Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian’s Personal Site and Blog
Archive for Movies
May 27, 2008 at 11:56 pm · Filed under Entertainment, Movies
I went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on opening night with seven other grown men and had a great time chompin’ pop-corn and watchin’ Indy crack his whip and knuckles again after a 19 year break from the silver screen. How was the movie? Fun. Was it spectacular? Nah.
But I’ve actually been getting a kick out of listening to and reading all the negative reviews of the movie. While I agree with most of them as to whether the movie is on par with Raiders or Last Crusade (Temple seems to be nearly universally hated) - I’ve got a different take on it.
Like Star Wars Episode I, which came out 20 years after the last Star Wars film, Indy 4 was doomed to be criticized by those who loved the first three. (or at least two of the first three.) Interestingly, Episode I was met with mostly whining and complaining by all the twenty or thirty-something year old men (like me) who saw their first Star Wars film when they were a boy, but was loved by all the young boys who saw it. Hmmmm. Could it be it wasn’t really made for us grown ups? Yes, I hate Jar-Jar, but is Chewbacca really that much more believable or sophisticated? Would we really have loved Star Wars so much if we’d been our current age, then? My dad doesn’t seem as obsessed with Star Wars as I am, and he saw them all with me. I wonder why. Oh, yeah, he saw them as a grown up.
Which brings me to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The issue isn’t that Harrison Ford is too old. The issue is that we are. He did a remarkably great job doing an older, worn out Indy who could still crack a joke as well as a whip. In fact, he probably brought the most spark to the film. Indy 4 (a much easier to type title) had a no-win challenge. If it did what could be done 20+ years ago, we’d say it felt dated and didn’t take advantage of modern technology. If it did take advantage of today’s technology, then we’d say it lost the feel of the original films. Either way it can’t live up the expectation of being an Indiana Jones movie of the 70’s or barely 80’s. We want the movie to do to us NOW what the originals did to us then… too bad. We grew up. That’s one of the costs of growing up. We start to criticize and analyze too much. When we were kids, we just went to the movies and got lost in it. Those were good times.
My parents left me in the theater ALL DAY when Raiders came out. We were on vacation - I’d come to the doors at the front of the theater and signal thumbs up or thumbs down if I was going to stay in and watch again, or if I wanted them to pick me up. (In those days, they allowed you to pay once and stay and watch as many times as you wanted.) I stayed all day and watched it as many times as it showed that day.
So, yes. Indy 4 lacked the magic I hoped for - but I don’t blame the movie. I blame my age. But it was a fun film. A little far fetched at times, but, hey! It’s a movie! Ever hear a kid complain that a movie was too far fetched? I thought it was less scary, less gross and had less sexual humor than the earlier ones - and all the adventure and mystery for the most part. Realistic? Not a bit. Just the way a movie is supposed to be.
I’d love to be a kid again, but if I can’t, the next best thing is going to a good adventure movie. Pass the pop corn.
(You can read the official Kidology Review by Pastor Marty Martin on Kidology.org, he covers the Christian concerns angle so I didn’t bother here.)
January 2, 2008 at 4:59 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Christianity, Entertainment, Movies
I had another Veggie Marketing sighting when I went to see National Treasure 2. (my first sighting) This was a framed poster in the theater - pretty cool!
The movie hits theaters on January 11th! Let me encourage you to take the family and GO SEE IT! It is a great movie, but besides that, we need to show Universal that good wholesome, even Christian, movies are worth investing in! If this movie doesn’t do well in theaters we risk losing the argument that “Hollywood” refuses to produce good movies and help them in their argument that they don’t because people don’t go to see them. Do your part and support the film in the theaters so the market will be encouaged to make more clean wholesome fun entertainment for the kids of America!
Allow to me share an excerpt from what I wrote to Phil and Mike to thank them for participating in the Veggie Pirates Q and A on Kidology:
The Pirates film is FANTASTIC and I am praying that God will really use this as an opportunity to show the secular media world that Good entertainment is a worthy investment. I hope that many people will see it in the theaters to boost its success.
I know that the “Christian market” is tricky… - thanks for doing what it takes to communicate Truth to a lost but entertainment hungry world.
You two are star players in my opinion of meeting the enemy on his own turf and giving Truth a good name where it really matters - shining light in the darkness - and providing laughs at the same time. It’s actually rather profound what you are accomplishing.
As I mentioned in my review, this is a very fun film and well worth the cost of admission. For a ton of fun supporting materials about the movie, visit the Kidology Veggie Pirate Page!
October 31, 2007 at 11:00 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Family, Kidology, Movies
As “live blogged” in my last post, I was fortunate to be able to attend an advanced screening of the new Veggie Pirate Movie. Since Kidology has volunteered to be a promotional partner (we do not accept paid advertising) I was just a little nervous… what if I don’t like it? (not that this was likely coming from Big Idea, but it’s our first time being an official promotional sponsor, so positivity is kinda assumed.) Well, not only can I rest at ease - you can too!
THE MOVIE IS FANTASTIC!
And exceeded even my high expectations! Any concerns of it feeling too long (“half an hour” is part of the Veggie theme song!) or missing the mark of appealing to a wide range of ages quickly evaporated.
Steve Tanner and I with our shirts we
won answering movie trivia at the end!
I’m happy to let you know that the movie hit all the marks for me!
- Great for kids!
- Humor for adults too
- Great message
- MANY teachable points
- Visually stunning
- Creative and fast paced
With the recent hit of “other other Pirate movies” - I wondered if it would feel like the thrill of pirates had faded. (They did note that their screen play was written first!) I loved the opening scene, granted the temporary music was from the Pirates of the Caribbean, but it was a lot of fun. I wondered how modern times and “Somewhere in the 17th Century” would blend, but it was done creatively and with little over-explaining.
This film is not a direct parody of a Bible story, such as Jonah was. While some may find reason to criticize that, I actually found this approach stronger. In a Bible-story adaptation, you have to explain what is “real” or “true” from the story, and what was make-believe. In this approach, the entire thing is make-believe, so you have a LOT more freedom to draw lessons and teachable points. Some, perhaps, not even intended by the writers. It’s too soon for spoilers, but let me say, you could pause this movie often and make teachable applications, or show clips to teach even some spiritual issues that adults wrestle with. The animation may lean toward younger kids, but the message is both hard hitting and encouraging at the same time. There are lessons for kids, but a strong message for Dads too to give your kids a reason to look up to you.
Of course, the question is always: see it in the theater, or wait for the DVD. I would really encourage the giant screen experience. From the thrilling music, to the beautiful vistas and even giant rock monsters… the giant screen will be a blast to enjoy, as well as keep kids focused for their first exposure to the story and message. I’m eager to see the final version when it comes to theaters.
While I like to see wholesome Christian films in the theater to help support and encourage their creators and to send a message to Hollywood to make more wholesome, fun, clean movies… this one I’ll see in theaters simply because it will be the best viewing experience.
Karl gives Veggie Pirates four thumbs up! (holding up my son’s thumbs for extra votes)
October 30, 2007 at 5:32 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Movies
LIVE BLOG!Â
Me with one of screening volunteers!
Steve Gets in the Mood!
Nephew and Niece came along for the fun!
Well, it’s almost movie time, so I’d better shut the laptop! I’ll update this post and blog my review soon!
October 29, 2007 at 4:11 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Movies
HOIST THE SAILS!
IT’S THE MOVIE YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
THE VEGGIE PIRATE MOVIE IS COMING JAN. 11!
Here is the trailer:
In case you are wondering why our logo is on the trailer above, Kidology is a promotional partner for the film. You’ll see our logo on the bottom of the pages at the screening site, and it will be showing up in some other places… yet to be announced. We helping to spread the word about the film via Kidology.org, for now with a forum discussion where you can discuss the upcoming Veggie Movie! Seems we attracted some attention with the discussion we did for the Jesus Camp film and the Q and A with the directors of that film. We really excited to be having a Kidology Forum Q&A with Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki in November, so STAY TUNED FOR THAT! You’ll not want to miss a chance to interact with the creators of VeggieTales right on Kidology.org!
I’m excited because I am going to the PREVIEW SHOWING TOMORROW NIGHT here in Chicagoland!
Maybe I’ll take Pirate Lukie along?
250/32 yikes, I’d better get busy!
