http://cinemagogue.com redefining entertainment Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:10:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 engaging and exploring the connection between film, narrative, spirituality, creativity and Creator, images and imaging God. Pastor James Harleman clean Pastor James Harleman jh@marshill.com jh@marshill.com (Pastor James Harleman) ...redefining "entertainment" religion, tv, film, spirituality, Mars Hill Church, movie reviews, Christianity, Christian Movie Reviews +http://cinemagogue.com/rss.png http://cinemagogue.com/category/film-reviews/audio-reviews/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/18/before-breaking-dawn/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/18/before-breaking-dawn/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:06:44 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4426 Let's check the list:

• Pouty lips (is it Blue steel, or Magnum?)
• Mouth Breathers.
• Elongated stares more torturous than a Hostel movie.
• Abs that send washboards back to the gym in shame.
• Teen Wolf's extended family (P.S. - we forgive you too, Jason Bateman)
• Sparkly vampires that make Count Chocula cry in his milk.

These are just a few of the ideas that come to mind when thinking about the overextended Twilight series that adds "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" to it's cinematic entries in Potter-mimicking fashion. ]]> http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/18/before-breaking-dawn/feed/ 0 Let's check the list: Pouty lips (is it Blue steel, or Magnum?) Mouth Breathers. Elongated stares more torturous than a Hostel movie. Abs that send washboards back to the gym in shame. Teen Wolf's extended family (P.S. - we forgive you too, Let's check the list: Pouty lips (is it Blue steel, or Magnum?) Mouth Breathers. Elongated stares more torturous than a Hostel movie. Abs that send washboards back to the gym in shame. Teen Wolf's extended family (P.S. - we forgive you too, Jason Bateman) Sparkly vampires that make Count Chocula cry in his milk. These are just a few of the ideas that come to mind when thinking about the overextended Twilight series that adds "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" to it's cinematic entries in Potter-mimicking fashion. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/09/sibling-rivalry-and-daddy-issues-in-thor/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/09/sibling-rivalry-and-daddy-issues-in-thor/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:02:34 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4354 Two archetypal sons are examined in this 2011 summer blockbuster, hammering home deep truths about jealousy and pride that have existed long before even Jacob and Esau in the Bible. Marvel's film adaptation of Thor examines how we relate to ourselves, others, and our father - both earthly and heavenly.]]> http://cinemagogue.com/2011/11/09/sibling-rivalry-and-daddy-issues-in-thor/feed/ 0 Two archetypal sons are examined in this 2011 summer blockbuster, hammering home deep truths about jealousy and pride that have existed long before even Jacob and Esau in the Bible. Marvel's film adaptation of Thor examines how we relate to ourselves, Two archetypal sons are examined in this 2011 summer blockbuster, hammering home deep truths about jealousy and pride that have existed long before even Jacob and Esau in the Bible. Marvel's film adaptation of Thor examines how we relate to ourselves, others, and our father - both earthly and heavenly. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/12/adjusting-your-view-of-god/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/12/adjusting-your-view-of-god/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:02:37 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4252 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/12/adjusting-your-view-of-god/feed/ 0 "All I have are the choices I make." - David Norris, The Adjustment Bureau - Really? Is this a truism about humanity, or a truth we really want to live with? I left this film with an acrid taste in my mouth, though not for the reasons one might expect. "All I have are the choices I make." - David Norris, The Adjustment Bureau Really? Is this a truism about humanity, or a truth we really want to live with? I left this film with an acrid taste in my mouth, though not for the reasons one might expect. True, I was in the minority that didn't really resonate with the chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt (though the latter gave a great performance - I blame Damon), but this wasn't the problem. The issue at hand was any interpretation in which a viewer might actually believe they'd witnessed a happy ending. The Bureau in the film, and the chairman, provide the viewer with a very skewed view of sovereignty, a vision of overseeing powers that are short-handed, short-sighted, and desperately trying to keep up. If this film's vision of reality's "chairman" were true, I wouldn't have any faith either... in love, in life, or in God. Despite my unsettled feelings regarding the film, it remained a fantastic time unpacking ideas of chance, choices, and chairman with a live audience after a showing of the film, delving into the nature of "true love", kismet, cause and effect, and creator. (WARNING: the audio talk contains spoilers). "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 OWN THE FILM now on DVD, Blu-ray, or Instant Video. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2011/08/21/4191/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/08/21/4191/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 22:50:48 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4191 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/08/21/4191/feed/ 0 "You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another... there is nothing free except the grace of God." Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, a 14-year-old farm girl sets out to capture the killer and hires Reuben J. "You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another... there is nothing free except the grace of God." Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, a 14-year-old farm girl sets out to capture the killer and hires Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, known as a man with “True Grit.” The question is, however: what IS true grit? Who in the film truly evinces this? What do we REALLY need to secure justice, or to show grace, and does the film leave us in a place of hope or despair for achieving either in this life? This incredible, well-received film depicts the harsh realities of life with a few hopeful hints toward the everlasting arms that can sustain us, and it was my pleasure to unpack this at a live, crowded family film and theology event. Audio from the teaching portion is now available, though it assumes you've watched the film and does contain spoilers. OWN THE FILM on Blu-ray, DVD, or Instant Video. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2011/06/07/a-final-bit-about-tron-legacy/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/06/07/a-final-bit-about-tron-legacy/#comments Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:14:27 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4185 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/06/07/a-final-bit-about-tron-legacy/feed/ 0 Greetings, programs! As we're steeling ourselves for a summer of mind-bending blockbusters that will take us from Ohio to Oa, I took one last visit to The Grid with several hundred attendees at a viewing of TRON: Legacy where I was asked to provide an ... Greetings, programs! As we're steeling ourselves for a summer of mind-bending blockbusters that will take us from Ohio to Oa, I took one last visit to The Grid with several hundred attendees at a viewing of TRON: Legacy where I was asked to provide an exploration of the film's narrative themes in greater detail than the previous, spoiler-free posts. At the outset, I refreshed our event attendees with an overview of the first TRON film and it's themes. If you're already familiar with that or have listened to the audio review of the first film, you can skip ahead to about 6:30m for the remaining 30-minutes on the film's artistry, acting, and biblical parallels of creators and creation, fathers and reconciliation. "Change the speed, alter the mood, electrify the boy and girls... OWN THE FILM on 3D-Blu-ray, Blu-ray, or DVD. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2011/02/02/one-last-big-kick-from-inception/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/02/02/one-last-big-kick-from-inception/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:34:28 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4150 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/02/02/one-last-big-kick-from-inception/feed/ 0 Well, Christopher Nolan's film has received it's Oscar nod, and yet I have a feeling the Academy will wind up giving our "Best Picture" to something overinflated, overwrought, and overadulated like Black Swan. Well, Christopher Nolan's film has received it's Oscar nod, and yet I have a feeling the Academy will wind up giving our "Best Picture" to something overinflated, overwrought, and overadulated like Black Swan. While I'm still not convinced the 10-movie nominations are for anything except ratings, I'm happy to see some of the movies get a resurgence in the spotlight. We've certainly given it coverage here in our multi-part review series. I was able to speak at a hosted viewing of Inception in Seattle's University District, not only speaking to the aspects of subjectivity and biblical ramifications of Inception, but taking a look at the recurring themes in Nolan's body of work. What came of this was over 45 minutes of audio commentary on Nolan's work, his dreamy 2010 opus, and the gospel. I'll be doing a Canadian viewing and discussion of the film coming up this weekend in Vancouver. Hopefully it won't put you to sleep, but then again... maybe you already are. NOTE: The 47 minute audio exploration assumes you've watched the film and contains spoilers. Lots of spoilers. EPIC spoilers. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/17/the-worldview-of-an-elf-via-will-ferrell/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/17/the-worldview-of-an-elf-via-will-ferrell/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:52:58 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3990 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/17/the-worldview-of-an-elf-via-will-ferrell/feed/ 0 A special son raised in a Christmas paradise is sent south to a much harsher world where he sees the darkness in the world and overcomes it with a light in his eyes that refuses to be extinguished... the story of Buddy the Elf is an atypical type of Ch... A special son raised in a Christmas paradise is sent south to a much harsher world where he sees the darkness in the world and overcomes it with a light in his eyes that refuses to be extinguished... the story of Buddy the Elf is an atypical type of Christmas cheer that feels like modern-day pabulum while actually hiding some sugar-coated truths. Directed by the man who would later give us Iron Man, Elf is a candy-cane holiday movie I'd avoided for years, assuming it was just a Ferrell string of comedic skits strung together over a thin premise. But one particularly odd Christmas, all that changed... Once upon a time, a friend dared me to use the movie for a December film and theology event, figuring there was NO way I could look at such an inane narrative and see a glimpse of God in that story. With a focus on Santa and Will Ferrell histrionics, surely this film is nothing more than a random collection of meaningless banter... right? Wrong. I took the bet, examined the film, and reviewed it at a Mars Hill Church event; I think I was even able to make previous fans enjoy it on a whole new level. Watch the film and add 20 minutes of narrative exploration as a Christmas treat this year. NOTE: This audio exploration assumes you've watched the film and contains spoilers. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/13/tron-proves-it-was-not-the-end-of-line/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/13/tron-proves-it-was-not-the-end-of-line/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:46:00 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3967 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/12/13/tron-proves-it-was-not-the-end-of-line/feed/ 5 In 1982, TRON was passed over for an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects because the Academy felt the movie “cheated” by using a computer (seven years later, The Abyss would win for it’s computer generated effects), In 1982, TRON was passed over for an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects because the Academy felt the movie “cheated” by using a computer (seven years later, The Abyss would win for it’s computer generated effects), showing how out of touch the Academy has ALWAYS been... Meanwhile, in the real world... 28 years later, Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges reprises his role as Flynn in the upcoming Tron: Legacy, a film in which the son descends into the computer world his father created and – I’m guessing – likely winds up saving it. There is a reason this story has endured in the hearts and minds of the last few generations, and it wasn’t the acting or special effects... Let's see... a controlling master is seeking to deceive the world… to convince them there is nothing beyond the bits they can see, hear, and touch. However, a designer OF that world incarnates and walks among the people, performing miraculous feats and helping crush their oppressive ruler. He sacrifices himself to save them and then is seen ascending, his actions bringing light to a dark world. Is this the gospel? Not exactly, but in this lengthy audio review (with spoilers - come ON, it's like three DECADES old!) I got to explore the narrative nuances of Tron with a live audience of about 400 filmgoers. Enjoy! NOTE: The 30 minute audio exploration assumes you've watched the film and contains spoilers. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2010/08/17/it-all-comes-back-to-the-book-of-eli/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/08/17/it-all-comes-back-to-the-book-of-eli/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:08:57 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3550 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/08/17/it-all-comes-back-to-the-book-of-eli/feed/ 2 Right now, Inception and The Book of Eli are battling in my mind for best film of the year. We've already visited the post-apocalyptic vision by screenwriter Gary Whitta and the directors Hughes with a multi-part review on this site, Right now, Inception and The Book of Eli are battling in my mind for best film of the year. We've already visited the post-apocalyptic vision by screenwriter Gary Whitta and the directors Hughes with a multi-part review on this site, and even got to comment on Denzel Washington's portrayal of biblical manhood (plus a few others) on the Mars Hill blog. Recently, I had the pleasure of doing an event and captured an audio exploration of the film for those who've seen it and want to go deeper. I was even blessed to get a word from Gary Whitta through Facebook, reinforcing why we do what we do with this site, engaging culture to see our Creator's metanarrative in compare/contrast with all stories. NOTE: The 30 minute audio exploration assumes you've watched the film and contains spoilers. Pastor James Harleman clean http://cinemagogue.com/2010/06/10/hurt-locker-is-the-bomb/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/06/10/hurt-locker-is-the-bomb/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:38:46 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3419 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/06/10/hurt-locker-is-the-bomb/feed/ 0 “Sometimes you get to a point in life where you only love a few things, maybe even just one.” - Those haunting words in The Hurt Locker sum up a spellbinding, seat-gripping drama of life that has far-reaching application beyond laborers in an Expl... “Sometimes you get to a point in life where you only love a few things, maybe even just one.” Those haunting words in The Hurt Locker sum up a spellbinding, seat-gripping drama of life that has far-reaching application beyond laborers in an Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit. Embedded Journalist Mark Boal, who spent time with real EOD units in the field, told director Kathryn Bigelow that "you can't go through something like this and not be changed by it." Their hope is that this movie will also provoke thought and change in its viewers. In this film, Sgt. James has his box of trophies that suggest a Nietzschean mindset, and the unmistakeable gait that Jeremy Renner perfected for the role shows his confidence. His singular, focused existence demonstrates clearly where he has put his identity, even if he doesn't fully understand why he is the way he is. “Shall I tell you where the men are who believe most in themselves? For I can tell you. I know of men who believe in themselves more colossally than Napoleon or Caesar. I know where flames the fixed star of certainty and success. I can guide you to the thrones of the Supermen. The men who really believe in themselves are all in lunatic asylums…" - G.K. Chesterton NOTE: The 30 minute audio exploration assumes you've watched the film and contains spoilers. Thanks to Mars Hill for hosting a full house packed Film and Theology event in May 2010. Pastor James Harleman clean