The Lost Legacy: A Movie Review of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's "The Adventures of TinTin"

When young journalist TinTin uncovers a mystery of a sunken fortune, he and his faithful dog Snowy are on the case! Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson brought the 1940's comic character to the screen. For those who remember this delightful "detective," the more recent  Adventures of TinTin will not disappoint! It includes the voice talents of Jamie Bell as TinTin (who, I think, does a marvelous job), Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as Mr. Ivan Sakharine.

SUMMARY

   After buying a model ship, journalist TinTin finds out that there are people out there who are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on it. TinTin then discovers a piece of paper hidden inside the ship's mast. It contains a riddle that he and Snowy follow. They then learn about the disastrous journey of the ship called The Unicorn. The two of them are captured and taken aboard a ship, where they eventually meet descendant of The Unicorn's captain.

   TinTin, Snowy, and Captain Haddock journey to Baghar. They must race against the evil Sakharine to find the secret of The Unicorn. The movie builds up to the great climax.

CONTENT

   For a PG-rated film, the violence was a little disturbing. Some parts I would expect from a PG-13 film, but not one carrying this more lenient rating. Early on, a man is shot (though we are not shown the actual shooting) and his uses his blood to trace a secret message to TinTin. There is action violence throughout the film (including more guns). In one scene (during a flashback), the evil pirate Red Rackham orders a ship's 

crew thrown overboard. The audience is shown the crew mates (bound with ropes) pushed into the sea and eaten by sharks. 

   Throughout the film, Captain Haddock is either drunk or drinking. Sakharine mentions twice that he is a drunkard and we are actually shown Haddock in his delirious state. Thankfully, he conquers this weakness by the end of the film. In one ridiculous scene, though, he uses his breath to keep an airplane's engine going. 

   TinTin is really a wonderful adventure. Many aspects reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies. The musical score, by John Williams, sounded very similar to the Indiana Jones movies (specifically the third one). There are a few comical scenes, usually including the two blundering detectives Thompson and Thompson. 

   I think that pre-teens may be comfortable with this film, but not many younger viewers. My seven-year-old brother watched this movie, but closed his eyes for the most violent scenes. Adults will enjoy this film, I'm sure, but probably not as much as pre-teens or teens.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 106 minutes

Rating: PG (for adventure action violence, some drunkenness, and brief smoking)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Producers: Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, and Kathleen Kennedy

Music: John Williams

Year of release: 2011

Audience: Pre-teens, teens

Dashed Hopes on the Battlefield: A Book Review on Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Killer Angels"

The Battle of Gettysburg had the most deaths of any other battle in America. Robert E. Lee said it was largely his fault that the battle went so terribly. What would it be like to be at the actual battle? To hear the officers barking commands...to smell the heavy smoke of musket fire? Michael Shaara wrote his first Civil War novel, The Killer Angels, and left a legacy that his son would take up and continue.

SUMMARY

   In America, before the Civil War, there was a belief system called transcendentalism. Famous followers of these beliefs were Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott (author of Little Women). It stated that there was an "Oversoul," which meant that humans had the power of nature and the universe in their soul (and that all people are basically good). In this way, man was depicted as a type of "angel." The transcendentalists believed in a general god, but he had nothing to do with the world. When the Civil War came, these beliefs were dashed when it was seen how terrible man could really be. The bloodiness and horror of the War Between the States caused people to see that people were not as good as they had thought. During the book, a character says that if man is an angel, he must be a killer angel.

   The actual story is the days leading up to and during the Battle of Gettysburg. At the end, a brief future of each of the characters is given. The main characters are Joshua Chamberlain and James Longstreet, though Lee has some chapters of his own (as do other officers). 

   A spy named Harrison provides vital information about Union movements to General Longstreet. The book continues through the story, showing the emotional thoughts, actions, and deeds of both Union and Confederate officers.

   The book concludes with the end of Gettysburg and the Confederate retreat.

 CONTENT

   Since The Killer Angel is a novel about the Civil War (specifically Gettysburg) there is a good degree of battlefield violence. There are deaths and losses described on both sides of the battle, although much of the book is the thoughts of the officers.

   There is quite a bit of language throughout the story. D*** and h*** appear most often, but I do also remember the Lord's name being misused one or more times. There are other swear words (too many to name). I think this is the biggest problem with the book.

   The Killer Angels is an extremely well-written novel (minus the language, of course). I was definitely impressed with the way Shaara depicted the army officers, especially Chamberlain. I also liked how the author depicted Robert Lee, leader of the Confederate army. Most people see him as a stoic, flawless man. Lee himself said he was largely to blame for the tragedy that was Gettysburg. There is a tension shown between Longstreet (who wishes to leave Gettysburg) and Lee (who decides to stay and fight).

   This is an excellent tale of one of our nation's most crucial battles. Though the novel includes language, it has good insight into the Civil War and what it caused.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 370-380 (depending on edition)

Author of book: Michael Shaara

Published in: 1974

Primary audience: Teens, Adults

Turning the Tables: A Movie Review on the Academy Award-nominated "12 Angry Men"

Twelve jurors are faced with whether or not to convict an 18-year-old of murdering his father. At the beginning, eleven say "yes" and one says "no." Thus the stage is set for the Academy Award-nominated film, 12 Angry Men.

SUMMARY

   An 18-year-old boy is convicted of murdering his father. The twelve jurors must decide his fate: release or death. All of them start by voting "guilty"...that is, all but one! "Juror 8" (Henry Fonda) wishes to discuss the case. He does not want to execute someone lightly. Afterwards, there is much debating. Evidence is brought forward to question whether or not the boy was really guilty. We see good and bad logic used as the final decision is made unanimous.

CONTENT

   The entire film (minus the first minute or two) is set inside one room. Therefore, there is little violence other than references. Of course, the charge for murder is the main storyline, around which the whole film revolves. One man uses a knife to prove his point and the men jump when he raises the knife at a man. He does not attack the man, though. Apart from this, there are verbal arguments, but no physical fighting that should cause 

concern.

   I am pleased that, throughout the film, there is only one use of d***. There are no other uses of foul language.

   This movie can be a little slow moving and somewhat hard to follow at points. Be prepared to sit and watch the same men in the same room for over an hour. It is very interesting and an engaging mystery. This is not a children's movie due to not only the murder charge at the heart of the film, but also the length in itself. Despite all of that, this is one of my most favorite films!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 96 minutes

Rating: NR

Director: Sidney Lumet

Producers: Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose

Music: Kenyon Hopkins

Year of release: 1957

Audience: Pre-teens, Teens, Adults  

Why Not to Clone Dinosaurs: A Movie Review of Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park"

Twenty years ago, the famous Jurassic Park film was released into theaters, based on the book by Michael Crichton. In April 2013, it was re-released in 3D to celebrate the 20th Anniversary.

What if scientists used DNA from the blood of dinosaurs (found in mosquitoes, encased in amber) to create dinosaurs? In this science fiction film, this storyline is played out and depicts what could entail. The paleontologists and the mathematician in the film are skeptical and cautious of Jurassic Park (and rightly so). The film features the acting talents of Sam Neill (Alan Grant), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), and Richard Attenborough (John Hammond). Directed by movie-making legend Steven Spielberg, this movie has both good and bad aspects.

SUMMARY

   Paleontologist (fossil scientist) Alan Grant and his assistant, paleobotanist (fossilized plant scientist) Ellie Sattler are invited by millionaire John Hammond to get a preview of his "biological preserve." They fly there, meeting Hammond's lawyer and mathematician Ian Malcolm. They drive out on top of a large hill where a massive brachiosaurus (long-necked dinosaur) is eating the leaves, and John Hammond officially welcomes everyone to Jurassic Park. In a famous scene from the movie, Grant asks Hammond, "How did you do this?" Hammond says, "I'll show you."

   Now the "behind-the-scenes" of the park is shown. They watch a short video and then enter the breeding room. They see a baby velociraptor (an extremely dangerous predator) and then take the official park tour.

   Eventually, the power on the park is shut down and the dinosaurs escape. The people on the island must work together to escape the island alive.

CONTENT

   With dinosaurs running loose, you can imagine that there is quite a bit of violence in the film. While one of the workers is driving through the park, a poisonous dilophosaurus inside the car spits venom at the man. We see the car shaking as the dinosaur attacks his prey, and we hear shouts. The lawyer Donald Gennaro hides in a restroom, and the tyrannosaurus rex knocks down the building and eats him. We are shown him being eaten. Later, a velociraptor eats a man, but they are mostly hidden by a large fern. Other than this, the surviving people are attacked by dinosaurs. In one scene, Ellie Sattler is in the power bunker when she finds someone's arm.

   Ellie Sattler mentions she would like to have children, but there is not really much of a relationship shown between her and Grant other than being close friends. While in the breeding room, Dr. Henry Wu says that all of the dinosaurs are female. Malcolm asks if the scientists "lift the dinosaur's skirts" to find out. Later, Malcolm mentions that he has had many divorces (he says he is looking for the next Mrs. Malcolm).

   There is language in the movie. God's name is used in vain at least twice (perhaps more), d*** is used several times, and the b**** is used once.

   Of course, the entire movie is based on dinosaurs that have been cloned. Cloning (whether for animals or humans) is biblically immoral and opposed to God's design. Fortunately, the cloning of dinosaurs is shown as wrong. At the end, Grant says that he has decided not the endorse the park. Hammond nods and agrees, admitting that he was wrong about Jurassic Park. Also, evolution is portrayed as truth. The term "millions of years" is used a few times. Grant says that dinosaurs and man were separated by 65 million years (I rolled my eyes when I first watched this film).

   On the other side, there are some good lessons in this movie. At the beginning, Grant expresses his dislike of children. By the end of the film, he has become good friends with Hammond's grandchildren. John Hammond learns that people are more important than scientific achievements. In one scene, Ellie says that the people they love are what matters are the moment.  

   Jurassic Park is a good movie, apart from the flaws. The musical score by John Williams is absolutely wonderful. Discerning Christians will be able to spot the lie of evolution. Due to violence, this is definitely not a film for young viewers. My eleven-year-old sister watched this and was not scared, but my two younger siblings are not allowed to view this movie. Teens and adults will probably get the most out of the movie.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 127 minutes

Rating: PG-13 (for intense science-fiction terror)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Producers: Gerald R. Molen, Kathleen Kennedy

Music: John Williams

Year of release: 1993

Audience: Teens, Adults

Your Thoughts

   Do you agree with my reviews? Either way, please feel free to comment your own thoughts about any movies or books. Merely click the comment button and choose to sign-in or (if you do not have a "sign-in") choose Anonymous. Please say, somewhere in your comment, whether you thought the book/movie was Excellent, Average, or Offensive.

~nbr1776

The Lost and Found Gold: A Book Review of "Silas Marner" by George Eliot



Original version on Amazon Kindle

A weaver who hordes his gold suddenly loses it in a robbery. Soon, though, a golden-haired orphan appears at his doorstep. This sets the stage for the classic book Silas Marner by Mary Anne Evans (under the pen name of George Eliot).

SUMMARY

   A weaver named Silas Marner finds himself falsely accused of stealing his chapel's money. On top of that, his fiance's mother forbids him from ever speaking to her daughter ever again. In despair, Silas leaves town.

   Years later, Silas is living in Raveloe, still as a weaver. He keeps to himself, save for when he has customers. He collects and hordes gold (personally, this reminded me of Scrooge from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol), keeping it hidden under some loose bricks.

   His money is stolen, but a few days later, he finds a woman in the snow. The woman is dead of frostbite and Marner adopts the woman's golden-haired daughter. With the help of Dolly Winthrop, Marner's friend, he names her Eppie. She grows up to be married at the end of the book.

   There are other characters who have their own stories: Squire Cass (Marner's landlord), his oldest son Godfrey, his youngest son Dunstan, and the beautiful Nancy Lammeter.

   Godfrey loves Nancy, but he has a secret that keeps them apart. Dunstan is a lazy trouble-maker who disappears early on. Eventually, Godfrey and Nancy are married, soon after Silas adopts Eppie. At the end of the book, before Eppie is married, some startling secrets come to light.

   There are thousands (maybe millions) of good books out there. You can tell a book is especially good, though, if it makes you happy and mad, laugh and cry. I would say Silas Marner is an especially good book!

CONTENT

   There is not really much violence in this story. The most violence is when a skeleton is found after the stone pits are drained of water. 

   Once Eppie is older, she has a romantic relationship with Aaron Winthrop, but it is a healthy relationship. There is nothing inappropriate between them. Godfrey Cass is already married while he holds feelings for Nancy. He marries Nancy only after his wife dies. Neither is there any swearing in the book.

   Silas Marner learns the valuable lesson of cherishing people, rather than wealth. There are also values/lessons of forgiveness and God's providence in the book. Silas Marner is a most touching book and is definitely one of my favorite stories ever!

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Number of pages: 194

Author of book: George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)

Published in: 1861

Primary Audience: Children, Teens, Adults

The Impossible Journey: A Book Reviw of Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days"

The Whole Story edition

A French servant is hired by a wealthy British man. Very soon after, they embark on a ridiculously impossible undertaking: to go around the entire world in just eighty days. The author of Around the World in Eighty Days, Jules Verne, is one of the greatest science-fiction writers of all time. With such classics as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth published under his name, it is no wonder that he still to this day has millions of readers...almost 110 years after his death in 1905.

SUMMARY

   Since this masterpiece was first published in 1873, it would have been seen as an extremely difficult task to travel the whole globe in just eighty days, at that time! Today, of course, we have the modern conveniences of airplanes which make it possible to go to the other side of the world in just a matter of hours. This does not make Verne's classic any less exciting, though! 

Original edition (on Amazon Kindle)

   The story begins with the French man Passepartout being hired as a servant to Englishman Phileas Fogg. Later, at a club, Mr. Fogg makes an enormous bet that he can travel the entire globe in just eighty days. He does the equation on paper, but the other men are still not quite convinced. They do, however, let him go ahead with the bet. He and his servant rush to leave and thus begins their great adventure. From India to the USA, the two have many adventures in their three months abroad. While in India, they rescue a princess and escape (while a sneaky detective named Fix is on their trail). 

   Mr. Fogg, Passepartout, and the princess Aouda do eventually reach London unharmed. The story has a bittersweet ending (which I will not spoil!).

CONTENT

   There is some minor violence throughout the book. In India, the princess Aouda is going to be sacrificed to the Hindu goddess Kali (there are a some Hindu religious references during these parts). Fortunately, she is rescued. There is adventure violence in other parts, but they are not all that descriptive.

   Aouda is described as "a celebrated beauty." There is a little romance between her and Mr. Fogg, but there is nothing inappropriate or descriptive.

   In the way of language, I recall no swear words used in any part of the book.

   At the end of the book, Phileas Fogg realizes he does not need material things to be happy. He does not find happiness in God or anything like that, (I do not believe Verne was a Christian, but rather an atheist) but instead in his love for and marriage to Aouda. There is still a good lesson to be learned here, though.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Number of pages: 156 (original version), 296 (The Whole Story series edition, due to illustrations)

Author of book: Jules Verne

Published in: 1857 (original version), 1994 (The Whole Story series edition)

Primary readers: Children, Pre-teens (though teens and adults may enjoy it)