Kite Runner

I actually saw this movie with 4 people. Very rare for me. I probably would've eventually seen this movie, but not in the theatre.

My concern about this movie was that it seemed, from the previews, to be propaganda to make us feel good about what we have done and are doing in Afghanistan. Of course, I went in with that prejudice and feel that in many ways it is kind of true.

In a nutshell the movie spends much time telling us that the Taliban is/were child molesters and child rapists. Not only child rapists, but male/male rapists. This all maybe true, but it is interesting that a movie would be made saying this about a group that harbored a group of men that took down the World Trade Center. I am certainly not complaining here. I have no sympathy for the Taliban, or anyone that harbors people that attack the United States.

The other part of this context is an article I recently read about warlords in Afghanistan that seem to focus on young boys, especially dancing boys, as objects of their sexual affection. It seems these warlords hold contests, kind of beauty contests for their boys. So, it would seem that this is part of this Afghani culture.

Kind of an uncomfortable movie to watch. Especially the rape scene and the main character's yellow bellied reaction to it, by not attempting to help his friend and then turning against his friend, who ended up being his brother.

It was an interesting movie in that it shed some light on Afghani culture and their struggles against the Soviets.

I am Legend

I enjoyed Will Smith's version of I am Legend. It certainly deviated mightily from the book and the other cinematic versions of the book, but it was still good.

They decided to go spiritual with the story with some type of a happy ending. The book ends with the main character being executed by the new breed of humans that exist and do their thing only at night.

This movie ended with Will Smith's character solving the problem with science and for some reason he sacrifices himself prior to passing on the cure.

I enjoyed the use of Bob Marley music as the soundtrack to this movie. I have been on this Bob Marley kick lately myself.