Peter Murmann

Sister Act

No Comments 30 December 2024

*Sister Act* is a wonderfully funny film that showcases the acting skills of Whoopi Goldberg, who can pull off comedy solely with her facial expressions. It reminded me of the more recent Pitch Perfect movies, where teenagers compete to be the best a cappella group. Here, it’s a choir of nuns in San Francisco who, until Goldberg arrives, are singing completely out of tune. Whoopi is hiding in the convent because her ex-boyfriend wants to kill her. Now with time on her hands, and after some initial challenges in the convent, she becomes the choir leader with wonderful results. If you enjoy comedy and music, this is a film that will lift your holiday spirits.

Movies, Drama

Seven Years in Tibet

No Comments 28 December 2024

I had seen parts of this epic film starring Brad Pitt before, but I had forgotten most of it. I’ve always been fascinated by the Dalai Lama and have long dreamed of traveling to Tibet, which is what drew me to the movie. The plot is compelling. A group of Austrian mountaineers, including Heinrich Harrer (played by Brad Pitt), sets out to climb a formidable peak in the Himalayas. However, their plans are disrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and the group is captured and imprisoned by the British. After escaping from the internment camp, Harrer and his companion, Peter, journey through Tibet for an extended period. They eventually reach Lhasa, the capital city, where Harrer strikes up an unlikely friendship with the young Dalai Lama.

Movies, Documentary, Drama

A Royal affair

No Comments 27 December 2024

We often think of today’s politics as brutal and ruthless. Watching A Royal Affair, which explores the politics of Denmark just before the American and French Revolutions, reminds us that politics has always been a brutal affair. The film is not uplifting, as it portrays the political maneuvering at the Danish court, but it offers an excellent history lesson. After watching the film, I wanted to find out to what extent it was historically accurate. According to Wikipedia—which I generally trust—the film is very accurate in its portrayal of how the personal physician of the king tried to bring Enlightenment values to the government of Denmark.