Movie Catch-up

Some of you have noticed that I saw several movies (on DVD) the past week and I haven't yet reviewed them. So, before the big movie rush really begins, here are the three I saw on DVD.

What Would Jesus Buy? (Released: 11/07; Tomatometer: 60%) - A docu-comedy from last Christmas about Reverend Billy and his performance activists who attempt to show the over-commercialization of Christmas and the need to stop buying. They do their thing in Bentonville, Arkansas at Wal-Mart headquarters; at the Mall of America in the Twin Cities, America's #1 "tourist" destination; and at Disneyworld. As we were watching, my wife commented on how sad the video was. It was a futile quest they were on- to change American habits.

But I thought it was also a powerful piece of performance activism. Such activism is, almost by definition, almost futile. That's its purpose like levitating the Pentagon in October 1967. Its purpose isn't to "succeed." Its purpose is to make the point. And that they do- quite well. My second thought about my wife's comment was "How is that different from what we do on most Sunday mornings?" I don't think I really want to go there today. But you might want to think about it.

Tropic Thunder (Released: 8/08; Tomatometer: 83%) Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., Tom Cruise turn in a hilarious dark comedy about actors in a war movie running into an actual war and don't know it while agents and producers look out for the almighty buck. Downey as a white guy playing a black actor and Cruise as the mega-producer are tops. Both are nominated for Golden Globes. Language is rough and comic gore give it an R-rating. But it is fun. And weird.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Released: 10/93; Tomatometer: 97%) What can I add about Tim Burton's animated classic. I have never seen it before so we sat down on Christmas night to watch it. Yes, it's weird, bizarre, and odd. But it is fun and a pleasure to watch. There are all kinds of messages to take from it, not the least of which is stick to what you know and are best at and do it. It was a relaxing time.

Now it's on to the Oscar Race. Coming soon- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, Doubt, Slumdog Millionaire, and Frost/Nixon along with who knows what else. (I also haven't seen The Dark Knight yet.) I have noted that overall this year's Oscar race seems to be somewhat lower rated on Tomatometer than some years. I will keep you posted.