Race to Witch Mountain

Rating: Rental

Synopsis: Kid aliens and the Rock are trying to save Earth from destruction.

Spiritual Significance: Hard to say....I am sorry but just couldn't resist.  There are of course themes in this Disney reboot of the original (which I haven't seen.)  It deals with trying to set one's life straight, making tough choices to do what's right, not judging the book by its cover, etc.  I went to this movie because I wanted to go with my 14 year old niece and this was the only film that got any decent reviews (she had already seen the Watchmen.)  And it is an enjoyable movie which I will describe as Chevet to "Transformers" Camaro.  Parents shouldn't have trouble sitting through it and teens may like it.  It is clean, teaches a few lessons, and let's the family go on its way.  

The one thing that I found odd however was the directing and editing.  Specifically, Sarah's character played by AnnaSophia Robb and Jack's character played by Dwayne Johnson seemed to have a very "unnatural" chemistry.  I would say that there is more romantic chemistry between the two of them than Dwayne's romantic interest Carla Gugino.  And seeing a 40 year old man with a 15 year old girl (alien or not) is a bit strange.  Now, psychologists reading this may say I am just projecting and I do admit when Anna grows up she will be a beautiful woman.   However, the father-daughter feelings they were going for could have been easily mistaken for something of a different sort.  That is why directing/editing is surprising because they should have picked up on that.    

Henry Poole Is Here

Rating: Rental

Synopsis: A man who has weeks to live chooses to meet his end in solitude near his childhood home. He finds, instead, people that force him to look within and seek a different path.

Spiritual Significance: The energetic pace of this film to me seemed similar to "Lost In Translation." It was slow by design and mimicked the main character's feelings. One had to really stay in the movie to enjoy it but the rewards were there for anyone who persevered.

In spiritual terms this film deals with death and loosing loved ones, God and miracles, hope and coping, relationships, divorce, and child raising. There is plenty to dive into. What interested me as a father was Millie - the 7 year old girl living next to Henry. The pain that child was going through dealing with loosing her father to divorce was heartbreaking. It should remind everyone how difficult divorces are for children and how careful adults need to be. For that alone this movie deserves to be seen. This side story is not its primary purpose but is one that touched me the most.