Movie Review ~ Chariots of Fire

People look so funny when they're running.

Movie: Chariots of Fire

Director: Hugh Hudson

Year: 1981

Set in: 1919-1924 (Climax at Paris 1924 Olympics)

Rated: Our copy G; some PG or 15. Mild language, etc. 

I would rate it PG

My rating: 7/10-ish

Eric Liddell, son of a Scots Missionary in China.


Harold Abrahams, a Jew, studying at Oxford.


Harold Abrahams raced with the sole aim of winning at all costs because of racial prejudice - he as a Jew.

Eric Liddell raced for the glory of God. He made a classic comparison of life to running a race.

When Harold loses a race, he is not himself for days, he is so upset.

Eric's sister wants him to concentrate on the mission, not racing. But Eric said he thought God gave him the gift of speed. He refused to race on Sunday. He was unswerving in that regard. The paper headlines displayed were "GOD BEFORE MAN" - as it should be.

Harold runs the final race to win for himself.

Eric runs for God's glory.


I won't tell you how it ends - spoilers! - but it is a great movie and well worth watching.

Movie Review ~ Soul Surfer

         
Here's a basic summary of the movie:
Bethany Hamilton is a 13 year old Christian home-schooled girl who lives in Hawaii. Her hobby (or lifestyle) is surfing. One day, she encounters disaster when she is out surfing. The movie tells that story and the story of how, with faith in God, and help from family and friends, they coped with the change, and she got back in the water.

The Characters

Bethany Hamilton is played by Anna-Sophia Robb.

She was a great actor! She was really good at showing the emotion and really played the part.




Her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton, are played by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt. They really seemed to be kind, loving, caring and protective parents.

The boys, Timmy (Chris Brochu) and Noah (Ross Thomas)


They are fun, teasing, but protective brothers, and they really care about their sister.

Alana Blanchard, Bethany's best friend, is played by Lorraine Nicholson.


She and Bethany are best friends, but they have an argument or two. She is very freaked out about the attack.


Malina Birch (Sonya Balmores) is, I think, a made-up character. She is another surfing competitor and doesn't really get along with Bethany. She is mean to her, but Bethany tries to be nice to her.



In the end, Bethany doesn't win her big competition; she caught a great wave just after the time was up. Her dad is annoyed, saying, "It didn't count!" She just smiled. "It counted. It totally counted."
Malina, won over, shares the prize with her. "The judges may not have counted that last wave - but I did."


Overall, this movie is great! The acting is very good, and it is a great girl's movie :) I highly recommend it.


Anna-Sophia Robb and Bethany Hamilton