Movie Review of A Single Man (2009)

How would you deal with the death of your spouse?...Pain is inevitable, suffering is not. If any of these tragedies strike you in your present state of mind, you will suffer… Buddhism does advise you to invest some of your time and energy in learning to deal with unpleasantness, because some pain is unavoidable. When you see a truck bearing down on you, by all means jump out of the way. But spend some time in meditation, too. Learning to deal with discomfort is the only way you’ll be ready to handle the truck you didn’t see.
- Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English

This is the story of an English professor in the 1960s who has lost his life partner and decided, after eight months of mourning, to kill himself. Thankfully, the characters were well acted and interesting because the plot was thin and predictable.

Colin Firth does a tremendous job as the grieving lover, Julianna Moore is excellent as his frustrated female friend, and the supporting cast is great. However, it may be that this territory has been covered so often that it has lost its power but I suspect there was something missing in the writing. The audience was not truly emotionally engaged as they were in “Milk” or “When Did You Last See Your Father?”

Movie Review of Alice in Wonderland (2010)

In teaching, the Buddha never spoke of humans as persons existing in some fixed or static way. Instead, he described us as a collection of five changing processes: the processes of the physical body, of feelings, of perceptions, of responses, and of the flow of consciousness that experiences them all. Our sense of self arises whenever we grasp at or identify with these patterns. The process of idenification, of selecting patterns to call "I", "me", "myself", is subtle and usually hidden from our awareness.
-Jack Kornfield, A Path with Heart

This movie is not geared toward children. Not only does it have many frightening scenes but the plot is confusing and the language obscure. It is supposed to be an exciting adventure with heroines. I found it boring in several spots.

For adults, it seems to play with the concept of imposed self-identity, but this is weak. Alice, in the real world and in Wonderland, is continually told who she should and should not be. The minions of the Red Queen disguise themselves as freaks in order to meet her approval. Although the Red Queen's head continues to grow (one would assume representing ego) she is extremely insecure and aching for love. She can trust no one and comes off as sad and pitiable instead of the cold, domineering queen in Lewis Carroll's books.

Tim Burton does the usual odd and unique set and character design. Johnny Depp makes a freaky Mad Hatter. The special effects are notable and the costumes will probably be nominated for awards. The story depends too much on the special effects, bizarre creatures, and chase scenes to keep the viewer's interest.

The story is a combination of Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and invention. The Red Queen’s people are chess players while the White Queen’s are cards. Although the White Queen is good and beautiful and loved by her people, they never really justify why the elder sister did not have the right to the throne. The story jumps about in confusion. To top it off, Dodgeson’s obscure poetry is recited in a mumble almost as though Depp is bored himself.

Not worth the price.

Move Review of Amreeka (2009)

Movie Review of Amreeka (2009)

Because of their ignorance, all people are always thinking wrong thoughts and always losing the right viewpoint and, clinging to their egos, they take wrong actions. As a result, the become attached to a delusive existence.
- The Buddha

Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour), a single mother, and her son Fadi (Malkar Muallem) are Christian Palestine refugees move to Illinois and face prejudice and persecution. Muna, with two degrees and ten years of banking experience, can only land a job in a burger joint. There are funny moments and moving moments. The movie ends on a note of hope.

This movie examines in a microcosm how war, in a far off country, can impact people’s family, relationships, and culture, in America. Well worth watching.

Movie Review of The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Everything changes,
Everything appears and disappears,
There is perfect tranquility
When one transcends both life and extinction.
- The Buddha

The Time Traveler’s Wife is first a romance and second a scifi/fantasy. Henry De Tamble (Eric Bana) is a time traveler who is uncontrollably and periodically flung naked into the past or future. This is physically dangerous as well as emotionally traumatic. His first time travel was out of his mother’s car while it was involved in a horrible crash. His only joy is the acceptance of Annette (Michelle Nolden), whom he meets over her life in small time travelling moments.

Is it possible for him to have a life-time loving relationship? What about children? When/if will the dangers of time travel cause his demise? Henry’s dilemma arouses compassion and suspense in the audience. Some of the logistics of time are a little confusing but, all in all, a brilliant movie.

Movie Review The Proposal (2009)

Imagine walking along a sidewalk with your arms full of groceries, and someone roughly bumps into you so that you fall and your groceries are strewn over the ground. As you rise up from the puddle of broken eggs and tomato juice, you are ready to shout out, “You idiot! What’s wrong with you? Are you blind?” But just before you catch your breath to speak, you see that the person who bumped you is actually blind. He, too, is sprawled in the spilled groceries, and your anger vanishes in an instant, to be replaced by sympathetic concern: “Are you hurt? Can I help you up?”

Our situation is like that. When we clearly realize that the source of disharmony and misery in the world is ignorance, we can open the door of wisdom and compassion. Then we are in a position to heal ourselves and others.

- B. Alan Wallace, Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up

Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) coerces her assistant Andrew Paxton ( Ryan Reynolds) into marrying her so that she will not be deported to Canada. After fifteen minutes, the audience can easily predict how the plot will unfold. The comedic moments (most of which were revealled in the trailer, are often awkward and lame. The only impressive part is Sandra Bullock’s physical shape. It is a waste of her talent.

Movie Review of The Hurt Locker (2008)

Greater in combat
Than a person who conquers
A thousand times a thousand people
Is the person who conquers herself.
- The Dhammapada (103)

This movie focuses on a bomb disposal unit in Iraq with a new “wild man” sergeant who lives for the adrenalin rush. Each man in the unit handles the stresses and tragedies of their job differently. The unit has a little more than one month left in their tour but the new sergeant takes unnecessary risks, at time drawing everyone into his circle of danger. This is a fascinating study of men in inhuman conditions.

Movie Review of The Five Senses (1999)

He who is unable to guard his five senses of eyes, ears, nose, tongue and body, and becomes tempted by his surroundings, is not the one who can train for Enlightenment. He who firmly guards the gateways of his five senses and keeps his mind under control is the one who can successfully train for Enlightenment.
The Buddha

This movie has five different connected stories, each featuring a different sense. A massage therapist (touch); her voyeuristic daughter Rachel (sight); Rona, a cake decorator (taste); Richard, an optometrist who is going deaf (hearing); and a housecleaner who works for perfume inventors (smell). Rachel loses sight of a little girl she is supervising in the park. Richard, who is separated from his wife and withdrawn from society, tries to collect precious sounds before he goes deaf but learns to reconnect from a unexpected person . Rona has an opportunity for love but has lost her taste for love as well as cake. Her mistrustful attitude has karmic consequences.

Movie Review of One Week (2008)

Both life and death arise from the mind and exist within the mind. Hence, when the mind that concerns itself with life and death passes on, the world of life and death passes with it.

An unenlightened life rises from a mind that is bewildered by its own world of delusion. If we learn that there is no world of delusion outside the mind, the bewildered mind becomes clear; and because we cease to create impure surroundings, we attain Enlightenment.

In this way the world of life and death is created by the mind, is in bondage to the mind, is ruled by the mind; the mind is the master of every situation. The world of suffering is brought about by the deluded mortal mind.

-The Buddha

Joshua Jackson plays Ben Tyler, a young man with wide-spread stage four cancer. He is about to be married and instead of opting for the ten percent chance of a cure immediately, he decides to take a trip West. It becomes both an inner and outer journey, helping Ben to awaken to the realities of his life. Without being silly or insensitive, Ben’s adventures are often humorous as well as insightful.

The Canadian vista is almost a character in itself. From Toronto to Vancouver we see the majestic and the mundane, all with its own power. His visit to the Terry Fox monument is particularly poignant.

Movie Review of Gran Torino (2008)

Buddha-nature exists in everyone no matter how deeply it may be covered over by greed, anger, and foolishness, or buried by his own deeds and retribution. Buddha-nature cannot be lost or destroyed; and when all defilements are removed, sooner or later it will appear.

- The Buddha

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, I’d heard so many negative things about it. It is unfortunate that because of the cursing and racism, it is unsuitable for younger people. The message behind it all is quiet beautiful.

Clint Eastwood plays Walt, a bitter widow who holds strong opinions on how life should be. He has no real relationship with his sons and their families but advertently develops close ties to the Asian neighbours. By mentoring Thao, a shy, intelligent Hmong young man, he redeems himself for failing as a father. Walt has also carried great guilt since the Korean War about what he did without being ordered. In the end, his sacrifice also redeems his dark past.

Movie Review of The Lovely Bones (2009)

Both the young and the old, whether they are foolish or wise, are going to be trapped by death. All beings move towards death.
They are overcome by death. They go to the other world. And then not even a father can save his son, or a family their relatives.
- Sutta Nipāta 578-579

I loved the book by Alice Sebold so I was hoping the movie would do it justice. Considering that the book is told through the thoughts of a murdered child, the movie did a credible job of translating it to film.

The story is about a murdered fourteen year old girl, Susie Salmon, who is unable to let go of her attachment to her family, her budding romance, and her desire for revenge. This prevents her from passing on into Heaven. Saoirse Ronan is perfect as Susie, both beautiful and innocent, bursting with life and potential.

It is also a suspense/thriller in that the murderer targets Susie’s sister, Lindsey, for his next victim. Lindsey and her father (well played by Marc Wahlberg) are both driver to solve the mystery of Susie’s disappearance. The violence is not shown, and there is no mention of rape, in order to make the movie more palatable for family viewing.

Susan Sarandon skilfully portrays the bigger than life grandmother who is placed in the unfamiliar position of primary caretaker as the rest of the family disintegrates.

This movie will stay with you long after you leave the theatre. Bring a lot of tissues.

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 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.

Movie Review of The Owl and the Sparrow (2007)

If you go more deeply into your own spiritual practice, emphasizing wisdom and compassion, you will encounter the suffering of other sentient beings again and again, and you will have the capacity to acknowledge it, respond to it and feel deep compassion rather than apathy or impotence.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “The Little Book of Buddhism”

Thuy a ten year old Vietnamese girl, played by Han Thi Pham, works in her uncle’s blind factory. Her parents are dead and her uncle is critical and demanding. She does not attend school and receives no money for her work. Seeking a better life, she runs away to the city and tries to survive selling postcards and then flowers. Hungry and poor, she meets two kind and lonely people, a stewardess, Miss Lan (Cat Li) and a zoo keeper, Mr. Hai (The Lu Le) both of whom show compassion. But her uncle is determined to find her and bring her back.

Thuy’s situation gives us a glimpse into the life of street children but this movie is one of hope.

Movie Review of Is Anybody There? (2008)

Buddha told a parable in a sutra:

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

- Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones

Edward (Bill Milner) is a melancholy eleven year old who lives with his parents in a large house they use as a senior’s rest home. His Mum (Annie-Marie Duff) is perpetually exhausted and his Dad (David Morressey) is going through a pre-midlife crisis. The story takes place in the early eighties.

Edward is fascinated by the concept of ghosts, determined to discover if there is life after death. He resents having to give up his larger bedroom to a senior and is unhappy with his home environment. Clarence (Michael Caine) an aging ex-magician arrives and the two of them develop an unpredictable relationship. At times heartbreaking, often funny, this movie examines grief, loss, regret, yearning, and the process of aging. Everyone in the story has much to learn about living in each precious moment.

The acting is superb, but for an English Canadian, the British accents were a challenge; subtitles would have been appreciated.

Movie Review of 2012 (2009)

Movie Review of 2012 (2009)


Beings are owners of their actions…heirs of their actions, they originate from their actions, are bound to their actions, have their actions are their refuge. It is action that distinguishes beings as inferior and superior.
- Culakammavibbanga Sutta, in The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, tran. By Bhikkhu Bodhi

The story is based on the belief that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon Nasa has a good selection of questions and answers based on this rumour. http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/intro/nibiru-and-doomsday-2012-questions-and-answers

This is a movie where special effects are the star. However, the characters are also interesting and engaging. It is a movie about family, birth family, broken family, fathers and sons, grandmother and grandsons, but even more so, about the family of man. John Cusack plays Jackson Curtis http://www.farewellatlantis.com/ an idealistic, divorced father who rises to amazing levels of courage and ingenuity in order to save his ex-wife and children. Tom McCarthy plays Gordon Silberman, a “nice guy” stepfather who also rises to the occasion. Spliced into Woody Harrelson plays a small part as a crazy but correct conspiracy theorist http://thisistheend.com/ , the key to our central family’s survival. It is refreshing to see a movie where courage, sacrifice, love, and humanity are prominent.

There are a few moments where the viewer doubts the decisions made but this is a movie about people under tremendous pressure trying to decide who and what to save at the end of the world. Rationality would undoubtedly be a challenge. The science may be shaky, but the propulsion isn’t; suspense is held for the entire length of the story. The movie is mostly large scale destruction, but there are wonderful pauses throughout. With all the knowledge available on the Buddha’s Teachings, I’m not sure they chose the most relevant one to detail between the Tibetan Buddhist monk and his Teacher.

I found it interesting that the monk, in attempting to save his family, inadvertently is the cause of the possible deaths of hundreds. On the other hand, it is only when the potential (billionaire) survivors extend their hand to others, is Jackson Curtis able to succeed in the final act. It was a great relief to see an End of the World movie devoid of mass scale butchery and brutality.

Interesitng ending about the cradle of humankind.

Movie Review of 3,000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

3,000 Miles to Graceland (2001)


Making their deeds the field for their egos, using the working of discrimination of the mind as seed, beclouding the mind by ignorance, fertilizing it with the rain of craving desires, irrigating it by the wilfulness of egotism, they add the conception of evil, and carry this incarnation of delusion about with them.
- The Buddha

Kurt Russell plays Michael Zane the hero/robber and Kevin Costner plays Murphy the villain/robber, part of a gang that robs a casino during Elvis week. Murphy believes he is the actual illegitimate son of The King.

At one point Murphy explains to the child that although he is a really bad guy, Zane is also a bad guy. At one point Zane says, “Guys like me die caught.” It seems the writers forgot this. Courtney Cox plays the type of mother who makes most women cringe.

This movie is a giant love affair with guns and bad guys with a little Elvis on the side. Slow motion murder backed by heavy music takes up much of the story, what little story there is. We are expected to like the hero(?) because he goes back to save a child. That is supposed to make us overlook his contribution to the slaughters.

I think the continuous hail of bullets is a distraction for the boredom in between. The only bright spot is during the end credits when Kurt Russell lip syncs to an Elvin song.

This kind of movie has no redeeming value and fills the mind with violent callous images. There is no karmic justice. Not at all suitable for family viewing.

Movie Review of Dostana (2008)

Movie Review of Dostana

To what end should the thought: “I am the result of my own deeds, heir to deeds, having deeds for matrix, deeds for kin; to me the deeds come home again; whatever deed I do, whether good or evil, I shall become its heir,” be contemplated often by man or woman?
The Buddha

Dostana in Hindi means friendship. Kunal and Sameer, two straight guys who pretend to be gay in order to get a Miami apartment with Neha, certainly put friendship to the test. Although they both profess to love Neha, their motives are completely selfish. But, this is a Bollywood movie, so expect a just and happy ending.

There are some very funny, though not politically correct scenes, and some pretty good dancing and singing. The body shots of John Abraham as Kunal are definitely evocative. The movie drags a bit and is awkward at times.

The English subtitles are the worst translations I’ve ever seen. Not only do they substitute T for R turning very into vety, but some words are unrecognizable and the grammar obfuscates the meaning. By listening to the tone and watching the actions you will grasp the plot better than struggling through the terrible translation.

Movie Review of Adoration (2008)

Movie Review of Adoration (2009)


Because speech is so predominant in our lives, and because our words are so consequential, learning the art of skilful communication needs to be a significant aspect of our Dharma practice.

The Buddha emphasized the importance of this when he included right speech as a distinct part of the path to awakening. Although there is great elaboration of right speech in the texts, it all condenses into two general principals: Is it true? Is it useful?

Practicing these principles in our practice fosters increasing sensitivity. We become attuned to subtleties of truth, or exaggerate in some way? And are there times when our words may be true, but it is not the right time, place, or situation for them to be useful?
- Joseph Goldstein, Insight Meditation

Atom Egoyan uses a teenager’s dramatic method of exploring the death of his parents to open us into a wider vista in this intriguing movie. The story takes several twists before we understand what Simon is actually doing in his response to the French teacher’s assignment. It explores point of view as reality. Simon’s grandfather, his teacher, and his uncle, all have opinions about his mother’s death.

A theme running throughout is how modern technology (video camera, internet chat rooms) both connects us and extends our understanding of others and yet alienates us from the truth. The film raises several questions in response to Simon’s story. How do we know our viewpoint is correct since it is simply what we have been exposed to in our family/culture? Is killing ever justified? How do we know if someone is telling the truth? It is sure to generate discussion.

I have no idea why the movie was titled Adoration. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.