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/uncategorized/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/12/25/on-the-3rd-day-of-the-nightmare-before-christmas/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/12/25/on-the-3rd-day-of-the-nightmare-before-christmas/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:52:57 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4549 ...my true love gave to me: EVANGELISM! "But you must believe when I tell you this, It's as real as my skull and it DOES exist!" Peeling back the skin to see the narrative bone structure of The Nightmare Before Christmas and it's skeletal character, Jack, our third narrative beat finds the once-sorrowful Pumpkin King speeding back to Halloweentown after his life-changing experience with Christmas. He's just had his nightmarish world spun topsy turvy with a divine revelation of a happy, colorful land beyond his own, a rejuvenation that fills his heart and warms his bones with a fresh sense of living that he's excited to share. Articulation of that newfound bliss, however, proves more difficult than our skinny protagonist anticipated.]]> http://cinemagogue.com/2011/12/25/on-the-3rd-day-of-the-nightmare-before-christmas/feed/ 1 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/18/first-class-should-not-be-dismissed/ http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/18/first-class-should-not-be-dismissed/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:26:44 +0000 James http://cinemagogue.com/?p=4347 http://cinemagogue.com/2011/09/18/first-class-should-not-be-dismissed/feed/ 0 A revenge-fueled mutant man befriends an optimistic dreamer who can read and control minds. Their views of mankind's nature and possibilities for the future come under sharp scrutiny and stand polarized as they deal with a world of prejudice, mistrust, A revenge-fueled mutant man befriends an optimistic dreamer who can read and control minds. Their views of mankind's nature and possibilities for the future come under sharp scrutiny and stand polarized as they deal with a world of prejudice, mistrust, and ill-intentions. Is there an option that walks a tightrope between their opposing worldviews? Although filled with fanciful fiction, this film provides an intriguing reflection of our fears, our view of protagonist/antagonist, and what – if any – hope we have. I spoke on X-Men: First Class in North Seattle after a viewing of the well-received film and got to speak to its obvious narrative themes that have existed in X-Men since they were first created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby back in 1963. It's appropriate that this film places the backdrop a year prior in 1962, as the comic characters were essentially masked, mutated metaphors of the world events Stan and Jack inhabited. Turns out the themes still hold just as true today. (WARNING: the audio talk contains spoilers). Listen by clicking the arrow above, or DOWNLOAD by right-clicking HERE. Select from other options by visiting the Mars Hill Media Library. Pastor James Harleman clean