Steven Gibbs

Movie Review

Alright, finally made it to see Reign Over Me, with Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler. I had pretty high hopes, as I love movies about redemption. For me, this flick didn’t quite live up to my expectations. However, it wasn’t bad.

Charlie Fineman (Sandler) lost his family in a 9/11 airplane crash. So he has shut down, reducing his life to riding around NYC on a scooter looking for vintage records. He has shut everyone out of his life. He’s lost. He has no purpose. He needs to find his way home. Sound familiar?

He runs into his old college roommate Alan Johnson (Cheadle). He appears to have it all together. He owns a lucrative dental practice. Has a great family and lifestyle. But he’s empty. He hates the work he does, and feels smothered by his wife, even though she would be sympathetic if he would just tell her. Ironically enough, he is just as lost as Charlie. He’s lost his purpose. He also needs to find his way home.

As the story goes, both of them find their way to healing. Charlie gets some professional help, and attracts a woman into his life (the jury is out if she will actually be GOOD for him, she’s pretty messed up). Alan gains control of his business and his family. So, the ending was solid.

I love the redemption factor, and see the story of someone following Christ written throughout the movie. People need healing from past hurts, baggage, sin, and general badness in the world. In the movie, they find it in each other. In life, we find that in Christ.

It could have had more dramatic effect, and some of the story lines were pretty far-fetched.

Grade – Steven B-, Debby C

Movie Review

Debby and I went to see Premonition last night. She had wanted to see it since the previews came out several months ago. The concept was that Linda’s husband, Jim, was killed in a car crash. She begins having episodes where she wakes up on non-sequential days. Jim may be alive, as if he never died. Then she sleeps, and when she wakes he is dead. This movie had promises of being a Sixth Sense experience, but fell way short. Too many random events, and I was never sure which day it was. Linda wasn’t either.

I’m still holding out hope for Reign Over Me.

My grade – C-

Movie Review

I wanted to hit base on some movie comments for this week. My wife was out of town, so I watched a movie that had won many awards – Best Picture to name one. I must say I was not ready for what hit me in The Departed. I was planning on reviewing the movie, but I’m not sure the review would be viewable for all viewing audiences! I’m pretty careful when it comes to watching rated R movies. I think you have to guard your heart, and you know on the front end what you can watch. You also know when you should turn a movie off, or walk out. I have done all of these in the past. I must say, not since the imagery of Saving Private Ryan have I been so shocked by a movie’s graphic nature. I heard it was brutal, but wow, this one was off the chain. Since it won so many awards, I thought I would endure until the end, and I did. The acting was great, but the language and violent content definitely made me wonder if it was something I should have seen.

The trailer is out for Pirates of the Caribbean 3. I hope you enjoyed watching the countdown.

I actually want to see Reign Over Me. I think movies should be no more than 105 minutes, and this one is over 3 HOURS! My wife says it looks too depressing for me, but something about the story line intrigues me. Seeing someone who is lost come back from hopelessness, all because of the effort of a friend. Sounds a little like the New Testament (smile.) I'll probably wait for a few more reviews before deciding.

Movie Review

Alright, why didn't somebody warn me about Bridge To Terabithia? I took my boys to see it, and the ending was NOT what I bargained for.

When I go to movies, I usually have an idea of the plot. For this one, nothing. My kids wanted to see it, and my wife mentioned it as well. Didn't do my research. I had seen the previews, and it looked pretty cool. And it was. Until that moment. You gotta know, when it comes to movies, I need the good guy to win and people to live happily ever after. Not to spoil the end for you, but there was a sudden twist that I wasn't expecting. Now, I'm depressed. Give me Night At The Museum next time.