Category Archives: Movies and film

SERMON – “Two Surprising Virtues” (Ecclesiastes 2)

“Two Surprising Virtues” Ecclesiastes 2 Richard M. Wright Church of the Nations 10th Sunday of Pentecost (C) Marry her you dummy! “The Twilight Samurai” or <Tasogare Seibei>. A very good movie from eight years ago. Won twelve Japanese Academy Awards. … Continue reading

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What the furor over Shirley Sherrod reveals about *us* (or) Snow falling on cedars

(Ed – Edited and shortened original version of this post.) I have not posted about (former) agricultural official Shirley Sherrod because frankly am mighty tired of talking about “race”. And boy are we talking about it a lot since 2008. … Continue reading

Posted in Ethnicity and race, Media, Movies and film, News, Politics | 2 Comments

REVIEW – “How to Train Your Dragon”

Whenever my kids complain about how cold it is I remind them of their Viking ancestors. “How to Train Your Dragons” tells the story of a boy who lives in a Viking village where it snows 70% of the year … Continue reading

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Low budget eye candy and debates over worship

What hath the dreadful Star Wars prequel “The Phantom Menace” to do with current debates over worship style? A few months ago my friend Joshua Villines directed my attention to a critical review of “The Phantom Menace” that is biting, … Continue reading

Posted in Ministry, Movies and film, Worship and Liturgy | 2 Comments

REVIEW – "Moon" (2009)

What does it mean to be human? More specifically what does it mean to be a person? How do we find meaning and purpose in an apparently absurd universe? It boggles my mind that critics could rave about how “Moon” … Continue reading

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REVIEW – Inner reflections/contradictions in "Avatar"

I almost did not go to see it. Most of the conservative blogs/websites I follow criticized harshly the movie “Avatar” directed by James Cameron. In a nutshell – that it is a silly and predictable leftist anti-American anti-capitalist rehash of … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Movies and film, Orthodoxy, Politics, Propaganda, Science Fiction | 3 Comments

REVIEW – "The Princess and the Frog"

Yes I saw it. Almost said “you can go without me”. Glad I went. A tradition in my family has always been to go see a movie on a holiday – like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s. So we went to … Continue reading

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"Avatar" and other movies that make you throw up(?)

I have my reasons for not liking James Cameron. But the concept of and trailers for the new “Avatar” movie did get my interest. However came across an early anonymous review (caveat lector – how reliable is this?) which included … Continue reading

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The glory of human freedom in "Minority Report"

Last night was planning to get to bed early but “Minority Report” was on. Tried to find the dvd version – was the very first dvd we owned a gift from two ministry volunteers – but no joy. So just … Continue reading

Posted in Movies and film, Orthodoxy, Religion, Theology | 2 Comments

"As long as it takes" -> Washington Rebel

Been watching “Constantine” this evening. Utter rubbish theologically. But strangely compelling. There is a scene that I thought both interesting and illustrative. Angela wants to see what her twin sister saw. So Constantine has her get into a bathtub filled … Continue reading

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