The Wrestler

I have not seen Sean Penn's Oscar winning performance in Milk, but unless Penn actually took a bullet in the making of the film I do not see how he could have outdone Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's harrowing The Wrestler. Rourke is mesmerizing with his shear size and presence throughout the film. Aronofsky fills every frame with the broken giant and Roarke abliges him by creating a character with an aura that outshines even the most earnest of supporting performances, and this is a superb supporting cast. Rourkes character, Randy, is, as his daughter, Stephanie, played by Evan Rachel Wood, describes him, "a living, breathing fuck-up." He has been selfish, irresponsible and whole-heartedly single minded in his pursuit of success in professional wrestling. However, wrestling has not given nearly as much back, or, at least, not of the things most people count as truly important. Randy is alone in the autumn season of his life and while he has developed a sincere bond with, Pam, his favorite stripper, he struggles to push the relationship beyond business because of the sordid circumstance under which they have met. At the same time Randy hopes to repair the seemingly irreparable breach in his relationship with his daughter.

It becomes obvious by the end of this story that this is not a story of redemption, but of destiny. While I cannot agree with the thesis put forward by Aranofsky with this film, I cannot ignore that is a powerful story of warning to those who live for themselves, and singularly invest themselves in their work without regard for relationships or the consequences that come from such a life with blinders.

Jesus For President

According to Shane Claiborn and his co-writers, our allegiance to our country is incompatible to our allegiance to Christ. Christ asks that we be peace makers, but if we are to be peacemakers how can we perpetrate war and military occupation in 150 countries around the world. Jesus For President tells us by way of several church historians that early roman converts to Christianity gave up their positions of power both in the Roman military and regular political office. Claiborne makes a good point that these Christians could not take part in the imperial enterprise of Rome, however, the question as to whether America is Rome of its time is a tougher case to make. Is America's military presence in the world excessive? I think the clear answer is yes. Does that make us imperialists. I certainly cannot liken our presence in Japan to that of Britains in India or the Dutch presence in South Africa. These were clearly more oppressive. However, up until recently, our control over the Iraqi government did seem oppressive. When the democratically elected prime minister of an American liberated country has to ask America to leave I believe this means we have over-stayed our welcome.

Teeth - This is a review of a movie about a girl with teeth in her vagina. If that weirds you out, don't read this. Thanks.

No matter what I say about this movie, everyone will grown at the mere premise. It's about a young abstinence preaching girl with teeth in her vagina. Whatever theory I put forth about how this story turns an absurdly sexist urban legend on its ear. It snatches the sexual upper hand from all men and hurls the result in their faces. Most people would laugh at what I've said before and after they have watched this film. They will call it B movie exploitation, which, believe it or not, is not an unfair evaluation. That is what makes this movie so unique. It actually functions as both a stinging satire of male, sexual dominance and a coal black horror comedy.

The film's anti-heroine, Dawn, played by Jess Wexler, is a beautiful young, abstinence preaching high school girl, who has been petrified of her sexuality ever since she bit the end of her step-brother's finger off with her vagina dentata, which she later learns was believed to be a curse by many civilizations that must be conquered by a brave hero's "holy sword." The metaphor and satire are oozing from every chapter of this story, as Dawn's curse becomes less and less of a burden and more a holy weapon of her own. Dawn becomes the great white warrior of female sexuality, and while I hold no personal stake in this battle of the sexual organs, I could not help giving a hell yeah when Dawn realizes the power she holds between her legs, and how it may be used to redeem those she loves and punish those who would take advantage of her innoncence.

If you have a strong enough stomach to withstand some hard-edged violent content (I mean this seriously. I had to break this movie up between two sittings), and you have any interest in horror, exploitation films, feminist theory or cheap thrills, check out "Teeth."