The Giver

Some reviewers are saying that the movie, "The Giver" is too much like "Divergent" which is too much like "Harry Potter". It is also too much like "1984" they say.  This movie us based on a novel written 20 years ago. These kinds of comments are like saying, "Wait a minute. Aren't Superman and Spiderman and Thor all the same?"  Get a life People!  This is the world of Fiction.  After Noah spent 3 days in the fish's belly, we didn't think Jesus was copying!

The world of the Giver is a safe existence  where everyone is alike, everyone is safe, all babies are born in the test tube. Love does not exist and neither does hate. As a result though, there is no color, music, books, religion, diversity, hope or faith.  The Giver is the one person who holds the memories and vision of the past.  The story ask many questions and tends to remind us that the idea of giving up freedom to be safe may come with a big price.  

Life well lived, come with a price and risks.

Great cast with Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep.  Great photography mixing black and gray with vivd color.  Enjoyable.

I give it ***1/2 stars. 2014 Movie 36

Poster FYI: The kid in the picture has my high school hair cut. Just Sayin.

42

Yesterday was the 42nd birthday of our daughter, Heather.  I always think about "what ifs" had she remained with us.  Who would she be? How many Grandkids would I have in Jr. High or High School.  Where would I be now?  Her death was one of those basic crossroads moments.  Carol and I changed.  Everything changed.

I certainly don't want to second guess and there can be no regrets.  Just What if's.

A short story

I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me:

"There was once a small city with only a few people in it.  And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom.  But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength."

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9

100 Foot Journey

The critics say that this is an average movie. But while it is as the previews show, it is well worth seeing.  I judge this type of movie by two basic items: Was I worth my investment and did it stir my emotions.  "100 Foot Journey" passes both.  It is a movie about Food, Ambition, Clash of Cultures, Prejudice, love and loss, and passion for something.

Helen Mirren is always great, but the full cast was equal to the task.  If you like movies like "Chef", you will like this. There is an interesting story with in the movie that asks the question: "If you can pursue your passion to the very top, will you really be happy?"  I got to answer that question in my life, and the movie examines the issue very well.

FYI  The movie is produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey who have a little knowledge concerning following your passion.

Also eat before you watch it.

I give it ***1'2 stars out of 5.  2014 Movie 35

Solomon and Moses

A fact learned in my studies:  The Bible has 24 complete chapters with God's directives on how to design and build the tabernacle and the Temple (that Solomon finished).  He was very specific with His design. He was more specific about that than Baptism, Lord's Supper, Worship, Who can participate in worship and Music.

We give less thought today about where we worship that we do donuts and coffee!

Just a thought.

Yes, The body is our Temple. That's why donuts are so important.

Solomon

I am in a personal study of King Solomon.  I have an idea for a Sunday School class if the opportunity comes again. It would be called: "Solomon's Wisdom & Old Wives' Tales". The idea is to compare the wisdom that God granted Solomon with the crazy things that have compelled Children of Israel and Christians to go the other way.  Actually a class on Solomon's life is compelling as well.

I Timothy 4:6-8  "If you point these things out brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths and good teaching that you followed.. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Solomon said: "Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."

Solomon: "When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; All he expected from his power comes to nothing."

As for "Old Wives'Tales" , we know stuff that we were taught that have little foundation in God's Word but still hold them as good traditions. Just saying.

Get On Up!

My teen and college years were filled with James Brown Music in the soundtrack

.  The sixties brought "soul music and Sam& Dave, the Temptations, Martha and the Vandallas, and Stevie Wonder were every where but James Brown was totally different. He brought the FUNK and made it hard on a little white guy from a small town because I didn't know what FUNK was.  The word sounded nasty and so did the music. Bur one thing was true: I could not set still. Not that I had any moves but as the movie states when JB is asked what kind of music do you do and he answers: Jame Brown Music.  Just listen to "Poppa's Got a Brand New Bag" and you know what I'm saying.

Everyone copied him.  Without James Brown, Michael Jackson would not have had the "moon walk" and Mick Jagger wouldn't have had an act!

The movie was a treat.  The actor who plays him, Chadwick Boseman, is superb.  He was great as Jackie Robinson last year in 42 and even better as James Brown.  I didn't have many memories about Jackie R, but I grew up with James Brown.  Mr Boseman nails Mr. Brown.  Someone is going to have to award him something for this.

This bio is like that of the Johnny Cash story because you get warts and all.  he was hard on those close to him and would be impossible to work for.  he was one of those "self-made men".  He believed that he raised himself and made his own way against the grain. While he was an innovator and did many firsts in the Music business.  He had help. He was just very slow to admit it.

Great Movie if you like great entertainment and good music.  I liked it because it was part of my early history.

I give it ****stars. 2014 Movie 34

Guardians and such

Went to see "Guardians of the Galaxy" tonight based on the many good reviews, promises of a Star Wars like Hans Solo character, a good preview that seemed funny, and  a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92.  The Humor was all in the preview. It was long and very old ideas in new weird ways. It is the first movie where one of the heroes was a raccoon (Rocky no less) and one that was a tree.

Any who:  It was amusing but not the best use of my time. I was not impressed. I give it **stars.

2014 Movie #33 (I also saw Lucy a second time).