Thursday, April 12, 2012

#70 "Flyboys"

Stats: 2006. Starring James Franco, Jean Reno, Martin Henderson. PG-13. Based on a true story.

Background: One Friday night, I was home alone and bored, so I decided to see what Hulu had to offer. When I came across Flyboys, I remembered my sister telling me how much she liked it, so I decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed it, and when I found it in the Walmart $5 bin about a year later, I picked it up.

Plot: Before the United States entered World War I, several young American men went to France to join the Lafayette Escadrille and learn to become fighter pilots. This fictionalized tale follows a group of new recruits as they learn to fly, shoot, and fight for freedom.

Reactions: I’m a sucker for war movies. And though the plot in this one isn’t particularly gripping, I still enjoyed it (though if I’m honest, I liked it more the first time around). James Franco and Martin Henderson may play the main characters, but I loved the supporting cast even more—Tyler Lebine as snobbish rich boy Briggs Lowry, Abdul Salis as African-American boxer Eugene Skinner, David Ellison as couldn’t-hit-the-broad-side-of-a-barn Eddie Beagle, and Michael Jibson as devout Christian Lyle Porter. This diverse group is the heart and soul of Flyboys, and it’s fun to note that they are based in part on real World War I heroes. (Though it does seem to be a loose adaptation of real people—see this article for more.)

Verdict: Keep

Monday, April 9, 2012

#69 "Fireproof"

Stats: 2008. Starring Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, and Ken Bevel. PG.

Background: I knew I wanted to see Fireproof as soon as I heard that Sherwood Pictures was making another film. I’d seen Facing the Giants, and while it was no cinematic masterpiece, I’d enjoyed it. Our local theater was one of the first in the area to show Fireproof—in the small upstairs theater that holds about 75 people. My sister Blendy and I saw it the second weekend the theater had it (the theater is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights), and it was sold out. People traveled from surrounding towns to see it, and in that moment, I was so proud of my little hometown theater!

Plot: Caleb and Catherine are in a lifeless marriage. He’s addicted to porn; she’s started flirting with a doctor at the hospital where she works. When Catherine asks for a divorce, Caleb’s father challenges him to “The Love Dare”—a plan to show love to Catherine unconditionally. Caleb agrees reluctantly, and in the process falls in love with his wife all over again. Most importantly, though, he also begins a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reactions: No, the acting isn’t Oscar-worthy. But it’s far better than in Facing the Giants, and the message of the film is one worth hearing. Every time I watch it, I’m struck by two things—how horrible the acting is in the movie’s first scene and how quickly I move past that and get completely sucked into the story. I love this movie, and I highly recommend it!

Verdict: Keep

I also wrote about Fireproof on my other blog. You can see that post here.
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