Goodbye Christopher Robin, in theaters Oct 13th

Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh? Wait, that was a rhetorical question, because I’m sure that somewhere there is a crusty curmudgeon who doesn’t. Poor soul. But what most people don’t understand is the way the beloved bear made his way into the hearts of so many people around the world. And would you believe that, in part, World War I is responsible? And class struggles, and unhealthy family dynamics? And PTSD?

Would you believe that the happiness that Christopher Robin and Pooh brought to the world created so much unhappiness for the Milne family?

 Grab your jar of honey and prepare to be entertained by Fox Searchlight Pictures new release Goodbye Christopher Robin”, but be aware, Eeyore’s sadness is very present throughout this film.

A press release states:

GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children's author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin (Will Tilston), whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie-the-Pooh.  Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War.   But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?

I was allowed to pre-screen the movie (It releases OCT 13^th) and was amazed by the complexity of the story line. It’s fairly simple at first glance:  Upper class ‘shallow’ meets WWI; some people change but others don’t. Men go to war, and return different. PTSD is an ugly companion that disrupts families, and gradually the close relationship between mother and child deteriorates while circumstances lead to an improved relationship between a happy child and his distant father. Thankfully there is a Nanny to be the constant in the little boy’s life.   Out of the father/son relationship comes a book, from that book comes success and fame. From that success comes a breaking of the recently restored relationship. The War to end all wars is followed by another war, with all the pain and sorrow that war brings.

            Goodbye Christopher Robin opens with shots of beautiful country landscapes, and the hedonistic lifestyle of England’s upper class. And then the War starts. Well-known playwright A.A. Milne goes off to war, and returns a changed man. PTSD at its worst. He has been successful, but war changes him. Instead of writing plays for sheer entertainment value, he now wants to write about the horrors of war. He wants answers to the question, “Why do we have wars if nothing changes as a result of the war?” He wants a sense of purpose. Needs a sense of purpose.

            Not-so-understanding wife Daphne, who seems to have been more inconvenienced by the war, than bothered by it, doesn’t see things as her husband does. She, as many of us seem to do, becomes oblivious to evil. As Daphne comments, “Writing against war is like writing against Wednesdays. Wednesdays are a part of life; if you don’t like Wednesday stay in bed, but it’s still Wednesday, and if today’s not Wednesday, Wednesday is coming.”

            Milne wants to write about war, the horrors of war, what it does to nations and to souls, and he answers the question, “Who wants to read about war?” in a very succinct way: “anyone who doesn’t want it to happen again.”

            We all have expectations and hopes, and many of them are false. We look to the wrong things to make us happy, and are surprised when we’re not any happier than we were before.

            And the film is full of teaching moments…things like how PTSD affects the whole family, or a lesson on the restorative power of looking at truth and the world through the eyes of a child. And how success can be overwhelming, and just like other things that are supposed to bring happiness, it can often bring heartbreak. And of course the fact that we all need to feel loved.

            There were some quotes I thought might fit in this review, but taken out of the context of the film, they are nowhere near as powerful as they otherwise are. So you’ll just have to watch the film to glean this snippets of wisdom.  

            This story is a wonderful reminder of how plans sometimes backfire, and success can tear things apart. It’s a story of the aftermath of war, a picture of broken and restored relationships, and a call to learn to love others as they want or need to be loved, not necessarily as we think they should want to be loved.

Thanks to my friends at Grace Hill Media for the opportunity to screen this film.

watch the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxCEXQr1X7g&authuser=0 , and be sure to see the film in theaters when it releases soon.

Update on Jan 27 release of "A Dog's Purpose"

                     A few weeks ago I posted about an upcoming movie: "A Dog's Purpose". read it here  It looked like a fun movie, and even though I don't currently have a dog living in my house and dictating my schedule, I have had several canine friends over the years. 

                   Since I posted that review, a video clip was released by TMZ that paints the treatment of Hercules (a German Shepherd) in a less than positive light. That has caused some concern for many of my friends, and so I reached out to my contacts at Grace Hill Media, and they provided me with this release from the movie's producer:

Statement from A Dog's Purpose Producer Amblin Entertainment and distributor Universal Pictures

Los Angeles, CA (January 18, 2017) - A DOG'S PURPOSE, produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, is a celebration of the special connection between humans and their dogs.  And in the spirit of this relationship, the Amblin production team followed rigorous protocols to foster an ethical and safe environment for the animals.

While we continue to review the circumstances shown in the edited footage, Amblin is confident that great care and concern was shown for the German Shepherd Hercules, as well as for all of the other dogs featured throughout the production of the film. There were several days of rehearsal of the water scenes to ensure Hercules was comfortable with all of the stunts.  On the day of the shoot, Hercules did not want to perform the stunt portrayed on the tape so the Amblin production team did not proceed with filming that shot.

Hercules is happy and healthy.

 The movie is still set to release on January 27 and is described in a press release as:

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A DOG’S PURPOSE, is a sweet and lovable family film that shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.  Told from the perspective of “everybody’s best friend” the film highlights the importance of familial bonds, and the unconditional love we have for our best friends.  The movie stars Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, and John Ortiz.

                  You can watch the trailer HERE

            Dogs have been described as 'man's best friend', and rightfully so. They offer unconditional love, and quickly insinuate themselves into the family.  Their human family becomes their pack, and the loyalty, faithfulness and protective nature are obvious.

       When we brought our son home from the hospital, our last dog had been with us for about 2 years. Shady laid down and we propped Nolan up against him.  For several months, Shady spent most of his time at the feet of who ever was holding the baby. And when an 85 pound dog is between you and the baby, you better make sure that Mom and Dad are comfortable with you being close to that baby. 

What's a dog's purpose? To love unconditionally, and to teach their humans to do the same. 

Greater: Brandon Burlsworth - walk-on to Razorback

First off, let me be clear that I'm not a football fan, I don't follow high school, college or pro football, so I almost said 'no' when the kind folks at Grace Hill Media offered me the opportunity to watch the movie "Greater"  ahead of its release. But in that invitation there was also enough of a hint that this was more than football involved in this movie. And that element of faith was what drew me in. This is not just a movie about football, there are valuable life lessons to be learned by following Brandon's example. You can watch the  trailer here.

Originally scheduled for release earlier this year, Greater, will be in theaters tomorrow, August 26^th, just in time for Back-to-School, and lots of people trying out for the football team. Greater is the story of Brandon Burlsworth, who wanted, from a very  early age, to be an Arkansas Razorback.  Of course there was no way this was going to happen, based on his football skills and abilities, but someone saw something in this young man who refused to take 'no' for an answer, and when on to become, according to a press release,  'the greatest walk-on in the history of college football". 

Throughout the film one can't help but be impressed with Burlsworth's dedication. Even when suggestions on how he might improve are made with a hint of sarcasm, he takes them at face value and when he achieves the goal, heads back with that bubbling spirit, that says "OK, I did that, what's next?" Athletic success doesn't come easy for everyone;, but Burlsworth's hard work certainly paid off for him. Hard work just might be the answer when it seems like everything is going against you. Sometimes when you want to quit, that just means you need to ask what needs to be done, and then do that and more. 

His dad is pretty much out of the picture,  lots of brief appearances followed by broken promises, but he has the unwavering support of his mother, and the sometimes reluctant support  of a much older brother.  And a constant faith in God which gets him through heartbreak after heartbreak.  We have a generation of 'fatherless children' growing up, that's not God's plan, but sometimes that obstacle can be overcome. God, our heavenly Father doesn't disappoint like earthly fathers sometimes (often?) do. 

There are many scenes of Brandon on the practice field earlier than any of his team mates, and staying later, but each day starts with him reading the bible, and every weekend sees him making the drive home from college to accompany his mother to church.  

What makes Brandon's faith standout is not how he tried to prove that he had it, but the simple fact of how he lived it. As time went on the team members who made fun of him for his glasses, his faith, his weight,  or any other reason, saw how he responded and started following his example.  They started going with him to Bible studies, and their lives changed as a result  of his unwavering faith.

The press release (remember I don't follow football in any form) states:  "Eleven days after being drafted into the NFL and before he was able to sign the contract that would have changed the financial status of his family forever, Brandon died in a car accident on his way home. His death stunned the state: He did everything right, and yet he was snatched away before he and his family could enjoy the fruits of his labor."

But the legacy lives on through the charitable foundations founded in his name. Scholarships are given,  and  walk-ons are much more likely to play ball.

Bring the Kleenex!

By the way, this is a giveaway blog. I have a couple of Football jerseys (size "L"), compliments of GraceHill Media. Comment here or on the Face Book to be entered into a random drawing. (please, you need to be in my local area, so I can deliver or you can pick up)