Punish Me (Verfolgt)

Who doesn't love a nice story about statutory rape and sadomasochism.  The story of Punish Me is very much like that of Mary Kay Letourneau except that the instead of our protagonist Elsa being her abused minor's teacher, she is his probation officer.  But unlike Mary Kay, Elsa knows when to call an end to the misguided affair.  In the end though, Elsa still loses everything.

As happens to many people, something was missing from Elsa's life.  She did not even realize until Jan came into her charge, yet another troubled teen needing guidance and support.  But Elsa never expected Jan to be so aggressive in his pursuit of her or that she would give in so easily to the temptation of the experience he was offering her.

Both Elsa and Jan were getting from each other something they felt they were missing from their lives.  Unfortunately, Jan's youth prevented him from seeing the truth that the relationship could not be sustained.  It is unfortunate that two lives were destroyed in the pursuit of finding a human connection in this crazy world.  Makes me worry if there is any hope for any of us.

Atonement

Atonement is the story of a young girl, Briony, who reports incorrectly to the police and her parents about something she sees but does not understand.  The central theme of this film reminds me of The Children's Hour, a 1961 film starring Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser from Steel Magnolias) Audrey Hepburn (Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's), as two teachers at a prestigious girl's boarding school who may or may not be lesbian.  Both children making the accusations are thinking they are doing the right thing, but neither understands the magnitude of their words at the time.

Briony spends the rest of her life attempting to make amends for what she now realizes is a false identification.  She admits that in her final novel in which she tells the story that she created sequences.  She claims it is out of kindness to those she has wronged, but isn't it more likely it is her way to ease her guilty conscience.  No matter the true motivation for her manipulating the truth (again) the lives she destroyed were never repaired.

This film is a shocking reminder of times in the past (and present) where accusation becomes fact.  A world in which credibility is never questioned when the answer matches the desire of the accusers.  A scary world to to live in, indeed, at any time.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd marks the 6th collaboration between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (see Edwad Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Based on a Stephen Sondheim musical, Burton's version is dark and brooding.  The songs amplify this mood and make the bloody imagery even more unsettling.

Sweeney Todd's quest for revenge against those who wronged him and his family is understandable and the final irony (you need to watch this Romeo & Julietesque moment for yourself) leaves you speechless.  This serves as a ying to the yang of the love story between Anthony and Johanna.  This formula creates a film that leaves you cheering for both the lovers and the murderer.

In this modern age of vigilante justice, Sweeney Todd can serve as a warning to others, that while perceived justice may be served, but karma is a bitch.

The Einstein of Sex (Der Einstein des Sex)

Before there was Alfred Kinsey, there was Magnus Hirshfeld.  Magnus Hirshfeld (1868 - 1935) was the founder of the Institute for Sexual Research, a facility dedicated to medical assistance and education on all matters related to human sexuality.  The Institute was subject to much criticism and eventually was destroyed by the Nazi war machine.

The Einstein of Sex (Der Einstein des Sex) tells the tale of Hirshfeld from his childhood, early medical career, founding of the Institute, and his eventual exile in Paris in hiding from the Nazi concentration camps.  Much like his successor Kinsey, Hirshfeld is portrayed as a man obsessed with his work and extremely socially awkward.  One wonders if it is the men or the work that causes this poor combination of personality traits.

Like most biopics, this film is only a brief insight into the man and his work.  His contribution to the study of sexuality is inconceivable.  His personal life a complicated one.  This film portrays a man as human as you or I who just happened to have a permanent place in history.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth installment in the series, and Daniel Radcliffe's first appearance as the boy wizard post-Equus, is a much darker film than its predecessors.  While Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ended in the death of Cedric Diggory, this film suffered under a cloud the abuse of power.

The not so subtle subtext behind Hogwart's curriculum being manipulated by conservative zealots at the Ministry of Magic is clearly an indictment of post-9-11 legislation enacted to "protect" civil liberties by taking away those same basic rights from those labeled as terrorists.  

While the film is based on a British novel, the power of film's ability to be open to multiple interpretations, comes through.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a very well balanced, if not predictable, sequel in what appears to be a developing franchise.  The story picks up where the first ended and a new adventure is unfolding, again involving the Gates family role in history, this time involving Thomas Gates role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Along the way new secrets are being revealed and the infamous President's Book of Secrets is found.  A book that supposedly is handed down from president to president with the secrets of the Kennedy assassination and Area 51, among others, with page 47 of the book providing a lead in to another sequel.

In the end the Gates family name is cleared, the world is saved from certain treasure falling into the hands of the bad guys and the treasure is given to a museum for cataloging and preservation.  If only everything is life were wrapped up so cleanly in the end.

Evan Almighty

For those who thought Dogma was blasphemous, Hollywood gave you Bruce Almighty.  For those who thought Bruce Almighty was sacrilegious, there is Evan Almighty.  In this sequel to Bruce Almighty, the story follows Evan Baxter, Bruce Nolan's nemesis, rise Junior United States Congressman to modern-day Noah.

The inspiration for building the ark is not salvation from God's wrath, but his benevolence to save the lives of a new upper middle class community.  Evan suffers for his work building the ark and in many ways becomes both Noah and Christ by sacrificing himself for the greater good.

This film serves as an excellent example of a stand-alone sequel.  The fact that Evan is from the first movie in the series in no way impacts the viewer's understanding of the current story.  This formula provides immense opportunities for future franchise potential through characterizing different Bible characters.  Only time will tell if Hollywood will agree with me on this point.