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Visual Review Index Numbers, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, Current |
 THE
SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: The force of satire comes in making fun of the
things we often don't see in ourselves. As such, we may have trouble seeing
ourselves in the satire. I think that is especially true in The Saddest
Music in the World, because, for all the artistry of the film, its story
line never really draws us in so we can appreciate the satire within it. |
 THE
SAFETY OF OBJECTS (2001)
Review by Darrel Manson: The things we have don't bring us happiness.
The Safety of Objects is a film version of Wisdom literature (similar
to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Job in the Bible). That is, it helps us to
look at the meaning of life and happiness. Is it in family? in career
advancement? in escape? in what we wish were true? |
 SAHARA (2005)
When master explorer Dirk Pitt finds a fabled coin linked to a historical legend, he takes on the adventure of his life as he embarks on a treasure hunt through some of the most dangerous regions of West Africa. |
 SAINT RALPh (2005)
“Do you have to be a saint to perform a miracle?” Ralph asks this of Father Hibbert in his religion class. Ralph has a vested interest in the answer, because his mother is in a coma and the doctors have said it will take a miracle for her to wake up. It turns out you don’t need to be a saint. |
 THE
SANTA CLAUS 2 (2002)
Review
by Mike Furches and David Bruce: This is a very pro-Christmas film. Christmas
has been in a 10-year decline. There is a drop in gift purchasing. Christmas
church attendance is falling and increasing numbers of school districts
are avoiding traditional Christmas songs and pageants. I, for one, see
great value in the traditional Christmas Celebration. How do you feel? |
 SAVED!
(2004)
Review by Chris Utley with a Round Table discussion: "Good girl"
Mary and her popular, influential best friend, Hilary Faye, are starting
their senior year at the top of the social structure at American Christian
High School. But when Mary finds out she's pregnant, Hilary Faye and her
devoted "disciples" turn against Mary and the school labels
her an outcast. |
 SAVE
THE LAST DANCE
(2001)
Betty Hamm reviews: "Becoming free, reaching
the goal. It is more than a "white girl meets black boy-can romance survive
clash of cultures?" It is about the difficulty being a minority in any
situation. When one is the minority in race, culture and education the
difficulty is compounded..." |
 SAVING
PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
An incedible film about the value of human life. What is the value of even one human life? What a story! In the midst of absolute carnage and "human waste" one human being and a mother back home has supreme value. What a paradox. |
 SAW
(2004)
Maurice Broaddus reviews: The Jigsaw Killer, as
the serial killer is known, sets himself up as God in this universe, and
people are expected to play by his rules. He is the ultimate judge. The
motivation given to the serial killer is that he is dying, which has given
him a unique perspective and appreciation for life. |
 SAW II (2005)
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman. Stars: Donnie Wahlberg, Beverley Mitchell,Franky G, Emmanuelle Vaugier. The serial killer known as "Jigsaw" is back, and this time he has eight victims locked up and forced to play deadly games in order to stay alive. Detective Eric Mason (Wahlberg), meanwhile, continues the work of his predecessors as he tries to break-up Jigsaw's game. Overview (dial up speed) |
 SCARY
MOVIE (2000)
A humorous spoof horror film that is part of the popular culture of
fear. Director Wes Craven says that it's simple psychology that compels us to expect the worst and particularly in the best of times. He should know, after all look how successful "Scream" and "Scream 2" were. And, "Scream 3" opened at the number one position and stayed there for several weeks. "I think American will always be afraid, in a sense, because of its great success." Craven further states, "I am not worried about running out of either relevant material or a receptive audience." |
 SCARY
MOVIE 4 (2006)
Director: David W. Zucker David Zucker. Stars: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Andre
Benjamin. The fourth installment of the comedy series spoofing horror movies,
and boy does it have plenty of bad horror movies to spoof!ourth installment of
the comedy series spoofing horror movies, and boy does it have plenty of bad
horror movies to spoof! |
 SCOOBY
DOO 2 (2004)
Review by Mark Ezra Stokes: Scooby-Doo 2 offers mindless fun and a few
simple lessons here and there. Yes, it’s cartoonishly silly, but
it’s also substantially real. Though the inclusion of Batman, Don
Knotts or The Harlem Globetrotters would’ve been a nice touch, the
film is successfully true both to the letter and to the concepts of the
original. |
 THE
SCORE (2001)
Betty Hamm reviews: "The Score stands
out in my mind because it presents characters I could know and perhaps
even have met. These are not flat one-dimensional crooks, especially DeNiro's
Rick..." |
 THE
SCORPION KING
Mike
Furches reviews "The concept of sacrifice and love, the willingness
to forgive one another and work together, and numerous other areas are
addressed and if searched for can be used. The problem I had is that they
were not addressed adequately and with the detail that the first two movies
did. Between this and other areas this movie was a major disappointment
for me... |
 SCREAM
3 (1999)
This
film reflects the culture's obsession and addiction to fear. We are addicted to fear. We love it. There has never been a time when America and the Western Culture were as safe and secure. And yet, we are more fearful! Why?. |
 SEABISCUIT
(2003)
Review by Darrel Manson: We begin to find wholeness in the midst of brokenness
when we begin to come together. In all our trials, as individuals or as
a nation, we need to learn to be in community. There we can, like Seabiscuit
and Red and Tom and Charles, heal and be healed. |
 THE
SEA INSIDE (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
Thus Hamlet considered life and death and which he would choose. Ramón
Sampedro has already made his choice. He has chosen not to be to die.
But because he is a quadriplegic, he is unable, on his own, to bring that
death about. For others to help him would be a crime. So in spite of his
choice, he still lives 28 years after his crippling accident. |
 THE SEARCHERS
Many people long for the days when movies were simple and unambiguous. There were good guys and bad guys, and you knew who was who. Those were the wonderful days when John Ford was making pictures starring John Wayne. If that’s what you think, you’ve missed The Searchers... |
 SECONDHAND
LIONS (2003)
Review by Greg Wright: Secondhand Lions follows the comedic adventures
of an introverted14 year-old boy who reluctantly finds himself spending
the summer with a pair of cranky, eccentric great-uncles. |
 THE
SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS (2002)
Review by Darrel Manson: The Secret Lives of Dentists is both well written
and well acted. It values marriage. At the end, all is not well, but there
is hope. The damage done to teeth by life can be repaired. Perhaps the
damage to this marriage can be as well. |
SECRETS AND LIES (1996)
This movie, more than most, reveals much about the character
and spiritual development of the viewer. An emotionally vulnerable, middle-aged London factory worker is stunned when the mixed-race daughter she gave up for adoption decades earlier tracks her down. The new addition proves to be a much needed tonic for her long-lost mum. |
 SECRET
WINDOW (2004)
Review by David Bruce: Though he knows he should be at his computer writing
another book, or at least walking his dog along the sparkling lake outside
his dingy cabin, successful author Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) is sleeping
on his favorite sofa for up to 16 hours a day. |
 SEE
NO EVIL (2006)
Director: Gregory Dark. Stars: Glen Jacobs. Sentenced to community service, a
group of teens are dispatched to fix up a ramshackle hotel. Little do they know
the hotel is home to a manical killer who looks to murder them one by one. |
SEE SPOT RUN (2001)
Betty Hamm reviews: "The art of becoming unpostal.
This farcical comedy rings with human truth. We all have a deep desire
to be accepted and loved for who we are in spite of our glaring short-comings.
Fear causes us to do some truly stupid and at times irreparable things.
So what is God's response? He knows you have done some really bad things?.."
|
 THE
SENTINEL (2006)
Director: Clark Johnson. Stars: Kim Basinger, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland.
A disgraced special agent (Douglas) works to foil a plot to assassinate the U.S. |
 SERENDIPITY
(2001)
Mike Furches reviews: "Predestination
(AKA fate) and free will (AKA choice) duke it out and find a common ground... |
 SERENITY (2005)
Director: Joss Whedon. Stars: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Five hundred years in the future, in the aftermath of a galactic civil war, Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Fillion) rounds up a crew of bandits to steer his ship, Serenity, between the savage Reavers and the totalitarian Alliance forces. Just as big a challenge is making good on his pledge to protect one of his passengers (Glau) from a ruthless bounty hunter (Ejiofor). Overview (dial up) |
 SE7EN
Mark Campbell reviews: "I recommend Se7en not only because it is a brilliant piece of filmmaking,
but also because it contains real truth about the world we live in. This
truth may not be palatable, but it is undoubtedly honest... |
SHADOWLANDS (1993)
Why do we suffer? Isn't God supposed to be good? The true story of C.S.
Lewis. "Does our suffering mean anything?" It is life's most pressing question. If you have ever pondered it you must see Shadowlands. |
 SHADOW
OF THE VAMPIRE
(2001)
Darrel Manson reviews: "Reality and fantasy
merge. As Murnau continues to be obsessed with the making of Nosferatu,
he is willing to put up with more and more destruction from Schreck. In
the final scene, as Murnau keeps the camera rolling in the midst of death
and destruction. He got the movie he wanted, but at what cost to others
and to himself?.." |
 THE
SHAGGY DOG (2006)
Director: Brian Robbins. Stars: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Craig Kilborn
Dave Douglas (Allen) tries to live a normal life, despite the fact that he sometimes
turns into a sheepdog. |
 SHALL
WE DANCE? (2004)
Elisabeth
Leitch reviews: Just as anyone can chose to join in at a dance or stand
by the wall simply to watch, the decision to seek a life of meaning, passion,
and emotion is also a choice. In the same way that Paulina urges Clark
to not abandon dancing by painting the question “Shall we dance,
Mr. Clark?” on a banner, I believe each of us is also being asked
the same question. |
 SHARK
TALE
Review by Maurice Broaddus: This makes for a fine
and entertaining, though ultimately forgettable, movie. There were plenty
of times when the adults were laughing, but the kids stared wide-eyed
at the screen since whatever everyone was laughing at was at least animated.
The movie clearly suffers from a case of being too hip for its audience.
|
 SHATTERED
GLASS (2003)
Review by Darrel Manson: It's hard to know how to feel about Glass. He
is so likable that you want it all to be a mistake. He's so insecure that
you feel sorry for him. He is so guilty and without remorse, that you
want him to be discovered and dealt with severely. |
 SHAUN
OF THE DEAD (2004)
Review by Ed Travis: This is a film that will be
remembered for its wit. Wit, according to Merriam Webster, can be defined
this way: “the ability to relate seemingly disparate things so as
to illuminate or amuse.” What Shaun of the Dead does is to relate
a real guy’s love life and family issues to a zombie-Armageddon
storyline in a way that amuses . . . uproariously so! |
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)
Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. This is an allegory
of Christ. |
 SHE
HATE ME (2004)
Round Table Discussion led by Chris Utley:
Question #1. What's your take on the depiction of
African-American negative sexual stereotypes in entertainment? Do those
stereotypes reinforce any of your personal beliefs. Question #2. Do you
believe that sexuality is a gift from God or a curse from Satan. Has there
been any films you've seen that have promoted sexuality as a gift from
God that we need not be ashamed of? |
 SHE'S
THE MAN (2006)
Director: Andy Fickman. Stars: Amanda Bynes, Laura Ramsey, Channing Tatum. When
Viola (Bynes) learns that her school has cut her soccer team from the sports
program, she heads over to her twin brother's boarding school, disguises herself
as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her teammates. Further romantic complications
arise when the school beauty falls for Viola. |
SHIPPING NEWS (2001)
Darrel Manson reviews:
"What does it mean to be banished from Eden? We often look to
Genesis 3 as a story of the Fall of humankind. And we are often taught
that the sin in the Garden is why we live as we do. This is our nature.
In The Shipping News, we see what a toll living in that sense of fallenness
can take.. |
 SHREK
(2001)
Mike Furches reviews: "Once upon a time there
lived a cynical, no-nonsense ogre named Shrek whose swamp was overrun
by annoying fairytale creatures -- the usual mice, pigs and wolves that
plague storybooks everywhere. |
 SHREK
2 (2004)
Review by Chris Utley: All of the citizens of Far,
Far Away turn out to greet their returning Princess, and her parents happily
anticipate the homecoming of their daughter and her new Prince. But no
one could have prepared them for the sight of their new son-in-law, not
to mention how much their little girl had…well…changed. |
 SHOPGIRL (2005)
Director: Anand Tucker. Stars: Steve Martin, Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzman. When Mirabelle (Danes) is seduced Ray Porter (Martin), a wealthy and caring older man, her life takes a much-needed turn for the better. But in time, she must make a choice between Ray and Jeremy (Schwartzman), a struggling musician closer to her age ... but maybe not to her heart. Overview (dial up speed) |
 SIDEWAYS
(2004)
Reviews by Darrel
Manson and Benn Becker:
In this film director Alexander Payne takes what could have been a regular
buddy-road film and makes it into a whole lot more. Payne’s films
seem to have a tenderness lying below the surface, which looks at its
characters adoringly despite themselves. That is something we could all
take to heart. |
 SIGNS
(2002)
Review by Simon Remark:
Everything that farmer Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) assumed about the world
is changed when he discovers a message – an intricate pattern of
circles and lines – carved into his crops. |
 SILENT
HILL (2006)
The eerie and deserted ghost town of Silent Hill draws a young mother desperate
to find a cure for her only child's illness. Unable to accept the doctor's diagnosis
that her daughter should be permanently institutionalized for psychiatric care,
Rose flees with her child, heading for the abandoned town in search of answers. |
 SILVER
CITY (2004)
Review by Darrel Manson: Silver City is John Sayles’
comment on the state of the political process. Among the things he wants
to show us is that the marketing of a candidate takes precedence over
substance so candidates like Pilager learn quickly to avoid having to
speak extemporaneously or to answer surprise questions. |
 SIMON
BIRCH
A Christ-like child influences and saves
the lives of many. Simon is a 12-year-old dwarf child in a small New England town who is convinced he is destined by God for great heroism. Well and good, but Simon (Ian Michael Smith) gets into trouble like all prophets do, by not keeping quiet about his faith, to the consternation of everyone who hears his squeaky little voice declare his belief in God’s plans for him, and his contempt for their shallowness. |
 SIMONE
(2002)
David Bruce reviews: A contemporary satire of Hollywood,
Simone is the story of a disillusioned director, played by Al Pacino,
who creates the first totally believable synthetic actress. This film
addresses the issues of reality and the meaning of being human. |
 A
SIMPLE PLAN (1998)
Here is a modern tale of temptation and its consequence.
Highly Recommended. Here is a mix of the Garden of Eden and the brothers Cain and Abel, in a modern day tale of temptation and the consequences of sin.
|
 SINBAD:
LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS (2003)
Review by David Bruce: Marina has stowed away, determined to make sure
that Sinbad fulfills his mission. But Eris, the goddess of chaos, has
it out for Sinbad sending both monstrous creatures and the elements to
keep him from his goal. |
 SIN
CITY (2005)
Review
by Maurice Broaddus: There’s a double edged sword of dealing with
material beloved by geeks. On the one hand, if a director stays too faithful
to the material, then you go “what’s the point of seeing it
if you didn’t do anything with it?” On the other hand, if the
director goes with their own vision, reinterpreting or re-imagining the
source material, they run the risk of the geek saying “they ruined
it.” The key is capturing the spirit of the work without reproducing
it, but since reproduction on this scale, in so unique a fashion, hasn’t
been done, this movie is landmark. |
 THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS (2005)
Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling novel four 16-year-old best friends who are separated for the first time. On a last shopping trip together, the girls find a pair of thrift-shop jeans that fits each of them perfectly and they decide to use these "magic" pants as a way of keeping in touch over the months ahead, each girl wearing the jeans for a week to see what luck they bring her before sending them on to the next. Though miles apart, the four friends still experience life, love and loss together. |
SIX DAYS SEVEN NIGHTS (1998)
Review By David Bruce. This a return to paradise and to the laws of sowing and reeaping. A couple on a paradise island in a film entitled Six Days Seven Nights sure has a Garden of Eden ring to it. |
 THE
SIXTH SENSE (1999)
Here is a film about secrets, truth, life and death. Director, M. Night Shyamalan, says, "The Sixth Sense is about learning how to communicate those fears whether it's communication between a doctor and the patient, a husband and a wife, a mother and a son... keeping secrets from people we love can destroy marriages, careers, families and even lives. That in itself is horrifying."
|
 SKELETON KEY (2005)
Set largely in the dark atmospheric backwoods just outside of New Orleans, "The Skeleton Key" stars Hudson as Caroline, a live-in nurse hired to care for an elderly woman's ailing husband in their home...a foreboding and decrepit mansion in the Louisiana delta. Intrigued by the enigmatic couple, their mysterious and secretive ways and their rambling house, Caroline beings to explore the old mansion. |
 SKY
CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW (2004)
Review by Melinda Ledman, Chris
Utley, Annette Wierstra and Mike Furches:The movie holds up to its praise,
and surprisingly, it also delivers an action-packed plot with exceptionally
witty dialogue. Let me also say that Jude Law has never let me down in
his performances or story selections |
 SKY HIGH (2005)
When you're the son of the world's most legendary superheroes The Commander and Jetstream, there is only one school for you - Sky High, an elite high school that is entrusted with the responsibility of molding today's power-gifted students into tomorrow's superheroes. |
 SLEEPY
HOLLOW (1999)
Here, in story form, is the spiritual culture shift we are going
through at the dawn of the new millennium. In Tim Burton's 1999 adaptation of the story the whole direction of the original is reversed. Ichabod (now a criminal investigator) is not the least bit spiritual. He thinks he can explain everything through a scientific approach. As the first Ichabod was a reflection of society in 1799, so Burton's Ichabod is now a reflection of society at end of this century/millennium (1999). |
SLING BLADE (1997)
This is a powerful story about redemption, justice and insanity. This powerful film was made for less than a million dollars! It's about a Christ-like retarded man who seeks redemption and justice. His actions bring Judgement Day. |
 SLITHER
(2006)
Director: James Gunn. Stars: Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Rooker.
A small town is taken over by an alien plague that tranforms residents into
zombies and mutants. One townie (Rooker) turns particularly violent, and
it's up to his ex-wife (Banks) and the local sheriff (Fillion) to stop him. |
 SMALLVILLE
(2001-PRESENT)
Review
by Maurice Broaddus: A
being with strange powers descends from the heavens, sent to Earth as
a baby. He takes on the role of humanity, embracing it, experiencing everything
that man typically experiences. Then he grows up to enter into a ministry
to save mankind from the many dangers that mankind faces. Sound familiar? |
 SMILE
(2005)
Katie, a teenage girl from Malibu, California,
finds herself in the throes of growing up, facing her parents, her
boyfriends, her sexuality and a very privileged life. Half a world
away in rural, China, Lin, born on the same day as Katie, faces a much
different reality. |
 THE
SNATCH (2000)
David Bruce reviews: "Diamond temptations.
Well, the film is about the nature of sin within community. Here is my
spiritual take on this "violent British gangster movie." It
is a fun take on how sin corrupts us. There is much truth to be gained
from its humorous look at sin. This is study of how temptation leads to
sin and how sin leads to death. I thought I would just quote scripture
with this one..." |
 SOLARIS
(2002)
Simon
Remark reviews: Solaris is an intelligent, thought-provoking, beautifully
shot exploration of philosophical and spiritual ideas and issues, such
as personhood, the afterlife, memory, existentialism and the nature of
reality. What makes a person? Is it atoms, matter, or the soul? What is
a soul? Is it just a part of our conscience, our brain, our heart? Does
it exist after our physical body dies? And what happens when we die? Is
there a heaven, a hell? |
 SOMERSAULT
(2006)
Director: Cate Shortland. Stars: Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran.
Life-altering challenges continue to present themselves for Heidi (Cornish)
after she's kicked out of the house for sleeping with her mother's boyfriend. |
 SOMETHING NEW (2006)
Director: Sanaa Hamri. Stars: Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker
With checklist in hand, career woman Kenya (Lathan) sets out to find her perfect man. In Brian (Baker), she finds a guy who, despite all outward appearances, just might be the one. |
SOME ONE LIKE YOU (2001)
Kim Yarmuch reviews: "Albeit a light-hearted
comedy, Someone Like You explores the deeper issues of the human heart:
of love and courage lost, of cynicism embraced, of hearts broken and restored,
ready to share once again, and of the balance between openness and wisdom..."
|
 SOPHIE
SCHOLL: THE FINAL DAYS (2005)
In
February 1943 a group of university
students in Munich were busy publishing leaflets. The leaflets were diatribes
against Hitler and the German government over the war and various government
policies. Those students (known as The White Rose) were taking part in
a dangerous conspiracy that would be punished severely if they were caught.
Among those students were Hans Scholl and his sister Sophie. |
 SPANGLISH
Review by Elisabeth Leitch: In a society where emphasis
is too often placed on needing to be perfect, on success and money and
prestige without much consideration for family or relationships, this
affirmation of the value of family is welcome statement. As a story centered
on emotion and relationships, however, the movie is disappointing. |
 SPARTAN
(2004)
Review by David Bruce: As the story unfolds, the straightforward search-and-rescue
mission becomes complicated by the political ambitions of those in high
places |
 SPIDER
(2002)
Review coming: A deeply disturbed boy, Spider, 'sees' his father brutally
murder his mother and replace her with a prostitute, Yvonne. Convinced
they plan to murder him next, Spider hatches an insane plan, which he
carries through to tragic effect. |
 SPIDER-MAN
(2002)
On a school trip, during which Peter and his classmates are given a science
demonstration on spiders, Peter is bitten by a genetically altered spider.
Soon after, he discovers that he has unusual powers: he is endowed with
the strength and agility of a spider along with a keen, ESP-like "spider
sense." |
 SPIDER-MAN
2 (2004)
Review by Melinda Ledman, Benn Becker and Mike Furches:
Spider-Man 2 is a rarity--a sequel that is better than its predecessor.
The success of Spider-Man can be greatly attributed to the audience’s
ability to relate with the character. Peter Parker is just like all of
us … he is an everyman. |
 SPIN
(2005)
David Bruce reviews: Do not allow the horrible events
in life to “stop you.” Life must keep moving forward. This
powerful film celebrates the power of family and its ability to help us
face life’s difficulties. It is about the how new life that can
arise from the ashes of devastation. |
 SPRING,
SUMMER, FALL, WINTER (2003)
Review by Darrel Manson: "The incredible beauty in this film inspires
a sense of awe in the viewer and makes the film worthwhile purely as a
work of photographic art. Even though it portrays a worldview that is
vastly different from our own, the pattern of growing up and learning
to live in harmony with our environment is universal. And worthy of our
awe..." |
 SPIRITED
AWAY (2002)
This is a film that has been garnering many awards,
including Best Asian Film at the Hong Kong Film Festival and the Golden
Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It is a film that has
adults going to the theater without kids. It is far more than just a children's
story. |
SPITFIRE GRILL (1997)
A Christ like young woman comes to town and changes everyone.
Writer/Director Lee David Zlotoff says: This film is about the desires of the human spirit. In many ways, it is also about intolerance and fear. It's a positive human values story, not necessarily a family film, but a film you could take your family to. |
 SPY
GAME (2002)
Ilayna
Utley reviews: "I saw Robert Redford's character as a great example
of God the Father. He especially exemplified how God's mercy works with
His judgment..." |
 SPY
KIDS (2001)
Betty Hamm reviews:: "Spy work-that's easy.
Keeping a family together that's difficult and worth fighting for."---Juni
(Daryl Sabara) I can't remember the last time I watched a film starring
kids that I have enjoyed as much as Spy Kids..."
|
 SPY
KIDS 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
David Bruce reviews: One has to hand it to Robert
Rodriguez. He wrote, directed, produced, did the cinematography, and even
edited this film. He has come up with what may be a successful film series.
Hollywood certainly stresses the importance of family despite the opinion
of certain critics to the contrary. The industry does produce strong family
films. |
 SPY
KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER (2003)
Review by David Bruce: "Obviously,
nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages," Mel
Gibson explained at a news conference. "They think I'm crazy, and
maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius." |
 THE
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE
Review by Maurice Broaddus: In a nutshell, if you
like the cartoon show that this movie is based on, then you will be almost
pleased with the movie. The movie touches on all the things you love about
the show (or hate about the show, depending on where you fall on the topic
of all things SpongeBob), but doesn’t quite deliver. |
 STAR
TREK: INSURRECTION (1998)
The serpent wants the tree of life in paradise. The Serpent-like Son'a want the Ba'ku forcibly removed from their paradise planet. After all, there are only 600 of them. Isn't the eternal health and life of the Son'a and billions of other Federation citizens more important? |
 STAR
TREK: NEMESIS (2002)
Review by David Bruce: The Federation is about to encounter its
greatest challenge – The Romulans want peace. Conceived in the regal
senate halls of Romulus and forged in the dilithium mines of Remus, comes
a nemesis bent on destroying Picard… and the entire Federation. |
 STARTUP.COM
(2001)
David Bruce reviews: This is an incredible film. It captures the dot com
craze of the late 90s in a one of a kind documentary film as it happened
with GovWo |
 STAR
WARS EPISODE I (1999)
THE PHANTOM MENACE
The journey to the dark side of the force begins. There are lots of parallels to the Bible. Anakin has no father says his mother (suggestion of 'virgin born' like Christ. However, as it will turn out he does have a father. Lukas says there are hints to his identity). He is a slave hoping some day to set his people free, like Moses. Jedi Knight Qii-Gon Jinn believes that Anakin is the chosen one (Christ) and proclaims his belief as John the Baptist did of Christ. Anakin has a unique connection to the Force, as Jesus did to the Holy Spirit. |
 STAR
WARS EPISODE II (2002)
David Bruce Reviews: There is a great disturbance
in the Force. . . . From the sleek ships of the glimmering Coruscant
skyscape to the lush gardens of pastoral Naboo, dissent is roiling. |
 STAR
WARS EPISODE III (2005)
Chancellor Palpatine has grown in power. His sweeping political changes transform
the war-weary Republic into the mighty Galactic Empire. To his closest ally,
Anakin Skywalker, he reveals the true nature of power and the promised secrets
of the Force in an attempt to lure him to the dark side. |
 THE
STATION AGENT (2003)
Review by Melinda Ledman and Darrel Manson: There have been many films
of lonely people finding each other and in the process finding more
complete lives. Thomas McCarthy’s The Station Agent is the most
recent entry into the genre and one that is especially well done. It
begins with wonderful humor and transitions well into a more serious
mood. |
 STAY (2005)
Director: Marc Forster. Stars: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Ryan Gosling. A therapist at an Ivy League school (McGregor) tries to prevent a student (Gosling) from committing suicide. Overview (dial up speed) |
 STAY
ALIVE (2006)
Director: William Brent Bell. Stars: Frankie Muniz, Samaire Armstrong, Jon Foster.
While hooked on an online video game, a group of teens notice that once their
characters die ... they die. |
 STEALTH (2005)
An epic action thriller about a squadron of elite pilots who embark on a mission of global consequence to neutralize an out-of-control prototype drone fighter plane equipped with artificial intelligence and the ability to precipitate a nuclear war. |
 THE
STEPFORD WIVES (2004)
Review by Michael Ray: While the
1975 film made its feminist agenda clear, this version takes a more
balanced approach to the gender wars. The script is updated to reflect
women’s advances in society, as well as the current devaluing
of the role of men in the workplace and at home. The horrific, man-dominated
world of the previous Stepford has now crumbled. |
 STEPMOM
(1999)
On being at peace with each other in a complicated family. Costume Designer Joseph Aulisi..."Julia's character, Isabel, has a certain cutting-edge, downtown look. We used a dark palette for her, almost monochromatic, mostly blacks and greys, and heavy materials like leather, denim. " |
 STICK
IT (2006)
Director: Jessica Bendinger. Stars: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Bridges, Vanessa Lengies.
After a run-in with the law, Haley Graham (Peregrym) is forced to return to the
world from which she fled some years ago. Enrolled in an elite gymnastics program
run by the legendary Burt Vickerman (Bridges), Haley's rebellious attitude gives
way to something that just might be called team spirit. |
 STIGMATA
(1999)
The Church withholds truth, so God speaks through an atheist. The revelation in the so-called lost "Gospel of Jesus' is quoted in the film as: "the Kingdom of God is within you and it surrounds you and God does not live in temples of wood and stone.'
|
 STIR
OF ECHOES (1999)
Guilt and the hereafter bring on Judgement Day for killers. Director/writer David Koepp says, "There is something that's deep in human nature to want to believe in the afterlife... people want to believe... they need to believe. It's just deep in our genes." |
 STRAIGHT
SCOOP:
KIDS TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS (2000)
It's about people and what's inside them and what's making them
do drugs. |
 STUART
LITTLE (1999)
Explores the meaning of family. The story is a simple one. We know the end from the beginning. We have seen the story in other forms a hundred times before. It's about a husband and wife who adopt a little mouse as their son -Stuart Little. |
 SUGAR
AND SPICE (2001)
David Bruce reviews: "The power of the friendship.
The sharply satirical tale of the Lincoln High School A-Squad immediately
drew the interest of up-and-coming Australian director Francine McDougall.
She saw it as a teen-age comedy that dares to go where few teen comedies
have gone - into the underside of the usual teen-movie notion that everything
is peachy keen for the likes of cheerleaders, football players and future
Harvard graduates..." |
 SUM
OF ALL FEARS
David Bruce Reviews: "The film reminds us that the world is fragile. And, that humans
do error. Despite these facts somehow we do survive. For me this is a
reminder of the God that works behind the scenes, keeping the world alive... |
 SUNSHINE
STATE (2002)
Darrel Manson reviews:
Director John Sayles gives us example after example of the ways that every
part of life carries disparity. There always seems to be something a little
beneath the surface that is totally different from the veneer we cover
our lives with. It is true of relationships, business dealings, memories
of the "good old days," traditions... |
 SUPERCROSS (2005)
This motorcycle saga revolves around two brothers making their way into the world of competitive motorcycle racing. Daryl Hannah plays their mother. |
 SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)
Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved superheroes. |
 SUPERMAN:
THE MOVIE (1978)
New special edition has been released. David Bruce
reviews: "In the 1978 movie Superman is really the story of Jesus
Christ. Originally inventors Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster made their
Superman resonate with their Jewish roots..." |
 SUPER
SIZE ME (2004)
Review by Benn Becker: It’s scary to think
how much effect marketing has in forming a person’s perspective--from
food choices, to choice of dress, and even body image. We live in a culture
full of illusions, but if they’re real in our minds it’s often
our personal truth. |
 SUSPECT
ZERO (2004)
Review by Michael Furches: We get a glimpse of the
ultimate love of the O’Ryan character, complete with a sacrifice
theme and the foretelling of that event. And we see a concept generally
accepted within Christianity -- the indwelling of the Holy Spirit... |
 SWEET
NOVEMBER (2001)
Betty Hamm reviews: "A workaholic ad man, Nelson,
has a "chance" encounter with Sarah the free spirit who marches to the
beat of a very different drummer. During our first day with Nelson and
Sarah, Nelson's values are revealed to us; Sarah, however, is a mystery.
Nelson admits to: trying to buy redemption, selling gluttony and sin,
wanting to reveal man as he truly is-a savage, and his belief that we
are all pagans worshiping our own gods..." |
 SYRIANA
(2005)
A political thriller that unfolds against the intrigue of the global oil industry. From the players brokering back-room deals in Washington to the men toiling in the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, the film's multiple storylines weave together to illuminate the human consequences of the fierce pursuit of wealth and power. Overview |
Visual Review Index Numbers, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, Current |
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