Beauty and the Beast 2017: Just how gay is it? Just how wonderful is it?

Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my all-time favorite Disney movies, so when I heard that there was to be a live action remake I was very pleased.  Honestly, my daughter might have been even more pleased.  For weeks we anticipated the movie’s release and had a countdown until the day we would go it.  We bought tickets to an IMAX theater and on March 18^th experienced this beautiful movie in all of its glory on the big screen with crystal clear, ear crushing sound.

I marveled at the intense beauty of the film and the added scenes were an absolute bonus.  The fact that the Beast got a solo song that was both powerful and excellent gave me cold chills.   As Belle flits away in her yellow dress towards home and gets further and further away from the man who loves her pain in the Beast’s song is felt on a visceral level.  Her yellow dress weaving in and out of the blue- gray court yard is one of the most vivid and beautiful images I have ever witnessed in cinema.  I am a bit of a shameless movie buff, but this scene haunts me even now.  It simply took my breath. I admit with no shame that I felt tears in my eyes.   The power of that onscreen moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.  

We are also treated to additional story that gives history to Belle’s mother and the loss that hangs over her and her father’s home.  The moments we share in this backstory are magical and invoke a kind of sadness that makes one feel just how important life truly is.   This movie is truly a “father/daughter” film. 

    

Rarely have I felt the uncontrolled desire to give a standing ovation in the middle of a film. However, the rendering of “Be Our Guest” was such a moment for me.  I wanted to stand and applaud.  It was a marvel to witness and listen to.  Ewan McGregor, may have been auto tuned, but it did not matter.  The song was fantastic and over the top in the same way the animated version was so many years ago.   Bravo!

The unexpected break out character had to be LeFou.  Certainly there were some very short “gay” overtones that surrounded this character.  However, they were mostly a non-issue for me.   LeFou really came off has having a bad case of hero worship for Gaston and as my daughter pointed out merely seemed to “look up to him.”  The real test of LeFou’s character is his evolution during the movie.  He wrestled with right and wrong and finally figures out where he is going to fit in the world.  I won’t spoil it for you, but it is truly something to see.  LeFou could easily be my favorite character in the film for this reason.      

Belle simply dominates the screen in every scene she shows up in.  I did not think it possible for me to love Emma Watson more after her wonderful portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise.  However, she manages something with Belle that is a rare treat.  She completely owns the role.  Watson IS Belle!    In every tiny moment, she is Belle through and through.  It is so delightful, that you just fall in love with her immediately.  Her voice is beautiful, and the movie showcases her own innate sweetness perfectly.  Simply put, every scene that Watson is in is unforgettable. 

The controversy that surrounded this film because of the addition of “gay moments” feels more media driven than anything.  As a Christian, I generally take a stance against this nonsense because it is overdone.   Please understand, movies like As Good As It Gets, have wonderful, well developed, gay characters that make sense.  I have NO issue with this.  Comedy works like The Birdcage are brilliantly funny and full of political satire.  I have NO issue with this either.  Honestly, Beauty and the Beast takes a very limited run at this issue.  We have a transgender musketeer that appears onscreen for about 5-10 seconds.  Later this same character is shown dancing with LaFou for about 5-10 seconds.  That is it.  That is all.  There is some silliness between Gaston and LaFou that could be seen as “gay” but that really struck me more as silly humor than anything.  To wit: Gaston dances with him during his musical number.  It is VERY clear that Gaston is a straight man.   Honestly, I would just simply like to ask Disney a question about this.  Here are some numbers:  The movie cost over 300 million to make and market. The film is 129 minutes long.  The “gay” scenes take about roughly 30 seconds total screen time.  That means each 30 seconds of film time cost roughly 1,162,790 dollars.  Was it worth it?  Frankly, I think it is a waste of screen time and creates marketing issues overseas where homosexuality is less accepted.   Russia placed a no one under 16 rating on it.  China also had some issues with it but left the film intact.  Honestly, I would rather have gotten the scene where Beast is covered in birds after Belle helps them not be afraid of him.  That was hilarious in the animated version.  That scene would have been about 30 seconds total screen time and would have caused no issues in foreign markets.   My point is this:  Is it really worth the cost, effort and potential profit loss to “gay” something up?  I don’t think so.  Homosexuals are well represented in film.  I say let a fairy tale be what it is without pushing a modern agenda. Please note, the movie still opened strong in China despite the controversy.  I would hate to think that any child would miss out on such a great movie because of the controversy.

  

How do I ultimately feel about the movie?

I loved it.  It ranks in the top 25 movie experiences of my life.  The “gay” stuff is a non-issue for me, and discerning parents can easily guide their children about any issues they may have.  Despite the controversy and despite the fact that Mrs. Potts’ face is on her side instead of in front like the original film, this movie is a gorgeous and wonderful rendition that stays faithful to the past while moving into the venue of modern audiences.  It is excellent.

5/5 Stars    

The Incredible: LIFE IS STRANGE

I have been putting off writing this review until my emotions finally settled down.  I have had some amazing video game experiences in my life, but most of them pale in comparison to LIFE IS STRANGE. 

This title by DONTNOD entertainment with the help of SQUARE ENIX has revolutionized my expectations for future games.  I fear I will always be looking for that next game that will take me to the places this one did.  It may never happen again. 

LIFE IS STRANGE is all about hipster teens…until it isn’t.     I am endeavoring to keep this review spoiler free.  It is just such an excellent game that to spoil it would be a terrible disservice.  This will make my review much shorter than normal. 

Let’s just say that every episode made me feel like I was Max.  I was so caught up in the story that I feel like I lived this game.  It is still raw inside my mind.  I feel the emotions that I felt while playing it when I remember certain things that happened.  When I hear a song from the FANTASTIC musical score, it can bring feelings of nostalgia or even grief to me.  Yes, folks, the game is that good. 

This is a living world that I wish I could return to, but I am not sure that I can knowing what I now know.  This makes replay value very small unless you are an achievement hunter.  However, the game is reasonably priced so this should not be an issue.  I purchased it for around $11 dollars on Steam.  It was worth $100 or more.  It took me around 18 hours to complete it over several days.  I found myself thinking about it at work, as I lay in bed waiting for sleep and many other times.  Just play it.  You will see why. 

As a Christian, I need to note a few things about the game itself.  This could be considered a mild spoiler. 

You have been fairly warned. 

There is a lot of cursing in the game.  There is drug use in the game.  There is violence in the game.

It is also possible to play Max as a lesbian.  If you wish to avoid that, you need only to not choose kissing Chloe if it ever comes up and to choose to kiss Warren when it comes up.  That will take care of the lesbian possibilities, and they will not manifest in the game.    I played my Max as straight, and the relationship she had with Chloe was simply a powerful friendship filled with love and concern.  Whatever your choice, there are NO graphic sex scenes.  The relationship between these two characters is powerful and a thing of beauty.  Life is indeed strange sometimes, and this game hits a home-run.  It is like playing a movie.   It is possibly the best game I have ever played.  

An Amazing JOURNEY

JOURNEY might be one of the greatest gaming experiences I have ever had.  This game is a work of aching beauty that almost feels like a journey towards spiritual edification.  I know that seems an odd thing to say about a video game, but that is exactly the way JOURNEY makes you feel.    I have played games since the Atari 2600.   I have even played the original PONG on the original machine so long ago.  I am an avid PC gamer and play many MMO games.  The point I wish to make here is that JOURNEY is hands down the most emotional, moving and powerful experience I have ever had in a virtual world.    I am honestly a joyous wreck over it.  It made me smile for hours.  I rarely have an expressed emotional response over mass media.  I do cry occasionally over film.  Babylon 5’s final episode and Battlestar Galactica’s final episode made me tear up.  (Honestly, Babylon 5 made me weep.)   The episode from Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Inner Light makes me choke back sobs every time.  My point is that it is a rare thing for me to cry in a movie or during any other media presentation.   While I did not openly cry when I finished JOURNEY, I easily could have.  The best way to describe it is the unrelenting sense of awe and utter joy the game brings.  I am not certain how the developer managed this.  I do not know if they used psychology or subliminal persuasion, but the game just leaves you with a feeling of rapturous wonder!  The music is so utterly beautiful that it carries you away to the land you are in.  The fact that from time to time you encounter another solitary figure on his or her own journey and the sense of companionship that those meetings bring is sheer brilliance.  You can not talk or type but only communicate through single but varied musical tones.  It works perfectly and calling to one another to solve a puzzle or at a discovery gives the game a sense of true companionship.  It feels like the other entity you have encountered understands what you are seeking and the fellowship between the two of you is intimate and truly consuming.   At the end of the game, every player that you journeyed with has his or her id displayed in the credits.  This game literally creates memories that will last for years or even a lifetime.  I simply can not explain it.  Your traveling companion stays just long enough to be interesting and is not a constant presence. You send much time in solitude.  It is in this quiet time that you are truly immersed in the game.  The landscapes are simplistic but jaw dropping beautiful.   The game play itself is so peaceful it would be an excellent choice to play before bed time.

The sense of the spiritual must be on purpose in this game.  I am Christian and I think of it in this way.    You are on a journey in a strange land, you free other creatures, from time to time you meet others of your kind and you journey together, there are dangers and difficulties, you must persevere, and the ending……oh the ending is such an intense moment of  rapturous beauty that I would not dare ruin it.   You simply have to experience it to understand what I mean.  The game takes a few hours to complete depending on how you go about it, but it is the perfect length.  If you play it, you will know.  The replay value is excellent.  For the cost of $14.99, you get a $10,000 dollar experience.  As I close, I can say with confidence, that this game is a gift to gamers.  I think adults will benefit more than younger kids because of the rest this title brings.  The adult mind and those who think as I do, in symbols and allegory, will be emotionally devastated (in a good way) by this haunting and astonishing game. It is simply the most amazing gaming experience I have ever had. 

Hanna

I had no idea what to expect when I sat down to watch Hanna last night. The movie truly began in the white bleakness of the wilderness and only lead to the bleakness of civilization. The film itself is well done. It has many of the typical “spy” or “action” thriller clichés, but the movie makes use of solid characters to pull off a very sleek film. The film is clearly framed from the beginning to the end with a classy, yet somewhat predictable, opening sequence that is echoed at the end of the movie. However, the movie is just plain fun to watch, and the lovely Saoirse Ronan is just outstanding as Hanna. She is able to pull off the innocent yet honest portrayal of this dangerous character. There are moments of humor and plenty of action. There are a few holes and questions I have but far less than the typical action movie. The story is engaging and well written. There are a few other things that Hanna’s father should have taught her before unleashing her on the world, but these are forgivable as they build the innocent side of the character up. At the very least, Saoirse Ronan’s excellent acting will have me clamoring to see anything else she appears in. I have been impressed by this young lady’s talent since The Lovely Bones and am excited to watch her career unfold. She certainly chooses wonderfully suited roles. Hanna is a fun action movie but has many images of violence and death. I would avoid letting the kids see it.

Let the Right One In

Every now and then a horror movie comes along with such a sharp intellect that it leaves me a fan for life. Let the Right One In is an example of such a film. It has been some time ago that I was able to watch this movie, and it has taken me this long to truly figure out what I want to say about it. I still see the imagery in my mind and will never view falling snow the same way again. Every time I see it in the future, I will be transported to the opening scenes of this film. It is such a strange thing to say that violence has the quality of beauty and poetry. Most of the time violence is clumsy and stupid. Yet, somehow, Let the Right One In manages to harness violence and make it a work of art. The entire film is a comment on bullying and oppression. It is innocence that is not innocent. It is a paradox that I have a hard time resolving and the conundrum it creates in me disturbs me greatly. I simply did not expect what I saw when I sat down to watch the movie in the middle of the night this summer. I expected to see a typical vampire movie and all the expected formulas play out of the screen. Let the Right One In literally breaks the mold of the traditional vampire story. I think the fact that the writer of the novel was allowed to write the script made the film ring true. The film is creepy, scary, nurturing, and warm all at once. The vampire in question is despicable and sympathetic. She is the hero and the villain. Honestly, she is one of the most complex characters I have seen in a long time. She is certainly the most complex vampire to ever grace the silver screen. I won’t spoil anything for those who have not seen the film. Suffice it to say that the ending of the movie is worth the entire experience. It horrifies and makes you want to celebrate simultaneously. It is the most fantastic use of “mind” horror I have seen since the opening of Jaws. It certainly has gore, but most of the horror is thought driven. It is poetic and graceful. It gives me shudders of dread and delight at the same time. I plan on watching the remake Let Me In soon but fully expect it to not measure up to the original. Not for kids, gore and terrifying imagery.

Stake Land: A Road Movie With Bite

Stake Land is a fantastically fun romp that I did not expect. The recent flux of poorly made vampire movies has left me wanting something more. Stake Land is just that movie. The premise of a vampire apocalypse that went world wide has been done before, and most of the elements in Stake Land have been used elsewhere. However, Stake Land is a cut above because of the way it uses these situations. The film is shot in a masterful way and the plot is full on exciting. The strongest point of the film is the characters and the narration is so perfect, that I found the movie easy to “believe.” The use of voice over is so powerful and uncanny that it truly makes the film. In all honesty, this is a frontier road movie that depicts the truest danger as human beings more so than the depraved vampires they must navigate. Of course we have a warped religious fanaticism running amok, but this film also shows an individual with a true sense of Christian faith. This is a rare thing. It was refreshing to see a Christian portrayed as “normal” and “moral” instead of a depraved loon. All in all, Stake Land is a fine film with an excellent musical score. The solid acting combined with the richness of camera work and use of color make this film a special event. I certainly can’t wait to see what the director does in the future. Not for kids; there is some cursing, gore, and disturbing violence to wade through.

A Tale of Two Sisters

A Tale of Two Sisters is a perfect movie. Hands down this the best ghost story, or pseudo-ghost story, I have ever experienced. This movie is a masterpiece. It is difficult to describe the film as anything other than a feast for the eyes and senses. It is visually stunning with camera work that rivals anything I have ever seen. Those interested in cinematography will be masterfully impressed. The acting is Oscar quality, something that is rare in many foreign films. The musical score is wondrous. The writing is tight and is so subtle that the revelations that the script brings slowly broadsides the viewer. It drags us kicking and screaming into the dark world that emerges. The film has a creepy quality worthy of Lovecraft, a visual quality worthy of only the finest directors, and a story that is so character driven that I found myself riveted to the screen for the entire film. The horror that unfolds is a metaphor in reality for so many things. In a sense the film almost has a “Cinderella from Hell” quality. The sins of the characters are played out in such a psychological manner that the ghostly elements seem almost plausible. It is important to note that ghosts do not scare me. I do not believe in hauntings from the dead. Yet, this film is so rich that I was able to completely dispel my sense of disbelief and allow it to carry me away. The sense of loss and horror makes this film stick with you. It works its way into your subconscious, and honestly, had me very disturbed at its conclusion. I watched it in the daytime. It would be best enjoyed in total darkness in a chilly room with a pal or a date. I have purposely stayed completely away from plot details because the discovery of this masterpiece should come naturally and without warning. Suffice it to say that of the many films I have seen and reviewed, (I would guess thousands)this movie now sits in my top ten list of all time. For me, it is a rare thing when a movie unseats a film from my list. A Tale of Two Sisters does just that. Yes, folks, it is that good. I do not have a single criticism. The film is flawless. See it with fear and trembling, and be awed by the inspired way it goes about its task. It is a work of complete perfection. Not for kids as it contains frightening imagery and disturbing elements.