Not a subscriber yet?
 |
|
Greetings!
As always, we thank you for your interest in Hollywood Jesus!
We know that you value your privacy, and we respect that.
If, for some reason, you are receiving this newsletter in error, please use the "Safe***" link in the footer of this email.
|
|
 The Celebrity Frenzy
Why We Watch Our Stars Rise and Fall
Matthew Kinne
The names Lindsay, Heath, and
Britney influence gossip writers to bang away on keypads and the
paparazzi to give chase with their cameras and microphones. Recent headlines include "Kirsten Enters Rehab," "Heath Dies by Accidental Overdose," and "Why Britney was Released Early."
What is going on here? Why is
there such an insatiable appetite for stories on celebrity destruction?
Might there be a holy
yearning in the middle of all this madness? We are not merely entertained by the music or acting
performances of celebrities; we look to them as a reflection of
ourselves. Actually, they are a reflection of our better selves, of
what we hope to be, of what we might possibly be if we only had their
courage and left our home towns and our hardware stores and our school
yards and made it big in Hollywood...
Read more...
|
 Free DVD
2 Lucky Entrants Will Win
|
 Of Thrill... and Victory!
The Latest Observations on Sport in Film
Darrel Manson, Senior Writer
02/16/08 | Movies, Sports, On DVDDreams may be what make many sports films
so appealing. Dreams may actually come true in sports. And the results
are quantifiable - a final score or a gold medal. We know when a dream
is attained. But Hoop Dreams reminds us that dreams are very delicate
and can also be very ephemeral.
The Year My Parents Went on Vacation
02/15/08 | Movies, SportsSometimes when we hear Jesus' parable about
the Good Samaritan, we may hear that as saying that Jews don't take
care of people. What a misunderstanding! The parable's focus is about
defining neighbor not by what we have in common, but simply by virtue
of need.
Children of Glory
02/10/08 | Movies, SportsThis water polo match, set at an event
which is supposed to bring the world together in peace, was a political
statement by both sides. The Soviets would not put up with rebellion;
the Hungarians would not submit to tyranny.
Goal Dreams
02/10/08 | Movies, Sports, On DVD, PoliticsEvery four years the World Cup matches
capture the world's attention. Every country wants its team to win-even
those in a country that has no state: The Palestinian Territories.
|
The Week In Movies
 The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
The Spit Solution
Elisabeth Leitch
Whether the full truth of reality is hidden from us by the works of
others or by our own inability to see it, there is almost always more
to the story than what we know and more to the picture than what we
see. And it is in that very truth that the story begin.
Step Up 2 The Streets (2008)
Finding Belonging Through Dance
Elisabeth Leitch
Instead of telling a story that is essentially just about Andie, Step Up 2
is truly more of a group performance. And instead of just bringing a
bit of "the streets" to the institution, Andie and her crew show the
streets and the institution that anybody can be a part of both.
Jumper (2008)
Where Would You Rather Be?
Elisabeth Leitch
Truth be told, much of the time most of us would rather be somewhere
else. But the question becomes, if transporting to happiness and safety
could be done in the blink of an eye, what exactly would that mean to
who we are and the world in which we live?
 The Band's Visit (2008)
Strangers in the House of Hope
Darrel Manson
The film constantly walks a fine line between not only melancholy and
humor, but also loneliness and community, and intimacy and formality.
That constant balancing makes this an enjoyable and heartwarming film.
Caramel (2008)
The Sweetness and Pain of Life
Darrel Manson
On the most basic level, this is a women's movie. (I don't mean to
denigrate the film at all by that categorization.) There is also a
deeper meaning that both men and women could benefit from. The women of
Layal's salon are indeed a model.
|
|
In DVDs, Music, Books, Comix, & Games
Daddy Day Camp
Jacob Sahms | 02/12/08 | Movies, On DVD
In the end, it's family and friendship that
matter. With a little elbow grease thrown in, anything is possible.
It's one cliché after another, but that's really all the movie is
aiming to be; and it's still a worthwhile exercise for children to see
it played out.
Trade
Jacob Sahms | 02/12/08 | Movies, On DVD
What does it mean when a "snake" or
trafficker can stop on a deserted hill before a cross and pray the "Our
Father" as he leads a group of girls to a life of imprisonment and
abuse? What prayers are answered in this film, if any?
Martian Child
CoachZ | 02/12/08 | Movies, On DVD
This movie is a great representation of
the, for lack of a better word, struggle to adopt a child. Yes, it is
struggle, but it is a worthy one. A wonderful film that may contribute
to people opening their hearts to the children that need us.
Children 18:3: Self-titled
Children of Rock
Jacob Sahms | 02/15/08 | MusicChildren 18:3 rocks its own brand of sound
thanks to a trio of siblings. Elder David Hostetter brings the lyrics,
the lead vocals and guitar, his sister Lee Marie brings the bass and
additional vocals, and younger brother Seth bangs the drums. It'll blow
your ears off.
Throwback Spiritual
Jacob Sahms | 02/13/08 | Music
This is an interesting, eclectic and
ambitious album that makes for a fun listen, with plenty of theological
material to chew on. The various beats come from a variety of sources,
but the message is the band's understanding of the gospel as they know
it.
Spiderwick Chronicles: Soundtrack
James Horner's Work Carries Its Weight
Jacob Sahms | 02/11/08 | Music
The soundtrack for The Spiderwick Chronicles
found its way to my desk, and it's actually quite lovely, but can't
completely do justice to what the movie will surely be. It's simply
full of grand titles like "Dark Armies From The Forest" and "So Many
Worlds Revealed."
In Defense of Food
J. Alan Sharrer | 02/17/08 | Books
Some of Pollan's food guidelines are
enlightening, such as "Don't eat anything your great-grandmother
wouldn't recognize as food." Sure, it would be nice to be able to eat a
serving of ice cream that's low fat and contains all the vitamins and
minerals I need for the day.Samson and the Pirate Monks
Jacob Sahms | 02/13/08 | Books
Larkin's accountability group is called a
Samson group, named after the man in the Bible who thought that he was
self-sufficient until it was too late, but later cried out to God for
help.
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction
Jesse Johnson | 02/13/08 | Comix
Mignola's use of odd and obscure ancient
mythology to ask essential philosophical questions spurs the reader to
higher thinking. We all long to be a part of something bigger than
ourselves, something powerful and world changing.
Endless Ocean
Yo | 02/11/08 | Games
Endless Ocean is a game that isn't a game,
which some may find frustrating. However, if you're willing to try
something a little different, you may find a lot to like about Endless
Ocean, and you may even find it to be the first time a game has helped
you relax and learn.
|
|
|
Previous News
Miss our most recent newsletter? Be sure to catch up. You can find it here.
|
Glad to be here,
The Staff
HollywoodJesus.com |
|
|
Back to newsletter list
