Archive for August, 2007
Should I use the L-word?
August 22nd, 2007
I wonder… has lecture become a bad word?
I confess, I can listen to hours of good teaching at a stretch, but use the “L-word” (lecture, not the other one) and even my autonomic yawn kicks in. Hopefully, that won’t dissuade folks from enjoying the lec- um… “talk” I was privileged to deliver at our West [...]
Film and Theology’s Top Ten
August 18th, 2007
I often get asked to list ten of the more theologically provocative films. The first three are oft-referred to as the “Mars Hill Trilogy”, frequently popping up on pastor’s lists. Not all our pastors would heartily endorse all these films, mind you… and some are definitely not for everyone. (I have also added archived reviews [...]
There’s No Place Like D’OH!!!
August 14th, 2007
The Simpsons Movie by James Harleman
The funniest part of The Simpsons movie may be the opening, when frustrated father Homer Simpson groans over watching a movie that is essentially a big screen version of what you can see at home on TV. This self-awareness sets up the movie nicely, also setting the level of expectation [...]
Mystery, Revelation, J.J. Abrams and January 18
August 5th, 2007
Like millions of other people in July, gathering around the world to stare at one of 4,050 movie screens, I waited breathlessly for Optimus Prime and his band of disguised robots to transform. However, something peculiar occurred as we sat through reminders about turning off cell phones and watching requisite trailers for other films.
The screen [...]