What truly glorifies God?
I've always wondered this question, pondered the answer, and i still don't know for sure. We are told that by NOT doing things, live a pure life is the way we do this. Or by singing praise songs, and worshiping him. But to me i've always found this a bit ridiculous. There are very few so-called "Christian Artists" i will listen to because most of them are as hypocritical, or more so than the general population and it sickens me. But why must one be a Christian artist to glorify the lord?
My own opinions were first backed as I was reading "Velvet Elvis", in which Rob Bell makes the statement that just by using the gifts that God has bestowed upon us, whether it be writing, or playing an instrument or fixing a car, that we are glorifying God. I honestly believe that just by making a record (maybe with a bit of pure intentions) and selflessly taking credit, one will glorify God. Or the actor who plays an Oscar-Worthy performance who takes no credit for his win can glorify the Lord, because even God knows Christians cannot make a good film to save their lives.
But everything theological is only opinion and this is only my own commentary. I don't claim to be right, but nobody has come to correct me. Comments are welcome, since theology is nothing more than discussion.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Modern Filmmaking
Modern films seem to be taking a completely new direction from where we were in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Modern films are normally overproduced, terribly acted, pieces of crap, more concerned with how to make the most money than actually entertaining people. And most filmmakers will trade character depth for plot development or a few extra special effects or vice versa. Now this is not to say i don't enjoy my eye-candy, but it seems that this is what our multi-plex's have become filled with.
Now while movies such as "Transformers" destroys box-office records, films that pay homage to the forerunners of modern cinema go overlooked, such as "(500) Days of Summer". Here is a film that does not sacrifice character for plot or humor. Here is a film that is able to evoke such emotion that you want to cry, hate, and love all at once. While "Transformers" on the other hand, overplays the story accompanied by terrible acting, racist humor (you know what i am talking about), and overblown effects that look a bit dated. Yet these films continue to break records year after year. Why is this?
Could the answer lie because people in the golden age were more educated, or well knowing into the culture? Or could it be because people would rather sit mindlessly and not have to think about the social or moral commentary that most indie flicks tend to impose? It might be a combination. But nevertheless, quality is just going to keep dropping for quantity as studios continue to crank out sequels until no more money can be made. And it is a damn shame in my opinion.
Please show support of lower budget and indie films and keep the spirit of film in its prime. Maybe with enough support these films with sport a wider release.
Now while movies such as "Transformers" destroys box-office records, films that pay homage to the forerunners of modern cinema go overlooked, such as "(500) Days of Summer". Here is a film that does not sacrifice character for plot or humor. Here is a film that is able to evoke such emotion that you want to cry, hate, and love all at once. While "Transformers" on the other hand, overplays the story accompanied by terrible acting, racist humor (you know what i am talking about), and overblown effects that look a bit dated. Yet these films continue to break records year after year. Why is this?
Could the answer lie because people in the golden age were more educated, or well knowing into the culture? Or could it be because people would rather sit mindlessly and not have to think about the social or moral commentary that most indie flicks tend to impose? It might be a combination. But nevertheless, quality is just going to keep dropping for quantity as studios continue to crank out sequels until no more money can be made. And it is a damn shame in my opinion.
Please show support of lower budget and indie films and keep the spirit of film in its prime. Maybe with enough support these films with sport a wider release.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Public Enemies Review
Last night i went to see Public Enemies. So i will give a brief rundown of the plot followed by my personal opinions of the movie.
The movie follows 1930s bank robber John Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, and his fellow criminals as they struggle to get money, flee the FBI, and make romance in the midst of the Great Depression. Dillinger falls in love with a woman named Billie one night at a party after a nice score, and begins to pursue her with all his might. The FBI decides that they are going to come down hard in an effort to catch, or kill Dillinger and his gang. The task force is led by a man named Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale. As the feds continue to do everything in their power o catch these criminals, John begins to relize that his robbery days are coming to an end and finds the more important things in his life.
The film is slow. I'm going to start there. So if you hate slow films, don't bother. Most of the movie focuses on the personal development of Dillinger, seeing the shift in his character. But it is interesting nevertheless, to see his true character. And Christian Bale doesn't have a large a role as one would expect, but the game of cat and mouse he plays with the criminals provides for great conflict and tension within the film and leaves you on the edge of your seat at times. Both leading men and the rest of the supporting cast play their roles very well, it is just lacking in some of the plot areas.
But it is overall a solid film and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Bale, Depp, or Michael Mann. But a large attention span is always a help. So i would rate it 8/10.
More interesting things to come! Thanks for reading!
The movie follows 1930s bank robber John Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, and his fellow criminals as they struggle to get money, flee the FBI, and make romance in the midst of the Great Depression. Dillinger falls in love with a woman named Billie one night at a party after a nice score, and begins to pursue her with all his might. The FBI decides that they are going to come down hard in an effort to catch, or kill Dillinger and his gang. The task force is led by a man named Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale. As the feds continue to do everything in their power o catch these criminals, John begins to relize that his robbery days are coming to an end and finds the more important things in his life.
The film is slow. I'm going to start there. So if you hate slow films, don't bother. Most of the movie focuses on the personal development of Dillinger, seeing the shift in his character. But it is interesting nevertheless, to see his true character. And Christian Bale doesn't have a large a role as one would expect, but the game of cat and mouse he plays with the criminals provides for great conflict and tension within the film and leaves you on the edge of your seat at times. Both leading men and the rest of the supporting cast play their roles very well, it is just lacking in some of the plot areas.
But it is overall a solid film and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Bale, Depp, or Michael Mann. But a large attention span is always a help. So i would rate it 8/10.
More interesting things to come! Thanks for reading!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Climbing the Wall
I just got back from being in Durango, CO and Moab, Utah for 3 weeks and it is quite the different experience than being in Texas. Now Other than the differences in the weather, (cool and dry v. hot and humid) the cultures are so much different. When one travels to another part of the world, or even their own country, it provides some serious culture shock.
But this isn't really what i wanted to discuss. More of what i wanted to talk about was the climbing that we did in Moab, and the faith we put into the tools that we use to keep us safe and alive. All that one even uses is a harness, and some ropes that you tie onto the harness. So why do people risk their lives for the passions they love? The answer is faith.
Faith is what we have that a rope will not snap or a knot will come undone, or a bolt will be yanked from the rocks. Just like in anything we do, we must have faith that the decisions we are making are safe and we will come out fairly unscathed on the otherside. But one cannot scale the side of a cliff on his own. It takes teamwork. Someone down below looking out for you. But they rely on you to pull yourself up as they hold you and keep you from falling. It is a two way street for sure.
This is just like our relationship with God. We may feel like we are alone, but he is on the ground below belaying us, holding the ropes, and we must have faith that he is there watching over us and that our ties to him cannot be broken. We are firmly secured with him, but that doesn't mean that we rely on him to do the work. Instead he calls us to go out and show his love for others through us. We are his surrogates. But we are not alone in the fight to the top.
But this isn't really what i wanted to discuss. More of what i wanted to talk about was the climbing that we did in Moab, and the faith we put into the tools that we use to keep us safe and alive. All that one even uses is a harness, and some ropes that you tie onto the harness. So why do people risk their lives for the passions they love? The answer is faith.
Faith is what we have that a rope will not snap or a knot will come undone, or a bolt will be yanked from the rocks. Just like in anything we do, we must have faith that the decisions we are making are safe and we will come out fairly unscathed on the otherside. But one cannot scale the side of a cliff on his own. It takes teamwork. Someone down below looking out for you. But they rely on you to pull yourself up as they hold you and keep you from falling. It is a two way street for sure.
This is just like our relationship with God. We may feel like we are alone, but he is on the ground below belaying us, holding the ropes, and we must have faith that he is there watching over us and that our ties to him cannot be broken. We are firmly secured with him, but that doesn't mean that we rely on him to do the work. Instead he calls us to go out and show his love for others through us. We are his surrogates. But we are not alone in the fight to the top.
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