3 Movies in August

_______ Someone mentioned that I had been posting alot this month. 35 to be exact (counting this one). So much for not blogging so much with everything going on. I am continually encouraged in the midst of some fairly difficult times, and having this outlet has been helpful. Anyway, this last week has actually been a little bit laid back as far as schedule demands. I had a chance to do some video viewing and thought I would share some comments here.

I recently discovered the Netflix "Watch Instantly" Feature and shared these first two films with my kids;

"Land Before Time 10" - Yes that's right 10! Pretty Amazing. Little Foot, Ducky, Cera, Petrie, and Spike are still just as cute and entertaining as they were when I was in Elementary school (the first one came out in '88). I admit it's a little bit annoying but my kids love these and I will confess, I still love to hear Petrie talk.

"Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story" - This is the same story as th the feauture length live action "End of the Spear". I've always wondered why they don't call it the Elizabeth Elliot story. Her part always seemed so much more risk taking, scary, and exciting to me. This shorter animated version is just like what your sunday school teacher would have showed you. I was a little concerned about exposing my kids to the violence but it was pretty cheesy. Five misionaries are shown bleeding in the river... My boy asked "Why is he glowing? Yeah dad, what's up with the red light around him?" A little surprised to find it on Netflix, but theres quite a bit of "inspirational" viewing here for instant access.

The next one I did not watch with my kids, and you'll have to wait for the actual DVD for this one...

"Everything's Gone Green" - I'm still not sure if I "get" this one. However, the wife and I both really liked it. The screenplay is by Coupland and it "feels" like one of his books. It was hillarious, not in a rolling on the carpet way, but enough significant chuckles to keep you watching. A little slow, but interesting, and full of beautiful people I'd never heard of. The first video the wife and I both really liked in a long time. You should check it out. As far as it being "unrated" it could be titled "unracy". Nothing naunchy or over the top in this one, only a few f-bombs and some hillarious drug refrences.

The Unfinished Yard

"You're front yard looks nice" is what my mom said when she came over on Tuesday. If you've been to my house you'll know why I laughed out loud. My front yard is dirt, and extends straight to the dirt road with no break, which extends to the vacant lot which will for a long time be one of the last undeveloped properties in Rancho Belago. Considering I took some time to chop the weeds, pick up the trash, and rake over the gopher holes, I really appreciated some one noticing. This is not what today's post is about.

I don't go to the movies too much. I have yet to see Evan Almighty, Transformers, or The Simpsons Movie. Although I REALLY want to see all three! I usually only watch what Netflix sends and recently my wife has been updating the que. Recently I viewed "Stomp the Yard" and "the Unfinished Life". Hence the Title for today's post, I thought this sounded better than "Stomp the Life". Both of these movies dealt with forgiveness, both for others and for yourself. They dealt with this issue without even mentioning God. The first one, Stomp the Yard, (This movie is just like Drumline except with less white people and Stomping instead of Drumming, very predictable) takes a "It's not your fault...get over it" approach. I found myself yelling at the TV, "But it was his fault!" The Second, The Unfinished Life (a surprisingly well made movie, even though I thought it had huge anti-christian connotations) takes a "It is my fault...get over it" approach. The unfinished life was a much deeper movie and really dealt further with these issues but both films seemed so insufficient to me. Can real forgiveness happen apart from the redemptive work of the cross? I don't think so. Can anyone truly forgive themselves or others with out first receiving God's forgiveness? These two films certainly suggested this but like I said, it just felt empty.

Your thoughts?

Happy Father's Day... I did knock!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's that read TTSM.

Last night I watched Nanny McPhee with my kids. Fun movie! Kinda like Mary Poppins but it stars Emma Thompson. Reminded me that our true beauty comes from how we bless others. It also has some other great themes approriate for today. "Children, Obey your parents" and "Fathers, don't exasperate your children". Anybody else see this?

Two Movies... One Night

I took my kids to see TMNT, which was way better than I thought it would be. It was full of really cool CG, comic book type action, and "deep" discussion on topics like leadership and grace, they just never called it that. Then the wife and I watched "The Pursuit of Happiness", Sad, Sappy, and pretty dumb. Here's what I learned...A million bucks will make you happy, or at least a good job will. Oh yeah, you don't really need a mom.

I was surprised by both films. Pleasantly by the turtles and disappointed by the fresh prince. My how things change.