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Hugh Jackman

Missing Link: Searching for What’s Missing

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Tired of living alone, Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis), an 8-foot tall sasquatch, recruits adventurous (and ego-driven) Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in Himalayas. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), the trio face certain death as they cross the globe searching for the fabled destination of Shangri-La. In the process, they learn that sometimes one can find a family in unexpected places

Sir Lionel Frost (left) voiced by Hugh Jackman and Mr. Link (right) voiced by Zach Galifianakis in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

Tired of living alone, Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis), an 8-foot tall sasquatch, recruits adventurous (and ego-driven) Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in Himalayas. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), the trio face certain death as they cross the globe searching for the fabled destination of Shangri-La. In the process, they learn that sometimes one can find a family in unexpected places

Written and directed by Chris Butler (Paranorman),Missing Linkcontinues Laika’s streak of well-crafted stories underneath the beauty of stop-motion animation. Though not as well-known a property as Pixar (or even Aardman), Laika has established itself as a company that tells a wide variety of engaging narratives, ranging from the dark edges of Coralineto the whimsical Kubo and the Two Strings. While Missing Linkis far more playful in tone than the aforementioned examples, its story still resonates deeply through its humour and heart. As the arrogant yet likeable Sir Lionel Frost, Jackman effectively pokes fun at the bravado of some of his most beloved characters while Galifianakis’ charm is allowed to run wild as the wonderfully innocent (and extremely literal) Mr. Link.

Mr. Link voiced by Zach Galifianakis in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

When we first meet Frost, we recognize that he is a man who yearns deeply to belong (and, even more so, feel relevant). Constantly on a quest to seek out the next miraculous discovery, Frost vows to be accepted by a local social club that prides itself on allowing only “great men” to join. When he hears word of the existence of the mysterious sasquatch, Frost is determined to use this discovery to prove his worth to the group and its judgemental leader, Lord Piggot-Dunceby (Stephen Fry). For Frost, much of his self-worth is tied to whether or not he can be viewed as a ‘great man’ by others he perceives to hold that position. Joining this club is not an exercise of fun, but rather a manner by which to validate himself.

With this in mind, juxtaposed against Frost’s obsession is the journey of Mr. Link (or Susan, as he prefers to be known). Similar to Frost, Link also desires greatly to be accepted by others. However, rather than seek personal glory, Link simply wants to find a family who accepts him for who he is. (After all, the humans aren’t exactly welcoming.) As a result, he desperately wants to find a home amongst the yeti in the Himalayas, whom he refers to as his cousins. While their motivations may differ, both ‘men’ ultimately seek the same sort of validation. To them, a love that sees (and accepts) them for who they are brings life… and they are willing to sacrifice anything to find it.

(L to R) Sir Lionel Frost voiced by Hugh Jackman, Mr. Link voiced by Zach Galifianakis and Adelina Fortnight voiced by Zoe Saldana in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

In the end, Missing Linkis a charming film for all ages with enjoyable characters and genuine laughs. More importantly though, the film speaks to the very human need for a love and acceptance that goes beyond what we do but extends to the very core of who we are.

Missing Link journeys into theatres on Friday, April 12th.

Missing Link – Finding Friendship

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It is important to have a place where you belong—people who journey with us. Or as Qoheleth put it: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9f, NRSV). In the animated film Missing Link the search for belonging leads to a discovery of a fuller life.

Adventure Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) has explored the world investigating myths and monsters. But the prestigious society of adventures led by Lord Piggot-Dunceb (Stephen Fry) look down their noses at him and exclude him. When Sir Lionel gets a letter from someone who knows where Sasquatch can be found, he makes a deal with Piggot-Dunceb that if he finds him, he’ll be allowed in. So he sets off for the Pacific Northwest where he meets Mr. Link (Zach Galifianakis)—Sasquatch himself, who wrote to Frost.

Mr. Link voiced by Zach Galifianakis in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

Mr. Link is lonely. He wants to find others like him and has heard that there are Yeti in the Himalayas. Frost concludes that the place to find Yetis would be in the mythical valley of Shangri-La. The two set off to find if this is the place that Mr. Link will find others like him and a place where he can belong. Along the way Lord Piggot-Dunceb tries to hinder them, but they are aided along the way by another adventurer, Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana). Mr. Link, Sir Lionel, and Adelina each is looking for belonging and friendship. It isn’t so much the destination of the journey that brings them fulfilment as what they discover in each other along the way.

(L to R) Sir Lionel Frost voiced by Hugh Jackman, Mr. Link voiced by Zach Galifianakis and Adelina Fortnight voiced by Zoe Saldana in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

This is a story about those who are excluded by those who think themselves better than others. It is true of Lord Piggot-Dunceb, and also of The Elder (Emma Thompson) of the Yeti society. They are very much classists (which can easily stand in for racism or other forms of exclusion) who feel justified in maintaining a purity of their little group. In so doing, they refuse to recognize gifts that others may have.

Sir Lionel and Mr. Link discover that they share a sense of loneliness and being seen as different. As they journey together they discover that what they are looking for may not be inclusion by those who reject them, but rather a bond that grows through their common endeavor. They each find that “two are better than one.” Therein, is their fulfillment.

Sir Lionel Frost (left) voiced by Hugh Jackman and Mr. Link (right) voiced by Zach Galifianakis in director Chris Butler’s MISSING LINK, a Laika Studios Production and Annapurna Pictures release. Credit : Laika Studios / Annapurna Pictures

The Front Runner: The Race for Integrity

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Written and directed by Jason Reitman, The Front Runner follows the story of Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman), former senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart’s intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life

Similar to last year’s Oscar-nominated, The Post, Front Runner depicts a government cover-up with a heavy emphasis on the nobility of the press. In some ways, the films are quite similar in their approach. For instance, both films are period pieces and spend a great deal of their runtime focussed on groups of people discussing the nature of the issues. However, while it could be argued that Spielberg’s film picture of the press borders on grandstanding, Reitman’s appeal is far more complex in its approach. Though Reitman shows the press as being honorable in their intent, he also recognizes that they aren’t always the heroes. Can the press be wrong? Do they have the right to uncover every detail of a public figure’s life? All of these questions muddy the waters of conversation surrounding the press’ engagement with Hart and his history.

Hugh Jackman stars in Columbia Pictures’ THE FRONT RUNNER.

As Hart, Jackman proves to be an inspired casting decision as he portrays him as a man of charisma, humility and self-righteousness simultaneously. Preaching family values, Hart’s personal life provides a stumbling block to his campaign by revealing his moral hypocrisy. By focussing on the ‘issues’, Hart fully believes that the only thing that the public should care about is what he will do with his political power, not his extra-marital affairs. Highlighting the gap between moral integrity and public persona, Front Runner reminds us that there is a relationship between the two. While telling the story of a presidential candidate 30 years ago, the film is clearly written for today’s culture which is wrestling with the same issues.

In fact, one of the best aspects of the film is the voice that it gives to Hart’s mistress, Donna Rice (played beautifully by star Sarah Paxton). In doing so, Front Runner allows Rice to become more than the ‘other woman’. The film depicts her as a woman conflicted by her relationship with a political icon, allowing her to express her personal struggles with the relationship. Is she a victim? An adulteress? As Rice, Paxton’s heartfelt performance offers shades of both innocence and guilt into her soul. Through her relationship with Hart, The Front Runner reminds us of the responsibility and influence that people in power have over those around them and how selfishly masculine energy can be used to demean women.

It’s hard to say whether or not The Front Runner will leave the same sort of cultural mark as Spielberg’s The Post did come Oscar time. More complex in its character-development and story-telling, Front Runner is content to sit in the midst of its conflict in a way that gives it less of a ‘crowd-pleasing’ finale. However, it could also be argued that the film also carries with it more to say in a culture that is searching for answers in the muddy waters of integrity.

The Front Runner is available now on home media.

Hugh Jackman stars in Columbia Pictures’ THE FRONT RUNNER.

The Greatest Showman: What Do You See?

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P.T. Barnum watched his father toil in poverty, the family suffering in the shadows of the rich Hallett family. With love for Charity Hallett, and a desire to show the world a vision of joy that they hadn’t seen before, Barnum works hard to embrace a new life for his family. With starts and stops, Barnum gradually builds what will become Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hugh Jackman’s The Greatest Showman.

For the record, I can’t stand musicals. I think it’s ridiculous in general that a human being would spontaneously break out in song, and that another person would patiently wait to hear what they had to say until the stanza was over. I’ve sat through exactly two musicals that I ever really cared for – The Phantom of the Opera and Rent – which have spectacular stories about what it means for outsiders to become insiders, to find their place in the world. And now,I’ve found a third in Showman, which ironically also includes a strong story about seeing the world, and the people who inhabit it, differently from the way the rest of the world does.

I’ll leave a standard evaluation of Showman to others, in terms of what it means to integrate the vision and music with the story – although I will see that it’s visually stunning, and transports one to the sights and smells of the circus. Instead, I’ll focus on a few of the ideas that made me sit up and take notice.

Barnum’s belief in those who are overlooked by everyone else – the bearded lady with the voice of an angel, the incredibly witty dwarf, the thief-turned-magician, the African-American brother-and-sister trapeze artists – is built on his own recognition of his position as an outsider. It’s beautifully captured in an early scene where Barnum is stealing to find something to eat, when he’s surprisingly offered kindness by a deformed beggar. It shows up again when Barnum recruits the uppercrust Carlysle (Zac Efron) to cross the lines of economic expectation, to be part of something more. It made me wonder what the world would look like if we each remember the times we were once left out, and the way that we were included and brought in from the outside. 

I long for the vision that Barnum had, of a place, a family, a community, where everything would be transformed into something new and brilliant. I believe in the power of that vision – a representation of the kingdom of God on Earth – but I know from experience that it takes energy, faith, and work to see the vision into reality. Barnum’s focus on bringing joy unites and inspires those he calls on to join him – even the skeptical Carlysle. It’s Field of Dreams without the baseball, but it also shows the power of inspiration to help others see the vision, too.

Thanks to the film’s ability to see the rise and fall (and rise) of Barnum, we see the business success and personal failure of his partnership with the Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind. While the real-life Barnum was a success on a multitude of levels (business, politic, philanthropy), the focus on his circus years shows the depth of his vision – and the way that his Jenny Lind musical tour distracted him both personally and professionally from what he was meant to be. While providing an entertaining diversion – and the ‘third act’ tension required of a dramatic story arc – it also serves as a reminder that we should beware the pitfalls mixed with success, ambition, and greed. Whether we’re a business, a church, or a community, what we long for and pursue must be kept front and center in what we do.

While some of the acts Barnum collects are singularly stunning visually, there’s a reminder here that everyone has a gift, that everyone matters. It’s articulated by Zendaya’s Anne Wheeler when she admonishes Carlysle, “everyone has an act.” It combines the first few notes of the film, because the focus has been so heavy on the visual ‘freaks’ that somehow threaten the townies, as Carlysle becomes the one who needs a place, who finds a home, who recognizes his gift. This is church – where the message is for everyone, the blood, sweat, and tears have been shed for all, and the places at the table are available to all.

Yes, Barnum may have been the greatest showman, but the film is so much more than entertainment.

3.14 Losing LOGAN

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This week on the show, Steve reconnects with Arnaldo Reyes and Peter Adourian to talk about purpose and hopeful death in James Mangold’s LOGAN.  (We may even answer the eternal question: Why Arnaldo doesn’t like Jackman’s Wolverine!)

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3.14 Logan

Thanks to Peter Adourian and Arnaldo Reyes for joining us on the show!

Logan: The Case for a X-23 Spin-off

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WARNING:  If you haven’t seen Logan yet, there will be spoilers below.

Character History

First appearing in the animated series X-Men Evolution, Laura Kinney (X-23) quickly became a fan favorite. Created by the top secret organization tasked to duplicate the Weapon X program (the same program that gave Logan his Adamantium bones), Laura was the 23rd experiment to clone Wolverine. Although female, she was exactly what they wanted. In fact, she was better. Trained from birth to be a weapon, she was a deadly assassin before hitting puberty. Whether she wants to or not, she is forced to kill (we’ll get to that below). The program developed what they call a “trigger scent” that drives X-23 into a rage, causing her to kill everyone in her sight until it wears off. Throughout her young life, she was forced to kill many people, including her mother. Before her mother died, she told her she’s not just an experiment and that her name was Laura.

From there, Laura spent her time as a runaway. Being used and abused, she sold her body to survive, even hurting herself just to feel something. This led her to find Logan (initially fighting him and blaming him for everything) and then, eventually, land herself in Xavier’s school. Just like Logan, there she learned about friends, love, family and who she really is. At times, she needed to go out on her own and, at times, she was back to where she was, a weapon. Throughout her history, she was exactly what one would expect from the daughter of Wolverine. However, she was much better (something Logan would admit). Just like Logan, she had to live with a broken past and spend her life making amends. Over time, she would encounter setbacks, trials and loss. Now, she has the mantle of the man that taught her the most about herself. She isn’t just playing dress up, but she is The Wolverine.

Why X-23 needs her own film

After 17 years we finally got the real Wolverine on screen…and SHE was amazing! Yes, Hugh Jackman was great in his sendoff as well, finally giving us the Wolverine we’ve been lacking. After 17 years, it’s hard to view anyone outside of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine but this is why Laura is the perfect person to take up the mantle. From the first moment on screen, when we see her walk out of that plant and attack those pursuing her, I knew that James Mangold (director) and Dafne Keen (X-23) got it right. You saw the deadliness in her. Then, you see the video that Logan was watching, how she was made, how the nurse tried to teach her more than just being a weapon. When you see that, and you see the quiet girl that in a split second can go berserk, you know that the spirit of the character it’s there. You see her brokenness in trying to connect with Logan while being helped by Xavier in observing what life should be. In the final scenes, where she goes toe to toe with X-24 in order to help Logan out, you can see again how great she is in that role.

Putting her deadliness aside, the moment where Logan is dying and she tearing away at the tree that he’s impaled on though is where you say she needs her own film. She cries for a dad she just met. His eyes, his last words telling her not to be what they’ve made her. Then, when her and the other kids bury him, when she turns the cross to resemble an X and they head out into the mountains, I’m left wanting more. I want to know what happens next. Moreso, we need to know.

She is going into a new world with new mutants created to be weapons and on the run from facility that made them. Eventually, someone will come looking. In the comics, she was forced to kill because she had a handler. In the movie, she tells Logan she has nightmares because people hurt her. Her handler, Kimura, is one of Laura’s worst enemies in the comics. A solo film bringing her in to go after Laura would be a great first film. Also introducing the trigger scent, causing her to do harm and seeing her come out of it and rise from being used again and emerging a hero. Laura deserves more than just a walk into the mountains with her friends. She’s as complex a character as Logan and, by keeping her in this same gritty type of film, they can properly display all the elements of her character.

Although Jackman is done, Wolverine lives on and, given her youth, she will do well for another 17 years as well!

Logan – Will the Real Wolverine Please Stand Up?

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There’s much to be said about an actor playing a particular role in film nine times.

In a way, he/she must’ve done something right and even made that particular role nearly iconic. Hugh Jackman has done that, to my dismay (or dislike, however you want to call it). It’s not that I’m not a fan of his. It’s just that I’ve never been a fan of his portrayal of Wolverine. Only twice have I felt that the character that I grew up admiring and loving was captured as he should be, but most of the time it was someone else. This is probably more on the studio and scripts than it is on Hugh. After X-Men Origins: Wolverine, I completely gave up on them. (In fact, it wasn’t until two weeks ago that I finally saw The Wolverine because there was nothing else to watch on TV and, even then, I found myself playing games on my phone rather than watching the movie.)

So here I am, I paid to see the film on a Thursday night for two reasons: It was Hugh Jackman’s last hoorah and it was the live action appearance of my second favorite Wolverine…X-23 (aka Laura). When I first heard she would be in the film, I cringed. I felt that, not only had they ruined Logan, but now they were going to ruin Laura as well. When the trailers came out, I felt a little more optimistic yet still apprehensive. With all this, I bought my tickets, went to the theater, leaned back the comfy recliner and, finally, I saw the real Wolverine.

Logan is set in a distant future. Mutants are basically no more (as was said in the trailers) and Logan himself is a mess. Running away from a life he wants to forget, his life is turned upside down with the discovery of a young girl just like him. Throughout the film you see a man that has taken everything life has thrown at him and quite frankly doesn’t want to live anymore. Yet, even in a broken state, there is the kind, good man. I felt previous films failed to show Logan’s brokenness but this film finally captured it extremely well. He isn’t the prototypical hero and, even with healing factor, he isn’t invulnerable. Logan is a multi layered character that basically has dealt with crap his whole life and has always survived. In this film, we finally see that Logan: the one that wentthrough hell and back and yet still shows why he is the best at what he does.

However, Logan really isn’t the highlight of this film. X-23 gets the origin story in film that Wolverine never really got. I won’t sugar coat it, she is extremely violent, she is hurt, abused and, later, redeemed. She is everything like Logan, and if you know her history then you know why. Throughout the film, she is trying to fight what she is while also trying to figure out who she should be. She’s chasing freedom, but discovering something much more. Her life has been nothing short of awful, yet the hero she is meant to be runs through her blood. She is the one that helps Logan find his way back and remind him just who he is and she also finds out who she should be. She’s Laura and she’s not a mistake. She’s her father’s daughter and she’s the best at what she does.

In such a bloody film (yes, it’s bloody, that’s why it’s rated R), it’s amazing to find so much heart. ]Logan is a film that teaches us that life is rough and no matter how hard it gets, we need to remember one thing, the importance of family. Family is the rock we can lean on to get us through this journey called life. It’s no wonder Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters, because He desires us all to be family and He understands the importance of it. The Lord created family for a reason because without it we are nothing. Logan and Laura discover it and in their way teach us what truly matters.

Logan is a great film that was well done in every way. I would say I only had two complaints that I won’t spoil since they serve major roles to the actual film, but I really felt on those two parts they should have expanded a little more.

Furthermore, there is an amazing short film (if we want to call it that) right at the beginning, so don’t miss it. However, there is no end credits trailer, so don’t bother staying till the end. All and all, I will again say that, even though it took nine attempts, the real Wolverines did stand up.

And they were amazing.

3.12 Grilling THE FOUNDER

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This week on the show, Steve welcomes co-host of the Feelin’ Film podcast, Aaron White, to serve up a hot and fresh conversation about Michael Keaton’s new movie, THE FOUNDER!  Telling the origin of McDonald’s and it’s global empire, THE FOUNDER also has lots to say about the balance between ambition and pride.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

3.12 The Founder

A very special thanks to Aaron White (Feelin’ Film) for joining us this week!

Eddie the Eagle: Everyone Dreams

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eddietheeagleEddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) dreams of the Olympics as a ten-year-old. Unfortunately, he’s terrible at everything. His mother is incredibly supportive; his father is… not. But when Eddie discovers ski jumping, he realizes that he could be the first British Olympian in the sport (since 1929). Against all odds, he pursues his dream.

Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken show up as one-time Olympian Bronson Peary and his former mentor Warren Sharp. These two have their own issues, but they are ultimately pulled into the vortex that is Eddie’s undying enthusiasm to be an Olympian. From the narrative perspective, Edwards’ unwillingness to give up and his powerful joy stand up in amazing ways.

eddietheeagle2Behind the story, Egerton’s transformation from Eggsy in Kingsman to Edwards is nothing short of amazing. If I hadn’t previously read about Egerton’s involvement, I never would have believed this was the same guy. His delivery and mannerisms are so remarkably different that they match the changes (prosthetics) made to Egerton’s appearance as well.

While the film is about Edwards pursuing his dream, it’s also about reconciliation. Can Peary and Sharp get over their old wounds? Will Edwards ever receive the approval of his father that he longs for? What will it take to get the people in Edwards’ life to see what they have and appreciate it, rather than constantly beating on each other’s dreams?

So many figures from the Old and New Testament receive messages from God in their dreams; of course, Edwards’ dream is different but no less powerful. In the end, he recognizes who he is and what he’s called to do, regardless of the odds. It’s uplifting, powerful, and family-oriented in a way that rises to just the perfect height.

Pan: What’s In A Name?

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peterpan2

Peter Pan (Levi Miller) is the kid who wants to find his mother before he’s the boy who never grew up. That is, before he never grew up, he was just an orphaned, little boy missing his mother. Imprisoned in an orphanage with the ominously hoarding Mother Barnabas (Kathy Burke), Peter leads a mini-rebellion and is sold into pirate slavery under the deliciously evil Captain Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman, channelling his inner Johnny Depp) in Neverland. Now, we’re getting somewhere: the legend has begun.

Jason Fuchs’ script was on the Hollywood “Blacklist” of most desirable scripts (he’s scheduled to pen Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman for 2017) but somewhere along the way, director Joe Wright got lost in the eyes of most critics. To be fair, the film is not great – certainly not as good as Robin Williams’ Hook – but the story of searching, seeking, and longing for something lost is still pretty compelling. It’s a little spooky, like a Tim Burton film, but it’s not as abysmal as some have painted it to be.

Of course, this is a prequel, and as such, Peter makes friends with his future enemy, Hook (Garrett Hedlund, who overacts his way starboard), and Hook’s accomplice, Smee (Adeel Akhtar). There are giant crocodiles, mermaids, and an Indian princess named Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara), but this isn’t your grandfather’s (or Disney’s) Peter Pan. This is more complicated, more realistic (!), more emotionally charged, as Peter begins to understand where he came from, and the power in his own name.

peterpan1Now, we’re well-versed in names this year, are we not? There’s Max’s name in George Miller’s dystopian thriller and Adonis’ surname in Creed. These are people searching for purpose and meaning, wondering who they are and what it means to be themselves. In Pan, this pressure has been placed inside the youthful heart of Peter, who wants to be someone – someone loved, respected, and related. It’s the cry of his heart, and one that many of us, orphaned or not, can relate to.

Over and over in the Bible, we are reminded that human beings were created in the image of God (imago dei, Genesis 1:27), adopted by God (Ephesians 1:5), called the children of God (John 1:12), and given new names (Revelations 2:17). Peter’s search of self-discovery isn’t really to discover himself but to connect and understand the bigger picture and the greater context. That is our quest as well, is it not?

The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack sports several in-depth looks at the film, from the way that Fuchs’ expanded on J.M. Barrie’s classic world of Neverland, the search that resulted in Miller’s being chosen to play Peter, Jackman’s work to ‘flesh out’ Blackbeard, and trip through the world of Neverland itself.