I haven't blogged in a while coz I've been busy with lots of stuff... moving, packing, writing a proposal, etc. Watching a movie is one of my favorite breaks from a busy schedule. A recent one that I watched (twice) that I really enjoyed (purely for its entertainment) is Steve Carell's GET SMART (with Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin & Terence Stamp). It was a remake of the classic 60's TV series of the same title. I can't recall if I have seen any episode of the 60's Get Smart reruns, but it doesn't really matter because this film can stand up on its own. Blanche, Josh and I laughed so hard watching the movie I just had to blog about it. So far, Steve Carell hasn't disappointed me in his recent movies (Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, Horton Hears a Who, and Dan in Real Life). He surely hasn't disappointed me in his portrayal of Maxwell Smart (Agent 86). Makes me want to watch his TV series THE OFFICE when I get the chance.

Here are some of the lines/dialogues in the film (at least as far as I could remember them being said) that I enjoyed and thought were really funny (of course you have to see the film in order to understand the context of each one). If you've seen the movie, you probably would remember why you also laughed at these lines:

Agent 91: "Next time use your own cellphone!"

Maxwell Smart: "Let me get this straight... you are not promoting me because I am doing such a great job?"

Maxwell Smart: "Let's continue listening, and mind you... the next 100 pages can get pretty dry."

Maxwell Smart (screaming): "Oh, I'm so happy! I'm so happy! This is the best day of my liiiiiiiiife!"
Lloyd: "Dude, you didn't press the button long enough."
Maxwell Smart: "Right."

Maxwell Smart: "Oh, you don't have one of these? Hhmm!"

Maxwell Smart: "I am not totally incompetent without a weapon, you know."

Maxwell Smart: "You want me to do exactly like what you did?"

Maxwell Smart: "May I have this dance?"
Beautiful Russian lady: "No!"
Maxwell Smart: "I wasn't talking to you."

Agent Larabee: "You wanna die by Post-It? I can make that happen!"
Agent 91: "It's a slow death!"

Agent 23: "Why don't you unjam that!"

Maxwell Smart: "Krstic! Krstic! Kris Kringle... stic!"

President: said something about a "Nukelar threat."
Chief: "Nuclear!!!"

Maxwell Smart: "I don't think we are on the same page!"

Siegfried: "You know, you are probably the only human being who snores while he's awake!"

Siegfried: "Are you from Control?"
Maxwell Smart: "If I were from Control you would already be dead!"
Siegfried: "If you were from Control then you would already be dead."
Maxwell Smart: "Well, neither of us is dead so obviously I am not from Control."

Agent 99: "I used to look like my mom."
Maxwell Smart: "I used to look like two of my moms put together."

Maxwell Smart: "I set that up!"

Maxwell Smart: "Missed it by THAT much!"

Agent 99: "Max, how did you get here?"
Maxwell Smart: "That doesn't matter."

Agent 23: "Max, I'm gonna get that briefcase!"
Maxwell Smart: "Why don't you come here and get it yourself!"
Agent 23: "That's what I just said!"
Maxwell Smart: "I know! I just said that to annoy you!"

New Guy: "I see two little girls. I'll call you Marie, and I'll call you Renee."

And lastly...
Agent 99: "Do you think I should tell him?"
Chief: "No. Let him savor the moment."


Well, that's it! Hope you liked (or will like) the movie as much as I did. Now it's back to work for me!

Good movies are a dime-a-dozen, but a truly great film comes every once in a while. I recently watched the movie AMAZING GRACE with some friends in Durham, North Carolina. The movie is about the true story of William Wilberforce - portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four) - a Member of the British Parliament who led the campaign for the abolition of the slave trade in 18th century Great Britain. In the film, Wilberforce is evidently influenced by John Newton, a former slaveship master who repented of his ways and became an Anglican minister, and is best known to have written the great Christian hymn Amazing Grace. Wilberforce sang the hymn early in the film to declare his faith and convictions before a group politicians who support the slave trade. He also sang the song in his wedding day.

Wilberforce demonstrated strong faith in God, as he at one time wanted to enter the ministry. He was torn between praising the Lord with his voice and speaking against the slave trade, until some people convinced him that he could do both. This led him to join the House of Commons to advocate for the abolishment of the slave trade. He became highly unpopular among members of parliament due to the fact that they had vested interests in the slave trade in key cities in the empire. With his advocacy falling on deaf ears, this resulted to decades of frustration and physical illness. But he persisted and found his faith strengthened all the more by the right people (his wife Barbara Spooner, and of course, John Newton). After decades of intense struggle, his persistence paid off. The House of Commons voted in favor of his bill that permanently abolished the slave trade in the British Empire.

This is a story of faith, persistence, conviction, hope, honor and the grace of God working for those who trust Him. It definitely moved me to tears. Ioan Gruffudd's performance was stellar. I can't wait for the DVD to come out so I can add it to my collection. This movie is a must-see! 5 stars!!!

Studio: NBC
Year: 2006
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction Thriller

"Save the cheerleader, save the world!" If you don't know what that means, then you haven't seen "Heroes" - the new hit TV series on NBC. The first season is merely halfway through, and the show has already taken viewers by storm. This is officially one of my new favorite TV shows. The story is about how ordinary people from all over the world have one day discovered they have extraordinary abilities: a single mom with a super-powered alter ego, a politician who could fly, a junkie artist who could paint random future events, a Japanese office worker who could bend space and time, a cheerleader with the ability of spontaneous regeneration, a cop who could hear other people's thoughts, a hospice nurse who could temporarily mimic the powers of others in close proximity, and a genetics professor who must find them all and make sense of everything. Each of them struggle with how to cope with their extraordinary abilities. Unknown to them, destiny is bringing them together. A series of seemingly random events made these heroes realize they have a role in preventing a catastrophe in New York City in the future, and eventually saving the world. In the meantime, they face threats from an organization with a secret agenda with them, and from a man who seeks super-powered beings to siphon their abilities as he kills them.

As is with almost every show, there are negative elements you have to guard yourself from. There are a few (take note, few) sensual scenes in the show, as well as some gory elements necessary to the thriller genre.

But the reason why I like the show is that it is replete with themes of destiny and a sense of calling, acceptance of responsibilities given one's abilities, and the classic good versus evil. You'd see and hear these in the show more than the negative elements.

Overall, "Heroes" is a great TV series. I can't wait to see how this season turns out. "Are you on the list?"

Studio: Fox TV
Year: 2005
Genres: Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Cast: Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Robin Tunney, Sarah Wayne Callies, Stacey Keach, etc...

From the makers of "24", "Prison Break" is Fox's new smash hit TV series. The title says it all; but what's interesting about it is how the main characters plan to do it. Each episode keeps you at the edge of your seat, and builds up toward the season finale and how they break out of prison, but not without a lot of plot twists and turns.

Another beauty of the show is the cast, which is made up of lesser known actors and actresses.

The main story is about Michael Scofield believing his older brother, Lincoln (sentenced to be executed in a month's time for the murder of the Vice President's brother), was innocent and framed. With all the legal options running out, a greater conspiracy brewing at the highest level of government, and having to race against the clock, Scofield's last resort was to carefully devise a secret plan to get his brother out of Fox River Penitentiary, a prison facility his firm helped design. In order to do so, he commits a crime that lands him in the same prison with his brother. Being one of the structural engineers who designed the said prison facility, he had the blueprints tattooed cryptically all over his body. For his plans to succeed, Scofield must carefully choose alliances with inmates to help him, as well as hurdle (evade, use or overcome) the different dangers of prison life. Though carefully thought of, there are still unforeseen factors that affect his plans. How he copes with all these to ensure the execution of his plans is what will keep you glued to the show in anticipation.

So if you like "24", then "Prison Break" is a must see! Excellent scriptwriting! Great action series! Great performances. A great addition to your DVD collection. Kudos to Fox for another superb TV show. Looking forward to Season Two.

Warning: Once you start watching, it'll be pretty hard to stop.

CINDERELLA MAN
2005: Universal Studios / Miramax Films
Starring Russell Crowe & Renee Zelwegger

This movie brought me to tears a few times. Definitely one of my favorite movies this year! A sure-fire contender for the Oscars. The lead roles gave sterling performances (Russell Crowe & Renee Zelwegger). The storyline was well-weaved. Another thing that's really great about it is that it is based on a true to life story. The boxing scenes are great and realistic. I haven't felt this excited and "into it" during a sports movie since the Rocky films.

One theme rings clear all throughout the movie ... no matter how hard it gets, there is always hope. Set in the midst of the U.S. Great Depression in the 1930's, this film offers so much hope for those who are downtrodden. As I always say, the only way to lose is if you quit. Some of the many lessons I have learned from the film are as follows:

1. One's convictions don't have to give way during trying times.
2. As a husband and a father, one must fight not just for himself but for his family.
3. The trust and support of one's wife is a must if a man is to win in life.
4. At the end of the day, it is your most important relationships that will come through for you.

There is a lot more but I will leave that up to you to find out. So if you still haven't seen this one, what are you waiting for?

5 stars!

For those of you wanting to know about Martin Luther's life, I recommend:

LUTHER
2005: MGM Studios
Starring Joseph Fiennes, Alfred Molina and Sir Peter Ustinov
Directed by Eric Till

I bought this DVD and it is a must have for those who value their Christian faith. I loved the movie and the quality of the film. It had a powerful cast, with Joseph Fiennes doing a great job as Luther. The movie is gripping all throughout. I have a few comments though regarding the historicity of the film.

First, though the storyline was great, it failed to show how Luther came to the divine revelation of justification by faith and how he was converted to true faith in Christ alone for salvation, as most church historians record. The film simply presented he had a different view with regards to the accepted practices of the Church then. Luther's revelation of justification by faith from Romans 1:16-17 was the seed of the Reformation, and this was essentially absent from the film. The film appeared to be just a story of the events of Luther's life without focusing on what really defined him in history.

Secondly, I thought there should have been more emphasis on Luther's other revelations which sparked the Reformation, like his teachings "Sola Fide," "Sola Gratia," and "Sola Scriptura." I thought the film's presentation of Luther's whole cause was lacking a bit in substance. In his trial at Worms, we merely get an idea that he was against a lot of the practices of the Church, but we don't really have a full understanding on how he came to such views. It would help the viewer to know why he made his strong stance not to recant his works before the bishops. The emphasis on Luther's disapproval of the selling of indulgences however was very clear in the film. At least not all of his true contentions were vague in the movie. I guess every historian (and every scriptwriter of Luther included) has his own bias or emphasis in telling history.

Overall, though lacking in these great elements, I believe the movie is still worthy of being seen again and again. As the saying goes, "Those who do not know history are bound to repeat its mistakes." This is a great movie that brings awareness of the abuses of the church in the past so we can learn from their mistakes, and how God has used even one man to bring reform and stir up a desire for true faith in the Person of Christ. This movie shows that God's truths are not bound, and that He can use anyone willing to be used to champion His truths and bring change in history for His glory!

Just an after-thought: Luther made his stand when his time came. My question to everyone reading this: Will YOU make your stand when your time comes?