Best this month
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Saving Mr. Banks
In 1961 the persistent and patient liter-
ary agent of P.L. Travers finally convinces her to travel from London to Hollywood to decide whether she wants to sign over the movie rights to her children’s book Mary Poppins. Walt Disney has been trying to meet with her for 20 years after promising his children to make a film of the popular series of books. Saving Mr. Banks is directed by John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) who assembled
Robert McAfee Brown: Spiritual & Prophetic Writings Robert McAfee Brown (1920- 2001) was an activist for justice on many different fronts during his life: civil rights, support of migrant work- ers, protests against U.S. policy dur- ing the Vietnam War, the ecumenical movement, Jewish-Christian rela- tions, liberation theology, world pov- erty and more. Brown’s father was a Presbyterian minister and paci-
fist, so he grew up in a politically progressive family that believed it’s the duty of Christians to serve the poor. Brown studied at Union Theological Seminary with John Ben- nett, a leading ethicist, and Reinhold Niebuhr, the most well-known and highly regarded Protestant theologian of the 20th century. Later he was a professor of theology and ethics at the Graduate Theological Union, eventually retiring in 1986. In this introduction to his writings , editor Paul Crow-
Author bio:
The Brussats publish the website www.SpiritualityandPractice. com where you can find more information about the items reviewed in this column.
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www.thelutheran.org
ley sums up Brown’s unique theology as a vivid prophetic spirituality, where faith and practice, prayer and action, words and deeds, and religion and politics constitute a circle. This is a living and lived spiri- tuality, not a recipe for spiri- tual comfort (Orbis Books,
www.Orbisbooks.com).
an outstanding cast. Emma Thompson (right) as Travers has never been better as she spits out barbs and zingers in her effort to control every situation. Yet seeing the story of Trav- ers’ childhood, we have empathy for her as she slowly opens her clenched fists and reaches out to others. Tom Hanks’ (left) folksy depiction of Disney comes
across as genuine. His scenes are done with a tenderness and grace that only this veteran actor could bring to them. The top-notch screenplay is a gem filled with funny lines, warm emotions and several speeches that touch the heart. Saving Mr. Banks shows the tenderizing of a critical and persnick- ety writer (Walt Disney Pictures, PG-13—thematic elements, including some upsetting images).
But What If? When her parents try to convey
to Daisy the excitement of moving and going to a new school, all she can think about is a series of wor- ries in the form of “what ifs.” What if she doesn’t like the new house? What if her cat doesn’t take to the place? What if she has no luck in making friends? When Daisy expresses her worries to her grandfather, he gives her a different perspective based on optimism and looking on the bright side of things. In this worthwhile picture book for ages 4 through 8,
author Sue Graves provides a special section for adults about children’s feelings and fears in the face of change (Free Spirit Publishing,
www.freespirit.com).
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