Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review

I went and watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes a few days ago.
And just to give warning, the post has some spoilers.
Here's the synopsis from IMBd

During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

Overall it was worth EVERY PENNY OF THE $9.75 I spent to see it.
I liked the main character (the human).  His drive to find the cure for his dad, who has Alzheimer's was touching.  And it really brought it home when his dad dies in the middle of the movie.
I was incredibly impressed with Andy Serkis's (Gollum from Lord of the Rings) performance as Caesar.  Watching it, I was amazed that it was actually a human, he seemed to act like an ape so much.  The mannerisms were perfect!  A funny thing though (for those who have seen Lord of the Rings) Andy Serkis in the movie bits the the index finger off of a character in the movie.  The exact same finger that he bit off of Frodo's in Lord of the Rings.
It felt bad that I was nearly laughing as this guy got his finger bit off.
The story was thrilling!  I loved watching the final battle on the Golden Gate Bridge.  As it was brute force against guns.  Their is just something cool about massive gorilla's jumping and slamming into helicopters.
The thing that I was most impressed with was that the movie did not thrust evolution down your throat.  And how we evolved.
That was not the point of the movie.  It may have been subtly in the sublayer but it was not the main point.
Their is a bit of romance for the main human character and it felt like it was just thrown in.  As it didn't really advance the story.
It was beautifully done movie overall.  I give it five stars. :)
Watch the trailer below.

Rio Movie Review

I just watched the animated movie 'Rio'.
A quick synopsis of the film.

(From IMDb) When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams.

My thoughts on the movie:
Overall I was impressed on its story structure.  It followed closely the classic three-act-structure like I talked about in a previous post.  Complete with a:

A flawed but sympathetic protagonist                                       

 summons moral courage to face and then overcome                 

 increasingly difficult, seemingly insurmountable moral tests to achieve a compelling desire.

The characters were well defined.  And even in this secular film certain Christian themes bled through(honoring the family, a husband who was devoted to his wife)
Their were plenty of funny moments and great jokes.  The story kept up and held the me interrested. The climax was very well built up to and no
Though their were a few things that weren't so great.
Their was some bizzare humor throughout which was kind of weird.  The end fell a bit flat. Because....
Spoiler ALERT.
Well at the end, Blu and Jewel kiss.  Now how that works don't ask.
That was the only thing that was bad about the movie.
Other than that I liked it.  I give it 3 stars.

And the pop song at the end wasn't bad either. :-)

It is Well With My Soul

Another song that I absolutely LOVE.  So add that genre to the enormous list of genre's that I love.  The story behind this hymn is so amazing.  Horatio Spafford wrote this hymn after his family had died.  If that isn't a complete trust in God, then I don't know what is.  I pray that if that ever happens to me that I will have the same response he had.

So I rearranged it into C, so I could play it with more finesse.
Enjoy.
For sheet music click here.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul, 
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford