Visual Review Index Numbers, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U-Z |
 UNBREAKABLE
(2000)
About finding our place in the world. Welcome to destiny car
#177. Fully aware of his destiny and powers David is reborn as a superhero.
His dress is significantly altered; Shyamalan uses the devise of rain
to bring about this change. Shyamalan also uses the water to set up tension
-water is the one weakness of David. I really enjoyed the interplay between
strength and weakness. |
 UNDEAD (2005)
Undead has been a two and a half year project for Directors Michael and Peter Spierig. Pre-production began almost eight months before principal photography. The film's complex visual effects meant the directors had to spend an enormous amount of time planning and testing ideas. Due to the budget constraints every aspect of the film had to be planned carefully. |
 THE UNDERCLASSMAN (2005)
Nick Cannon plays Tracy "Tre" Stokes, a streetwise LA cop in "Underclassman," which combines frenetic action with sharp-eared comedy. When a student at an elite private school gets murdered, the rough-edged rookie Stokes gets assigned as the undercover detective to track down the killer. |
 UNDERWORLD
(2003)
Review by David Bruce: An interestingtake on Romeo and Juliet. Two races
have evolved hidden deeply within human culture – the aristocratic,
sophisticated Vampires, and the brutal, feral Lycans (werewolves). They
are lifelong mortal rivals, sworn to wage a secret war until only one
race is left standing. |
 UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION (2006)
Director: Len Wiseman. Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy . As the war between the Death Dealers and the Lycans rages on, Selene (Beckinsale), the vampire warrior, and Michael (Speedman), the werewolf hybrid, work together in an effort to unlock the secrets of their respective bloodlines. |
 UNDISCOVERED (2005)
Set in the world of up-and-coming artists, "Undiscovered" is a heartfelt and comic film that tells the story of an aspiring model who falls in love with a struggling musician when they suddenly cross paths on a NY subway train. |
 UNFAITHFUL (2002)
David Bruce reviews: "Unbridled
passion and desire are the driving forces behind Connie Sumner's unfaithfulness
to her husband. What makes this film so interesting is that there is no
indication of an unhappy marriage. Connie and Edward talk and spend time
together. They have a beautiful home and a nine year old son who they
both love dearly... |
 AN UNFINISHED LIFE (2005)
Set against the rugged ranchlands of Wyoming, "An Unfinished Life" is the story of a modern-day Western family, as stoic as they are divided, learning the true meaning of forgiveness.
Overview (dial up speed) |
 UNITED
93 (2006)
Director: Paul Greengrass. Stars: David Alan Basche, Olivia Thirlby, Liza Colón-Zayas
. A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked
on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the
terrorist plot. |
 UNLEASED (2005)
When Danny has a chance encounter with soft-spoken blind piano tuner Sam, he senses true kindness and compassion for the first time and experiences the transforming power of music. |
 UP AND DOWN (2005)
In the dead of the night, near the Czech-Slovak border, two smugglers discover their truckload of illegal Indian immigrants have left a baby behind. In a small Prague apartment, Franta and Mila dream of having a child, but Franta – on probation because of his soccer hooliganism past - is not allowed to adopt, and Mila is unable to conceive. After cashing in on her savings, Mila decides to buy a baby from a pawnshop that fronts a den of thieves and pickpockets. |
 UPSIDE OF ANGER (2005)
Terry Wolfmeyer, a suburban wife and mother whose life takes an unusual turn when her husband unexpectedly disappears. Struggling to deal with his sudden absence, Terry finds herself increasingly at odds with her four headstrong daughters and regularly drowning her anger in alcohol, until she develops an offbeat relationship with her next-door neighbor, Denny. |
V |
 VALIANT (2005)
During World War II, England communicated with the French Resistance and Allied troops in Europe using the Royal Pigeon Service, using carrier pigeons that went through a rigorous training regimen. This is the story of Valiant, a comically clumsy misfit of a pigeon who sneaks his way into the Royal Pigeon Service, eager to contribute his efforts to the needs of his country, even though he is vastly unqualified to do so. |
 VAN
HELSING (2004)
Review by Mike Furches: Van Helsing is a hero who’s
faith is important and not since Wes Craven’s Dracula 2000 has a
movie with monsters had so many spiritual references and twists. |
 VANILLA
SKY
Simon
Remark reviews:
Vanilla Sky is one of those films that makes you think, instead of having
some Hollywood producer, or director, doing the thinking for you. It answers
questions with questions, and highlights the impact of the moments, memories
and decisions that we take for granted. |
 VANITY
FAIR (2004)
Revew by Kevin Miller: But as this film so clearly
shows, without love, all is vanity. And despite all that she gains and
loses, love is the one thing Becky seems incapable of either giving or
receiving—unless it serves her purposes. I cannot think of a better
illustration of Christ’s words “And how do you benefit if
you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?”
|
 V
FOR VENDETTA (2006)
Director: James McTeigue. Stars: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves.
A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" (Weaving) uses terrorist
tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing Evey Hammond
(Portman) from the secret police, he finds a frightened woman he can mold into
his ally. |
 VERA
DRAKE
Darrel Manson reviews: Set in the early 1950s, when
abortion was still very much a criminal offense, Vera Drake is a very
personal look at the issue. The film really doesn’t consider the
issues we’ve made so black and white as “pro-life” or
“pro-choice.” Instead it shows us Vera as a humane and gentle
person, even when she does what many people (and certainly society of
that time) consider an unspeakable crime. |
|  VERTICAL
LIMIT (2000)
Saving
a sister trapped on a mountain.
|
 A
VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: At the core of this story
is hope. We may not understand what sustains Mathilde’s hope, but
we do see that the hope is what sustains her. She is willing to give all
she has to find her lover. That hope rides a roller coaster as things
look promising or dire, but Mathilde is never ready to get off the coaster.
Even after finding his grave, she continues on her quest in hope that
even that grave is wrong. |
 THE
VILLAGE (2004)
Review by Kevin Miller: Like the elders, we have
chosen a lesser existence rather than risk being polluted or rejected
by the world. However, also like the elders, we must realize that sin
is not “out there.” It is right here, in us. Only when we
are able to face that fact and bring our secrets into the light will we
truly become the people God has called us to be.
|
 VIRUS
(1998)
Another save the earth movie. This time a handful of unprepared sailors
save Earth from a gruesome end?
|
W |
 WAITING... (2005)
Director: Rob McKittrick. Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, John Francis Daley. Waiting is a movie that wants to tell twenty-somethings how to break out of the monotony of life, to break free from the every day grind that drags us down and leaves us feeling worthless. The problem is, the answers they give are ridiculous. Overview (dial up speed) |
 WAKING
LIFE (2001)
Simon Remark reviews: "Waking Life challenges
'normal' views of reality, objectivity and certainty. The characters question
theories that most people are afraid to question, but the questions are
never answered; they simply lead to more questions. None of the characters
are certain, but they're all curious...' |
 WALKING
TALL (2004)
Reviews by Chris Utley: Chris Vaughn, a retired soldier returns to his
hometown to make a new life for himself, only to discover his wealthy
high school rival, Jay Hamilton, has closed the once-prosperous lumber
mill and turned the town's resources towards his own criminal gains. |
 WALK THE LINE
Director: James Mangold. Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin. A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Overview (dial up speed) |
 A
WALK TO REMEMBER (2002)
With RealVideo Review. David Bruce reviews.
"Here is the Bible's popular love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) on the
big screen. Everyone seems to like this movie, except the critics. It
has a powerful message of the transforming power of love. I like it... |
 WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT (2005)
Director: Steve Box. Nick Park. Stars: Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes. Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, set out to discover the mystery behind the garden sabotage that plagues their village and threatens the annual giant vegetable growing contest. Overview (dial up speed) |
 WAR
OF THE WORLDS (2005)
Directed by Steven Spielberg. Cast: Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Miranda Otto,
Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Rick Gonzalez, David Alan Basche, A contemporary
retelling of H.G. Wells's seminal classic, the sci-fi adventure thriller
reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the
eyes of one American family fighting to survive it. |
WATERWORLD (1995)
Here is the stories of Jesus, Moses and Noah. Here is Revelation chapter
12 and the search for Paradise Lost. |
 THE WEATHER MAN
Director: Gore Verbinski. Stars: Nicolas Cage, Hope Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Caine. A Chicago weather man (Cage), separated from his wife and children, must decide whether personal and professional successes are mutually exclusive. Overview (dial up speed) |
 WEDDING CRASHERS (2005)
Guided by a secret set of wedding crashing "rules," a pair of wedding crashers find their way into a different wedding and different bridesmaid’s heart every week. But when they crash the social event of the season, one of them falls for the engaged daughter of an influential and eccentric politician and decides to break the "rules" in pursuit of her. |
 WEDDING DATE (2005)
Review by Elisabeth Leitch: Sitting down to watch The Wedding Date about one week before Valentine’s Day, I expected nothing more than a chick-flick. But, as the story unfolded, I found myself not necessarily being drawn in by a romance, but pulled in by a story about the things we hold onto, the things we allow to hold onto us, and in the end, a story about letting go. |
 THE
WEDDING PLANNER (2001)
David
Bruce reviews: "It is a simple plot. We know the end from the beginning.
We have seen stories like this many times before. But it still holds us.
We want to believe in destiny. We want to believe that there is a grand
design behind our lives. Is there a special someone? Is there a purpose
for our existence? Is there a divine design?.." |
 WHEN A STRANGER CALLs (2006)
Director: Simon West, Stars: Camilla Belle
High school student Jill Johnson settles in for a routine night of babysitting. With the children sound asleep, she locks the door and sets the alarm. But when a series of eerie phone calls from a Stranger Jill begins to panic. |
 WHERE THE TRUTH LIES (2005)
Explores the way truth and lies can become so intertwined that the truth may no longer matter, even if it can be determined. The process of hiding the truth poisons the well of relationship for years to come.
Overview |
THE WEATHER MAN (2005)
Director: Gore Verbinski. Stars: Nicolas Cage, Hope Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Caine. A Chicago weather man (Cage), separated from his wife and children, must decide whether personal and professional successes are mutually exclusive. Overview (dial up speed) |
 WE
WERE SOLDIERS (2002)
David Bruce reviews: 400
young fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons-all troopers from the U.S.
7th "Air" Cavalry were surrounded by 2000 enemy soldiers. The ensuing
battle was one of the most savage in U.S. history. Here is a tribute to
their loyalty to and love for one another. |
 WHALE
RIDER (2002)
Review by Darrel Manson: Although Pai is not eligible to be the new leader
because of her gender, she knows at some mystical level that she is the
one called to continue the line of leaders. In being "The One"
she might be compared to Neo in The Matrix series or with Harry Potter.
|
 WHAT
DREAMS MAY COME (1998)
Robin Williams goes to heaven and hell. |
 WHAT
THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?!
Revew by Darrel Manson: It's not unusual for people
to try to unite science and religion. Certainly they can be complimentary
to one another, even if they deal with different realms of understanding.
The attempt to bring them together in What the Bleep meets somewhat uneven
results. The neurochemistry seems much more grounded than the quantum
physics part. |
 WHAT
LIES BENEATH (2000)
is about stripping away the layers of
lies to find the truth beneath a picture perfect world. |
|  WHAT
WOMEN WANT
(2000)
About a man who listens to women.
|
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (2006)
Director: Simon West, Stars: Camilla Belle
High school student Jill Johnson settles in for a routine night of babysitting. With the children sound asleep, she locks the door and sets the alarm. But when a series of eerie phone calls from a Stranger Jill begins to panic. |
 WHITE
NOISE (2004)
Director: Geoffrey Sax. Stars: Michael Keaton, Deborah Kara Unger, Ian
McNeice. John Rivers (Keaton) is contacted by his murdered wife via Electric
Voice Phenomena, an abnormality that attracts the attention of scientific
specialists. Rivers, meanwhile, works to discover the people behind his
wife's death. |
 WHY WE FIGHT (2006)
The influence of the military-industrial complex (MIC) does indeed call for an examination. It is no longer a threatening sounding concept; it is the way of life in this country. We have become so used to the MIC that we hardly notice how extensive it is. Jarecki lays out some of the facts that we need to hear to oversee the “meshing” of these giants. |
 THE WIDOW OF ST PIERRE (2001)
Darrel Manson reviews: "Is there redemption after sin? The film forces us to consider what is right. As our society looks at the issue of capital punishment, are there blanket statements about what's right? And what will we do when we find people who may deserve to die for what they did, but may deserve to live for what they have become?..." |
 THE
WILD (2006)
Director: Steve 'Spaz' Williams. Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Izzard, Joseph
Siravo . A teenage lion is accidentally shipped from the New York Zoo to Africa.
Now running free, his zoo pals must put aside their differences to help bring
him back. |
 WILD
PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL (2005)
"The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" is
the true story of a Bohemian St. Francis and his remarkable relationship
with a flock of wild green-and-red parrots. Mark Bittner, a dharma
bum, a homeless street musician in San Francisco, falls in with
the flock as he searches for meaning in his life, unaware that
the wild parrots will bring him everything he needs.
|
 WILLARD
(2003)
Review by David Bruce: Socially burdened and saddled with a miserable
job, Willard seems stuck. Until he makes an eerie discovery: he shares
a powerful bond with the rats who dwell in his basement. Suddenly, Willard
has friends. |
 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: The key issue in this film is the relationship of justice and mercy. These represent two seemingly mutually exclusive concepts. How can one be both just and merciful at the same time? And yet we affirm both in relationship to God. |
 WIMBLEDON (2004)
Review by David Bruce: American Lizzie Bradbury, the rising star/bad girl of the international tennis set, is the promising new hotshot playing at her first Wimbledon. Focused, driven and pushed to a level of superlative playing by her equally driven, overprotective coach and father. |
 WINDTALKERS
(2002)
Darrel Manson and Betty Hamm Review: The spiritual
power of the film is seen in the struggle to find redemption. We see it
most plainly in Enders. When his unit invades Saipan, he fights like a
berserk -- a flat out killing machine. He is trying to atone for the death
of all the men under him earlier. This is why he struggled so hard to
return to duty. He has to find his redemption. |
 THE WIRE (TV Series)
Review by Maurice Broaddus: If anyone poses the question "what is the best show on television?" the answer can be found in two simple words: The Wire. The show stands as inheritor of the crown of intelligent, quality television left by Homicide: Life on the Streets, except with cable’s rules for language, nudity, and violence. It is television that demands work, but the payoff is worth it. With its mix of action, laughs, and thought provoking look at the drug trade on our inner city streets, it is easily one of the most satisfying hours of television watching. |
 WITH
A FRIEND LIKE HARRY (2000)
David Bruce reviews: This is a silently terrifying
psychological thriller that builds from a sedate family story into a suspenseful
horror scenario with the use of smart, spine-tingling dialogue and simple
acts of manipulation. |
 WITNESS
(1985)
Revew by Darrel Manson: The title, Witness, really
has at least three meanings in this film. It is first of all the boy who
is a witness to murder and has to be protected. It is also the crowd that
comes in the final battle and through their witnessing of what is happening
put an end to it. But mostly it is the witness that the community makes
through their lives. |
 WOLF CREEK (2005)
Director: Greg McLean. Stars: Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi. The Plot: Three travelers are plunged into danger when they accept help from a friendly local in the Australian outback. |
 WOMAN,
THOU ART LOOSED (2004)
Review by Chris Utley: Woman
Thou Art Loosed was not shot with a multimillion dollar budget and does
not have elaborate settings and flashy editing tricks. Who cares? The
power of this small film cannot be denied. It is a real story, depicting
the real situations of many women across this country who have been victims
of sexual and physical abuse.
|
 WONDER
BOYS (2000)
This
film reflects the life of Michael Douglas. About rebirth and new beginnings
|
 THE
WOODSMAN (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: As hard as it may be for
us to fathom, God is willing to forgive even those like Walter if they
seek God’s forgiveness. One of the qualities of God’s grace
is that it is available even when the world is unwilling to offer grace.
Walter is deeply in need of such grace. Perhaps it is God’s grace
that is allowing Walter to keep ahead in his struggle. |
 THE
WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN (2006)
The film opens with a shot panning a shelf filled with what looks like junk – pieces
of metal that we can’t quite make out their shapes. Under the shelf are
the words “offerings to the god of speed.” These are engine parts
that have been made and rejected by a man who has made his life’s work
the goal of going as fast as possible on his forty year old motorcycle... |
X-Y-Z |
X FILES (1998)
There are an amazing amount of connections to popular myth and to the
Bible |
 X-MEN
(2000)
This film is loaded with all kinds of spiritual
connects. The power of Community. |
 X-MEN 2 (2003)
Review by Mike Furches: Mutants continue their struggle against a society that fears and distrusts them. Their cause becomes even more desperate following an incredible attack by an as yet undetermined assailant possessing extraordinary abilities. |
 X-MEN 3 (2006)
The X-Men, with the help of new recruits The Beast and Angel, must face their
former teammate, Jean Grey. Possessed with the cosmic power of the Dark Phoenix,
the resurrected Jean Grey has become a danger to herself, her mutant comrades,
and the entire planet. |
 xXx
(2002)
David Bruce reviews: So why don't most critics think
much of XXX, the movie? And, why do audiences love this runaway hit? Could
it be that movie reviewers tend to live in a passing post-modern age,
which is very different than the world that the younger Gen-X group lives
in? I truly believe this is the case. |
 xXx STATE OF THE UNION (2005)
Only two people stand between anarchy and freedom: One of them, Augustus Gibbons, has just survived a hit on the National Security Agency's top-secret headquarters and is on the run. The other, a decorated Special Ops soldier, Darius Stone, sits under close guard in a military prison.Gibbons once again finds himself in need of an outsider and Stone is his man. The new XXX agent must uncover the insurgents from within. |
 YES (2005)
She grew up in a divided country she understands holy and civil war; but at home - the immaculate white house we first see her in - she lives also on her own private battleground; a marriage that has broken down beyond repair. Her betraying English husband is in politics. They try to keep up an appearance of togetherness for the sake of his career, but she feels like an exile in her own home. |
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
(2001)
Simon Remark reviews: Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan
has created real people, with real problems. Terry shows us that no one
is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone is in need of grace, be
it God's grace, or grace from others.
|
 YOUR
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS (1998)
A film about empty nameless relationships in contemporary times. |
 YOURS, MINE & OURS (2005)
Director: Raja Gosnell. Stars: Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo, Jerry O'Connell
A widow (Russ) and widower (Quaid) fall in love and marry, much to the dismay of their combined 18 children.
Overview (dial up) |
 YOU'VE
GOT MAIL (1998)
Who can understand the human heart or the love of God? |
 ZANTHURA (2005)
Director: Jon Favreau. Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Tim Robbins, Kristen Stewart. Two young brothers (Hutcherson and Bobo) are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is magically hurtled through space. Overview (dial up speed) |
Visual Review Index Numbers, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U-Z |
