STONE OF DESTINY

Director: Charles Martin Smith, 2008

It's 1951 in Glasgow, Scotland. College senior Ian Hamilton feels the need for a change. He and his close friend, Bill, believe that their country needs to be independent from British rule. Since they can't invade England by themselves, they need to do something drastic enough to call attention to their cause.

They decide to steal the Stone of Destiny---an ancient ceremonial block of sandstone. The Stone was carried away by the British conquerors in the 13th century and kept in Westminster Abbey ever since. If the boys can get the Stone, it would be a symbol for the Scottish quest for self-rule.

Bill blacks out because he's afraid of the consequences. So Ian is forced to look for another companions to accompany him to London to do the deed. Plus, they need financial assistance. After all, they're students and don't have enough money for their travel expenses. Finally, Ian has his team of four and all systems are go.

When they arrive in London, their adventures start to go wrong. They can't seem to get near the stone without some obstacle getting in the way . One of them gets sick while another wants to return home. Previous attempts by others to steal the stone failed. Will they fail as well?

Charlie Cox plays the lead role with passionate enthusiasm. We know that what they're doing is illegal, but we hope he succeeds anyway. The story could have been played with a more serious ton as it was based on a true story. But with humor and great scenery, the film is a charming treat.

THE BOOK THIEF

Director: Brian Percival, 2013

It's wartime in Germany. Young Liesel is adopted by a middle-aged couple. "Papa" welcomes her, but "Mama" is the stern type who likes to insult everybody. Liesel gets bullied in school when her clssmates discover she doesn't know how to write her own name. She fights back and earns the admiration of Rudy, her neighbor.

Gradually, Liesel adjusts to her new life. Papa advises her to read and write down new words. She's happier now that Rudy is her best friend. Liesel also gains confidence as she participates in school activities. The students sing songs about how great their nation is. But the song lyrics teach the children to hate non-Germans and Jews.

Liesel doesn't really understand the prejudice behind it. One night, however, everyone is made to attend a book-burning activity. Piles of books are torched to ashes. Liesel realizes that there is something wrong with what her country wants her to do. Patriotism and moral issues are now in conflict. Liesel feels disturbed enough to rescue one book and keep it.

She and her parents hide in a Jew named Max in the basement of their home. Max encourages Liesel to write her thoughts and express her love of the written word. But time is running out. Germany is being bombed by the Allies.Will the children survive?

Young actress Sophie Nelisse holds her own beside veterans Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson. The characters speak English with German accents, and throw in some occasional German words. This is distracting, ja? Still it's a memorable and excellent film about consequences of what countries ask of its citizens.

FREEDOM WRITERS

Director: Richard LaGravenese, 2007

It is Erin Gruwell's first day as an English high school teacher. Her new school integrates students from housing projects. These students come from violent neighborhoods and all have seen friends and family killed in gang wars. These young people are full of anger and hatred and don't see why they have to be in school at all.

Erin finds it almost impossible to get through to these teenagers. Conventional teaching methods are not working. She didn't realize that the racial wars were carried over inside the classroom. Erin has to get to know her students personally, so she advises them to write every day in their journals.

As the teens start cooperating, Erin goes all out. She brings them on educational excursions, buys them good books, and introduce songs and dances to complement their studies. The students come to love their English class because the walls of distrust and prejudice are breaking down. "Mrs. G" is their guiding light and the class is now their "home."

But Erin is resented for her devotion to her work. Other school official think she's overstepping her boundaries. Erin's husband feels left out of the marriage and wants to leave. What else will Erin sacrifice to have a fulfilling life?

Hilary Swank takes a role of the real Erin. As a strongly-jawed woman, she fits the bill. More interestingly, the unknown young actors and actresses give strong and believable performances. The film tries to wrap all the characters in a bow, so that you come away with a satisfied glow in your heart. Thumbs up for this enlightening movie. -F

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Director: Mick Jason, 1999

Mitch is a busy person. He's a sports writer and his job requires him to travel and interview athletes. One day, he learns that his old college professor, Morrie, is very sick. Mitch remembers that, during graduation day, he had promised to visit him. Now, he feels guilty for not having kept his promise.

Teacher and student finally reunite. But Mitch acts awkwardly in the face of his professor's situation. Mitch is so closed up that he doesn't like talking about his feelings. And he certainly won't address the sense of doom hanging over Morrie's head. On the other hand, Morrie is very cheerful and warmly welcoming. Mitch thinks one visit is enough, but he finds himself coming back every Tuesday. Even if he has to take a plane ride every week, Mitch looks forward to hear Morrie talk about life and how they must live it. He begins to really love the old man, brings him food and helps the caregiver in any way he can.

Mitch knows he is lucky to have a mentor and a father figure who is not afraid to die. Because in learning how to die, Morrie says, that is when we learn to live. And living means loving and giving. As his heart opens, Mitch changes. He straightens out his priorities as he realizes what is important in his life.

This touching story is so well acted by the versatile Hank Azaria and the incompatible Jack Lemmon. During filming, Hank took the opportunity to ask for acting advice from veteran actor, Jack. So real and reel life took a similar turn.

AFTER EARTH

Director: M. Night Shyamalan,2013

Kitai is a young teen living in the planet Nova Prime. Humanity found refuge in this planet even if it's inhabited by terrible creatures called the Ursa. Kitai's father is a fearless general---the perfect combatant to the Ursa that hunts humans when they exude the scent of fear.

Kitai hopes to live up to his father's expectations. But he doesn't make good in his military training and fails to move up the ranks. This doesn't make him feel any better or closer to his stern father. General Cypher brings Kitai along on a trip, but their ship crash lands on Earth. It is now Kitai's responsibility to save them both.

While Kitai travels the 00 kilometers required to locate the distress beacon, his injured father monitors his progress. The general barks out commands through a communications link because he observes that his son is nervous and unprepared to deal with the big bad world out there. Then he realizes that this young cadet is his own son, too.

So for the first time, he opens up and shares his feelings. He relates how he lost his sense of fear and encourages Kitai to overcome his anxiety. Even when their com-link gets cut off, the general mentally guides his son to make the right decisions. Will Kitai accomplish his mission?

This big-budget film was practically a gift from Will Smith o his son, Jaden. He hired gifted people to direct and come with great production designs and special effects. He even mentored his son's performance. But Jaden has light years after Earth to go, before he can stand his own ability. -F