Spiderman 3 Review

We finally rented this blockbuster movie of the summer after having low expectations from what the critics and some of our friends had reported about the 3rd installment. I have to say, we both were pleasantly surprised! Maybe we had our expectations in the right place, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Spiderman begins to wrestle with pride, bitterness and wanting revenge, and learns that he must choose to remain true and honest in order to stay out of trouble. Some people were complaining that they tried to put 3 bad guys into this movie, and they did - but I don't think it was overdone. It was a long movie, but it didn't seem too drawn out, and I think the overall story was very well done and did not leave you thinking there was too much underdeveloped (at least for me). This movie also had some very redemptive themes about how pride leads to destruction and how dangerous it is to be bitter. It also emphasized the value of forgiveness. I have to say that this movie addressed some surprisingly deep issues of life for a superhero movie. The special effects were well done, the story wasn't too dark, and the morals throughout were very redemptive. I was not disappointed in the least bit with this final episode in the Spiderman trilogy and I think I liked it better than the first movie (about equal with the second movie though). All in all, this movie did a wonderful job showing what we, as Christians, must do according to Hebrews 12:15 - we must

"Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." NLT

Bitterness does work like a poison (or venom) which can really cause you to stumble as a Christian. That's why we are all called to exhort each other to not fail to receive the grace of God as the above verse references. Check out Spiderman 3 for a great movie, with great acting and great special effects. Two thumbs up. Highly recommended.

Better Off Dead Review

This is considered a classic in the genre of 80s teen comedies. John Cusack (one of the only famous actors in this movie) is the star of this story of a young man who is obsessed with his girlfriend only to have her break up with him to date the champion snow skiier of the school. This movie is wacky, funny, and inventive so please don't rent this movie thinking it will be your typical romantic comedy. It has a sort of deadpan humor that I have a feeling would grow funnier the more I watch it. There is a mean paper boy that is always demanding 2 dollars, there is a sidekick friend who thinks that snow can be sold as drugs, and there is even claymation in this movie. I liked the movie, although I do think the humor appeals more to guys than girls. Although Chrystal watched it with me, I think she didn't enjoy it quite as much as I did. One of my favorite parts involves a scene with Barney Rubble (from the Flintstones). Any movie that can work Barney into the script definitely should be watched for creativity alone if nothing else. All in all, I would say this is an odd-but-funny teen comedy that is very quotable and that I would recommend. Just don't expect something extremely witty and intelligent.