Reviews

"Don't choose a life, live one." While death may seem like the end, it can be a new beginning for those who are affected by it. In Emilio Estevez's independent film The Way, it portrays the hope and lessons that can come from a loss. Daniel Avery, played by Emilio Estevez, sets out to walk the "El camino de Santiago". This was a spiritual path that went through Spain, ending in a cathedral that held the bones of Saint James. Dan set out on the journey and was killed a day into the trip by a violent storm. Dan's father Thomas Avery, played by Martin Sheen, sets across the sea to recover the body. He decides to finish the journey in honor of his son. Along the way he finds himself and meets some fellow pilgrims who have their own trials and tribulations to handle.

This film was moving and heart-felt. It had a relatable theme to anyone who viewed this and that was to not take a loved one for granted. One will never know a loss before it happens so love them like each day is their last. Thomas Avery lost touch with his son after the death of his wife and then it became too late for him to mend the relationship. The Way reminds us that each and every one of us have to choose a path at different times in our life. It may be challenging, but with the support of those who care it can be accomplished. The lighting used throughout the movie is raw, natural lighting. This gives the film a realistic feel, as if one could picture themselves taking this same path.

Not only did lighting make this film engaging, but the music did as well. Music was used to exemplify the mood of many major and minor scenes. Solemn, slow notes were played when Tom was going to view his son's body and as he reminisced on the few memories he had of him. Then, the music became very upbeat as Tom's spirits would be lifted along his journey.

Throughout the movie, Tom would see an image of his son Dan at various places. He might see him up on a hill or beside a tree on a path. Seeing the ghost of his son was a sign that Tom was beginning to miss him dearly. It was not only that but it was a sign that this journey was to bring Tom closer to Dan in the end.

In general, the pilgrimage depicted in The Way, was heavily focused on. It's beginning, meaning and history were told little by little throughout the film. This was done out of respect for those who held it sacred. It was meant to be inspiring and not just a miniscule detail to be overtaken by the broad picture of Dan's death.

Many movies have been centralized around travels and road trips, but not usually a trip taken by foot. The Way is unique in this way and draws greater attention because of its personal feel. Because the travelers are walking, it let's you build a stronger bond with the characters. This choice of transportation makes one realize that this is so much more than just any old road trip. Walking makes "El camino de Santiago" feel like a spiritual journey for the viewer as well.

The camera angles were exceptional throughout The Way. The shots that stood out to me the most were the ones of Tom climbing over hills and mountains. The symbolism just shined through each and every shot. It was symbolic because it was the path he son should have taken, but also because it showed him getting over one "mountain" or tragedy at a time. Tragedies such as the loss of both his wife and son and also carrying the burdens of his new found friends. He led the pack like a beacon of hope.

Overall, this movie evoked very strong emotions. It evoked regret for the times you took a loved one for granted, and sadness for the loss of a loved one taken too early. The Way gave hope that you can redeem yourself from past mistakes. These are just some of the emotions that can be felt from The Way because of its effective use of story telling, music placement and camera angles. It is a great movie that viewers can all grasp a meaningful concept from.

Faith is a beautiful thing in this life, but can there ever be such a thing as too much? The documentary Jesus Camp makes this question a reality. Becky Fischer is a Pentecostal children's minister in North Dakota. She attracts children and families from around the United States to come to her Evangelical camp in Devils Lake, North Dakota. The name of the camp is "Kids on Fire" and it is not your average Bible camp, to say the least. This documentary focuses on three children named Rachel, Tory, and Levi who are fully involved in their Evangelical faith. It is a very radical lifestyle filled with ground shaking beliefs.

Jesus Camp is a shock to those who are ignorant to the extreme religions that are in the United States, including myself. It is incredible that this brainwashing can occur and be kept undercover. Children's minds can be so easily molded it seems sick to teach them such extreme beliefs at a young age. Faith is a very critical component of life, so I believe that this aspect remains important. These children are being raised to coordinate their Evangelical beliefs in every aspect of life.

This film brings about the strong value of a child's mind. They are susceptible to anything that is taught to them. This can be dangerous when they are told to be "soldiers" for their religion. These children are commanded to be ready to die for their faith at any moment. They practically live in fear each day and don't get to enjoy being a child. It is such an extreme religion that Fischer compares her beliefs to that of the Islamic belief. She wants her children to be as prepared as the kids with the grenades in their hands in Palestine.

Jesus Camp had some ironic scenes that they used as fillers between the camp scenes. They were usually a peaceful meadow or an open pasture. This was such a contrast from the chaotic church scenes with young children crying over their sins. It was also ironic, but no coincidence, that the children's families they focused on all had consistent environments at home. Conversations were all based around the evil in our government and school systems. They prayed regularly and swore on the Bible to act according to the set rules.

Another commonality was that they were all home-schooled. Homeschooled children need social interaction to have a chance at being normal. It sadly shows through that these children had little to no social interaction. Levi even tells the camera that people think that he is weird but it does not affect him. He thinks they are the ones in trouble because they are not prepared to be a soldier for God. Overall, I have sympathy for these children because they truly need to be integrated into society to ever be normal.

To discover that this sort of extremism is prevalent in the United States is slowly increasing is frightening to me. These children don't even know the different religions they have a choice to believe. They are told they are the generation that will change this country and they now believe this is their mission. Some of them even started protesting in front of the white house at the age of ten. I could not have prepared myself for this documentary and it was something I would have never picked on my own.

The radio really seemed to be the opposing force throughout the whole film. No one came up to Fischer throughout the film to confront her or question her. It was only at the end that the radio went directly to her to get some answers. People were too shy to say something about her outrageous religious methods. President Bush was a huge supporter of the Evangelical faith so this was probably a reason why people were so afraid. The man in charge of this country was a supporter and no one wanted to go against the President.

Jesus Camp brings about the question of what else children are being taught around this country. There could be so many other religions or cults kept in the dark for fear of controversy like in the movie. Children have minds that can be molded so quickly and easily, parents need to remember to give their children space to explore. It is unfair to control their children's lives to such an extreme extent.

Overall, I found this movie shocking. The fact that this sort of brain washing is being ignored is frightening. This religion is trying to turn into a version of Islam for the United States, which should cause fear for our citizens. There is no need to make five-year-old children soldiers when they cannot even fully understand what they are fighting for.