HANNA MONTANA The Movie - Who am I?

Basically the film asks the questions, “Who am I? Where Am I going? What is important?” Self identity and purpose of being are certainly important matters. Despite the importance of theme the critics have panned the film.

However, the fans made this the best opening day of all-time for a G-rated live-action film ever! There is a real disjunction here with the critics. I think I’ll go with the fans on this one. Apparently the critics must think they have worked through the important self-identity issues of life and hence overlook the importance of this film on the lives of millions of young fans!

Here then is the message of the film: Your self-identity is connected to your family, historical roots and to the direction you are headed. Simple as it may seem that is a very good statement to be made in a teenie-bopper film, don’t you think?

Confessions of a Shopaholic - Obsessive Behavior

COMING TO TERMS WITH OBSESSIONS

We can identify with Becky, the shopaholic character in the movie, who is warm, loveable but deeply flawed. As we all are.

Director P.J. Hogan says, “A shopaholic is somebody who believes heavily in retail therapy. Feel bad? Go into a store, you’re cheered up instantly. Everybody can understand that. When we’re down, we’ve all used retail as a way to cheer ourselves up.”

It was Tammy Faye Bakker (remember her?), who famously said, “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” Over spending can feel so good and so bad at the same time. Why is that? Ah, the human dilemma to which we all belong. Here is a film that allows us to hold a mirror up, not only to our culture, but to ourselves as well –and laugh. Ah the healing power of story. Go. Have a laugh. Be healed!

The Pink Panther 2 - Hidden Messages?

HIDDEN MESSAGES? In this depressing world of economic depression we need some humor. And here is Steve Martin to the rescue. But more than the being a comedy, I get the feeling that the filmmakers have incorporated a few messages.

1. Rediscovering the Magna Carta (containing the writ of habeas corpus) in a post-Bush world.

2. The loss of the Pink Panther (i.e. world treasure/economy) brings the world together.

3. International partnership and cooperation is good.

4. Humor is not a cure-all, but it helps.

Am I right about this? Who knows? But as Mary Hirsch, a teacher of humorous writing, correctly observed, “Humor is a rubber sword--it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.”

He's Just Not That Into You - Essential Human Quest

QUESTION YOUR MOTIVES.
This film brought to my mind a certain human dilemma: Why are we often attracted to want we can’t have, and take for granted what we do have? Perhaps there is an upside to this situation. Could it be a part of essential human quest for something more, something other than? There is nothing wrong in this quest per se, the question is: how are you directing that forward motion. Life is short. Question your motives. Evaluate your goals. Reject dead ends. Reject stupidly. Move on choosing life over death. Honestly, I think this is what the film is about.

New in Town - Fish Out of Water

I like what Renee Zellweger said of her role, “The fun part is making a jerk out of yourself… getting to be creative with it and ridiculous. And there's no way I was going to miss out on that. No way! I laughed myself silly watching what an idiot I was. It’s so funny because Lucy is so determined to be perfect.”

Such self-deprecation is a key to life, others can better identify with you and it helps breaks down false facade. Ahh, the joy of being honest about yourself to yourself and others. Learn to laugh at yourself. Great medicine!

PAUL BLART: MALL COP, Why The Public Likes Him.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP came out during harsh economic times. People are depressed and uncertain about their future. Jobs losses are at record levels. And yet people are hopeful with the new president Barack Obama. PAUL BLART was released the week of the Presidential Inauguration. This film really connects to the moment and makes people feel better. Peter Ustinov said it right, “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.” The message in PAUL BLART is: “We can get through all this.” And that is the message we all want to believe in. Even though the critics panned this film, the public made it #1 two weeks running! The public gets it! We need PAUL BLART: MALL COP, the bungler who makes it.

Bride Wars -Celebrating Friendship

FOREVER FRIENDSHIP!
Bride Wars, despite its title, is at its heart a celebration of friendship. The friendship between Liv and Emma, despite the comical differences, is always the ultimate priority. Both are different and have separate life journeys, but they are always friends. This is the truth of this film. I like how Victor Hugo puts it, “Do you know what friendship is... it is to be brother and sister; two souls which touch without mingling, two fingers on one hand.” Value your friends and celebrate them –despite the differences. Let this film help you do just that.

The Family That Preys - True Enough!

Fun stuff about a serious issue --family.

Writer and director Tyler Perry was born Emmitt R. Perry, Jr. But, Perry changed his first name to Tyler because of his troubled relationship with his father. Tyler has the ability of turning such family conflict into humorous, yet compelling stories. Tyler has said on more than one occasion that he writes out his life experiences. And he does a good job at it.

Here is another example. In this film the enemy of the family structure is the corruption and lust within the family itself. Here is an excellent reminder to be mindful of one's own house.

Burn After Reading: We Get to Laugh at Greed

The Coen Brothers do it again! And the public is loving it!

At the time of its release the USA was in the midst of the historic bailout of Wall Street! Serious business, indeed. So what people respond to is comedy. We need it in such depressing times!

These are days when you pick up the newspaper filled with stories of economic bad news and you feel like you want to burn after reading. Here is a way to do just that, watch a comedy called Burn After Reading.

For the astute, this film is about corruption in a physical place named Washington, involving the CIA (the feds). But it comes across in a non partisan, non accusatory fashion. We get to laugh at the greed and corruption that got us into the mess we are in, without feeling like we are having some political agenda cramped down our throats! It works, and gets its point across with a smile and a wink.