Review of "Vantage Point"

PG-13
90 minutes
How many TV shows have you seen about the conspiracy theory behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy? Imagine if they had the technology now available to examine and re-examine the event from a multitude of vantage points.
That is the premise of this hard-hitting action film which is about a terrorist assassination plot of the President of the USA as he takes the podium to address a rally in Salamanca, Spain. At the center of the investigation is a Secret Service agent Thomas Barnes, (Dennis Quaid), who has taken a bullet for President Ashton (William Hurt) and is just re-entering active duty. Barnes’ paranoia over concerns for the President’s safety prove an obstacle in finding the perpetrators of the bombing, and it takes the tape on the camcorder of American tourist Howard Lewis (Forest Whittaker) to get Barnes on the right track. Lewis is an ordinary citizen who refuses to stand by and ‘let the authorities take care of the situation’. He knows he has seen something amiss, and films the action, putting himself at great risk.
The unique format of the film which constantly sets the clock back at noon on the same day, gives the moviegoer a different vantage point each time, and serves the purpose of uncovering who the perpetrators are. I found it somewhat annoying as the film seemed stuck in a 15 minute time slot, until towards the end when the pieces came together and the complex assassination plot was finally revealed.
I enjoy a film which makes me ask questions during and afterwards.” Vantage Point” had me constantly asking my daughter, “Who is that guy, is he bad or good?” during the film, and afterward, “What did they think they were doing, giving more ideas to Al Qaiada?” The plot was designed to keep the audience guessing whose side everyone was on until the very last minute, overturning assumptions of who the good guys were at every turn. Certainly the intricate plot is something akin to the long term planning which led up to the 911 attack. When I awoke the next morning to see a bomb had been tossed at an Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Times Square in Manhattan, the sickening reality of our vulnerability to just such an attack hit home.
One of the best features of “Vantage Point” was the contrast between the innocence of a young attendee of the gathering in Salamanca. Anna (Alicia Zapien), a sweet little Spanish girl who reappears throughout the film at crucial moments in sharp contrast to the ruthlessness of the terrorists. In the midst of a terrorist bloodbath, Anna served as a symbol of the value of innocent human life. She is protected by Howard Lewis, who met her in the film’s beginning, and is part of his reason to reach out and get involved in the crisis.

Warp speed car chases, a tense, ever-morphing plot, moderate violence, disturbing images, and strong language make this film acceptable for adolescents and up. There is no sexual content and the presence of two men of valor make this morally sound entertainment. The men will love this one!

Leticia Velasquez

BIRTHPANGS: THE SERIES, BOOK ONE, FIDELIS

BIRTHPANGS: THE SERIES, BOOK ONE, FIDELIS
Written by Anthony R. Horvath, Published by Suzetto Enterprises, Publication Date: November 16, 2006, Trade paperback, Amazon Price: $10.85, 308 pages.

Fidelis by A.R. Horvath is an action-packed fantasy novel filled with imaginative descriptions of what the United States and our culture could be like in the future if it continues on its current course. While the story is a fictitious fantasy, the picture it presents is quite realistic and believable.

Following a series of nuclear explosions in this country, the various groups who are at war for control over the county are similar to many of the political factions in our nation today. For example, there are the Rangers, a group of men and women throughout the country who support pro-family middle class values. This group never gave up their hunting rifles as their pre- nuclear war government had commanded. There is another group resembling the conniving, crafty politicians of our day, who pretend to want what’s best for the people, but are more concerned with what is best for their own needs. This group is in possession of machine guns.

Put quite simply, Fidelis depicts the battle of good vs. evil. Similar in nature to the writings of C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkein, Fidelis bears a Christian theme, includes Scripture passages, and is rich in Christian symbolism.

The main character in Fidelis is Fides, (Latin for “faith.”), a young husband and father, living in the heartland of the United States, in Terra Haute, Indiana, at some unknown time in the future – with his beautiful, devoted wife, Melody, and their four children.

Fides is an affable, responsible, and hard-working man who is primarily concerned with protecting and providing for his family. Fides is a construction worker and work is scarce in these hard times. When he is offered a lucrative job in Peoria, IL, he readily accepts it, leaving behind his family, just as an outbreak of a rare and devastating new disease occurs. His intuitive wife has misgivings about him leaving, but Fides knows this is an opportunity he cannot pass up, so he embarks on his journey with his neighbor and co-worker. And, what a journey it is! It is a journey that involves danger, suspense, and adventure – one that tests his faith, his fortitude, and his ability to persevere – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Little does he realize how much this “job” will impact his entire future.

During his absence, a nuclear war takes place and the entire world, has changed drastically - all factions in the nation have risen up in battle against one another. In the United States, some of the major cities have been destroyed and are in total devastation. However, Fides has been ill while all this was taking place and he awakens from a coma when the nuclear strikes have ceased, to discover a broken world. Realizing that he has been separated from his family for a long time, he embarks on a journey to unite with them, encountering numerous obstacles and battles on the way. His journey reveals the horrors and wonders of this altered world, as he awakens to realizations about his own soul.

Early on in his trip, Fides quickly bonds with Fermion, an intriguing and mysterious character, who, in addition to possessing some nifty super powers, seems to have many of the answers to secrets of survival in this new world. Fermion possesses a type of wisdom that initially puzzles Fides, but which later proves to be very useful to him. Along the way, Fides meets several other individuals struggling for survival in this new world – many of whom are basically good people, others, evil by choice – who teach him valuable life lessons and help build his character. He joins forces with different groups (both male and female) who support healthy moral choices, and becomes a strong battle warrior, learning what truth, love, hope, fidelity and obedience are all about, under Fermion’s guidance.

There is a prophetic message presented in this first book of seven in the BirthPangs Series. Will all the disasters and the devastation that have occurred as a result of man turning away from God lead to the end of the human race? What will happen if things become worse and people continue to turn away from their Creator? Fidelis only hints at the possibilities, but it certainly poses a relevant concern for the future.

In his clear, easy to read writing style, Horvath presents us with a story that grabs our attention from the first page and holds it until the very end. He introduces us to an interesting array of characters, which he describes in picturesque terms, often using colorful dialogue and action to effectively allow the characters to “speak” for themselves. Many of the scenes are described in considerable detail, allowing the reader to clearly envision the scene as if it were being shown on a movie screen and to analyze possible outcomes. As an aid to the reader, Horvath adds a handy concise index of character and group names at the back of the book with a line or two identifying each one. This is particularly helpful if the reader needs to put the book down and return to it later.

Fidelis appears to be most appropriate for teenagers and adults due to the detail in the story and the reading difficulty level. There are many exciting battle scenes in the book, which make it particularly appealing to males. Both Christians and non-Christians alike will find Fidelis enjoyable, as it focuses on man’s universal struggles of good vs. evil and truth vs. propaganda. Fides is an action- packed, imaginative fantasy that subtly instructs, entertains, and intellectually provokes the reader. It is fascinating reading.

Fidelis is available for purchase from http://www.birthpangs.com/, as well as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. An excerpt from the first chapter is available for free online at http://www.birthpangs.com/download-part-of-chapter-1/. The website hosts a spin-off role-playing game and a discussion board frequented by the author.

~copyright Jean M. Heimann October 3, 2007

Crossposted at Catholic Fire.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

The scene starts with a crowded street. It's April 1865. Two men meet, chat, and separate. One heads to the stage entrance of a theater, where he is recognized. The other man goes to a tavern. There he meets Thomas Gates who is known for his ability to solve ciphers. While he works on the cipher, President Lincoln is shot by the man in the theater--John Wilkes Booth.

Word of President Lincoln's assassination spreads quickly. Thomas Gates solves the cipher and realizes that the man he is solving it for is a Knight of the Golden Circle--an organization dedicated to a Confederate Victory. When Gates' young son rushes in with the news of assassination, Gates tears several pages out and attempts to burn them. The Knight manages to grab a partially burnt page from the hearth and flees. Gates grabs his son and tells him, "The debt all men must pay."

The next scene is a college lecture hall. Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) and Patrick Gates (Jon Voight) have just presented a lecture about their ancestor, Thomas Gates, and the Booth diary when they are challenged by a member of the audience. Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) has one of the missing pages. Thomas Gates is listed along with other members of the conspiracy. Could Thomas Gates have been the leader of the plot to kill Lincoln?

Ben and Patrick do not believe this and Ben is determined to clear his great-grandfather's name. But he can't do it alone. He needs Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and his expertise. Riley, who is having serious financial problems, is more than happy to go along. However, Ben also needs some information from his house. The problem is that he and Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) are splitting up and it's not amicable. (No, they're not married.) Ben and Riley break in and surprise Abigail who figures out that the boys are on another treasure hunt.

Riley solves the cipher and they're off to Europe. And then--hang on to your hats because the chase is on.

The pace is quick so there is no time to mull over implausibilities or historical inaccuracies. I felt like I was on the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland--just along for the ride. And it's a marvelous ride! Wilkinson is on their tails and they have to elude him. They find one clue and the only person in the whole world who can translate it is Ben's mother, Patrick's ex-wife, Emily Appelton (Helen Mirren). When Patrick and Emily meet after 31 years of not speaking to each other, they take up their argument where they left off. It's a great scene mostly because of Mr. Voight and Ms. Mirren.

The clue leads to a special book--a Book of Secrets--whose existence has only been a rumor and the stuff of conspiracy buffs. And, yes, Ben has to find it. And it won't be easy. Or safe. And we do get to see more of Ms. Mirren (in a good way!).

I was captivated until the very end when I had a problem with where the treasure was. Apparently I was the only one: Hubs and DD#2 thought it was just fine. (As DD#2 keeps telling me, "Mom, it's a MOVIE.") And, except for that one point, the resolution was solid, with one loose end that may indicate there will be a third movie.

The caliber of the actors is impressive, even for the relatively minor roles (Harvey Keitel is back in his role as FBI Agent Sadusky). The location shots are stunning. And if this inspires a few kids to pick up a history book, so much the better.

I do wish that Ben and Abigail would get married, though. Patrick wants them back together but does not suggest marriage. Patrick and Emily are divorced and the reasons for their divorce are discussed--turns out it was a lack of communication rather than infidelity. There is a lot of shooting and mayhem and a lot of shouting, which may bother young children. But on the whole, this is truly a movie for the whole family. Disney does it again!

Added Bonus: Before National Treasure began, we were treated to an original cartoon, just like the good old days. This cartoon was in the classic "How To" genre that Goofy seems specially suited to: "How to Set Up Your Home Theater System." Watch for Walt Disney's picture and other "inside" jokes that Disney cartoonists are noted for. If you've ever bought a TV from an electronics store, you'll appreciate this cartoon!

Like the Pixar shorts, bringing back the cartoon before the feature is something I hope Disney continues to do!

On the March Hare Scale: 4.5 out of 5 Golden Tickets

crossposted on The Mad Tea Party

Movie and Book Review: I Am Legend

It is difficult to know how to review these without spoiling them

In brief, I can say that there are some definite parallels between them and yet they have a completely different feel. Both are cautionary tales about man's meddling with things that he should not. Both leave Robert Neville as the sole survivor of an insidious disease that either kills the infected or completely changes any survivors into monsters which prey upon normal people. In the book the people look normal but actually are regular cross-hating, garlic-shunning, sunlight-hating vampires. In the movie, the people become animalistic monsters that the girls and I dubbed "zom-pires" as they seemed a strange mixture between fast moving zombies and vampires.

The book, written in 1954, is fairly typical of a genre of science fiction of the time. The details of Neville's life are told completely from his thoughts. Between the daily details of making stakes to kill vampires, teaching himself science to try to identify what has caused the disease, and his struggles with loneliness, there are flashbacks from his dreams which fill in what happened to his wife and daughter. Neville was a worker in a plant before the disaster, not a high level intellectual at all, and thus is more of an "every man" than one would expect. I actually found this quite interesting and was riveted right up until the last chapter, which surprised me by entirely changing the entire tenor of the book for me. I will not say more because the I don't want to give away plot points. As I say, they are often parallel to the movie, but made for different reasons with different results which provides quite an interesting contrast when considering both presentations of the story.

The movie is also of its time and turns the scenario into an action-thriller which nonetheless remains strongly life-affirming and redemptive. The movie functions well as a tale of the end-of-the-world (images of abandoned New York are still flashing into my head two days after seeing the movie), an action/horror movie (those zomb-pires are freaky strong and scary with lots of sharp teeth and ear piercing howls), and a story that illustrates what is good about man as exemplified in Robert Neville. Neville in this scenario is a high level scientist who did not cause the disease but is dedicated to finding a cure and carries on his experimentation daily in a thorough fashion. Flashbacks are provided in dreams which fill us in on his family and what left New York City in the disastrous state in which it is presented.

The elements that bring the movie most strongly to life are the detailed touches such as herds of deer in New York, "renting" DVDs each day, a scene with Shrek (of all the unlikely things), and Robert Neville's stubborn dedication to finding a cure for the disease. This seems nonsensical at one point as the disease clearly has won and one wonders why he bothers. However, this is brought into focus by his telling of his hero Bob Marley's reason for putting on a concert two days after being shot by a gunman.

The people that are trying to make the world worse never take a day off, why should I? Light up the darkness.

All things considered I much preferred the movie to the book. That is not to say that there are not plot holes or flaws in the movie that some such as Roger Ebert have complained about. There is still running water for example. However, these also are things that the original book didn't bother explaining. The author, for all his dedication to various details of survival, left completely unexplained such things as running water, electricity, getting gas for the car. Movie viewers are unlikely to mind either.

The point of the movie is to tell the story and it does so in a compelling fashion. Well done indeed and it is going on my list of the year's best movies.

Note: Although this movie is PG-13 it is definitely horrifying in many of the situations and not suitable for younger children. Hannah and Rose saw a family with a boy of about 8 or 9 sitting near them. Thankfully, after about half an hour they left. I think that is just about the time that Neville is setting off with his flashlight ... a sequence so very suspenseful that I spent much of the time breathing deeply and deliberately looking around the audience just to break the tension. With that said, the violence is quick and not prolonged so that there are not scenes of a disturbingly graphic nature. It was quite well done in implying those scenes or showing them quickly enough that one is carried on in the action.



SPOILERS






Keep an eye peeled for the many times that churches and crosses appear in the background or tangentially in various scenes. Keep in mind Will Smith's statement about "be the light in the darkness" and think about the animalistic nature of the mutated zomb-pires who must exist in darkness and are doing all they can to destroy the person who is trying to find a cure and who lives in the light as best he can. Of course, at the end of the movie, there is a Christian theme of such clarity that some have complained it is heavy-handed. However, what about this film isn't? And I think that today we need some heavy-handedness to get people to get the point. I was stunned to see all this in a major Hollywood movie that has been raking it in for three straight weeks. Just think of the many people who have seen this movie ... every little bit helps I think.

Cross-posted at Happy Catholic.