The Second Chance (movie)

I started watching this movie expecting the worst. Either the acting would be horrible, the plot shallow, or I would be overwhelmed by outright sappiness. Before you think I make this judgment about all Christian films (just most), I’ll explain that this movie doesn’t even seem to have made it to theaters. I know of no one else (other than those who watched it with me) who has seen it, in the churchworld or otherwise.

My first indication that this movie would surprise me was the rating. It’s not often you find a Christian movie rated PG-13. This may explain some its lack of success. For anyone wondering, the movie is clean, but deals with real inner city issues like drugs, gangs, and prostitution, thus the rating. There are also a few uses of language, none of which are gratuitous. My second indication that this movie was different was that I found myself disliking the main character. As a matter of fact, most of the characters in this movie are ambiguous, with both appealing and appalling characteristics. This is essential to good story, and it was in fact used quite well.

I don’t want to give away the whole premise of the movie, but you must know that its purpose is to challenge, convict, and awaken. There are no easy answers provided. Because of this, the natural demographic for Christian movies is put off, but you shouldn’t be. Find a copy of this movie somewhere (you can borrow mine if you’re close) and watch it.

Skype

It has been quite some time since I've blogged on something other than books, but I do note that these reviews are of the things that make life interesting. Even though I believe books to be a strong part of that, I sometimes feel the need to share about other interesting things. Things like Skype, for instance.

I admit that the last time I seriously spend time "chatting" or "instant messaging" was in the late 1990's. Thus, when a friend encouraged me to sign up for Skype, I was skeptical. On the other hand, this friend happens to be in Australia, and after finally breaking down and signing up, I just had what was in essence a free phone call with her for almost thirty minutes. Wow. At any point in the conversation, we could have a Jetsons style webcam aided conversation, we could switch to type-only chatting, and we could have a traditional phone conversation. And it was all free. If you haven't signed up, go to Skype.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith

Never have I appreciated the Third Person omniscient as much as I do when I read the stories from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. There. I haven’t used such a sterile term to describe a book since my 8^th grade book reports. And yet, it does the job. This selection for “Point of View” is brilliant for an author who seems to understand humanity better than most. While this is the case in almost all this series, it is particularly delightful in Blue Shoes and Happiness, where each character inevitably has thoughts of the weaknesses of those around them. Their relationships are highlighted by these little insights which characters carry, but will never reveal. How much people know about us, but never say! And aren’t we grateful to them for it?

Mma Makutsi has a penchant for unpractical shoes, Mma Potokwane inevitably manipulates and bullies, but only for the good of the orphans, Phuti Radiphuti is more traditional than he lets on, and so on. These character flaws, clear to the reader, and especially within the thoughts of other characters, are never spoken aloud. How an ongoing theme of tact could possibly be as rewarding as McCall Smith makes it is beyond me. In this volume, the rule of tact is forgotten on one issue – Mma Ramotswe’s “traditional” and generous figure, and unhappiness results. Thank God for the comfort of friends when such unspoken rules are broken. Thank the old Botswana morality. These things are not important, after all.