5:30 Coffee: Movie Flash!!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Movie Flash!!

I've seen a couple movies lately - thought I'd give a quick... I mean quick... rundown.

Get Smart: Particularly for those of us who grew up during the era of Maxwell Smart it's a must see. It's hilariously funny at some points - I nearly wet my pants laughing at two points in the movie. The second time I saw it there was a lady in front of us who was absolutely howling it was so funny. I mentioned this to my brother-in-law with whom I'd seen the movie the first time and said, "that's just what you sounded like the first time you saw it!" I saw it twice in the theatre... I never do that. It's worth the price of admission. There is relatively little inappropriate stuff - good movie.

Wanted: If you can get past a couple of early, and graphic, sex scenes the rest of it is just as bad! Truly, I went to see it because it looked like a lot of fun and action. There were some great action spots to be sure. Morgan Freeman is an amazing actor, one of my favorites, I expect to see him in better movies. In the end Angelina Jolie is true to the code... it's just a bit of weird code to be true to! If you have to see it wait for the DVD in my opinion.

7 comments:

MoLak Jedi said...: We'll probably wait on Get Smart. For me, it doesn't scream "Big screen!" Angelina Jolie movies are, for the most part, off limits for me! We saw Indiana Jones while we were in Bremerton and it was what you'd hope to see from Dr. Jones at that age.; July 11, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Anonymous said...: As a christian myself, I do not watch graphic (or any) sex scenes. I have been known to get up and walk out of movies or abruptly change the channel on t.v. I was surprised that a pastor of a christian church would tolerate or even continue watching something that would be so inappropriate as a form of entertainment. Yes it's only a movie but those are real people with real bodies on the screen engaging in things that should be sacred and private between two married people. Something to think about. What would Jesus do? I have a hard time believing that He would continue watching. It's all about choices in honoring our Savior as to what we deliberately set before our eyes.; August 8, 2008 at 6:00 PM
John J. Roberts said...: I think the reminder about being careful regarding what we put before our eyes is a very good one... Thanks for the reminder.
I was frankly caught off guard as I expected this to be an action movie.

You're surprised that I go to movies? You said, "that form of entertainment." Or did you mean a movie with a sex scene. Could I ask if you go to movies at all? I say that because some Christians make a commitment not to go movies, and I respect that decision. The reason I wonder is because to say you don't watch "any sex scenes" would nearly mean that you don't watch any movies TV. Unless it's older movies. There are just very few movies out there without any.

As to what Jesus would do? That may not be as simple as perhaps you're making it. It's my sense that Jesus put himself in all sorts of situations that made the religious very uncomfortable - yet he was without sin. In no way do I say that as a license for illicit behavior, because he certainly didnt' engage in it. I guess I wonder at what level Jesus would engage the culture. I think Jesus would make us very uncomfortable to be honest. Do you think he'd be comfortable in most Christian Churches today? I wonder. As to whether or not he would see "Wanted"... I guess he wouldn't have. Though he saw it with me I guess... I was glad he was there.; August 9, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Anonymous said...: No, I wasn't surprised that you go to movies, just a movie with inappropriate content for a pastor or anyone professing Christ for that matter as "a" form of entertainment not "that" form of entertainment (as you stated). There are many forms of leisurly entertainment. It is our choice as to what we allow ourselves to be entertained by. I understand that you were caught off guard but if the movie starts out bad, why wait and see if it gets better?...why not just leave it? Is it worth it? And why give a review telling others to wait for the DVD when it was a bad movie in the first place...not something christians ought to be entertained by (or anyone)? Why not take the time to find out about a movie before viewing it? There are plenty of 'screening for content' type web sites on the internet and movies usually have a rating. I was just surprised that a christian pastor would stay and watch and give the review that you did as a leader in the church.
Yes, I do watch movies and T.V. As I stated before, I have been known to walk out of movies or abruptly change the channel on the T.V. And no, I don't watch too many movies or T.V., there are too many other things to do but you would be surprised by what there is to watch other than sewing and cooking shows and movies made for children (although some of those are pretty hilarious).
Yes, Jesus put Himself in situations that made the religious uncomfortable but, as you said, He did not engage in them. I believe that is the difference. I think Jesus would engage in our culture the same as He engaged in the culture He was born in. The Holy Bible gives us accounts and examples of how He lived and how we should live. Do I think that Jesus would be comfortable in most christian churches today? I'm not sure what you mean by comfortable. Do you mean if He would be happy with how most christian churches are conducted today or how a lot of christians live their lives?
As to the last comment about Jesus being with you as you (two?) were watching this bad movie...I don't know what to say...; August 9, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Anonymous said...: You may just be busy but since I hadn't seen a reply I thought that I might have offended you, which was not my intention. Sometimes we can get caught up in this world of pleasure and unintentionally disgrace our God and ourselves. I too, fall into that category. I feel we all do at times as humans (hence the need for a savior) but I felt that the watching and recommendation to a movie with graphic sex scenes was inappropriate for a man of God to partake in and not what you would want to portray to others (christian or not). Simply put, the wrong message sent out as a leader in the church. We all need to be good ambassadors for Christ. Although my point to the topic remains, I apologize to you if I came across as uncaring or rude. May God bless you.; August 14, 2008 at 10:29 AM
John J. Roberts said...: Sorry you didn't see my comment anonymous... I actually replied the next day or two from yours. I wasn't offended actually and I didn't feel caught, or that I disgraced God.

I actually blogged about the movie because I was hoping to save someone the wasted money and exposure to negative stuff.; August 16, 2008 at 8:23 AM
John J. Roberts said...: What I mean by "he saw it with me" shouldn't be something confusing to comment on... or perhaps you didn't know what to say because nothing need be said. It's my sense that he's with me wherever I go - in fact he promised it.

Yeah, I've walked out of movies before... not sure in this case. I do appreciate your point in any case. Something I'm thinking about all the time, and evaluating.

With regard to Jesus in the church today, being comfortable. I think I'm referring to the fact that he might be viewed as a bit loose in some ways. I know he wouldn't "be loose" but I think he would be viewed as such, because he was in the times he lived. The fact that he hung out with publicans, tax gatherers, drunks, sinners, and prostitutes caused him a bit of grief because I think it gave the appearance that he was a little too involved in the world. He was perceived as being engaged with the activities of those with whom he spent his time.

By the way, I'm not trying to make the case here that I should run around watching sexually inappropriate movies to "connect"
with the culture. I think it's always a balancing act for the christian (pastor or otherwise) to know how to engage the culture. I think there is a tendency to create an entire christian culture that separates us totally from the world around us. I think it's happened. Somehow we've seen this as a holy decision. The tension of being "in the world" but not "of the world" is one that I find a positive challenge. I think it's the tension of grace that we live in that keeps us walking in faith. It's a good journey.; August 19, 2008 at 12:25 PM

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Life and Ministry

I've been alive for 46 years... I know that's not much compared to some people, but it's enough that I realize I'm on the downhill side, probably, unless I live past 92! That would be interesting I think. Otherwise, however, I'm at a point of deep reflection... how will the rest be spent. I've been in the same spot for 20 years now, doing pretty much the same work, so it's time for serious evaluation.

There are two things that have challenged my thinking... one old, one new. First, the 9th stage of Eric Erikson's psycho-social development; "Integrity vs. Despair." It struck me twenty some years ago. Erikson basically says that there will be a time when you will begin to reflect on your life and you will conclude that it's been a life full of good decisions and directions, and work done well - if that's the case you'll come away with a sense of integrity; your life has had meaning and purpose. If on the other hand you look back and see that it's been filled with missed chances and squandered opportunities you'll have a sense of despair. I want my reflection to lead me to integrity!

Second, I had a class on 2 Timothy this summer at Regent College with Earl Palmer. He and I had lunch one day and it was just a great encouragement. He said to me, "Never think of yourself as old... I'm nearing 80 and I don't think of myself as old! You have lots of life ahead of you... your most productive years! Realize that you are young and God has alot of stuff for you to do!"

Looking forward!
John

Book Reviews

Are Women Human (Dorothy Sayers): This little book (about 80 pages at most) is a lot of fun, but also profound. It's actually a compilation of two essays - I think both lectures - which Sayers gave around 1938 to a women's group in London. They wanted her to talk about the importance of feminism – which she didn’t want to talk about specifically. She's very fun to read... very British... very to the point... very intelligent and articulate. I read it as preparation for the sermon series in 2 Timothy because I'm trying to think of Paul's treatment of women and this book was suggested to me by Earl Palmer (University Presbyterian - Seattle) at a class I recently took from him. Here, in my estimation, is the essence of Sayer's view, "Women should be doing everything they're gifted to do... but not in order to prove that they can do what men can do. There are fundamental differences between men and women; they're made for different things. If you have to choose between a woman or a man to do a certain task you should choose the one who is best at that task. It gives our lives meaning to do what we're good at... it honors God to do what we're made for. A woman shouldn't become a mechanic to prove that women can be mechanics... nor should she be kept from mechanics because she is a woman. Great treatment of the subject I thought. My view of Paul and women, incidentally, is that he thought very highly of them. He speaks specifically in a coupe places about them being silent, but then talks all over the place about their roles as prophets, teachers, deacons, and "outstanding among the apostles." I take his specific instructions about women and silence to be a specific address to a specific problem. Barth says, "There are no NT letters apart from the troubles of the NT church." He's right about that.
Searching for God Knows What (Donald Miller): Miller is great... his writing style is interesting and very conversational. A little too conversational at times for me. But I love to be challenged by what he's saying, both in this book, and "Blue like Jazz" which is also enjoyable, and challenges some ideas that we have about life, faith, and church. Miller makes me laugh at one moment, and then get very serious the next. Honestly, I howled with laughter during the first chapter, "Fine Wine: The Failure of Formulas." He gave me cause to think anew about Shakespeare’s Play, "Romeo and Juliet." I have to go back and reread it... it's been way too long. Here's a bit of a summary statement for the book, from chapter one: "I realized the gospel of Jesus, I mean the essence of God's message to mankind, wasn't a bunch of hoops we needed to jump through to get saved, and it wasn't a series of ideas we had to agree with either; rather, it was an invitation, an invitation to know God."
Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters (Peter Kreeft):Before I Go: Letters to Our Children about What Really Matters (Peter Kreeft): This is simply a delightful little book. I don't mean "little" in a way to demean it... rather it reads like a little book. There are 161 short letters, from a couple sentences to a couple pages of advice that Kreeft is leaving mostly for his children. Here is a quote from #23, Sacred Time: "Visit a church at least once a week and just spend five minutes in the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, just adoring Him. He came a long way for this meeting: all the way from heaven. And He brought you a long way for this meeting: all the way from nothingness, out of which he created you. He thinks this meeting is that important. And you don't? Which one of the two of you do you think has it right?" I love the sacredness of Kreeft's Catholicism. I like his writing. This book is full of good stuff. It's been especially meaningful to me since I'm preaching through 2 Timothy which is Paul's "Last Words" -- literally.
Playing for Pizza (John Grisham): Nothing profound here, but it's an enjoyable read. Maybe I'd classify this as a "feel good" novel. It's not going to change the world, but it's a story with some redemption, victory, set mostly in Parma, Italy. There is some interesting information here about various parts of Italy. Story is an NFL Quarterback, Rick Dockery, who can't seem to make it in the NFL, and ends up playing in the Italian NFL, for the Parma Panthers. They're putting all their hopes on him to win the Italian Superbowl! In the end... Easy read about 260 pages.
Fish!: This is a great little book,sort of expensive for the size of the book, less than a hundred pages. This book is really helpful for getting refocused on how to be a positive influence in a "toxic energy dump."
Real Sex (Lauren Winner): I really like Winner's writing. Heard her speak at the National Pastor's Conference in '07... she's fun. I read another of her books, Mudhouse Sabbath, which I loved. I think you should read this very articulate and frank discussion of Sex within the faith framework. Read it.
Velvet Elvis (Rob Bell): Thought provoking look at the church, faith, and the journey. I'm not crazy about Bell's writing style, but readable, and challenging ideas. I'd recommend it. If the church doesn't stay relevant it will end up the like the "Velvet Elvis" painting Bell found in the basement of his house... obsolete.
His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman): I read the trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass) as well as Lyra's Oxford. As advertised the books are hard on "the Church" but that's to be expected from Pullman's atheism. The books were a fun read, we're reading them to our boys now. Good opportunity for dialogue about important ideas. Lyra's Oxford was disappointing, and very short. Few observations: (1) "The Church" is probably a little too exercised about this series. (2) I think "killing God" is a little too strong a description of what happens. (3) I think it's very interesting, given Pullman's atheism, that there is so much metaphysical stuff in this series. (4) If you haven't read the books or seen the movie... see the movie first... they foul up everything in the movie which makes it difficult to enjoy if you've read the books. Trilogy books are around 250 pages. Fun, but definitely not The Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia... not close.
Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck): This is a classic that I'd never read until recently. It's a very interesting portrayal of friendship, caring, and loyalty. It's accessible, and about 90 pages. Glad I read it.

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Friday, July 11, 2008

Movie Flash!!

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