Movie Spotlight: Doubt

Though the subject matter of this film is centered around a serious issue that merits a spot in center stage, this movie is enticing on so many levels. First it asks the question: Do you have to know the truth? We talk about the importance of knowing the truth for the sake of moral gain, education, healthy relationships, and religious purity. Even the Bible encourages us to seek truth, God wants you to love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19). Truth goes hand in hand with "wisdom, discipline and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). God commands people to "Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts" (Zechariah 8:16). The Bible says that the way to choose truth is to set your heart on God's laws (Psalm 119:30). Most individuals are deeply ingrained with the idea that truth is the best option for us in ALL situations. But "Doubt" poses seemingly obvious questions which I invite you to seek answers for:

- Why are we so obsessed with knowing the truth?
- At the end of the day, what will knowing the truth do for us?
- Can the truth actually dis-empower us in certain situations?
- Does it make you feel better to know the truth or do you feel worse by the burden
of knowing that is now upon you?
- Once armed with the truth, is it then our responsibility to act upon it?
- What are we willing to give up in the name of truth?
- Who determines what is wrong anyway: social mores or personal tinges of guilt? Can
the sources be differentiated?
- Does finding the truth make a grand difference in the big and/or small picture?
- Do we really care about the truth itself or are we more concerned with the
grandiose feelings that may accompany discovering the unknown?
- Is truth relative/subjective or objective?

The actors played their roles superbly taking us on a journey of the human experience. Our seasoned vets, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep played their roles to perfection. Amy Adams and Viola Davis carved out irrevocable names for themselves as serious actors not to be reckoned with. Adams' facial expressions alone would allow her to depict this role just as poignantly in a silent movie. Hoffman's portrayal as a priest could have easily strayed from reality by slipping into the sphere of overacting, but Hoffman maintained believable balance in every scene. From beginning to end, Doubt employs nature as a vital element to the story. Nature represented the varied components and faces of truth through blatant use of light (natural and artificial), wind, sand, and rain. The use of these elements provided a stable foundation against the doubt cast throughout the story.

In the process of finding truth, we may employ deceptive means i.e. snooping into our spouses' private data to find evidence of cheating, eavesdropping on our child's phone conversation to find out whether she is really going to the movies with her best friend, or even denying about what the neighbor's child just told you about the physical abuse she has suffered at the hands of her father to protect her from further abuse.... Doesn't the truth seeker than become a culprit as well? Equally implicated in the name of vindication?

I finally ask you this: Do u feel better in the light or the dark? And does it even matter?

Movie Spotlight: Slumdog Millionaire

I would've missed this incredible movie had I not randomly slipped into this theater while awaiting the overly-hyped movie, "Twilight" (I'll save my review on that movie for another blog perhaps). The story follows Jamal Malik, a street kid (or "slumdog") who has landed an appearance on India's version of the hit TV game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? The movie brilliantly answers key questions about the who and why of the character by flashing between Malik's past and present. Wrapped within the violence and illegal discretions that must accompany a youngster raised by the streets-- is a fantastic love story. The character's driving force is his love for Latika, a breathtakingly gorgeous young woman by any and all accounts. This love grabs him at an early age and refuses to let him go. It takes them through tumultuous experiences that deepen the stakes each time they are confronted with the possibility of a reunion. The viewer is on edge throughout the film captivated by desperate longings for a happy ending. Director Danny Boyle does an excellent job of switching between fast and slow- paced sequences at the right moment to intuitively pull the viewer further into the story. Even if we can't all relate to the experiencing the impassioned love that drives these characters to the extreme, we can certainly relate to the desire of wanting this experience. This story speaks to the part of us that will always have a reaction to Classic Disney fairytales. Grade: A

Movie Spotlight: Rachel Getting Married

This movie spoke to me as an individual that enjoys watching reality with a sprinkle of melodrama on the big screen. The film is about a family disrupted by a daughter/sister who was a drug addict. The film beautifully captures all vantage points-- allowing the viewer to feel anger, pity, sympathy, and hope for the main character while experiencing similar emotions for her relatives. Anne Hathaway's portrayal of an addict in recovery sheds a truthful light on the post- abuse period. Recovery from any problem that pervasively plagues a family does not start and end with treatment. The family unit must rebuild from the ground up. Pented up resentment and painful memories are at the brink of eruption. Each individual affected by addiction is stuffed with conflicting feelings boiling just beneath the surface. The director used a documentary- style of filming to bring even more truth to this story. The rawness portrayed on screen jolted me into periods of awkwardness and discomfort with my own family. Anyone can identify with feeling trapped in one's family; despite the flaws that our relatives may have, it is not an option to walk away for good. With addiction, it is especially difficult to abandon the roles that are played out while accommodating the addict. In the end, there is no choice but to work through the pain even when we know there won't ever be the fairytale ending. If nothing else, this film was an honest portrayal of the heights and depths that love can take you.

Movie Classic: Rain Man

I am ashamed to admit that as a long- time movie lover, I only recently saw Rain Man for the first time! This movie was absolutely delightful. The premise is about a yuppie played by Tom Cruise who recently discovers that he has an older autistic brother played by Dustin Hoffman. I don't want to give it away, but during the course of the film, both characters change in a short period of time as a result of that unspeakable bond between siblings. But I think that any viewer would fall for Hoffman's character. Though deficient in his ability to express his feelings and love for others in conventional ways, he is able to pull at the heartstrings of all who come in contact with him. I didn't feel sorry for him, but compelled to be around him because of some inexplicable, intangible thing. You feel as if you are a better person for knowing him- simply by proxy. What's more, no matter how impossible, one hopes to be the one that will change his affective state. As far as the technical aspects of playing an autistic person, I think that further research could have added a sprinkle more to the authenticity of the character, however the essence of the story is not lost in these subtle nuances. I know that each time I watch this movie, I'll gain something new and valuable from it. Grade: A

Movie Spotlight: America the Beautiful

So far, my movie of the year is documentary, "America the Beautiful" by director Darryl Roberts. In addition to providing excellent insight into our collective concepts about beauty, I may have a biased perspective because I had the opportunity to meet the director at an early screening in Chicago. To begin with, this film highlighted the industries which profit from our ever- elusive quest for perfection. Viewers are made privy to the construction of psychosis which lead all sects to feel less than ____. In turn, we engage in wasteful, even dangerous activities to attain the unattainable. In addition to the movie itself, Darryl Roberts is probably one of the most humble individuals I've ever had the pleasure to meet. He created this film as a fun exploratory project that was to be privately shown to friends. However, the project amassed so much enthusiasm and interests, that it became larger than he could have ever anticipated. He approaches this film without agenda or bias. He allows the interviews to guide him with genuine curiosity. I was blown away by the broad palpability of the subject matter. I was moved enough to take a deeper look into my own ideas about beauty. As a result, I am actively striving to reject external ideals being forced upon me. I seek balance in a world where we are all implicated by the traps of societal standards. I encourage you to watch this film ASAP. What did you think?

JPerspectives Picks 2009

Of all the movies you've watched this year, what movies would you recommend? Who would win your best Actress and best Actor awards? Award guilds often fail to capture the opinions of lay-people! That's you and I. Now here's your chance to have a say in what movies, shows, and music you think deserves acclaim! JPerspectives will hold an annual award ceremony on the same day as the regularly scheduled programs: Oscars, Emmy's, and Grammy's. Why should the opinion of the viewing public weigh any less than fancy- schmancy elitist groups?