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Reviews
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)
How Do We Know What We Know?
I was not surprised to see many of the comments here about this film calling into question everything about it's premise. While reviewing this film for my newspaper (Cedar Rapids Gazette) I knew immediately that the concepts would be controversial and hard for the conditioned American mind to wrap itself around.
Having said that, it seems that many people view a movie like this as an all or nothing proposition -- if one theory or belief seems flawed, then it all must be called into question. What I think too many polemicists are forgetting is that this picture is a smorgasbord of different theories presented, as Rod Serling might say, for you approval -- or not.
But what many are missing is what makes this film revolutionary -- that filmmakers were able to present these concepts in the medium of film in a way that was at least entertaining and most, thought provoking. You don't have to buy off 100 percent on what is here, but the presentation, in and of itself, was stunning in its bombardment of the viewer with multi sensory imagery.
That this film was even made at all is a mini-miracle, especially in our current intellectual and cultural climate. Its sad to me to see such judgmental reviews. I knew conventional Christians would simply dismiss this as "new age" fluff and I mentioned that in my review. But I would have hoped that lovers of film and higher order thinking would be more tolerant of some of the excesses.
In short, this is a film that needs to be seen not just for its quasi-cinematic, quasi-documentary methodology but for a presentation of theories and beliefs that are rarely discussed in the ossified American mainstream. For that alone, I thank the filmmakers.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Take A Deep Breath -- Its Good but not Great
In years to come when movie lovers and critics can step back from the hype surrounding this film, I believe the final installment of the LOTR trilogy will be seen as a lush, well-acted and filmed epic conclusion that suffers from some irritating faults (note: I've never read the books so I see this movie with the eyes of a moviegoer only). The first -- its overlong. Second -- it telegraphs almost all its punches -- did you know when Gollem was going to show up? Did you know who was going to be on the boats before the final battle scene? Third -- the ending: overlong and drawn out. It seems the writers were determined that they were absolutely not going to end this movie until there was not one dry eye left in the house.
All aside, Return of the King is definately worth the time and money to see on the big screen. Its a great ride and a great story despite its faults but "Ben Hur" its not.