Kim’s Movie Picks

In a film that strongly resembles The Godfather in tone, texture, and visual emotion.

Munich , which its disclaimer says is ‘inspired by true events,’ seeks to tell the untold story of the aftermath of the massacre of the Israeli athletic team at the 1972 Olympic village in Munich.  And, that violent act, while certainly shocking at the time, gives us all a lesson in perspective right at the film’s outset, since in these post-911 days, this event no longer seems so shocking at all. And that is one of many key points this incredible movie makes so very well.

Munich is not about the tragedy of losing these athletes, it is about the morale dilemma of fighting violence with violence, of viewing retaliation as righteousness, and in trying to balance survival against losing all ethical boundaries.

After the Munich massacre, Israel commissions an unofficial assassination team, who, over time, becomes a close-knit family group, despite their grisly objectives. Their leader is portrayed with stunning abilities by Eric Bana, joined by the talented Geoffrey Rush, who plays his unofficial government contact and Zionist conscience.  Outstanding performances are plentiful in this movie, but these two stood out above the others. If you have any doubt, let me know how you felt after viewing the last scene between these two characters. To me, this scene was a devastating portrayal of the conflict these assassins faced, both from their so-called enemies, as well as the people they were supposedly protecting. This movie gives no easy answers, for there are none.

Three and a half out of four stars. A must see for anyone who is interested in world events (and that should be all of us). Rated R for strong graphic violence, some sexual content, nudity and language. This movie is about assassination, and while the violence is not usually gory, it is stark and real. Recommended for teens age 16 and over. Grandma should see this film, even if she thinks she shouldn’t. Take grandpa too.

And while the majority of the movie is interesting, I felt the narrative missed its opportunity to evoke that fragile sense of being inside a special world that I felt so keenly when I read the book. 

There has been a bit of a tempest over this film, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Victor/Victoria), because it is set in pre-World War II Japan, and yet none of actors portraying the main characters are of Japanese ancestry – in fact, many of them are Chinese.  I wasn’t overly bothered by this inaccuracy, but of course, I grew up in an era when Anthony Quinn routinely played Indians in Westerns (what WAS with that?!

The good news is that, if you haven’t read the book, this movie provides a good overview of the basic story line – unknown but strikingly beautiful young girl is sold by her family to the service of a geisha house, and survives the political intrigues of that insular world to become a ‘world famous’ geisha.

I have to admit to being disappointed by the film’s ending – as it presents the most Hollywood of finales, and ignores the real ending of the book (which I will not spoil for you here. Read the last four or five chapters. It still ends happy, but there are some serious facts missing from the film about Chiyo’s relationship with the Chairman, her Prince Charming.)

Two and a half out of four stars. Not a must see, but still entertaining. Rated PG-13 for mature subject matter and some sexual content (yes it’s a geisha house, and there is a bidding war, at one point in the movie, for the main character’s virginity. But the film glosses over the subject by using a Japanese phrase for this ‘most precious of gifts.’ And the sex scenes in this movie are fairly discrete.) Okay for teens and above and grandma as well.

Upfront disclaimer: I admire the writings of C.S. Lewis and have been fortunate enough to have not only read the entire Chronicles series, but also his science fiction novels (yes, I am one of those….) That being said, I approached this movie about his most famous children’s books with much trepidation, as it is, on one hand, a simple story and yet, on the other, a complex and rich tapestry of ideas. 

The good news is that this movie is entertaining. It could be deemed a bit intense for young children –those under the age of 9 — most especially any sensitive to separation anxieties.( The story begins with the London blitz and the evacuation of its children to the countryside.) But the performances are good, most especially those of Georgie Henley, who plays young Lucy Pevensie and also Tilda Swinton who plays the White Witch. Warning: this witch is totally unrepentant and is not punished in this high morality tale for her wickedness. Swinton plays her as straight and as evil as can be, with not a hint of campiness or delight. This witch is just plain mean. 

Director Andrew Adamson (of Shrek and Shrek 2) allows Christian theology references to abound in this film, which would be impossible to avoid, since they are the underlying theme of the entire book upon which the film was based. But unless you know to look for them, key items like the tenets of Christian forgiveness, the sacrament of penance, the rewards of personal sacrifice and the ultimate meaning of resurrection will not necessarily leap out at you. 

The digital special effects in this film (CGI) merit mention, as the lifelike depiction of all the animal characters (who converse and act like humans) as well as the combination characters like centaurs, satyrs, minotaurs and gryphons were breathtaking. Aslan the lion, voiced by Liam Neeson, is the spiritual leader of Narnia, and moves with a stately grace that is right out of Animal Kingdom.

Two and a half out of four stars. Rated PG for battle sequences and ‘frightening moments.’  As previously mentioned, the battle scenes in this movie are intense, as is the performance of Tilda Swinton. And some of the scenes are a bit tedious… But a good family movie if your kids are over age 9, and yes, even grandma should like this one, as long as the battle scenes don’t frighten her too much.