Beka and I went out to see Yes Man, a movie in which Jim Carey says yes to every opportunity that presents itself, including learning Korean. A high point of that movie was hearing the audience's response to his Korean. It made me feel a bit better about my own laugh-inducing efforts.
We took a cab home later, and as usual, the driver and I discussed the destination using the Korean name. Often, that does it for taxi driver conversation.
I mentioned the movie to Beka, and what some of the Korean phrases meant. The driver looked at me with a shocked expression and said "You speak Korean very well." What followed next was a very nice conversation, IN ENGLISH. I tried to interject some Korean phrases here and there at first, but I soon gave in. English won.
So, the taxi driver had very good English, and we're in Korea, but he's amazed that I spoke a couple of Korean phrases "very well." Something's wrong with this picture.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Below I pasted a link to a great Christmas song time saver. Happy holidays.
http://www.thesneeze.com/
http://www.thesneeze.com/
Monday, December 22, 2008
More Thoughts on Taking Comedies Seriously (with thoughts on spirituality)
As I predicted, I forgot about a well-known comedic performance-- in a movie I had just re-watched! I'm too young to be this senile.
The famous performance was of Vinny's girlfriend in My Cousin Vinny. I'll admit I enjoy most movies with a courtroom background anyway, but My Cousin Vinny is profanity-laced, but funny nonetheless.
Also, I have an update to my lament about not seeing any worthwhile comedies lately. We just saw Ghost Town, starring the original Michael Scott from the British version of The Office as an antisocial dentist who sees dead people. There's no way to describe this without making it seem cheesy, but surprisingly enough, it's not. It avoids cheese at all costs, and earns laughs on its own terms. It does has some rough humor, but as that's all dialogue and not fling-poo-at-you based, I find that forgivable.
There is a spiritual dimension to fantasy-based movies as well, as far as it goes. I watch a character trying to convince others that he or she speaks to someone he or she can see but they can't. I don't believe in ghosts, but I do believe in the unseen. Movies like this afford a chance to empathize with the protagonist and (to a more limited degree) to the other characters who can't see or hear what's going on. If nothing else, movies like this could spark some good conversations.
The famous performance was of Vinny's girlfriend in My Cousin Vinny. I'll admit I enjoy most movies with a courtroom background anyway, but My Cousin Vinny is profanity-laced, but funny nonetheless.
Also, I have an update to my lament about not seeing any worthwhile comedies lately. We just saw Ghost Town, starring the original Michael Scott from the British version of The Office as an antisocial dentist who sees dead people. There's no way to describe this without making it seem cheesy, but surprisingly enough, it's not. It avoids cheese at all costs, and earns laughs on its own terms. It does has some rough humor, but as that's all dialogue and not fling-poo-at-you based, I find that forgivable.
There is a spiritual dimension to fantasy-based movies as well, as far as it goes. I watch a character trying to convince others that he or she speaks to someone he or she can see but they can't. I don't believe in ghosts, but I do believe in the unseen. Movies like this afford a chance to empathize with the protagonist and (to a more limited degree) to the other characters who can't see or hear what's going on. If nothing else, movies like this could spark some good conversations.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Book Reviews
I read three books recently, so I might as well lump my comments for all of them together. They really have nothing to do with each other, so I shouldn't just drop them all in one post. Oh, well.
First, I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Like his other book, The Kite Runner, it provides an overview of the past thirty years in Afghanistan's history through the eyes of the people. I haven't read The Kite Runner, but I'm familiar with the basic story. As the main characters in that are boys, this book goes the opposite route. The characters are strong, which makes their suffering all the more difficult to read about. Lots of it is tragic, but there are glimpses of hope in it. There are also some nice moments of subversive kindness. My favorite example is one character who secretly educates orphans despite the fact that some of them are girls and the Taliban wouldn't allow that. Moments like that and being able to see familiar events through different eyes make this a worthwhile read.
It was very sad and infuriating in places, however, and this made it hard to read. I took a break two-thirds in to read something lighter, Alan Moore's Watchmen. Laugh if you've read it, but if something is satirical and as over-the-top with its violence as Watchmen is, it's easier to keep from being too attached.
There actually were parts in this graphic novel when I laughed out loud. The only character with superpowers is completely powerful, but also detached from human feelings or needs. He has a bad habit of forgetting little things, like people need oxygen to breathe. It makes for some funny moments.
There also is a disturbing quality to Watchmen, as it questions the integrity of heroes in general. The amount of character development for the "heroes" was impressive.
It's also cinematic. It left me feeling like I read a good novel and watched a movie at the same time. Do they really need to make it a movie? I guess some of us will find out.
Finally, I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns and needed something less heavy. Nick Hornby's Slam did the trick. He tells the story of a young man who was born when his mom was sixteen. He meets a girl, and the one thing he tried to avoid happens-impending teen parenthood. Somehow there are a lot of laughs.
Most of this book is as good as anything Hornby has written (I'm especially fond of A Long Way Down). He straddles the line between uncomfortable and funny, and even throws in some fantasy elements that work (for the most part). He gets some good points across, through his fictional sixteen year old narrator. There were times when I thought this might become one of my new favorites. Then I got to the end.
Hornby's endings usually leave you with more questions and few (if any) pat answers. It gives a believable ending and ecourages the reader to think. It's good writing.
Slam seems to strive for a neater ending. I might be alone in this, but neat endings often make me feel betrayed. It seems condescending.
In Slam's defense it doesn't go for the super-spoon fed-to-you happy ending, so it's still readable and enjoyable.
First, I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Like his other book, The Kite Runner, it provides an overview of the past thirty years in Afghanistan's history through the eyes of the people. I haven't read The Kite Runner, but I'm familiar with the basic story. As the main characters in that are boys, this book goes the opposite route. The characters are strong, which makes their suffering all the more difficult to read about. Lots of it is tragic, but there are glimpses of hope in it. There are also some nice moments of subversive kindness. My favorite example is one character who secretly educates orphans despite the fact that some of them are girls and the Taliban wouldn't allow that. Moments like that and being able to see familiar events through different eyes make this a worthwhile read.
It was very sad and infuriating in places, however, and this made it hard to read. I took a break two-thirds in to read something lighter, Alan Moore's Watchmen. Laugh if you've read it, but if something is satirical and as over-the-top with its violence as Watchmen is, it's easier to keep from being too attached.
There actually were parts in this graphic novel when I laughed out loud. The only character with superpowers is completely powerful, but also detached from human feelings or needs. He has a bad habit of forgetting little things, like people need oxygen to breathe. It makes for some funny moments.
There also is a disturbing quality to Watchmen, as it questions the integrity of heroes in general. The amount of character development for the "heroes" was impressive.
It's also cinematic. It left me feeling like I read a good novel and watched a movie at the same time. Do they really need to make it a movie? I guess some of us will find out.
Finally, I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns and needed something less heavy. Nick Hornby's Slam did the trick. He tells the story of a young man who was born when his mom was sixteen. He meets a girl, and the one thing he tried to avoid happens-impending teen parenthood. Somehow there are a lot of laughs.
Most of this book is as good as anything Hornby has written (I'm especially fond of A Long Way Down). He straddles the line between uncomfortable and funny, and even throws in some fantasy elements that work (for the most part). He gets some good points across, through his fictional sixteen year old narrator. There were times when I thought this might become one of my new favorites. Then I got to the end.
Hornby's endings usually leave you with more questions and few (if any) pat answers. It gives a believable ending and ecourages the reader to think. It's good writing.
Slam seems to strive for a neater ending. I might be alone in this, but neat endings often make me feel betrayed. It seems condescending.
In Slam's defense it doesn't go for the super-spoon fed-to-you happy ending, so it's still readable and enjoyable.
Monday, December 15, 2008
In Loving Memory: Award-Winning Comedies
My wife and I recently enjoyed the original Harvey with Jimmy Stewart. As I watched it, I thought of other well-known, black-and-white comedies and how they are considered classics. I'm not sure if they won any awards or anything, but people definitely took them more, well, seriously. What happened between then and now?
Was it because movie goers were smarter back then, and the films only hinted what they flat out say in today's comedies? Or is comedy just not a respected form of art anymore? Everyone is a comedian these days, after all. Or at least everyone likes to think so.
I'll try to recall some recent award-winning (or nominated) comedies. I might miss a few, but I'm working from memory here, so please be gracious. That is if you remember and I don't. If you don't either, ha ha.
In the late '80s, Kevin Kline snagged an Oscar for best actor in A Fish Called Wanda. His role? The rude American in England who butchered philosophy by trying to read it and insisted that Vietnam was "a tie". This movie had its share of crude and mean-spirited humor, but the dumb thug trying to be an intellectual provided the most satisfying laughs.
Skipping a decade plus change, Johnny Depp won for his comedic performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. I don't quite get it either, but it was a lot funnier before the sequels came out. Those were happier times.
I'm not sure if anyone else is thinking of these two, but Life is Beautiful and American Beauty won awards and don't count as comedies in my book. They're not funny.
Just last year Juno got nominated but didn't win. I lost faith in the process after that.
Not that the Oscars means anything, but it reflects a perspective of the movie industry. Usually the winners of best picture are historical, depressing or both. There's a lack of respect for something that makes you laugh or feel good in any way. That's just a shame.
So what elements do movies like Harvey, Arsenic and Old Lace, Young Frankenstein and Juno have in common? Thought put into the wordplay and physical comedy alike. More than just cheap laughs.
Why does this matter? Because I appreciate good, satisfying laughter. These days in movies it's hard to find.
Was it because movie goers were smarter back then, and the films only hinted what they flat out say in today's comedies? Or is comedy just not a respected form of art anymore? Everyone is a comedian these days, after all. Or at least everyone likes to think so.
I'll try to recall some recent award-winning (or nominated) comedies. I might miss a few, but I'm working from memory here, so please be gracious. That is if you remember and I don't. If you don't either, ha ha.
In the late '80s, Kevin Kline snagged an Oscar for best actor in A Fish Called Wanda. His role? The rude American in England who butchered philosophy by trying to read it and insisted that Vietnam was "a tie". This movie had its share of crude and mean-spirited humor, but the dumb thug trying to be an intellectual provided the most satisfying laughs.
Skipping a decade plus change, Johnny Depp won for his comedic performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. I don't quite get it either, but it was a lot funnier before the sequels came out. Those were happier times.
I'm not sure if anyone else is thinking of these two, but Life is Beautiful and American Beauty won awards and don't count as comedies in my book. They're not funny.
Just last year Juno got nominated but didn't win. I lost faith in the process after that.
Not that the Oscars means anything, but it reflects a perspective of the movie industry. Usually the winners of best picture are historical, depressing or both. There's a lack of respect for something that makes you laugh or feel good in any way. That's just a shame.
So what elements do movies like Harvey, Arsenic and Old Lace, Young Frankenstein and Juno have in common? Thought put into the wordplay and physical comedy alike. More than just cheap laughs.
Why does this matter? Because I appreciate good, satisfying laughter. These days in movies it's hard to find.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Art of Actually Listening
I'm not sure how many of you heard the story about the church that brought cars into their building and prayed for the bailout, but like many others, it bothered me at first. It bothered the writer of another blog as well, but he did the unthinkable and actually interviewed their pastor. I copied and pasted the interview below along with a recap of what happened.
Interview with Bishop Charles Ellis
Last Sunday, Greater Grace Temple, a church in Detroit, Michigan, brought three hybrid SUVs onto their altar. During the service, Bishop Charles Ellis lead his congregation in prayers for the bailout of the auto industry to go through.
Yesterday, I posted an entry about the service, and I admitted that it bothered me. But I wanted to hear the Bishop Ellis's side. I emailed the church with an interview request, and Greater Grace's Communications Director, Melvin Epps, kindly connected me to Bishop Ellis, who graciously answered my questions.
---
Jordan Green: First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk with us.
I feel like I should explain something here. I am a white, middle-class Christian from Portland, Oregon. For myself and many of our readers, hearing the report about Greater Grace Temple’s Sunday service elicited a sense of cynicism. The idea of putting cars up on the altar seems like sacrilege.
But the more I read about your church, the more I realized the cultural differences at play...racial, cultural, theological and geographical...and I wanted to ask for your side of the story. For starters, can you tell us what your community is facing with the threat of the major American automakers collapsing? How has your congregation been affected so far?
Bishop Charles Ellis: We have seen the workforce of the automotive industry decrease over the past four decades. We have, as well, witnessed those who remain in the industry experiencing pay and benefit cuts. Even one worker having to do the work of many in both the blue and white collar divisions. When a plant closes, it devastates the township, community, area stores and businesses.
I felt the burden of these workers and felt compelled of God to address the crisis spiritually in my second Sunday worship service. The sermon God gave me was entitled “A Hybrid Hope” and I thought to have some illustrated props as my background to drive the point home. There was not even a second thought as to the hybrid vehicles, because our church is very passionate about illustrations. We minister several illustrated sermons per year and have used various props (horses, donkeys, chickens, roosters, golf carts, vehicles, pyrotechnics, etc).
Our illustrations have become so widely known that buses come from as far as Indiana, Illinois and Ohio to view them. All of our illustrated messages conclude with hundreds giving their lives to Christ, being baptized in water and receiving the Holy Spirit. We firmly believe that our methods are effective and we will never try to minister to an “iPod” generation with an “8 track cassette tape” method. Illustrations is the way for Greater Grace Temple and Bishop Charles H. Ellis III.
JG: Why do you think the auto industry is in trouble? Is there a spiritual aspect to the dangers they now face?
Bishop Ellis: There is probably enough blame to go around with respect to the failures of our automotive industry. Executive decisions, planning strategies, futuristic outlooks, compensation packages, workforce cost, designs and efficiency have all played a role in our ability to viably compete in this global automotive community. The encouraging thing is that all segments of the industry seem to be working together to make the necessary sacrifices to solve this crisis.
JG: Why do you think a majority of Americans are opposed to a bailout?
Bishop Ellis: I believe that most Americans have a bad taste from the bailouts of the financial and insurance industries, especially in the aftermath of unwise corporate executive decisions to use some of those funds for elegant retreats. I also think much of America does not fully understand the intertwined dependence of many of our communities to healthy automotive plants and its industry.
JG: There was a picture taken recently of a group of white Evangelical Christians praying for the economy over a bronze bull on Wall Street. To many, the image brought to mind the Israelites praying to a golden calf while Moses was with God on Mount Sinai. Fairly or unfairly, photos from Greater Grace’s Sunday service might prompt a similar response. How would you respond to those making that comparison?
Bishop Ellis: I would ask people to consider the totality of the demonstration before they chime in with a response. In a court of law, the jury cannot discuss or deliberate until ALL the evidence is in. Any Christian worth his/her religious worth would not likely pass any judgment until they have full understanding of what they are considering. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” My full sermon and ministry presentation can be viewed on our website, www.greatergrace.org.
JG: Do you believe Christians in America have a problem with materialism?
Bishop Ellis: I believe that there are enough Christians in America to have many different opinions on materialism as well as other subjects including praise and worship styles, tithing, fasting, apparel, adornment, non-Christian activities, etc. This is probably why we have so diverse a church community and hundreds of religious organizations.
JG: Do you think there is a chasm between white and African-American churches in the United States? If so, what do you think are the primary reasons for that divide?
Bishop Ellis: I firmly believe that slavery, segregation and years of discrimination have done irreparable harm to the spirit of fellowship within God’s church (not the building, but the ecclesia). I have for a long time held the view that it is not strange to witness a Caucasian-lead church with a significant African-American population, but the opposite is very rare even in the largest of African-American congregations.
JG: How can we be praying for your congregation and the city of Detroit?
Bishop Ellis: I would hope that everyone would at least be praying for the will of God to take preeminence in this crisis and not the political agendas of man. In praying for us you are actually praying for yourselves as well. Remember that we are all interdependent of one another.
Interview with Bishop Charles Ellis
Last Sunday, Greater Grace Temple, a church in Detroit, Michigan, brought three hybrid SUVs onto their altar. During the service, Bishop Charles Ellis lead his congregation in prayers for the bailout of the auto industry to go through.
Yesterday, I posted an entry about the service, and I admitted that it bothered me. But I wanted to hear the Bishop Ellis's side. I emailed the church with an interview request, and Greater Grace's Communications Director, Melvin Epps, kindly connected me to Bishop Ellis, who graciously answered my questions.
---
Jordan Green: First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk with us.
I feel like I should explain something here. I am a white, middle-class Christian from Portland, Oregon. For myself and many of our readers, hearing the report about Greater Grace Temple’s Sunday service elicited a sense of cynicism. The idea of putting cars up on the altar seems like sacrilege.
But the more I read about your church, the more I realized the cultural differences at play...racial, cultural, theological and geographical...and I wanted to ask for your side of the story. For starters, can you tell us what your community is facing with the threat of the major American automakers collapsing? How has your congregation been affected so far?
Bishop Charles Ellis: We have seen the workforce of the automotive industry decrease over the past four decades. We have, as well, witnessed those who remain in the industry experiencing pay and benefit cuts. Even one worker having to do the work of many in both the blue and white collar divisions. When a plant closes, it devastates the township, community, area stores and businesses.
I felt the burden of these workers and felt compelled of God to address the crisis spiritually in my second Sunday worship service. The sermon God gave me was entitled “A Hybrid Hope” and I thought to have some illustrated props as my background to drive the point home. There was not even a second thought as to the hybrid vehicles, because our church is very passionate about illustrations. We minister several illustrated sermons per year and have used various props (horses, donkeys, chickens, roosters, golf carts, vehicles, pyrotechnics, etc).
Our illustrations have become so widely known that buses come from as far as Indiana, Illinois and Ohio to view them. All of our illustrated messages conclude with hundreds giving their lives to Christ, being baptized in water and receiving the Holy Spirit. We firmly believe that our methods are effective and we will never try to minister to an “iPod” generation with an “8 track cassette tape” method. Illustrations is the way for Greater Grace Temple and Bishop Charles H. Ellis III.
JG: Why do you think the auto industry is in trouble? Is there a spiritual aspect to the dangers they now face?
Bishop Ellis: There is probably enough blame to go around with respect to the failures of our automotive industry. Executive decisions, planning strategies, futuristic outlooks, compensation packages, workforce cost, designs and efficiency have all played a role in our ability to viably compete in this global automotive community. The encouraging thing is that all segments of the industry seem to be working together to make the necessary sacrifices to solve this crisis.
JG: Why do you think a majority of Americans are opposed to a bailout?
Bishop Ellis: I believe that most Americans have a bad taste from the bailouts of the financial and insurance industries, especially in the aftermath of unwise corporate executive decisions to use some of those funds for elegant retreats. I also think much of America does not fully understand the intertwined dependence of many of our communities to healthy automotive plants and its industry.
JG: There was a picture taken recently of a group of white Evangelical Christians praying for the economy over a bronze bull on Wall Street. To many, the image brought to mind the Israelites praying to a golden calf while Moses was with God on Mount Sinai. Fairly or unfairly, photos from Greater Grace’s Sunday service might prompt a similar response. How would you respond to those making that comparison?
Bishop Ellis: I would ask people to consider the totality of the demonstration before they chime in with a response. In a court of law, the jury cannot discuss or deliberate until ALL the evidence is in. Any Christian worth his/her religious worth would not likely pass any judgment until they have full understanding of what they are considering. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” My full sermon and ministry presentation can be viewed on our website, www.greatergrace.org.
JG: Do you believe Christians in America have a problem with materialism?
Bishop Ellis: I believe that there are enough Christians in America to have many different opinions on materialism as well as other subjects including praise and worship styles, tithing, fasting, apparel, adornment, non-Christian activities, etc. This is probably why we have so diverse a church community and hundreds of religious organizations.
JG: Do you think there is a chasm between white and African-American churches in the United States? If so, what do you think are the primary reasons for that divide?
Bishop Ellis: I firmly believe that slavery, segregation and years of discrimination have done irreparable harm to the spirit of fellowship within God’s church (not the building, but the ecclesia). I have for a long time held the view that it is not strange to witness a Caucasian-lead church with a significant African-American population, but the opposite is very rare even in the largest of African-American congregations.
JG: How can we be praying for your congregation and the city of Detroit?
Bishop Ellis: I would hope that everyone would at least be praying for the will of God to take preeminence in this crisis and not the political agendas of man. In praying for us you are actually praying for yourselves as well. Remember that we are all interdependent of one another.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Music Reviews
Every now and then I get a new CD. It's been known to happen. Lately, I had the opportunity to get three, and they're not half bad. They're also kind of connected in a six degrees sort of way.
First, I listened to Radiohead's OK Computer. I've listened to more recent stuff of theirs and enjoyed it, then I heard how much better this one was. I can't say I disagree. I'm glad I didn't hear it first for that reason, or I would have shook my head in disappointment at the others. Shame on you, Radiohead.
The CD's theme is how technology makes us less human in a way. In a present reality of nasty comments and myspace pranks both resulting in suicides, it has a point.
I like the sound of it, but it definitely serves the purpose of the message. It's not uplifting, but it's definitely creative and thought-provoking.
Next, I listened to Coldplay's latest. It's been referred to as a sort of Radiohead lite, but if you don't like the tone I described for OK Computer, that's a good thing. Coldplay tries out some different creative styles which are safe enough to work for them and still be radio friendly. It's better to listen to this one after Radiohead, or anything else less straightforward and catchy. Still, it's Coldplay, and I haven't heard much of theirs I didn't like.
One of the best songs from Coldplay's X&Y CD has to be "Fix You". This is one of the songs covered by Young@Heart, a group whose movie I have yet to see. So I did the next best thing by getting the soundtrack.
If hearing an elderly choir singing rock and pop songs is your idea of entertainment, Young@Heart is a good choice. Their version of the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" still cracks me up, along with "Staying Alive/I Will Survive" and quite a few others. There are plenty of moments where, like in Johnny Cash's American Recordings, you can almost sense an art form in the covers. It's almost like different interpretations that only improve on but bear little resemblance to the originals. It almost doesn't belong in the "cover song" category, but what can you do.
It's worth a listen, and they don't cover any Radiohead songs, so it's uplifting as well.
First, I listened to Radiohead's OK Computer. I've listened to more recent stuff of theirs and enjoyed it, then I heard how much better this one was. I can't say I disagree. I'm glad I didn't hear it first for that reason, or I would have shook my head in disappointment at the others. Shame on you, Radiohead.
The CD's theme is how technology makes us less human in a way. In a present reality of nasty comments and myspace pranks both resulting in suicides, it has a point.
I like the sound of it, but it definitely serves the purpose of the message. It's not uplifting, but it's definitely creative and thought-provoking.
Next, I listened to Coldplay's latest. It's been referred to as a sort of Radiohead lite, but if you don't like the tone I described for OK Computer, that's a good thing. Coldplay tries out some different creative styles which are safe enough to work for them and still be radio friendly. It's better to listen to this one after Radiohead, or anything else less straightforward and catchy. Still, it's Coldplay, and I haven't heard much of theirs I didn't like.
One of the best songs from Coldplay's X&Y CD has to be "Fix You". This is one of the songs covered by Young@Heart, a group whose movie I have yet to see. So I did the next best thing by getting the soundtrack.
If hearing an elderly choir singing rock and pop songs is your idea of entertainment, Young@Heart is a good choice. Their version of the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" still cracks me up, along with "Staying Alive/I Will Survive" and quite a few others. There are plenty of moments where, like in Johnny Cash's American Recordings, you can almost sense an art form in the covers. It's almost like different interpretations that only improve on but bear little resemblance to the originals. It almost doesn't belong in the "cover song" category, but what can you do.
It's worth a listen, and they don't cover any Radiohead songs, so it's uplifting as well.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Alternate Christmas Movie List
Last year I mentioned a few movies that I enjoyed watching particularly in the Christmas season. While not overtly Christmas-themed, they seem to reflect the most important elements of the holiday. I'm reposting them along with some more that seem appropriate. I've listed them in no particular order. Here's to a cheese-free holiday.
1.Lars and the Real Girl. It's almost like a Christmas movie without the tree. It teaches about community, and what it really means to put yourself aside to meet the needs of others. This becomes a stretch in the movie, so thankfully, laughs ensue.
2.Children of Men. While the Christmas story is referenced, that's not my reason for including this on the list. It's the overall theme of finding hope through a new life, even in the bleakest of realities. It has to be one of my favorites.
3.Juno. This is another of my favorites. In the midst of the comedy and some characters' mistakes, there are some good choices shown in a believable way. Again, it promotes a sort of hope without cheesing it up. And the soundtrack still rocks.
4.Rent. Christmas bells are ringing, Somewhere Else. Not Here. Spend Christmas Eve with the least of these, and if you can't do that, watch a movie about them.
5.Horton Hears a Who. There's something about affirming life and promoting faith in the unseen that seems very Christmasy.
6.Gremlins. Because it wouldn't be Christmas without poking fun at the commercial aspect somehow. The irony is, even the Gremlins became stuffed toys. Everything's for sale I guess.
7. Die Hard. Maybe it's just because I'm thinking about Christmas parties, and how I'd like to run around barefoot shooting terrorists during them. Or maybe I just have to give Bruce Willis some credit because the other Die Hard films were weak. Whatever the case, it's on the list.
1.Lars and the Real Girl. It's almost like a Christmas movie without the tree. It teaches about community, and what it really means to put yourself aside to meet the needs of others. This becomes a stretch in the movie, so thankfully, laughs ensue.
2.Children of Men. While the Christmas story is referenced, that's not my reason for including this on the list. It's the overall theme of finding hope through a new life, even in the bleakest of realities. It has to be one of my favorites.
3.Juno. This is another of my favorites. In the midst of the comedy and some characters' mistakes, there are some good choices shown in a believable way. Again, it promotes a sort of hope without cheesing it up. And the soundtrack still rocks.
4.Rent. Christmas bells are ringing, Somewhere Else. Not Here. Spend Christmas Eve with the least of these, and if you can't do that, watch a movie about them.
5.Horton Hears a Who. There's something about affirming life and promoting faith in the unseen that seems very Christmasy.
6.Gremlins. Because it wouldn't be Christmas without poking fun at the commercial aspect somehow. The irony is, even the Gremlins became stuffed toys. Everything's for sale I guess.
7. Die Hard. Maybe it's just because I'm thinking about Christmas parties, and how I'd like to run around barefoot shooting terrorists during them. Or maybe I just have to give Bruce Willis some credit because the other Die Hard films were weak. Whatever the case, it's on the list.
Monday, December 1, 2008
On Trends, CCM and Good Music
Below is an article about one of the few uncompromisingly creative bands in the Christian scene. I need to get their latest, as I missed that one.
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/reviews/music/j/jars_of_clay_the_most_importan1208.php
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/reviews/music/j/jars_of_clay_the_most_importan1208.php
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