Nacho Libre and Peaceful Warrior

These last few days have been busy, as weekends tend to be. Last week I watched Nacho Libre, and then last night went to see A Peaceful Warrior (thanks to some free passes!)

NACHO LIBRE

To be honest, I wasn't impressed. The premise I liked okay, although it was nothing great. The filming was very reminiscent of Napoleon Dynamite (written by the same man, so not surprising), as is the general feel of the humor. However, where as Jon Heder's understated acting style made Napoleon Dynamite, Jack Blacks' over-the-top approach to comedy didn't seem to suite the film in my opinion. Every other actor played the same understated "this is just a slice of real world" method, Jack Black just stuck out as a non-sequiter to the rest. Not much more to say.

Parental notes: Jack Black shirtless and the occassional "plumber's crack" from wearing the pants too small is the only type of nudity involved. The language is clean enough, and the violence is pretty limited to the wrestling matches. There are some sexual references that bother me only in that they are delivered as often as not by priests! I'm not catholic, but still.... that bothers me.

THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR

This film is under the radar, not having spent much on marketing and advertising. A promotion through Blockbuster Total Access and Best Buy Online afforded me 10 free passes to opening weekend. I've read some scathing reviews and some nice ones. Personally, I think the scathing reviews were just reaching for reasons to dislike it. Over all, yes it could have been shorter. There were many long-lasting scenes of him training that could have been reduced, as well as similarly long "contemplation" type scenes. But in the end, they didn't detract from the whole experience that much. It's a "based on a true story" film, focusing on spirituality and internal struggle for enlightenment. It's not a Christian film, but rather spiritual in a broad way. So, that said, MANY if not ALL of the principles can be found in the Bible, in Eastern philosophies, etc. For example - and I warn there is a slight spoiler here - a good bit into the film, Dan and Socrates are walking in town at night when they are set upon by thieves demanding their wallets. Dan's respones is "oh, you've messed up now. This guys can kick your butt in numerous painful ways". Imagine his surprise when Socrates gives his wallet over easily and requests Dan do the same. As the thieves walk away, Socrates calls them back with "Hey - need a watch?" Then "what size jacket you wear?" By the end of the exchange both Dan and Socrates are in their undies walking home (thankfully they both wore boxers and undershirts ;D). Dan is not happy to say the least. This so directly corresponds to Jesus' teachings that if someone asks for our jacket, give them our tunic also. It also corresponds with other religious teachings on loving the unloveable, on not placing priorities on worldy possessions, etc. So, I think this is a great film for the purpose of teaching many spiritual truths.

Parental Notes: There are 2 make-out scenes where Dan is in his bed beginning to have sex with a partner. The first ends abruptly before anything beyond some heated kissing happens with the girl sitting astride him. The second is kissing and such, but ends as they head to the bed and fades to the next morning. The language is rough. No use of the F-word as I can recall, but quite a lot of using the Lord's name in vain. Throw in the "What the hell" and "piece of shit" type comments sprinkled liberally bout. There are a couple off-color jokes as the college boys eat dinner out once, and references to sleeping with girls, certain girls being "hot", etc. No violence outside of the motorcyvle accident that occurs halfway through the film.