Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Should I Rent/Netflix it or Buy It?
I get so many screeners now I can't do a full review on all of them. These are some quick announcements that I started doing. Enjoy!
Death Sentence
At least there's some hockey in it...
The only things that kept noodling at me to watch this movie were: a) there’s a brief hockey scene, and b) Kevin Bacon and Kelly Preston are in it and they usually have good judgments as far as movie roles. I should have passed.
Love’s Unending Legacy
Queue for a Cry, Buy if a Fan
The movie is basically a very long Hallmark commercial; you know the ones with the poignant stories and music that can get you crying in less than 30 seconds? The acting, directing, and music make for a great combination worth at least a rental.
Sunshine
Pro: Pure Sci-Fi; Con: Pure Sci-Fi
I didn’t really get this movie. After watching it, I couldn’t sing, “I’ve got Sunshine… on a cloudy day.” If a movie doesn’t make me sing, that’s a bad sign. Maybe it will make you sing, though; let me know.
Wallace & Gromit: Three Amazing Adventures
Great Special Features; a Must for Fans
We get a fair amount of press releases and screeners here at HJ, so I’m writing this column to let you know what is Queue, Rent, or Buy worthy and when it’s going to release. This one is absolutely packed with special features on top of the shorts.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
There's a book of secrets to help you with that!
We all have things that we have inherited from the generations before us. Ben has his personality traits and I have my defined calves. Some of the things we inherit can be gifts, some of them are burdens, a lot of them are a weird combination of both.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
What's on the Menu?
In my wife's blog she contemplates how far we've gone in our 14 years of marriage...using food as the analogy. Check it out:
What's on the Menu?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Feliz Navidad!
More reviews (technically one anticipatory preview),
May Jesus reign in our hearts this busy season!
High School Musical 2
Are You That Reliable?
At times in my life I’ve found myself in Troy’s shoes (not the singing and dancing part; I only do that at home). I constantly fight double-mindedness, making promises I can’t keep. I hate that about myself, and it doesn’t work and it hurts the ones I love.
The Simpsons Movie
Honestly, I still don’t get it. I popped the screener for The Simpsons Movie in the old DVD player and just felt like I wanted to get those precious minutes of my life back. Actually, there was one scene that stuck with me and won’t let go.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Just Not the Hair!
I want to be so sold out for Jesus that I wouldn’t care what people think of me. A faith so strong that people see it and are drawn to it. I don’t want to look crazy like a Benjamin Gates… but part of me does, because Jesus is that awesome!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Startdust and Schwartzenegger(sp?)
I wrote a review for Stardust which I saw a few weeks ago at the Drive-In. Apparently it was coming out in DVD today so the editor posted it today.
Stardust
They aren't just for kids, you know!
Most fairy tales have a great message, something that speaks to the heart and tells us about life. This fairy tale is no different; it speaks of growing up and putting away childish things: through a fairy tale, no less, which makes it even better!
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In other news have you heard of this bill that the Governator signed? It's not cool. Here's some info from my lovely wife. If you go to our Church she will have petitions to sign this Sunday Dec 16th so come by and sign it.
I wanted to let you know about a bill, SB777, that the Governor recently signed into law, effective in January. SB777 could potentially result in changes in curriculum for our public schools, to include positive representations of homosexual, bisexual and transgender lifestyles.
I, personally, have a couple major concerns about these potential changes in curriculum. First, I believe it is a parental right to deem when it is appropriate and when their child is mature enough, to speak to their own children about sexual matters. I believe the Lord has given us the responsibility to protect our children's innocence and not burden them with information that is beyond their years. Second, this type of teaching would be very unbalanced, only seeking to show these lifestyles in a positive light. I have a cousin who chose the gay lifestyle. He left his wife and children, sought gay partners, and he died at a young age from a body ravaged by AIDS. This breaks my heart. And this is truth, yet it would be seen as "hate speech."
So, in light of this, I have acquired some petitions (thank you so much, mom!), and I will have them with me for the next week. I will also make a brief announcement at Homebuilders regarding this issue. Signing the petition would indicate that you want this to be placed on the next ballot so that you, as a citizen, can have the opportunity to vote against it.
To sign the petition, you must...
1. Be a resident of San Luis Obispo County, and
2. Be a registered voter of this county as well.
If you would like more info, Sherry sent me a link... just scroll down this email to read it. Thank you, Sherry!
Also, you can visit this website to view articles and the actual text of the bill.
(This is the bill link... see SEC. 34-44)
The following YouTube video is an example from the It's Elementary video made about a decade or so ago, of how Massachusetts schools implemented the type of curriculum I am concerned about.
Thank you so much for your time. Let's do all we can for the children of California.
In Him,
LindaSaturday, December 01, 2007
Latest Reviews
Not sure what's up with my logo...I think logomaker's server is down. Here are the last four reviews I've done:
The Namesake
Memoirs of a Bengali (and Filipino) American
I took two 2-week trips with my white classmates to Chile and Brazil then Japan and Thailand. They only had to feel that discomfort for 4 weeks, but they got a great taste of it! I believe all of us feel something very similar.
Live Free or Die Hard
McClane Doesn't Give a Rip What You Think!
The list of heroes goes on, from veterans to the stay-at-home mom, or the young pastor that grew a church from a living room Bible Study. These are the people that don’t get enough credit or attention. Yet they go on, being “that guy,” as McClane calls it.
The Princess Bride 20th Anniversary Edition
Do Actors Age?
I love this story because of true love, because of God’s unfailing love for me. God knows I’ve doubted it and been unlovable, but no matter what his love never fails me. This story reminds me of that and that’s why it is one of my all time favorite movies.
Rebellion of Thought
Did Jesus tell us it was a free for all on his bride?
I once heard that after a dog has puppies it will sometimes eat one or two of them. I know, gross, huh? But it makes me think of Christians. We often like to devour our own. This documentary, Rebellion of Thought, is not much different.
Friday, November 09, 2007
See the Fish, Be the Fish
As you can see I've revamped this blog. I'll be blogging about random things that God is doing (Moving) in my life. Hope you like...my movie reviews are posted on HollywoodJesus.com and the link is above.
My wife found a SWEET deal for a hotel room (by which I mean suite) that includes 2 tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium. She and my eldest son are calling the mini-vaca See the Fish, Be the Fish as the hotel we are going to has a sweet indoor pool.
I'm excited since we didn't get to do the big vaca thing this summer we really need to get away as a family. I have a special place in my heart for Monterey Bay and Pacific Grove as Linda and I spent a few days there during our honeymoon. I see this trip as a definite gift from my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
DVD Reviews
Hello to anyone that is still reading this blog...I think I have one reader (My beautiful wife Linda).
Anywhoo I've been asked to be the main DVD reviewer for HollywoodJesus.com. So that means I get to view some DVDs before they release. Pretty cool huh? Here are a couple, one is older.
BTW HollywoodJesus will be creating blogs for each of it's writers that will automatically update on the main page...I think as soon as the end of April. So HJ.com might MoveMe...get it?
Thr3e - based on the book by Ted Dekker
Charlotte's Web - it's different from the one I did during the Theatrical Release
I have The Last Sin Eater in hand right now...not sure if I'll review it or if someone else from HJ will...I liked it but it didn't necessarily MoveMe.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Ultimate Gift (Commentary)
My Commentary on The Ultimate Gift was just posted today on Hollywood Jesus.com. Click here ---->X to check it out! Hope you agree...either way post a comment if you like.
You can also click on the picture above to get to it. The code in the banner can be used when you buy your tickets online (ie Fandango). If you punch in that code Family Care Network will receive $1 per ticket. Thanks.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Ultimate Gift (Preview)
I have a confession: I like Tom Cruise movies. Yes, he seems to play the same character in most of his movies. He is usually the jerk that learns a lesson, turns his life around, and treats those he loves way better.
I'm a sucker for those kinds of movies, which is exactly why I'm going to try to go see The Ultimate Gift. I say try because it has a limited release and my guess is it won't get to my neck of the woods in Central California.
But the trailers have very much interested me in the theme of a spoiled boy in a man's body who learns there is more to life than just living for himself. It looks like his grandfather posthumously initiates him into manhood with some hoops to jump through. These hoops teach him hard work and selfless giving.
In my limited experience, I realize that we as a culture here in the United States worship youth, which has spawned a generation of children in adult bodies. One author used the term suspended adolescence to describe a generation of people, especially men, who do not want to grow up... take responsibility, or have a sense of duty.
I look forward to watching The Ultimate Gift, if available within twenty miles of me. I hope it will be a masterpiece of Tom Cruisian proportions.
If you are as interested as I am go to the link in the pic above and enter the promo code at whatever online ticket agency they send you to (ie Fandango). Unfortunately that doesn't get you a discount but it will give $1 for every ticket you buy to The Family Care Network.
Also, look for my review of this movie (hopefully this weekend) at Hollywood Jesus.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Charlotte's Web
“There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” Mttw 12:36-37 (MSG)
I went to see
Although the movie does have some of those elements they weren’t the main thing I got out of it. What MovedMe most of all was how words can affect so many.
At the beginning of the movie we see an ordinary place with ordinary people all doing ordinary things. Not one thing about the place was extraordinary. By the end of the movie everything has changed, the people and place or no longer ordinary they are friendlier to each other and more considerate. If you live long enough on this earth you know that is not ordinary!
You know how it all happened? Words. First, the words “I will not let you kill him” said about the runt, that led to life. Then words were spoken to a shunned spider that led to friendship. That friendship spread to others starting with those in the barn then throughout the town that led to friendlier and more considerate…words. Oh let’s not forget the positive words woven into a web…about a pig.
It really is amazing what words can do. They are more powerful than we think. Scripture says our tongues (metaphor for our words) are like a flame that starts a fire that cannot be put out or like the rudder of a ship though small can steer a great vessel. The world was created by the words, “Let there be…” Jesus was also called the Word (John 1).
History shows that speeches, the spoken word, can change the world ever heard of “I have a dream” or “Ask not what your country can do for you…” or “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall”? Speeches can motivate positively, like the ones above, or negatively, think Hitler or Stalin.
In my own life I’ve seen the power of words. Have you ever been around someone that constantly makes negative comments? I always end up feeling so defiled…I wonder what it does to that person. I know my words affect my wife and sons for sure. A negative word and I can see chins and shoulders droop, and the opposite if I give a positive word.
After watching this movie I’m reminded and challenged that some day there will be a reckoning for the words I’ve said. They are so powerful having the ability to give life or death.
I'm going to be like Charlotte and choose my words wisely.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
LOST Commentary
Here they are...I'll keep updating this post:
Episodes 1 & 2 - Posted 8/29/06
Episode 3 - Posted 8/30/06
Episode 7 - Posted 9/7/06
I'm into Season 2 now and will be posting those asap.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
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.
Friday, March 17, 2006
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
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
The rest as they say is history although much is veiled in myth.
Did Patrick get rid of all the snakes in
Many do believe that Patrick used the Shamrock to teach on the Holy Trinity.
Patrick, who is not canonized as a Saint by
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!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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)
Monday, December 26, 2005
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?
Saturday, September 17, 2005
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.
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!
Monday, September 05, 2005
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
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