Slow movie weekend, that's for sure

The December Boys - This movie was pretty good.  It reminded me quite a bit of Stand By Me.  4 boys from anything but desirable backgrounds.  Orphans growing up in the Outback, that share the adventure of a Holiday at the cove, where they begin to fight for the potential placement with another family on holiday there as well.  It has that same Stand By Me. feel to it, complete with the, touch the dead body, scene.  I just did not get the significance of the big black horse until the end.  He did have a purpose, but you have to listen to the lessons in the story to understand.  It was nice, and heartfelt.  Worth the rental.

Beowulf - I was looking forward to this movie.  We read this in 6th grade (in Bellevue...it would be way over Westmoreland School's head)  I remember loving the story, all be it hard to read.  Of course once this movie started I wanted to turn it off.  It's digitally enhanced like the movie 300, and just as grotesque.  Ridiculous amounts of blood and guts, and then naked Beowulf fighting with Jackie Chan like moves....but I hung in there just to complete the poem.  The ending was a bit gripping.  The final fight with his dragon son had me hooked.  I say if you liked 300 then rent this...otherwise, just read the book.

Max - This is an older movie, but I saw that it was on and about Hitler so I had to watch.  The man just fascinates me...how did he get so many people to believe in his insanity, and worship him!?....I know there are cult leaders with their little followers, but this guy convinved an entire nation.  I just don't get it.  This story was not about the war however.  This covered more of how Hitler came to be after WWI.  This was a story I did not know.  Cusack plays an art dealer and tries to help Hitler to sell his work...a jewish art dealer by the way.  The government left him (Hitler) broke and homeless after the war so they solicite him to speak about the purity of the race in exchange for pay and shelter.  The art dealer tries desperatly to help him, and convince him to channel some of his ranting speech passion into his art...but instead Hitler finds himself drawing the future.  Ironically, he scetches what would some day be his symbol for the Third Reice and buildings he would have soon have constructed.  On the night that they should meet to discuss his latest work, the army intervienes.  When the dealer fails to show, Hitler leaves disappointed and angered.....sadly, we know where the story goes from there.  Tis was not a good movie, but it was a bit of a history lesson for me.  Rent it if you are a WWII buff.