Prayers Requested...

• Please pray for my father, as he goes through health issues.
• And for my mother, as she supports him during this time.
• For my sister-in-law, who is recovering from surgery required to clean out an infection from tooth extractions.
• For my sister-in-law planning to travel down for Thanksgiving but is struggling with two children with Strep.
• And plenty of other people not listed.
  

Holidays are going to be fun this year.

Between the Walls (2005)

Without God's forgiveness, when we die we would be faced with every moment of our lives in front of us. Imagine a library of audio tapes or DVDs or any other recording media that would await you. All of our flaws, all of our mistakes, all of our sins... we would be forced to digest all of our inadequacies as we plead during our judgment.

That's the symbolism behind the Christian feature film, Between the Walls. The film, directed by Chris Staron and starring Patrick Midgley, Eli Jared and Scott Davis, follows a young man (Midgley) from an abusive childhood who must deal with the foreclosure of his parent's house. His cruel father now long past, Midgley revisits the house and must face the fears and demons of his past.


Throughout his life in the house, Midgley's father had a locked room in the basement that no one was ever allowed to enter, not even his own wife. Unlocking this room and discovering its contents thrust Midgley to revisit everything he was trying to forget and come to some sort of spiritual resolution through understanding and forgiveness.


Between the Walls is a solid Christian film. The acting is very good and the story, for the most part, is well told. The visual tricks to thrust the main character into the past are inventive and effectively used. The story loses some punch in the third act where it becomes a little too preachy, but the overall message and symbolism it shows throughout make the film a worthwhile experience.


On the behind-the-scenes portion of the DVD you get to see how the Sharon brothers overcame numerous struggles to make the film. They also provide primers on lighting, framing and directing that are a nice touch.


I recently heard in an interview that the Sharon's are working on a Christian comedy. I look forward to their next film. These guys have talent and I look can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Beowulf 3D (2007)

In the 1950's, when television drew millions of viewers away from the cinema, the film industry responded by trying to make going to the movies a unique experience and introduced 3D to the mass public.

Now, with movie theaters competing with HDTV, the internet and a distracted customer base, 3D is making a comeback. 3D has advanced quite a bit by now... first you no longer need those red and blue glasses. And with digital projection, your eyes no longer get tired from the flicker of dual projectors. I've always been a huge fan of 3D. I would love to direct a 3D film... that would be very cool.

Beowulf

Many new movies are planned for 3D release, including this year's Beowulf. And, thankfully, it looks like 3D has come into its own.

The story of Beowulf follows the title character, played by Ray Winstone. Beowulf is known worldwide for his heroic exploits, and he arrives and attempts to kill a local demon (Crispin Glover) that would free a king (Anthony Hopkins) of a devastating curse. During the journey, Beowulf is tempted by a water demon (Angelina Jolie), enticed by the queen (Robin Wright Penn) and harassed by a knight (John Malkovich).

Sticky Demon

The film itself is PG-13 and deserves the rating. The violence is, though animated, quite graphic at times. The disturbing looking demon looks like a malformed burn victim... icky and sticky. The water demon (Jolie) transforms into a almost-nude form that leaves little to the imagination. This is not a kids movie.

Beowulf is very effective in its storytelling. The 3D is top notch and really immerses you in this historic world. A battle with a dragon at a critical point in the film is thrilling and exhilarating as everything moves by you as if you were really there.

Jolie as the Water Demon

Jolie's character is the perfect symbolism of sin... beautiful, enticing and seductive at first, but the price you pay is heavy and potentially fatal if you fall prey to her lies. The personal flaws of Beowulf (pride and vanity) are his weakness and could be his undoing if he does not rise above them.

Morally, the film has a lot of good examples to show. Visually, the film is both amazing and graphic to watch. For me personally, it was a little too "ikcy"... blood, slit open skin, oozing open wounds, a freakishly disturbing demon... not for my palette, but that doesn't mean its not effective.

So, check out the future of 3D. Beowulf is a memorable theater experience. And get prepared for future 3d films. Hollywood has a lot of them in the works.

One of the things theaters have been talking about is offering sporting events in 3D. That would be cool. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.