"The Great Debaters"

"The Great Debaters," is easily the most inspiring, empowering movie of the year. I nearly floated out of the theater. I actually encouraged people in the ticket line not to miss it.

"The Great Debaters," directed by Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah, is Hollywood all the way. It is an empowering underdog story inspired by the true story of how the debating team from the small African American institution of Wiley College won the 1935 National Debating Championship. Outstanding performances by Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker make the picture.

The film, set in Texas during the Great Depression, starts out with hectic bits of activity to establish the setting, but it doesn't seem to match the tone of the rest of the picture. In fact, it moved so fast before I had a chance to catch my bearings, that I didn't catch much of it at all.

But soon enough we're in the classroom studying revolutionary ideas from the writers of the Harlem Renaissance with Professor Tolson. Denzel's passionate delivery is reminiscent of Robin William's in "Dead Poets Society. I suspect that Professor Tolson was much more interesting, controversial, and radical than the man presented here. However, it is so moving to hear these important ideas spoken by a African American teacher to African American students at a time when there was still lynching in their part of the country.

The film doesn't back down from the racism of the time. In fact, its an ongoing theme. The film asks if the power of words can really make any difference in the face of violent acts of racism.

The script adheres so tightly to formula that I knew that something bad had to follow the debating team's success. Despite being aware of this writing device, I was so involved in the story that I was actually afraid of what would happen to the characters next.

Through his example, Professor Tolson inspires his students to speak up for what is right despite how it might conflict with their personal lives or the dangerous world around them. Debate all you want about it, but don't miss this important story.

Please, send a message to Hollywood that you want more empowering films like, "The Great Debaters," by attending it on opening weekend and encouraging your friends to do the same.

Movie Blessings,
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com/

Reel Inspiration recommends: 51 Oscar Winners

At their best, films have the power to inspire, empower, enlighten, uplift, and challenge. Reel Inspiration promotes films at their best! R.I. promotes diverse narrative films with high production values and entertaining, meaningful stories. You know... movies you can watch more than once because they have something to say, movies that reflect the condition of our society, the nature of our relationships or the issues of our times - movies that move us.

I've compiled a list of 51 Oscar winners that I feel fit Reel Inspiration's criteria for promotion. The films are taken from the list of Best Picture, Best Adaptation, Best Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winners. You may notice that a majority of the Best Picture winners also won best screenplay or adaptation (or were nominated for these awards.) I believe that what made these films winners is that they had important themes -- that comes from great writing. So I've included the screenwriters when they won in their category.

Included on my list are: classic epic films (Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Gandhi) that not only inspire us with their grandeur but with themes worthy of their stature, smart adult dramas (On the Water Front, Best Years of Our Lives, Coming Home, Kramer Vs. Kramer,In the Heat of the Night, Crash) that move us while putting a mirror to our society, honest dramas (On Golden Pond, Terms of Endearment, Driving Miss Daisy, Rain Man) that move us with their humanity, comedies (Little Miss Sunshine, Annie Hall) that deal truthfully with real relationships, classics (Casablanca, To Kill a Mockingbird, Schindler's List) with heroes that overcome great adversity to fight for what is right, musicals (Sound of Music, West Side Story, Oliver) that not only entertain but move us with powerful themes, wildly original dramas (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, American Beauty) that delight us with their creativity and new perspectives.

Feel free to recommend other inspiring, meaningful Oscar winners for the RI list or comment on the ones below.

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
Reel Inspiration

What is Reel Inspiration?

INSPIRING MOVIES OF REEL SUBSTANCE

Reel Inspiration is a grassroots, non-religious, apolitical organization created to encourage and promote the production and success of diverse films that inspire, give hope, or raise human consciousness.

THE IMPACT: Films have always had a huge impact on our society. At their best, films have the power to inspire, empower, enlighten, uplift, challenge and create change by reflecting the condition of our society and illuminating the issues of our times. We need more of these meaningful films.

THE BIZ: Filmmaking is a business. The cost of promoting films has skyrocketed, so studios need blockbusters to break even. The common misconception is that the only way to make money is to produce big event movies, remake current blockbusters, or to market movies towards a younger mind set. As a result, we have movies that are more about special effects, gross out humor and violence than good art and storytelling. Is this how we want our society reflected and our children influenced? You can make a difference.

THE CHALLENGE: Send a message to Hollywood by attending meaningful films on opening weekend (or at least while it's in it's first run.) Box Office numbers have a huge impact the film industry. You can help create a market for these films by sharing them with your friends. Join our grassroots campaign by becoming a REEL MEMBER. (There is no charge.) To become a REEL MEMBER and receive reviews of high quality, inspiring films, e-mail: reelinspiration@hotmail.com

We invite filmmakers with distribution to submit their inspiring feature length narrative films to be considered for our grassroots promotional campaign. For guidelines, e-mail: reelinspiration@hotmail.com

THE EDGE: Reel Inspiration hosts conferences and workshops to further develop the talents of those courageous filmmakers who choose to create films of substance. In 2005, we hosted the popular Reel Vision Filmmakers Conference in Tucson, AZ. COMING SOON: Reel Inspiration Directing Workshop: Working with Actors.

THE CELEBRATION: Reel Inspiration is proud to present a selection of the finalists of the 2004 Reel Inspiring Film Contest and the 2006 Pura Inspiracion Film Contest. We send our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to these filmmakers who chose to make movies about the good in the world. Look out for our upcoming Reel Inspiration film contest for filmmakers of all ages.

Reel Inspiration is about giving the movie audience another choice: films that leave us feeling hopeful about human potential. Films that inspire us to be heroes in our own lives. For more information on the contest or directing workshop, go to: http://reelinspiration.blogspot.com
reelinspiration@hotmail.com

"August Rush"

"A boy stands in a wheat field conducting a symphony that only he can hear. As the wind picks up, the stalks of wheat bend and sway in rhythmic harmony, each sound of nature becoming a note flying off instruments in the boy's mind." The boy narrates, "The music is all around us. All we have to do is listen." This opening sets the mood for the soul lifting film, August Rush. The story is presented as a musical fairytale. I found it to be a spiritual parable.

"August Rush," is the story of a supposedly orphaned boy (Freddie Highmore) who can hear the harmonic connection between all living things -- including his musician parents. He believes his parents are communicating to him through the music in the world around him. He eventually runs away in search of his parents and his musical destiny.

First, the boy must deal with adults who don't understand his gift and orphanage bullies who try to silence the music by tormenting him. I think many artists will identify with the theme of society trying to squash their creativity. I know I did. It took years for me to silence the voices in my head, "When are you going to get a real job?" so I could live up to my potential as a writer. It was inspiring to watch him overcome the influence of the skeptics and reach his potential as a music prodigy. His parents' stories represent the other side of the coin - how we can sleep walk through life if we don't follow our dream.

Some skeptics, eh, reviewers called the movie hokey or schmaltzy, and there were times when the story treads into that territory with a wacky Oliver Twist storyline with Robin Williams playing the Wizard, a musical conman resembling Dicken's Fagon. I found myself wondering how director Kirsten Sheridan could build suspense when the ending is telegraphed in the film's trailers. It is actually the Wizard storyline that successfully builds that suspense. One reviewer couldn't tolerate the coincidences. If this is taken as a spiritual parable, those are serendipities. Serendipities signal that you are going down the right spiritual path.

If you thought it was hokey when Will (in Good Will Hunting) picked up the chalk and figured out advance math problems with no higher education, you may cringe when our hero picks up a guitar and expresses the music of his soul without prior training. To me this scene is nothing less than a miracle. To justify his sudden ability, Director Kirsten Sheridan fashioned his guitar playing after the work of teenage Michael Hedges who used the same innovative method of slapping the guitar strings to make music. Sheridan was prepared to cast a real music prodigy in the role but was won over by Freddie Highmore. Freddie practiced for six months and does an amazing job with the musical performances. Another theme of the film is how music touches the soul and connects us with others. The music in August Rush uplifts the soul with its blend of ambient sound with rock, classical, and gospel.

OSCAR UPDATE: “Raise It Up” was nominated for best Song. (See 2008 Academy Award Nominations for more details.)

August Rush received a standing ovation at the Heartland Film Festival. Why the mixed reviews? The audience at the Heartland Festival was looking for a heartwarming, moving experience and they got it. What do you bring to the movie as an audience member? I believe that if you go with an open heart, seeking a spiritual experience, you will find it in August Rush.
Read more about the music: Finding the Right Notes for 'August Rush' by Robert W. Welkos, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer. 

Movie Blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com

"Akeelah and the Bee"

I had my reservations about going to see "Akeelah and the Bee." Did we really need another spelling bee movie right on the tail of the award-winning documentary "Spellbound" and the mystic "Bee Season?" I'm not that into spelling. I couldn't even pronounce Akeelah, much less spell it. But I was totally won over by this heartwarming, family film. By the end, I could not only pronounce Akeelah, but I could spell it. Akeelah. Definition: Eleven year old girl from South Los Angeles who overcomes great personal trials to become a national spelling bee champion and an inspiration to her neighborhood. A-K-E-E-L-A-H.

Writer/Director Doug Atchison overcomes a somewhat formulaic plot through strong performances from his stellar cast including Angela Bassett (as Akeelah's mother) and Laurence Fishburne (as her coach.) But it was Kete Palmer's authentic performance as Akeelah that drew me into the story. By the end, I was whole-heartedly rooting for her -- not only for her courage and perseverance but for the kindness she shows in competition.

Her coach teaches her to overcome her fears and embrace her strengths and talents. He shares a quote from Marianne Williamson, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure....As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same." Akeelah holds onto this into the competition and becomes an inspiration to her neighborhood and all those who see this film.

While leaving the theatre, a father asked his nine year old daughter, "Think that helped your Scramble any?" The girl answered with an enthusiastic thank-you hug. Encourage all the girls in your life to let their light shine by bringing them to this uplifting film.

You can encourage Hollywood to make more inspiring, family films by attending "Akeelah and the Bee" while it is still in the first run theatres. If you love it as much as I did, pass this review onto your friends. Let's create a market for meaningful films!

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal
www.reelinspiration.blogspot.com