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where faith and film are intertwined

Dennis Quaid

Strange World: Leaving a Legacy that Matters

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Featuring the voice talent of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu, Strange World follows three generations of an explorer family, the Clades, as they try to improve, and then save, their land of Avalonia.

Jaeger Clade (Quaid) is the brawny, always-looking-for-an-adventure, OG Clade explorer who has made it his sole mission to discover what exists on the other side of the mountain that cover Avalonia. He has spent years on this mission, eventually bringing along his son, Searcher (Gyllenhaal), who plods along on his father’s escapades until he is old enough to discover his real interests. However, when he finally does, he and his father part ways. Years go by and we are introduced to his son, Ethan (Young-White), the third generation Clade, who Searcher is trying to keep from becoming like his grandfather. Eventually, they need to set out on an adventure to save Avalonia and we see on this journey that all three Clade men might be more similar than they think, even as they carve out their own individuality.

In a lot of ways, the film feels like a mish-mash of Treasure Planet and Atlantis in its “group of explorers visit a strange world”-ness, and Troy Bolton in all the High School Musical films, with his “that was your dream, Dad, not mine”-esque speeches. (Side note: I was sure that he said those exact words at some point in the franchise, but I just scrubbed through HSM 1,2 and 3 and can’t find that quote anywhere. I’ve put together in my digging that this is a common theme in Disney movies though, so if you can find a movie with that exact quote, I would love to know)

Each Clade son comes to realize that he does not want to do what his father has trained him his whole life to, and each Clade father must come to terms with the fact that his son will not be his replica. The film brings up the question of legacy and asks what it truly means to leave a great one behind. Does it mean creating something that your offspring will carry it on for generations? Or does legacy mean raising said offspring to contribute positively to society–however that may look–enough? I’m not a parent, so I can only imagine that it takes a lot of strength to release your child from your expectations of them and allow them to form their own.

Something that I found interesting about Ethan is that he was constantly asking how everything on the earth can peacefully and efficiently co-exist, a question that he embodies. For example, while his father and grandfather seemed to be extreme opposites of each other, Ethan possessed traits from both of them and used that combination of strengths to figure out a way to save their land.

Ethan’s question makes more sense when you reach the end of the film where Strange World hints that we need to reflect on our relationship with other people and our planet.

Strange World is available in theatres on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022.

Blue Miracle – Fishing for the Lost

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“My prayer worked! I can’t believe it!”

Based on a true story, Julio Quintana’s Blue Miracle is a story of answered prayers, but it is even more a story about finding rebirth in the people around us. It is the story of a washed up boat captain, a fishing tournament, and an orphanage facing eviction. It is billed as a story about saving an orphanage, but there is much more to be saved in this story.

Casa Hogar is a boys’ home in Cabo San Lucas. The boys are cared for by Papa Omar (Jimmy Gonzales), who was himself orphaned as a child. But money is tight. The bank is threatening foreclosure. What will become of the boys? Will they have to go back out on to the streets? Omar is determined that will never happen.

Blue Miracle. Anthony Gonzalez as Geco, Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Miguel Angel Garcia as Moco, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

After a hurricane blows through, a prestigious fishing tournament which is usually for well-heeled fishermen, opens to local fishermen for no entrance fee. Wade Malloy (Dennis Quaid), a boat captain who has twice won the event (but in now broke and broken) tries to enter, but as an American doesn’t qualify as local. So he is paired with Casa Hogar who along with Omar, brings a few of the boys, who must actually do the fishing for a trophy marlin. They have three days to try to catch the biggest marlin and bring in enough money to save Casa Hogar and restore Malloy’s ego.

The theme of the film is established very early when Omar is awakened and told that one of the younger boys has gone out into the night. He knows just where to find him—sleeping at the port, wishing for his mother to come find him. Omar, who we see has a large cross tattooed on his back, heads off to gather the boy in. He carries the sleeping child back through the dangerous streets—even a minor gang war. The scene is much like paintings that depict the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-6; Matthew18:12-13).

Blue Miracle. Jimmy Gonzales as Omar, Steve Gutierrez as Tweety in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

The rest of the film is a series of lost sheep experiences. The two main lost sheep are Malloy, who has become so involved with what he calls “a calling to greatness” that he has lost touch with all the things of value in his life. He only cares about the next marlin (and not getting that, stewing in his misery). In a twist, his son now lives away from him and barely knows him, while the orphans are fatherless.

The other main lost sheep is Moco, an older street-harden kid that Omar is trying to get to come into Casa Hogar. When Omar tells him he could use his help, Moco replies, “I only look out for myself.” He stole Malloy’s watch, and to avoid jail returns it under Omar’s supervision. When he and Malloy are on the boat together, there’s friction.

Blue Miracle. Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

Even Omar has a certain lostness, in spite of his confidence and maturity. He as much as Malloy or Moco needs to be rescued from the wolves around him and within him.

It isn’t so much a particular “shepherd” that finds these lost sheep. It is the interactions between them all. Each in his own way discovers that he is lost when one of the others shows him the way to return to the safety of the fold.

Blue Miracle. Pablo Rodriguez as Young Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

The film provides the orphan boys with witty dialogue and allows them to be the main purveyors of wisdom (the wisest is the smallest of them). The film is a feel-good story without going overboard with sentimentality. It allows us to not only celebrate the good that comes, but also to consider the ways we and those around us are in need of someone to lead us back from time to time.

Blue Miracle streams on Netflix.

Photos courtesy of Netflix.

Midway: Battle-Ready, Willing and Able

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Set in the heart of WWII, Midway tells the dramatic story of the US soldiers and pilots who fought during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Having remained ‘officially’ neutral in the war, the US found themselves drawn into the conflict after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 at the hands of the Japanese. Over the next few months, they engaged in a military chess match as both superpowers attempted to outmaneuver one another, culminating in the epic Battle of Midway.

Directed by Roland Emmerich (The Patriot), Midway is a bold and sweeping film that attempts to walk the line between historical drama and action blockbuster. Known for such epic films as Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow, Emmerich understands the nature of spectacle, which he puts to good use onscreen here. With every screaming bullet and fiery explosion, Emmerich seats the viewer in the centre of one of WWII’s most iconic battles. As a result, the sweeping nature of the action and its ‘rag-tag’ group of characters who come together to win the day fits well into Emmerich’s repertoire. (Ironically, however, it’s interesting to note that the historical aspect of this particular film makes Midwaysomewhat of a departure for him as well, given that his filmography consists almost entirely of science fiction epics.)

Unfortunately, where Midway loses its way is in the area of character development. Like many of Emmerich’s other films, Midway’s heavy reliance on stunning battle sequences often leaves its characters somewhat one dimensional in the middle of complex circumstances. As a result of the film’s emphasis on action, heroic historical characters like Lieutenant Commander McClusky (Luke Evans), cocky war hero Dick Best (Ed Skrein), and Admiral Chester Nimitz (Woody Harrelson) aren’t given the time to explore their true feelings and motivations in the midst of the most difficult of times. None of this is particularly surprising, given Emmerich’s back catalogue. After all, for Emmerich, the greatest drama lies in the victories and losses as opposed to the inner battles of his characters. However, it does keep Midway from truly landing as a truly compelling historical drama. (Although, it is worth noting that one of the most surprising aspects of the cast is its lack of ethnic and gender diversity. While the film is set in the 1940s and the film’s heroes were actually Caucasian males, the script gives little opportunity to anyone else to speak their voice, an important aspect that is usually a staple of Emmerich films.)

However, the film’s penchant for spectacle does powerfully emphasize the nature of sacrifice. For Emmerich, the greatest demonstration of valor comes when people are willing to give their lives in the service and protection of others and Midway demonstrates this truth well. For these characters, war is neither driven by a quest for glory nor individual medals but by doing what is required in order to keep their families safe. In some ways, Midway exemplifies the power of sacrifice best in its smaller moments. For example, one brief scene where a young girl is rescued by her mother as Pearl Harbour is destroyed speaks to the more personal implications of war. In another, as Best informs his troops that, ‘even though they’ve been through hell, they have to get back out there’, the audience recognizes the sheer exhaustion that is required of military troops when they are thrown into the field. Brief moments such as these speak to the true sacrifice of life at war when families are directly impacted or men and women are called upon to give more than they have to offer in service to a call greater than themselves. In this regard, Midway wears its heart on its sleeve by demonstrating Emmerich’s admiration for those who have committed their lives to the mission.

Even so, as the end credits roll, Midway leaves the audience with somewhat of a mixed bag of emotions. While the film’s spectacle is thrilling and often gorgeous to see, frequently one-dimensional writing for its characters and a surprising lack of diversity hold the film back from true greatness. While it’s easily Emmerich’s most entertaining film in years, Midwayis still missing enough depth to truly land the plane.

Midway brings history to life in theatres on Friday, May 8th, 2019.

A Dog’s Purpose: Companionship In Life

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Growing up, I remember dogs were always a part of the daily activities at my house.  In the early years, there was a black Labrador who lived in our backyard and loved to play with the neighborhood kids.  Middle school brought a tan dachshund to the mix—she liked everyone in the family–except me. In high school, I found my companion in the form of Fred, a beagle named after the basset hound in Smoky and the Bandit due to his looks. He followed me everywhere and slept on my bed at night.  Leaving for college without him was bittersweet, but he always remembered me when I returned for holiday visits.  He passed away a number of years ago, but the memories and companionship he brought me live on today.

Into this theme of companionship comes a new film from Universal and Walden Media called A Dog’s Purpose.  You might have heard about it recently, as an online video surfaced that suggested animal cruelty happened on set.  PETA reacted predictably and called for a boycott of the film, but I’m here to say there’s no reason to avoid attending for that reason (by the way, this article by one of the film’s producer explains the whole thing and is quite interesting).  In fact, although extremely melodramatic, A Dog’s Purpose is a decent film and showcases companionship in a touching way.

In the story based on the book by Bruce Cameron, we see life portrayed through the eyes of a dog (voiced by Josh Gad).  Actually, that should be lives, as the dog’s first iteration finds him as a stray and caught by animal control before being euthanized.  Before he can determine what his purpose is, he’s back as a puppy and eventually escapes from a cage.  Two guys find him and leave him in a truck with the windows closed on a hot day.  Thankfully, a lady (Juliet Rylance) breaks the window and rescues him.  After a discussion with her husband (Luke Kirby), their son Ethan (Bryce Ghesiar) has his first dog and names him Bailey.  The two are inseparable, although Bailey gets out of control one night at dinner and ends up costing Ethan’s father a job—and eventually, his family due to alcoholism.

Ethan grows up (now played by KJ Apa) and Bailey indirectly helps him find Hannah (Britt Robertson), and a relationship begins.  Bailey doesn’t understand a number of things that happen later, such as why Ethan leaves for college and why he breaks up with Hannah.  But he’s fiercely protective to the end.  And when that happens, there’s a pause, followed by a new life to live as another dog.  The canine goes through lives as a female police dog, a smaller companion for a college student, and a St. Bernard look-alike that finds his way back to an old farm house and runs into Ethan (Dennis Quaid), who doesn’t recognize him. The ending is neatly tied up and is reminiscent of something airing on the Hallmark Channel, but dog lovers might find themselves wiping away tears by then.

Director Lasse Hallstrom (Who’s Eating Gilbert Grape) keeps the film going at a good clip, keeping the distractions to the story to a minimum.  The whole concept of a dog bouncing through multiple lives is a topic worthy of a later discussion, but it’s handled tastefully and quickly each time.  The soundtrack isn’t particularly memorable, but in this case, that’s a good thing.  In my opinion, the acting is a bit uneven, mainly due to having so many different lives to account for on the part of the dog.  And, outside of the melodrama, the biggest issue I had with A Dog’s Purpose’s involved characterization.  Not of the dogs, mind you, but of the humans portrayed in each section.  Only Ethan is fully conceptualized; the others need more background—why for example, did the police officer live by himself?  We see a picture of him and his wife (daughter?), but nothing else is offered. More characterization would help to increase the power of the bond between human and canine.

And that is really the biggest takeaway from the film for me. When man was created, God realized he needed something. “It is not good for the man to be alone,” he said (Genesis 1:18).  In this case, he created the woman, but the loneliness and companion factor are important for humanity.  Nobody wants to be alone forever, having nobody to talk to or shower love on them.  Perhaps this is why dog owners are so fiercely protective of them, even calling them part of their family—they’re friends who stick closely by through the good and bad times—“closer than a brother,” in fact (Proverbs 18:24).

A Dog’s Purpose offers a look at why canines are referred to as man’s best friend.  They provide more than companionship and love to their masters—they exude hope, courage, loyalty, and strength.  These are fantastic qualities each of us should seek to embody in our lives. Perhaps the film will help a person do just that—thanks to a little bit of wisdom from a dog.

Special features on the Blu-ray and DVD available now are deleted scenes, outtakes, and two featurettes, “Lights, Camera, Woof!” that looks behind-the-scenes and “A Writer’s Purpose” that shares about W. Bruce Cameron (writer of the novel and screenwriter of the film).