Catholic in Film School

Congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow and to the ‘Hurt Locker’ cast and crew for the big wins last night!!

Take that up your stupid tail Avatar!!

Finally.

I finally saw a summer action flick worth the paper it was made on.

The Hurt Locker (2008) is an “Iraq movie” about the elite bomb squad of Bravo Company.  At the beginning of the film, Bravo Company has 38 days left until the end of its tour. Understandably, the three person bomb squad is being extremely careful on each mission until they can finally go home….that is until their staff sergeant played by Guy Pearce gets blown up within the first ten minutes of the film. Yikes.

Enter stage left Staff Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner) the replacement for Pearce. As it turns out, James is a bit of rebel, ignoring SOP by doing things like throwing smoke bombs and turning off his radio, thereby thoroughly pissing off his fellow squad members Sgt. JT Sanborn (played wonderfully by newcomer Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty).

For another 30-40 minutes the film positions James as the bad guy and antihero, Sanborn as the leader and patriarch, and Owen as the young rookie that apparently has some mental issues for which he is seeing the base’s psychologist. The story then becomes whether or not the squad can bond in order to perform their job effectively and most importantly…safely. Eventually they do bond (sort of), but that doesn’t change anyone’s personality. James is still wild and reckless, and the audience begins to ask, “Will James’s antics kill his new friends?”

I have to say I was surprised by how much I liked this film.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I appreciated the classic screenplay structure—just when I thought the characters’ situation couldn’t get any worse…oh…it did. I appreciated each character for his own merit, even James. Though The Hurt Locker is an action film, it does an excellent job of delving into each character’s past without the mushy nonsense that would take away from the main plot.  There are no flashbacks, just strong storytelling in the present tense.

I believe I’ve written before that I’m a Navy baby from a law enforcement family and pretty much the only one of my hometown friends that did not enlist or go on to some sort of military academy after high school. In short, I am hyper-sensitive to any and all anti-military bias, the reason why every other Iraq movie did not succeed at the box office.  I thought The Hurt Locker did a pretty good job of avoiding this. The film doesn’t make statements about the war, but rather tells the story of three men who despite being very different from each other must work together and take care of each other in order to go home alive.  And I think veterans will enjoy some of the darkly humorous inside jokes that only one versed in military culture would understand.

Coming from a citizen’s POV, the film appeared to do a great job of communicating the high stress level of the nature of the war in Iraq. Each mission the squad goes on is a response to an IED threat, suicide bomber, or car bomb. The second the squad steps of the base they are in danger. Everyone is a suspect, even children.  Curiously enough, the film doesn’t take an “us vs. them” approach. Action sequences contain shots of both our heroes and our bad guys, increasing the tension of the story and avoiding any political statements about the war.

One thing that did annoy me was the occasional slow motion shot. I don’t have anything against slow motion, but in the context of the film it seemed to be out-of-step with the otherwise realistic cinematography. And is it just me or is the title really random?

On another note, I’ve read some commentary about the “surprise” of some that the director is a female. Well as someone who has been in film school for quite some time, I am certainly not surprised because God knows sometimes—just sometimes—boys like to make things go Kaboom! so much so that the film is destroyed. (Exhibit A: That robot franchise.) Sometimes it takes a woman to navigate the subtleties. Just sayin…

Not sure how long The Hurt Locker will remain in theaters, but I totally recommend you see it at some point.

As I was speaking to a fellow Catholic film student a few weeks ago, it occurred to both he and I that there are a number of movies about the Blessed Mother that will be hitting theaters over the next few years:

I’ve talked extensively about Mary Mother of Christ, but Origin is also producing a Fatima movie also to be written by Barb Nicolosi. Plus as I’m sure you’ve already read, there is a new Guadalupe film in development at MPower pictures:

The man who penned the screenplay for the racy 1992 thriller Basic Instinct is ready to tackle a subject of a higher power. According to Yahoo, Joe Eszterhas is writing a script based on the Virgin of Guadalupe. Yep, he’s going there. The Virgin of Guadalupe is a 16th century piece of art that features the impression of the Virgin Mary on a former peasant’s cloak. It can still be seen today in Mexico City, at the Basilica de Guadalupe.

Eszterhas has been well known for his notorious smoking and drinking habits back in the day, but when he was diagnosed with throat cancer he overcame his afflictions and found God. Therefore his jump from sinner to sanctified isn’t that far fetched. “This is a labor of love for me,” Eszterhas said. “I have been hoping for some time to write a film that is both entertaining and inspiring.” The untitled Guadalupe film is being written for Mpower Pictures, who also backed Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

There’s also another Fatima film called the 13th Day allegedly to be released at some point this fall, but I don’t know too much about it so I can’t really comment on its content.

In other more girly news, the role of Joseph has finally been cast for Mary Mother of Christ. Diogo Morgado is a Portuguese actor that according to reports is very popular in Portuguese TV/film. I’ve never seen him in anything, but my oh my is he a cutie…I’m sure the Blessed Mother approves. LOL

I find that romantic comedies tend to be funnier whenever I go and see them with girlfriends, so I’ve left a week long gap between my seeing these films and reviewing them here.

The Ugly Truth

A fake orgasm never looked so fake…
In this romcom, Katherine Heigl plays Abby, an uptight TV producer forced to confront her rules about love and dating when she begins to produce “The Ugly Truth,” a show for women hosted by a misogynistic and disgusting playboy named Mike (Gerard Butler.) When Abby becomes interested in her new neighbor, Mike promises that if she follows his rules, she will have Colin eating out of the palm of her hand. These rules include sexing up Abby’s wardrobe and eating “phallic” shaped objects. (Errm…ok…) In the end, Abby does get Colin, a seemingly stereotypically nice guy with a fake tan and cheek bones I highly suspect have been surgically enhanced, but then realizes she’s lost herself.

Being an advocate of modesty in dress, I found the film’s approach to the topic to be full of mistakes at best. Mike explains to Abby that men are visual and therefore she needs to dress much sexier to garner the attention of men. OK, but then later on in the film he tells her she needs to keep some of her mystery to keep a guy’s attention. Well which is it Mike? Mystery or boobs on display?

The storyline continues with this battle of the sexes, and in the end the message of the film is a little fuzzy…which of course is a social commentary on dating in and of itself.

500 Days of Summer

The plot of this film can be surmised with the phrase, “the guy who wasted his time on the girl who just wanted to have fun.”

500 Days of Summer is the story of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is your typical average Joe—he works in an office, lives in a grungy studio apartment, goes to bars with his friends on the weekends, etc. When Tom meets Summer (Zooey Deschanel) he is convinced that she is “The One”…despite her clear statement that she isn’t looking for anything serious. (I think the audience heard it and Tom just missed it. Poor thing…) Director Mark Webb then takes us on jumps through time to see the various stages of the couple’s relationship. Signals get crossed, sex ensues, break ups and drunken karaoke songs abound…

Critics keep ranting and raving about this one, but quite honestly I found it boring most of the time. This was due large in part to the lack of character development in Summer. We spend most of the film on an emotional roller coaster with Tom, but the film never really shows the audience why we should be so in love with Summer too, only that Tom sees something phenomenal within her. Admittedly she’s got great fashion sense, but other than that, I didn’t really get it. I sat with my apathy for a while and determined that perhaps this confusion is what Webb wanted?

I found the third act of the film to be the most satisfying. The plot twist elicited a general WTF? from the entire audience. Though it wasn’t an exhilarating ride through horrible dialogue and bomb detonations, I would recommend this one.

Paper Heart

In a pseudo-documentary that isn’t (or perhaps is…or something…) Charlene Yi (played by herself) embarks on a cross-country quest to make a documentary about the definition love. Through her trek, Charlene meets Michael Cera (played by himself) and the two fall in love…or do they?

Pressured by the camera crew that now wants to include her dating life into the film, Charlene must continue to confront her pessimism about love while simultaneously falling for the quirky nice guy.

Although I have been looking forward to seeing this film since the beginning of year, I was surprised by how much I liked it. I was literally holding my stomach laughing in some areas, and can I just say I’m glad to see a film in which a normal girl gets the guy?

As a filmmaker myself, part of what I found so hilarious was the ongoing behind-the-scenes comedy within the film crew—standing in the rain, running around in grocery stores—hey it’s all for the integrity of the film man!

Charlene’s interviews of random couples were also incredibly heart-warming and give a reality check on love and marriage not often seen in films. What is love? Is it a feeling or a decision? Charlene seems to take the opinion of the former as she doesn’t think she could ever “feel” so strongly about someone, but the stories of the couples seem to support the latter. (Duh!)

All that being said, the ending was awful…like…God-awful…and I say that because I don’t think it had enough substance for the subject matter the film was trying to undertake. Despite this, I still recommend you go check this movie out.

BTW, Charlene Yi is the co-writer of the film and only two years older than me…quite inspiring for the soon-to-be senior in film school.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

Catholic in Film School is up and running again. Posting will resume every week as usual.

I promise.

No really.

~RC

You know that I know that you know a good solid hour of TV is sometimes quite rare.  But the last episode of MTV’s 16 & Pregnant had me crying from beginning to end.

16-year-old Catelynn and her boyfriend Tyler are in a predicament: keep their unborn baby girl or consider adoption?  Despite pressure from their parents, Catelynn and Tyler look into adoption.  The episode follows their journey through the adoption process.  I was completely amazed by their maturity and discernment process, despite the nasty fights with their parents (who wanted them to keep the baby.)

I know people who are adopted, and I know people who had babies while they were in high school, but never have I seen either process so up close and personal.

BTW, this is not a stellar review of the entire series, just this particular episode.  You can watch the full Catelynn and Tyler episode here. I highly suggest you have a tissue box ready.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

And I must say I’m pretty darn proud of it….

The program is going really well BTW. I’ve been blogging about it at Modestia.

Please consider going to see it. I went and visited MPower’s offices a few weeks ago and we chatted about the film that is already making some waves…

Some updates on life:

• School is over and done with. Got my grades back and did well per usual. I’m a senior in college now. (OMG how did this happen?! I need a panic button.)
• Since the semester is finished, so are both of my internships, though I haven’t technically left either company. I’m helping out with the Angelus Student Film Festival, a subsidiary of Family Theater Productions. Basically, I’m just a juror for the films. And let me tell you, I find myself more entertained by the artistry of my fellow student filmmakers than the crap coming out in theaters this summer. Just sayin.
• Things are progressing at Origin. I’m not modest in saying that I am the best intern that has ever graced their office…for reasons I’m not legally allowed to write about itjust yet. I took a month-long vacation but will be going back to work in a few weeks. Yay me…cuz Lord knows I miss seeing the 90210 kids all the time.
• The various ministries I’m involved with are blossoming beautifully. If you’re in the SoCal area, please do make your way to a Catholic Underground LA event one of these Saturdays. We have an awesome summer line up.
• I suppose it was sort of only a matter of time before my two blogs collided. I start production on my summer project next week. Decent Exposure is a formation series for Catholic teenage girls where they learn about modesty, chastity, fashion, and womanhood from Catholic models, actors, and random people of interest like myself. After four weeks of formation, we will be hosting a modest vintage-inspired fashion show in Orange County. In addition to helping with the actual program, I will be directing a reality show of the series to be put on DVD for parishes, schools, parents, etc. We wanted to do a webisode series, but there have been some legal conflicts and it may not be able to happen. (I should have gone into entertainment law…that’s where all the money is…)
• Oh…and I am making an honest attempt to finish my screenwriting portfolio. I’m trying dearly to be disciplined about it…writing during the summer is tough for me.

Originally published at Modestia:

I was at the Thread Show when it happened and was so busy with being unconscious and all I haven’t had the time to mention it…but there’s a couple of things I’d like to say publicly.

I absolutely condemn the murder of George Tiller and I hope the guilty party will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I was angry when I first heard the news, because this murder will have huge consequences for the pro-life movement, whether the killer is connected to the movement or not.

Certain individuals of a certain ideology are convinced that Christians and pro-lifers are secretly glad he’s dead. I’m not glad George Tiller is dead. I’m certainly not surprised he’s dead, but I’m not glad either. Any person who relishes in this crime needs to reevaluate their respect for the dignity of life. Being pro-life indicates a respect and reverence for ALL human life, not matter how small, how large, or how “bad.”

And one more thing…I wouldn’t be surprised to see George Tiller in heaven. That’s right, I wouldn’t. Our God is infinitely merciful beyond the human imagination; I don’t believe in putting God’s mercy in a box.

That’s all folks.

In other news, Stephen Officer of Catholic Media House contacted me to report that they are giving away free downloads of The Miracle of Life in either English or Spanish.  All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

To all of the people who have emailed and Facebooked me about the Catholic Thrive Conference in Anaheim this weekend—-yes I do know what it is, and apparently I’m going now.

I will be manning the Catholic Underground LA booth as well as filming some of the talks and other random Catholic shenanigans.  So please, do come by and say hello.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

They were a huge hit and played to a packed house last June, so we decided to bring the sibling duo back to the West Coast.

Saturday May 16, 2009
Adoration & Confession at 8 pm
Performance at 9 pm

St. Victor’s Catholic Church
8634 Holloway Drive
West Hollywood, CA

http://myspace.com/juddandmaggie

Yesssssssss.

Don’t get your hopes up, I just wanted to write RAWR one more time. X-Men Origins: Wolverine was awful. AWWWFUL.

There was a fatal continuity flaw in the title sequence that ruined the rest of the film—10 points if you can identify it. I had a good time at the theater, but that’s only because I was with a group of friends that like Hugh Jackman’s hairy bear-like man chest just as much as I do.

So in conclusion, save your money on this one friends….

Star Trek better be friggin awesome.

/sarc off

Apartment shopping, development meetings, filming—plus it’s the end of the semester—I need a vacation.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought, “I need to post x on the blog” in last few months, only to be too exhausted to do it when I got home! Sorry for being MIA, but this adulthood thing is harder than it looks. And if I ever say I want to go to school full time, hold down two jobs, two internships, and party like it’s 1999 on the weekends…please remind me of my current exhaustion.

Cool things are happening though. I’m stressed, but I feel incredibly blessed, and covered by God’s mercy. My internships and third year of college are about to come to an end in just a few weeks, and I have learned a lot (including how to finance million dollar movies!)

I’ve made some new friends, and spent many hours talking and learning from some incredibly faith-filled and talented individuals. Consider this my public thank you…

I have not talked about my projects in a long time, so here’s a brief update:

- Pilgrims is dead. *cue the violins* Some of my footage got damaged and I wasn’t able to do what I wanted. Instead of stressing myself out, I have acquired a new project within the Catholic reality realm to be shot this summer. The good news is that it is being sponsored and supported by multiple companies and will actually get finished! (Hopefully.) In about two weeks I will announce what it is.

- The 40 Days For Life commercial is in post production. Yes, I know 40 Days is over with…the good news is that there are two seasons per year…

- I just finished the first draft of a TV spec, which after it’s polished will be inserted into my portfolio. I’ve never written for television before. It’s hard, and I don’t think I will be winning any Emmys any time soon, but the spec is coming along nicely, and I’m proud of myself for giving TV a try. But I will be sticking with movies in the meantime.

- I’ve got two projects to shoot this weekend, one for my Jesus in film class, the other for my directing class that I shot the soap opera for previously. For my directing project I will be reinterpreting a scene from the hit film “The Night of the Hunter.” Will someone please leave a comment and tell me they’ve seen it? I have talked to a zillion people who have never heard of it. It’s a classic people!

Oh, and I’m trying to find an apartment with some girlfriends of mine. We’ve already seen a few places, and I’ve concluded that residences in Los Angeles are either 1) creepy or 2) too expensive…and then there’s always the third option: creepy AND expensive.

That’s all for now folks…

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

A friend of mine had a party after mass on Sunday to celebrate John Paul II’s life.  (The 4th anniversary of his death was last Thursday.)  One of my CU girlfriends who is an amazing cook and baker made this cool rum & carmel cake for the party!

You have to admit this cake is pretty cool. And it was yummy too!

Dear Supporters of the Genesis Initiative,

Thank you for your support and interest! The response we have received since our launch in January has been overwhelming. We are working hard to bring you quality Catholic entertainment, but now we need your help to make that happen.

Can you give $25 per month (less than $1 a day!) to support beautifully Catholic films and the filmmakers who are working tirelessly to produce them?

Our current projects include Fatima the Movie and A Severe Mercy the Movie, among many others. We are acquiring scripts and developing numerous projects, but we need your help to get these projects made and on to a big screen near you.

We are dedicated to producing quality Catholic entertainment that you, your friends, and your children will want to watch. Your monthly donation will make this happen!

You can donate to us here.

Thank you for your support!

In His Service,

+ The Genesis Initiative
http://genesisinitiative.org

On Sunday morning I attended the annual Catholics in Media Associates luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel. I had never been to the BHH before—that place was sweeeet…and they had hordes of cute valet guys too. That information isn’t pertinent to the post; I just thought I’d share.

Multi-award winning actor Lou Gosset Jr., who I mostly know from his role as Fiddler in the mini-series “Roots”, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Vivica A. Fox. She’s beautiful in person…and exactly what you see on TV. LOL

“Doubt” won Best Feature Film and Best TV Series went to “Without a Trace.”

The night before the luncheon I went to one of my CU buddy’s apartments for a viewing party. He did some of the VO work for the character King Julien in “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.” Nickelodeon is now doing a spin off show called “The Penguins of Madagascar” for which my friend is also doing some of the VO work.

The premiere was really funny. And it was CLEAN! If you’ve got kids I suggest you check it out.

I have a very genuine love/hate relationship with HBO. While they basically produce porn, they also make really awesome socially conscious projects like “Sometimes in April.” They’ve drawn my eye with their latest release “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” starring Jill Scott, (who is a surprisingly good actress.) The basic storyline is about a native woman in Botswana (Jill Scott) who opens up a detective agency. The pilot started a little slow, but it picked up in the last half. I will be tuning in again.

Now take a deep breath….there’s a Catholic family on TV!

“Table for Twelve” is TLC’s newest “big family” reality series starring Eric and Betty Hayes and their ten children—two sets of twins AND sextuplets! Eric is a police officer, and Betty stays at home to take care of the kids, including my favorite child named Rebecca, who has cerebral palsy. They’re definitely a pro-life witness, and their show is funny too.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.