Stories worth telling
Sometimes a movie is more than a movie. Sometimes it connects the audience with an idea bigger and deeper than they've thought of before. Sometimes it challenges the audience, making them think and wonder. Sometimes it inspires the audience, allowing them to feel the emotions, triumphs, and struggles of the characters. And sometimes, it tells a story that is powerful and very worth telling...one that leaves its audience reeling like they've been a part of something monumental and perhaps even honored to have been a part of it.
Unbroken is just such a story. It is the true life telling of Louis Zamperini, an average American boy who began life in a small town in southern California. His world is a bit aimless until he finds his true talent and passion, running. Running through school and life, Zamperini finds himself launched into a world of national and international fame that led him to compete in the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin.
Though the fame and career he's building fills his life, so does the life that is the world around him as it falls into the depths of World War II.
Soon after, Louis Zamperini joins the military and finds himself on a plane crew. What happens next? Well, you will have to see it all to believe it. There is fighting, sharks, crashes, POW camps, horrific life experiences, and unimaginable courage and camaraderie.
Before ever watching this film, it was an easy choice for our summer film series. Why, you may ask, would we think it was really that good. The answer is, the book.
Yes, the book.
Ms. Hillenbrand has gracefully established herself as an incredible writer, each book showing her readers a new depth to the genre of literary non-fiction. Unbroken is a prime example. While reading this book, the quality of research and detail is astounding, but what happens to the reader is equally important. It is the getting completely lost in another world and someone else's story, someone's life that makes this book what it is. The acclaim around this title is well deserved. Zamperini's story is told so completely and carefully that, as a reader, it is effortless to fall into his world, feel his heartaches, and champion his every moment of strength. The words on each page leave one praying for relief during his trials and whispering to the pages encouragement during the worst moments. This kind of connection is not easy to find.
This powerful story translates wonderfully onto the screen. It is one that you will not want to miss. And, unlike many book-to-movie transitions, this one will leave the audience (whether or not you've read the book) with the same sense of awe and astonishment at the power of this story.
Come join us this Monday evening for one of the best moments we can share with you this summer.
Unbroken is just such a story. It is the true life telling of Louis Zamperini, an average American boy who began life in a small town in southern California. His world is a bit aimless until he finds his true talent and passion, running. Running through school and life, Zamperini finds himself launched into a world of national and international fame that led him to compete in the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin. Though the fame and career he's building fills his life, so does the life that is the world around him as it falls into the depths of World War II.
Soon after, Louis Zamperini joins the military and finds himself on a plane crew. What happens next? Well, you will have to see it all to believe it. There is fighting, sharks, crashes, POW camps, horrific life experiences, and unimaginable courage and camaraderie. Before ever watching this film, it was an easy choice for our summer film series. Why, you may ask, would we think it was really that good. The answer is, the book.
Yes, the book.
Ms. Hillenbrand has gracefully established herself as an incredible writer, each book showing her readers a new depth to the genre of literary non-fiction. Unbroken is a prime example. While reading this book, the quality of research and detail is astounding, but what happens to the reader is equally important. It is the getting completely lost in another world and someone else's story, someone's life that makes this book what it is. The acclaim around this title is well deserved. Zamperini's story is told so completely and carefully that, as a reader, it is effortless to fall into his world, feel his heartaches, and champion his every moment of strength. The words on each page leave one praying for relief during his trials and whispering to the pages encouragement during the worst moments. This kind of connection is not easy to find.This powerful story translates wonderfully onto the screen. It is one that you will not want to miss. And, unlike many book-to-movie transitions, this one will leave the audience (whether or not you've read the book) with the same sense of awe and astonishment at the power of this story.
Come join us this Monday evening for one of the best moments we can share with you this summer.
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