Movie Review Blades of Glory (2009)

The disturbances and defilements of the human mind are aroused by greed as well as by its reactions to the changing circumstances.
-The Buddha

Will Ferrell plays Chazz Michael Michaels, the wild, bad boy of figure skating and Jon Heder plays Jimmy MacElroy, the innocent sweetheart. After being banned from men’s figure skating, the two join together to compete in pairs.

Will Ferrell’s humour is crass, but there are some clever parodies of figure skating. The routines are hilarious. Several renowned figure skaters make cameo appearances. Scott Hamilton is delightful as the sports announcer.

My favourite line: “It’s embarrassing stalking a has-been.”

Movie Review of Before Night Falls (2000)

Having drunk the sweetness of solitude and also the sweetness of tranquility, one becomes free from fear and wrongdoing while drinking the sweetness of the joy of truth.
- Sutta Nipāta 257

Javier Bardem’s performance as Reinaldo Arenas is spectacular. The movie is based on the autobiography of Arenas who, as a homosexual and writer, suffered terrible persecution in Cuba. The story shows the horror of Cuban prison and the desperate attempts people took to escape the country. Olivier Martinez, Johnny Depp, and Sean Penn also present excellent performances. (I must admit, I occasionally found it difficult to keep the characters straight.)

Although this is a difficult story to watch, it is worth the discomfort.

Movie Review of The Lookout (2007)

In simple terms, what does karma mean? It means that whatever we do, with our body, speech, or mind, will have a corresponding result. Each action, even the smallest, is pregnant with its consequences. It is said by the masters that even a little poison can cause death, and even a tiny seed can become a huge tree. And as Buddha said: “Do not overlook negative actions merely because they are small; however small a spark may be, it can burn down a haystack as big as a mountain.” Similarly he said: “Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel.” Karma does not decay like external things, or ever become inoperative. It cannot be destroyed “by time, fire, or water.” Its power will never disappear, until it is ripened.
- Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Jean Smith, Everyday Mind


This is an intriguing movie from beginning to end. A young man named Chris, played with insight and depth by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has to deal with devastating consequences of a risky act he committed in high school, death and disability. His life is changed forever due to extensive brain damage.

Because of this, he misses the social prestige, the abilities, and hope for a great future he once had. This makes him vulnerable to the machinations of another’s greed. Jeff Daniels plays his blind roommate Lewis who helps Chris to hold his life together. Performances by Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, and Sergio De Zio are also excellent.

Twice, this movie hits home the reality that the consequences of our actions can have far reaching and tragic results.

Movie Review of Cry Baby (1990)

A sensation appears, and liking or disliking begins. This fleeting moment, if we are unaware of it, is repeated and intensified into craving and aversion, becoming a strong emotion that eventually overpowers the conscious mind. We become caught up in the emotion, and all our better judgement is swept aside. The result is that we find ourselves engaged in unwholesome speech and action, harming ourselves and others. We create misery for ourselves, suffering now and in the future, because of one moment of blind reaction.
- S. N. Goenka, The Art of Living

Parodies are usually good in that they trick us into seeing things differently. This film pokes fun at Jailhouse Rock, West Side Story, Rock Around the Clock, Grease and others. This movie is a silly piece of fluff that makes you laugh out loud and squirm uncomfortably at the same time.

Johnny Depp is the perfect heart-throb Cry Baby. Amy Locane (Allison) is the squeaky clean girl tempted to run with the bad crowd. Kim McGuire is downright disturbing as Hatchet-face. A good movie to watch when you just want a diversion.

Movie Review of Avatar (2009)

There may be a conspiracy against a good king who is ruling his country according to right teaching, or perhaps foreign enemies may raid the country. In such a case the king should make three decisions.

He should decide: “First, these conspirators or foreign enemies are threatening the good order and welfare of our country; I must protect the people and country even with armed force.

“Second, I will try to find some way of defeating them without resorting to the use of arms.

“Third, I will try to capture them alive, without killing them if possible, and disarm them.”

By adopting these three decisions the king will proceed most wisely, after setting necessary posts and giving instructions.

...When it is necessary to call upon the soldiers, they will fully understand the reason for war and its nature. Then they will go to the field of battle with courage and loyalty.... Such a war will not only bring victory but also add virtue to the country.

James Cameron is back on top with this movie. Wow, what beautiful special effects. The planet Pandora (aptly named) was stunning! It is worth watching simply for the scenery. The “People”, though, and their culture, were captivating. In this movie, the people are NOT the humans for they have lost their humanity.

The message was loud and clear, although we’ve been hearing it since “Silent Running” and still aren’t listening. (By far, this is the most destructive decade ever as evidenced by the mountains of cell phones filling landfills, the garbage choking the Pacific Ocean, polar ice caps melting, asthma and allergies skyrocketing due to the poisoning of our land, water and air, and on and on.) There’s one line in the movie that rings so true, “They killed their mother.”

The characters were three-dimensional and loveable. Sigourney Weaver is perfect as the head scientist (doesn’t that woman ever age?). Sam Worthington, as Jake Sully, makes a hero, both human and Avatar, with whom we can empathize. Zoe Saldana, as one of the blue people, seems completely real and compelling. The war scenes are frightening and distressing, especially in 3D, as we watch the greedy destroy paradise, something humanity has repeated throughout history.

Make sure you go to see it on the big screen.

Move Review of Inkheart (2008)

It is the everlasting and unchanging rule of this world that everything is created by a series of causes and conditions and everything disappears by the same rule; everything changes, nothing remains constant.

Brendan Fraser is the hero, “Silvertongue” Mo Folchart, who can bring story characters to life by reading aloud. Inadvertently, he sends his wife Resa, played by Sienna Guillory, into the book “Inkheart” and brings out several evil characters, such as Capricorn, played by Andy Serkis. Mo, with his daughter, Meggis Folchart, played by Eliza Bennett, constantly move in an effort to avoid capture by Capricorn, who wants Silvertongue Mo, to read out more evil from the book.
Mo is also trying to find another copy of “Inkheart”, hoping to read his wife out and the bad characters back. The logistics of how this works is confusing but, otherwise, the plot is quite simple. Characterization takes a back seat to chase and capture scenes early in the movie. Some scenes are very intense and not suitable for young children. The movie clunks along. There are some moments of courage and sacrifice which lift it from a D movie to a C.

Movie Review of Into the Wild (2007)

Wisdom replaces ignorance in our minds when we realize that happiness does not lie in the accumulation of more and more pleasant feelings, that gratifying craving does not bring us a feeling of wholeness or completeness. It simply leads to more craving and more aversion. When we realize in our own experience that happiness comes not from reaching out but from letting go, not from seeking pleasurable experience but from opening in the moment to what is true, this transformation of understanding then frees the energy of compassion within us. Our minds are no longer bound up in pushing away pain or holding on to pleasure. Compassion becomes the natural response of an open heart.

- Joseph Goldstein, “Seeking the Heart of Wisdom”

Instead of going to law school after university, Christopher McCandless (an ironic name) acted by Emile Hirsch, decides he wants to be “just living, just there in that moment”. He heads off without telling his family on a journey of discovery, through the desert, down the Colorado River into Mexico, riding the rails, hanging out in a hippie commune, hitchhiking across country, and ultimately to the Alaskan Wilderness. “Rather than love and money and faith and fame and fairness, give me truth,” he declares.

He is fleeing the pain of a highly dysfunctional family. When asked, “Where are your Mom and Dad?” he replies, “Living their lies somewhere.” Being young, he condemns others for their judgements and unkindness, unable to see his own yet.

He gives away all his savings, destroys his credit cards and identification, and burns the last of his cash, which he views as baggage. “I don’t need money. It makes people cautious,” and caution is something he disdains. He believes the joy of life is in everything. People have to change the way they experience things. He challenges himself at every opportunity, taking great risks because he believes it is “important to not only be strong, but to feel strong.”

Like Siddhartha, he learns from others, from nature, and from himself. The scenes of crop fields, oceans, mountains, rivers, birds, and snow are majestic and inspiring. “Power is only an illusion” he states. In his quest for freedom, he overestimates his personal power and nature teaches him that impulsivity can be a dangerous quality.

The story is based on true events.