"Joe vs. the Volcano" (1988)

I finally got around to seeing this quirky little movie after so many people have been recommending it to me for years. And I’m glad I did. It doesn’t get quite up to five-star status, (in fact, in my complex ranking system it achieves a rare 9, which is the highest four-star rating) but it is a really good film that is right up my alley.

It has wonderful production design, especially in the beginning. (Bo Welch is one of my favorites.) And it is original, which is better than rut-treading, even if it fails in some of its more daring propositions.

Most of all, the message(s) of this story is or are the sorts that I love to promote. Life is only worth living with purpose. Usually, the only way to find purpose is to surrender. When we find our purpose, the most natural reaction is gratitude for being made and being able to live the life we’ve been given.