So, I saw Avatar, The Young Victoria, and Paranormal Activity over the holiday break.
I didn't see Avatar in the new 3-day format although I am tempted to go see it again and
bare wearing the glasses that always annoy me terribly. I thought it was a weaving of a lot of successful film formulas and jumbled themes. No matter though, the story took a back seat to the special effects, spectacular visuals, and the shear entertainment of the action. I really recommend it.
The Young Victoria was the opposite. No action. Boring, beautiful, staid English countryside and a true story that was better history than reading a book! A lot of history info in two hours that I would never bother myself to read. I thought of our Belgian half of the family since Belgian royalty was important to the plot.
Paranormal Activity was fun and scary along the lines of the Blair Witch Project. The victims filmed nearly every thing as they tried to solve their haunting by a demon themselves. It was silly often enough, but it kept me entertained.
I also read the New York Times bestseller The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller. I finally chose to read something in defense of the existence of God. It was interesting on two fronts: the defense of the belief in a God and the defense of Christianity as the single best option among all religions. For me to buy into his general defense, it was necessary that he state plainly and defend his belief that Christianity is superior to other world religions. Inherent in Christianity, true Christianity that has not been watered down, is the underlying notion of a single correct way to heaven, salvation, and progression; Christianity claims that title. Too often that view is kicked aside and it is basic to the very notion of atonement which is the core of Christianity even beyond the notion of resurrection. Never once did the author mention Mormonism or which of all Christian Denomination might be correct, and that was a big hole in his argument. If Christianity is indeed the only true enchilada, then one of those enchilada recipes has to be the best, or the original, or the favored one, the real one. Beyond that, his defense of God didn't work very effectively for me. It wasn't convincing at all.
I also restarted and continued my efforts to read about Mesopotamia. The book is simply entitled 'Mesopotamia' and is a translation from the French. I would prefer to try to read it in the French but have the English and don't want to spend the $ even if I can find it in French.
Mesopotamia is endless fascinating and is the root of western civilization.
Two years ago I read "The Road" and the film is finally out so I'll go see that soon too.
What about you all? What do you recommend?
12 comments:
The Blind Side was fantastic. Sandra Bullock was great. A very good clean movie based on a true story. Highly recommended.
I only saw The Scrouge and Avatar. Both of which I really enjoyed. Both were very well done. I want to see the Blind Side. It is on my list. As for books, the last book I read was "The Zookeepers Wife". and before that, "Anne Frank Diaries" and the "Hidding Place". Since living in Europe, I have developed an interest in the History of WWII. I know there are many more books out there to read, but I started with some basics. I am currently reading the "Left Behind" series. Very interesting take on the "Rapture", and how our fellow Christian denominations beleive the end of the world might take place based on their interpretaions of the bible. I am only in the first book.
Every one says that about The Blind Side, I will put that on our list.
Is there any LDS equivalent of the 'Rapture'? I don't recall anything like that. I remember the baptism by fire the earth is yet to undergo, but not at all any rapture as indicated by those books.
Teresa, have you visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam? A wonderful visit. I read the Anne Frank Diary years and years ago.
What about all of you who comment rarely?
I can't go to the theater to see movies. I just don't have the time, but I have a Netflix account, so I watch on my computer almost always. Anyway, I don't watch much of anything outside of SciFi and an occasional Western. I rarely read books anymore, but I am reading almost all day long, either Internet news or patents and more patents.
As for Doug's religious reading, that's hardly on the lighter side. The Japanese are fond of saying "Many paths lead to the top of Mt. Fuji." Nevertheless, I would say that Mormonism goes far beyond what the Christian world believes to be the end state of Man. Most of Christianity believes that if you make it to Heaven, you sing praises to God for eternity. Gee whiz! Ward Choir for eternity! I could not bear it! The Hot Springs in Hell sound more appealing. Joking aside, in Mormonism, you get to do things, work on projects, go places, and fulfill interesting and challenging assignments.
Mormon Christianity is a Ferrari.
Regular Christianity an Edsel.
Everything else is a second-hand Schwinn.
The Blind Side is absolutely the BEST movie out there right now. Second best in my opinion is Avatar.
As for reading, my last reading was AFA Softball Rulebook...not that anyone would like to read it but it is what I read. Gotta keep up on new rules so that I can make the right calls out on the diamond. Within the past year I have read the Children of the Promise series...all 8 volumes and they were very good. Couldn't put them down.
I enjoyed Avatar.
As for "The Blind Side", I would court, date, woo, and marry Sandra Bullock if I weren't already married to the wonderful woman I am fortunate enough to be married to.
By the way, acting is her second job. She actually works as a shift manager at a McDonalds about three blocks from the Doubletree Hotel in Monterrey Mexico. When I flew for ASA I would always go there just to see if she was working.
Anyway...I have read four books in my life from cover to cover.
1)The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. A thriller about a spy who tried to find his past after loosing his memory.
2)The Book of Mormon by multiple authors. A Second Tesiment of Christ as told by prophets on the American continent dated both BC and AD.
3)The Bible by multiple authors. A historical and religeous documentary if you will of the earth, its peoples, cultures and beliefs surrounding a Supreme Being and his plan for earth and its inhabitants.
4)Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. An exploritory venture into the phsycological attitudes of why a particular cat (or any being for that matter) resists change or things that are new. Explores the benefits and draw backs of expanding ones interests and likes.
Well Brian, at least you are varied in your reading adventures of four books in total that you have read in a life time. I don't believe you about Sandra working in a McDonald's in Mexico. You teller of untruth....your trousers have combusted!
Funny, Teresa, I totally lolled! I don't believe that Brian has only read four books in his life either. Pants on fire! I've read three of those, guess which one I haven't?
Deric are you going to ump softball only or take on other sports? One can make a little bit of money doing that!
If I were a believer, I would subscribe to Alan's analysis. But I must underscore that the guy who wrote the book I read is a Methodist and stated without hesitation that Christianity as a whole is superior to all other religions. I wish he had mentioned Mormonism.
If she doesn't work there then I believe she has a twin sister separated at birth who does work there.
Doug, I would venture to guess that you haven't read "The Bourne Identity".
Teresa, right on! That's the one that I haven't read,
I haven't read tons like some people and I rarely read fiction, mostly religious history or commentary and political stuff. What a bore I am!
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