This has been floating around a bit, but made me laugh -- and quiver at how true.
"Everything is amazing right now, and no one is happy."
Found it first at Provocative Christian. The comedian being interviewed by Conan is Lewis C.K.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Friday, February 27, 2009
Slumdog Button
Continued from earlier post; spoiler alert also continues.
Of course the big differences between the BUTTON and SLUMDOG are thematic.
Here’s how I see it:
The theme of BENJAMIN BUTTON: Life is a random series of meaningless, unconnected events.
Ben lives a long time and meets a lot of people – but no one is changed for having known him.
He is such a milquetoast presence that even the alleged one true love of his life is so unaffected by him that his daughter doesn’t know he existed – even though both Ben and daughter overlapped in mom’s life for nearly a decade.
The true metaphor for this theme is the clock that runs backward.
I saw the movie with a friend, who asked afterward (confessing that she felt stupid for missing it): What did the clock have to do with the movie?
The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing.
The story of the clock never crosses paths with the story of Button.
The timing of the clock does not coincide with the birth, life or death of Button.
Even the purpose of the clock (so that the mistakes or mishaps of the past may be corrected) does not come into play.
GB Shaw said “Youth is wasted on the young.” Not so with Button – after making his youthful mistakes, he has his health and vigor to exploit.
Which he doesn’t do.
The clock is a random object, that while seemingly similar to the story in its mechanics, is actually a random, meaningless side story.
(And, ironically, easily replaced with better technology…)
The theme of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: Life is a series of meaningful events that connect with significance
Each life event builds one on another, echoing throughout. There are no “throw-away” scenes, as the scars of each tragedy (literally) as well as the joys of each triumph clash together to create character and action.
The metaphor for this theme is the game show.
Every incident in the movie is critical, as they form the basis for Jamal’s success in answering (life’s) questions. If he did not go on this specific journey, he could not be the man in the contestant chair.
SLUMDOG goes beyond showing significance of life, to the deeper question: is life about predestination or choice?
Certainly the fates seem to be colluding – why else would his life be the answer to every single question in the quiz? (Save three – each being helped along by a lifeline. Sort of.)
Yet it is Jamal’s work and ethics that help him claim his prize (and separates him from Salim, who experienced the same events) – his relentless search, his refusal to give up on Latika, his willingness to serve (just a chai carrier), his generosity to those around him.
If he did not make the choices he did, he could not have found Latika.
If the gods (or G-d?) did not align history, he could not have found Latika.
So the director of MILLIONS gives us another showcase of faith plus works.
One more note on SLUMDOG: Some folks were put off by the Bollywood tribute at the end – I really like the visual metaphor.
Jamal and Latika dancing with the community – the connectedness of it all.
Jamal and Latika dancing alone – the personal nature of it all.
Jamal and Latika dancing as children (note only as the pre-orphanage age, not the post-orphanage age) – the innocence retained despite it all.
May we all meet joyously on the platform.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Of course the big differences between the BUTTON and SLUMDOG are thematic.
Here’s how I see it:
The theme of BENJAMIN BUTTON: Life is a random series of meaningless, unconnected events.
Ben lives a long time and meets a lot of people – but no one is changed for having known him.
He is such a milquetoast presence that even the alleged one true love of his life is so unaffected by him that his daughter doesn’t know he existed – even though both Ben and daughter overlapped in mom’s life for nearly a decade.
The true metaphor for this theme is the clock that runs backward.
I saw the movie with a friend, who asked afterward (confessing that she felt stupid for missing it): What did the clock have to do with the movie?
The answer, of course, is absolutely nothing.
The story of the clock never crosses paths with the story of Button.
The timing of the clock does not coincide with the birth, life or death of Button.
Even the purpose of the clock (so that the mistakes or mishaps of the past may be corrected) does not come into play.
GB Shaw said “Youth is wasted on the young.” Not so with Button – after making his youthful mistakes, he has his health and vigor to exploit.
Which he doesn’t do.
The clock is a random object, that while seemingly similar to the story in its mechanics, is actually a random, meaningless side story.
(And, ironically, easily replaced with better technology…)
The theme of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: Life is a series of meaningful events that connect with significance
Each life event builds one on another, echoing throughout. There are no “throw-away” scenes, as the scars of each tragedy (literally) as well as the joys of each triumph clash together to create character and action.
The metaphor for this theme is the game show.
Every incident in the movie is critical, as they form the basis for Jamal’s success in answering (life’s) questions. If he did not go on this specific journey, he could not be the man in the contestant chair.
SLUMDOG goes beyond showing significance of life, to the deeper question: is life about predestination or choice?
Certainly the fates seem to be colluding – why else would his life be the answer to every single question in the quiz? (Save three – each being helped along by a lifeline. Sort of.)
Yet it is Jamal’s work and ethics that help him claim his prize (and separates him from Salim, who experienced the same events) – his relentless search, his refusal to give up on Latika, his willingness to serve (just a chai carrier), his generosity to those around him.
If he did not make the choices he did, he could not have found Latika.
If the gods (or G-d?) did not align history, he could not have found Latika.
So the director of MILLIONS gives us another showcase of faith plus works.
One more note on SLUMDOG: Some folks were put off by the Bollywood tribute at the end – I really like the visual metaphor.
Jamal and Latika dancing with the community – the connectedness of it all.
Jamal and Latika dancing alone – the personal nature of it all.
Jamal and Latika dancing as children (note only as the pre-orphanage age, not the post-orphanage age) – the innocence retained despite it all.
May we all meet joyously on the platform.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Benjamin Millionaire
Warning: plot spoilers ahead.
Here’s the plot of a movie I saw recently:
The story is told in a series of flashbacks by the male character.
A boy and girl meet as small children, and develop an intense friendship. It is clear that they are soul mates, destined to be together.
The events of life force a separation; but throughout their lives, fate keeps bringing them together – only to separate them again.
Until finally, against all odds, they unite one more time.
And then she takes care of him until he dies as a baby, and she croaks, and New Orleans floods.
OR they joyfully dance on the train station platform, along with their kid-selves, in a visual metaphor of their journey.
You see, this movie was released twice this year (and got two nominations for Best Picture Oscar), once under the title THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and then again as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
There are of course major differences between the two movies.
For one, SLUMDOG doesn’t rely on special effects, while BUTTON is a technical marvel – a brilliant mix of effects and make-up.
Too brilliant, perhaps, as the technical masks what’s missing: heart.
In fact, the technical wizardry may be responsible for one of the (many) big blunders in the film: not following through on its own premise.
The big idea is this: a man is born into an old body, and the body ages backwards, while the man inside ages forward.
The best scenes are near the beginning, as we watch what appears to be an old man looking with wonder on the new world. The juxtaposition of old flesh and new soul is delightful and endearing.
However, for anyone waiting to see what it is like for an old soul to inhabit a young body, this movie fails to deliver. The filmmakers gave up on the premise, instead allowing “young” Ben to be a thirty year old in spirit, or a twenty-something traipsing around the world on a post-college find-himself-tour, or a bratty kid with no sense of having lived a full life.
(Why does he have “old person” diseases on both sides of his aging?)
None of these incarnations come with an old soul – and such a missed opportunity is painful.
(They even have a shot of some guy showing Ben how to fix his motorcycle. Shouldn't it be the other way around? The guy who has been on the earth for eighty years showing the younger-but-looks-older guy how to fix things?)
In fact, the whole of Ben’s “wisdom” years, from say fifty to eighty, are covered in a single, mos montage.
Why do I blame the tech?
It just seems too coincidental that the period of time that requires no computer and make-up magic to make Button look like Brad is the part of the movie that the movie makers themselves were too bored with to explore.
Of course the big differences between the BUTTON and SLUMDOG are thematic.
To be continued…
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Here’s the plot of a movie I saw recently:
The story is told in a series of flashbacks by the male character.
A boy and girl meet as small children, and develop an intense friendship. It is clear that they are soul mates, destined to be together.
The events of life force a separation; but throughout their lives, fate keeps bringing them together – only to separate them again.
Until finally, against all odds, they unite one more time.
And then she takes care of him until he dies as a baby, and she croaks, and New Orleans floods.
OR they joyfully dance on the train station platform, along with their kid-selves, in a visual metaphor of their journey.
You see, this movie was released twice this year (and got two nominations for Best Picture Oscar), once under the title THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and then again as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
There are of course major differences between the two movies.
For one, SLUMDOG doesn’t rely on special effects, while BUTTON is a technical marvel – a brilliant mix of effects and make-up.
Too brilliant, perhaps, as the technical masks what’s missing: heart.
In fact, the technical wizardry may be responsible for one of the (many) big blunders in the film: not following through on its own premise.
The big idea is this: a man is born into an old body, and the body ages backwards, while the man inside ages forward.
The best scenes are near the beginning, as we watch what appears to be an old man looking with wonder on the new world. The juxtaposition of old flesh and new soul is delightful and endearing.
However, for anyone waiting to see what it is like for an old soul to inhabit a young body, this movie fails to deliver. The filmmakers gave up on the premise, instead allowing “young” Ben to be a thirty year old in spirit, or a twenty-something traipsing around the world on a post-college find-himself-tour, or a bratty kid with no sense of having lived a full life.
(Why does he have “old person” diseases on both sides of his aging?)
None of these incarnations come with an old soul – and such a missed opportunity is painful.
(They even have a shot of some guy showing Ben how to fix his motorcycle. Shouldn't it be the other way around? The guy who has been on the earth for eighty years showing the younger-but-looks-older guy how to fix things?)
In fact, the whole of Ben’s “wisdom” years, from say fifty to eighty, are covered in a single, mos montage.
Why do I blame the tech?
It just seems too coincidental that the period of time that requires no computer and make-up magic to make Button look like Brad is the part of the movie that the movie makers themselves were too bored with to explore.
Of course the big differences between the BUTTON and SLUMDOG are thematic.
To be continued…
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Earl of Sandwich, Duke of Doughnuts
Thing about me #4 of 25:
In a blog last week, I pointed out that I had three dreams as a kid, benchmarks really, that would show me that I arrived as an adult.
#1: A wine cellar, but instead of being full of wine, it would be full of soda.
I could just imagine myself, swirling a fine glass of Ale La’ Ginger ’07.
Or sniffing in the fruity aroma off the cork of a Hawaiin Punch Rose ’08.
#2: A library with multi-levels and (this is the most important thing) a sliding ladder.
I didn’t mention the third thing in that blog, so it becomes fact #4 about me:
#3: I always dreamed of having a job where I had to order in sandwiches to eat at my desk.
Ah, the romance of work to a child!
Think of all those movies, featuring a Rosalind Russell or a Kate Hepburn exchanging witty barbs while trying to decide who ordered the pastrami on rye.
I get all misty-eyed just saying “pastrami on rye.”
And I didn’t even know what pastrami was!
As an adult, I often get to eat at my desk. Not nearly as glamorous as my childhood vision.
But every now and then, I do feel a little satisfaction, hearing the whisper of Rosalind and the echo of Kate’s bold laugh.
So raise your pastrami on rye in a salute to sandwiches ordered in to eat at the desk!
Just my thoughts,
Sean
In a blog last week, I pointed out that I had three dreams as a kid, benchmarks really, that would show me that I arrived as an adult.
#1: A wine cellar, but instead of being full of wine, it would be full of soda.
I could just imagine myself, swirling a fine glass of Ale La’ Ginger ’07.
Or sniffing in the fruity aroma off the cork of a Hawaiin Punch Rose ’08.
#2: A library with multi-levels and (this is the most important thing) a sliding ladder.
I didn’t mention the third thing in that blog, so it becomes fact #4 about me:
#3: I always dreamed of having a job where I had to order in sandwiches to eat at my desk.
Ah, the romance of work to a child!
Think of all those movies, featuring a Rosalind Russell or a Kate Hepburn exchanging witty barbs while trying to decide who ordered the pastrami on rye.
I get all misty-eyed just saying “pastrami on rye.”
And I didn’t even know what pastrami was!
As an adult, I often get to eat at my desk. Not nearly as glamorous as my childhood vision.
But every now and then, I do feel a little satisfaction, hearing the whisper of Rosalind and the echo of Kate’s bold laugh.
So raise your pastrami on rye in a salute to sandwiches ordered in to eat at the desk!
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Christian Spielbergs and Tolstoys
Some noteworthy moments in blogging:
Don Miller describes the process of writing a novel at his blog.
And Jeff Overstreet rants a bit on his blog; worth reading if for no other reason than this beautiful line:
"If we stop focusing on creating “Christian Spielbergs” we may realize that God is already revealing himself through Spielberg..."
I have mixed feelings about the whole notion of a "Christian" art industry (word in quotes because in this context it does not mean what Christ might think it means); but I have no mixed feelings about artists who are Christians who don't see the value of what is already out there.
They are wasting such time and resources, when they could be furthering the kingdom...
Just my thoughts,
Sean
PS Yeah, I know Tolstoy is a Christian. Just try telling that to Christian bookstores...
Don Miller describes the process of writing a novel at his blog.
And Jeff Overstreet rants a bit on his blog; worth reading if for no other reason than this beautiful line:
"If we stop focusing on creating “Christian Spielbergs” we may realize that God is already revealing himself through Spielberg..."
I have mixed feelings about the whole notion of a "Christian" art industry (word in quotes because in this context it does not mean what Christ might think it means); but I have no mixed feelings about artists who are Christians who don't see the value of what is already out there.
They are wasting such time and resources, when they could be furthering the kingdom...
Just my thoughts,
Sean
PS Yeah, I know Tolstoy is a Christian. Just try telling that to Christian bookstores...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Oscar Bites
For those who are still looking for Oscar themed foods, and want to avoid the obvious Indian food, Catherine has these Best Picture suggestions:
A hotdog with a pickle on top. (Bun, dog, a dill in there)
Iced reindeer venison. (Frosted Vixen)
Milkduds -- referring to the slow box office start of a certain nominee.
Alphabet soup. (Okay, an easy out for The Reader.)
Oh, and she wanted to serve stuffed olives, but realized that there would be no pit in there. And Pitt was the only thing good about Benjamin Button.
Clever girl, my wife. I wonder why she was too shy to post these herself?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
A hotdog with a pickle on top. (Bun, dog, a dill in there)
Iced reindeer venison. (Frosted Vixen)
Milkduds -- referring to the slow box office start of a certain nominee.
Alphabet soup. (Okay, an easy out for The Reader.)
Oh, and she wanted to serve stuffed olives, but realized that there would be no pit in there. And Pitt was the only thing good about Benjamin Button.
Clever girl, my wife. I wonder why she was too shy to post these herself?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Friday, February 20, 2009
And the Oscar Goes To...
My Oscar predictions:
BEST PICTURE: The award will go to THE DARK KNIGHT.
I know what you’re thinking: WALL-E is really the one to beat this year.
And WALL-E is deserving; any other year it would be a shoo-in.
But I still get caught up by them using the live action Fred Willard; it just didn’t work for me.
Whereas in DARK KNIGHT, just about everything worked. The ending was a bit rushed (ironic for a three hour movie), but from acting to technical achievement, screenplay (now here was a story ABOUT something!) to directing, THE DARK KNIGHT is this year’s Oscar…
Hold on a sec, I’m getting an IM from Jeffrey.
What? What do you mean “not nominated?” Is this a joke? Okay, okay…
Sorry about that. So it seems that the Best Picture Oscar goes to WALL-E after all.
Clearly in the running anyway, WALL-E deserves its award for many… Hold on.
Yeah, Jeff? All right, now I know you’re pulling my leg. Okay, what did get nominated? Seriously?... Yeah, Langella was good, but… I suppose we need one politically relevant movie every year, and this is the year of Prop 8, so I guess… What?!! But that movie took four hours and didn’t ever get around to saying anything!... okay, okay.
Again, sorry, I’m back.
The winner is SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Partly for being a very good moive; mostly due to lack of competition in its category.
BEST DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan. Without a doubt he… what? And Stanton? Arghh!
Oh, I give up.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
BEST PICTURE: The award will go to THE DARK KNIGHT.
I know what you’re thinking: WALL-E is really the one to beat this year.
And WALL-E is deserving; any other year it would be a shoo-in.
But I still get caught up by them using the live action Fred Willard; it just didn’t work for me.
Whereas in DARK KNIGHT, just about everything worked. The ending was a bit rushed (ironic for a three hour movie), but from acting to technical achievement, screenplay (now here was a story ABOUT something!) to directing, THE DARK KNIGHT is this year’s Oscar…
Hold on a sec, I’m getting an IM from Jeffrey.
What? What do you mean “not nominated?” Is this a joke? Okay, okay…
Sorry about that. So it seems that the Best Picture Oscar goes to WALL-E after all.
Clearly in the running anyway, WALL-E deserves its award for many… Hold on.
Yeah, Jeff? All right, now I know you’re pulling my leg. Okay, what did get nominated? Seriously?... Yeah, Langella was good, but… I suppose we need one politically relevant movie every year, and this is the year of Prop 8, so I guess… What?!! But that movie took four hours and didn’t ever get around to saying anything!... okay, okay.
Again, sorry, I’m back.
The winner is SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Partly for being a very good moive; mostly due to lack of competition in its category.
BEST DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan. Without a doubt he… what? And Stanton? Arghh!
Oh, I give up.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Outside of a Dog...
Thing I am thankful for this week: books.
My house growing up was jam packed with books.
Our front hall had two walls covered with book shelves made out of old army rifle cases.
Forget about swords into plowshares; I’m all about rifle cases into bookshelves.
The back room had three walls of floor to ceiling shelving. Well, not quite ceiling; but the space between the top of the shelves and the ceiling was crammed with books on their side.
In fact, books were crammed anywhere that had space.
On nights when I couldn’t sleep, I would sneak downstairs and into that back room, pulling off books randomly and reading. If I got bored with a book, I’d stuff it back into the shelf and grab another.
I still can’t get comfortable in bed at night without a book.
When I was a kid, I had three desires that would mark the perfect future.
One was to have a wine cellar, but instead of wine, it would hold bottles of soda. All kinds; all in big glass bottles.
The second was to have a two-story library in my house with a rolling ladder. Like in the movies.
In fact, my favorite scenes in MY FAIR LADY were all in Higgins' study. Not that I cared for where the rain in Spain fell; I just admired the scenery.
So here’s to books – with special thanks to Jack and the gang at my book club for refreshing me with that same childlike wonder.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Oh, title to this post comes from Groucho's quote: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it is too dark to read."
My house growing up was jam packed with books.
Our front hall had two walls covered with book shelves made out of old army rifle cases.
Forget about swords into plowshares; I’m all about rifle cases into bookshelves.
The back room had three walls of floor to ceiling shelving. Well, not quite ceiling; but the space between the top of the shelves and the ceiling was crammed with books on their side.
In fact, books were crammed anywhere that had space.
On nights when I couldn’t sleep, I would sneak downstairs and into that back room, pulling off books randomly and reading. If I got bored with a book, I’d stuff it back into the shelf and grab another.
I still can’t get comfortable in bed at night without a book.
When I was a kid, I had three desires that would mark the perfect future.
One was to have a wine cellar, but instead of wine, it would hold bottles of soda. All kinds; all in big glass bottles.
The second was to have a two-story library in my house with a rolling ladder. Like in the movies.
In fact, my favorite scenes in MY FAIR LADY were all in Higgins' study. Not that I cared for where the rain in Spain fell; I just admired the scenery.
So here’s to books – with special thanks to Jack and the gang at my book club for refreshing me with that same childlike wonder.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Oh, title to this post comes from Groucho's quote: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it is too dark to read."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Figures Don't Lie; But Liars Can Figure
Thanks Jeff for pointing this out and getting me riled.
Let me start by stating my opinion: there should be more family friendly movies out there.
And there definitely should be more Christ-friendly films, and more Christianity-friendly films at our theaters.
However, there are forces out there working diligently to try and convince Hollywood to NOT make family, Christ or Christianity friendly films.
I am speaking, of course, of Ted Baehr and Movie Guide Magazine.
Ted, along with partner Dr. Tom Snyder, recently published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, outlining why they think Hollywood should make more films that meet Biblical principles.
And by Biblical principles, they mean capitalism, patriotism (only the pro-America kind), faith and values.
I should note that the order of importance in that list is theirs, not mine.
First off, capitalism and pro-Americanism are not Biblical values. I’m not saying they are bad values, as I personally am a patriot who enjoys his paycheck.
They just aren’t Biblical values.
In fact (this will be a surprise to many of you), not only wasn’t Jesus an American, but the USA didn’t even exist when he walked the earth.
Of course, many will point to the verse in Matthew, where Jesus confides to Peter: “I only wish I wasn’t a foreigner. But then again, nobody’s perfect.” But that verse is taken out of context way too often.
Truth be told, it isn’t the if-it-fits-Baehr’s-politics-it-must-be-Christian attitude that bothers me so much as his sloppy math.
Baehr argues that the morally responsible position is this: one should make movies if they make money. (Really? That’s the morally responsible position? Let it go, Sean, let it go…)
To support his argument that his kind of movies are the ones that make money, he points out that the pro-capitalism films of “An American Carol,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” City of Ember,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” took in an average of $71.8 million at the box office.
Pretty impressive.
What he doesn’t tell you is that only one of those four films actually made a profit (“Indiana Jones” made $317 mil; cost $185 mi.); and the other three were box office flops (“Carol” made $7 mil and cost $20 mil; “City” made $7.8 mil, cost $55 mil; and “Fly” made $12.8 mil, cost $25 mil.)
Baehr, in listing the evil pro-communism movies, labels their average of $7.9 million at the box office as “measly.” Even though their average is greater than two of his “pro” flicks.
Even though he had to balance out the wicked “Vicky Christina Barcelona” (made $23 mil) with obscure indie films to bring the average down low enough to justify his thinking.
The article is chock full of bizarre stretches to try and prove his point, both in film content and in math.
Okay, back to my opening opinion.
If it is true that I want more family friendly films out there, why should I care that Baehr is pulling numbers out of his fanny? Aren’t we ultimately on the same side?
I don’t think so.
You see, when Hollywood hears Baehr trumpet his numbers, they don’t take his math at his word. They add the totals up for themselves.
And when they figure out that he is messing with the figures, they assume that it isn’t just his numbers that are funny, but his whole argument, as well as any argument coming from the people that Baehr says he represents.
And Baehr says he represents Christianity.
If Baehr makes himself easily dismissible, then they can just as easily dismiss Overstreet, Nicolosi, Graham, Warren, Brewer, Keller, Gaffney and, well pretty much anyone else that loves Jesus.
Why not, since the number fudging Baehr represents them all, right?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Let me start by stating my opinion: there should be more family friendly movies out there.
And there definitely should be more Christ-friendly films, and more Christianity-friendly films at our theaters.
However, there are forces out there working diligently to try and convince Hollywood to NOT make family, Christ or Christianity friendly films.
I am speaking, of course, of Ted Baehr and Movie Guide Magazine.
Ted, along with partner Dr. Tom Snyder, recently published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, outlining why they think Hollywood should make more films that meet Biblical principles.
And by Biblical principles, they mean capitalism, patriotism (only the pro-America kind), faith and values.
I should note that the order of importance in that list is theirs, not mine.
First off, capitalism and pro-Americanism are not Biblical values. I’m not saying they are bad values, as I personally am a patriot who enjoys his paycheck.
They just aren’t Biblical values.
In fact (this will be a surprise to many of you), not only wasn’t Jesus an American, but the USA didn’t even exist when he walked the earth.
Of course, many will point to the verse in Matthew, where Jesus confides to Peter: “I only wish I wasn’t a foreigner. But then again, nobody’s perfect.” But that verse is taken out of context way too often.
Truth be told, it isn’t the if-it-fits-Baehr’s-politics-it-must-be-Christian attitude that bothers me so much as his sloppy math.
Baehr argues that the morally responsible position is this: one should make movies if they make money. (Really? That’s the morally responsible position? Let it go, Sean, let it go…)
To support his argument that his kind of movies are the ones that make money, he points out that the pro-capitalism films of “An American Carol,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” City of Ember,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” took in an average of $71.8 million at the box office.
Pretty impressive.
What he doesn’t tell you is that only one of those four films actually made a profit (“Indiana Jones” made $317 mil; cost $185 mi.); and the other three were box office flops (“Carol” made $7 mil and cost $20 mil; “City” made $7.8 mil, cost $55 mil; and “Fly” made $12.8 mil, cost $25 mil.)
Baehr, in listing the evil pro-communism movies, labels their average of $7.9 million at the box office as “measly.” Even though their average is greater than two of his “pro” flicks.
Even though he had to balance out the wicked “Vicky Christina Barcelona” (made $23 mil) with obscure indie films to bring the average down low enough to justify his thinking.
The article is chock full of bizarre stretches to try and prove his point, both in film content and in math.
Okay, back to my opening opinion.
If it is true that I want more family friendly films out there, why should I care that Baehr is pulling numbers out of his fanny? Aren’t we ultimately on the same side?
I don’t think so.
You see, when Hollywood hears Baehr trumpet his numbers, they don’t take his math at his word. They add the totals up for themselves.
And when they figure out that he is messing with the figures, they assume that it isn’t just his numbers that are funny, but his whole argument, as well as any argument coming from the people that Baehr says he represents.
And Baehr says he represents Christianity.
If Baehr makes himself easily dismissible, then they can just as easily dismiss Overstreet, Nicolosi, Graham, Warren, Brewer, Keller, Gaffney and, well pretty much anyone else that loves Jesus.
Why not, since the number fudging Baehr represents them all, right?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Theology of Story Talk
I am speaking at Beacon, Bel Air Pres’ entertainment fellowship, this Sunday. This time on Storytelling.
The adverts say “The Theology of Storytelling” – but it is mostly my regular lecture on structure and story. It’s just that I pull so much of my creativity models from the guy that created everything, I guess it sounds a lot like a “theology of story” talk.
The group consists of all parts of the entertainment industry: actors, directors, editors, grips, etc.
Should be an interesting time.
Can you tell I’m nervous about it?
If you are free, come and check it out. I like to be heckled by friends.
Here's the advert:
Sunday, February 22, 12:15–2 p.m., Room DC103. Bel Air’s ministry to entertainment professionals. Join us as we discuss The Theology of Storytelling with guest Sean Gaffney. Lunch: $5.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
The adverts say “The Theology of Storytelling” – but it is mostly my regular lecture on structure and story. It’s just that I pull so much of my creativity models from the guy that created everything, I guess it sounds a lot like a “theology of story” talk.
The group consists of all parts of the entertainment industry: actors, directors, editors, grips, etc.
Should be an interesting time.
Can you tell I’m nervous about it?
If you are free, come and check it out. I like to be heckled by friends.
Here's the advert:
Sunday, February 22, 12:15–2 p.m., Room DC103. Bel Air’s ministry to entertainment professionals. Join us as we discuss The Theology of Storytelling with guest Sean Gaffney. Lunch: $5.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Doctor, Lawyer, Beggar Man, Thief
Things about me #3 of 25:
Ever since I was six or seven, I wanted to be a lawyer.
In grade school, I memorized definitions from “Reader’s Digest You & the Law.”
By Junior High, for fun I would read closing arguments to famous cases.
I even tried pleading the fifth to my mom once. As to how well that worked, apparently there are authorities higher than the Constitution.
Wasn't until college that I dropped that career goal. One of the thrills for me in doing my grad work was the required classes at Columbia Law.
Contract Law; non-profit; real estate. And my favorite: Copyright.
The case of the hamburger shop, Mr. Donalds, with their golden arch (notice the singular) arguing that they never dreamed anyone would confuse them with that operation run by the clown.
Or the adult film that used a certain mouse's club theme song, arguing fair use. (First rule in studying the Supreme Court: the Mouse House rarely loses.)
Or the presidential candidate that claimed using "Don't Worry, Be Happy" without permission wasn't a violation because, well, because that candidate's lawyers weren't very well versed on the law. They shoulda worried more.
Ah, precedent and argumentation, closings and minority opinions, judgments and over ruling -- still gets my heart going a pitter-pat.
Time to come clean: in the "boxer or..." question, I've always been a briefs man.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Ever since I was six or seven, I wanted to be a lawyer.
In grade school, I memorized definitions from “Reader’s Digest You & the Law.”
By Junior High, for fun I would read closing arguments to famous cases.
I even tried pleading the fifth to my mom once. As to how well that worked, apparently there are authorities higher than the Constitution.
Wasn't until college that I dropped that career goal. One of the thrills for me in doing my grad work was the required classes at Columbia Law.
Contract Law; non-profit; real estate. And my favorite: Copyright.
The case of the hamburger shop, Mr. Donalds, with their golden arch (notice the singular) arguing that they never dreamed anyone would confuse them with that operation run by the clown.
Or the adult film that used a certain mouse's club theme song, arguing fair use. (First rule in studying the Supreme Court: the Mouse House rarely loses.)
Or the presidential candidate that claimed using "Don't Worry, Be Happy" without permission wasn't a violation because, well, because that candidate's lawyers weren't very well versed on the law. They shoulda worried more.
Ah, precedent and argumentation, closings and minority opinions, judgments and over ruling -- still gets my heart going a pitter-pat.
Time to come clean: in the "boxer or..." question, I've always been a briefs man.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Friday, February 13, 2009
I Heart Doctors
What I am thankful for this week: Doctors and nurses.
Off the top of my head, I can think of eight people close to me with medical dealings this week.
One got a no cancer verdict.
One was prescribed ten weeks of meds and a scheduled return.
One was chastised for not following medical instructions.
And one experienced death and resurrection.
A friend, Peter, was having some lower chest pain. After enduring it for a day, he decided to have a doctor check and see if it was heart related.
He did this because he is married, and our wives are smarter than we are.
The doc thought everything looked fine, but suggested he go to the ER to have some blood work done.
At the ER, they put him in a bed, attached a heart monitor, and then, within a few seconds, watched him pass out.
He had a heart attack, there on the bed, with the heart monitor beeping – or rather flatlining – away.
Whereupon the physicians used the paddles and CPR equipment that was sitting right there, and got his heart going again.
Not out long enough for any damage. Dead, sure; but no damage.
He’s fine now, with a stint and a proper blood flow.
So the moral of the story: if you are going to have a heart attack, do it in an emergency room.
On a bed.
With a heart monitor hooked up.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Off the top of my head, I can think of eight people close to me with medical dealings this week.
One got a no cancer verdict.
One was prescribed ten weeks of meds and a scheduled return.
One was chastised for not following medical instructions.
And one experienced death and resurrection.
A friend, Peter, was having some lower chest pain. After enduring it for a day, he decided to have a doctor check and see if it was heart related.
He did this because he is married, and our wives are smarter than we are.
The doc thought everything looked fine, but suggested he go to the ER to have some blood work done.
At the ER, they put him in a bed, attached a heart monitor, and then, within a few seconds, watched him pass out.
He had a heart attack, there on the bed, with the heart monitor beeping – or rather flatlining – away.
Whereupon the physicians used the paddles and CPR equipment that was sitting right there, and got his heart going again.
Not out long enough for any damage. Dead, sure; but no damage.
He’s fine now, with a stint and a proper blood flow.
So the moral of the story: if you are going to have a heart attack, do it in an emergency room.
On a bed.
With a heart monitor hooked up.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Thursday, February 12, 2009
But I Drink a Little...
Things about me #2 of 25:
I used to have a crush on Ellen Degeneres.
Still do, but as we both are married, I'm starting to lose hope of crush fulfillment.
To see my crush in action, here she is taking a call from Gladys.
Laughed so hard milk came out my nose. And I wasn't even drinking milk.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
I used to have a crush on Ellen Degeneres.
Still do, but as we both are married, I'm starting to lose hope of crush fulfillment.
To see my crush in action, here she is taking a call from Gladys.
Laughed so hard milk came out my nose. And I wasn't even drinking milk.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Aw, Phooey
Things about me #1 of 25:
One Halloween when I was in grade school, I dressed as Hong Kong Phooey.
The homemade costume consisted of a bathrobe and a mask. Didn’t even spring for dog ears or a make-up nose.
Still, I was greatly insulted when at a costume parade, the emcee not only didn’t recognize the costume, but didn’t know the character at all.
Sheesh. Those people had no sense of culture.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
One Halloween when I was in grade school, I dressed as Hong Kong Phooey.
The homemade costume consisted of a bathrobe and a mask. Didn’t even spring for dog ears or a make-up nose.
Still, I was greatly insulted when at a costume parade, the emcee not only didn’t recognize the costume, but didn’t know the character at all.
Sheesh. Those people had no sense of culture.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Monday, February 09, 2009
25 Things About Not Listing 25 Things
I've been "tagged" by several folks now to do that "25 Things About You" on Facebook.
For those of you who are faceless out there, the gist is: write out 25 things about you, send it to 25 friends, and have them write 25 things, and send it to their friends, etc.
So I have half a dozen friends that want me to come up with 25 things about myself. What's the protocol here?
Do I come up with one list, and just include all six requesters in my 25 send outs? What if I do that and then tomorrow someone else tags me?
Or am I obligated to come up with 150 things about myself?
Am I self aware enough to come up with 150 things? Or even 25? (Heaven knows I'm self-centered enough to think about me for a long time, but aware enough is the question.)
Do I have time to come up with 150 things, or does my boss expect me to get some work done during company time?
I've found the answers from others to their 25 things to be highly interesting, so I feel a little guilty that I haven't reciprocated. Like listening to public radio without subscribing, or watching the Office on line.
Or nabbing some turkey and mashed from Clint's plate when he got up to use the restroom, then selling it on e-bay.
Not that I do any of that stuff.
So here is my compromise: starting tomorrow, I will list 25 things about me. One per day, giving me time to spread out the assignment. Not necessarily in row, as I'm lazy.
Then I can assuage my Facebook guilt and my blogger guilt with one stone, which I won't throw at a glass house, since I lost this mixed metaphor before I really started it.
Sound fair?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
For those of you who are faceless out there, the gist is: write out 25 things about you, send it to 25 friends, and have them write 25 things, and send it to their friends, etc.
So I have half a dozen friends that want me to come up with 25 things about myself. What's the protocol here?
Do I come up with one list, and just include all six requesters in my 25 send outs? What if I do that and then tomorrow someone else tags me?
Or am I obligated to come up with 150 things about myself?
Am I self aware enough to come up with 150 things? Or even 25? (Heaven knows I'm self-centered enough to think about me for a long time, but aware enough is the question.)
Do I have time to come up with 150 things, or does my boss expect me to get some work done during company time?
I've found the answers from others to their 25 things to be highly interesting, so I feel a little guilty that I haven't reciprocated. Like listening to public radio without subscribing, or watching the Office on line.
Or nabbing some turkey and mashed from Clint's plate when he got up to use the restroom, then selling it on e-bay.
Not that I do any of that stuff.
So here is my compromise: starting tomorrow, I will list 25 things about me. One per day, giving me time to spread out the assignment. Not necessarily in row, as I'm lazy.
Then I can assuage my Facebook guilt and my blogger guilt with one stone, which I won't throw at a glass house, since I lost this mixed metaphor before I really started it.
Sound fair?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Friday, February 06, 2009
Junk Food and Friends
What I am thankful for this week: Beth Amsbary.
Even though we haven’t chatted in eons, I’ve been thinking of Beth lately because I’ve been recovering from a cold, and coughing a lot.
It’s not the coughing itself that makes me think of her (I don’t associate Beth and phlegm), but because of a piece of folk wisdom* she passed down to me on how to heal from coughing quicker.
And so I think of Beth when I’m hacking out a lung (not breaking a rib, Janet!).
The real reason I’m thankful for Beth, specifically, is the type of friend she represents.
See, Beth and I come from two very different traditions in how we look at life. We could (and did) discuss anything, including the taboo topics of religion and politics.
Here's the key: while we often disagreed, I don’t think we ever fought. We actually discussed; and as a result, I learned a lot.
Let me give you an example in a field more contentious than religion or politics: junk food.
Beth is one of those people that eats healthy, and focuses on natural foods.
I’m the sort that has a second bowl of Cap’n Crunch because I consider the Crunchberries to be a fruit and therefore requiring several servings a day.
For a long while, Beth was trying to get me to consider shopping at Trader Joes, and trying some of the snacks and foods she found there that had more nutritional value than a Dorito/Pop-Tart diet. (But can’t she see that Pop Tarts are fortified?!)
Beth eventually won, not by an intellectual argument or emotional appeal.
She won through action.
On my birthday, I found a present on my desk from Beth: a bag full of groceries. From Trader Joes.
Free food, I will eat; so I sampled many treats. And got a little hooked.
So for garlic hummus and pita chips, chocolate blueberries and Pirate’s Booty, frozen brown rice and turkey meatballs: Beth, I thank you.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
* Here’s the folk wisdom, even though it has nothing to do with the heart of this post: When you cough, it is generally because your body is trying to eject something, or because your throat is irritated. When you are post-cold, and still coughing, the body isn’t trying to get rid of anything, so chances are your throat is irritated.
And chances are your throat is irritated because you are coughing so much. So to stop coughing, you need to, well, stop coughing. So spend a day focusing on resisting coughing, and you get better quicker.
Even though we haven’t chatted in eons, I’ve been thinking of Beth lately because I’ve been recovering from a cold, and coughing a lot.
It’s not the coughing itself that makes me think of her (I don’t associate Beth and phlegm), but because of a piece of folk wisdom* she passed down to me on how to heal from coughing quicker.
And so I think of Beth when I’m hacking out a lung (not breaking a rib, Janet!).
The real reason I’m thankful for Beth, specifically, is the type of friend she represents.
See, Beth and I come from two very different traditions in how we look at life. We could (and did) discuss anything, including the taboo topics of religion and politics.
Here's the key: while we often disagreed, I don’t think we ever fought. We actually discussed; and as a result, I learned a lot.
Let me give you an example in a field more contentious than religion or politics: junk food.
Beth is one of those people that eats healthy, and focuses on natural foods.
I’m the sort that has a second bowl of Cap’n Crunch because I consider the Crunchberries to be a fruit and therefore requiring several servings a day.
For a long while, Beth was trying to get me to consider shopping at Trader Joes, and trying some of the snacks and foods she found there that had more nutritional value than a Dorito/Pop-Tart diet. (But can’t she see that Pop Tarts are fortified?!)
Beth eventually won, not by an intellectual argument or emotional appeal.
She won through action.
On my birthday, I found a present on my desk from Beth: a bag full of groceries. From Trader Joes.
Free food, I will eat; so I sampled many treats. And got a little hooked.
So for garlic hummus and pita chips, chocolate blueberries and Pirate’s Booty, frozen brown rice and turkey meatballs: Beth, I thank you.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
* Here’s the folk wisdom, even though it has nothing to do with the heart of this post: When you cough, it is generally because your body is trying to eject something, or because your throat is irritated. When you are post-cold, and still coughing, the body isn’t trying to get rid of anything, so chances are your throat is irritated.
And chances are your throat is irritated because you are coughing so much. So to stop coughing, you need to, well, stop coughing. So spend a day focusing on resisting coughing, and you get better quicker.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Who Watches Old 70's Government Videos?
I was in 6th grade when our teacher made the whole class watch this film reel. I remember being freaked out, even though I grew up in rural NY, far away from where any costumed vigilante would care to hang out.
I mean, what would a Hangman or Nite Owl do in my part of the woods -- prevent cowtipping?
Looking at it now, it just seems kind of silly. The Jiminy Cricket "I'm No Fool" message stayed with me longer.
What do you think, are we ready to repeal the Keene Act, and let these guys back out of the box?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
I mean, what would a Hangman or Nite Owl do in my part of the woods -- prevent cowtipping?
Looking at it now, it just seems kind of silly. The Jiminy Cricket "I'm No Fool" message stayed with me longer.
What do you think, are we ready to repeal the Keene Act, and let these guys back out of the box?
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Adam's Apple
Don Miller on Apple advertising and being cool.
As for me, with one type at work and one at home, I'm a PC/Apple hybrid.
Not sure if I'm cool, but I get great gas mileage.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
As for me, with one type at work and one at home, I'm a PC/Apple hybrid.
Not sure if I'm cool, but I get great gas mileage.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Cain, Abel and Black
Here's a Biblical scene from a decidedly unBiblical source: YEAR ONE.
Okay, so the folks here aren't going for Biblical accuracy, but I love that they got some theological accuracy.
Our problem isn't that we too often ask, "G-d, what did I do?"
But rather that we too often ask, "G-d, what do I continue to do?"
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Okay, so the folks here aren't going for Biblical accuracy, but I love that they got some theological accuracy.
Our problem isn't that we too often ask, "G-d, what did I do?"
But rather that we too often ask, "G-d, what do I continue to do?"
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Till We Have Facebooks
Phil Cooke is talking today about Facebook, and how some folks confuse being a Facebook Friend with being a real world friend.
Seen a lot of that sort of thing of late; bloggers focusing on the dangers of Facebook replacing real community, of people using faceless cyber associations as a substitute for spending quality time building real world relationships.
It is a real danger for the many folk that misunderstand the meaning of “friend.”
There are a couple of people in my circle who when they say they are with “friends” mean they are hanging with Quakers.
I bet their Facebook traffic is real quiet.
As for me, the trick to Facebook is to keep this simple point in mind:
Facebook isn’t about friends; it is about the broader circle known as friends and acquaintances.
More to the point: Facebook is Christmas cards.
Sure, you send Christmas cards to the friends you are close to.
But you also send them to those people that you used to be close to, but in truth really aren’t anymore – but with whom it is nice to keep a thread of contact.
And you send them to those people that you aren’t close to, but always meant to get close to, if you had the time or proximity.
Oh, and you send them to the people that you were never close to, but were close to your parents, so ended up on your Christmas card list.
Plus the guys that you were never close to, but met you at that one thing, and you hit it off (you think, the punch at that thing was kind of strong), and they got your address, and so you exchange cards, keeping open the hope that someday closeness might happen.
Which brings up the people that you may have been close to, but honestly can’t remember because try as you might you have no idea who they are (“Honey, are these friends of yours?”) but they sent you a card every year for the past ten years, and now that you are looking at their card (“Honey, do you think we met them as a couple? Look at her, can you guess what her maiden name might have been?”) you realize that you haven’t sent them a card this year and better just in case it turns out that you owe them big time (“Honey, do you think this is the guy that pulled me out of that burning building the night I got drunk at that thing on that strong punch where we met whatshisname?”).
Christmas cards aren’t a bad thing.
It’s nice to have that annual touch – the reminder of times past, the feel good of friendships that once were and remain symbolic of those yet to come, the moment spent focused on another (if only for a moment).
And that is what does the heart the most good – that moment when you focus on another human being: just enough to register the significance of your lives having touched somewhere in the ether of time and space.
And the goodwill that comes of that moment.
Woe to he who replaces real relationship with Christmas Cards; who forsakes time spent in the company of his fellow man, instead settling for words scrawled in haste under a preprinted Joyeux Noel.
But for those that want to spend a moment of their day thinking, “Hey, look: Ceil is reading a story to her daughter. Ah, Ceil. What a sweetheart. I hope that is bringing her joy.”
To that guy, Facebook can be a blessing.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Seen a lot of that sort of thing of late; bloggers focusing on the dangers of Facebook replacing real community, of people using faceless cyber associations as a substitute for spending quality time building real world relationships.
It is a real danger for the many folk that misunderstand the meaning of “friend.”
There are a couple of people in my circle who when they say they are with “friends” mean they are hanging with Quakers.
I bet their Facebook traffic is real quiet.
As for me, the trick to Facebook is to keep this simple point in mind:
Facebook isn’t about friends; it is about the broader circle known as friends and acquaintances.
More to the point: Facebook is Christmas cards.
Sure, you send Christmas cards to the friends you are close to.
But you also send them to those people that you used to be close to, but in truth really aren’t anymore – but with whom it is nice to keep a thread of contact.
And you send them to those people that you aren’t close to, but always meant to get close to, if you had the time or proximity.
Oh, and you send them to the people that you were never close to, but were close to your parents, so ended up on your Christmas card list.
Plus the guys that you were never close to, but met you at that one thing, and you hit it off (you think, the punch at that thing was kind of strong), and they got your address, and so you exchange cards, keeping open the hope that someday closeness might happen.
Which brings up the people that you may have been close to, but honestly can’t remember because try as you might you have no idea who they are (“Honey, are these friends of yours?”) but they sent you a card every year for the past ten years, and now that you are looking at their card (“Honey, do you think we met them as a couple? Look at her, can you guess what her maiden name might have been?”) you realize that you haven’t sent them a card this year and better just in case it turns out that you owe them big time (“Honey, do you think this is the guy that pulled me out of that burning building the night I got drunk at that thing on that strong punch where we met whatshisname?”).
Christmas cards aren’t a bad thing.
It’s nice to have that annual touch – the reminder of times past, the feel good of friendships that once were and remain symbolic of those yet to come, the moment spent focused on another (if only for a moment).
And that is what does the heart the most good – that moment when you focus on another human being: just enough to register the significance of your lives having touched somewhere in the ether of time and space.
And the goodwill that comes of that moment.
Woe to he who replaces real relationship with Christmas Cards; who forsakes time spent in the company of his fellow man, instead settling for words scrawled in haste under a preprinted Joyeux Noel.
But for those that want to spend a moment of their day thinking, “Hey, look: Ceil is reading a story to her daughter. Ah, Ceil. What a sweetheart. I hope that is bringing her joy.”
To that guy, Facebook can be a blessing.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
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