Literature, Television, and Movies

It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a movie review here on my blog. I subscribe to Great American Pure Flix to stream and watch family oriented and faith based films. Great American Family merged with Pure Flix on June 15, 2023, and though, Sony also is part of the company, I decided to subscribe on June 18, 2023. I used to subscribe to Pure Flix, but when David A. R. White and his wife, Andrea Logan White, who starred in many of the Pure Flix films and had something to do with running the company, decided to divorce, I noticed that quite a few movies Pure Flix began to offer were no longer as family friendly nor faith based, so I canceled my subscription.

So, when I found Great American Family Pure Flix and found that Candace Cameron Bure has a say in what they offer, after leaving the Hallmark movies because they began to offer themes that went against her beliefs, I decided to check out the Great American Family Pureflix offerings. I liked what I saw and subscribed and have been happy with all the movies I’ve watched on that streaming service so far.

So, now for my review of Peaceful River:

Peaceful River is the story of Casey, who comes from four generations of cowboys and military men. He grew up with a Mexican girl named Maria, and when he decided to enlist in the military after high school, he asked her if she’d wait for him. However, he participated in a high school rodeo, after which, he made some bad choices. Then he enlisted in the military and trained for special forces. He led a team of four other men in an operation in Afghanistan after the 9-11 attacks on the United States. When Casey finally came home, it seemed that he had lost everything that had meant anything to him.

I really liked this movie. I liked the way the characters developed throughout the movie. This movie was character driven and I came to care for the characters and wanted to see them succeed and obtain their dreams.

The war scenes were not gory, but they were definitely realistic and matched all that I had learned about the war in Afghanistan.

This movie gripped my emotions. Sometimes I smiled. Once or twice I lauged out loud. I also cringed and flinched at some scenes, and I shed quite a few tears.

I always say that books and movies that evoke so many emotions — emotions that make me both laugh and cry — are the books and movies I like most. They are also the books and movies I remember best and for the longest period of time.

I usually only need one tissue for books and movies that make me cry. It’s rare that I need more than one tissue, but Peaceful River was a two tissue movie for me.

I highly recommend Peaceful River for anyone who loves cowboy movies and movies that evoke lots of emotion. Peaceful River also teaches some great lessons in a strong, direct, but gentle way.

This movie is rated PG-13 for its adult themes. However, it is a clean movie, and as I said, it’s not graphic nor gory, and the Christian life and faith are woven throughout the story.

What has happened to the heroes in today’s literature and movies? Why are being bombarded by antiheroes?

Literature and art have always have a profound effect on our society and literature and art used to have high standards — standards that held them to producing beauty and goodness. Sadly, as I see our society turning from true goodness and beauty, now much of our literature and art is following the example of society instead of trying to uphold their higher standard.

According to Merriam-Webster, a hero is: 1a) a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability; 1b) an illustrious warrior; 1c) a person admired for achievements and noble qualities; and 1d) one who shows great courage.

According to Merriam-Webster, heroic means: 1) of or relating to courageous people or the mythological or legendary figures of antiquity; 2a) exhibiting or marked by courage and daring; 2b) supremely noble or self-sacrificing; 3a) of impressive size, power, extent, or effect; and 3b) of great intensity : extreme.

In days of old, our heroes had clear heroic qualities and that is what made women swoon over them or fall in love with them. I believe it is safe to say that still today, most young ladies and women hope to find their “knight in shining armor”; their “hero”; a man who will treat them with care and respect, who will protect them.

Some examples of historical heroes are: George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., Alexander the Great, Geronimo, and Spartacus. A recent real-life hero is William Kyle Carpenter.

Then there are Greek Mythological Heroes such as: Achilles, Hercules, Jason of the Argonauts, Odysseus, Perseus, and Prometheus.

There are literary heroes like: Beowulf, Frodo Baggins, Robin Hood, Percy Jackson, and Thor.

Movie and Television heroes include: Zorro, The Lone Ranger, Cordell Walker of the Texa Rangers, Knight Rider, James Bond, Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Ben Hur, Rocky Balboa, and Aragorn.

My list is far from exhaustive, but these characters were strong and yet sensitive and they were willing to risk their lives for others.

Now here is Merriam-Webster’s definition of an antihero: a protagonist or notable figure who is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities.

I think we need to bring the true heroes back to our literature, television and movies. We need to see more characters showing goodness, caring, and self-sacrifice.

I am pickier than I have ever been about what I read and what I watch because there is enough bad news on the news everyday — stuff that’s going on in the real world. I want to have my entertainment saturated with goodness. I also hope that society at large feels the current void of true heroes and seeks for more truly good things to saturate their minds with.

Last month the box office results showed that, apparently, I’m not the only one craving more goodness in my entertainment, when “I Can Only Imagine” grossed 17 million dollars its opening weekend and continued to do well for at least two weeks after that to the shock and surprise of Hollywood.

I encourage you to look for true heroes in your literature and television and movies. The true heroes weren’t and aren’t perfect. They had weaknesses and flaws, but their strengths always showed through.

I Need a Hero