AbeStreet

A visceral but beautiful story. (Just a head up, I use the actors real names instead of their character names.) A pregnant teen must learn to trust, and after a lifetime of betrayal and hard living that trust does not come easy. I really appreciate the acting of Dawson and Fraser as her parents. Both have made mistakes, and both must deal with how those mistakes will impact their daughter's life and the life of the soon to be baby. Fraser's initial response with how to deal with the pregnancy seems to mimic the way his parents tried to guide his life. Just put this behind you and move on to your better goals and future. Dawson's love for her daughter is evident but overridden by a lifetime of bad choices and never having learned to live past the moment she's in. The rest of the cast does really well, and Jones is perfect as the caring priest.

The ending is special. Open ended endings can leave the viewer wondering, even pondering, what takes place next. I think the ending is not as open as I first thought. Hudgens has clearly taken to heart the conversation about respect she had with Fraser, earlier in the story. Unlike the first time she left his home, she approached him with respect and a grateful heart. The reason she went back to the shelter was to be with family until they were able to move on. She'd been left so many times in the past and now, that she had found love and security, she did not want to leave behind others who were still working towards theirs. They were family and she could not abandon them. This was a transitional home for pregnant and new mothers. Very shortly they all would be transitioning to new homes and I think it's safe to assume Hudgens went to her father's home.

Lastly, while the film focuses on the life of Hudgens the story is really one of patience, IMO. When dealing with people it is important to be willing to listen, offer guidance when needed, and wait. The outcome we may want or expect may not be what is wanted or needed. Patience probably requires we adjust or view and expectations in order to bring about the best result. This film is a good example of this.

THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (VotDT) is a relatively good film, even better than the story is the production attention to detail and development. Of all seven books that make up the Narnia stories I have long felt that VotDT is my second to least favorite. THE LAST BATTLE is my least favorite story. Anyway, while the book never quite engaged me I have felt that the 1989 BBC film production and Fox's recent film were both quite good and each is probably my favorite when compared with the other film productions they were a part of.

I saw VotDT in the theater and in 3D. The 3d didn't really do much for me. However I was really impressed with the attention to detail that went into costumes, scene location sets, and especially the Dawn Treader set itself. While the story didn't quite adhere to the exact details of the voyages contained in the book the ship itself was a thing of beauty. If you watch the extra features on the Blu-Ray DVD you will find just how much detail went into every little aspect of the ship. While I did not notice all the detail outright when first watching the film I can see, after watching the special feature, why I was so taken with the ship itself.

The teen actor that portrayed Eustace Scrubb did a remarkable job. If THE SILVER CHAIR is to be made I hope it is soon as I'm sure the actor will soon if not already become a young adult. Lastly, the end credits are beautifully well done. The song "There's a Place for us" performed by Carrie Underwood is perfectly paired with the original artwork from the novel, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. A perfect way to marry the novel and film together.