The Urban Intelligensia

This Writer's Life - Movie Review - "The Secret Life of Bees"

Hello readers!

Well, it's Monday and another day back at the grind.  My writing career is in flux again as I deal with the demands of work and school (yes, I'm back at school again).  I need to make time to include my writing and maintaining this blog has been the closet thing to it.  And I still have my one constant freelance writing client, so I have something - I just need to go back to the drawing board and re-start the building on my writing business/career.  I'm even considering returning to school (Emerson) and getting an MFA.  I've heard mixed reviews about an MFA, so it's held me back a bit.  But I need to become a better writer and a more formal setting works for me.  Plus, I miss it.  The class I'm currently taking has to do with reading and while that's all well and good - I need more writing.  That's what I am - a writer.  I need it like the body needs food.  When I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing; which leads me to today's entry.

Movie review!  "The Secret Life of Bees" starring Queen Latifah (aka DANA OWENS), Alicia Keyes, Jennifer Hudson and another fine actress Sofi Okwendo(sp?) as well as Dakota Fanning.  I saw the movie over the weekened and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Although, it did have some story gaps that left me wondering. Here's the gist:

Three sisters - August, May and June Boatride own a home in South Carolina during the 60s.  August is the eldest sister and the matronly one.  June is the youngest sister and the stubborn one.  May is the middle sister and the emotionally broken one.  One day, a teen girl (Fanning) shows up on their doorstep with her housekeeper (Hudson) in tow.  They're fleeing from the police who want Hudson's character's hide and Fanning wants to learn more about her deceased mother and escape her abusive father.

August is welcoming, May goes with the flow and June complains, but eventually the two runaways become a part of the family.  There's romance in this movie, racial issues and family issues.  Death has a role and it strikes the Boatride family. I give this movie two thumbs up.  Go see it and learn about love, pain and the secret life of bees.

Educational Review - "The Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian"

Good early evening, readers!  From time to time, I will use this blog to review movies, books and other forms of entertainment that have educational value.  The following is such a review.  Well, I just saw the movie, Prince Caspian, the sequel to the Chronicles of Narnia franchise (yes, there will be a third movie, more on that in a bit).  I must say it was good, but not as emotionally uplifting as the original.  The educational lessons are this - family, friendship, trust, faith and the power to overcome any obstacle.   ***Spoiler alert - Stop reading if you plan to see the movie!*

"Prince Caspian" gives us the continuing adventures of the Pevensie children -Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. It's a year later for the children (three years later for us moviegoers) and 1300 years after their initial arrival in Narnia.  The children are attending school during the middle of World War I London. Peter, the eldest, is on the cusp of adulthood, but still getting into schoolyard fights.  Edmund has matured since his first Narnian visit.  Susan has begun to get used to living in her world again.  But Lucy, the youngest, still holds out hope of returning to Narnia.  She gets her wish.

Meanwhile, in Narnia, the land has changed.  The Talmarians took over the land soon after the Pevensie children had left.  For 1300 years, they fought and killed the native Narnians causing the survivors to go underground, Aslan to disappear and the magical land to go dormant.  One night, at the castle of the late King Caspian IX, a baby's cry is heard.  The King's brother, Lord Miraz, is now a father.  His wife has given birth to a son and signaled the death of Prince Caspian X.  Fortunately, before Lord Miraz's general can carry out his murderous orders, the Prince's tutor learns of the plan and helps the Prince escape into the Narnian woods. Reluctantly, Lord Miraz's men follow but the prince is captured by Narnian dwarfs and spirited away. But just before being knocked out, the Prince manages to blow on the horn of Aslan which has the power to bring the Pevensie children back to Narnia.

The power of the horn does bring the children back and they are initially filled with joy - until they see how much Narnia has changed.  After saving a dwarf from drowning, the children learn of the Talmarian rule and decide that it must be stopped.  The dwarf leads them through the woods to the remaining Narnians and it's there that they meet Prince Caspian.  They agree to join forces and formulate a plan to storm the castle.  Lucy, the lone voice of reason, holds out hope for Aslan's return.

That's all I'm going to say - if you want to know what happens next - GO SEE THE MOVIE!!!  While it wasn't as spiritually uplifting as it's predecessor - "Prince Caspian" was definitely more action-packed with some funny moments and a bit of romance thrown in. Good does triumph over evil in the end - at a surprising cost.  As Aslan said, "All that you know is about to change."

There will be a third movie - "The Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader."  The studios planned a May 2009 release - but may release the movie this December.   Stay tuned for further details.