Posted on 10/27/2007 5:08:22 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
Saw it. Loved it. Would love to hear what you think. Ideas about promoting the movie also welcome.
ping
ping
Would you mind giving some background?
I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed it, after you made such an effort to see it! I’m reminded of my 11th birthday, when we drove two hours to Quincy, IL, to see “Star Wars.”
Who’s Bella?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916853/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916172/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915942/posts
And here's the official trailer from the movie Bella
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915699/posts
And some YouTube about the star, Eduardo VerasteguiL Eduardo's Story
ping - forgive me if you get a 2x ping
Very well made and engrossing film. Well made in the sense that the people who made it cared for the story they are telling.
It’s about choices - the choice Jose’ made to accept responsibility for his actions; the choice the Chinese man in the deli made to not do that; and the choice that Nina makes with a little help from her friend.
How about that? I usually don’t even remember characters’ names after I walk out of the theater.
See it!
3 of my guy friends went with me and liked it. My mom saw it herself on Friday and she loved it as well.
I've been horrified, but not surprised by most of the negative reviews. However, there was someone in the Catholic Hollywood community who really panned the film, and it really seemed like she has some kind of personal agenda against the producers of the movie. You can read her take at http://churchofthemasses.blogspot.com/. But I warn you, you may end up angry enough to spit.
A priest I know who interviewed the producer for his radio show was very impressed. He mentioned he was going to try to go see it this weekend. I’ll get back to you on what he thinks about it.
Oh, I should have added that I had the opportunity to meet Eduardo, the actor who played Jose, two of the producers (one is my friend and I used to work for him), and the director (I only shook his hand and saw him from afar at dinner). They’re really the real deal. The “non-friend” (though I wish I had a chance to know him better) producer loves the Traditional Latin Mass, is really well-versed in his faith (he had a whole bag of Catholic books with him when I met him the first time), and is a really stand-up, nice guy.
Do an FR search for Bella
Plenty background there.
I just saw the movie, and loved it.
As a father of three adopted children, it reminded me of how lucky I am.
I think it’s interesting to see what different opinions people have. Based on the “review” in the blog you linked, Pyro, I’ll probably like “Bella,” when the DVD turns up in my local library. I’m not a sophisticated film viewer.
However, I do agree with the blogger’s opinion that the Catholic faith does not require us to view any particular entertainments. I don’t agree that we “must” see any program for religious reasons. I didn’t agree when that was said about “The Passion,” and I don’t agree now.
If a production is enjoyable, it will draw an audience, without anyone’s being told they have to see it to prove their Catholic or Christian credentials.
From http://www.margaretsanger.blogspot.com/ :
A few of us attended Bella last night and movie was everything that had been promised. Powerful, moving and entertaining. You really must see it to appreciate it.
But far more importantly, get out there and help demonstrate that there is a market for good, clean, entertaining movies that reflect Catholic values. If you do not get out there and support this movie, you can never again complain about the garbage Hollywood shovels out.
I think I’ll go be depressed by the idea of “Saw IV.” It’s the “IV” that really makes it ...
Bump
My wife and I saw it this weekend (thanks for bringing it to my attention with your post). Bella was an excellent movie. It is unusual to see a movie in which agape rather than eros is chosen as the focus of the plot. We loved it.
This movie is as a magician saying to the audience, “Look there (thinking: while I do this here without you noticing)”. The movie would be put on the Index for the reason the woman, “Nina”, became pregnant out of wedlock; but, then, if she behaved morally in the first place, the movie would not have been made.
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