While everyone else is gearing up for the big summer movie season, the big news around here is actually the announcement that every Thursday in June is Drive-In Double Features days on Turner Classic Movies. We’re talking movies like Tarantula, Attack Of The 50 Ft Woman, Queen of Outer Space, and many more, including a few choice Godzilla flicks. It’s just… (sniff) just… (sniff, sniff) I’m sorry, please forgive me. I promised I wouldn’t tear up when passing on this news. Just give me a moment…
Okay, I’m back. You know, as long as we’re mentioning summer blockbusters, we may as well point you to some reviews for the first one out of the gate, the big screen debut of Marvel Comic’s Thor. While the critics reactions have been mixed, the audiences have for the most part taken quite a liking to it. And the religious reaction to Thor has been pretty positive, as well. For a good sampling, take a gander at the reviews to be found at Spiritual Popcorn, The American Catholic, and Speculative Faith.
Thor is actually the only movie I’ve seen in theaters so far this year, and for me, the old school comic book approach to the story more than compensates for the movie’s flaws. The universe Thor inhabits is one where fathers are strong and wise, bad decisions have bad consequences, and women, though equal in brain and brawn to men, are treated like the ladies they are (unlike, say, the feminist approved ‘pervert whores’ taken to task by Sci-Fi author John C. Wright.). What a breath of fresh air. It might be a few years before my 8 year old is allowed to watch the latest Batman and Iron Man movies, but I’d pop in a DVD of Thor for him without thinking twice.
Which reminds me, over at the Catholic News Agency, professional musician Dan Lord has some suggestions of his own about choosing movies for your kids. Based on his criteria, I would guess taking the tykes to see the recent sex comedy Bridesmaids is out of the question. That being said, Allison from YIMCatholic still managed to find some thought provoking questions amidst all of the naughty hijinks and gross out moments one would expect from a movie made by the producers of Knocked Up. Alas, Tom Hoopes at CatholicVote.org finds no similar wisdom in actress Keira Knightley’s comments on adultery made during an interview for her latest film Last Night. But don’t worry, even if the latest round of chick flicks is letting you down, you can always revisit some old quality chick TV. Take Joe Wetterling, host of The Baptized Imagination, for instance, who recently pondered the wisdom of Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s rebound vamp Spike as he explains why the “Blood is life, lack brain.”
Now ladies, just because a lot of the links this time around were for you, don’t forget the men in your lives. With Father’s Day just around the corner, you might be looking for a special gift for that guy who has everything. Well, may we suggest a nice bottle of Crystal Lake Wine (probably not appropriate for use in mass) or perhaps some Han Solo Frozen In Carbonite Ice Cube Trays?
Well, why you’re making your mind up about that, I’ve got to get busy with more blog goofiness. So see you next time.
7 comments:
Gosh, I'm having a lot of trouble finding something good for my kids to watch on netflix. We're tired of Disney but too young for adult movies but then again who wants to watch a movie and then have to confess it? What kind of sense does that make?
I can never decide if I should confess listening to some stupid actor say Gods name in vain because afterall I didn't say it but I did sit through the movie.
Would Jesus go out to the movies?
That Han Solo ice cube tray....you really should have posted that a little while before Mother's Day. 'Cause he's not just Jabba's favorite eye candy, ya know. Every NerdGirl I've ever known has wanted to know what became of that prop after the movie.
That site is really amazing.
We just saw "On Stranger Tides" and after 20 min. of previews, "Thor" looked pretty good. The Transformer horror made me cower in my seat--who thinks that's great for boys??
Xena Catolica
I saw some star wars crap last week at the Hollywood museum. It ruined the whole illusion thing for me because the pieces looked like cheap plastic toys - not even nice ones.
Scarey Darth Vader costume -hahahahahaha
"Would Jesus go out to the movies?"
Hard to say. I can't imagine too many ancient Jews attending events at the Colosseum or Circus. The theater's a possibility though. Paul seems like the type to have seen a few shows.
"Gosh, I'm having a lot of trouble finding something good for my kids to watch on netflix."
Yeah, Netflix Watch Instant isn't too strong on kids stuff, is it? Still, there are a small number of things I've noticed for certain age groups.
If you're Jim Henson fans, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and the really neat Storyteller series are all available.
For more serious fare, there's the 1970s BBC version of The Secret Garden, as well as a few old dog flicks like Where The Red Fern Grows, Benji, and (Lord help us) CHOMPS.
It's hard to go wrong with Japanese oldies like War Of The Gargantuas and some of the Godzilla movies, if they're into that sort of thing.
Animation wise, Ponyo might appeal to the little ones, while The Iron Giant is a must see for just about everybody.
And since I gushed on Thor, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that the first Christopher Reeves Superman movie is available.
When our oldest was in college his friends took a vote on the "scariest but most memorable movie" they saw as kids, and it was unanimous: The Dark Crystal. It's a classic movie about good vs. evil and sacrifice vs. greed. It's also a great movie for adults. After about ten minutes you forget the characters are puppets. That's a good, engaging storyline.
I agree, And it's probably one of the best realized fantasy worlds ever put to film. Every CGI artist should be forced to watch Dark Crystal and then take a class in sculpture.
@Belinda:
have you try some lilo and stitch movies? or some other movies that involves animation?
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