Archive for the 'movies' Category

Ronald McDonald May Not Like It, But . . .

Published
by
Mike
on December 19, 2004
in Books and movies
. 4 Comments

A few recommendations.

First, even if you’re not a documentary person, you’ve got to see “Super Size Me.” Ever wondered what part of the chicken a nugget comes from? Ever wished you knew what would happen to a person if they ate only fast food for a month? Note: be sure to read the appropriate warnings at screenit.com. Also note: this movie is not officially sanctioned by Ronald McDonald. This film will make it hard to shove fast food down your kids just to make life easier! (IMHO, there is nothing wrong with everyone going to Mickey D’s or someplace similar on rare occasions. The problem in America is that fast food has become a staple of our diet. The fast food industry is a powerful economic force that gets its hooks in our children early.)

Second, Diane and I went to see “Spanglish” yesterday. We were shocked at the powerful message of the film, especially in the last ten minutes. (Again, please check out screenit.com before making decisions about seeing the film.) It is an amazing film about the power of a parent in a child’s life — even when being a parent means saying “no.” There’s so much more I’d like to write about the last few minutes, but I don’t want to spoil it.

Third, I want to recommend The End of Faith by Sam Harris. Please note: I’m not endorsing his position (that religion itself rather than religious fundamentalism is ripping our world apart), but I believe Christians need to read insightful books like this. We need to be able to respond without getting mad.

I guess I’m all about recommendations and disclaimers today.

Friday Night Lights

Published
by
Mike
on October 5, 2004
in Highland and movies
. 14 Comments

In the new movie “Friday Night Lights,” based on a best-selling book from several years ago, Billy Bob Thornton plays Gary Gaines, head football coach for Odessa Permian.

As many of you know, Gary is currently the head football coach for ACU and is a member of Highland. I have no idea how he’s being portrayed in this film.

But this I do know: the real Gary Gaines is a wonderful Christian man, husband, father, and grandfather. He’s the kind of coach that I want influencing athletes at ACU.

Several years ago, I thought he would be Matt’s coach at Abilene High, but he moved to San Angelo after Matt’s freshman year. (And Matt ended up with another incredible man for a head coach, Steve Warren.)

It must be strange knowing that you are being “played” in a major motion picture.

But much more important to me is the real guy. The one I know.

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I’ve mentioned before that one of my elders, Joey Cope (no relation), writes a column called “Distinct Impressions.” Don’t miss this week’s!

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From Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” What do you think? Does that ring true?

My Top Ten Movies

Published
by
Mike
on September 29, 2004
in family and movies
. 42 Comments

Today I’m leaving for the Zoe conference in Nashville. Working with this team is one of my favorite things to do. Today as Chris left for school (not my carpool day), my last words were, “I’ll miss you, bud.” His last words were, “Do I have lipstick on my neck?” His mother doesn’t get it!! She could ruin his whole middle school career with lipstick on the side of the neck. I reassured him that he was clean, he hugged me, and scampered off.

Don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity to blog the next few days. Most of the time I no longer carry my laptop with me. But maybe I can sneak into the Zoe/Wineskins office.

So I’ll leave you with something to chew on a bit. Here are my Top 10 movies. Please note this admission: my list is pretty light on classics. No “Casablanca”; no “Citizen Kane”; no “African Queen.” Just trying to be honest here. I’m not a critic. Just like to go with my wife to a movie.

So, here we go . . .

10. “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Actually, some of these are “representative selections.” This one represents all the wonderful movies I’ve watched with my boys when they were young: “Shrek,” “Finding Nemo,” “Ice Age,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Antz,” “But’s Life,” “Lion King,” etc. As the Emperor (David Slade) would say, “Bring it on!”

9. “Peter Pan.” This one is here to remember all the wonderful old Disney animations that Megan and I watched. To be honest, she mostly liked the Disney Sing-a-longs. And the great thing was, she didn’t (in her 10 years) grow out of them! Every niece and nephew has had to endure Uncle Mike singing, “Never smile at a crocodile.”

8. “Chariots of Fire.” Again, a representative movie. I work under the assumption that a bad sports movie is better than a good love story. Catch me on another day, and I might plug in “Hoosiers” or “Remember the Titans” or “Field of Dreams” or “The Natural.” But besides a cool theme song, “Chariots” inspires me to listen first to God.

7. “Rain Man.” Maybe you have to be the parent of a “special child” to get it.

6. “The Apostle.” Of course there had to be a movie about a preacher in here. But this one is better every time I see it. The scenes of sorrow, of remorse, of bold faith. Duvall launching his new church with the words of Psalm 150. Then bringing an opponent (Billy Bob Thornton) to his knees in repentance by refusing to back down. God accomplishes his work despite the disappointing inconsistencies of his servants.

5. “City Slickers.” A short, dark-haired-and-balding, middle-aged guy who is obsessed with death. Hmmm . . . why could this one be on my list? Go ahead, call me shallow. I like the movie!

4. “Fellowship of the Rings.” This, of course, is also representative of the whole trilogy. We’ve watched the first two extended versions to get ready to watch the third film. But we haven’t yet had the opportunity to watch all three extended versions in one day. That moment will come, though. We won’t know what to do this holiday season without a new installment of LOTR coming out.

3. “Godfather 2.”

2. “Godfather 1.” I don’t even know where to begin.

1. “Princess Bride.” It’s all about wuv, baby. Wuv, twu wuv. See, I did have a love story in the list.

What do you think? What did I leave off? Anyone else have a list?

Bruce Almighty

Published
by
Mike
on August 12, 2003
in faith and movies
. 1 Comment

We just got around to watching “Bruce Almighty.” (For helpful parental information, see “Screenit.”)

After Bruce (Jim Carrey) gets overlooked for a promotion and then fired, he screams at God (Morgan Freeman), “You’re the one who should be fired!” So God invites Bruce to take over his job for a while.

The most theologically insightful moment comes later when Bruce’s girlfriend (Jennifer Anniston) walks out on him. Bruce cries out to God, “How do you make someone love you without affecting free will?” And God answers, “Welcome to my world. When you figure that one out, let me know.”

Now there’s a discussion starter!