http://cinemagogue.com redefining entertainment Sat, 19 May 2012 20:07:55 +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. Join James Harleman, writer and speaker on narrative and its connective chords between all storytelling and the story of which we're all a part. Find new depths in what it means to be "entertained" and the reasons why stories (whether they're simple or complex, Citizen Kane or Harold and Kumar, touch our hearts and minds. 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/reviews-by-genre/ http://cinemagogue.com/2012/04/24/watching-the-watchers-of-the-cabin-in-the-woods/ http://cinemagogue.com/2012/04/24/watching-the-watchers-of-the-cabin-in-the-woods/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:43:32 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=5767 The Cabin in the Woods takes a step back from the stereotypical horror movie to look at those who watch this classic, recycling narrative, this movie's meta-commentary provides unique insights and conversation starters on why WE culturally create and watch scary movies, what it appeals to or appeases within us (and others) and what part "sacrifice" plays in dealing with humanity and atoning for our corporate transgression. Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly/Serenity and other endeavors involving Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon are sure to be pleased by this film, and I think it deserves three stars. Its content, however, is not for everyone. The video review dances around the details and avoids the big spoilers: we'll follow up with a spoiler-laden, written review later this week for those who want to go deeper. For more on why we engage scary movies and the horror movie in general, read this post. Watch the review of The Cabin in the Woods on Youtube or on Cinemagogue here...]]> http://cinemagogue.com/2012/04/24/watching-the-watchers-of-the-cabin-in-the-woods/feed/ 0 The Cabin in the Woods takes a step back from the stereotypical horror movie to look at those who watch this classic, recycling narrative, this movie's meta-commentary provides unique insights and conversation starters on why WE culturally create and ... The Cabin in the Woods takes a step back from the stereotypical horror movie to look at those who watch this classic, recycling narrative, this movie's meta-commentary provides unique insights and conversation starters on why WE culturally create and watch scary movies, what it appeals to or appeases within us (and others) and what part "sacrifice" plays in dealing with humanity and atoning for our corporate transgression. Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly/Serenity and other endeavors involving Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon are sure to be pleased by this film, and I think it deserves three stars. Its content, however, is not for everyone. The video review dances around the details and avoids the big spoilers: we'll follow up with a spoiler-laden, written review later this week for those who want to go deeper. For more on why we engage scary movies and the horror movie in general, read this post. Watch the review of The Cabin in the Woods on Youtube or on Cinemagogue here... Pastor James Harleman clean <iframe width="400" height="400" src="http://cinemagogue.com/?powerpress_embed=5767-podcast&amp;powerpress_player=html5video" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> 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/2011/05/25/lets-bring-up-a-thor-subject/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/05/25/lets-bring-up-a-thor-subject/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 15:27:21 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4178 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/05/25/lets-bring-up-a-thor-subject/feed/ 7 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/01/08/a-gods-legacy-in-tron/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/01/08/a-gods-legacy-in-tron/#comments Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:11:15 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4069 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/01/08/a-gods-legacy-in-tron/feed/ 4 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/2010/05/19/iron-man-2-the-legacy-of-howard-stark/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/05/19/iron-man-2-the-legacy-of-howard-stark/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 20:19:16 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3187 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/05/19/iron-man-2-the-legacy-of-howard-stark/feed/ 3 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/05/13/a-supernatural-affection/ http://cinemagogue.com/2010/05/13/a-supernatural-affection/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 21:08:15 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=3153 http://cinemagogue.com/2010/05/13/a-supernatural-affection/feed/ 1