Lost - Season 1

I was out with a friend and he said when was the last time you did a review? It's been awhile that's for sure. Nothing has really MovedMe enough to actually write one...until now.

I've recently become addicted to Lost. It all started so innocently with a trip to the Toyota dealer to get our first oil change on the Sienna. I was reading a Newsweek article on Season 3 coming up and bam...one trip to Hollywood Video and I'm hooked. It took us the better part of that week to finish Season 1 DVDs.

As I'm waiting for the Season 2 DVDs to come out in October I'll be counting it down with reviews on Hollywood Jesus.com. Some of the other writers may be doing them too so come and join us. Here are the details:

Six Week Countdown to Lost Season 2 DVD Release

If you are a huge Lost fan or have been thinking of getting into the television show but haven’t yet this six week countdown is for you!

Join us at Hollywood Jesus as we countdown the release of the Season 2 DVDs, and for that matter the Season 3 Premier the same week. Starting the week of August 21, 2006 we will be watching 1 DVD per week from the Season 1 DVDs and then reviewing them. Stop by the Hollywood Jesus website each day as we could be posting a different review each day. Then visit us in the Talk About It section and comment on the review you just read…do you agree, disagree, etc.

WARNING: It should be obvious but we will be posting spoiler material in these reviews. So watch the DVD of the week first before reading the review(s). By the way, if you are not willing to buy these DVDs do what I do and join a club at your local video retailer or Netflix. These services allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent a bunch of DVDs depending on the price point you choose.

Great now you are ready to join us in the spiritual adventure that is the TV Series: Lost.

We here at HJ believe Lost has is one of the best spiritual shows on television. We can’t wait to hear what you think and feel about this addicting series. Why? Because it unabashedly embraces mystery, argues science vs. faith, traffics in miracles, and above all believes in a grand design--that nothing and no one is an accident.

Come, take the journey with us…we know you won’t be let down.

Green Day?

'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. – Acts 2:17

PATRICK
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Irish, English, French, German
Pronounced: PAT-rik (English), pat-REEK (French)
From the Roman name Patricius, which meant "nobleman" in Latin.

My eldest son, Joshua, asked me this morning who St. Patrick was. After hemming and hawing about getting rid of snakes I had to admit that I don’t know! So I did a little studying and this is the quick version of the story of a regular man led by God to accomplish extraordinary things.

March 17th...what's all they hype about? Green rivers, green beer, green clothes, getting pinched, finding four leafed weeds? Actually it's about one of the most powerful movements of God the world has known. It's about a man many believe was the first missionary to reach out to a "barbarian" people...or those outside the influence of Greco-Roman civilization.

Born in the late 300s under the name Succat in Roman Britain, actually in Scotland he was abducted in his teen years and sold into slavery in Ireland. There he served a hard chieftain for 6 long years. Those 6 years were attributed to his conversion from nominal Christian to one who regularly communed with God; it definitely must have been a shaping time.

One of the first of many dreams and visions came to him during this 6 years…he heard a voice saying, “See your ship is ready.” 200 miles away from the sea he escaped his master and boarded a ship back home to his family and familiar land, though he would never be able to recover those years both relationally or educationally.

At around the age of 40, having become an ordained Bishop and changing his name to Patricius latin form of Patrick, he finally heeded many visions and dreams that were calling him back to Ireland. His mission was simple, to reach the Irish where they were, converting their hearts to Christ not their culture to Rome or any other for that matter. He started with the chiefs. It is widely held that his former master, a chief himself, was one of the first to confess Christ.

The rest as they say is history although much is veiled in myth.

Did Patrick get rid of all the snakes in Ireland? No. It is widely held that there were no snakes in Ireland when Patrick was alive. These sources say that snakes were long since gone from Ireland during the Ice Age.

Many do believe that Patrick used the Shamrock to teach on the Holy Trinity.

Patrick, who is not canonized as a Saint by Rome, was not the first missionary to Ireland, Palladius holds that title.

It seems God used Patrick in a mighty way. One reference quoted this: “Patrick's ministry lasted 29 years. He baptized over 120,000 Irishmen and planted 300 churches.” Dreams and visions indeed!

What dreams and visions has God given me? Which ones am I heeding and which ones won't I even listen to? This Patrick...that lived 300 or 400 years after the Apostle Paul saw a vision of a people transformed by the living God. In fact, he seemed to care deeply for, at the time, a people thought lower than human because they were not Roman. Amazing! This is proof that the book of Acts certainly continues to be written...from Patrick's time to ours!

Hollywood Jesus

Hi all! Our reviews have been picked up by Hollywood Jesus. So we will be posting there from now on. You can get there by going to hollywoodjesus.com and looking for the CoachZ blog on the right hand side. Or just click on this link CoachZ.

Hollywood Jesus (HJ) has just changed their format...check it out. You can still find us as stated above but some of our reviews are getting moved one of the following sections: Classic Movies, Kid Vids, and Books.

You can still check out when we've done a review here and I will post the link to Hollywood Jesus. Thanks!

Below is a running list of movies I've recently posted on Hollywood Jesus:

Because of Winn-Dixie (10/20/05 I think)
Batman Begins (11/06/05)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - Part I (12/20/05 this was a featured review on HJ!)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - Part II (12/26/05)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - Part III (1/9/06)
Band of Brothers (2/22/06)

Happy Hanukkah!

Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:4)

"I want to celebrate Hanukkah this year." Such a simple request from my oldest son Joshua, yet so complicated for us as adults isn't it? Is it Biblical? Is it ok for a Christian to celebrate? Especially a gentile?

After some consideration it boils down to what's good for God's chosen race is good for us that have been grafted in. So I went on a journey to buy all the stuff concerning celebrating the holiday this week. We got this Menorah from Pottery Barn of all places and it's perfect because it's iron made to look like branches...get it grafted in, branches, way cool. I bought a couple of childrens books from Barnes and Noble and candles from Vons and we are good to go.

What's even cooler is that Linda found this website with some great insights into the reason for this holiday. http://www.letusreason.org/doct4.htm It spoke to me (MovedMe) because it says that Hanukkah is the Feast of Dedications...which is something I need way more of. Rededicating my life to God and reminding myself not to be dedicated to idols or my sins...just as the Maccabees were dedicated to God in not bowing to King Antiochus and later were able to rededicate the temple (which is now us...we are the temple of God.)

There is so much more there on the site...I believe God wants to speak to me and MoveMe to worship Him. I'm gonna go read the rest of it. In the mean time let's dedicate 2006 to God, get rid of our idols, and repent of our sins! Amen?

We Were Soldiers

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring —those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Rev 12:17 NIV)

Watching any war movie reminds me of the war we as Christians are in...and make no mistake we are at war! And our enemy is just as intent and savage as the Vietnam army in this movie. But We Were Soldiers MovedMe because it reminded me in a fresh new way that the soldiers in this spiritual war are regular people as the tagline says Fathers, Brothers, Husbands, & Sons (and might I add Mothers, Sisters, Wives, & Daughters).

::WAR?::
As a child born in the 70's the Vietnam War wasn't told to me, in the way that the World Wars were. What I mean is I never really heard of heroes or sites where amazing battles were fought. I had never heard of the Valley of Death or Lt. Col. Hal Moore and his men and how bravely they had fought. All I heard were negatives, the "we never should have been in Vietnam" mentality. It was like the war everyone tried to forget.

It seems that way about Spiritual Warfare. Either because we have seen hyper/errant usage of the term or because we are in denial I thinkspirituall warfare is ignored for the most part. CS Lewis said (paraphrased) in his book Screwtape Letters that there are two equal mistakes we can make about the devil and his cohorts and that is to completely ignore them or pay too much attention to them. Let's do neither!

I cannot define the war for you completely but I will share how it plays out in my life. Consider what Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) Amazing isn't it that these two statements are all one sentence. Jesus says he came to give us life but there is someone, a thief, who is trying to steal, kill, and destroy it. So in my life I see the thief (Satan, my flesh, the world system) doing it through:

• Fear - this does not come from our Lord yet it penetrates my life in so many ways.


• Busyness - one of Satan's greatest tactics is to keep me too busy to worship and serve my God.


• Hopelessness - whenever disappointment, hardship, trials come despair is right on their heels.

::FIGHT!::
During the battle an underling asks the Vietnam Lt. Col. if they should take any prisoners. The Lt. Col says, "No, kill all they send...and they will stop coming." How does one fight against that? Heck how does one even survive? In the battle guys were getting taken out left and right. At a critical point in the battle Sgt. Maj. Plumley (played wonderfully by Sam Elliott) says, "Gentleman, prepare to defend yourselves." So simple yet so profound...just as simple and profound as what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5:

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I find that I often have to pick up my weapons (see Eph 6) and defend myself against anything that tries to war against what I know to be true about God. One of the keys is right here take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. The battle that rages against me and the dragon is fought in my thoughts, the inner workings of my heart. It is there that I must not allow thethieff to gain a foothold. By remembering that Jesus is not about fear but perfect love, busyness but a quiet spirit, ordespairr but wonderful hope I take my thoughts captive and I fight!

::LEADERS::
Lt. Col. Hal Moore was a great leader. He led by example and was the first to set foot on the battle field and the last to lift his foot off with all his men dead or alive as he promised. His men were heroes on the battle field selflessly giving of their lives because their country called on them to do so. Yet they came home to no parades, no fanfare just indifference or in some cases disdain. There is a scene that captures this in the movie where two soldiers, one injured in a wheelchair, arrive at an airport. Nobody is there to greet them, in fact as they walk down the terminal a mother pulls her child closer to her as if the soldiers have a disease.

How poignant this was for me as I have been so critical of leadership especially church leadership. I've had a crazy habit of second guessing them and not honoring them for the amazing job that they do. The Lord has truly been working on me in this the last few years. Now...I am leadership. And you know what I've found out? Those in leadership, for the most part, do the VERY best that they can. They really do! And they are worthy of the honor that is called for in the scriptures (double honor) for they have put themselves on the front lines battling for our souls. Most do their word knowing they will be called to account for how they have done as our shepherds.

I heard someone say that Americans are paranoid when it comes to their leaders...they truly crave strong leadership, but when they get it they don't like it. Or something like that. Yes there are some that lead astray, desire their own power, or are just plain corrupt. Isn't that more reason to search high and low for a good leader or leaders? Ones who care so very deeply for our souls? And once we find them never let them go? Do the very best to be a help and not a burden as the Bible says? I think so.

::FINAL THOUGHT::
WE are soldiers! This can be a scary thought...if we let it. In the movie, one of the American soldiers takes a prisoner. Through a presumably Vietnamese-American soldier they pry out the information that there are 4,000 Vietnam soldiers in the hills waiting to kill them. The same ruthless soldiers that massacred a French battalion early on in the movie. Whether the number is true or not I believe this was a tactic to scare Lt. Col. Moore, but it doesn't work, in fact he is unmoved by the information.

Yes we are at war, but Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Or as I've heard so many preach from the pulpit, "don't worry I've read the book...we win!" We will have trouble, we will have trial, we will have tribulation but don't lose heart we serve a master who is all powerful and fights with us. Take heart and fight!

1000 Hits!

Hi we've received 1,000 hits...and I actually started the Hit Meter at zero unlike some others. Thanks for checking us out we do have more MoveMe's coming so keep checking us out.

Oh and when you feel so inclined please post a comment! Thanks.
-Coach Z

Hitch

"There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:

the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden."

First off a HUGE shout out to the love of my life, my lifesaving companion, the Allegra Cole to my Albert (so to speak) for seeing something in me and getting hitched to me! You complete me Linda!

Most of us of the male persuasion feel like Albert, the guy on the right, when it comes to the woman we are interested in or love. How is it then that we even get hooked up? I have no idea! What I do know is that this movie MovedMe because it displayed the wonderful mystery of a man with a maiden.

::MYSTERY::
I love the way this movie started because I hated it so much...ok let me explain. The whole "principles of men and women" thing really made me mad. As if women and men could be figured out by a bunch of facts and figures. Then he seems to say that he can get any guy "in bed" with any woman within three dates. This outraged me and my wife enough that we wanted to turn the movie off.

But I had the inside scoop from a friend that this was not what Hitch was about so we kept watching. And boy am I glad we did. We got to follow as he realized there is no such thing as principles. Through his experience with wooing Sara in the most unconventional, and might I add funny, ways. And when he realized Albert and Allegra did not get together through his "magic" but through Albert's cute bumbling and disarmingly charming ways.

I love the last line by Hitch, "Basic principles...there are none."

This is so true...I agree with the author that said we are not problems to solve we are people to be loved. There is a certain mystery to a woman and a man getting together, just as it was portrayed between Allegra and Albert. She thought his dorky traits Hitch tried to get rid of were...cute.

As I think of how Linda and I got together I wanted a roadmap or a plan. I looked for a book in the church library. There was no plan, no program to follow, no book just a mysterious, God ordained series of beautiful events. So all you Alberts out there and Allegras waiting to be swept off their feet...there is hope! Embrace the mystery and the God of that mystery who loves you.

::SCAR WARS::
A secondary aspect that MovedMe about this movie were the protrayals of past unhealed scars. Hitch is motivated to be and teach others how to be a smooth talking ladies man because of an old flame that hurt him, Cressida. (If you haven't seen the movie yet this is a woman not a Toyota.) Sara is a cynic, aka realist, about life because of a near death incident with her sister. At the time, everything was going so well and then in the blink of an eye...tragedy. She lives her life that way, believing that at any moment tragedy will strike, not falling in love because she knows he will disappoint.

Isn't that how we live? From our scars rather than God's promises and heart towards us? Isaiah prophesies that Jesus will come to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1). This isn't cute symbolism...we literally get our hearts broken and become captive to past tragedies. Praise God that He sent His Son...by His stripes (scars) we are healed.

Lord knows I have abandoned my soul, and continue to do so, to this truth and it has made all the difference in the world in my life. This freedom has allowed me to love others with more recklessness and to break me free from a cynical nature. I praise God for that!

::FINAL THOUGHTS::
Finally, I really like some of the sayings Hitch had. Yes, they were a bit cliche but I really believe they are part of living the abundant life God promised us. I'll leave you with them...

Hitch: Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away.

Hitch: Well, you know, like I always tell my clients, "Begin each day as if it were on purpose."

Hitch: What if fine isn't good enough? What if I want extraordinary?

I don't know about you but I want some of that extra ordinary!

Napoleon Dynamite

Ok this movie didn't really move me...though we could say it was about skills (bo staff, computer hacking, etc) and inspiring one another (Uncle Rico inspiring Kip to go to work). This movie is just pure comedy...

Truth is I've been watching some movies but they haven't quite moved me. I'm going to have to go back to some movies that I was watching before I started this blog (ie Count of Monte Cristo).

Until then how about your favorite scene and/or quote from the wonderful movie Napoleon Dynamite? Mine are too numerous to count...let's have lunch you'll get at least 10 out of me in that timespan. But here are the ones that come to mind:

Uncle Rico: I wish you wouldn't look at me like that Napoleon.
Napoleon: I wish you'd get out of my life and shut up!
Uncle Rico: While you and your friend Pedro were playing patty cake I made 150 bucks.
Napoleon: Oh yeah, I could make that it about 2 minutes.
Kip: Yeah right Napoleon I made $75.
Uncle Rico: So, since you don't seem to have a job Napoleon why don't you go feed Tina.
Napoleon: Why don't you eat a piece of decroded crap!
-I'm not sure why I like this scene but I'm sure years of counseling could reveal it.

"Follow your heart, that's what I do." - Napoleon to Pedro

"I don't know build her a cake or something." - Pedro on asking Summer to the dance

"I can't get this algae (sound the g not j) off my leer." - Napoleon on the extra features on the DVD...for some reason Bryan doesn't have any special features on his DVD...hmmmm

Please comment on your favorite scene/quote from the movie...you can do that by clicking on the Comment thingy at the bottom of this thingy...

Wooly Boys

I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. 2 Sam 1:26

If you liked Second Hand Lions you will like this movie...I think. It's a little different but same basic premises. Two men can love each other in a purely masculine (not homosexual) way and a boy becomes a man around other men.

Like Second Hand Lions I liked this movie and it moved me for those two reasons.

JONATHAN & DAVID - The two men in the movie had a wonderfully masculine love for each other, much like I would think Jonathan and David in the Bible would have had. They were rude to each other, hit one another, but always always stuck by the other. Stoney (Peter Fonda's character) is dying in the movie and Schuck (Kris Kristofferson) is his ranch hand. They have been together through thick and thin; Stoney's wife's death, sheep shearing every year, and the rise of modern culture (Schuck still carries a six shooter).

I think this is a great picture of 1 Sam 18:1 (NLT) "After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king's son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends." If you are anything like me you had that kind of bond with another male when you were were a boy, but today maybe not so much. With life's busyness, our own selfishness, and maybe a touch of homophobia we don't form bonds like that any more. It's a pity...the Lord is working on that one in me! I'm glad to share a few bonds with men that I hang out with now.

BOY2MAN - This movie along with Second Hand Lions and a great book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge point out that boys become men around other men. It's a tragic reality of our society that boys like Charles (Joseph Mazzello) are not raised around REAL men because of divorce, death, choice, or scarcity (of REAL men). Therefore they are not taught what it means to be a REAL man. Responsible, selfless, leaders sometime crude, rude, and obnoxious but in the end they are supposed to be heroes. Charlie learns that as his dying Grandpa Stoney and his side kick Schuck kidnap him from the city and take him to the sheep ranch. You can almost see the difference between his first scene and his last...he went from boy to man.

I got to put this into practice a couple of weekends ago. I took my first son camping against all real logic. We have a baby in the house less than 2 months old and we battle for every minute of sleep we can muster. If you know me you know I don't sleep the first night anywhere away from home, especially not on the ground in a tent. But you know what? It was way worth it, my son got to be around me and some other men that weekend. It was a great weekend where I got to tell him that he has what it takes, that I'm proud of him, that I love him. These are major messages boys need to hear...from their fathers. And we shared a HUGE moment when he asked me to baptize him in a river we were trouncing through. Amazing...I'll go more into detail in the CalvarySLO Blog.

FINAL THOUGHT - Right before Stoney died he asked Schuck to take off his sunglasses. Schuck asks why and Stoney responds, "So I can remember your ugly face" or something like that. To translate that manspeak he was saying, "I love you." That's what I learned from this movie, it's ok for us of the male gender to love each other young and old!

The Last Samurai

Ever feel like this picture looks? Dead inside, unsure of why God put you on this earth? Sometimes I do. In the end, I hope just as the narrator hoped that Nathan Algren (Cruise's character) found peace, purpose, and life. I want that too!

I don't have anything deep or long to say about this movie. Just a couple of thoughts...

First, a quote from Algren's journal:

"Winter, 1877. What does it mean to be Samurai? To devote yourself
utterly to a set of moral principles. To seek a stillness of your mind. And to
master the way of the sword."

I seek this in my Christian walk. In the movie Algren realizes that the word Samurai means "to serve". So I ask myself every day what does it mean to serve (be Samurai). To devote myself to the disciplines of the Christian life in my heart. To wait on God with unnatural stillness. And to master the way of God's Word (Bible, His still small voice).

As you can see I like that quote. I also like the Seven Principles of the Samurai listed on the DVD which I will print here...Yes they are Bushido which is somewhat eastern religion but I think you will agree that there are some great Biblical points in there! Especially for us Christian Men. I actually liken it more to Chivalry, the old Knights of Europe code...

1. Gi - Honesty and Justice:
Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not FROM other people, but FROM yourself. To the true Samurai, there are no shades of gray in the question of honesty and justice...There is only right and wrong.

2. Rei - Polite Courtesy
Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A Samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals.

A Samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealings with other men. The true strength of a Samurai becomes apparent during difficult times.

3. Yu - Heroic Courage (I love this one)
Rise up above the masses of people who are afraid to act. Hiding like a turtle in a shell is not living at all. A Samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky. It is dangerous. It is living life completely, fully, wonderfully. Heroic courage is not blind, it is intelligent and strong.

4. Meiyo - Honor
A true Samurai has only one judge of honor, and that is himself. Decisions you make and how these decisions are carried out are a reflection of whom you truly are...You cannot hide from yourself.

5. Jin - Compassion
Through intense training the samurai becomes quick and strong. He is not as other men. He develops a power that must be used for the good of all. He has compassion. He helps his fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise. He goes out of his way to find one.

6. Makoto - Complete Sincerity
When a Samurai has said he will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing will stop him from completing what he has said he will do. He does not have to "give his word," he does not have to "promise." - Speaking and doing are the same action.

7. Chu - Duty and Loyalty
For the Samurai having done some "thing" or said some "thing," he knows he owns that "thing." He is responsible for it. And all the consequences that follow. A Samurai is immensely loyal to those in his care. To those he is responsible for, he remains fiercely true.

Wow...I'd love to be friends with men like that...I'd love to BE a man like that!

Filipino Hockey Player?

I know this has NOTHING to do with movies and if the polls are right you don't care one bit about hockey. (Truth is I have writers block on the movie I'm doing right now.) But I just got back from playing pick-up Roller Hockey at lunch today and I felt like a real player like this guy.

This is Richard Park he's about my height 5'11" (I'm 5'9), weight 190 (most of mine is fat), and he's of Asian descent (Korean, I'm Filipino). Oh, and he shoots right handed, which is rare in the NHL. Thing is he's a real hockey player...But I felt like him today!

I scored 2 goals and had 1 assist and I had many scoring chances as well as setting up a few. One of the goals was particularly sweet...

I took a pass as I was coming down the middle of the rink, there was one defender in front of me who is really good. I stick handled around him to the left, blocked his stick with my right leg as he was trying to poke the puck away, and took a sharp turn right behind him. I then had nothing between me and the goalie but about 6 feet of air! In stride I took a forehand shot to the upper gloveside corner of the net right over the goalies glove. Oh, it was fantastic!

So if the NHL ever decides to totally get rid of defense, referees, and puts 15 year old goalies who play too deep in the net I'm ready! Gretzky was the Great One, Mario Lemieux was the Magnificent One, Sidney Crosby has been hailed the Next One, I can be the Filipino Wan...I know it makes no sense...I'm just giddy. There's just something about Hockey that...MovesMe!

Quick Word on Movie Reviews

Scarecrow was looking for a brain; Tinman a heart. When watching movies is the brain more important or the heart?

I think the overwhelming response to this question in our culture and the "Age of Reason" is the brain. For whatever reason my observation is that we prefer facts, figures, control to feelings, emotion, and ambiguity.

This point is so evident in the Movie Reviews I read. Most contain somewhat interesting information like this movie is about love, family, and honor. (That barely scratches the surface for me.) Also, I find helpful information about the films content to help me judge if I want to see it or not (ie Sex Scenes, Vulgar Themes).

Most though contain a listing of facts about the movie. Where it was filmed, the inconsistencies of the story to the book, and my personal favorite (insert sarcasm here) what the Producer/Director/Writer should have done better. Precious few (critics and movie goers alike) do more than criticize the movie. I fall into the same trap!

The problem with this is we miss the movie's soul (if it has one not all do). We miss a possibly life changing message that only comes from an emotional experience. We miss a chance to connect with other human beings that are trying to portray their point of view through the art of movie making. We miss the chance to feel.

And maybe that's why we like factual and critical reviews. Maybe that's why we like our rational brains more than our hearts. Because it's hard to feel, it's hard to be vulnerable as a movie critic or movie watcher. If you don't believe me look at the question we normally ask after a movie is over. "What did you think about the movie?" versus "How did you feel about the movie?"

One author writing about something else wrote that you can't get to know a cat by dissecting it. You'll just get to know a bunch of facts like it's spleen weighed 1.5 ounces. But you won't get to know it's fun-loving spirit or cute purr. I'd love to say more but that's my Quick Word...

My wife and I, invite you not only to dissect the movies and get to know a bunch of facts about them but to let them speak to you. Then come and blog with us about it...

The Village

"GO and make disciples of all nations" - Jesus of Nazareth [emphasis mine]

After I saw The Village I talked about it with a few other Christians, who hadn't seen the movie. I described the premise of the movie: a group of people, who after experiencing some traumatic events in the "real world," built an idealic village and secluded themselves in a nuturing community. The almost universal response was, "Oh, that is my dream."

I have to say, that in my heart of hearts, I am the same way. Just as depicted in this scene, the young men are running towards the safety and security of the village. I, too, tend to want to run towards seclusion...away from people, circumstances, and tragedy. Yet Jesus, our master and commander, says "GO," not stay. So I run towards sharing how this movie MovedMe.

FEAR vs. LOVE - Why did the Villagers leave the outside world? Because of fear. Traumatic events in each of the original villager's lives led them to band together and create Covington Village. Ironically, however, they had to manufacture more fear to keep everyone inside the village... fear of unknown monsters and fear of the color red.

Personally, fear also drives me to want to isolate myself and my family. I didn't have the greatest past (pre-Christianity). I never want to be tainted by that lifestyle again, so I don't find myself hanging out much with non-Christians. Yet Jesus says go. Fear also drives me to shun meaningful fellowship with believers, because Christians in my past have hurt me deeply. Jesus still says go. Fear of our public school system and the outside world directs me to want to home school our first son or send him to Christian private school. I want to make this decision without regard to his actual needs or God's call. Again Jesus says go...

On the other hand, Ivy is motivated by love. Love propels her to brave the monsters and unkown in order to reach the towns in search of medicine to heal her beloved Lucius. A blind woman, she is the last person anyone would send, but her father rightly discerns, "She is more capable than most in this village. She is led by love." In the same vein, Paul of Tarsus told his disciple Timothy, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (1 Tim 1:7)

Love drives me to venture out into the non-Christian world; for we, as Christians, have the Light and we must shine it in a dark and weary world. Love motivates me to engage in small groups, because, like Jesus, I want to love with more abandon. Love has given my wife and I the courage to follow God's leading to put our son in public school this coming fall, realizing our main reasoning for putting him in an alternative school situation was rooted in fear. Jesus says go...

The major theme of Fear vs. Love hit me rather hard while watching this movie and prompted me to think differently about my life. I realized that with my fears, I have created my own private Covington, one where I was in a "Christian" cacoon. I need to break free. So we are boldly trying to do so, while at the same time clinging tightly to 1 John 4:18, part of which says, "perfect love drives out fear."

Additionally, there were a couple of minor themes from the movie that impacted me.

SIN INSIDE - In creating Covington, the Villagers ran from the sins which had tainted their lives and caused them pain, but they found that sin followed them. Sin is inside. They ran from murder, yet it followed them (Noah murdered animals and Lucius). The leader of the group, Edward Hunt (Willam Hurt), had adulterous thoughts towards Alice Hunt (Sigourney Weaver) that he was barely able to contain. And of course there was the lying and fear-mongering that took place to keep all the children from wanting to leave Covington.

Sin is not something I can run from. It wars inside me, which is why I need Jesus and the cleansing he brings daily. Paul says, "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7:24-25a NLT).

MAN UP - According to my wife, Linda, the porch scene where Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix) finally declare their love is one of the most beautiful romantic scenes on film. I've provided the lines for you below. What I learned is that as a man, my tendency is to think loving things in my head about Linda, but not say them. I NEED to say them!

Ivy Walker: When we are married, will you dance with me? I find dancing very agreeable. Why can you not say what is in your head?

Lucius Hunt: Why can you not stop saying what is in yours? Why must you lead, when I want to lead? If I want to dance I will ask you to dance. If I want to speak I will open my mouth and speak. Everyone is forever plaguing me to speak further. Why? What good is it to tell you you are in my every thought from the time I wake? What good can come from my saying that I sometimes cannot think clearly or do my work properly? What gain can rise of my telling you the only time I feel fear as others do is when I think of you in harm? That is why I am on this porch, Ivy Walker. I fear for your safety before all others. And yes, I will dance with you on our wedding night.

FINAL THOUGHT - There is a scene in the movie where Edward Walker, the leader, says to Lucius Hunt, "You are fearless in a way that I shall never know." You see, Lucius constantly wanted to venture outside the village...without fear. Edward led the people to hide...motivated by fear. I want to be like Lucius!

Flight of the Phoenix

"I think a man only needs one thing in life. He just needs someone to love. If you can't give him that, then give him something to hope for. And if you can't give him that, just give him something to do. "

I know, I know you were waiting for the Village weren't ya? Well it's on it's way...I'm not kidding. I have a day job so it took me a week to write it. It's with my gorgeous MoveMe partner (aka my wife!) I think it will be ready in the next day or two.

On a whim we rented this movie. It has Eowyn (Miranda Otto) and one of our favorite actors Giovanni Ribisi, as well as Dennis Quaid. It was pretty good. Didn't move me but I really liked this line quoted above.

There really is something about us men...if we don't have something to do, something to really sink our teeth into...we go nuts. At least I do. Do anything futile for any length of time. Trust me you'll go loco! One of my favorite author's said [paraphrase] I wanna do something in this life worthy of the God I serve...or something like that it's late.

The Village...coming soon. If you haven't seen it go rent it...it'll knock your socks off. Man what am I Richy Cunningham...yikes!

Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

My wife, Linda, made this Yellow cake with Lemon Custard filling and Lemon frosting the other day. She calls it the Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events cake. It looks like a disaster, but MAN did it taste great!

That's exactly how we felt about the movie Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events. The first time we watched it, we thought it was REALLY bizarre and off the wall, but in the end we felt something...a good something. All in all, it MovedMe (and Linda). This is what we got out of it. I hope after we describe how it tasted to us that you too will appreciate it and at the same time see something of the heart of God towards His children.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE ANYWAY? - Klaus says it best. After the Baudelaire children's parents have been killed, and they get sent to that ogre of an uncle (Olaf), who locks them up in a dank room, Klaus says, "Didn't they [his parents] plan for us?" Isn't this the type of question we ask when life takes a turn for the worse? What is the first thing that runs through your head when tragedy strikes? What are your thoughts when you hear that a loved one is sick or dying, you've lost a job, or your safety-espousing aunt is consumed by leeches? Many times I start thinking, "Woe is me!" I hate that about myself. I begin doubting my Heavenly Father. I wonder... "Is God holding out on me?" or "Does He really know what He's doing?"

The answer is revealed toward the end of the movie. The Baudelaire children have been through seemingly horrific events, nobody is sure where Count Olaf is, and they are standing in the charred remains of their once majestic home. A letter, sent long ago by their parents, arrives, giving hope and clarity to the 3 weary offspring. It says, "At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may, in-fact be the first steps of a journey." In other words, things aren't as bad as they seem. We, too, are called to open the eyes of our hearts (REALLY search), and to discover that God's not holding out on us... He's refining us. Big difference! It's a journey.

When things get tough and I question God's motives towards me, I have to remind myself that He has a purpose and a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11).

WE NEED EACH OTHER - I really relate to the Baudelaire children, and not just cause they dress funny, but because something evil is trying to steal their inheritance from them. Remember John 10:10 (kill, steal, destroy)? Count Olaf embodies Satan's assault on believers. He wants nothing more than to have us miserable, in despair, the opposite of joyous. So he subtly attacks. What do we do?

We as Christians must band together as the Baudelaire children did. Just as each child's gifts and talents (Violet - inventing, Klaus - Encyclopedic knowledge, Sunny - biting) helped them out of quite a few binds, so we as the Body of Christ must bring our unique gifts to help each other in this battle against the flesh, the world, and the devil. We needn't worry about the fact that blood doesn't connect us. As Klaus said, "Have you noticed that none of our relatives are related to us?" And sometimes we hook up with peculiar people like Aunt Josephine. People like her seem totally off their rocker, but man, don't they sometimes have a good word for us? (Remember all the stuff that happens in the house during the storm that she somewhat predicted?)

Again, back to the letter the parents (and God) writes, "take care of each other with kindness, and bravery, and selflessness" also "as long as you have each other, you have family, and you are home." Acts 2:42 says "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Amen.

SANCTUARY - Just one more quick insight and then it's your turn, Ok? Sanctuary. Throughout even the toughest trials the Baudelaire children face, they are able to find sanctuary. Snicket's narrates, "Sanctuary... Is a word which here means a small, safe place in a troubling world. Like an oasis in a vast desert or an island in a stormy sea." I don't know about you but I need me some of that stuff! I find it wave watching at my favorite spot in Shell Beach, CA. I sometimes find it listening to the lyrics of a song on my way to work alone in my car. I find it wherever and whenever I have the clarity to ask God to meet me. I need Him, because bombs are going off in the UK, my first son will be starting kindergarten in the fall, my wife needs a leader in our home, etc. Sanctuary...Not to escape, but to recharge and fight on! God is my refuge and my strength... He takes me under His wings.

FINAL THOUGHTS - Again, Klaus says it best (does he have the best lines or what?) over and over again, "Nothing happens by coincidence" and "These things just don't happen." He's right. Whatever I, you, or we are going through, it's happening for a reason. God, who loves us deeply, has an awesome plan! I can't wait to find out what it is! Let's journey together. I think we'll find He has an amazing way of making sweet lemonade out of seemingly sour events.

Tribute to THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy

I have a dilemma. I can't start this Blogspot without talking about my favorite movie(s), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. On the other hand I can't do the movies justice, there just isn't enough room on any Blog page!

So the only compromise I can come up with is to offer this tribute and open it up to any of you out there that feel the same way I do...That Wizards, Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, and Kings and Queens speak to your heart. John Eldredge wrote in Waking the Dead that these stories round out truth for us like facts and figures just can't (my paraphrase).

So bring it on...This blog is for you! Let's talk about how Frodo symbolizes sacrificial Christ-like living. Or how Aragorn's journey to becoming the King of Gondor is so much like our journey as men to step up and lead.

One of my favorite questions is which character (above) do you most relate to in the story and why?

Can't wait to see whatcha got!

First Entry

Hi! I was born Ariel Patrick Garcia Zalamea. For obvious reasons I go by Patrick (Think The Little Mermaid) although Ariel does mean Lion of God which I REALLY like.

Anyhow, this is my little spot in CyberSpace (aka Blog). I hope you enjoy yourself. I'll be sharing my thoughts on how certain movies Moved Me or didn't. I believe God speaks to His children through His Written Word (the Bible), The Holy Spirit, Nature (Beauty), Fairy Tales, Songs, Poetry, and yes Movies! All we, as believers have to do is open the eyes of our redeemed hearts.

I still believe that we need to "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Prov 4:23) So I include ScreenIt in my links section to guard yourself from some of the life sucking movies that are out there. Remember we want more LIFE not less. I hope that is helpful.

If you are not a believer come check us out at CalvarySLO or any other Bible Teaching/Christ centered church in your area. Jesus is the One who said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) Also, check out BibleGateway which I have also provided on the links. Check out the book of John.

Happy Blogging!