So Many Movies, So Little Time

WARNING: IF YOU LOVE SPOILERS, DO NOT READ THE MINI REVIEWS BELOW.

Now with the friendly PSA aside, here we go:

The Gospel of John--Even better than The Passion of the Christ, in some ways. It has a much smaller budget and less breathless effects sequences, but it doesn't stray from its source material. This is perhaps the most faithful rendition of the scriptural story of Christ I've ever seen on film. I can't recall an instance when it deviated from John's gospel, remaining always within its boundaries and never venturing outside. All the dialogue is rendered in modern English, as well, so those who dislike the difficulties of archaic modes of expression will have no problem following along. Every Believer should see this movie.

Luther--I love it when Christianity is treated with decorum on film. It happens so rarely, the novelty alone lures me in. This tells the tale of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Joseph Fiennes plays the starring role, and he does a fantastic, convincing job. I'm fuzzy on some of the small details in Luther's life; but the general story is told with accuracy. Great acting, profound subject matter, inspiring in its scope. Even the Catholic Church is portrayed fairly, with some priests and bureaucrats manifest as greedy and carnal, and others virtuous and devoted to Jesus. One of the best movies I've seen in the past couple of years.

The Reckoning--Willem Dafoe and Paul Bettany play significant roles in this one, a film about a Medieval troupe of traveling actors who join with a runaway priest, en route to a nearby town. Within the city walls, they learn of a local murder trial, in which a woman is convicted of killing a young boy. Something about the story unsettles two of the actors, and they take it upon themselves to investigate the matter, and perhaps perform a play on the subject for the townfolk. The story progresses from there in an unusual and well-acted drama that isn't your garden-variety Hollywood movie. I enjoyed the characters and the realistic representation of the times.

I Am David--This is a great movie about a little boy who escapes a Bulgarian concentration camp in the 1950s, followed by his harrowing search for liberty. Jim Caviezel stars, and he's fast becoming one of my favorite two or three actors. He consistently goes for roles in serious, morally upright dramas. This film speaks in moving and interesting ways about family, friendship, freedom, and sacrifice. And the acting on the part of the little boy is a joy to behold. A must-see.

And that's all for now, folks.