Begin Again Rated R. Psalm 69: 1-3. A film set in the music record world, this is also a good father-daughter story. It is made by the people who gave us the delightful Once, also about musicians and the creative process. Shot on location around Manhattan, it rivals the films of Woody Allen in showing …
Film Capsules June 20014
Note: The links will connect you to the longer reviews at www.visualparables.org. Belle Rated PG. Isaiah 61:1; Galatians 3:28. Set in 18th century England, this is based on the true story of Dido Belle Mansfield, the mixed blood child whom her sea captain father left with his uncle and aunt, Lord and Lady Mansfield, after …
Film Capsules May 2014
Click onto a film title to read a fuller review at www.visualparables.org. The Railway Man (2013) Rated R. Romans 12:7-18. Told in flashbacks, this is a true WW 2 POW story of Allied soldiers forced by the Japanese to build the Burma to India railroad. When Eric Lomax makes and hides a radio to …
Film Capsules April 2014
To read the longer review click onto the film title. Cesar Chavez Rated PG-13. Malachi 3:5. This film biography of the great Hispanic Grape Boycott leader will remind us that the battle for decent wages, working conditions was as hard fought by Hispanics and as stoutly resisted as the Civil Rights struggle was for African …
Film Capsules March 2014
Click onto a title, and you will be taken to the longer review on this site (except for The Need for Speed). The March Visual Parables journal includes both the reviews and their accompanying sets of discussion questions. Son of God Rated PG-13. Revelation 22:12-13. This newest Life of Jesus film is from producers Mark …
Film Capsules February 2014
Click onto the film title to go to a longer review. The Monuments Men Rated PG-13. Matthew 6:19-21. George Clooney directs and stars in this very different World War Two film. Although the film opens with Clooney’s character rounding up his crew for a special mission, just as Lee Marvin’s character did in The Dirty …
Film Capsules January 2014
On Cable Zorba the Greek I am placing this film capsule first because of the time constraint. Turner Classic Films will air this, one of the great films of the 20th century, on Saturday afternoon (3:30 EST), Jan. 11. Perhaps Anthony Quinn’s greatest role, Zorba expresses both the joy and the pain of life through …
Film Capsules December 2013
AS ALWAYS, I invite you to freely share these Film Capsules. I provide these mini-reviews, each month, and I know many newsletter editors and webmasters who enjoy adding a sprinkling of movie coverage into their mix of inspiring reading materials. I’m pleased to let you share these items and ask only that you credit “Edward …
Film Capsules October 2013
You can find longer reviews on this website, and all appear in the November Visual Parables, with most of the reviews including a set of reflection/discussion questions. You are welcome to reprint any or all of these capsules in the newsletter of your church or organization—as long as your publication includes the line: (c) 2013 …
Film Capsules September 2013
Each month, I post a series of very short film reviews—focusing mainly on films that will be fully reviewed in Visual Parables Journal. This capsule-sized feature was started several years ago as a service for clergy, newsletter editors and teachers to alert them to films worth seeing (or, in some cases, as a warning of …