Filed under: Art, I'm thinking, Summer Missions, faith, movies, music, readings, the word, traveling
Hello, world! I am sorry to have been laking in blogging on this blog over the past month or two. Between starting up another blog for my summer missions work and the work itself things have been absolutely crazy and out of control. I can honestly say that I have missed writing with this blog.
Speaking of summer missions blog, if you have been by here before you might have seen links to my summer blog. Well, if you are looking for it then you will be out of luck, because it is no longer there. I just deleted it. It just got to the point where I started to feel like I really didn’t need that blog and I have a perfectly wonderful blog already here. That and I felt like at that blog I should only talk about my summer missions work and there really isn’t that much to talk about on it so I have my little free-for-all blog here to turn back to.
So far the summer has been good. I’ve been at work for a month now and have come up with some really cool things. I will go ahead and be truthful and say this hasn’t been an easy adventure for me. I’m basically alone working here. I come to work from around 9-5 each day and then the rest of the night is just trying to figure out stuff to do. I am also living alone in a town house that is 20 minutes away that belongs to a family who is working away this summer and have to take care of a cat (it came with the house; my boss didn’t even know about the cat) and I have never taken care of cats before so that has been challenging. It’s just been a lot of loneliness and trying to find purpose in what it is I’m doing here. But thankfully Christ has been with me all the way and things are much better.
I have definitely had some fun trying to find stuff to do in my spare time. I’ve seen a bunch of movies. I basically work beside a cinema that shows independent films and I have just been enjoying it tremendously. I’ve always loved indy films but living in a small town we never got to see them until they came out for cheap-sale at the Hollywood Video. I’ve got to see The Brother’s Bloom & Away We Go, both of which I highly recommend. Last week I went to the bigger, more blockbuster theatre and saw Up…again, and, yes, I did go see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night at midnight and it was amazing! Apparently I’ve had high school friends living close by that I didn’t know about and I met up with them and some more who came up from home and we got to hang out and go see the movie.
I’ve also enjoyed going through miles of stores. I grow up in small town, US of A, so the biggest store I’ve ever lived beside is a Wal-Mart (standard, not supercenter). I work in an area that has a bunch of different shops I like. There’s a Best Buy (I’m a tech geek. I also have stranger than mainstream music taste and so BB is good for having some of that. So much better than Wal-Mart and their mainstream Pop/Country stuff that is about to get on my last freakin’ nerve **disclaimer: I truly apologize if this last statement offends anybody. That just not my taste in music and if you enjoy it and it makes you happy, then by all means ignore my rants and call me a fool.**) as well as the biggest Barnes & Noble I’ve ever seen (It’s like heaven).
I think that’s about it for now. There is still plenty more I want to say (I’ve got a couple months of stuff stored up) but I don’t to weigh down this post. I’ll save it for some other time. I hope to get back into the swing of things here.
I hope you have a truly wonderful day,
randall
**disclaimer** I am a twenty year old college student. There is nothing official or grand about this review. I am a really big Disney/Pixar fan and I really like talking about art, especially art that I like. So take this review with a grain of salt. The Oscars will never listen to me anyway…
I was relieved when I left the theatre today. Watching the first trailers for Up, I was excited but at the same time fearful. Wall-E had just been released and, squirrel!…Wall-E had been released and, to me, that felt like the pentacle of Pixar (my personal favorite of their library thus far). In the trailers for Up, I couldn’t help but feel like the characters felt flat. Especially with Russell, his lines felt cold and not very emotional. I kept that in the back of my mind and just said “It’s Pixar! They can do no wrong!” Thankfully as I was watching the movie I was really pleased. Personally, I don’t think it’s their best, but it’s still a beautiful movie and I think everyone should see it.
As I mentioned, after Wall-E, I couldn’t figure out how they were going to top it. When I first saw Up my reaction was “Okay, they aren’t gonna try and top it. That’s good, right?” To me, Up pays homage to the classic Pixar movies (Toy Story/Monsters, Inc.); very clean, simple, and super child friendly. I will admit, I was taken aback at how dramatic Up really is. Especially at the dramatic parts, some of the kids in the room were crying because something bad happened (storytellers, that is the equivalent of two thumbs up’ the kids are in the movie). The movie had life & heart to it still and it’s those two characteristics (as well as marvelous storytelling and artistry) that make Pixar movies stand out above the rest.
At times the story seemed variant and there were parts that I really felt weren’t quite resolved (they probably did and I just haven’t come to terms with it), and yes the characters did have their moments of being flat, but overall it was a really pleasing experience and I can’t wait to see it again.
Oh, and if you are able to, see it in 3D. I got to watch it in 3D and, oh my gosh, it was absolutely breathtaking. Most of the times you forget you have the glasses on and you’re just lost in the movie! It’s amazing!
I just left the theatre to see this movie. All I have to say is…wow!!!!….!!! This is such a beautiful movie. I have heard before a critique calling it a celebration of life and that is what it truly is. The cinematography was amazing (no, it wasn’t done with a cell phone). Between that and the incredible soundtrack, you felt like you were there running through the slums with the children. It’s a riveting feeling. I understand now why the Academy liked it so much. It is a truly wonderful movie and you will not regret seeing it.
Next up, Q&A, the book that inspired the movie.
*edit*
I just found this on Yahoo and it was, for me, one of the highlights of the movie. You can’t have a Bollywood movie without a dance number (yes they seriously ended the movie with this; the dancing part at least with the credits). Check it out here.
Filed under: I'm thinking, charity, faith, movies, readings, the word, traveling
I just found this. Back when I first saw Amazing Grace in May 2007 I went straight home and wrote this. These were too strong and piercing of an understanding not to write down and be lost in my mind…
I just got back in from watching the movie Amazing Grace. It was an incredible movie and I believe everyone should go see it. It has opened my eyes to many troubles in this world that we just tend to paint over with our fears. And as I just walked into my house I noticed something. I noticed my computer, my game boy, my cell phone and I realized how much I have really worshiped them. I spend most of my time on some of the most nonsence of things when the time, effort, and profit given into this could have gone to much better things, like that little boy I read about while campaining for the Amazing Change. His name was James and I will never forget reading the line of how, after he was abducted and kept as a slave, he had to kill his own brother. JAMES WAS ONLY 11. I know things like this aren’t pretty but they are happening right under our noses. And most of the time, where don’t want to get involved because we don’t want to get our hands dirty (I’m just as guitly of that as anybody else). We spend so much time in our own little worlds more concerned with having the latest gadget or trend that we forget how blessed we really are.
As I was observing my metal-idols, I also noticed a roof and walls and a counter covered with photos of me and my family. I have totaly ignored the fact that I am blessed beyond my wildest imaginations. Not because I have money or that I am wearing the latest fashion trend, but that I am loved. I have been blessed with a family that loves me and a roof over my head and a bed to sleep on. Not many people are that fortunate. I just want to take it all back but I fear that I am already in too deep. My mind, heart, and soul has been poisioned by the world with my own two hands and eyes. Life can be complicated, I know that. And in today’s society has become we need all these advancements and gizmos to succeed and trive. But I read something about someone who went on a trip to Zimbabwe (sorry if I misspelled it) and was blown away by the fact that they are suffering and dying by diseases and govermental turmoil, but they are some of the most joyful people you will ever meet. They don’t know what it really means to upgrade or have the latest “thing”, all they know is that life is more about living and loving what you have than always wanting more. They desire mostly what they “need”, we have become a society of “want”. We have overlooked love and replaced it with a measily brick of gold that feeds off of our inner beast that if nothing can be done it will destroy us. Life is just more valuable than a car, I just wish one day people can recognize that.
James
and here is his story…
An abducted child kept as a slave in the Lord’s Resistance Army, James was forced to brutally kill his own brother who had been abducted with him. He was rescued from captivity, but demonstrates the fragile psyche of a child victim forced to kill or be killed.
Whether in the U.S. or in countries such as Uganda, most fifth graders spent last summer escaping the rigors of school and enjoying the activities of a lazy summer vacation. Not James, an 11-year-old boy from northern Uganda. An abducted child kept as a slave in the Lord’s Resistance Army, he was forced to brutally kill his own brother who had been abducted with him. He was rescued from captivity, but demonstrates the fragile psyche of a child victim forced to kill or be killed.
James is now in a transit center in Lira, and the details of his abduction and captivity are just beginning to emerge from his silence. His deadened eyes and unwilling tongue betray the horror of recent months, when he was one of three brothers abducted by LRA rebels from their village.
When one of his younger brothers tried to escape, the rebels pronounced a sentence of death as punishment as an example to other abducted children who would consider escape. The rebel leaders designated James and the third brother to execute their sibling using means too horrific to detail here. Adding to the horror, sometime later when James picked up a piece of cassava to chew on without permission, his overseer cut off part of his ear as punishment.
James was rescued in an army raid, but he is traumatized by the abuse of his captors, and although now free he needs enormous emotional and spiritual help if he is to recover and lead a productive life. This is the kind of enduring and critical help ChildVoice is trying to offer children enslaved by war.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this movie before, but the movie Amazing Grace is one of my all time favorite movies. It’s message is truly powerful and I am not ashamed to admit that is was part of one of the many factors that were in play when I decided to pursue working strongly in Social Justice. For the past couple of years I have been contemplating and working on an art major in college, but after being involved in social justice work and learning about what all is happening, I have decided to pursue a major in communications that emphasizes in non-profits and a highly considering Seminary after that and work in the missions field. I knew that something had to change the night I couldn’t sleep because I had discovered that all I had been learning about modern day slavery and social justice in the world was true and happening as I just sat there on my bed.
One of my most favorite sense in the movie is close to the beginning when William Wilberforce is lying in the grass talking to God. It reminds me of the thoughts that were running through my head when I was considering following God and what that looked like for me.
Here are some quotes from that scene…
I have 10,000 engagements of state today but I would prefer to spend the day out here getting a wet arse, studying dandelions and marveling at bloody spiders’ webs.
Butler- You found God, sir?
Wilberforce- I think he found me. You have any idea how inconvenient that is? How idiotic it will sound? I have a political career glittering ahead of me and in my heart I wan spiders’ webs.
Here is the trailer to the movie
You really should see this movie!
For the fun and randomness of it I thought I would make a of my top 10 favorite things (as of 12:33 AM on Tuseday, September 2nd). Keep in mind this is constantly changing but I thought it would be fun to do one now…
- Songs of Albion: The Paradise War by Stephen R. Lawhead (occupying my time until his newest, Tuck, comes out sometime spring 09)
- I found this really great picture of my parents and I really like; we all look so happy!
- Albertine By Brooke Fraser
- Disney Movies, especially The Fox & the Hound (I just bought the DVD of it)
- College (the actual thing, not stupid new movie)
- Kirkland Water (thank God for it!)
- White t-shirt with a big artistic Lion’s face on it (so cool!)
- The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (in process of reading it)
- my Rainbow Sandals
- Robin Hood (TV Series from BBC; you must check it out)
Well, that’s my list. I wonder what might be in your list? Anything from above?
Hope you have a wonderful day (whichever day this is).
Peace out w/ Love!
randall
Just wanted to share how awesome this movie is!! I have been a huge fan of C.S. Lewis and his works (especially The Chronicles of Narnia). I went and saw it they day it came out and wasn’t disappointed. Yes, it is different from the book, but all the themes and magic of the book and the previous movie are still in this one.
I also recommend the soundtrack, I’m listening to it right now and the Switchfoot song is so great!!
