movies & music « the G sides

movies & music

I hate Religion, love Jesus Video

I actually stumbled on this video the day it was uploaded – January 10. I sent it to our creative team before it went all viral. Now it is everywhere with different people sounding off on it. We ultimately decided to NOT use it mainly because it didn’t exactly fit the series we were in and we thought it would work better in a small group setting.

I’m showing the video below.

Overall, I like the video. I don’t interpret this guy as trashing the Church. Some will disagree. Which is part of the problem of the video, the shortcomings of the video. I really have 3 issues with the clip – that I think would be great for a small group discussion.

First, love the “voting Republican doesn’t make you Christian” slap at the very beginning of the video. Very true. But I wouldn’t have stopped there. Jesus had words for the Zealots and the Pharisees. Anything that compromised Jesus as the solution to the problems of the world, Jesus had a quote for. Politics, education, religion.

So my question/issue to him is this – does he feel that way about all political parties? Or is it angst just reserved toward the Republicans? Democrat, Libertarian or anyone else who’s hope for our culture is in the political system is in the same boat (albeit the opposite side) as the Republicans. To limit the sting of his words to one party is doing exactly what he is railing about.

Second, I don’t think Jesus was thinking of me on the cross. That is a very ego/man-centric understanding of what is going on at the cross. The cross is all about God’s character and glory, not the value of us. Yes, we get the benefit of the transaction of sacrifice – no doubt about that. But God was thinking of Himself – his promise and vision of a world without death and sin. And dieing for the consequence was the only way that was going to happen without blowing it all up and starting over.

So I think God was thinking about that. Not me.

Lastly, I can see where he comes across as an anti-church, anti-organized anything guy. But as I read his other comments, I don’t think that is him at all. I think he cares deeply about the church and wants to be a part of a movement that sees church get closer to being a Grace Station instead of Code Enforcement. I think there are glimpses of that in the video but not overtly so. I hear a guy who loves the concept of the church as the Bride of Christ but hating the examples and experiences he’s had with her so far.

And that I think is the real shortcoming of the video. There isn’t a deep, holistic handling of the issues he brings up. They make great soundbites. At times he sounds like a prophet…statements of profound truth and conviction. Then he takes an abrupt left turn leaving that conversation to sound like an angry teenager screaming shallow, pithy cliches at his parents that he himself doesn’t really understand. There are some nuanced, deeper opportunities he missed. Instead of pushing us into deeper conversations about theology or the church and what transformation COULD look like, he’ll take the quick exit to hit another platitude.

But then again, that might have been the point of the whole exercise anyway. Maybe his point was to generate conversations and dissonance with people who otherwise wouldn’t think twice about their own understanding of grace, church, Jesus, or religion.

Like I said earlier – I like the video. I’ll keep my eyes out for the next piece they produce. My hunch is they will get better and better. I think it’s worth a watch and even worth some discussion time in a small group. I think it would spark some deeper conversations of what is the church, what marks Christianity different from all other religions, and what exactly is my role in all of that.

Here’s the video:

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 9:10 am

cultural ramblings, leadership ramblings, movies & music, theological ramblings

Leave A Comment »

ACDC + Star Wars = Awesome

Just when I thought Star Wars couldn’t get any cooler….

Monday, November 14th, 2011 at 12:09 am

cultural ramblings, movies & music | acdc, star wars

Leave A Comment »

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Cooper and I were part of the insanity of the midnight showing of the final movie in the Harry Potter universe. (Which, btw, I don’t think it is the final movie. There is too much money to be made for them just to leave it alone. See Star Wars fiasco.) I have never seen a movie theater so packed. We parked out in the street, the lobby was full of people. Every theater was full. My guess is they made their year in one night. This movie will break every box office record. I’m calling it now.

Second observation – not as many people dressed up as for Star Wars movies. I mean, I remember when the Star Wars 1 (which is really 4) came out…it was crazy. Everyone had a light saber or mask or robe. Not so much last night. Maybe because Topeka isn’t a hotbed of Harry Potter fans but it wasn’t the crazy scene that I thought would happen.

On to the movie…

Visually, the movie is stunning – what we’ve come to expect from the HP franchise. It’s incredible how much better and cleaner the effects look like since the first film. And the film (learning from the disaster that was HP4) stays close to the book. Every film I am amazed at another layer of Hogwarts or the magic world in general they expose. It’s a beautiful thing and just complete eye candy.

It’s nice to see the characters grow up. Do you remember watching the first film and thinking – ‘can I really handle too many more films with these whiny kids?’ I am glad to say that the actors have ended the series with their best performance yet. Each film they got better. This one is by far their best performance. They grew up and they grew their characters up. Great performances all around.

The story is great. Yes, a pastor has said that. I love how clear elements of the Gospel are in the story. Did Rowling mean to do that? I have no idea. I do know that it is impossible to keep the gospel out of a great story (who said that, btw?) and this is a great story. Sacrifice as the path to redemption, love trumps hate, evil collapses on itself – all get played out in the final film.

For those three people who have not read the book and don’t know what happens, might not want to read this next part.

**Spoiler Alert**
There were really only 2 hiccups in the movie. The final scenes tended to drag a bit. You know what it is coming next and there is a part of you that just wants to get on with it. Was the director having a hard time letting go? Not sure. It’s not horrible and it in no way ruins the movie but it is noticeable. There are about 5 minutes of…are we going to end this movie or not…then it passes.

The second hiccup is really up for debate as to if the director meant it to be as funny as it came across. The Epilogue scene 19 years into the future. Seeing an older Harry, Ron, and even Draco made the audience laugh out loud. There were more than a few groans as well. It just didn’t seem to fit. Of course the question then is – how else are you going to film that scene? I have no idea but perhaps they should have gotten somebody from the Benjamin Buttons or Forrest Gump movies to do the special effects on aging. Because it looked…weird.

**End of Spoiler**

Neither of those two issues take away from the greatness of the movie. It’s expensive to go to the movies but this would be one film that I think would be worth it.

Friday, July 15th, 2011 at 3:20 pm

cultural ramblings, movies & music

Leave A Comment »

Blue Like Jazz Movie Trailer

I dare you to not feel a little excited to see this movie after watching the trailer.

Friday, June 10th, 2011 at 10:31 am

cultural ramblings, movies & music

1 Comment »

Bride by Austin Branson

Austin Branson is the guy that led worship with me at SEW in Budapest. What a great guy and we really hit if off. He sang this song all week long and I was meaning to ask him what it is called and who wrote it. Find out – he wrote it.

Enjoy…and just remember he’s the only man alive cool enough to be named after two cities.

Friday, March 4th, 2011 at 12:55 pm

cultural ramblings, movies & music

Leave A Comment »

The Super Bowl as a Cultural Strep Test

I do think the Super Bowl has become the 3rd most significant event on the US calendar. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Super Bowl are pretty much the only 3 times a year everybody is doing and watching the same thing.

The Super Bowl is unique of them all in that it is the only one that really gives the world a fairly unvarnished look at our culture…and this year it wasn’t pretty. Let me break it down for you — (cue LL Cool J)

Pre-Game
Did you get enough of the words “redemptive” and “Ben Roethlisberger?” If the Steelers had won, it would NOT have meant anything in regards to the redemption of Big Ben. Let’s bring this topic up in a few years and have more than just 10 months of evidence to go on. If Big Ben has gotten his life turned around, found God, got a girlfriend — great. Proof will be shown over course of time. Not because he’s won another Super Bowl.

Commercials
Overall, they are just getting more and more crass. I realize this makes me sound like an old fuddy-duddy but I just don’t find cans of soda shot at a man’s groin funny. Or a valentine card commenting on a woman’s chest funny. Or Joan Rivers… I was debating which should I do when I saw the Joan Rivers/Go Daddy ad – throw up or poke me eyes out with an ice pick. Speaking of which – Jillian Michaels and Faith Hill took a huge dive in my respect category after those ads. And even Eminem as a cartoon was intense. Good to see ole’ Jim Shady has even gone corporate with Sprite and Chrysler.

But it wasn’t all bad. VW hit it out of the park with their two ads – Darth Vader and the Beetle. Doritos continued their brilliance giving us one of the most awkward, uncomfortable moments in commercial history – licking the fingers of another man.

Entertainment
Is it too much to ask our entertainers who are already completely out of touch with the rest of America, to at least know the words of our national anthem? How about just for the sake of professionalism? It’s a song, it has words, if you are going to sing the song — know the words. Not hard.

Black Eye Peas — pretty much lame city. Great first song then crashed from there. Slash provided a glimpse of hope but then it faded. Usher then helped and made us all wonder why didn’t he do the whole show? It’s a shame, too. But once again — style seemed to trumped substance once again.

Fox Coverage of Game
At first I thought it was going to be the worse coverage of a Super Bowl I’d ever seen. I don’t want to see A Rod and Cameron Diaz feeding each other popcorn. I don’t care if Madden is texting right next to President Bush. Don’t really see how John Travolta added anything to the game. The first quarter seemed to spend more time on star watching than the game.

Then all of a sudden it was like the producer remembered that this is first and foremost a football game. And it got much better from the 2nd quarter on. Even though they missed a few key replays and a penalty, very nice recovery and finish.

What Am I Trying To Say?
I’m saying that the coverage and spectacle of the Super Bowl gives us a deeper insight into our culture. Some of it is disturbing, some of it isn’t. But the messages aren’t neutral, they never are neutral.

Now to travel the sports equivalent of Purgatory until football cranks back up again…

Monday, February 7th, 2011 at 10:01 am

blogs & xbox, cultural ramblings, movies & music, theological ramblings | Super Bowl, Super Bowl Ads

Leave A Comment »

The Story Behind “What Child Is This?”

“What Child Is This” used to be my least favorite Christmas carol. It was slightly ahead of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Both songs sound alike, both sound like funeral dirges. Magaret Becker (remember her???) did a version of “O Come, O Come” that is still used in horror movies today. Or funerals. I’m serious. It’s that bad. No song about Jesus should be that horrible.

But back to “What Child Is This?” It sings like those Medieval songs that don’t rhyme at Renaissance Festivals. You want to like it but for whatever reason…you just can’t. It’s not that it’s a bad song, it’s just not as good as all the other songs we have to choose from the Christmas catalog. Silent Night, The First Noel, Joy To The World, White Christmas! (Just checking to see if you were still reading.)

The other reason that it wasn’t a huge hit with me was the line – “where ox and ass are feeding..” I mean, be honest. It’s awkward to sing that in church. I know of some churches that change the lyric to “ox and lamb” but the lambs were in the fields where Harold the Angel sang to the shepherds. (Wait for it….)

However, I just learned some incredible information that has now elevated this song at least a notch or two. The reason the animals of ox and ass were used because an ox was a clean animal (Jew), an ass was an unclean animal (Gentile). The song was celebrating the fact that it is Jesus who brings together the clean (Jew) and the unclean (Gentile). That is the wonderful miracle of Christmas – Jesus brings all people of all backgrounds together in Himself.

Now you know the rest of the story.

Merry Christmas to you.

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm

movies & music, weekly evos

2 Comments »

A Man’s Guide For Christmas

Let’s face it, men. The holiday season is tough. We’re supposed to be happier about spending more money on stuff we don’t need for people we are not sure we even like. The Christmas lights are always tangled. It’s always -34 degrees when you finally decide to put the lights up. Add to that the Christmas parties, concerts, recitals, and all the Christmas cards you get in the mail from people your wife says you know but you honestly have never seen them.

I know how you feel. I’m here to help. I’m even going to make this easy for you. So pay attention.

Presents
Let’s start with presents. Gifts. Loot. We don’t buy for just anybody. However, if you find yourself in a position to HAVING to get a gift for someone other than family – here are a couple of suggestions that you can’t go wrong with.

1. Gift Cards – Amazon.com, iTunes, Starbucks.
2. iPad – this is not for you to buy one for your friends but mainly for your rich friends so that they will buy one for you.

For the wife:
No appliances of any kind. Do not under any circumstance buy her anything from Victoria or her secret. Jewelry is safe (but expensive). A night out without kids is relatively inexpensive and shows much forethought and care.

Depending on how long you’ve been married, you can try to do the whole — “I bought this for you but really for me” kind of gift. Stuff like a BluRay player, flatscreen TV, iPad or pretty much anything electronic but they see through this pretty quick. Fortunately for us, they love us anyway. You can get away with this a couple of times so choose wisely when to do this. It can’t be your go-to gift every year.

Kids:
Girl — anything pink and/or a doll/figurine of some sort. This seems to work for every age except the ages of 16-21. Researchers are still baffled as to what works during these ages.

Boys — sports, electronics, jerseys, tickets to sporting events…basically, if you like it, he will. Regardless of age.

Christmas Parties
It’s a fact of life…you are going to have to attend a couple this year. So make the most of it.

First,know exactly where the host puts your coat. Do NOT miss this information. Nothing will drag out your escape longer than having to track down your coat. Do NOT do anything else at the party until you lock down where your coat will be stashed.

Second, head for the food. All the good snacks get sucked up first and you don’t want to miss out on them. Plus there will be other guys that don’t really want to be there and you might find a new friend.

Third, wear a team sweater or golf shirt so that you’ll have something to talk about other than work. And don’t be that guy that shows up to a party and then talks about work for 45 minutes. If you find that guy, find a bathroom. It’s about the only place he won’t follow you into. Then come out and scream in a Jim Carrey voice – “Do NOT go in there.” That will pretty much end the party night for you.

Family Time
We all want more of it until we get it then we wish we had less of it. Couple of activities that will make this not only bearable but enjoyable.

Light Hunting. With a little internet search and investigation, you can find the cool houses with lights and music in your area. Put the kids in PJ’s and a thermos of hot chocolate and go light looking. This is good for about an hour.

Movies
We have two movies we always watch – Elf and White Christmas. Kids can barely make it through White Christmas but we make them. Elf is awesome. Awkward/Embarrassing Christmas Moment: A couple of years ago I grabbed all the kids and watched A Christmas Story as a family. 1. The TV version is edited, the DVD is not. 2. After the shock of a few words that I had forgotten, came to the painful realization that kids don’t like voiceover movies. A Christmas Story is not an English family tradition.

We also do a Christmas “real” movie together. With a family of 5, we don’t go to the theater often. Scratch that – we make it once, maybe twice a year. Much cheaper for us to wait till BluRay or DVD and watch it at home. But this has become a cool tradition for us – take an afternoon matinee movie the whole family can enjoy.

This year it looks like we will divide and conquer – Tron Legacy for everyone except Cayden. Cayden will have a special Nana and Cayden date with Tangled. It works out for us all.

Christmas Eve Service
We will be having ours at 6pm at Western Hills. It will be awesome, funny, kid-friendly. Not all services are this way. Some are very serious. However, fun or serious — you have to do this. Even a bad Christmas Eve service is better than no Christmas Eve service.

Awkward/Embarrassing Christmas Moment: Cooper dumped a whole tray of communion juice at a certain Christmas Eve Service. He was 4 or 5. It was awful in the moment but awesome now looking back at it. There isn’t enough money in the world to buy that kind of memory. So find a service, show up and really enjoy it.

Family Meals
They take forever to set up and prepare then 20 minutes to be done with. This is the best advice I can give you on this one — just enjoy the process and make sure somebody brought a pie. Enjoy a glass of wine or sparkling grape soda as you prep. We make the kids clean up while we enjoy conversation and dessert.

I hope this guide helps you over the next week. I welcome any comments, corrections, and additions below.

Friday, December 17th, 2010 at 12:26 pm

cultural ramblings, family ramblings, humorous ramblings, movies & music, technology

4 Comments »

Tinkerbell Is Evil

guess no one here likes puppies..you are some sick sick twisted people! I bet you didn’t clap for Tinkerbell.
– @RC2k (via Twitter)

I responded –

Tink stands for everything evil in women – to tiny, dresses skanky yet ‘pure’, drama queen, in love with boy who cares less – @thegsides (via Twitter)

As a sidebar, RC2k is “Ray” and he has a cool blog. Not as cool as mine. Okay, it’s better than mine but don’t tell him I said that.

The point is Tinkerbell really does stand for everything we don’t want our daughters to grow up to be like.

She flies around half-dressed. Yet, she’s “innocent.” What kind of double-message is that? Is it really logical to dress like that and then be shocked when you’re treated like an object?

She sticks her nose in everyone’s business.

She’s gullible. She believes Captain Hook over Peter Pan? Nice discernment.

Her taste in men is questionable. Peter Pan never grows up. I don’t want my daughter following around any boy that doesn’t grow up. I don’t mean he has to be serious all the time but maturity is essential. Besides that, Pan could care less about Tink once Wendy shows up. Do you really want to be with someone who is only looking for the next best thing?

She’s easily made jealous. Which means she probably has some self-esteem issues but besides that – I want my daughters to be secure enough in who they are so that no one can make them feel inferior.

She’s a drama-queen. The whole bell ringing every time she is upset about something? Does any one really like this kind of life?

Her existence is dependent on the approval of others.

No. I am not a Tinkerbell fan. Let the comments begin!

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 at 9:30 am

lifewalking, movies & music, theological ramblings | dating, Disney, Tinkerbell

4 Comments »

I Thought We Were All Better Than This

Christian popular culture is like a reflection of regular pop culture through a funhouse mirror. In Christian-World, Kirk Cameron is a huge star, Jars of Clay is a hot music group, and sending money to strangers who browbeat you on TV is a rational decision. From G4tv.com.

So starts the review of a new video game coming out this year – “Left Behind.” Generally, I’m a positive person and enjoy sarcasm and the well placed barb with the best of them. For some reason this morning, this all hit me wrong…on multiple levels.

I was offended by the writer. I wondered if he had ever read C.S. Lewis, Donald Miller, or a host of other writers who are creative, thoughtful, insightful, and funny. I wondered if he was just as guilty as the “Christian sub-culture” – staying inside his particular world, never straying outside it to give the other side a fighting chance. I wondered if he had ever even met a real, thoughtful, Christ-follower.

But more than those feelings, there was another set rising in me. Why release a cheap, less than excellent video game? Why make corny, cheeseball movies that make everyone feel awkward and think they are watching a middle school production? Why scream and holler and generally make stupid comments of how God hates people? Why do all of these things then blame Jesus for it? And we tolerate it – we meaning the Christ-following subculture.

The gentleman at G4tv.com closed his article with this:
I’m not mocking Christians, the Bible, or Jesus. I’m poking fun at the man made junk that surrounds Christianity. The terrible cartoons, bad movies, half-***ed video games and obvious hucksterism is funny, no matter who you worship. … I wish Christians were being served with Art that is as great and formidable as their religion. With the exception of Mel Gibson films, the Christian entertainment I’ve seen is simplistic drivel.

I agree with him. The man-made junk that surrounds Christianity – I think Jesus’ reaction in the Temple gives a clear picture as to his opinion on the matter. I too desire Art that is as great and formidable as our faith. I’m hopeful the tide is turning – The Blind Side, The Book of Eli, and How To Save A Life all are movies that I think are great and formidable.

For years this was true – the masterpieces of Art that hang in museums around the world were done by people who loved God or were commissioned by the Church to paint them. In a world that valued military conquest and intellectualism, the Church for centuries was the only place that protected and elevated the arts.

I hope we’ve done this at Western Hills through this series. That wasn’t the goal…the goal was to create an experience for people to connect with God. I think ‘great and formidable’ art does this. I think it stretches us, demands more from us. I think it can take us to these thin places where God is easier to connect with.

I think if we – Christ-followers – would continue to uphold and demand this kind of art, Jesus would be easier to find. And the man-made junk that surrounds him would be easier to dismiss.

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 10:14 am

blogs & xbox, church & emergent musings, movies & music, theological ramblings | art, Book of Eli, church culture, How To Save A Life, movies, The Blind Side, video games

7 Comments »

Free Music on Amazon

Just discovered some free music on Amazon courtesy of Lifehacker.com. It’s Philip Glass Sampler and it’s classical music. And I love it. Great music to read or write to or just chill out. Can’t believe it’s free.

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

movies & music | amazon, free music, mp3, phiip glass

2 Comments »

Most Bizarre Movie Experience

Amy and I went to see Transformers 2 last night at the dollar movie. Going to the movies is one of our favorite date nights but this one was a doosey.

First, the movie was okay. Not great, not terrible…just okay. Couple of funny lines, about 30 minutes to long. But the movie theater was packed. We had driven around Topeka for a bit that night and it felt like a ghost town. Discovered that everyone goes to the movies.

I was shocked at how many kids were at the movie. Like baby carriers, 5 to 9 year olds. It was crazy. Then the guy in front of us started snoring in the middle of the movie. We just started laughing at the whole scene – packed theater, full of kids, guy snoring…it was quite humorous. Almost more so than the actually movie.

Monday, September 7th, 2009 at 11:05 am

family ramblings, humorous ramblings, movies & music | movie

2 Comments »

How Coolness Is Lost

Went to a youth event tonight at Sherwood Lake. It was fun, awesome, great, wonderful as is almost anytime I get to hang with teens.

Below is the actual conversation I had with a teen tonight who shall remain nameless…for now.

GE: So…if you had $15 to waste on either music or the movies, which would you choose? (Which by the way, is a great question that all youthworkers should have in their arsenal. In fact, you need about 5 questions in your back pocket so you can start and have a conversation with any teen.)

NS (Nameless Student to protect guilty): Hmmm. Have to be music.

GE: What songs or album would you buy?

NS: Hard question! I don’t really know.

GE: Okay, give me a couple of artists that you have the most of in your itunes.

NS: (Sticking the dagger in my heart) Well…I’m guessing that most of the stuff I like you’ve never heard of….like Dave Matthews Band.

GE: (Stunned in silence. I holler at Amy.) Do I really look that old with the goatee now? I mean, really? Dave Matthews Band? (I look back at NS who is now laughing very hard at me or with me, not sure.) Do you honestly think I live under a rock or something?

Sunday, July 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

humorous ramblings, movies & music, youth ministry | Dave Matthews Band, youth ministry

2 Comments »

DVD Slump

Two nights ago Aim and I watched Eagle Eye, movie with Shia LeBouf or however you spell his name. About 35 minutes into the movie, Amy says to me…”It’s the computer.”

I didn’t say anything. I knew how the movie was going to end that way as well but our recent history with movies has been so atrocious, I was holding out some hope.

It was the computer. It was a remake of the movie iRobot without the acting and humor.

Last night we watched Next with Nick Cage and Jessica Biel. She is gorgeous but this role was incredibly small for her and basically she acted like the damsel in distress all movie long. Julianne Moore played a tough FBI agent. It was okay. I think the concept would have made a better television series than a two hour movie. To be able to see only two minutes into the future would have made for some funny bits as well as dramatic ones. I realize that this is sort like what Quantam Leap was back in the day but not really. (Are you following this?)

Decent movie with a weird ending but it was the best one we’ve seen in a while.

Anyway…here is our recent list of movies that you should avoid…

Burn After Reading – atrocious. It wasn’t a very clean movie. It wasn’t a funny movie. It wasn’t a good movie. Just don’t even bother renting it.

The Good Shepherd – Matt Damon, Angelina Joline, Robert DeNiro – how can it miss? It did. It wasn’t bad…it wasn’t great. It was slow, hard to follow at times. Again…don’t bother.

Traitor – Don Cheadle, all you need to know. Great actor and this I would watch again. It was a good movie, action/spy/thriller kind of vibe. I had to throw in one movie that didn’t suck it up.

Michael Clayton – George Clooney, politics aside, he can act. This one kind of starts off slow then draws you in. Probably was about 20 minutes too long but if you’ve got nothing else to watch – might be worth the rent.

Wanted – terrible movie. Can’t believe Morgan Freeman was even part of it.

Thankfully we have a TV now so we can watch Amazing Race, Survivor, Burn Notice, and Hell’s Kitchen.

Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at 10:03 am

movies & music | Eagle Eye, movie reviews, movies, NEXT, Traitor

5 Comments »

American Boredom

I watched some American Idol tonight with my son.

I tried to watch it would be a better description.

I realize that half of America watches this show. I realize that some of you are addicted to it. I also know that Lost is watched by this same half – another show I gave up on after 3 episodes.

But I was bored. I mean the singers weren’t awful. They weren’t incredible. It was like watching people sing on the cruise except without the alcohol. I don’t get the craze behind the show. Ryan Seacrest is annoying. Simon is a jerk. Paula is from another planet. Randy is the only decent one but he calls everyone ‘dog.’

Oh well…back to Burn Notice…the best show on television.

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

blogs & xbox, movies & music | American Idol, Burn Notice, TV

15 Comments »

The Pandora Experiment

Robert Terrell was the first person I remember talking about Pandora.Â Actually, it may have been the other Rob “Orangejack” Williams.Â Either way, I’ve been using it this week for the first time – thanks mainly to the iPhone app.

I love it.Â The basic premise is this – you tell the site an artist that you really like.Â It goes and gets music that matches it.Â It creates this radio station for you and as the new music is played, you give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

The more you vote, the more accurate it gets.

For me – it’s hitting home runs every single time.Â I have a John Mayer/Stevie Ray Vaughn channel.Â Incredible matches.Â I’m finding new artists that I like, new music to jam out to…perfect.

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 9:18 am

movies & music | iPhone, John Mayer, Music, Pandora, Stevie Ray Vaughn

6 Comments »

Would You Like This All On This Card?

I bought Burn Notice, season 1 on DVD today at Target.Â I love this show.Â Funny.Â Spies.Â Miami.Â Cool.Â Perfect balance of James Bond on vacation. (I also picked up Chuck, Season 1.Â We don’t have our Direct TV right now.)

But what threw me off was the checking out process.

I swipe my card, enter my pin, click on the “No I don’t want $400 cash back option” (why is this even an option????) thinking I’m done.Â Long, uncomfortable pause.

“Sir, do you want to place this entire order this card?”

I’m sorry, I could have sworn you just asked me if I wanted to split this purchase between two cards.

“Yes sir..” She pointed to the card screen.

Sure enough – there it was in whatever colors are on those card readers – “Would you like to use this card for the entire purchase?”

What kind of stupid question is that?

The clerk tells me that Target started doing this during Christmas.Â She says to me that I wouldn’t believe how many people would split their purchases between two, three or four credit cards.

Good night, our country is in deep weeds.

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 3:49 pm

humorous ramblings, movies & music | Burn Notice, humorous ramblings, TV on DVD

3 Comments »

Youthworker/Parent Weekend Wrap-Up

I’m done speaking for the conference.

It was good…great to reconnect with some old friends, meet some new ones.

Richard Ross spoke and did an outstanding job.

A couple of thoughts about the retreat. First, the concept is great. Get parents and youthworkers away for a weekend. I love it. The execution of it wasn’t all that great. The value of having a weekend with the parents of the youth in your group is the relational connection you could have. But the weekend didn’t allow a lot of that. When the parents were in sessions, the youthworkers were in worship and vice versa.

Then the meals ended up being infomercials, not relational face time.

Overall, it was a good experience. One that could be awesome with some tweaking.

Other news – the fam went and saw Madagascar 2 tonight. It was….average. It was a slow movie. I thought it was funny but then I started thinking about the funny parts and they all were either the penguins or Sasha Cohen’s character – King Lemur.

Fun weekend so far.

Saturday, November 8th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

leadership ramblings, movies & music, youth ministry | Madagascar 2, movie reviews, youth ministry

1 Comment »

‘Cause Dis Is Thriller…Shamon

I just bought Michael Jackson’s Thriller album and video on iTunes for $4.99.

Back when Michael was a man.

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 10:24 pm

humorous ramblings, movies & music | 80's Music, iTunes, Michael Jackson

7 Comments »

Tom Selleck Movies

I’m sitting in one of those Starbucks that is located inside a grocery store this morning with Danny Davidson. You might remember Danny as the “John Denver” guy. (This morning there were no John Denver references.)

As we are walking out, we meander over to the DVD discount bins. All these cool movies or movies you used to think were cool were on sale. I noticed a pattern.

Last Stand at Saber River
Ike: Countdown to D-Day
Stone Cold
12 Mile Road
Crossfire Trail
Runaway

There are all Tom Selleck movies.

Tom Selleck was awesome as Magnum – I mean, he drove a Ferrari – but other than 3 Men and a Baby, did he ever really make a solid movie transition?

Can you think of other TV guys that didn’t make it as well in the movies?

Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 9:53 am

movies & music | movies, Tom Selleck

3 Comments »

CD Review: Charlie Hall, The Bright Sadness

Do you remember the last CD you bought – a whole CD – and you listened to every song, all the way through and not once did you skip a song, then when it was over – you immediately played it again?

I’ll give you a few minutes.

It’s been a while for me too. Then I got Charlie Hall’s latest CD, The Bright Sadness. First, I won it compliments of the Christian Manifesto. (I would have bought it anyway.)

If you were a fan of Flying Into Daybreak, you’re going to love this album. Charlie picks up where he left off with this album. Lyrically – this one is stronger and that is saying something.

When I was a youth pastor in Emporia, I actually got to meet Charlie. He is a friend of a friend, did a concert and hung out for a day or two. What impressed me then was he talked and related to people as a pastor, not a performer.

If you go to his website, he puts up the chord charts and words to all his music. I don’t know anyone else that does that. He has from the beginning. He leads worship at his home church in Oklahoma when he can.

Go to iTunes right now and get it.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm

movies & music | Charlie Hall, Music, The Bright Sadness

2 Comments »

Hancock Disappoints

For a season, Will Smith couldn’t miss with movies. Call him Mr. 4th of July, Mr. Blockbuster, whatever. When Will Smith does a movie, it will have an edge and be worth going to see.

To be fair, it’s not that Hancock is a bad movie…it’s just not a great one. It starts off funny, great and even intriguing. Heck, I was pleasantly surprised to see Charlize Theron in the movie. And if a movie has Charlize in it…it can’t be all bad. (I’m choosing to ignore Aeon Flux.)

Then something went wrong. It’s like the director and producer realized they weren’t writing a tv show that could go on forever but a movie that needed to have an actually ending. All of the intrigue, humor, and plot development crash landed about 30 minutes from the end of the movie.

Rent the DVD, don’t buy it and definitely don’t go see it in the theater. Now for those who don’t want any spoilers…this would be a good time to find something else to read.

[Spoiler Alert]
While watching the movie, I was wondering how they were going to create conflict with a character that has no weaknesses. Even Superman has his Kryptonite but Hancock doesn’t. So what’s going to be the tension that draws us in and gets resolved in the end?

The twist with Charlize was great, the initial banter between her and Will was awesome. Then it went wrong…very wrong. The fight scene in downtown LA – why? What was the point? The whole attraction thing – all of sudden after thousands of years they figured out how to beat it? The moral drama of being alone yet immortal or living connected yet mortal was painted painfully shallow and short.

It’s hard to remember a movie where the start was so good and so promising only to watch the final 30 minutes completely crash the movie. So…enjoy renting the DVD for a night of mindless entertainment when it comes out but don’t expect much more than that.

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am

movies & music | charlize-theron, hancock, justin-bateman, movie reviews, will-smith

2 Comments »

The Dark Knight Was

Toby, Shaun and I headed to The Dark Knight this afternoon.

Two and half hours later we just sat there.Â Finally one of us exhaled.

“That….was….sick.”

In the first movie, Nolan took us on a character development ride as to what makes Batman/Bruce Wayne tick.Â This time around he just takes us on a ride…a very disturbing ride.

Heath Ledger’s Joker makes Hannibal Lecter look like child’s play.Â To quote Alfred – “You’re looking for a reason and there might not be one other than he’s just pure evil.”Â Ledger’s performance should get him an Oscar nod – it’s that good.Â There were a few scenes I found myself squirming in my seat – not because of gore but for the intensity of the story and acting.

Was it better than the first one? I’m not sure that’s a fair question.Â I personally enjoyed the first one more but not necessarily because it was a better movie.Â The stunts were off the charts, the acting was superb, the story line was solid, and the director didn’t insult us as an audience with giving us clean, neat solutions to every problem.

Basically, both movies (and here’s hoping there is more) show how comic book movies SHOULD be made.

It’s the best movie I’ve seen this summer.

Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

movies & music | batman begins, movie reviews, the dark knight

5 Comments »

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

I’ve said this before but Aerosmith has got to be my favorite rock band.

So for my birthday/father’s day – the fam got me Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

It’s freakin’ awesome. I’ve already beat it on Medium and will tackle Hard next.

But it got me wondering, I’m not sure if there are too many more bands that could pull it off. Which other band SHOULD try to have their version of Guitar Hero?

Here’s the only rule – they’ve got to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Here are the bands I’d buy immediately if they ever did a Guitar Hero game:

All The Beatles: Would also have to include the solo hits of John, Paul, George…not so much Ringo.

Queen: It would have some weird stuff on it to be sure but … Bohemian Rhapsody?

Van Halen: The red striped guitar would be a must accessory to this kit. But the big debate is this – David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar as lead singer? For me – it’s got to be DLR. I know he was/is an arrogant little schmuck but no one can match his vocals or style on stage.

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am

humorous ramblings, movies & music

7 Comments »

« Older Entries

Grant: Alden – on one hand it’s the great big Cop-Out. On the other it’s a start. Not sure where...
JD: I agree, also. My fears about the distance between parishoners hearts and the name was confirmed this morning...
Alden: Oh. My. Goodness. Similar thoughts crossed my mind and my heart sank as I heard the “goodish”...
Mike Geer: completely 100 percent agree with every word..That doesnt happen often between you and I when it comes to...
batman081: Come in guys green day? Really they gave been a four price ever since American idiot blink has always been...
Jonathan: I know this is 3 years late, but thank you thank you THANK YOU! Finally someone else who’s actually...
Mike Geer: Thats outstanding! Disney sure does know how to do things right…congrats brother!
Grant: 17 and you went to the California Grill? Wow…impressive. Does Aaron know? ha ha ha ha
Caroline: Oh my gosh I have been to the California Grill!!! I was like 17 or something, but i went there! Glad you...
H: hey guys, happy 20th anniversary! you two are awesome…

the G sides

movies & music

I hate Religion, love Jesus Video

ACDC + Star Wars = Awesome

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Blue Like Jazz Movie Trailer

Bride by Austin Branson

The Super Bowl as a Cultural Strep Test

The Story Behind “What Child Is This?”

A Man’s Guide For Christmas

Tinkerbell Is Evil

I Thought We Were All Better Than This

Free Music on Amazon

Most Bizarre Movie Experience

How Coolness Is Lost

DVD Slump

American Boredom

The Pandora Experiment

Would You Like This All On This Card?

Youthworker/Parent Weekend Wrap-Up

‘Cause Dis Is Thriller…Shamon

Tom Selleck Movies

CD Review: Charlie Hall, The Bright Sadness

Hancock Disappoints

The Dark Knight Was

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith

Views

Most Commented

Latest Talk

Credits