Monday, April 23, 2007

I watched two movies this weekend. Both were slow paced, character stories. Both were rather mediocre, but one of them stood out as better.

First up, A Good Year, starting Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott. Those two names are what led me to add it to the queue.

A British investment broker inherits his uncle’s chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.

It was a sweet enough, I suppose, but it wasn’t good enough for me to recommend it. The chateau was lovely though and I think my decorating style is leaning more French country. I love that rustic, old world look.

Second in the DVD player was End of the Spear - the story of American missionaries, including the well known Jim Elliot, who were murdered by the indigenous Ecuadorans they hoped to minister to. At least that’s what I expected. What I got was the story as told by the son of one of those missionaries, Steve Saint, but it was more a story about the Waodani tribe history and what led them to kill the missionaries. I appreciated seeing the story from that perspective - there is redemption there and it was moving. I do recommend this movie.

A Good Year - 2.5 stars out of 5.
End of the Spear - 3 stars out of 5.