A dystopian tale about a revolt led by a factory worker seeking healing for his bdy ravaged by radiation in a factory accident. This can be found only on the space platform known as Elysium where the wealthy have retreated from a polluted Earth.
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 …
Continue reading “Film Capsules September 2013”
Rated R. Our ratings: V -4; L -2; S/N-3. Running time: 1 hour 36 min. Claudia and Martin appear before the special judge, but most of the drama takes place outside the courtroom. (c) 2013 Focus Featues The eyes of the LORD are in every place, …
Continue reading “Closed Circuit”
Rated PG-13. Our ratings: V-5; L-5 ; S/N-2 . Running time: 2 hours 12 min. The Kennedys meet the black staff for the first time. (c) 2013 Weinstein Pictures I say to God, my rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?’ Psalm 42.9 …
Continue reading “Lee Daniels The Butler”
Rated R. Our ratings: V -7; L -6; S/N -2. Running time: 1 hour 49 min. O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror …
Continue reading “Elysium: a Review”
After more than 40 years of publishing film reviews, study guides, and books, Visual Parables host Edward McNulty is a trusted friend in faith communities nationwide. His body of work explores the connections between faith and popular culture. Thousands of people have enjoyed his books, monthly journals, and have spoken with him at his workshops in …
Continue reading “About Visual Parables”
I know Jean Stapleton was 90 when she died, living well beyond the Biblical three score and ten, but I am still reluctant to let her go. And so, as a viewer and one who wrote about her, I want to share a few thoughts about my slight involvement with her most famous character Edith …
Continue reading “Some Memories Associated With Edith Bunker”
Rated PG-13. Running time: 1 hour 40 min. Cyber instructs his son about the dangerous trek he must make. © 2013 Columbia Pictures Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. Psalm 23: 4 There …
Continue reading “AFTER EARTH: A Review”
The May/June 2013 issue of Visual Parables features reviews of 42, Emperor, No, The Croods, Quartet, The Place, Beyond the Pines, The Call, 21 & Over, Trance, The Company You Keep, Iron Man 3, Admission, Stand Up Guys, Oblivion, Oz the Great & Powerful, Olympus Has Fallen, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Jack the Giant Slayer, Genius on Hold, and more.
The Bible episodes really did improve, the half covering the New Testament being far superior to the first, where it seemed to be the stories containing R-rated elements—violence and sex—that drew the producers’ interest. Although there are still points to quibble about—and I will raise some of them later—for the most part I felt a …
Continue reading “The Bible, Fifth Week”