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Sorry. I took a short break from blogging. but I'm back now. To Stay.

THE NATIVITY STORY, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, & REIGN OVER ME (trailer)

Though “The Nativity Story ” tramples the holiday song “Do You Hear What I Hear” to death (The King fears that Jesus will overthrow him, I doubt he’ll be bringing him silver and gold anytime soon), you won’t feel as though you gained anything by watching this film. In fact, you’d gain the same amount or more by watching the half-hour “Charlie Brown Christmas” special.

The film is interesting, giving me (I’m not an avid church goer) some new insights as to what the story of Jesus’ birth was like. However, aside from these few new added details (Mary didn’t want to marry Joseph at first, God helped another woman bear a son before Mary) I felt empty after the credits.

The beginning and middle were actually very entertaining. The three wise men were comical in their own way. But a film is meant to have an emotionally satisfying ending and the climax of the film (Jesus’ birth), which proved to be one of the better scenes in the movie, lacked time.

The first three quarters of the movie drags on and then Jesus’ birth is over in two minutes. We followed these people through the desert for a sequence shorter than a music video.

I was disappointed.

The Nativity story is NOT a bad film. I just felt that it lacked qualities that would consider it a GOOD film. It didn’t have the emotion it needed. However:

Will Smith’s new film “The Pursuit of Happyness” is another story. If you are looking for an emotional, feel good film then this is a must see.

Chris (Smith), an X-Ray scanner salesman, works hard to support his family. But this just isn’t enough for his wife Linda. After being left with their son Christopher, Chris sets out to secure their future as a bright one.

This is one of, if not Will Smith’s strongest performance. He isn’t playing a hero (I Robot, Men In Black) and he isn’t playing the suave (Hitch) or swift (Six Degrees of Separation) man that we all fantasize about being. He is playing the person we all are or want to be. Someone striving to do what is best for himself and for someone he loves.

During the previews, before “Pursuit,” I saw the trailer for “Reign Over Me,” starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. It gave me chills. I thought I’d share it with you.

I also saw the teaser poster for “Shrek The Third” at the movies today. It opens in May.

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