Pirates 3 - Movie Review

Saw Pirates of the Carribbean 3 this afternoon - and my review in two words - hated it. It wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen - but it was just one long action scene that was exactly like some of the scenes in #2. Long drawn out storyline - and SPOILER WARNING: the good guy/hero dies. Although while watching the movie you can hardly tell who is alive and who is dead with the whole "Davy Jones' Locker" theme where the dead sail around in a state of eternal limbo. I hope that #3 is the death of this series. I think the first 2 were worth watching, but this one went too far. Sorry Pirates fans!

Bridge to Terabithia - Movie Review

I took the kids to see the new Bridge to Terabithia movie yesterday afternoon. I am glad that we had a chance to read the book before the movie came out. It always gives me a sense of accomplishment, and is nice for the kids to use discerning eyes and notice differences and similarities.
The story is sweet and sad. It is a story about unlikely friendship, and sincerely loyalty. Two children, a boy and girl that need each other become friends and conquer the world - both enemies in the real world, and foes in the imaginary world of Terabithia that they create for themselves - an escape from their not so rosy reality.
I love the imaginations of the main characters, and the example of how a vivid imagination can be contagious. I like that a boy and girl can be friends, innocently.
One thing that was a little more exaggerated in the movie than in the book is when the female character, Leslie Burke goes to church with her friend, Jesse Aaron's family. On the way home they are talking about Jesus and God. She doesn't believe that God would "damn a soul to hell", yet she goes on to say that the story is beautiful. She tells Jesse that he has to believe it (evidently because it is his "religion") and hates it - but she doesn't have to believe it and thinks it is beautiful. It is one of those conversations that might make you uneasy if it weren't for the fact that it is incomplete.
The story is sad, and we can all relate to the sense of regret, and the sentiments of "if only" that resonate in the sadness. I don't mind a sad story sometimes. There is an understanding that into each life a little rain must fall (although some people seem to get a torrential downpour and others seem to get drizzle), that connects us all as part of the human experience.

Lessons From Facing the Giants

I watched Facing the Giants for the second time tonight at church with the youth group - Kullen went too. I am sure that by now most everyone has heard of it - but if you haven't seen it yet, please don't miss it. I have taken away so much from the movie - here are some of the lessons I've learned:

1. Never, never, never give up - keep going, keep going, you can do it
2. When you win, you praise Him - and when you lose, you praise Him
3. Even during times of pain and trial, God is still God and He deserves our love and praise
4. God is into giving us the desires of our heart
5. With God all things are possible - nothing is impossible with Him
6. No matter how big the enemy - God is bigger still
7. You give it your best and you trust God with the results
8. Keep praying - P.U.S.H. - pray until something happens

#7 is my favorite - that is going to become a life motto - very motivating! This can be applied to absolutely any part of life.
I have heard more than one person say that they weren't interested in seeing the movie because they think it is all about football. This movie was not about football - but used the coach and the team and the picture of coming against an enemy to show spiritual truth. I don't like sports movies either - but thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
More later - I have a lot of thoughts about this movie, but it's too late to articulate them all!