The Pacifier

Yes, yes, I know, The Pacifier came out two years ago. But a recent viewing with my family and subsequent discussion has brought it back to my attention.
It isn't a really great movie, to be sure... The entire plot is decidedly far-fetched, there is some profanity, and the acting isn't exactly award winning. However, besides being a hilarious comedy, the ideas presented are unusually good. For instance:

Unlike so many Hollywood movies of this sort, Pacifier features *gasp* a strong, smart male lead. Yes, Lt. Shane Wolf has issues when he first arrives; having never dealt with children before, he tries to treat the Plummer children as if they were his subordinates in the military. But he quickly adapts, treating them more gently without backing down from his principles, and earns their respect and affection.

This is a movie where the love and support of family during hard times is held in high regard. The mother of the family cares for her children and still loves her deceased husband, and while the kids isolate themselves at first because of grief over their father's death, they learn how to work together and comfort each other. Last, but not least, Shane comes to value family, even to the point of giving up his successful military career to stay near those he loves.

Then there is Claire Fletcher, the school principle that Shane ends up falling for. Refreshingly neither sickly sweet nor disgustingly tough, she uses her military background more as a basis for administrating the school effectively than for helping to conquer the bad guys (although she does a little of that as well). She treats the children in her care kindly while insisting on respect, and deals with the egotistical vice-principle with lady-like intelligence.

Be careful, Hollywood, you are treading on dangerous ground, spreading ideas like that. Especially to kids... they might actually grow up thinking that it's cool for men to be defenders and providers, that traditional families are to be sought after, and that women can be both intelligent and feminine.

Redemption and the Beast

Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege to be slightly involved in our community theater's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I say slightly, because officially my role is "choreographer's assistant" which means that they really don't need me, but I wormed my way in anyway in order to watch and learn from the real choreographer. It's a nice place to be, because unlike all the cast (who are working their tails off), I get time to sit back and watch... and think.
You see, I've always liked this story, whether on screen or in the more traditional written form, and being immersed in it has got me wondering: Why? Why does this particular fairy tale touch me so much? What does it have that say, Cinderella, or the Ugly Duckling don't?
What about this:

First of all, this is a story about Redemption. Think about it... the main plot is essentially our story, the story of a fallen creature finally redeemed through the love of someone more perfect than himself. We are all the Beast.

It also has some beautiful portrayals of Sacrificial Love. No matter what version you are watching or reading, Beauty always sacrifices her freedom for her father, and in the end the Beast sacrifices his own happiness and nearly his life for Beauty.

Then in a beautiful portrayal of our own Resurrection, the Beast is suddenly released from his fallen form and steps into "Happily Ever After". And isn't that what we all long for, in the end?

Happy Birthday America!

God shed His Grace on Thee...