July 29, 2008
The Dark Night- A couple of thoughts
Last night I went with Laura, my dad, and step-mom to see The Dark Night. Though I haven't done loads of film reviews (a thing I plan to change in the next few months when my new site is up), I will offer a few comments here with hopefully more to follow as ideas develop.
1. Heath Ledger's monologues are even-more-powerful and even-more-disturbing because of his death, than they would be if he were alive. While i expected them to be dark, I hadn't expected them to be so profoundly ironic and tragic.
2. The movie presents an other-than-traditional-view of hero that is worth investigating deeply when it comes to how we understand what it means to be good in the world. At multiple junctures during the course of the film, I found myself going, 'yeah, to be good doesn't always mean to do merely the right thing.' While i know it could be annoying for some, and predictable for others to assume I'd think this, I think this too is an approach to understanding what it might mean to practice Christianity in the world today. If not, there is something here very important about what it means to be human!
I have a few other thoughts, but i just wanted to get a few down here first. Overall, it was a good film. They obviously had set the movie up for Heath's return in the next film, his presence will be missed. I hope that they are able to use old footage of him at least in part of the next one. That would be cool.
As they say in the movie, 'people's faith needs to be rewarded from time to time', even if that means good people becoming bad things for the sake of justice.
be for good...even if you must become bad...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2008
Children of Men...again!
(Trailer)
Last night I watched the movie Children of Men again. Every time I watch it, something new comes to me about the film and about the way the movie speaks so graphically with wisdom about the folly and tragedy of our age.
One of the things which I discovered on the DVD after this watch however, was a short film done by director Alfonso Cuarón entitled "The Possibility of Hope". It was hidden with the extras. In it he has numerous philosophers, scientists and futurists giving commentary on the film. One of the most notable voices, at least to me, was Slavoj Zizek. Throughout the years, my friend Peter Rollins and others over at the church and postmodern culture have engaged with Zizek's teaching and thoughts. So for me, it was a fun find.
Below is part one. There are two more parts online: Part Two, Part Three.
I have also blogged about Children of Men here and here.
To quote Zizek from part three, "The magic is to turn a desperate situation into a new beginning."
have hope?
joshua
Posted by joshuacase at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2007
for the BIBLE tells me so
My friend Buddy sent me this link to this movie. Interesting. I had not heard of this film yet. Anyone else?
wow...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:09 AM | Comments (2)
June 07, 2007
Why I love America...
Today, I witnessed this video during one of the sessions here at SI. It's hilarious, and I believe it typifies problem solving as many would say, 'American-style'.
Wow...enjoy!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 08:13 AM | Comments (2)
May 14, 2007
Drew Barrymore, documentaries, and the World Food Programme
I have to admit it, my wife knows it, and I'm happy to talk about it: I've always liked Drew Barrymore. Maybe this isn't going to win me any cool points, but i thought she was the best of the Charlies Angels, I thought she was a star in ET, and well, Riding in Cars with Boys made me cry. Yep, I like her.
And now... i have a reason to talk about it because Drew is teaming up with the World Food Programme. As the offical 'Ambassador Against Hunger', Drew says she has finally found something to be passionate about and she is making every effort to raise awareness and make change happen.
If you don't know about the WFP, here are a few facts:
-they spend on 7% of donations on administration,
-last year, the WFP fed 19.4 million children in 71 countries through school feeding programs,
-the WFP proports that they work with people who 'who don't have any food, (and) boil stones in the hope that their children will fall to sleep while waiting for their "supper" to cook.
But helping the WFP isn't all Drew is doing. She has also does documentary film making. Recently she released a film on voting and will also release one on the worldwide hunger dilemma after her work with the WFP in Kenya.
This will be interesting to watch. After all, to say this, one needs to be in it for the long haul..we can hope at least.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:26 PM | Comments (2)
March 25, 2007
V for Vendetta
Last night, Laura and I watched this movie again. Again for me, first time for her.
There is a whole lot in this movie that is good. Some stuff that is great, and very little that is...well bad. I highly recommend watching it. It will inspire you. It will make you question things. It might even make you want to change the world. If it does any, then it has been a good experience. If you have seen it, watch it again. If you haven't seen it, go buy it.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:09 PM | Comments (1)
January 30, 2007
Jesus and Hitler: Second Coming
Mike Clawson directed me to this movie. Maybe the title is best. Too bad its not actually a movie or it might be worth seeing in a dumb and dumber kind of way. It is a funny concept clip none the less.
Posted by joshuacase at 08:36 AM | Comments (1)
November 26, 2006
The Children of Men- A brief review
Well, unlike many movies in our world today, Children of Men has made its preview in Europe first before its off to America for a December 25th openning.
I will not spoil the plot, but i will make a couple of brief comments about the movie:
1. It captures the raw in-breaking of violence in the world- The violence in the movie comes in and out at a moments notice. It is quick. Its raw. It feels real time.
2. It doesn't waste your time- The movie moves. As movies go, it gets to the point. Tells its story. It ends.
3. In one sequence of scenes it captures why war makes absolutely no sense if in fact life is as precious as we think it is! Quite honestly, one sequence of scenes. If life is our cause, and we can all agree on it, war makes no sense. Really. It doesn't.
4. It leaves you feeling like there could have been more.The movie will rouse some issues some people have with immigration. Laura's first comment about it was, "it was really more about immigration than i thought it would be". Tis true. In a world where there births have ended, who gets to be a part of your economy/nation/welfare system matters...so it seems. Sound familiar?
in the words of Morpheus, "welcome to the desert of the real"....
Posted by joshuacase at 03:34 PM | Comments (2)
October 11, 2006
Thinking about things to come...and plotting goodness
Last night Laura and I went to a Geneva pre-screening of the movie An Inconvenient Truth. It was quite compelling. Over the course of an hour and forty-five minutes, sitting in a packed movie theatre, we watched as the story of climate change was unveiled before our eyes. Sure, I've been in conversations with others all over the world about how the myth of climate change really is a myth. And, well, i guess at times i've thought that it was ok to think about it, and to act if an opportunity was given. But this movie...this movie was good; especially if you are looking for a reason to get involved in making a difference in the world.
The facts themselves are compelling. And possibly, for many, the most difficult part of the movie and of the whole issue of climate change is that people will have to experience that this is a moral and scientic issue; not just as a scientific issue. That the numbers do add up. That we do, as Dr. Mark Smith suggests, have just one planet is critical to our efforts and actions on earth.
The other side of this story is that we can make a difference. Even if we do not buy the climate change "myth", people of every religion (Christianity especially in my case) must make sure that their worship of God includes an deep understanding of how the actions of our lives make us good stewards of the good creation. It's no longer just about whether we grew the right crop in the right field. It's no longer about whether we ought to spray for misquitos in our neighborhoods. Yes, these issues do matter; however, we live in a global village and local actions can have global consequences. We can make changes in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our parishes, in our cities, in our countries which will have lasting effects on the environment, and thus, every living creature. The decisions that we take, the actions that we choose, reflect our desire to be about the plotting of goodness (or of evil) for the next generation.
And this my friends, is the true challenge of plotting goodness: that we recognize that the smallest of decisions in our faith-centered lives give opportunity for greater goodness to come into being for the age to come. And, that we recognize we must begin to make changes in our personal lives which greater reflect the Good News of a good people, compelled by our deepest of convictions, to look after a Good Creation.
Again, the movie was quite compelling. If you haven't seen it, i recommend it. But don't go see it alone! Take one, two, five or fifteen of your friends with you and talk about it afterwards. Ask each other: "how is this information going to effect our daily and community lives? How might we as friends, reflect to our community, our city, our world, that we feel we need to be looking after our world in a more radical, and sustainable way?"
Let me know what you come up with....plotting goodness....
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2006
Generations collide, love is experienced!
Just yesterday I was having a conversation with a group of youth leaders and parents here in Geneva. During the conversation, we had an interesting discussion on the internet, their children's obsession with it, the way parent's can "control" or understand better their young people's connection-centered existence. It was an interesting conversation which led me again to recommend Shane Hipps book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Media. It's brilliant.
But then today, I discovered this video. It comes to you via YouTube from a 79-year old British widower whose moniker is geriatric1927. He began uploading videos about life onto Youtube back in August. His first video was viewed over 600,000 times!
He seems to be gentle man who is venturing where few of his generation seem to venture...the internet. In the video below, geriatric1927 states that he has received over 4,700 emails from the Youtube and that Youtube has changed his life. He seems to be a man who, recognizing the changes of the world around him, took a step of faith into the blogosphere in order to share his story to those who would listen. Generations collide, love is experienced!
If you are anything like me...sit down, and listen to an old man ramble. It's not the end of the story, but it is part of his-story. And sorry if this is old news to any of you!
Posted by joshuacase at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 27, 2006
The Miniature Earth
I cannot with 100% certainty verfiy all of the statistics in this video; however, i still think it is worth thinking about. There's no music, but i have the feeling if you listened to "One" by U2, it might make for an interesting combination. Try it and see what you find.
Posted by joshuacase at 01:54 PM
August 24, 2006
FOR FUN...For Josh Brown!!!
This is a just for fun creation! Here is the scoop: Josh Brown is having a competition on his website to give away three free banners. I want to win the banners, and so do a few others. One of which is Leslie, a girl i met once in Alabama with her husband Nick at the shape or substance conversation. This video is in repsonse to the one you find on her blog that was posted yesterday. I am not going to give a link to the competition. haha
To help me, before watching the video, click on THIS BUTTON!!!
By the way, the video is silly...you really do not need to watch it!!! It's about six minutes long. Really it took less to to make it, than it will for you to watch it? Go figure..
Posted by joshuacase at 10:32 PM | Comments (2)
August 10, 2006
Proud husband
Here are a few more photos from the deck of the boat we fished in in July named, "My Way". Here is a photo of my dad, my brother with his Wahoo catch, and my wife Laura reeling in one of her many Mahi Mahi. I am not sure if I mentioned it or not, but on the day of our trip, we limited out on Mahi Mahi and caught "60"
Laura fishing
My dad
My brother, the one without glasses
Posted by joshuacase at 10:04 PM | Comments (3)
July 24, 2006
Children of Men
There is a movie coming out in September that is sure to be a hit. More than hit, it'll probably provide many of us with some hope, thoughts, and material for processing life in the age of terror. For those of us who are entering into the "it's time to have kids stage", it might also provide us with a little more food for thought about our children.
I first heard about the movie from a new friend called Nicholas Fielder You can watch the trailer here.
More than anything, its seems like the hope of this group comes from a group of people planning and thinking their way towards a newer better form of civilization called "the human project". I wonder when it comes to faith and religion in the world, whether religions like Christianity or Islam are know for being for humanity or against humanity. For me, the trailer makes me really contemplate what religion ought to be for in civilization. How can, in my instance, Christianity, make a positive contribution to the sustainable growth of a hopeful civilization in the world, for the world, in the age to come
I can already hear some people saying it, "but isn't Christianity about being "other worldly", "Aren't you just focusing too much on this world, when God is concerned about more than these 'temporary' things?" Yeah...I hear ya...let's chat...
Posted by joshuacase at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2006
Alas, the beach...
Laura and I have arrived at the beach in Florida where we will be spending some good time together. We're really excited about the first four days of the trip as we will get that time alone before some of the family comes South. It'll be great to get this time together, and with family!
In other news, I have undergone my annual facial cleansing. Yep, I've shaved off, or down the majority of the facial hair. Always feels cooler when i do that. And with 100+ F days, it is needed! If you are lucky...photos to come!
As a disclaimer as well, whenever i recommend books and movies on this site, it ought to be understood that it doesn't necesarily mean that I endorse all of the teachings or thoughts therein. Just that I trust people's ability to read, reason, and take the good from those things which they read and watch. Please remember this disclaimer, especially as with many blogs, there are readers from all over the world. The diversity thus articulates that those who read from one part of the world will find relevance in some things that those from other parts will not. Oh the crisis of the in between worldliness of global culture.
I am looking forward to doing some blogging and during this vacation. For me, it's part of vacation...writing that is..
Posted by joshuacase at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2006
Da Vinci Code Part 2
So i did it. I broke down and went and saw the movie. Per my last comment, I can honestly say with full clarity i am not sure who the critics were laughing at. There were three things I took away from the movie:
1. Academic debate, even when fictional, is fun for me to watch. There is this one scene where Tom Hanks character and Gandalf (can't remember his real name) are debating each other over who came up with the divinity of Christ. Its a fun exchange to watch and I think the guy next to me was quite worried when i couldn't stop giggling through this whole section of the movie. If you are history buff, I am sure you too found this part a bit interesting.
2. Creativity of the depth displayed in this movie should be applauded. While the acting in the movie i feel lacked real "wow that was good" appeal, the creativity to connect so many of these pieces must be applauded. Whether or not Dan Brown made it up, stole it, or truly discovered it (wink wink), it deserves an applause. And again, well done to Ron Howard for making it become real. That is of course except for the self mutalation of Silas the monk. OUCH!
3. One of my favorite lines from the film was: "you are what you protect". Think on that one. If one protects the poor and oppressed, what does that make them? If one protects the righteous and the saintly, what does that make them? Just a few thoughts.
I'll just close by saying that i read an article in the Economist this week about the code. One of the points made in the article is that while many Christians world-wide are boycotting the film, evangelical Christians in America are not as much. In fact, the article says, "For them the movie provides an golden opportunity to get people talking about Christian subjects. Some churches are giving away tickets along with Starbucks vouchers to encourage post-film discussion. Campus Crusade has printed 1 million copies of its guide to the movie." It goes on to read, "The churches are obsessed with "seekers"- people who are vaguely interested in Christianity without knowing much about it. The calculation is that the film will boost the number of "seekers"- and that the churches will then knock Mr. Brown's nonsense out of their heads....Whether Mr. Brown's work brings people to God is impossible to say. But it is bringing a lot of money to a lot of people."
So what do we think about that?....If you go to one of those churches that are giving away tickets, and you have invited some of your "seeker" friends to go to Starbucks with you afterwards, and they just happen to read the Economist.....shhhh...they're on to you.
Enjoy the film! Enjoy the coffee. And by the way...i rooting for Tom Hanks character at the end to steal a kiss from Jesus' great great great great great....well you get the point!
Posted by joshuacase at 08:51 PM
May 19, 2006
Laughing at the Da Vinci movie...or Christians?
The people who have seen the Da Vinci code movie are laughing. Whether they are laughing at the movie, in its overly talkative, simple story, lack of action elements, or laughing at those in the movement of Christianity who stood so strongly against it is up for grabs.
This fiction has caused more of a media frenzy than anything, and for me, it is almost laughable in the way its has provoked the response it has spawned! Director Ron Howard, when asked about the movie said in an interveiw with a French journalist, and I paraphrase, "What we are trying to do is create some conversation about the issues the book, a fiction, brings out. As people involved in the making of the movie, we had to meet with the historians and the theologians and the people who are much more knowledgeable than us to find out about the topics surrounding Christianity, and I think, we're all better for it. I hope, people get out there and talk to these kind of people and have good dialogue with each other".
To me, this sounds less like someone trying to harm people following in the way of the one true God and more like someone wanting to see authentic and informed dialogue happen. Well done Ron!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)