h/t someplace on the Internet, I forget where.


Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See:
Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens

Labels: miscellaneous

I just received word from my publisher regarding the book:

"Mr Nehring, I have the pleasure to inform you that one copy of You Are What You See: Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens will reside with His Holiness in the Vatican archives"

Not bad for something I wrote in my basement.



Interested in joining my Facebook page? C'mon, you know you want to. The book will be on presale soon. Facebook folks will get a little extra thrown in for good measure.

Click here to join the You Are What You See: Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens FB page.

Labels: miscellaneous, You Are What You See

Be the first kid on your block to join my new Facebook Page.

Why join my Facebook page? Because all the cool kids are doing it. That's why.

Click here to join the Good News Film Reviews FB Page





If that doesn't float your boat, then why not join my Facebook page for my upcoming book You Are What You See: Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens. Get the latest news, insight and promotional stuff! Besides, it will feed my tender ego.

Click here to join the You Are What You See: Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens FB page.






Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch

Labels: miscellaneous, site news, You Are What You See

Wanna know what I do when I'm not suffering through the latest heap of cinematic trash or whining about it here?

Well, as of today, I do this:




I guess I need to start a bee blog now.





Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch

Labels: miscellaneous, non-film

Hey, there's Tea Parties happening all around the country. Why not make it all about me?

Here is my Tea Party speech from last year in front of 8,000 friends at the Minnesota State Capital.


If you don't like it, you're probably a racist.






Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch

Labels: miscellaneous, tea party

From Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal:






Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch

Labels: miscellaneous

As someone who is forced to watch an endless parade of crappy movie trailers, I tell you, these folks nail it.

Labels: comedy, miscellaneous, movie trailer

You have to love FailBlog



Best comment: "What would Jesus dough."



h/t Krispy

Labels: miscellaneous, non-film

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards are still nothing more than a ridiculous trade show.

We'll keep you posted if anything changes.

Labels: miscellaneous, Oscars

I apologize for the unannounced absence. I've have been sidelined by a few unexpected events. I beg your patience and will be back to a regular schedule next week

In the meantime, here an interesting video, "Stargate Studios Virtual Backlot Reel 2009".

Just because you see something doesn't mean its there.






And here's some junk I've had on the hard drive that's slightly film-related. I have found them here and there online (deaddog.com, chive.com, etc.):

Labels: miscellaneous, site news

If you got to say something about Brown - May as well let Hitler do the talking.

For all my lefty friends...

Labels: miscellaneous, non-film

According to The Sun, morons are have taken to naming their newborns after characters from Avatar.


"Pandora is tipped as top choice among US fans, with UK parents set to follow." These illiterate slack jaws are naming their daughters Pandora? Why not just name her Daddy's Little Failure or Doomhilda?

Labels: Avatar, miscellaneous, movie news

No real post today - working on the book. So, to pass the time, here is a guy smashing his daddy dangle.

Labels: miscellaneous

Because its funny and true.




h/t Deaddog.com

Labels: christmas, miscellaneous, non-film

Today's thoughtful retort comes from Brian. Here is his reaction to my review of Avatar.


Obviously, you are a radical right wing Republican with no sense of decency. This film, if you actually took the time to think about it, shows the evils of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Rove, Haliburton, Blackwater, and Big Oilm (sp) of course in a different context because if James Cameron showed them instead, he would be put in Guantanamo Bay with the other innocent, non-Christian, indigenous peoples of the Middle East that dare dissent from Bush's illegal wars on dark-skinned peoples who don't bow to that Jesus fellow or read the fictinal (sp) Bible and act like it is fact. Plus, look at how much you care about the use of the word race. Obviously, you didn't vote for Obama and don't support him because he is black.

I saw this movie and it was as brilliant as any Orwell story. I think every American should see it and understand the context. If the redneck cracker homophobe racist sexist nd (sp) Islamophobic Republicans don't like it, they shouldn't go see it.



The Christ = "that Jesus fellow"

"If the redneck cracker homophobe racist sexist nd (sp) Islamophobic Republicans don't like it, they shouldn't go see it."

I'm an independent redneck cracker homophobe racist sexist and Islamophobic, so I guess I'm cleared to watch the movie again.

"Obviously, you didn't vote for Obama and don't support him because he is black. "

Well, that's half right. What can I say, I'm blameless. I voted for the American.

*snark*

OK, let’s hash this out a bit because I’ve been getting tons of comments and my post has become the topic on a number of forums. Which is one of the reasons I posted this comment in the first place. The main reason is because I have a fondness for sharing comments from hyperventilating lefties.

Yes, I am a Christian
Yes, I am a conservative
No, I don’t hate the Earth
Yes, I loathe liberal-minded movies that don’t have the common decency to bury their agenda.

Avatar has a rudimentary script that is far below what should be expected from someone with James Cameron’s resume. The story is terrible. Even forgiving the open-faced social marketing Cameron peddles in, the actual plot, the substance of his screenplay is sophomoric.

Cameron intended to make a political/social statement with this film. Pointing out his flawed thinking and the inherent racist ideology that is threaded through the film is not only fair game, it is compulsory. Any critic that focuses merely on the historic aspect of the technical advancements this film makes is not doing their job. It doesn’t matter if the car is some fancy new mode of transportation if it drives you off a cliff.

Had the story been better my review would have been better. I welcome you to all to search my reviews, available above. You will find numerous reviews of films that have political agendas that I do recommend even though the politics made me ill.
I hope this clears things up.

Labels: comment of the day, miscellaneous

First things first, THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR WORK - LANGUAGE WARNING.

A guy named Mike from Milwaukee has put together a 70-minute review of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

In all seriousness, this is the best review I have ever read, seen or heard. He not only dissects Lucas' cinematic smear, he eviscerates it. There is no watching this movie when he is done with it. He points out the usual issues with the film's logic, structure and character. He kicks it up a notch however and locates details so hugely obviously, so incredibly inept, no one has ever pointed them out before.

Mike is hilarious and makes the 70 minutes fly by. He is funny but he is seriously on the mark and knows exactly what he is talking about.

Anyone who works in the industry and anyone interested in making or writing film needs to sit through the whole thing.

Again with the warning, he has a DARK sense of humor and isn't afraid of salty language. Swear words and dark humor aside, the man couldn't be more right.

Labels: links, miscellaneous, Star Wars

Labels: miscellaneous, non-film

The first time I saw the trailer Avatar (below)



I thought of this wad of peacenik self-loathing (Battle for Terra)





The great Jim Treacher* nails it "Then again, people said the same thing about Titanic. Just think how much MORE money that would've made with azure CGI Thundercats!"

Both have greedy, mean humans (mostly of European descent) terrorizing the peaceful, wonderful doe-eyed aliens. Man, we suck!

If you've watched the trailer and get that creeping feeling that we're in for yet another liberal screed, READ THIS.

The question I'm left with is this: am I the only one struck by the irony that Cameron had to blow $500,000,000.00 in order to remind us the superiority of primitive cultures - you know, the kinds that don't have the technology to watch his stupid movies in the first place?




* - If you're not reading Treacher's Twitters Tweets then you're not using the Internet correctly.



Update: My pal Robert reminded me that John Nolte posted his thoughts on Avatar over at Big Hollywood. Per usual, Nolte gets it right.

Labels: Avatar, Jim Cameron, miscellaneous, movie trailer

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s stirring tale of a East Berlin Communist functionary whose party loyalty disintegrates while surveying a rebellious playwright and his actress girlfriend should be required viewing by all high school seniors.

The Lives of Others captures the dehumanizing cost of living under communism. Over and again history teaches us that communists begin by promises of..well, hope and change (uncomfortable, but true). The dreams of government coddling the people soon gives way to the harsh reality that it is all a facade to cater to the gluttony of the elites. When people allow themselves to be subserviant to the state, the state always responds by enslaving them. No other film showcases, in intricate detail, life in such a man-made hell.

The entire cast does a brilliant job, but it is Ulrich Mühe's performance as Stasti interrogator Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler that stands out. Wiesler begins the story as a loyal party dupe. He has amassed some power and uses his authority to torment the poor souls who live lower on the food chain. As Wiesler conducts survielence over Georg (Sebastian Koch) on the instruction of a party official who fancies Georg's girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck). As Wiesler listens in on the couple, he is confronted by his own loss of connection with others.

This is one of Ulrich Mühe’s final performances. He died of stomach cancer in 2007. His performance is quiet but moving. His controlled delivery is remarkably tense as he shows a man who comes to realize the works and beliefs he’s spent his life protecting, were all to support a corrupt and despicable cause.

For those of us in America, with the rise of open communism being proposed and remarkably accepted in many corners of society, a film such as this can offer a word of warning.

Cautions: Nudity, sexual situations, language, violence




It is not surprising that a film dedicated the sacrifice of Jesus Christ has been controversial since its inception. Before the first day of principal photography, Mel Gibson ran into naysayers and attacks over his decision to make this film. The film's release was met with complaints and protests and claims of antisemitism. Even after Gibson modified the film to satisfy the demands of those offended by the Gospel account, he was still roundly bashed. Years later, the film was tainted by Gibson's drunken tirade when, along with a ton of other harsh comments, he spouted off at a Jewish cop who was arresting him. Despite Gibson's self-destruction, his film about our Lord still stands as a masterpiece.

I've read many reviews of this film and there are two obvious audiences, Christians and everyone else. For those who are not Christian, this film comes across as an obtuse snuff film where we watch a man be brutalized for ninety minutes. Jesus' flinches, His blood and cries of pain are missing the required context.

It won't come as a surprise when I say that I am a Christian. I understand what the production was doing, the messages it was conveying. To see Jesus actually looking Jewish on screen, to hear His words in the ancient tongue, these are wondrous thing even after multiple viewings. For Christ Followers seeing Jesus' final hours is indescribably painful and moving. There is no other film that has managed to show Christ's sacrifice with such power. We get Gibson's point, we understand why he chose to film his own hand putting the nail into Christ.

This is a master work. As a work of cinema, as a work of religious dedication, it stands as one of the most potent pieces ever made. Regardless of one's theological beliefs, this film forces the audience to confront the claims Jesus made and the legacy of his sacrifice.

Cautions: Extreme and gory violence




Even with its stuttering resolution, this is a remarkable piece of cinema. It is clearly deserving of all of the awards and praised it has received. Every aspect of the film is well managed and shows a dedication to film making that is a pleasure to witness.

The story revolves around three men. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a gruff welder, who stumbles across the results of a drug deal gone bad in the desert. He discovers and steals a case containing two million dollars from the scene. He takes the case home to his simple wife Carla (Kelly MacDonald). Of course, it isn't too long before the men who lost the money decide to track it down. They unleash the menacing killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem, in an Oscar winning performance) on Moss' trail.

Following the trail of this chase, crusty old sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) struggles to make sense out of the nonsensical deaths caused by Chigurh’s efforts. This may not seem like a foundation for a great film. In many cases, the story itself is seems rather mundane. Beneath the seemingly random acts, strange interactions and brutal violence there is a method to the Coen's madness. I like the explanation found here.

This is a nihilist film. I generally have little regard for films that promote the philosophy found in this production. This film overwhelms my bias on multiple levels. From the technical choices to the script to the acting, this is one of the great American films. I would go as far to say that this film is the defining film of this decade.

Cautions: Language, violence




This film gives us a glimpse of what it was like inside Hitler’s bunker in the final days of World War II through the eyes of his stenographer Tradul Junge. This film is based on Junge’s book of the same name.

Like Das Leben Der Aderen "The Lives of Others", #5 on this list, this film's impact comes from revealing the very human core of historical evil. Hitler's crumbling Nazi regime is seen in its death throes. The promises of a glorious Nazi paradise have come crashing down and those who were captivated by those promises are forced to watch it all fall apart. As Hitler slowly resigns to the inevitable, those around him begin to see that he was not the savior of Germany but a false godhead. As those in charge abandon their stations or kill themselves, the growing sense of dread fills the faces of those left behind. Not to mention, the Russians are closing in on Berlin.

Oliver Hirschbiegel is German, which is suitable. This is a film that needed to be made by a Germans. This coming from Germany gives the film an additional weight of a people openly discussing the horrors of committed by their parents and grandparents. There is a personal tone to the film that would have been missing if this had come from Hollywood or some other source.

Bruno Ganz is breathtaking in the role of Adolf Hitler. To portray someone so well known is a challenge. We all know Hitler's voice, his speaking style, not to mention his history. Ganz brings the historical figure to life. He dares to humanize the monster. This is not done to develop any sympathy but as a means to show him as he was at the time. It is important for us to recognize that Hitler was not some grand mythological figure, but a mere human given enormous power. Yes, he was one of the most important world leaders in world history, but he was a flatulent, controlling, physically and mentally disintegrating man who ultimately proved his cowardice.

Rent this film as soon as you can. Be warned however, this is a long film and hard to watch in places. You’re viewing the axe dropping on Nazi Germany and blood runs through every frame. Even if you’re hesitant to view violent images, this is still worth your consideration. If you can sit through The Passion of The Christ or Saving Private Ryan, the content of this film should be a cakewalk.

Cautions: Persistent violence, suicide, language




Yes, I'm combining them into one big fat ball of a film.

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classics, this is the greatest trilogy since the release of the original Star Wars films. In some respects, this series of films surpasses Star Wars let alone other sci-fi/fantasy films. If for no other reason, these films are well written and have intelligent dialog. Then there is the fact that unlike Star Wars, the bad hair in this films is always intentional.

Guided by Peter Jackson and adapted for the screen by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Jackson himself, these three films are awesome in their scope and mastery. These films hearken back to the great epics of earlier generations, and fill the screen with their full stories and their massiveness.

Like Star Wars, this trilogy offers a completely believable universe far different than our own. The ingenious design work, to the memorable score, to the signature cinematography all work in unison to present a complete world for us to enjoy.

The stories follow a tiny hobbit by the name of Frodo (Elijah Wood) as he travels through the underbelly of Middle Earth to cast the ancient One Ring into the boiling innards of the Cracks of Doom. Frodo and the other members of the fellowship are forced into action against one of fiction’s darkest evil characters, the bodiless Sauron.

Sauron is not alone, he has recruited the wizard Saurman (Christopher Lee) who in turn creates a massive army of orcs. Saurmon invades the world of men with his orc army. Mankind is certain to fall to Sauron. However, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) the long lost heir to the throne governing mankind has returned and confronts the evil at the door.

Adapting these books is problematic. The screenwriters were forced to carve up the original books by J.R.R. Tolkien in order to shoehorn them into a bearable running time. Just getting in the needed historical elements took some clever footwork. While the flavor of the narration of the books is lost in places during these films, Jackson makes up for this handicap by concentrating on the more dramatic elements.

Each film certainly pumps up the more violent elements and downplays the internal struggles. This is a visual medium after all. Don’t let this fool you, the characters are each wonderfully sketched and realized by the actors who portray them.

On the subject of the actors, check out this cast list:

Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Elijah Wood, Alan Howard, Christopher Lee, Karl Urban, John Rhys-Davies and Liv Tyler

That is how you cast a movie. Many of these actors are now familiar names because of these films. While Ian McKellen stands out from the group as Gandalf, the remaining cast is still stronger than most other films in recent memory. Each actor brings the appropriate level to his or her part. No one overacts, no one vanishes into the scenery. Jackson deserves credit not only for managing the effects heavy production, but also balancing his actor’s performances so masterfully.

I will say that when they are taken as separate films, it is really Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King that puts the trilogy over the top. It is a great film that delivers on the promises of the first two installments. The only serious flaw of the piece is a fumbled ending that seems to go on for ten minutes too long. The audience is left breathless after the incredible assault on Minas Tirith and instead of wrapping everything up, Jackson rambles for just a few moments too long. The Return of the King is one of the best films ever made. It is one for the textbooks.

I believe this trilogy will be one of the few pieces of modern culture that will outlive us.

Cautions: Violence, hobbits



Honorable Mentions:

• Mou gaan dou "Infernal Affairs" (2002)
• About a Boy (2002)
• The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)
• Kontroll (2003)
• Finding Nemo (2003)
• Thank You for Smoking (2005)
• Antikorper "Antibodies" (2005)
• Cinderella Man (2005)
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
• Michael Clayton (2007)

Labels: list, miscellaneous, The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's

Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) lives in the "City of God" a violent, crowded slum found fifteen miles outside of Rio de Janeiro. Rocket's has lived his life dreaming of becoming a photographer,and he has the talent to realize his dream. His dream is hampered by the daily nightmare of living in City of God. The violence and gangs grow in intensity over the course of Rocket's life and hangs as a constant threat.

The film isn't just about Rocket, he is simply the narrator. He is our guide through a decades long tour of the dangerous hellhole. The film spans across the years, catching up with characters and then losing track of them. Rivals fight, spouses argue, crimes are committed and too many people die in too many ways.

The content of this film is hard to watch. I strongly warn you about this. Children are shot and killed. Women are raped. Men are gunned down. This is not for the faint of heart. It is a film for those who need a dose of realism. If nothing else, this film will make you feel gratitude for your station in life.

Cautions: Persistent violence, harsh language, nudity




This is the first Afghan film shot after the fall of the Taliban in 2002.

The film tells the story of a young girl who lives under the brutal regime. Both her and her mother are thrown out of work by the Taliban and ordered to remain indoors unless accompanied by a male. Since the girl’s father and brother are dead, this condemns the women to a life of endless poverty.

Under the rules of the Taliban, the women sneaking out alone for food to live would be a capital offense. The only choice is to send the girl out, dressed as a boy to find work and food. The girl takes on the name Osama and ventures out into the Taliban control world of Afghanistan. It is only a matter of time before she is found out.

This is a great film that expresses quite strongly the difficult path of women under Muslim rule. If you have any interest in what our men and women have saved people from “over there”, this film may give you a glimpse. It is easy for Americans to ignore and dismiss the suffering of people in lesser cultures. Films such as this plead for us to pay attention to what is happening in this world. The barbaric notions of our ancient past are actually still breathing just around the corner.

Cautions: Violence, sexual situations





Darren Aronofsky directed this tragic story about a washed-up wrestler named Randy 'The Ram' Robinson (Mickey Rourke). Robinson is a slow-witted lummox who is at the end of his career. Once a national All-Star Wrestling star back in the 80's, Robinson has descended into wrestling small venues of a couple hundred people while sleeping in his van because he can't make rent. Robinson attempts to cobble together a normal life out of the spent remains of the past few decades but finds living outside of the lights and rink troublesome at best.

Aronofsky covers the action with a very natural light and very little intrusion. The key to the film is that the slow disintegration of Robinson seems like we are witnessing reality unfold. The combination of Rourke's brilliant performance and the organic development of the scenes makes this is a riveting film.

Much has been said about Mickey Rourke's performance. The praise is justified. The biggest surprise from the film is Marisa Tomei in the role of aging stripper Cassidy. Cassidy, like Robinson, makes a living by her body but that body is becoming too old. Robinson's body is breaking down, her's has to compete with girls fifteen, perhaps twenty years, younger. The parallels between the two aren't lost on Aronofsky and he plays the two off one another with fantastic results.

Cautions: Language, violence




Tsotsi (which means “thug”) is a young punk gang leader in a shanty town in Johannesburg, South Africa. The film opens with Tsotsi thoughtlessly committing a series of vicious and wholly unnecessary crimes that are so reprehensible that even his own gang shuns him. This series of crimes ends with a car jacking.

In the film’s only moment that comes close to being predicable, Tsotsi finds a cute infant strapped to a car seat in the back. Strangely stirred by the baby, Tsotsi cannot leave it behind and smuggles the child back to his filthy home in his crime ridden part of town. There he must, for the first time, think of someone other than himself.

Newcomer Presley Chweneyagae shines in the titular role. Chweneyagae gives one of the best debut performances I have ever seen. His character is enthralling and his screen presence is undeniable. And this isn’t some cheap role, this is a fully realized character that goes from being a sociopath to a shamed young man trying to redeem a life of crime. Chweneyagae manages the extreme peaks of this character with a talent that deserves wide praise.




Ang Lee's adaptation of Du Lu Wang's book is a visual treat and one of the great films in world cinema. What amounts to a mixture of quest tale and love story, the film follows two narrative paths. Master Li Mu Bai (Yun-Fat Chow) a legendary warrior retires from fighting to settle down. He gives his treasured sword "The Green Destiny" to an old friend.

Before long, the priceless sword is stolen and Li Mu Bai must track it down. He is accompanied by Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) who is also a gifted fighter. The couple have a long history and have shared an unspoken love for years.

Li Mu Bai is also hunting down the villainous Jade Fox, a dark and dangerous foe who killed his master.

In addition to this quest, Jiao Long (Ziyi Zhang) a beautiful young girl gets involved with Li Mu Bai, Shu Lien and the Jade Fox. Jiao Long connects all of the loose ends of the story and proves to have surprising secrets for all involved.

This is easily Ang Lee's best film. It is the best work from everyone involved. Everything about this film, its look, its cast, its inventiveness, its emotional punch, everything is top notch. When film makers dream of making movies, this is the kind of film they fantasize about creating.

Labels: list, miscellaneous, The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's