Saturday, December 10, 2005
Separated at Birth?
Do Austin landmark and Narnia movie share design DNA?
The crown of Austin's Frost Bank Tower...
and the White Witch of Narnia's frosty crown.
12/12/05 update: Lone Star Times commenter Gaw gave me this link...Maybe the Frost Bank tower is indwelt by another force?
The crown of Austin's Frost Bank Tower...
and the White Witch of Narnia's frosty crown.
12/12/05 update: Lone Star Times commenter Gaw gave me this link...Maybe the Frost Bank tower is indwelt by another force?
Friday, December 09, 2005
That’s Narnia Business
He's not a tame lion, but this movie isn't so sure
All my begging and pleading for advance tickets went for naught as I settled for the 11:59 pm showing of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at the Regal Gateway 16 in Austin.
I went in really wanting to love the movie. I recently read or re-read all 7 books from C.S. Lewis’s beloved “Chronicles of Narnia” series. I was also highly expectant of the messianic imagery and Christological themes present in the book that I was hoping would come through in the movie.
The tale of two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve (as Jeff Giles of Newsweek quips, “Soon Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy tumble through the wardrobe into Narnia, where it has long been prophesied that two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam—let's pause to smile over the fact that the director's name is Adamson”) has percolated my interest ever since I saw the trailer in theaters last May, with the wide-eyed Lucy happening upon a dusty old wardrobe thus imparting a true sense of wondrous expectation.
So, I bundled up and braved the unseasonably cold Austin evening (the low temperature Thursday was a record 23 degrees on December 8….has Queen Jadis arrived in Central Texas?), and trundled up to the theater for the midnight opener.
I found that the film stayed very close to the narrative of the book in terms of plot development and characters. The key themes of temptation, fall, betrayal, sacrifice, resurrection, redemption, and sanctification are clearly represented, as they were in the book. The opening exchange between Jadis and Edmund is such a good illustration of devilish temptation that pastors should use this sequence in their sermons on the topic.
The Pevensie children are played with aplomb by William Mosely, the protective Peter, Anna Poppelwell, the logical Susan, Skandar Keynes, the peevish Edmund, and Georgie Henley, the wide-eyed Lucy. Young Miss Henley simply shines in this role as she represents all who share her wonderment, awe, and childlike (not childish) faith. Aslan’s frosty foil, the White Witch, is played with freeze dried nastiness by the freonically charged Tilda Swinton. I noticed the temperature drop in the theater when she was on screen.
I was also glad for the ways the producers filled in the gaps in the story. The opening sequence of the blitz is exactly how I thought they should start, simultaneously initiating the premise of story while grabbing the viewers’ attention.
The battle scene, which takes all of two paragraphs in the book is fleshed out with frenetic action and harrowing (but not gory) detail. Maugrim the wolf and head of the Witch’s secret police gets significantly more airtime in the movie. Voiced bySim Evan-Jones Michael Madsen, he sounds just like you’d expect a malevolent wolf in charge of internal security to sound: greasy and demeaning as he toys with his prey, a carnivorous used car salesman.
However, the production suffers from some small flaws and large. First, the Witch has a crown of gold in the book, not inverted icicles. Furthermore, Peter rides a unicorn into battle. But anyone who has read chapter 9 of The Last Battle , the last Narnia book, knows that no one would dream of riding on a unicorn. And the producers let a little political correctness sneak in when Father Christmas gives weapons to the children but tells the girls, “I hope you don't have to use them because battles are ugly and fierce” instead of the original "I do not intend you to use them, for battles are ugly when women fight".
The bigger challenges to the movie are the nearly impossible expectations and the nature of Aslan himself. Coming after the Harry Potter and especially Lord of the Rings movies, the bar is pretty high when it comes to epic scenes, drama, and production values. This film mainly lives up to them and sometimes borrows from them. For example, when Jadis hisses to her minions “We’ve got work to do”, you can’t help but be reminded of Saruman, another white-clad, nihilistic villain, from Lord of the Rings uttering the same line. Yet the animation and cinematography, which are very good, merely look routine by comparison.
Aslan seems a little tamer than one described as "not a tame lion" should be. Sure, killing Jadis is pretty buff, but the sense that Aslan is both not safe and good is blurry. In fact, that very line by Mrs. Beaver, “ ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good,” is left out of the beavers’ house scene. This is one of the best lines in the whole book because it so clearly and concisely encapsulates who Aslan is. Furthermore, what should be roars range from deep growls to rather mellow bellows. Yet, in the book, “….when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare look at it. And they saw all the trees in front of them bend before the blast of his roaring as grass bends in the meadow before the wind.” This is more than a stylistic preference. To fully appreciate Aslan’s warmth, wise counsel, suffering, and sacrifice, you also have to fully grasp the terrifying power he restrains to let those other characteristics come through when he wills them.
Alas, we do learn at the end that “He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.” I just wish that point had been driven home more clearly during the proceeding 2 hours.
These minor foibles aside, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is a splendid movie and I recommend you see it, both for it’s sense of wonder and adventure, as well as the clear presentation of the book’s messianic imagery and Christological themes.
Technorati tag: narnia
All my begging and pleading for advance tickets went for naught as I settled for the 11:59 pm showing of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at the Regal Gateway 16 in Austin.
I went in really wanting to love the movie. I recently read or re-read all 7 books from C.S. Lewis’s beloved “Chronicles of Narnia” series. I was also highly expectant of the messianic imagery and Christological themes present in the book that I was hoping would come through in the movie.
The tale of two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve (as Jeff Giles of Newsweek quips, “Soon Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy tumble through the wardrobe into Narnia, where it has long been prophesied that two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam—let's pause to smile over the fact that the director's name is Adamson”) has percolated my interest ever since I saw the trailer in theaters last May, with the wide-eyed Lucy happening upon a dusty old wardrobe thus imparting a true sense of wondrous expectation.
So, I bundled up and braved the unseasonably cold Austin evening (the low temperature Thursday was a record 23 degrees on December 8….has Queen Jadis arrived in Central Texas?), and trundled up to the theater for the midnight opener.
I found that the film stayed very close to the narrative of the book in terms of plot development and characters. The key themes of temptation, fall, betrayal, sacrifice, resurrection, redemption, and sanctification are clearly represented, as they were in the book. The opening exchange between Jadis and Edmund is such a good illustration of devilish temptation that pastors should use this sequence in their sermons on the topic.
The Pevensie children are played with aplomb by William Mosely, the protective Peter, Anna Poppelwell, the logical Susan, Skandar Keynes, the peevish Edmund, and Georgie Henley, the wide-eyed Lucy. Young Miss Henley simply shines in this role as she represents all who share her wonderment, awe, and childlike (not childish) faith. Aslan’s frosty foil, the White Witch, is played with freeze dried nastiness by the freonically charged Tilda Swinton. I noticed the temperature drop in the theater when she was on screen.
I was also glad for the ways the producers filled in the gaps in the story. The opening sequence of the blitz is exactly how I thought they should start, simultaneously initiating the premise of story while grabbing the viewers’ attention.
The battle scene, which takes all of two paragraphs in the book is fleshed out with frenetic action and harrowing (but not gory) detail. Maugrim the wolf and head of the Witch’s secret police gets significantly more airtime in the movie. Voiced by
However, the production suffers from some small flaws and large. First, the Witch has a crown of gold in the book, not inverted icicles. Furthermore, Peter rides a unicorn into battle. But anyone who has read chapter 9 of The Last Battle , the last Narnia book, knows that no one would dream of riding on a unicorn. And the producers let a little political correctness sneak in when Father Christmas gives weapons to the children but tells the girls, “I hope you don't have to use them because battles are ugly and fierce” instead of the original "I do not intend you to use them, for battles are ugly when women fight".
The bigger challenges to the movie are the nearly impossible expectations and the nature of Aslan himself. Coming after the Harry Potter and especially Lord of the Rings movies, the bar is pretty high when it comes to epic scenes, drama, and production values. This film mainly lives up to them and sometimes borrows from them. For example, when Jadis hisses to her minions “We’ve got work to do”, you can’t help but be reminded of Saruman, another white-clad, nihilistic villain, from Lord of the Rings uttering the same line. Yet the animation and cinematography, which are very good, merely look routine by comparison.
Aslan seems a little tamer than one described as "not a tame lion" should be. Sure, killing Jadis is pretty buff, but the sense that Aslan is both not safe and good is blurry. In fact, that very line by Mrs. Beaver, “ ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good,” is left out of the beavers’ house scene. This is one of the best lines in the whole book because it so clearly and concisely encapsulates who Aslan is. Furthermore, what should be roars range from deep growls to rather mellow bellows. Yet, in the book, “….when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare look at it. And they saw all the trees in front of them bend before the blast of his roaring as grass bends in the meadow before the wind.” This is more than a stylistic preference. To fully appreciate Aslan’s warmth, wise counsel, suffering, and sacrifice, you also have to fully grasp the terrifying power he restrains to let those other characteristics come through when he wills them.
Alas, we do learn at the end that “He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.” I just wish that point had been driven home more clearly during the proceeding 2 hours.
These minor foibles aside, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is a splendid movie and I recommend you see it, both for it’s sense of wonder and adventure, as well as the clear presentation of the book’s messianic imagery and Christological themes.
“You aren’t dead then, dear Aslan?” said Lucy.12/10/05 Update: I had occassion to view "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" again this afternoon. As often happens, I picked up on several new things the second time I saw the movie:
"Not now,” said Aslan.
- Edmund tries to save the picture of his father during the film's opening sequence, only to see it broken. Then, when the children visit Mr. Tumnus' home after it's been ransacked, Edmund looks down to see the portrait of Mr. Tumnus' father laying on the ground, scratched by a wolf. These images are too consistent to be coincidental, but I'm not sure about the significance.
- Susan and the witch both utter the word "impossible", Susan upon entering Narnia, Jadis upon seeing the resurrected Aslan. But notice Susan eventually overcomes her disbelief to serve Aslan, Jadis remains in rebellion.
- I didn't pick up on how annoyingly cynical Susan is the first time around. She actually begs Peter to listen to Maugrim and put his sword down, when doing so would've meant certain peril.
- Lucy and Susan following Aslan to the Stone Table seem to be effigies of Mary Magdelene and the other women who followed Jesus to the crucifixion, as well as witnessed His resurrection.
- The Sword. In the bible, God's Word is referred to as the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus uses the Word of God to fend off Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. After Peter kills Maugrim, Aslan adminishes Peter to clean his sword, which could be an allusion to improving one's knowledge of and ability to use scripture. Also, Peter grows quite adept at using his sword and uses it to keep the Witch at bay until Aslan arrives. Perhaps this is a lesson that believers need to stay up on their ability to use scripture to combat the devil's schemes until Jesus returns to set things right.
- "So much for love". The Witch says this just as she's killing Aslan. Yet, this line is not in the book. What's it's significance?
- Of Deep Magic and Deeper Magic: Deep Magic is mentioned several times in the movie, but the Deeper Magic is not discussed in as many words. The theology of Deep Magic and Deeper Magic is probably a bit abstract and the filmakers maybe did not have the time or wherewithal to broach these topics and keep the film moving along. I think Deep Magic refers to the Law, or Old Testament commands. Deeper Magic seems refer to love, grace and justice, representing the characteristics of God that have existed since time eternal. This topic probably deserves it's own post....
Technorati tag: narnia
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Day of Infamy
64 years today, the treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the US into a worldwide conflagration, resulting in greater leadership and involvement in world affairs. Nearly 2400 of our countrymen lost their lives that day. As we remember them, also remember that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. (HT for the Pearl Harbor link to Jeremy at Lone Star Times)
Aslan is on the move...
" 'All shall be done,' said Aslan. 'But it may be harder than you think.' "
12/9/05 update: My movie review of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is posted here.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe debuts this Friday and I am totally stoked. My interest was piqued a few years ago when I first heard that Disney was taking up the project. That interest has continued to percolate since seeing the first trailer in theaters last May. And now we're nigh unto its coming.
I am particularly interested in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" (aka" LW+W") because of the messianic imagery and Christological themes present in the book that I am hoping come through in the movie. When pondering the deeper meaning of the story, consider these questions:
In the meantime, here are some useful resources to learn more about the spiritual side of LW+W:
12/7/05 Update: Narnia in the News
World Magazine: Describes the history of bringing the book to the screen as well as the influence of Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis' stepson, on the production. Online movie review coming December 8.
Christianity Today: Links o' plenty.
Newsweek: Story and interview with the cast. Money quote: "Soon Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy tumble through the wardrobe into Narnia, where it has long been prophesied that two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam—let's pause to smile over the fact that the director's name is Adamson"
US News and World Reports: Thorough expose on C.S. Lewis. Interesting quote:
12/14/05 Update: OneTrueGodBlog has some dynamite resources on Narnia, theology, and asking the right questions.
12/9/05 update: My movie review of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is posted here.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe debuts this Friday and I am totally stoked. My interest was piqued a few years ago when I first heard that Disney was taking up the project. That interest has continued to percolate since seeing the first trailer in theaters last May. And now we're nigh unto its coming.
I am particularly interested in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" (aka" LW+W") because of the messianic imagery and Christological themes present in the book that I am hoping come through in the movie. When pondering the deeper meaning of the story, consider these questions:
- Why is it always winter but never Christmas in Narnia?
- What is the Deep Magic and the Deeper Magic?
- Why is Edmund condemned to death?
- Why does Aslan's death save Edmund?
- How can some thing be good and terrible at the same time? What does it mean to say Aslan is not safe, but He is good?
- What is the Stone Table and why is it broken when Aslan returns?
In the meantime, here are some useful resources to learn more about the spiritual side of LW+W:
- Using the Narnia Film as Outreach: Useful links for engaging others about the spiritual themes in LW+W
- Starting Spiritual Conversations within your Community: Outreach materials and ideas for events
- The Soul of the Lion: Dr. Gene Edward Veith from World Magazine has authored a book on the deeper meaning of LW+W. This site includes the first chapter from his book and links to some discussion questions.
12/7/05 Update: Narnia in the NewsWorld Magazine: Describes the history of bringing the book to the screen as well as the influence of Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis' stepson, on the production. Online movie review coming December 8.
Christianity Today: Links o' plenty.
Newsweek: Story and interview with the cast. Money quote: "Soon Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy tumble through the wardrobe into Narnia, where it has long been prophesied that two daughters of Eve and two sons of Adam—let's pause to smile over the fact that the director's name is Adamson"
US News and World Reports: Thorough expose on C.S. Lewis. Interesting quote:
It came upon him in public school, when Lewis, always a precocious reader, discovered that he was one of the rare students possessed of real aesthetic sense--"good taste," as he more simply put it. Arrival at that knowledge, he wrote, "involves a kind of Fall. The moment good taste knows itself, some of its goodness is lost. Even then, however, it is not necessary to take the further downward step of despising the 'philistines,' who do not share it. Unfortunately I took it." To separate oneself from run-of-the-mill humanity was, for Lewis, the beginning of self-idolatry, the real sin of pride. And such self-worship, he believed, was also the prevailing vice of the modern world.12/10/05 Update: Dr. Marc T. Newman of MovieMinistry.com does a splendid examination of the spiritual themes present in LW+W.
"The film version of 'The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe' sticks to the essentials of the book. It contains plenty of theology, but director Andrew Adamson has knocked the stuffiness out and presents Lewis' ideas so clearly that they can be latched onto with a ferocity lacking in the average Sunday School lesson."Indeed, Read the whole post.
12/14/05 Update: OneTrueGodBlog has some dynamite resources on Narnia, theology, and asking the right questions.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Support Austin Sanity Blogging
Local blog Urban Grounds is up for a Weblogs Award in his readership group. UG is at the forefront of the vanguard conservative blogs challenging the reigning leftist orthodoxy of Austin. My vision is that the array of right leaning local blogs will be a virtual 95 theses nailed to the door that sparks a reformation towards normalcy in the Weird City.
Vote here. This being the web, Chicago voting rules apply: vote early and often.
Vote here. This being the web, Chicago voting rules apply: vote early and often.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
A Rosy Life for Vince?
After UT's massacre of Colorado in Saturday's Big 12 Championship, which clinched the Longhorn's spot in the Rose Bowl for the national championship, there has been speculation not only of Vince Young's Heisman chances, but whether or not he's going to forego his final year of eligibility for this year's NFL Draft. To put it bluntly, I don't think he should go to the NFL this year.
The NFL Draft Countdown website has Vince currently placed at #12 in the first round. While that may change after the Heisman announcement and the Rose Bowl, I don't think it will change enough to make me change my mind. There are more pro's in my book for Vince staying at UT than there are for him going to the NFL.
If he stays for his senior year, I believe Vince will be able to lead the Longhorns to next season's championship game again, and possible back to back championships. Additionally, I believe Vince can win next year's Heisman. There's some doubt this year after his shaky performance in UT's game against the Aggies. I think he can go #1 in next year's draft, especially if UT beats USC in January and follows it up with another championship next year which I fully believe they are capable of doing under Vince's leadership.
The biggest arguement in my book, though, is that I believe Vince should finish his degree before going to the NFL. I'm generally opposed to college athletes going pro before they complete a degree. That goes for all sports, not just football. 'College' comes before 'athlete' in my book. Yes, I know that some athletes use college only as a springboard for professional sports, but that doesn't negate the importance of having a college degree. God forbid something happens to cut a professional career short; but in those instances where it does happen, it's better to have a college degree to fall back on.
I have to give kudo's to Matt Leinart, who could have gone # 1 last year's NFL draft, but chose to stay at USC for his senior year. As a result he is not only in his 3rd national championship game, but also defending his Heisman award as one of this year's top centenders, and is the presumptive #1 draft pick. To top is off he's going to have a degree from USC, which I must admit doesn't hurt the resume any. Let's hope Vince follows his example.
The NFL Draft Countdown website has Vince currently placed at #12 in the first round. While that may change after the Heisman announcement and the Rose Bowl, I don't think it will change enough to make me change my mind. There are more pro's in my book for Vince staying at UT than there are for him going to the NFL.
If he stays for his senior year, I believe Vince will be able to lead the Longhorns to next season's championship game again, and possible back to back championships. Additionally, I believe Vince can win next year's Heisman. There's some doubt this year after his shaky performance in UT's game against the Aggies. I think he can go #1 in next year's draft, especially if UT beats USC in January and follows it up with another championship next year which I fully believe they are capable of doing under Vince's leadership.
The biggest arguement in my book, though, is that I believe Vince should finish his degree before going to the NFL. I'm generally opposed to college athletes going pro before they complete a degree. That goes for all sports, not just football. 'College' comes before 'athlete' in my book. Yes, I know that some athletes use college only as a springboard for professional sports, but that doesn't negate the importance of having a college degree. God forbid something happens to cut a professional career short; but in those instances where it does happen, it's better to have a college degree to fall back on.
I have to give kudo's to Matt Leinart, who could have gone # 1 last year's NFL draft, but chose to stay at USC for his senior year. As a result he is not only in his 3rd national championship game, but also defending his Heisman award as one of this year's top centenders, and is the presumptive #1 draft pick. To top is off he's going to have a degree from USC, which I must admit doesn't hurt the resume any. Let's hope Vince follows his example.
