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rashansmith
Reviews
Hanged on a Twisted Cross (1996)
An historically important documentary
This documentary about German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a shocking look at the cowardly behavior and lack of integrity of the leaders of the Roman Catholic church in Nazi Germany during World War II. Bonhoeffer was the leader of a tiny group of clergymen and family members who had the courage to do the right thing, knowing that they might have to pay a high price.
Although the documentary details Bonhoeffer's early life at a leisurely pace before moving on to the more dramatic events of wartime, ultimately it is a fascinating look at what it takes for one man to find the right road. "Hanged on a Twisted Cross" had a powerful impact on me. I watched it a few years ago and it still haunts me.
Tears of the Sun (2003)
An Oscar caliber movie
Tears of the Sun is an intense, emotional movie that relates to important international issues today. One of the things I liked about it was that it made me think deeply about how much easier it is to focus on taking care of the smaller details in life rather than to face the hard decisions about the bigger picture. Kudos to the screenwriters for that. Director Antoine Fuqua took us on a breathtaking journey into the heart of the violent world of his film's characters and kept me on the edge of my seat with the tension. Performances by the entire cast were superb, each character's individuality sharply defined. The haunting music pulled me in at the beginning and left me feeling inspired at the end.