I’ve been listening to this teacher James Jordan’s series called How to Read the Bible (Again) for the First Time. Actually, I heard it the firs time a couple of months ago, but once wasn’t nearly enough to absorb all of his ideas, let alone to see if I agree with them. It’s roughly six hours long. The good thing about my job is that from time to time I have work that doesn’t inhibit me from taking a listen to teaching during the work day, and since everyone that works in my department was gone on to a work related conference last week, but for myself, I took the opportunity to listen to the audio series again. In fact, it was so good, I proceeded to listen to all six parts Monday through Friday, and each time continued to pick different stuff up from Jordan’s messages. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Thoughts on Good vs. Evil in the Movies
[SPOILER WARNING] The latest Batman film stirs the entire audience with questions and insights into the “battle” between good vs. evil. Several worldviews (perspectives on right vs. wrong) are expressed by the characters in the film. The Joker believes and acts “ahead of the curve” that all is chaos, and eventually the soul will show it’s true form as total depraved. The Joker’s way to prove his beliefs is to push people into their darkest moment with the threat of taking their lives, then taking their lives to shatter any hope the onlookers may have for their own. Continue reading
Movie Review: Batman, The Dark Knight
I’m sure people will be discussing this epic for years to come. Heath Ledger is a shoe-in for many awards, even if he hadn’t died before the movie’s release. His portrayal of the Joker brings new surreality to how sereal killers are portrayed. But I don’t want to talk about the man who died for this film. I want to talk about the man who still lives for this film. No I’m not speaking of Christian Bale who played Bruce Wayne. I am talking about the co-writer and director Christopher Nolan. Continue reading
What’s Real and What’s Not? – Part 2
We confuse reality with how we perceive reality. I think of it like this: there is what we think reality is, there is what reality really is, and there is what reality ought to be (obviously, man hasn’t arrived there yet, but we’re getting there). All the time, we have our own perception of these three, and the more we concentrate on figuring them out, and studying the facts of life, the more we tire and loose what it all means. Continue reading
What’s Real and What’s Not? – Part 1
Many artists and their work have tried to illustrate what is real. They’ve been inspired by the well-known philosophers, religions, their own set of values, and the issues of their day, to form a fictional representation of what “could” be real, or illustrate a truth about reality in the non-fictional world through their art. Examples of this are probably most familiar to us in the movies, second, literature, since it is harder to distinguish from a painting or piece of music (without lyrics). I thinking of movies like Stars Wars, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings… but it is not limited to fantasies. I think that films in general try to tap into “what is real,” everything from Casino Royale to Silence of the Lambs. Continue reading
Review: John Adams – Part 3
If you get the DVD mini-series, John Adams, you’ll see that Part 3, Join Or Die, is the first part on the second DVD. The story moves one after the creation of the Declaration of Independence, and Mr Adams faces new more earnest challanges. Now, sent as an ambassador to France to join Benjamin Franklin, the object is to get Naval support, and fast, for the urgent needs of the fight against the British. Continue reading
Movie Review: Bee Movie
The debated movie starring Jerry Seinfeld came out on DVD not too long ago. You may of heard about it. It is a computer animated film, all about bees, their interaction with mankind and the world at large. Particularly, the entire story is driven by one bee, Berry (voice of Jerry Seinfeld), who wants to do more in life than process the pollen into honey, like the rest of the bees. Continue reading
The Most Under-Appreciated Music Genre
Soundtracks (as in the musical score of movies) are the life and breath of modern classical orchestra. Think about it. Without music in film, orchestral music would’ve probably died down to the niche interest of a few who enjoy concerts for nostalgia (in fact, that is basically what’s happen anyway). While rock music has taken most of the world round for a dazing fast-pace thrill-seeking lifestyle, Soundtracks have been there to do more with old forms of music—to take orchestra to the next level. Continue reading
Art for Commercialization
As I was saying yesterday, art is primarily used commercially. You may take this for granted, or flat out object. Some artists like to defend their work as purely inspirational—as if to say, it doesn’t mean anything, but it is intended to get you thinking and inspire you to draw your own conclusions… And on the gobble-dee-gook goes. This is all sweet-sounding empty-thinking. All art has a definitive purpose/use. One way or the other, that always involves something commercial, unless the art is good for nothing. Continue reading
Commercial Art vs. Pure Art
I work full-time in the art and video department of American Vision, a for profit company/publisher/ministry. Even before I worked there, most of my previous work involved a great deal of graphic design. This work has always appealed to me because artistry runs in the family. I have several cousins that are full-time in marketing and the arts. One of my uncles was the cartoonist at Six Flags Over Georgia when he was out of college. In keeping up with the family and my own goals, I do my best to add to my experience and knowledge of the arts from time to time. Here are some of my observations. Continue reading
