Oct 18th, 08
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Mel and I went to see Fireproof tonight. We had planned on seeing it several weeks ago, but were unable to.
I am hesitant to write a true review of it, because I don’t think the film deserves one. Not that it was bad, but because it was effective in getting its message across. To share any critical thoughts might otherwise be perceived as negative against the makers or the message. Kirk Cameron lost a lot of his audience in the
Left Behind movies (let’s face it… they were not good); but of those he may have lost, he gains back in
Fireproof. I thought Cameron did an excellent job… of course, I think I’ve seen Kirk cry on camera more than any other actor.
All in all it was an excellent movie that any couple should see. If you’ve seen
Flywheel or
Facing the Giants, you may be familiar with the pattern in which Sherwood creates their movies. It’s not a bad pattern, but there are a lot of the same elements in it.
If I can offer ONE thing about the movie(s)… shorten it up. Flywheel was good, but probably needed to be cut down by about 45 minutes. Facing the Giants also went a little long. This movie isn’t quite as bad, but still needs a little more momentum or shave 20+ minutes or so off. At times it does drag, and there’s plenty of times they could’ve sped up the dialogue or made it a little more interesting.
That aside, let me say this, if you haven’t seen it yet… go see it. It’s worth the watch and will encourage you in your walk and relationships.
As a sidenote: Growing up in a traditional, southern gospel SBC church we used to have an evangelist come annually named Bill Stafford. He’s a crazy (but fun) preacher who is known for his boots and bow-leggedness as much as his preaching. I think it’s great he now has an imdb.com credit as Mr. Rudolph! Who would’ve thought?
Sidenote #2: Some of the old school preachers like to have 3 points and all of them start with the same letter… am I the only one to notice this is the third movie to start with “F”? Just for fun.
May 6th, 08
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We just got home from watching Iron Man. Mel and I got to go out on a date tonight, which I love getting to do! It’s not as easy with a kid, but you’ve got to make time for it! (Thanks Geoff and Nessa for watching Baby Shay for us!) We paid our babysitters in lottery tickets… that was a first.
I am a movie fanatic. I’m nothing compared to my buddy Jonathan who has every DVD ever produced at his house… but I really enjoy watching movies. Of course there are quite a few that are outside of my interest – namely inappropriate ones – but I love a good movie. If you’ve got a free evening, I would definitely recommend Iron Man. I was not a fan of the comics (really any comics…. ever) but I love the comics to the big screen. Iron Man was up there with the reinvention of Batman. From the first song (Back in Black by AC/DC) I knew I would like this movie. With the aforementioned aside, the only thing this movie lacked was an amazing soundtrack. It wasn’t bad, but there was no major thematic tune to tie in the whole bit.
There are a bunch of movies I want to see this summer… the next one on the list has got to be one that I’ve wanted for easily 15+ years — the next installment of Indiana Jones. I idolized Indie as a kid, and I really hope that movie lives up to half of the potential it has. Spielberg and Lucas have already said they will offend the fans (the same way Lucas did with the updated Star Wars movies…) because it will never be good enough. I think if they know that going in, it may free them up to get more creative with it too. Another summer flick I can’t wait for is The Dark Knight. Christian Bale is one of my favorite actors (can’t wait for the new Terminator!) and this movie will rock!
Some people enjoy fixing cars or going to the batting cage – but one of my favorite hobbies is movies and music. I guess they are in some ways the commercialized version of what ‘the arts’ were not too long ago. Nonetheless, expect more thoughts on the subject!
Feb 14th, 08
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When I was a kid, I was a HUGE fan of Indiana Jones. I remember coming out of the theater and day dreaming about swinging around on my own whip conquering the bad guys. In fact, I bought a leather whip at a flea market or something – and it was constantly getting confiscated by my parents because I was too dangerous with that thing. I literally couldn’t believe it when my beautiful wife (Happy Valentines Day Babe!) had never even seen the God-given trilogy… and I own them on DVD! (and VHS)
So, you can imagine my excitement when they finally released the trailer for the new installment of Indiana Jones today! You can view it
here. Here’s hoping it’s just as good as the originals!
Jan 23rd, 08
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It is NO secret that I’m a U2 fan. These guys are possibly the world’s biggest rock stars. I’ve read books about their evangelical roots, their hatred of legalism (which in some ways led to the opposite), and Bono’s struggle with the church’s inaction to the suffering in the world.
I don’t 100% identify with the conclusions they have come up with, but man can they rock! Seldom is there a band that carries with them such passion. And after almost 30 years they seem to still have that passion to change the world. Honestly, whether or not you agree with their lifestyles; Bono and Edge really do want to please God. I doubt any celebrity with the platform and resources has done more than Bono to try to help the poor. (By the way, Jesus commands us to do this and we don’t). Admittingly, I think he misses many other commands of Jesus – but that’s neither here nor there.
I just discovered that they have a movie coming out called
U23D. Yep, it’s a
U2 concert in 3D! In fact, it ‘may’ be coming to our IMAX screen. Add this to number 4 on the list of things I’m looking forward to in the next month. 1. birth of my child, 2. launch of our church, 3. Lost, and 4. U23D.
Let me also add that obviously 1 and 2 are much much much higher on the list than 3 and 4. :)
Here is a review on the movie. It’s the first concert in 3D. The Vertigo tour was the second highest grossing tour of all time (I think 377 million bucks), and I won’t tell you what I spent to go.
This may be a weekend date for me and Mel!
Nov 7th, 07
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Does anyone know anything about The Golden Compass?
I have heard a few things here and there… it’s supposedly written by an athiest (an anti-Christian one at that) — but I am not really sure what about the movie should be avoided. Is it outright anti-Christian? Propoganda?
I’ve heard a small buzz in the Christian community about it, but really nothing major (which surprises me!)
Anyway, thought I’d see if anyone had done their research on it.
Nov 2nd, 07
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Mel and I always try to have a date night… which is typically on a weeknight and relatively cheap. (being that we spend too much money as it is) But tonight we got to spend an evening out, and it was the first time in a long time we truly had a free evening. It was great!
We watched the movie Dan in Real Life tonight. I totally enjoyed it. It was very different than I thought it’d be, and it was great. I typically don’t like ‘chick-flicks’, but this brand of them I definitely enjoy. It was a creative enough story, but without all of the stupid stuff you typically find in chick flicks. In fact, I’m not sure you’d call it a chick-flick… it’s in the middle (the only other one I’ve liked in the past few years was The Holiday)
Then I took Mel to her favorite spot… Starbucks. We don’t frequent it that often these days (Thank you Jesus!) and it was nice to spend a few minutes chilling on one of their chairs and just talking. My wife is beautiful and so much fun to be with. (by the way we both got Decaf… in case you were wondering)
Aug 28th, 07
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I couldn’t believe it when Mel told me about a year ago that she had never seen all 3 Indiana Jones. Especially considering that her family was so big into Back to the Future (another great Spielberg trilogy). I own all 3, and today we are both sick, so we watched the third and final one (we saw the other 2 earlier in the year). She has managed to sleep through each one at some point.
I don’t get it.
