuses to not be involved. We need to have the courage to make decisions that will increase our happiness.