Putting the Word “Christian” in Front of Something Doesn’t Make It Christian
The team over at Blimey Cow have released a new video that I want to add a hearty AMEN to. Take a look at the video and I’ll add some thoughts below.
The Christian Pop Culture Review
A little while back, I submitted a music review to a Christian website for publication. The editor was a bit uncertain about publishing the review because the film clip featured a scantily clad woman dancing. It was not bad enough to earn anything more than a PG rating, but he expressed his concern because he had previously received complaints for recommending secular movies and music. If the song or movie in question contains something questionable, should we as Christian reviewers recommend it? Should we only positively review works that we can 100% get behind? I’m hoping that this is the beginning of the discussion. Really keen to hear what other people have to say.
Looking Forward – Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
It’s no secret that I’m a big comic book fan. I’m also a fan of movies. So you’d think that if you combine those two things, it would automatically result in me shelling out the money for a movie ticket to any and all “based on a comic book” movie released. Well, no. I’m not going to see your movie just because you licensed a character from Marvel comics. You have to give me something worth seeing.
Which is why I’m torn about Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
My 10 Best Movies of 2011
Did you see any good movies in 2011? This past year must have been a good year for movies. How can I tell? Because at the end of 2010 I only managed to name my top 5 movies of the year. This was not a stylistic choice, but one of necessity. Because I couldn’t come up with ten. I saw a few more movies in 2011 compared to 2010 (19 compared to 15) but I must have seen more that I enjoyed because here’s my Top 10! Disclaimer: I obviously didn’t see everything. There are some movies out there that I have a feeling would have made this list, but I missed them. Let me know in the comments what you think should have made the list.
My Top Movies of 2010
Sometime around July last year, I got an email from my editor at Fervr. He’d managed to get the site added to several press lists for movie distributors. What this meant was that Fervr was now invited to special advanced screenings of movies, weeks before they are shown to the public. And I got first dibs on all the invitations. Joy! Now while I couldn’t make it to every movie I was invited to (or in one case even find the cinema it was being screened in) I did see a fair few movies last year. And because of these invitations, I was able to see some movies that ordinarily I may not have gone to.
Here are my top 5 movies for 2010. I remind you that I didn’t see everything, so there are some absences from this list that might surprise you. For instance, I haven’t seen Toy Story 3 yet. I own it on DVD but haven’t sat down to watch it yet.
Help Me Watch More Movies
I’m in the process of putting together a list of movies that I want to see but have never got around to watching. My aim is that when I’m walking around the video shop I’ll know what to target. So what should be on my list?
I’m looking for movies in any genre and from any decade. I’m especially interested in those movies that either get a limited cinema release or go straight to DVD that are under appreciated gems. Cult movies are warmly received.
If it’s a big budget blockbuster from the last ten years or so, you can go ahead and assume I’ve either seen it or have chosen not to see it. I watch a lot of movies, but there are far more movies out there that I haven’t seen.
As an indication of taste, some of my favourite movies include (in no particular order):
- The Crow
- Fight Club
- Josie and the Pussycats
- Donnie Darko
- Almost Famous
- The Matrix
- X-Men 2
- Warriors
- Waiting
There’s gotta be a stack more on my favourites list, but that’s just off the top of my head.
So what should I add to my list? What’s on your must see list?
Pop Culture Christ Movie Guide: 11/02/2010
It’s been a long time since I’ve written one of these. I haven’t even stepped into a movie cinema since last year. What have I missed? Anything I should rush to see? I’ll be checking out Sherlock Holmes at the Moonlight Cinema this week. Anything else?
Let’s get into this week’s new releases:
- Valentine’s Day
- The Wolfman
- A Prophet
- My Name is Khan
- Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
At The Movies – 28/10/09
Want to know what’s starting at the movies this week? Look no further.
Legion
The movie Legion has got me interested. Here’s a plot synopsis from IMDB:
After a terrifying biblical apocalypse descends upon the world, a group of strangers stranded in a remote truck stop diner in the Southwest unwittingly become humanity’s last line of defense when they discover the diner’s young waitress is pregnant with the messiah.
It’s due out in January 2010 in the US. No Australian release date yet.
Looking Forward: September 2009
It’s good to look forward to something. To take a look at what’s coming up. And considering Jesus is keeping quiet on the release date of Creation 2.0, what have we got to look forward to in the month ahead? What’s coming up in September 2009 that we should be keeping an eye out for?
Who Watches The Watchmen?
Watchmen is one of the greatest comics I’ve ever read. From start to finish it’s a masterpiece. Incredible work went into every single panel. It’s written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons and was released in 1986-1987. Every thing from the deconstruction of superheroes, the world building, the layouts, the structure, the reoccurring imagery, it all comes together as this beautiful work of art. And it’s about to be released as a feature film.
Vatican Says No To Dan Brown
What? The Roman Catholic Church has denied Ron Howard access to their properties? They don’t want the new movie Angels and Demons, written by Dan Brown, associated with their organisation? And they did this without even looking at the script?
Movie Review: The Wicker Man (1973)
The Wicker Man (M)
Starring Christopher Lee
This is one of those movies that I’ve heard all about for so long but never seen. Can it live up to the hype? Is this really the Citizen Kane of horror movies? (Citizen Kane is another one of those movies I really should get around to seeing.)
Movie Review: Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (M)
Starring Nicholas Cage
Wow. That was a mess. Bad acting, bad dialogue, bad CGI, and a plot that doesn’t make any sense. I knew there was a reason that I’d held off watching this one. So how did this all go so terribly wrong?
Movie Review: Hot Fuzz
Hot Fuzz (MA)
Starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost
I really enjoyed this movie. It had a swan in it. That is all.
Call for Movie Suggestions
What will I watch next? Part of my efforts to stay current with the world of pop culture is to watch a movie a week. Back in the days I worked in a cinema, I would watch (at least part) of almost every movie that was released, as well as a stack of videos and movies on cable TV. These days I don’t work at a cinema, have fallen behind in my DVD watching and don’t have cable TV.
So here’s how you can help. Tell me what you want me to watch. It can be on in the cinemas or out on DVD (you have a greater chance of success if it’s a weekly DVD as I can get those for $1 on Tuesdays). Preferably it will be something I haven’t seen and a) be of special interest to issues of faith OR b) be something I would enjoy.
I’m also up for TV show recommendations, especially particular episodes. Please let me know in the comments what you would like me to watch!
Pop Culture Christ vs Pop Culture Guru
Apparently Mike Myers has got some people upset. And not just those who sat through Austin Powers in Goldmember. Myers’ new movie The Love Guruhas him playing a wacky Hindu guru with a wacky accent doing wacky things. And it’s got some people calling for blood. Deepak Chopra, famous spiritual guru, has stood up for Myers and has called for those protesting to pull their heads in and wait until the movie actually comes out before they grab their pitchforks.
You can find the article here in the Sydney Morning Herald. But what does this have to do with Christianity?
Movie Review: Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Little Miss Sunshine (Rated M)
Starring Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Steve Carell
I’ve been meaning to see this movie for a while. It’s one of those movies that gets a bit of a cool reputation while not achieving box office gold. What’s it about? Six family members in a Kombi on their way to a beauty pageant. Well, that’s the plot. But what is the movie really about?
Movie Review: Spider-Man 3
This is an article that I originally wrote on May 11th 2007. Enjoy.
Spider-Man 3 (Rated M)
Starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst
Things I learned from watching Spider-Man 3:
1) Spider-Man’s mask is magic and can disappear and reappear depending on what the scene requires.
2) Emo = Evil
3) You can ask for forgiveness without saying sorry Read More…
Movie Review: Fido
Starring Billy Connolly and Carrie-Anne Moss
For a while there, Zombie movies were the in thing. I unintentionally had a Zombie Movie Marathon this week (28 Days Later, Fido and Planet Terror). It wasn’t until after I had watched them that I clicked onto the common theme. Hey, don’t judge me, I was sick and wasn’t paying too much attention. Read More…
Pop Culture Christ 
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