"The Shack"

"The Shack"
By William P. Young
As well as enjoying films, I also enjoy reading. I always have a book with me or by my bed to read. Depending on what's going on in my schedule I have more time for reading than at other times. I've never actually blogged my thoughts on a book before, but this was just so good I had to share.
"the Shack" is a must read, as far as I'm concerned, for christians and non-christians alike. It will challenge your preconceptions of God. How much of the God we "know" is really God and how much is centuries of lifeless man-made tradition and dogma? How does God feel about people? The author presents God (although he explains why he does this) in a rather unorthodox way. In fact, I've already heard of one person saying that they found it somewhat offensive. At any rate, you'll have to read it to really understand what I'm getting at. I don't want to tell too much.
So, my thoughts are this...christians seem to be comfortable living in bondage to a God that expects us to preform and try to live up to an impossible standard, only to find that we can't do it alone. But we keep trying anyway because that's what we've been told and taught for years. Christians are also afraid of new ideas. We don't want to listen to someone or read something that we might not agree with. Reading or listening does not involve an obligation to accept and adopt. We automatically assume that if something is contradictory to what we've been taught for years (I'm not talking about Biblical truths here) than it obviously wrong and heretical. Really, though? Do we really think that we've got God so perfectly figured out and fit into our little comfort zone that we may not have missed something? I think we've missed tons! Organized religion is lifeless. I believe that God's plans for a "church" transcend a building or a specific theological doctrine that divides. It goes so much deeper than what we have made it. I believe that god wants so much more out of his relationships with us too. More than we've made it; a rigid list of "do this" and "don't do this." It has become something we do instead of a relationship with God. We live in guilt and condemnation when we do not "preform" up to his "expectations." all which doesn't bring life is not from God. I have started ranting...
At any rate, the story has some very interesting things to say about life and presents life and God in a very real and relevant way. Check it out. I promise it will revolutionize your life.

Dark Knight

"Dark Knight"
Directed by Christopher Nolan

Probably the most anticipated movie of the summer...the year. Heath Ledger's death only added to the movie's appeal. Had Ledger not passed away the film would still stand on the brink of breaking all kinds of records and would still be, in my opinion, on of the best films of the year and certainly the best (hands down) comic book movie ever. Yes, that's right. DC has set the bar several notches higher for the movie making machine known as Marvel Studios. While Iron Man was the best Marvel movie I've seen in years, it paled next to Nolan's Dark Knight.
Performances of an extraordinary level run throughout the film. Ledger's being the most noticeable larger due in fact to his current absence. Not to impugn his performance, because it was chilling and amazing. But, the others' can't be forgotten. Bale, Cain, Freeman, Eckhart, Oldman, and Gyllenhaal give great performances as well and compliment Ledger's beautiful portrayal of the Joker. Gyllenhaal, whom I like, is the only one playing a character from Batman Begins that was originally portrayed by another actress (Katie Holmes). I can't say too much without giving too much away and I certainly don't want to spoil the film. Suffice it to say that early reviews were calling the Dark Knight "The greatest superhero movie of all time" and "one of the greatest crime dramas...." I fully agree. Granted, I am a huge Batman fan, but that aside...Dark Knight is a fantastic film no matter how you look it. It is a piece of cinematic genius and beauty. Check it out. I promise it won't be a film that you easily forget about once you leave the theatre.
One last thought to leave you with...I still thought Michael Keaton made a great Batman/Bruce Wayne...Val Kilmer was okay, and Clooney was just a horrible choice. Christian Bale, however, is my favorite with no room for debate. Just so you know:-)

Batman Returns

Let's be honest, shall we? Up until the most recent Christopher Nolan "Batman" movies there were only two of the original four that should have ever been made and both of them starred the same actor (Michael Keaton) as Batman and were directed by the same genius (Tim Burton). I saw both of those movies in the theaters and recall not being very impressed with "Batman Returns." I revisited the film twice in the last three weeks and both times I was blown away and going, "Why didn't I like this movie when it came out?" Everything about it was intelligent (says me) and the acting was great. Michelle, Michael, and Danny were amazing. At any rate, watching this movie again for the first time in almost twenty years was like rediscovering something that you had misplaced. Hooray for the Batman movies (not counting the Batman Forever and Batman and Robin...poop) that started a trend.

Superhero Movie

"Superhero Movie"
Directed by Craig Mazin

I'm not a big fan of spoof movies. Well, let me clarify...I loved Spaceballs, Young Frankenstein, and Dracula: Dead and Loving it, but I usually shy away from things like "Scary Movie" or "Meet the Spartans." I think my reasoning has been that it seems like these movies are made by taking someone else's perfectly good ideas and then just making fun of it. I suppose that's the point exactly with a spoof, but I've always felt that that approach lacks a certain creativity. Although it requires a certain amount of its own too. I'm clearly conflicted. "Outrageously funny" as it was billed on the DVD cover may very well be the overstatement of the year. I did find myself chuckling from time to time but wasn't in pain from laughing so hard. Thankfully there were no penguin testicles or scenes of a penguin crapping on anyone's face (see "Meet the Spartans"). At any rate, while I did laugh a little, the best part of this film, for me, was that it was only 82 minutes long. Thank God!

It has arrived!

As I've said earlier, I had to work very hard at occupying myself today instead of staring out the window waiting for the FedEx guy to show up with my Mac. My wife called and asked if I wanted to play golf. Well, normally I wouldn't think twice...but, I figured it was already almost 2:00 and it probably wouldn't come until tomorrow. So we left a note on the door, just in case, and asked my neighbor if she'd sign for it if it did come. Naturally, the FedEx guy showed up a few minutes after we left the house. When we got back (I actually had a pretty good game too...well, for me it was good) I only had thirty minutes to get it out of the box and drool over it before I had to go to work. Anyway, it was the longest night of work ever! Now I'm sitting here and the beautifully sexy Mac is telling me that it is going to take another 17 hours to finish installing Final Cut Studio! That's over half a day! I've got to sleep...well, that's what my wife tells me anyway:-)

me, myself, and I-Mac

Okay, so I recently ordered a new Mac primarily for editing and what not. I received an email the other day saying that it would arrive either on the 1st of July or the 2nd. I'm sitting around the house trying not to stare out the window waiting for the FedEx guy to come. I'm even cleaning the house and stuff just to keep my mind off it. My stomach is honestly in knots with the anticipation! Anyway, I am a geek and I'm proud.