I found this movie, War, looking for Lionsgate's web page for 3:10 to Yuma, starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, but the link I followed was incorrect, so I saw the default movies at lionsgatefilms.com, featuring Bratz (rental in a few years), War, and Good Luck Chuck (nopers).
War stars Jason Statham and Jet Li, and is about an FBI agent (Statham) seeking revenge for the brutal slaying of his partner, perpetrated by an Asian mob guy (Li). It's probably pretty run of the mill, but Statham just rocks in everything he's in, and coupled with Jet Li, should prove very entertaining.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
I want to believe it's true
Yay on my 200th post!
I receive an inspirational email several times a week. Sometimes they're drivel, good for nothing, hardly worth taking the time to read. Usually, they're thought provoking. Today's actually inspired a post. This is not the first time I've seen this story, but today it hit me differently.
The basic story (non-inspirational synopsis) is about a "challenged" boy named Shay whose dad asked some boys playing baseball if his son could play. The team of the boy asked was losing, so the boy said, "Sure". They caught up to tie the other team and still they allowed Shay to bat. Someone helped him bat, and both teams worked to allow Shay to run (the opposing team throwing the ball in the wrong direction, overthrowing, etc.) and finally make it home to score the winning run.
Having seen this story so many times and in slightly different forms, it's probably an urban legend and didn't really happen. Yet, I want to believe that a man hoped against hope that some random boys would be big enough to allow his son to have an experience he would not otherwise have, and I want to believe not only that the boys let him play, but they willingly gave up their own chance to win to enable this one kid to have an experience of a lifetime for him.
Isn't this what the Bible teaches us: That all of us have importance regardless of our ability to perform or contribute, that our existence is contribution enough and worth being loved. That we are to put aside our own selfish ambition and conceit to help build others up, to help make winners out of those the world deems losers. That we are to stand for the downtrodden and down-and-outs, to not just protect the same, but to embrace them.
I want to believe that I am there, that I am one who stands in the gap for those that others scorn. I know I'm not. Slowly, though, I can see my heart changing, not of my own volition, but by the working of the Holy Spirit. As I allow myself to be more open to God's leading, I can see my attitudes changing and the scope of my life shifting to become that person. Who knows where I'll wind up and what it will look like. I know, though, whatever it becomes, it is because of God working in me.
I receive an inspirational email several times a week. Sometimes they're drivel, good for nothing, hardly worth taking the time to read. Usually, they're thought provoking. Today's actually inspired a post. This is not the first time I've seen this story, but today it hit me differently.
The basic story (non-inspirational synopsis) is about a "challenged" boy named Shay whose dad asked some boys playing baseball if his son could play. The team of the boy asked was losing, so the boy said, "Sure". They caught up to tie the other team and still they allowed Shay to bat. Someone helped him bat, and both teams worked to allow Shay to run (the opposing team throwing the ball in the wrong direction, overthrowing, etc.) and finally make it home to score the winning run.
Having seen this story so many times and in slightly different forms, it's probably an urban legend and didn't really happen. Yet, I want to believe that a man hoped against hope that some random boys would be big enough to allow his son to have an experience he would not otherwise have, and I want to believe not only that the boys let him play, but they willingly gave up their own chance to win to enable this one kid to have an experience of a lifetime for him.
Isn't this what the Bible teaches us: That all of us have importance regardless of our ability to perform or contribute, that our existence is contribution enough and worth being loved. That we are to put aside our own selfish ambition and conceit to help build others up, to help make winners out of those the world deems losers. That we are to stand for the downtrodden and down-and-outs, to not just protect the same, but to embrace them.
I want to believe that I am there, that I am one who stands in the gap for those that others scorn. I know I'm not. Slowly, though, I can see my heart changing, not of my own volition, but by the working of the Holy Spirit. As I allow myself to be more open to God's leading, I can see my attitudes changing and the scope of my life shifting to become that person. Who knows where I'll wind up and what it will look like. I know, though, whatever it becomes, it is because of God working in me.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Fantastic Four
I went to see Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer tonight. Superior to its predecessor in about every way imaginable, this was a joy to watch. Jessica Alba is still a very bad choice for Sue Storm, but there were a couple of spots where she was okay, namely when she was acting like Max from Dark Angel. Sue Storm is a blonde white female with blue eyes. The contacts they used to make her eyes blue in the movie were rather distracting. The Silver Surfer was way cool, as cool in a silvery shimmery kind of way as Johnny Storm is in a fiery kind of way. Yes, Chris Evans rocked again as the Human Torch.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
This is Crazy!!!!
Check out this little kid doing DDR (Dance Dance Revolution). I think I might break my leg...
Three Articles
I read three articles on MSNBC that really got me going this morning.
The past two episodes of Bones I've watched have also caused me to think about the way we treat our children and live our lives. I'll write about that at some point. Maybe.
- Stay-At-Home Dads
What do you know: men are found to be somewhat competent at something women normally do, even though the moms are reluctant to admit it. Equality goes both ways. Women, please remember this: You get to choose one and only one of these options: 1) What needs to be done, or 2) How to do it. Do you like to be nagged or nitpicked at every turn? Even if you call it "helping", it's still interpreted as nagging, and we men do not appreciate it. I do like how the article tells us that we need both moms and dads in raising the children. Men are not irrelevant and unneeded (though some act in ways that lead one to think so).
- Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Bob Woodward, please, do a report on this: Iraq war veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and their not receiving proper—or receiving incorrect— care. How dare we as a country ask these men and women to serve our country and then slap them down because they're just not "tough enough". What is tough enough? Could these same paper pushers serve even one week and not be changed by what they had seen or done?
- Nifong disbarred
At long last, justice is finally served in the Duke non-rape-or-even-attack case. Pretty early on, it was clearly evident to even a layman that there was no evidence against the accused lacrosse players, and that one even had an alibi. (It seems only the contingent that believes that accusation = prosecution felt Nifong was correct in his now clearly-shown political pandering.) Even now, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, he is still trying to convict those boys with his words (check out the end of the article about "getting out of there quickly"). Nifong wanted to make a name for himself. He has managed to do so. It only cost the reputations of three boys and the integrity of an entire state's judicial system to do so.
The past two episodes of Bones I've watched have also caused me to think about the way we treat our children and live our lives. I'll write about that at some point. Maybe.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Silly lawsuits, stop clogging up our justice system
One of the key things about my personality that I found out many years ago is that I have a very strong sense of justice. Things can be apparent to you without you realizing what it is at a conscious level, but when expressed to you, it suddenly makes sense, and you think, "Oh, yeah!! That makes so much sense."
This hasn't translated to me being some social crusader or even being particularly outspoken about bad things happening. Possibly, there's so much injustice that I wonder what I could possibly do, or who would listen to me (which is a common theme in other areas of my life).
Anyway, I'm against frivolous law suits, especially when caused by one's own stupidity or by some wrong-headed idea that bad things automatically incur monetary recompense from somebody (or downright fraud, like the people who boarded a bus involved in an accident after the accident and then claimed injuries from said accident).
There is a web site that brings such cases to light, and you've probably heard of the yearly awards for the most egregious examples of these lawsuits, the True Stella Awards. Here's a link to the "winners" for 2006: True Stella Awards 2006. Enjoy reading!
This hasn't translated to me being some social crusader or even being particularly outspoken about bad things happening. Possibly, there's so much injustice that I wonder what I could possibly do, or who would listen to me (which is a common theme in other areas of my life).
Anyway, I'm against frivolous law suits, especially when caused by one's own stupidity or by some wrong-headed idea that bad things automatically incur monetary recompense from somebody (or downright fraud, like the people who boarded a bus involved in an accident after the accident and then claimed injuries from said accident).
There is a web site that brings such cases to light, and you've probably heard of the yearly awards for the most egregious examples of these lawsuits, the True Stella Awards. Here's a link to the "winners" for 2006: True Stella Awards 2006. Enjoy reading!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Most Annoying TV Character
I've been watching Brothers & Sisters pretty much since the beginning (it's easier for me to be home on Sunday nights to catch it, unlike Lost on Wednesdays or 24 on Mondays). I think the show is pretty good, well-written with good characterizations, though a bit much in the Republican-bashing (not that they don't deserve it, but those in glass towers and all that). For the most part, I really like the interaction of the people in the family; it rings true, or at least it does in my mind.
Sally Field plays the matriarch, Nora Walker, in this menagerie. She loves her family oh-so-very much. Which is great. She's wielded the momma bear protecting her cubs extremely well. I would certainly not dare to cross her path.
But, at least to my eye, she's not learned to draw a boundary. I've been in support groups; I've read a lot. Sometimes, she's so wrapped up in what she wants or thinks that she fails to do what her (grown adult) children need for her to do. For example, Justin, the baby of the family, is a drug addict. He was at a treatment center, and through the magic of TV, is quickly having relative day. Being a tight-knit family, the whole brood shows up. Justin starts making his confession/apology. Before he's gotten a sentence out, Mrs. Walker is leaping in trying to excuse everything, simplify what has gone on, basically thwarting everything Justin needs to do in order to progress.
In tonight's episode, however, I have to give her kudos. She rose to the occasion admirably (after exhibiting the intrusive behavior early on). Only because Sally Field plays the character so sympathetically and so well can find here merely annoying and not just a shrew.
Sally Field plays the matriarch, Nora Walker, in this menagerie. She loves her family oh-so-very much. Which is great. She's wielded the momma bear protecting her cubs extremely well. I would certainly not dare to cross her path.
But, at least to my eye, she's not learned to draw a boundary. I've been in support groups; I've read a lot. Sometimes, she's so wrapped up in what she wants or thinks that she fails to do what her (grown adult) children need for her to do. For example, Justin, the baby of the family, is a drug addict. He was at a treatment center, and through the magic of TV, is quickly having relative day. Being a tight-knit family, the whole brood shows up. Justin starts making his confession/apology. Before he's gotten a sentence out, Mrs. Walker is leaping in trying to excuse everything, simplify what has gone on, basically thwarting everything Justin needs to do in order to progress.
In tonight's episode, however, I have to give her kudos. She rose to the occasion admirably (after exhibiting the intrusive behavior early on). Only because Sally Field plays the character so sympathetically and so well can find here merely annoying and not just a shrew.
Friday, May 11, 2007
28 Weeks Later
I just read the New York Times review of 28 Weeks Later. Amazingly, Mr. A. O. Scott seems to like the film, which, in my scatter shot reading of his reviews, largely seem to be negative. Who pays attention to critics?
I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I learned of its existence a couple of months ago. I'm not particularly a fan of zombie movies, though I did like Night of the Living Dead and 28 Days Later . This latter movie (now series?) had such an interesting look to it, and I had heard so many good things about it, I finally bought it sight unseen. (Unlike with comedies, viewing the trailer does not tell you the entire movie.) I was very impressed once I did watch it (though I was a tad unnerved when I began watching it late at night, so much so that I waited until the morning to finish it — should I admit this?).
I had a point when I began this post, but lack of sleep last night (in bed at 5:30 am) and this late time (though earlier) is clouding my ... fingers.
I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I learned of its existence a couple of months ago. I'm not particularly a fan of zombie movies, though I did like Night of the Living Dead and 28 Days Later . This latter movie (now series?) had such an interesting look to it, and I had heard so many good things about it, I finally bought it sight unseen. (Unlike with comedies, viewing the trailer does not tell you the entire movie.) I was very impressed once I did watch it (though I was a tad unnerved when I began watching it late at night, so much so that I waited until the morning to finish it — should I admit this?).
I had a point when I began this post, but lack of sleep last night (in bed at 5:30 am) and this late time (though earlier) is clouding my ... fingers.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Next Wednesday
Watched American Idol results show tonight. I figured Phil and Chris were going tonight. Now it's just Blake and the Girls. I'm rooting for you, Blake!
Still haven't seen Hot Fuzz :::sigh:::
Spider-Man 3 starts this weekend. I'm not sure when I'll get to see it. I might have to relent and go Friday night.
My boss is gone for two weeks. Yay! I imagine he'll still manage to wreak havoc from afar.
Finally saw Road to El Dorado. I was fairly let down, especially since the first disc from Netflix I received had a big old crack and wouldn't play. Then, I watched Rome, Season 1 Disc 2. Great series. Listening to the commentary for ep. 5, the producers really went out of their way to do something great.
Last week, I watched The Matador. It was a lot different than what I was expecting, but it was quite okay. I wound up getting it at Hollywood's half-price sale for $5.00. I started watching After the Thin Man, but at the 3:12 mark, the disc futzed out: it went to massive pixellation and then just froze. I cleaned it to no avail, and while there are a few scratches, I've seen discs in much worse condition play with no problem. I'll have to try it in the other DVD player.
I need to hurry up and watch the movies I got from Blockbuster's sale. They only provide a 30-day warranty. How Hooverage is that? I won't necessarily be upset when Blockbuster goes belly-up.
Still haven't seen Hot Fuzz :::sigh:::
Spider-Man 3 starts this weekend. I'm not sure when I'll get to see it. I might have to relent and go Friday night.
My boss is gone for two weeks. Yay! I imagine he'll still manage to wreak havoc from afar.
Finally saw Road to El Dorado. I was fairly let down, especially since the first disc from Netflix I received had a big old crack and wouldn't play. Then, I watched Rome, Season 1 Disc 2. Great series. Listening to the commentary for ep. 5, the producers really went out of their way to do something great.
Last week, I watched The Matador. It was a lot different than what I was expecting, but it was quite okay. I wound up getting it at Hollywood's half-price sale for $5.00. I started watching After the Thin Man, but at the 3:12 mark, the disc futzed out: it went to massive pixellation and then just froze. I cleaned it to no avail, and while there are a few scratches, I've seen discs in much worse condition play with no problem. I'll have to try it in the other DVD player.
I need to hurry up and watch the movies I got from Blockbuster's sale. They only provide a 30-day warranty. How Hooverage is that? I won't necessarily be upset when Blockbuster goes belly-up.
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