The integration found in Black Nativity does not stop with the joyful music of the black church with the Nativity story. Writer and Director Kasi Lemmons also integrates fantasy with
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Everyone needs love, forgiveness and a second chance. That simple truth is the theme of Garry Marshall’s holiday film “New Year’s Eve.” Similar to other Marshall films with a positive message
THE CASE FOR FAITH
The visual presentation of Lee Strobel’s book “The Case For Faith” is compelling. As a follow-up volume from his first book, The Case For Christ, the award-winning journalist applies his
TEA WITH MUSSOLINI
In the unexpected compassion of others, we often find the solace we need to survive tragedy. But when that compassion continues in spite of great personal sacrifice, it becomes a
USHPIZIN
It is difficult putting faith on film. When it’s too obvious, its simplistic message doesn’t communicate to a world in pain. But when it’s too hidden, faith is lost in a conundrum of conflicting
TOY STORY
What can we say about a movie with themes of loyalty , friendship, cooperation and love? What can we say about a movie in which the human foibles of competition, betrayal and mutiny are exposed?
TOY STORY II
Like the storytellers of old whose fables created talking animals to teach the moral of the story, the modern story tellers of “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2”, create talking toys in a computer-
My Family - Mi Familia
FOUR STARS – Uplifting, Powerful
Family relationships can be sacred. When families give their members love, commitment, acceptance, trust and forgiveness, they meet spiritual as well as emotional and physical needs. “My Family - Mi Familia” is an extraordinary representation of the spiritual and emotional power of family life which transcends racial and cultural differences.
Set within an immigrant family from Mexico settling in East Los Angeles, author and director Gregory Nava allows us to experience with them the full range of joys and sorrows of family relationships. No matter what the race of the viewer, we all see ourselves in the disappointments, sorrows, hopes and dreams of the Sanchez family. In a wonderful scene of the marriage of the oldest daughter, Jose (Eduardo Lopez Rojas), the patriarch of the family, proclaims the family to be the greatest of all riches.
The fact that the family does not have it easy, nor do all the children appreciate the struggles of their family, underscores the basic need for the spiritual value of a loving family life. Being a member of this kind of family means that even when we reject our parent’s values, the family continues to love us. Even when we fail them, the family forgives us.
The film is presented from the perspective of Paco (Edward James Olmos), the oldest child of Jose and Maria,. As such, the story he writes is a mosaic of impressions, memories and insights.
One insight which expresses both the strength and the joy of family life is the observation that in a large extended family, “there is not much difference between a family crisis and a party.” In this family, members are there for each other in sorrow and in joy. In both instances, the mixture of laughter and tears meld into a satisfying culmination. When one child, the charming and handsome Chucho (Esai Morales) rejects the values of the family and begins to deal drugs and becomes the leader of his gang, we feel the dynamic tension that can be present in every family.
Does a family demand conformity? Are there lines over which, if a family member crosses them, they are no longer welcome in the family home? And how will the family respond to the destruction experienced by the wayward family member? Forgiveness and unconditional love are the life-blood of family life. Only in the dysfunctional and spiritually impoverished family is there no possibility of reconciliation with the prodigal child.
In the spiritually strong family, there is faith that all things will work out, and a continual watching for the opportunity to help it happen. Maria (Jenny Gago), the matriarch of the family, is a woman of deep spiritual presence. Her faith in the continual care of the Virgin and her God gives the family a grace to see them through the journey. She confronts her angry, withdrawn son Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) with the statement that “Marriage is sacred. You do not spit on what is sacred.” The unfolding of the love and trust that develops with his mutually hurting young wife provide some of the most intimate scenes of married love on film.
Eventually, Jimmy must overcome the barriers separating him from his young son with the same tools of unconditional love, acceptance and commitment he received from his parents and learned first-hand with his wife. At the beginning of the film, Jose and Maria agree together as a young husband and wife that children are a great blessing, the greatest of blessings. At the end of the film, sitting at the same table, in the same room, decades later and having seen both the victories and tragedies of their family, they agree together, “We have lived a good life.”
Family is the community in which faith, hope and love can most powerfully be experienced. If these spiritual forces are missing, then our failure to preserve the sacred trust God gave to us will produce a faithless, hopeless and loveless world.