Movies & More

We recently had Spring Break around here, which gave me the opportunity to spend more time with my family, do a little more reading than usual, and watch a few movies. Some of these pursuits made me want to take a look at how the arts can—and should—move us. I guess that’s the point, or at least the hope, of any artistic creation: to touch other people emotionally, intellectually, spiritually. If we can touch people in more than one way, so much the better.

Some of my reading is for research, so I’m not sure I’d call that art, but rather one of the tools I’ll be using to create my own art. I’m enjoying a variety of research books for my next project, set in the Gilded Age of New York—great stuff! Books about manners and clothing, architecture and furniture, society and New York history. Lots of fun!

For fiction, the kind of art I’m talking about, I just finished Tammy Alexander’s Beyond This Moment (loved it!) and right now am reading a book called Her Fearful Symmetry for the book club I belong to. It’s certainly…different! In some ways it reminds me of when I was in cultural arts and the teacher said modern artists could certainly have mastered classic painting, but intentionally broke all those old rules. This must be how Audrey Niffenegger is approaching literature. She’s clearly a gifted writer, but the unusual point of view breaks all of the traditional rules. It’s an interesting read, one I’m sure I’ll finish.

As for movies, here’s a list of some I’ve seen lately and a little commentary on each:

Barabbas – I hadn’t seen this movie since I was a teenager (we won’t count how many years ago!) and it reminded me how God is the hound of Heaven, pursuing even those who’ve turned their back on him.
Three Godfathers (the 1936 version, older than the one with Bogart). Wow! Hollywood used to get the Christian message right.
Little Big Man – Not sure when this movie was made (70s?) but this is an example of Hollywood veering away from Christian values. The (few) Christians in the movie are made to look like the hypocrites we’re so often portrayed as in today’s media, even ridiculous. An interesting movie, though.
Stoning of Soraya M. – This is an important movie simply because it’s true. I must admit it’s haunted me since the day I saw it, and while part of me almost wishes I’d never seen some of it, at the same time I think it’s a movie every adult should see. If you saw The Passion of The Christ, you’ll know the kind of vividness this movie contains, since both had the same producer. But as hard as it is to watch, perhaps by knowing this actually still goes on we can support any efforts made to stop such things from happening again.
West Side Story – Another movie I haven’t seen in too many years to count. Great music! Wonderful dancing! Thoroughly enjoyable, and although I can’t imagine anyone else in the role of Maria, I did wonder why they cast Natalie Wood. Hmm…
Hachi, A Dog’s Tale – Warning! Don’t watch this movie without a big box of tissues close by. Definitely not your typical Richard Gere movie, which is why I can recommend it for family viewing (if you want to have a good family cry, that is). You’ll want to hug your dog when it’s over. 🙂
How to Train Your Dragon — I think I would have enjoyed this movie even without seeing it in 3D. The story is entertaining, the fantasy element of Dragons having their own culture was amusing.

All of these movies touched me in some way, and certainly held my interest until the very end—so they must at the very least be good examples of compelling storytelling. Something writers need to keep in mind! Hey, what a great way to do research. I’m working, honey. Watching a movie.

One last word: perhaps you noticed my new book cover! Whisper on the Wind releases in September of this year. Isn’t it pretty?