Luther Memorial Church - Syracuse Nebraska

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Movie Reviews by Pastor Paul

For the Family
Joan of Arcadia Year 1 Year of Release: 2005 Rated: Non Rated	Review Date: 7/2005	Rating: ***1/2
On DVD only. I've found this TV show, one of the better programs on TV today. Joan, a young woman in high school, encounters God, who talks with her regularly in the form of many different types of people. She is given missions, goals and is taught about life and grows from each of these encounters. The story-line is creative and the lessons taught in this series are very good. Joan, the main character is very real and struggles with some very real problems that high school age people deal with. I am disappointed that they cancelled this show after only 2 years.
Princess Diaries 2 Year of Release: 2004 Rated: G	Review Date: 9/2004	Rating: *******
If you have not seen the first one you will want to watch it before you see this one in the theaters. I was surprised and impressed with the first one and even though this one is not quite as good it's still a pretty good movie and has some very positive things to say. I applaud the folks who made this film and with a G rating makes it good for the whole family. However, kids ages 5 and above will enjoy it more. I look at this movie and am reminded that all of us are royalty in the kingdom of God and this movie has something to tell about just that thought.
NOW Year of Release: Television Rated: TV-G on PBS Friday nights at 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 6:00 a.m.	Review Date: 8/2004	Rating: ********
This very insightful, thoughtful and well written News Feature Program hosted by Bill Moyers shows the potential of what television can do to inform the public. I have received more and better information on this program, than Fox, CNN and MSNBC combined. They explore stories that do not always get the most network coverage but clearly are important to know about. Yes I have heard that PBS is too liberal, but this program has interviewed, folks from both ends of the political, social and religious spectrum. I highly recommend this program for those who want depth in the television viewing and it will definitely give you something to think about!
Peter Pan Year of Release: 2003 Rated: PG	Review Date: 8/2004	Rating: ** 1/2
I know, one more movie about Peter Pan, but you know I really enjoyed this one despite myself. A good story even if it is an old one doesn't mean it's still a good one. Of course here is a movie that both parents and kids need to watch together. Also the action might be a bit intense for little people so I highly recommend that no pre-school children watch this movie, parents use your own judgment on your lower grade viewers, however I think watching this movie together will be fun and will give you all something to talk about!
Secondhand Lions Year of Release: 2004 Rated: Rated PG	Review Date: 4/2004	Rating: *** 1/2
I really enjoyed this movie, the acting is good, the story is fun, the concept of what makes a family is pushed by a couple of cantankerous old uncles who take in their young nephew. The story is heart warming, fun, surprising and one in which the whole family will enjoy. I highly recommend this movie for family film night, so bring out the popcorn, sit down and enjoy the movie, and of course talk about it!
Second Hand Lions Year of Release: 2003 Rated: Rated PG	Review Date: 2/2004	Rating: *******
Here is a movie you can watch with most of your family over age 5. It was fun, sad, clever and a really good story. The acting is excellent and what makes this a good movie is that it says good things about what makes a family real. This is a movie that not only will you want to watch, but tell your friends about.
Freaky Friday Year of Release: 2003 Rated: PG	Review Date: 9/2003	Rating: *******
This movie remake is much better than the first and is just plain fun to watch. The story is one that parents, especially mothers and daughters will relate to. Let's face it, parents how different would our world be if we were 16 years old again? I shudder at the thought. Putting ourselves in another person's shoes can make us more understanding and compassionate, thus the theme of this silly, yet quite good movie!!! When you watch this movie you will want to talk about it!!!
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Year of Release: 2003 Rated: G	Review Date: 4/2003	Rating: *******
There is both the animated and the live action version both done by the BBC. This film version of the C.S. Lewis classic is one of the stories that made me realize the true sacrifice of Christ on the cross for my sins. I realize that this is a children's story, but I think that children of all ages will be compelled by both its innocence and its insightfulness into the passion of Christ who is represented by a Lion called "Aslan". I found this tale a true joy to watch and it may be good for little people to see in a much less gory version of what the crucifixion of Jesus was all about. When you watch this movie with your children you will want to talk about the Jesus story as well.
Stuart Little 2 Year of Release: 2002 Rated: G	Review Date: 1/1/2003	Rating: ** ½
That cute little mouse is back and he has found a new friend, a bird. Well hey, this is a kids story and anything can happen. What I liked about this film besides the neat special effects that kids will love, is that the message of acceptance and openness to those that are different than we are is still the theme of the 2nd "Stuart Little" movie. Even adults will enjoy some of the humor and I think that kids 4 years old and older will be able to appreciate both the whimsical special effects as well as a good story line. When you watch this movie with your kids you will want to talk about it.
The Beauty and the Beast: The Special Edition Year of Release: 2002 Rated: G	Review Date: 11/2002	Rating: ********
This is my favorite Disney movie of all time and now it is even better and more of it. I love this story about how a beast is transformed into a man through love from outside of himself. The music is excellent, a funeral hymn from the 12th century. The resurrect scene is a beautiful way of showing really what happens to us in Baptism. I enjoyed this movie for its fantastic animation, its great music, well-written story line and its theological theme. When you watch this movie, please talk about it.
Monsters, Inc. Year of Release: 2002 Rated: G	Review Date: 10/2002	Rating: *******
This fun and entertaining film uses excellent computer animation, great humor and a switch around story line to make a real point about prejudice, what gives power and life and how our fears can control us. The story centers around two monsters whose voices are that of Billy Crystal and John Goodman. They are a team of scary monsters whose job it is to scare kids and from their fear they gain power to run their world. It is true there are monsters under the bed, but who knew they were as much afraid of us as we are of them. Through a mistake a child enters the monsters world and a riot breaks out because they are afraid of that which is different from them. The story moves quickly and says some important things that parents and kids will want to talk about! ***
Princess Diaries ~ a Disney film Year of Release: 2001 Rated: G	Review Date: 06/24/2002	Rating: *******
This movie was a surprise to me. I expected very little, but got a very nice story about a young woman who finds out that she is of the royal blood of a small European kingdom. This normally shy, uncoordinated, somewhat plain but very bright 15 year old must struggle with peer pressure, romance, family expectations and some very unexpected situations. How do we as royalty in the kingdom of God live out our lives in some very similar situations? Our young princess struggles just like the rest of us and she who was once an ugly duckling does become a beautiful swan.

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Luther Memorial Church 2008