A Meaty Movie Experience

If you prefer the shorter audio version edited from the radio, take a listen.

Audio Review:

Here’s a movie that will give you something to chew on: It’s the new animated film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

In a coastal Atlantic fishing town called Swallow Falls, where life is dull and Baby Brent sardines are the daily sustenance, one budding scientist named Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live) dreams of bringing life back to his dreary town by inventing something that will bring him fame, fortune, and local approval.

But so far all his crazy gadgets – spray-on shoes, de-balding formula, a walking television, and a monkey thought translator – have made Flint the laughingstock of the neighborhood and caused nothing but trouble for him. Flint’s failed antics have earned him the ire of rule-conscious policeman Earl Devereaux (Mr. T, The A-Team); the disapproval of his technophobic father, Tim (James Caan, Sonny Corleone in The Godfather), who believes Flint should quit dreaming and take a job at the family-owned bait and tackle shop; and the mocking taunts of nemesis ‘Baby’ Brent McHale (Andy Samberg, I Love You, Man and SNL) who is the face on every can of sardines.

Spy Pigs: The ‘Force’ is With You

The FBI has a new pet project. And who better to be the next guinea pigs on a government-funded secret ops mission than… well… real, live guinea pigs?

In this first Digital 3-D movie from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a federally funded crew of animal secret agents known as “G-Force,” trained by Ben (Zack Galifianakis) and his assistant, Marcie (Kelli Garner), has just been tasked with stopping power-hungry businessman Leonard Saber (Bill Nighy) from implementing his mission of world domination. The goal of G-Force is to locate and destroy Saber’s computer program called Saber Sense (also known as Clusterstorm) before Saber gets the chance to activate microchips in his worldwide line of household appliances and turn them into sinister killing machines.

‘Harry Potter’: Spells and the Spoken Word

Proverbs 18:21 says that there is the power of life and death in the tongue. We can bless and curse with the words we say. Words that are said with authority also have creative power to call things into being. We know this because God said, “Let there be light” and light came into existence. We know that Jesus was the “Word made flesh” and that the Bible is also called the “Word of God.”

So how does this relate to the latest box office release of the PG-rated fantasy film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?

The power of words in Potter is not Holy Spirit-driven. They are coming from the opposite spirit in the form of spells and incantations – things which the Bible considers detestable.

I discuss more about the power of words in Potter in this edited radio commentary from a discussion I had on the air with radio personality Liz Lane of The Current FM on Thursday, July 3o. Hope this discussion helps you weigh this film in the light of faith.

Radio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’: A Well-Fashioned Comedy

Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) has a love for fashion. If it is anything designer, she’s got it. And she pays for all of it by credit card. (She has at least 12 of what she calls those plastic “magic” cards.)

Rebecca’s dream job is to work as a fashion journalist for Alette Naylor (Kristin Scott Thomas) at coveted Alette magazine. But when an icy, long-legged diva named Alicia Billington (Leslie Bibb) takes the only available slot at Alette, Rebecca ends up getting a job as a personal finance writer at sister publication Successful Saving.

Since Rebecca didn’t inherit wise money management skills from her frugal parents Jane (Joan Cusack) and Graham (John Goodman), saving money is a subject that she knows nothing about.

However, when she writes an article that likens money issues to shopping, Rebecca hits a nerve with her new boss, the handsome Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy), and the public; thus, getting her own financial column called “The Girl in the Green Scarf”.

What I Learned From ‘Shopaholic’

New stilettos, a fabulous Coach bag, a faux fur jacket – advertisers say we can have all this and more with that shiny plastic credit card… or maybe several of them. And time and time again, our culture has fallen victim to that trap. Never mind that we can’t afford these things, don’t truly need them, and don’t have anywhere to store them. We got the “cash back” and travel points. Plus, it’s “normal” to be in debt. Everyone else is, so who cares? Thus begins the vicious cycle we call consumer debt.

But knowing that our consumer debt can ultimately lead to business failures, foreclosures, divorce, bankruptcy, and even suicide, it is time that we have more voices speaking “enough is enough – there is a better way.”

The true call for change must begin with personal responsibility. That’s why I love Confessions of a Shopaholic (now out on DVD!). We are enlightened both about the scary potential consequences of out-of-control credit card spending and the way out of the debt cycle – all within the context of a funny romantic comedy.

‘Ice Age 3’: Not So Family Friendly

Me at Positive Hit Radio The Current

Sorry, parents. If you are hoping for a really great PG animated film to take the whole family to, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs isn’t it. It’s scary in some parts for the younger children, particularly the 3-D version where the dinosaurs jump right out from the screen. And it has much more adult innuendo than this kind of film typically includes. I think it is disappointing. The only saving grace is that silly squirrel Scrat and the chase for his deepest desires.

I shared my thoughts last Friday on the air with radio personality Liz Lane from Positive Hit Radio The Current. This audio review is not the on-air version. It has been cut-down for the purposes of this blog. Take a listen…

Radio Review:

— Laura J. Bagby

Male Gender Issues Abound in ‘Ice Age 3’

Recently, I chatted with Positive Hit Radio The Current’s Liz Lane about Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on the local radio.

I was really hoping to give a good recommendation on this PG animated film, but I found myself more annoyed than entertained.

What really got me was the portrayal of many of the male characters in the film, who often seemed bumbling, cowardly, indecisive, and passive. And one character in particular, a sloth named Sid, the epitome of the nurturing male, made me want to stand up and say, “Dude, be a man!” What a sad look at how our society these days views men: incapable, troubled, and insecure. It surely doesn’t inspire the male gender to be strong and fearless, now does it?

Listen to my conversation with Liz on the radio about these frustrating issues in Ice Age 3…

Audio Commentary:

The above audio clip is not the original on-air version from The Current FM. It has been edited for this blog.

— Laura J. Bagby

Pixar Brings ‘Up’-Lifting Experience

Giving the thumbs-up for "Up" in my 3-D glasses.

Almost a month passed between the press conference for Up and the day I finally got to see it on the silver screen. Since there was no sneak peek screening in my local area, I went and saw the new Disney/Pixar animated film on opening weekend as a regular moviegoer.

I was surprised when I learned the price per ticket for the Disney Digital 3-D version was $13. (There is a 2-D version, but why settle for that one? You don’t get the full experience.) Despite the steep price, I paid, got my 3-D glasses and found a seat amongst the many families with children. I expected to see more adults, even couples, but apparently animated movies – unless they are Anime – tend to bring in the kiddies.

When we all donned our glasses – which very much resembled the thick, black version worn by our movie hero, Carl – you could hear the audible gasps as the children saw cartoon characters leaping what felt like mere feet in front of their eyes. The adults were typically more reserved. Me? I was gasping along with the little tikes!

‘What About Bob?’: Fun Memorial Day Flick

What About Bob?

OK, I know. This one is an oldie. But you’ve worked hard, so it’s time to laugh! And what better way to do that than with a silly comedy from the ’80s?

The movie I am recommending is called What About Bob? This tale follows harmless hypochondriac Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) as he seeks to gain personal psychiatric help from the doctor he idolizes, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss). But Bob soon becomes a pest as he seeks to gain the attentions of Dr. Marvin while the psychiatrist is trying to enjoy a much-needed vacation with family. Soon Bob isn’t the only one who seems to be suffering from mental problems. Dr. Marvin seems to be going through his own personal breakdown. Crazy fun takes on new meaning in this classic. Hilarious one-liners and unforgettable Bill Murray humor.

Watch a clip about “Baby Steps” from YouTube:

Audio Review:

This is audio commentary between me and Positive Hit Radio The Current FM’s radio host Liz Lane about What About Bob? This version is not the original that aired on the radio; it has been edited for this blog.

— Laura J. Bagby