Who is Rabbert?

Rabbert is a rather odd fellow who never thought much about the practical aspects of life. Raised on the west coast of the U.S., educated by films such as "Star Wars" and "Superman" and novels of the "Hardy Boys" variety, he grew up rather spoiled -- until, one day, he realized that the real world is really real after all. And despite his sheltered life and education, he began a study of what is called "Common Sense."

His study led him through a variety of philosophies and religions until he returned to the Roman Catholicism of his youth, mainly through the discovery of a gentleman and friar named Thomas Aquinas. He discovered that Common Sense is not so common in our day and age, and he wishes to make his lamentations of this fact known far and wide.

Being hampered by a number of physical and economic disadvantages, Rabbert turned to the internets to bring his clarion call to the masses. He desires no converts, no disciples, no minions (though Followers are gladly accepted!) but wishes only the peace and joy of Good Conversation and Sound Reasoning about Important Matters. He invites all and sundry to join such a Conversation in his comboxes, and wishes Grace and Peace to all his readers.
Rabbert blathers on....

Rabbert Reviews: Up with "Up"!

I've rarely had the combination of free time, good company, and ready cash to go see films on opening weekend. But the stars aligned and I found myself sitting in a packed theater this evening for a showing of "Up", presented in 3D no less.

Now, I have long been a Pixar fan, mainly because the studio puts at least as much emphasis on crafting a story as they do on pushing the technological limits of CGA. Still, when I saw the teasers for this film, I wondered if even Pixar could make a story about an old man and a flying house anything more than a gimick.

I should have known better than to doubt. Indeed, "Up" shed light on my own assumptions about what makes a story engaging or an adventure exciting. I fall too easily into the cultural trap of thinking that adventure is a game for the young, that the interesting parts of older people's lives lie in the past. But "Up" posits that the more we cling to the past and the more we tighten our grip on youth, the more opportunities for life and love will slip through our fingers.

Indeed, this is the first time in recent memory that I've seen a film in which the wisdom of the older generation is portrayed realistically: far from infallible and often stuck in the past, but also full of experience and common sense, forming a valuable foundation for life. He hands on what he has learned, even if he has trouble letting go of the lesson. Meanwhile, the child picks up bits and pieces of the wisdom provided, as kids are wont to do.

Compared with "Gran Torino", Clint Eastwood's recent meditation on a similar topic, "Up" offers a lighter and therefore more true-to-life take on the relationship between the generations. Melodrama rarely enters real life; more often, I find myself in a strange mix of the bizarrely silly and the profoundly personal. "Up" walks this tightrope of for-the-fun-of-it frivolity (watch and listen for the gratuitous Star Wars homages) and moral discernment with near-perfect balance. Moreover, the voice performances are spot-on, and the writing hits a surprisingly archetypal note.

My solitary critique is that the 3D didn't add much to the story being told. But perhaps that's my typical insensitivity to special effects and spectacle.

Simply put, "Up" announces the presence of adventure in everyday life.
Rabbert blathers on....