GroshLink

At one time, James Cameron's creations spurred me to dream of engaging in conflicts in our world and those beyond.  But Avatar spurs no such interest in me. 

Why?  It's been a slow process, but I think that The Lord of the Rings wore me out of watching such material on screen and my growing desire to engage those whom God has placed around me has given me glimpses of a much different new heaven/new earth toward which I journey as part of the people of God.  Yes, there is conflict and transformation, but films such as Avatar are not good analogies to what one finds in the Biblical story (Note:  The Lord of the Rings is a better analogy and much better dialogue) and a growing family does not afford me the time to watch/critique every new show in town.  

PS. Reviews which you may find of interest:   Christianity Today (Todd Hertz, December 17, 2009.  Note: Considering what Hertz shares about the political and spiritual points of the film, I think his review is too positive), A New Eden, Both Cosmic and Cinematic (Manohla Dargis, NY Times, December 18, 2009), Otherworldly "Avatar" Familiar in the Worst Way (Christian Hamaker, Crosswalk.com, December 18, 2009). If you've seen Avatar, I would love to have your thoughts on the film.

PPS.  Today I read the second volume of G.P. Taylor's Doppleganger Chronicles.  Shhh. ... I'll be sharing it with the family on Christmas morning.

Updated 12/18/2009, 9:03 pm.

In Waiting for Jesus to Show Up, I mention the encouragement I received from G.P. Taylor's Shadowmancer (Note: CT Author interview).  More later. ...  For today, let me add that Hayley loves Taylor's Doppleganger Chronicles. Yes, here's one case of a reluctant reader spurred on by illustra-novella (i.e., mixture of prose, comic sequentials, and graphic illustrations). I'm hoping to check out the 2nd volume shortly, but that requires a run to Quarryville (i.e., the only Lancaster County library w/this September 2009 release in stock).  I think it's worth it for both of us, as we read a fair amount of it together and well-written children's books deal with major life themes in such a helpful manner ;-) 

In the mean time, Hayley's reading the 1st volume again. Amazing!  Anyone else reading the Doppleganger Chronicles?  More of my thoughts on the author, his books, and their impact in our household coming. ...

Hoping to get out of the house to see a great sports film which has much more to say about the inner journey of leaders who are willing to take risks in a larger context.  Yes, I have high expectations of Morgan Freeman in this story of reconciliation and self determination directed by none other than Clint Eastwood.* 

In addition to a critique of being master of one's fate and captain of one's soul, I'm also very interested in the reviews, history/testimonials, and the feedback, e.g., NY Times Review (A. O. Scott, Final Score: Future 1, Past 0, December 11, 2009). 

*I must confess that based upon the footage and some of the feedback on the NY Times Review, I have lower expectations of Matt Damon. 

Yesterday in the first of this series, I mentioned the painter Makoto Fujimura, but how about John Donne's description of the separation of distance between lovers in travel as Like gold to airy thinness beat? 

Our two souls therefore, which are one,

Though I must go, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

Like gold to airy thinness beat.

-- A Valediction* Forbidding Mourning (1611)

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You may remember my mention of The Watchmen in Who is your Savior?  HT to my friend Kevin who passed along Making superheroes bad. Below's the conclusion, any avoid comic book fans have thoughts to share about the film or the graphic novel in relationship to the development of the craft of the comic superhero genre?

Mr. Moore is one of the best-known comic book writers of our time. But he has also forgotten the responsibility his own craft carries and has misused his power. He has corrupted the comic book, destroying the heart and soul of the classic superhero. The antiheroes he portrays leave little to the imagination and even less to aspire to. Moviegoers have taken notice — and rightly so.

Last night a friend shared his mutual interest in film.  This morning I continued the conversation by forwarding Groshlink's two most relevant threads, Speculative Literature/Arts and Reviews and Cliff Notes, along w/the post which I share most often when discussing film, In Search of Good Film Nine Signposts.

In the mail box this morning I received the March/April Edition of Books & Culture.  And what did I find? Two excellent articles on movies to add to the archive. Below's an excerpt from Roy Anker, professor of English at Calvin College and author of Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies (Eerdmans):

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As you might imagine -- based upon my 1/9/2009 post Where will Narnia go? -- I have mixed opinion about Fox picking up C.S. Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader for a Christmas 2010 release. 

But join me in prayer that the Lord will watch over the project, the conversations about journey and the writings of C.S. Lewis in relationship to it, campus outreaches which I may be involved in (and encourage), and for the movie to truly give glory to God ... news covered at Narnia Fans and CTI live blog.

Are you familiar with The Music Box (Copyright 1980, White Lion Pictograph. Length: 28 Min)? I came across it as part of a discussion group and thought others might find it of interest, particularly as you seek to share the joy of Christ in your daily life.

Webpage description: One of the most highly acclaimed short Christian films of all time, MUSIC BOX is a classic film that has been enjoyed by millions all over the world.

MUSIC BOX is a parable, a simple story with a special meaning. It's about a weary man who lives in a cold lifeless city. He has a boring job and is unconnected to his family. One day everything changes. In a snowy alley, he receives the gift of a magical music box.((A man trudging home from work through a dreary, snowy city is surprised by a joyous group of gospel-singing, tuxedoed angels. They give a special gift of love and life to the man: a magical box and the wondrous story of a loving king.((MUSIC BOX is a modern parable of the joy-filled life in Christ, and our responsibilities to share the joy.((In the tradition of Christ's parables and the allegorical fiction of C.S. Lewis, MUSIC BOX is a must for anyone who needs a little "Hallelujah" amid the "Ho-Hum."

Seen by millions, this comical award-winning film will keep you laughing -- while teaching a vivid lesson about how we use or misuse God's gifts.

1/29/09 Link updated and description text added.

You are great!  Have you watched the short film Validation? This morning I came across Validation in an on-line discussion group where I shared some comments which led to the formulation of an ESN post.  Watch the video, read the ESN post, and let me know what you think (either here or at the ESN post).  

 

So, Is the Narnia Franchise Dead -- at least the most recent attempt? As Disney is now all about the money and whatever it takes to get it, even the violence, I'm not so disappointed about a possible new sponsor or resting the series at Prince Caspian. Due to the LOTR-like battles, I was reticient to watch The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with my twins even when they were eight and I'm not sure when we'll watch Prince Caspian. ... Maybe the fact that Prince Caspian doesn't sit on the shelf of a strong Lewis and Narnia fan helps explain the lower DVD sales (although I'm sure I'll eventually get a copy).  W/regard to our younger daughters, we'll return to the BBC version alongside reading the books as they kindle our imagination and spirit.  

Now if I take a step back and think about engaging culture on a adult level, there are still glimpses of the Gospel in the most recent series which provide opportunities for conversation and a blessing to the larger culture.  When I watched and discussed the films with friends, students, and family there was exciting dialogue about the original purpose and direction of Lewis' writing as a follower of Christ (note:  it was fun to contrast Lewis with Tolkien on their view of writing fiction).  From that perspective, press on but let's be wary about all the marketing to children!

Earlier posts include:

On the Possibility of Miracles
Prince Caspian goes to the Big Screen
Narnia Spoiler

Yesterday I mentioned that John Cleese's The Scientists became a topic of conversation over dinner with Stephen Barr and several members of the Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science.  We also had a good laugh regarding All About the Brain. 

Enjoy, but don't eat your brain (or anyone else's for that matter) while doing such ;-)  For those which know me well, I am going somewhere with this and it relates to Chapter 11 of Screwtape Letters and Retelling the Story of Science.  Anyone have a copy of Screwtape Letters on hand? 

Over dinner with Stephen Barr and several members of the Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science, John Cleese's The Scientists became a topic of conversation.  Enjoy. 

Note:  More on Retelling the Story of Science coming later as the rest of the day is full starting with a conversation about the real world at Penn State Harrisburg, the basis of which will be Chapter 11 of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters.

You might remember my June 6 post The Other Indiana Jones Movie.  This morning Peter T. Chattaway's Indiana Jones and the Deadly Blather: Notes on the devolution of a franchise establishes itself as the must read article on Indy's Devolution. Here's the conclusion which hits the mark (Note:  If you're a fan, I'd encourage you to take the time to read the whole piece):

For fans like myself, it is impossible not to feel disappointment at the note on which the franchise has now concluded. A number of critics have suggested that there is no real difference between the aliens of Crystal Skull and the religious artifacts of the earlier films; they're all just mystical MacGuffins, and equally silly, or so these critics say. But no matter how pulpy the earlier films were, they at least turned our attention to matters of the spirit and stoked a sense of awe. Crystal Skull has nothing that compares to this; indeed, the characters even perform autopsies on the "gods" of the past. It's safe to say this is one Saturday matinee that won't be getting much play in Sunday school.

I've been following the Mets season this year, trying to step into the ethos of a Mets fan (it's been a long time since enjoying the '86 World Series victory with my Aunt, who has grown up with the franchise).  There are only a few games to go and the angst level has increased. ... I must confess that I had no intention of watching the game last night, distracted by another team of Villians than the Cubs, as our fictional Heroes have plenty more to contend with as thanks to the return of the writers, they continue to mess with time (Note:  I have a much stronger preference for Doctor Who).  And I must confess, desiring to take advantage of watching some TV with Theresa, as Doctor Who and baseball seldom fit the bill for her :(

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I looked on youtube for a trailer to add to my post Anyone seen "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008)? but when I came across the below trailer with trailer review I had a few thoughts to share.  

1.  A trailer review has more merit than a judging a book by its cover, which I had a conversation about at an InterVarsity Press booktable the other day. 

2.  This negative trailer review, made me more commited to seeing the film. Which leads me to believe that the diehard franchise fan still lies beneath the surface even after the disappointments with the prequels and changes in my overall perspective/worldview since seeing the orginal in the theatre at the formative age of three.

Would one categorize the NY Times Review of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) as encouraging? Sure the film isn't the most painful movie of the year, but ...

I noticed the comments on the review indicated some fans. If anyone has seen Star Wars: The Clone Wars, let me know your reactions.  I'm not sure when I'll get to it, maybe on DVD in the coming year.  I must confess the prequels wore down my enthusiasm for The Galaxy Far, Far Away AND I have other priorities at this time, possibly even when the DVD comes out.

A Comic Book Superhero Is Headed to Small Screens caught my attention.  You might remember, I enjoyed Scott McCloud's exploration of the relationship of writer-comic-reader in the unfolding of story/meaning/time in Understanding Comics.  So I wonder what he has to say regarding the creation of digital cinematic comics via scanning the comics and adding music, text pop-ups, voice-overs. 

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On Saturday morning, Ellen and Hayley excitedly scurried out the door to a friend's birthday party.  They loved their time with the birthday girl and her/their friends at a theatre party room.  AND the opening weekend showing of WALL•E (they even brought home the free blue rubber, promo wristband watch which is only good until the battery dies ... with Ellen's already on decline, check back later for status report).

With regard to WALL•E, Ellen's favorite character was WALL•E.  Hayley loved both Eve and WALL•E (a Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class or do we really have a code name for ADAM, see The Little Robot That Could).  On the ride home we chatted about care for creation, recycling, and not laying around all day drinking while watching TV. 

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Leading up to Lily Joy's birth I had a few evenings to occupy myself and I tried out a few more episodes of the new Doctor Who.  Not bad, but I'm not sure how much space and time will exist in the coming days, weeks AND they're not a family show that our whole family would enjoy. ... Who Altered British TV? Who Indeed provides insight into some of the themes I was noticing but couldn't place my finger upon.  Check it out.

P.S.  As I've noted before, I'm afraid Tom Baker still defines Doctor Who for me.  That's just the way it is, but you know when I go back and watch them they're not as good as I imagined them in my younger years ;-)

So I do have more to say regarding Ratatouille. Here's the helpful confession from the food critic Anton Ego:

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So the critic comes to Ratatouille with some serious concerns, but leaves a new person ;-)

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What do you do when you're waiting for a baby?  One reads Confronting the Dark Lord from the May issue of Wonder time:  celebrate your child's love of learning and is inspired regarding the possibilities.  In our household, Narnia has become more of a legacy than Star Wars.  What childhood adventures stories have you invited your children to inhabit with you?

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Last Friday I had a night out with some guys from our fellowship group (go Disciples!).  We went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Although the film has had a strong showing in the box office, I am disappointed in the reopening of the series, after such beautiful closure in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (was it really 19 years ago?).

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Thank-you to Andy for referring me to Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics. What a text or should I say what a comic (or should I say both) which attempts to define comics (going all the way back to pre-Columbian and Ancient Egyptian picture manuscripts, not to be confused w/hieroglyphics which are the precursors to some written word), decifer visual iconography, explain the relationship of writer-comic-reader in the unfolding of story/meaning/time!

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Just finished reading a well conceived review and subsequent blog conversation by Jeffrey Overstreet. Check it out (teaser excerpt below), along with his Litany of Reviews. 

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