The Lovely Bones

[Hyfi]

What a good movie this one is. I have read newspaper reviews, know a few people who have read the book, and listened to NPR interview with Stanley Tucci before getting a chance to watch this flick.

Although the opening of the book tells the horrid details of the rape and murder, leaving many people to stop reading the book, Peter Jackson smartly chose to leave all that as implied for this movie.

The basic jist of the movie is about a young girl who is killed by a serial whacko neighbor next door. She hangs out in the in-between watching as her friends and family struggle with the loss and try to find the killer.

The afterlife scenes will remind you a bit of What Dreams May Come but not taken from Swedenborg's Heaven and Hell as WDMC does.

The movie has no real gore or foul language but does imply the attack so it is fit for most audiences and parents should watch it with their children to help re-enforce the fact that your next door neighbor might just be someone they do not appear to be, and that they should NEVER go anywhere with someone they are not 110% sure they should be around.

I found this movie to be way better than most on the Oscar list and kept my attention through the whole movie. The NPR interview with ST was also a good listen to anyone interested in this flick and some of his others. Stanley stated the fact that he had a really hard time playing a psycho killer and did not like the part. He does a believable job at it too.

Saoirse Ronan, the young Irish actress is superb playing the slain girl struggling to move on to heaven. At age 15, she may be another one to watch out for in the coming years.

If I had more than two thumbs, they would all be UP.

[ForeverAutumn]

Thanks for the review. I've read the book and was curious about the movie. With the exception of one scene towards the end that gets just a little too mystical for my taste (I'm not a believer of psychics and the like) it was a great book. I bought a copy for my sister-in-law for Christmas, the year the book came out, but then decided not to give it to her. She has two young girls and I thought that it might be a bit too depressing for her.

[GMichael]

Maybe more will give the book a second chance after seeing the movie. Thanks for the thoughtfull review.

[3LB]

Funny, I own a copy of Heaven & Hell, but never knew What Dreams May Come was based on it (never seen that movie).

I haven't seen '...Bones'. I have a 14 year old daughter (who has modeled some) and I can't bring myself to watch it.

[Hyfi]

Funny, I own a copy of Heaven & Hell, but never knew What Dreams May Come was based on it (never seen that movie).

Awesome! I don't know too many people who ever heard of Swedenborg, let alone own or have read any of his works. We have a Swedenborg Cathedral a few mile from me and one of my childhood friend's grandfather was one of the first pastors of the church here in the US, in Philly before they built the cathedral in Bryn Athyn.

What other works have you read? I have a whole library of Swedenborg.

http://www.bahistoricdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cath6_large.jpg

[ForeverAutumn]

Wow. That's a beautiful building.

[Hyfi]

Wow. That's a beautiful building.

Built in traditional Gothic style. No straight lines, no two things the same down to every window, door, or other item. Each door has a hundred metal flowers on them all different. The stained glass and wood carvings inside are also something to see.

I have been to service there as well as a wedding that was half Swedenborg and half Cherokee Indian. Try that in a Catholic church.

The grounds behind it are Meditation Gardens which we sit in lots of nights to watch the incredible sunsets available over the valley.

I'm not very religious at all, I would call it Spiritual instead. You get an overwhelming sensation of calmness and serenity just sitting there on the grounds.

Anyone that comes to this area should take a free tour there as well as the adjoining museum and home of the original Pitcairn family who had it built. They were the owners of Pittsburgh Plate Glass

[3LB]

I've only read H&H. I had no idea it was a religion. My wife had to read segments of the book for a philosophy class. From a pure philosophical standpoint, its a very interesting take on the whole salvation/born again/good deeds thing. On one hand, it'd be cool if it were true, on the other hand, somewhat depressing. No last second 'saves' would make a lot of people squirm.