A Prestigious Film

So, my brother, sister, and I, along with two friends went and saw The Prestige at 4:00 this afternoon... And all I can say is wow...

It is most certainly not a happy movie. It's exeedingly dark, and rather sad at times... but it is excellent. We were all silent as the credits rolled (which is very rare... we're usually all jabbering during the credits), and once the credits were over and we were walking out of the theatre we were asking each other:

"So did you like it?"
Response: "I don't know... I think so."

It's very true. It's a movie that you have to think about for awhile before you decide whether or not you like it. I definitely thought it was good right from the start, but it took a few minutes to shake off how disturbing it was and realize that I really did like it. By the time we had talked about it for a few minutes, I started to think that I had liked it... then by the time we had taken our friends back to their house, I had decided that I really liked it... and by the time we were back at our house eating our pizza, I realized that I really loved it.

The way it is filmed is brilliant. A review I read put it perfectly: The movie is laid out like the magic act. There's the pledge, then there's the turn, and they don't give you the prestige until the very end... And the suspense that builds up is incredible. I loved how they would show something that was going to happen, but then they would show the audience's response to it instead of showing it actually happen. It was a very unique way to go about it, and I really liked it...

It really is an excellent movie. It's not a happy story. But it is definitely very good... It's so complex, it's amazing. I'm sure there's a million things that I didn't get... which is why I'm dying to see it again. I'm hoping to get together a large group of friends and go see it again within the next few weeks. The two friends who came today want to go see it again, as well, so they'll probably come. ^_^ But yes, I really need to see it again...

But it's amazing. For anyone who hasn't seen it: definitely see it. It's excellent.

Eragon

For anyone looking forward to the Eragon movie... Two new trailers have emerged online in the past few weeks, so I thought I'd post the links to them. ^_^ The first is a music trailer--no diologue, just video with soundtrack in the background. It shows a lot of new footage, however, in a very short space of time. The best way to go about watching it is in slow-mo. That's the only way to see everything. *lol* The second is the international trailer. It also has a lot of new footage in it, and it gives a better synopsis of the storyline.

Music trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/eragon/traileri/trailer_lg.html

International trailer: http://www.shurtugal.com/content/mandm/media/2006/october/1/eragon_intl_trailer_hi.php

I'm getting very, very excited about this movie... It looks like they're changing quite a few things from the book, but it still looks like it will be awesome.

Also, here are a few promotional stills...

An Apology and the Irish's Fight

You have my deepest apologies for not updating these past few days... it just seems like I haven't had a spare moment to do so! But now I'm here--Wednesday is my "least-busy" day of the week, so I finally have time to update. :) I shall try my hardest to make sure these long periods between posts does not become a habbit. *scared look*

This is an article that I wrote for Grammar & Composition... I was racking my brain all week as to what I was going to write my article on. It had to be six paragraphs, so I knew it needed to be something I was interested in and knew something about... but what in my life is interesting?? It got to Saturday night, late, and I still had no idea what to write on... and then it struck me. I'll write it on Notre Dame's Fighting Irish!

A little bit of backstory as to why I chose this topic...

My family and I love watching Notre Dame football, partially because my great-grandpa went to school and taught at Notre Dame, and also because they're just an amazing football team. And also, I faaaar prefer watching college football as opposed to pro football because, in college, the players play because they love to play, whereas pro players most likely play for $$$. If you get my drift...

So anyways, on Saturday night my dad, mom, sister, and I watched the Irish face-off with UCLA at The House that Rockne Built--ie, Notre Dame's home stadium. It was a spectacular game--one of the best I've seen in a long time. And as I lay in bed Saturday night, anguishing over what I was going to write my article on, and still on an adrenaline rush from the game, I suddenly realized: "For heavens sake, write it on the Irish!!" Strangly, I was immediately able to go to sleep. It's amazing what a withdrawel of stress will do... So, on Monday, I started my article. Here is the finished result! It's not as good as I would have liked it to be, but we'll see if Mrs. Troxell likes it... :)

Fight on, Fighting Irish!

In the city of South Bend, Indiana, in 1887, one of the greatest college football teams ever known leapt onto the playing field, although in all honesty, they did not exactly leap to the best start. Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” began their career with two nearly winless seasons, their first win coming at the end of the 1888 season when they defeated Harvard Prep by a score of 20-0. Although this may not seem the best start for a football team, by the end of the 1912 season, the team had amassed 108 wins and suffered only 31 losses, and Notre Dame has continued to climb the ranks of college football ever since. Many brilliant coaches have taken the helm of equally brilliant teams, leading the Irish through many glorious seasons. Building on the success of these men, the current Notre Dame team continues to follow a long-standing tradition of sports excellence—and fans love the Irish more than ever.

At the beginning of the 1918 season, Knute Rockne became the head coach of the Irish and ushered in one of the most famous and successful periods of Notre Dame’s football history. Rockne recruited George “the Gipper” Gipp as an Irish player in spite of the fact that Gipp had never even played organized football, and Gipp went on to become one of Rockne’s star players. Gipp proved himself to his coach and to the world as an extremely versatile player, but in 1920, two weeks after becoming Notre Dame’s first “All-American,” Gipp sadly died an early death from pneumonia. History did not forget Gipp, however, and in December of 1951, on the 31st anniversary of his death, his name entered the College Football Hall of Fame. In addition, during the second World War, the United States named a liberty ship after him—the SS George Gipp. However, his dying words eventually brought him the most fame as he reportedly spoke his “win just one for the Gipper” line. President Ronald Reagan used this line as the political slogan for his presidential campaign, and coach Knute Rockne later used Gipp’s words to inspire the Irish team when the US Army team threatened to defeat Notre Dame.

Army came into its match with Notre Dame in 1928 as an undefeated team, while the Irish had already suffered two losses. For the first half of the game, Army led and seemed entirely in command of the match. At half-time, however, Rockne came into the locker room, looked around at his players, and delivered his account of Gipp’s last words:

"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

Knute’s speech, although possibly fictional, inspired the Irish to upset the game and win 12-6. This example shows only one of many spectacular wins for the Irish achieved under Rockne’s leadership.

After Knute Rockne died in a tragic plane crash in 1931, his place as head coach passed from man to man—some talented, some not. Notre Dame rocked back and forth between recognition as one of the best teams of the time to one of the worst. Frank Leahy proved one of the more notable coaches after the Rockne era, holding the second highest win percentage in college football—just below his predecessor, Rockne. Leahy coached the Irish for eleven seasons and led them to 87 wins with a mere 11 losses, pushing them forward into 39 straight games without a single loss. Under his leadership, the Irish won four national championships and celebrated six undefeated seasons. When Leahy departed from the team in 1954, the Irish suffered the same fate as they had after Knute Rockne retired, passing from coach to coach with only a few brilliant victories mixed in among the grave disappointment of many losses. Yet now, in 2006, the Fighting Irish have regained a great deal of their former Rockne and Leahy glory under the careful watch of Charlie Weiss, Notre Dame’s 18th head coach.

As the start of the 2005 season drew near, the Irish inaugurated Weiss as head coach of the team, and in that first year he led the team to nine victories and three losses, with a post-season appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. Although the Irish lost the bowl to Ohio State University, Charlie Weiss had clearly created a strong influence over the team already. One of the most memorable games came when the University of Southern California met Notre Dame at the Irish’s home stadium—“the house that Rockne built”—in South Bend. USC’s Trojans had won the last three matches with Notre Dame by 31 points each, and they came into the 2005 match with 27 straight wins under their belt. However, this game became legendary when Notre Dame’s quarterback, Brady Quinn, took his team down the field for a touchdown within the last two minutes of the game, bringing the Irish ahead 31-28. Notre Dame pushed their opponents to a fourth down, but Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart threw a 67 yard pass which put his team inside the Notre Dame ten yard line. Two plays later, the Irish flushed Leinart from the pocket and forced him to scramble towards the end zone, hitting him at the one yard line and causing him to fumble the ball out of bounds. Despite the fact that the ball had tumbled out of bounds, the clock ticked down to zero, and the Notre Dame students flooded onto the field in celebration, delirious with the idea of finally beating USC. But once the officials regained control of the situation, they placed the ball inside the one yard line and put seven seconds back on the clock. Although initially stopped short by the Irish’s defense, Leinart surged into the end zone and scored the touchdown that won the game. Even though the Fighting Irish lost, fans and critics alike immediately dubbed it one of the best games in college football history, and it will certainly go down in history as exactly that.

Charlie Weiss’ 2006 team promises to deliver as excellent a performance as they did last season, and it boasts essentially the same cast of characters as the ‘05 season—Brady Quinn returns as quarterback, Jeff Samardzija as wide receiver, Tom Zbikowski as defensive back and punt returner, and Darius Walker as half-back, to name just a few. Both Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija hold many school records, and Brady Quinn has broken countless records that he himself set only a few years back. Quinn holds over 30 separate Notre Dame records, and Samardzija recently matched the school record of 22 career touchdown catches—the same day Quinn passed his 10,000th yard, also a record. Add Walker and Zbikowski into this mix, and a fine list of football “stars” appears. But the Irish work as a team; a single player does not separate himself from his teammates and shove himself solely into the limelight. In fact, the Irish players do not even put their names on their jerseys as all other players in the sport do. Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish fight as one, and what a formidable fight they bring to anyone who opposes them!

Many thanks to my sister for reading it over with me, pointing out things I should change, and helping me remove those pesky "be" verbs. :)

Some Sister-Time and a Good Movie

Last night my sister and I watched the 1999 version of Mansfield Park. I started reading the book a couple of weeks ago, and liked it enough to want to see the movie. At first I hesitated, though, thinking that if I saw the movie I might not be inspired to finish the book. However, I've heard that the book is rather different from the movie, so I'm sure I will still finish the book. And I'm very happy that I did not wait to see the movie...

It stars Francis O'Connor as Fanny Price, and I must say she did an excellent job. I don't think of her as the greatest actress ever (although she is quite brilliant in The Importance of Being Earnest), but she did a wonderful job with this film. I didn't recognize anyone else in the cast, except for Sophia Myles who plays Fanny's younger sister. But that doesn't mean a thing. It was very well acted, and I loved the guy who played Edmund. He was perfect.

I'm not going to write a detailed review right now. I need to see it one or two more times before I do that... What a pity--I'll have to watch it again. *mock sigh* hehe. It really was a sweet movie... it's right up there with the other Austen films--Emma, Sense & Sensibility, and Pride & Prejudice. It was funny, like Emma, but there were also some serious aspects to it as well, like Sense & Sensibility. All in all, it was a very enjoyable way to spend two hours... Especially since I watched it with my sissy.

I Have Decided I Officially Love the Nolan Brothers...

I've been waiting and waiting for The Prestige to come out, ever since I first saw the trailer back in July... actually, go back before that--ever since I first heard that the three main characters were played by Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. Now I read a review and discover that, just like last summer's Batman Begins, Christopher and Jonanthan Nolan have created a potentially gripping movie without junking up the plot with profanity and immorality.

Granted, I haven't yet seen the actual film. It only came out today, and, unfortunately, I have school so I can't go see it. *pouts* It would have been awesome to see it on opening day but, alas, I shall have to wait for a different day. Still, from the the trailer and reviews I have seen, it sounds like an interesting and thought-provoking film. I'll let you know what I think once I've seen it!

In the meantime, you should go watch the trailer. Just click on the title up there and it'll take you to apple. ^_^ Enjoy!

Be warned, however... The first time I saw the trailer I was totally weirded out, going: "Uhm, okay, that looks bizarre." *lol* It improves on you. It really does... just watch it a few times. *nod* Now I watch the trailer and go: "Oh my socks, I can't wait for that movie to come out!!"

And it has finally arrived!

On a side note, Flags of Our Fathers also looks like a very good film, although it's rated R. Still, check out the trailer for that one as well. It looks excellent.

Note: It's quite cold at 6:30 in the morning.

I'm waiting for my biology class to start, and I am getting quite chilly! My window being open might have something to do with it, but I'm still getting the distinct impression that Fall has, indeed, set it! Hooray! Gone are the days of laying awake at night, miserable because of the heat. Now I just need my little nose warmer and I'm set!

On a side note, sorry about not updating yesterday. I had a rather busy day (school and my job) and by the time I got home it was rather too late to blog. So, you have my sincere apologies! But now I have to run--Mr. Rosenoff is about to start the lecture. I shall try and post again later on today. Cheerio!

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The Wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning...

Yes, I started The Wheel of Time. So far I'm only up to chapter three, but I'm already engrossed... That's why I was hesitant to start the series--because I knew that, as soon as I did start, I wouldn't read another book until I had finished it. But oh well, I had to start sometime and I'm glad that I did! I'll let you all know what I think when I'm finished...

^_^

Wild About Harry—Not About Witchcraft

In the nine years since Bloomsbury released the first Harry Potter novel in Britain, a constant debate has raged as to whether or not Christians should read these books. Many have blasted the books by saying that they endorse magic and witchcraft. J.K. Rowling does use magic as the main tool in the forming of her stories, but she also uses the tools of friendship, loyalty, bravery, and self-sacrifice throughout the entire series. Nevertheless, many critics of the novels have even gone so far as to suggest that these books not only promote real-world magic but also encourage young children to become involved in the Wiccan religion—a religion that promotes such “real magick.” One woman, self-proclaimed “occult expert” Caryl Matrisciana, claims that, because of many similarities between the magick of Wicca and the magic of Harry Potter, the books lure children into Wicca. However, the clear differences between Wicca and the magic contained in Harry Potter prove the utter falsity of this statement. Despite countless critics who say the books endorse nothing but evil, J.K. Rowling’s stories actually contain significant positive elements, within both the characters and the ongoing story itself. Those who dismiss the books as “evil” and “occultic” reveal their ignorance of the story’s true meaning.

Mrs. Matrisciana, in an hour-long video made in 2001, claims that numerous similarities exist “between the spells and magic used in Harry Potter and those used in the witchcraft of the Wiccan religion.” Yet J.K Rowling derived almost all of the spells in Harry Potter from Latin words with meanings similar to the desired result of the spell. For example, the spell Expelliarmus, used to disarm an opponent, means “to expel a weapon” in Latin. Another example comes from the spell Accio, which summons an object to the spell caster. In Latin, Accio means “to summon.” Should the reader require further proof, Terri Paajanen, a practicing Wiccan, states, “True spells require practice, experience, and the focused control of will. Shouting a phrase in Latin and waving a wand won't get you very far in the real world.” Now, if Harry Potter truly did represent and promote the Wiccan “religion,” and used Wiccan spells, why would a Wiccan blast down the magic of the books? Quite simply, because the magic in Harry Potter does not at all represent the magick in Wicca—or any other real-world magic or sorcery.

Another example that Mrs. Matrisciana brings against the books comes from a chapter in which Professor Trelawney, the teacher of divination at Hogwarts, prophesies “a message of death in a very realistic trance state.” We learn later that Professor Trelawney predicts the death of at least one of her students every year, but none have yet died. She prefers the dramatic, and frequently falls into these “realistic trances” for effect. I feel bound to point out that of all the magic taught at Hogwarts School, only one subject exists that remotely resembles any “true” magic—divination—and out of all the subjects taught, the students view divination as the least useful or practical, and some find it simply ridiculous. Hermione Granger, one member of the famous trio of the Harry Potter books, refers to divination as “a very wooly discipline,” and such a statement perfectly describes the subject. Rowling uses divination to subtly poke fun at the “real-life magic,” even to the extent of having Professor Trelawney teaching her students how to read crystal balls and tea leaves. Much hilarity ensues when she tries to get Ron Weasley to read his crystal ball, and he responds that he sees “an old bat with oversized specs,” referring quite obviously to Professor Trelawney’s own reflection in the ball. Divination provides a way to lighten the mood of the books, and the students rarely take the class seriously. Neither should the reader.

Yet another thing that Mrs. Matrisciana brings against Harry Potter comes from a part in the fourth book in which a servant of Voldemort kills a friend of Harry’s. Mrs. Matrisciana states, “The diabolical truth in this is an intentional human sacrifice, a symbolic human sacrifice and very necessary for the ritual that is about to take place within the next page or so. In serious magic, a human sacrifice is essential for the power to work.” In response to this claim, I would like to point out that Voldemort portrays the very definition of evil in the book. He provides the driving force behind all of the bad wizards, and the good wizards relentlessly fight against him and his followers. When one of Voldemort’s followers kills this boy, Rowling portrays it as both evil and tragic, and it serves to further prove the utter wickedness of Voldemort. Additionally, reading this narrative section more carefully proves the absolute nonsense of Mrs. Matrisciana’s claim that this “symbolic human sacrifice [is] very necessary for the ritual.” This boy’s death has absolutely no connection to the ritual that occurs a page or two later. Voldemort had the boy killed only to make certain that he would not thwart Voldemort’s plan, not because he needed a human sacrifice.

Throughout all the Harry Potter books, Rowling places a strong emphasis on the battle between good and evil—that war which rages every day and everywhere in our own world. J.K. Rowling sets a strong example in these books that the good must fight the evil, no matter the cost. While not explicitly Christian, these books do have decidedly Christian morals about them, particularly with regards to this battle between good and evil. In 3 John 1:11, John states, “do not imitate what is evil but do what is good.” These books very clearly portray this, as the heroes of the stories seek after good and unrelentingly battle the evil that attempts to overthrow them. Rowling’s characters also show strong bonds of friendship and loyalty, to the point of willingly sacrificing themselves for their friends. God’s Word commands us, as Christians, to do this as well: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)


Original article can be viewed here: http://www.khouse.org/articles/2001/374/.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders, of His love.


I know it's a bit early to be getting excited about Christmas, but my sister was out practicing christmas carrols on the piano and I had a sudden rush of excitement.

Christmas is my favorite holiday... The main reason I love it so much is because it's the time that we remember our Savior's birth... I know when most people think of Christmas they think of presents and Santa Claus and stuff like that, but that is not what Christmas is about. The true meaning of Christmas is so much more... Jesus is the Christ in Christmas... it's His holiday, and that's what makes it so special.

In church on Sunday, Pastor Bryant mentioned how the true joy in Christmas should come from giving, not receiving. How true that is! I must confess that as Christmas day draws nearer and nearer I get excited about what I'll receive... but when I really stop and think about it, it's the expressions on my friend and family's faces when they open my presents to them that really makes me happy.

And it really is a season of joy, isn't it? I look forward so much to going up into the mountains with my family and cutting down our Christmas tree. Listening to Christmas carrols while we decorate the tree with all the ornaments that we've been presented with over the years, drinking hot apple cider and warming my hands in front of the fireplace... It's really a lovely time. And throughout all that, there is the constant reminder of our Savior. What more could you want??

Biological Troubles and Easy Rebuttals

Well, I'm done with both my biology experiment report and my test. Yippie! I haven't gotten a grade back on the report yet, but I do know that I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked on the test... I missed two (one of which was extremely stupid *grr*) when I was aiming for 100%. *le sigh* Oh well, I guess I'll just have to cope. An A is still a good grade, I suppose. But I wanted a perfect A! :-\ Well, that just goes to show that I'm not perfect!

But despite the grade, I'm relieved to be done with it. I feel like I might actually retain some of this information, so I'm happy about that. I think I have the classification of kingdom Monera down! Let's see...

Kingdom Gracilicutes: Gram-negative bacteria
Class: Scotobacteria--Non photosynthetic bacteria
Class: Oxyphotobacteria--Photosynthetic bacteria which require oxygen
Class: Anoxyphotobacteria--Photosynthetic bacteria which do not require oxygen

Kingdom Firmicutes--Gram-positive bacteria
Class: Firmibacteria--Coccus and Bacillus bacteria
Class: Thallobacteria--All other forms of bacteria

Kingdom: Mendosicutes--Bacteria with exotic cell walls
Class: Archaebacteria--Same definition as kingdom

Kingdom: Tenericutes--Bacteria lacking a cell wall
Class: Mollicutes--Same definition as kingdom


Yay! ...Now that all of you have fallen asleep. *wink* Isn't it interesting, though? *hears everyone mumbling inaudiably*

Okay, okay, fine. I'll stop with the biology now...

I'm writing my rebuttal on a review of Harry Potter. I discovered the article on Saturday, and I'm just about done rebutting it--one more paragraph, that's it. ^_^ You know, it's quite amazing... the more and more reviews I read of those books, the more and more I'm struck with how ignorant those people are. I mean seriously. Did they read the books?? The lady who wrote this particular review claims to be an "occult expert" (O.o) and yet she is saying that the spells in Harry Potter are wiccan spells. o.O Weeeeird... lol.

But yeah, I'm having fun. It's so easy to blast the arguments apart! If I like the result, I'll post it here. ^_^

Now I think I'm going to go ask if we can watch Kate & Leopold in celebration of being down with Bio for the week. Yay! I love that movie... I need to write a review of it, methinks. :D

Currently learning: Central Park

Yes, a new sort of review... This is actually a song that I'm learning to play on the piano. It's from the King Kong score by James Newton Howard and it is absolutely gorgeous. I've loved this soundtrack, and especially this song, ever since I first heard it, and last week we finally bought the sheet music for it.

I've been playing it every day since it arrived on Tuesday... it's definitely getting easier! There's one part, however, where it's all octaves on the right hand and it's so hard for me because I keep on slipping up and playing an octave and one key. *rolls eyes in exasperation* Still, I suppose it'll just come with practice. It is getting easier. :)

Perhaps when I have it down well enough I'll record it and post the .mp3 on here. If you'd like? :)

Trailer Recommendation

Might I recommend that you watch the trailer for We Are Marshall? It comes out December 22nd, and it looks excellent. It's based on a true story, set in Huntington WV--two friends of mine happen to live in Huntington, and one is actually in the movie! How exciting is that?

But it looks like an amazing film... I've watched the trailer I don't know how many times, and it still gives me the chills. Here's the link at apple.com: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wearemarshall/trailer1/

Difficulties

How hard can it be to find an article to write a rebuttel on? Honestly.

My assignment for my G&C class this week is to write a rebuttel, and I'm having serious trouble finding an interesting article that I can actually debate well. Mrs. T gave two good sites for us students to look at but, as of yet, I haven't found a good article. And I'm getting nervous... This assignment isn't one that I can procrastinate.

I'm also getting freaked out about my biology test on Monday. I don't feel like I know this module nearly as well as the last one, and I'm quite nervous because I have to completely memorize how to classify Kingdom Monera. Gram-negative bacteria are in Phylum Gracilicutes, Gram-positive bacteria are in Phylum Firmicutes... etc, etc. I'm scared.

And to make matters worse, I also have to write an experiment report on Monday. Right now, the experiment is doing itself, but come Monday I have to look at stuff under the microscope and write down purpose, equipment, observations, procedure, and conclusion. And bibliography. Can't forget that good ol' bibliography!

My comfort is that Mr. R is cutting us some slack for the first two experiment reports--we turn them in one Monday, he critiques them and sends them back, and we have until the next Monday to revise them. Good old Mr. Rosenoff!

But still... I'm freaking out right now. If anyone visits and sees this, would you please be praying for me to keep cool and keep on top of things? It would be much appreciated...

On a more exciting note... my sister's boyfriend is coming out for two weeks at New Years!!! We're all totally thrilled, since we haven't seen him since July. And even then, he only came for a week. So I'm totally psyched about him being here for two whole weeks. :D *dances*

Christians in Hollywood

Should a Christian become involved in mainstream Hollywood? My family and I have discussed this topic in much detail these past few months, and I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about it on my own. This topic offers particular interest to me because I have always dreamed of becoming a film actress. But this dream provokes some very serious questions. Can I become an actress and not conform to the ways of secular Hollywood? Could I make a difference? Some might argue that the media has already become too wicked, and “is too far gone,” for the Christian community to influence it. However, we must ask this question: how can our nation turn back to Christ if the media pollutes our society with corruption and propaganda, and how can the media itself change if Christians do not bring the Word into its midst? If every Christian on earth looked around at the evil in our world and thought merely, “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it,” how would the Gospel shine forth in a dark world? Quite simply, it would not. In view of these facts, then, should a Christian hide from the evil influence of the media, or instead stand up and attempt to become that influence? I firmly believe that Christians must learn to combat the evil influences of Hollywood, rather than allow them to further corrupt our culture.

Our nation’s entertainment has greatly degenerated in the past several decades, moving from a truly family-oriented industry to something that most parents rightly hesitate to even introduce to their children. What Hollywood would have considered totally inappropriate a decade or two ago has now become widely accepted, even in so-called “children’s” movies. Some say that the entertainment industry has no effect over our culture, but the fact remains that movies and TV shows nowadays tolerate and even promote ideas that we, particularly as Christians, simply cannot accept. If we truly think about it, we cannot say that the things we watch day after day do not have at least some effect upon us. As Christians, how can we stand aside and let this evil reign in our homes? Do we just sit back and wait for things to get better, or do we step forward into the fray?

Christians must see that these things will not get better on their own. If we do not take a stand in the media, it will simply continue down the path that it currently treads. Even though Christians might “openly oppose” certain movies, if they lead their opposition in such a way for others to ignore or even scorn it, what good will it do? We must take an active role in the media if we want to see it change. When only the radical and ungodly make movies, what sort of films should we expect? It presents no great difficulty to understand that if we want family-oriented, God-glorifying movies, then we must stand up and make those movies ourselves. Perhaps once we have set the example, others will see the Truth and follow. Surely many other Americans have become disenchanted with an industry that once provided such enjoyment but now promotes so much evil.

What can we do? Do we make a more firm stand when opposing blatantly ungodly films and TV shows? Certainly we can, as long as we do not back down when the smallest hint of trouble comes our way. However, we can truly change the morality—or lack thereof—in our country’s media only by working our way into that very industry with the message of the Gospel. Even the smallest group of Christian directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors could make an astounding difference in Hollywood. If this Christian company produced decent, moral, and interesting movies, it goes without saying that those films would do well. Distributors would not have to market such films as explicitly “Christian,” but these films would simply have Christian morals about them that would gently infiltrate the secular media. When we stop and think about it, what better way to turn the media around? By producing excellently written, well-acted, moral films that draw a vast audience, we could influence the secular movie-makers by showing them that decent films do sell. Parents who might otherwise never take their children to the theater, those who go to the movies but rarely, as well as with the average movie-goer, would go to see these films.

Immorality in the media creates a vicious circle—as the industry continues to sink into corruption, it influences our society into deeper corruption, and as the corruption of our society grows, so does the corruption of our media. Christians taking a more active part in our country’s media provides possibly the only way to stop this downward trend. If we just sit back and watch, the circle will go on and on until we really can do nothing about it. But if we step forward and bring the influence of the Gospel into the media, this downward spiral can stop now! By producing godly, Christ-centered, moral films, we can help put an end to the wickedness in our media and our country. Who would not love to play a part in turning their country back to Christ? We must look to Christ for our guidance, and lean on Him for strength when our mission becomes hard, for hard it will become, but with Christ “all things are possible.”

Being sick is not a very pleasant state...

While at church yesterday, I managed to come down with a rather nasty cold. I'm not sure who I could have caught it from... If I caught it at the wedding on Friday, it certainly was a fast-moving virus. But the fact remains that I'm sick.

I felt the worst this morning when I first woke up. I couldn't talk, my throat hurt so horribly. But then I went back to sleep for a few hours, and when I awoke the second time (despite being confused and thinking it was Tuesday, not Monday) I felt well enough to revise my biology experiment report and turn it in.

Happiness.

But now I still need to finish my grammar assignment that is due Wensday morning. I'm writing it on 'Christians in Hollywood.' My family and I have had rather extended discussions about this topic in the past few weeks and months, particularly since my brother and I both want to go into the directing/acting business, respectively. So yes, we'll see how the composition goes. If I like the end result, I'll post it here for you to read.

If anyone still visits, please comment... I'm beginning to feel quite lonely. :-\

Writing Is Fun...

This is a paragraph that I wrote for my Grammar & Composition class. I had a lot of fun writing it, for obvious reasons. :D

Star Trekking across the Universe

My family and I recently watched the second season of the original Star Trek series. Despite the laughable technology and special effects, the characters form the true heart of the stories, and I thoroughly enjoy the forty minute episodes. Three men make up the main cast—Kirk, Spock, and McCoy—while the other officers onboard the Starship Enterprise make an intriguing secondary cast. Captain James T. Kirk, the ideal Captain, always knows exactly what to do when a crisis comes up and never backs away from a struggle, instead running into a fray with phasers drawn and a battle plan clearly formulated in his head. Ever logical and straight-thinking, Kirk’s first officer, Mr. Spock, unfailingly comes up with a solution to tricky problems, although his logic sometimes proves his fault. Starship Enterprise’s ship surgeon, Leonard McCoy, diligently cares for the sick and injured onboard and unquestionably supports his captain, willing to risk life and limb for Jim. Although somewhat predictable, and perhaps considered “unexciting” in this day and age, you still find yourself sympathizing with the characters and laughing along with their teasing and jokes—particularly when they make fun of the ever-serious Mr. Spock. Star Trek still provides fun and interesting entertainment for a late night with your family, and I will deeply regret when we reach the end of this brilliant series.


And two words: NO BE VERBS!!

Okay, so that's three. What're you going to do about it? ;)

RAIN!!!!

On Sunday, as if to truly usher in a new month and a new season, it rained for the first time in months. I was very happy... I adore rain, especially the smell. It makes me happy.

One of my favorite moments is just after the storm has stopped, the sun breaks through the storm clouds juuust a wee bit and shines down on the wet ground, making everything look fresh and new. It makes me happy.

Some people might think I'm crazy, but I love to stand outside in the rain and get soaking wet. No coat, no hood, no umbrella. Nothing shielding me... It's wonderful. I love how you get wet by degrees, not all at once. First it gets on your head and starts to dampen your hair. Then it soaks through your shirt, then aaaall the way down to your feet. And it's even better when the rain starts out falling lightly and then grows until it's pouring down bucketfulls. It makes me happy.

*sigh* I love fall and winter.