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Old 04-17-11, 10:58 AM
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Soul Surfer

Long story short: amatuer girl surfer champion gets left arm chomped off by a shark, and learns to come to grips with it all. Based on a true story.

The cast features AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton in a solid turn, and Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid as her parents. I can't really explain it, but I felt just sadness for Bethany as her story unfolded, but it slowly brings the focus of overcoming tragedy by reminding us that there are even bigger tragedies out there, and living right is the best revenge. The script is a little clunky at times, but its heart is in the right place.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
Old 04-18-11, 09:32 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Real popular among church (Baptists) people, apparently. Not sure why as I haven't seen it.
Old 04-18-11, 10:17 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Yeah, there's a bit of faith-based storyline going on, mainly answering that age-old question: Why does God let bad things happen. The short answer: to overcome adversity and inspire others.
Old 04-18-11, 10:26 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Patman
Yeah, there's a bit of faith-based storyline going on, mainly answering that age-old question: Why does God let bad things happen. The short answer: to overcome adversity and inspire others.
They should tell that to the Jews in the Holocaust. I'm sure they'd love that response.
Old 04-18-11, 10:31 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Your cynicism is delightful.
Old 04-18-11, 04:30 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Wow.
Old 04-18-11, 04:35 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Patman
Long story short: amatuer girl surfer champion gets left arm chomped off by a shark, and learns to come to grips with it all.
Well, coming to grip anyway.
Old 04-18-11, 04:52 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

You didn't see what she can do with her feet...
Old 04-18-11, 04:55 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

I saw an interview with the girl about the movie, and it truly is an inspirational story. I'm not thrilled that they felt the need to overlay a "Christian" message on top of it.
Old 04-18-11, 05:01 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Groucho
I saw an interview with the girl about the movie, and it truly is an inspirational story. I'm not thrilled that they felt the need to overlay a "Christian" message on top of it.
I think some of its funding came from a Christian group. The real Bethany Hamilton showed up in a terrible surfing "documentary" that was more a commercial for a Christian Surfing Ministry. One of the bonus features was related to SOUL SURFER, so I'm not shocked there's a religious message attached.
Old 04-18-11, 05:15 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

The real Bethany Hamilton talks funny. Did the shark bite off a piece of her tongue too?
Old 04-18-11, 05:24 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Groucho
I saw an interview with the girl about the movie, and it truly is an inspirational story. I'm not thrilled that they felt the need to overlay a "Christian" message on top of it.
It's a true story, and the girl is very religious, apparently. So how is that "overlaying" a Christian message? That's ridiculous.

The article I read said that the studio really wanted to downplay her faith, because it doesn't "sell well".
Old 04-18-11, 05:38 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC
They should tell that to the Jews in the Holocaust. I'm sure they'd love that response.
Old 04-18-11, 06:33 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

I heard the film was disarmingly good in spite of the Christian arm waving.
Old 04-18-11, 07:47 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

/\ Too soon

Old 04-18-11, 08:59 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by SkullOrchard
The real Bethany Hamilton talks funny. Did the shark bite off a piece of her tongue too?
she has a lisp thing going on..she has braces here but...I don't think that affects her speech...that's a little lisp I think.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/duelon0MF2o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Old 04-18-11, 08:59 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

threads in other forums are having the same basic discussion.


Diana says:

April 10, 2011 at 3:53 pm

She is a lovely and inspiring girl. She loves God also which is even better!

Reply


jay says:

April 11, 2011 at 7:57 am

Your an asshole!
Old 04-18-11, 09:09 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Numanoid
It's a true story, and the girl is very religious, apparently. So how is that "overlaying" a Christian message? That's ridiculous.

The article I read said that the studio really wanted to downplay her faith, because it doesn't "sell well".
Seriously. They make a movie about a girl who relied on her faith to overcome a horrible situation and you want them to remove the "faith" part? That's like criticizing Milk for "overlaying" a pro-gay rights message.
Old 04-18-11, 11:35 PM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Giantrobo
I heard the film was disarmingly good in spite of the Christian arm waving.
You're going to hell.


Old 04-19-11, 12:27 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

"Soul" Surfer, ah I get it now.
Old 04-19-11, 12:34 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by Solid Snake PAC
she has a lisp thing going on..she has braces here but...I don't think that affects her speech...that's a little lisp I think.
Seriously, why do you even care?
Old 04-19-11, 12:40 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

because someone mentioned her speech...I got curious..so....I found a video w/ her talking....soooo..yeah...
Old 04-19-11, 06:23 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

The trailers do nothing for me but I might catch it on TV down the road.

Originally Posted by Patman
You didn't see what she can do with her feet...
So this is foot fetish-themed erotica?
Old 04-19-11, 09:04 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

Originally Posted by RocShemp

So this is foot fetish-themed erotica?
< Off to Youtube to search for Teen girls peeling bananas with their feet....
Old 04-19-11, 09:53 AM
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Re: Soul Surfer

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WPFRnyQ7Xro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


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