Oct 9. More on the saga. Apparently the film is called "Fire FROM the Sky". Sorry about that! The local video shop has it listed but is not available from any of their suppliers according to their lists. Can you find out anything about it for me? It doesn't rate a mention in Leonard Maltin's 1998 Movie & Video Guide either.
God bless, Alan.

MY RESPONSE.
Yes, I do accept reviews. If I Iike 'em, I post 'em.
Most Christian review sites are moralistic centered and not Christ centered. It is so sad. I don't know of any such site that you are looking for except for HJ.
I like your list. They are important films.

MY RESPONSE
     Susan,  I wish I could help you. It seems Hollywood Jesus is about the only review out there that is free! I wish newspapers didn't charge. Oh well! So sorry. Thank you for the kind words about HJ
Warmly, David Bruce

David, (My favorite film is) Powder by Victor Salva.

MY RESPONSE:
     Thank you Mary. I appreciate your response. Why do you like Powder? Do you like a few others?  God bless you, David Bruce.

REPLY:
     Thank you for your acknowledgement. This movie touched me with it's message and  it's artful direction. Normally, I am not that moved by a movie, however, the basic philosophical message coincided so much with my beliefs in the interconnection of all via energy that I looked for the writer and noticed that the writer and director were the same. This heightened my interest. I wanted to know more about Victor Salva and so I searched his name on the net and that's how I found you. I also found several negative comments about Mr. Salva, which were concerning. I had to ask myself how could someone so insightful to the universal principles have written this sensitive story with such talented direction and have such a black mark himself as a child molester. When I found your sight and your comments on the movie your visions added further support to my original impressions. I am an avid reader of spiritual materials and in a metaphysical way the movie theme reinforced my beliefs concerning energy and the unity of all.  I am not a big movie buff, but regardless of Salva's personal worldly issues his portrayal of logical spiritual/scientific principles sends an informative message. It is sad that his social dark mark has served to blacken the important message that this movie represents. I compliment you on your insightful review and agree with your observance that spiritual messages are surfacing at a much needed time. There are only two other movies that have touched me and I am not sure of the titles. I think one was "Far and Away" were in the end ( Tom Crews??) dies and the camera pans to the sky showing the spirit rising, and the camera pans back down showing the spirit choosing to return to the body. I also thought the "Preacher's Wife" had value.
Thanks! GBY

MY RESPONSE:
     It is sad about Salva. Sometimes in darkness light can shine. Saint Paul was the spiritual genius who said "the evil I don't want to do, I do, and the good I would do, I don't." He, too, was perplexed over his own personal evil and called himself "the chiefest of sinners." But he also knew that no one is beyond the grace and redemptive power of God. This is the message of Powder. The film is the cry of Salva from the depths of his soul for all the world to see and hear. There is light even in the darkest night of soul.

MY RESPONSE.
     Yes, I would like a copy. I am intrigued by your current study. And yes, we are victims of our own culture. A study of the third world reveals this. "How many colors are there in a rainbow?" Most in our culture would say six (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple). However, some third world cultures see only two colors: warm and cool. In fact there are millions of colors. Our language and cultural conditioning limits our perception of reality. There is a line in Truman, "we accept the world as it is presented to us." How true this is. How few people do what you are doing: Question the reality of the world as it has been presented to us. Go for it my man. Because you are indeed a "victim of a large scale deception about the world which seems to be the source of (your) experience."
     Check out this biblical passage: 1 Cor. 1:27-28 (NLT) "Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important." This is Truman. And it is you. Keep in touch. I like your direction! Thank you for your kind words regarding Hollywood Jesus,
Warmly, David Bruce.

David: OK, Now you've asked, I will elaborate, but I will need to give you some  relevant background that will help to put things into perspective.
     Up until the age of 28 (between 3-4 yrs ago) I was your typical fun  loving, hard working successful business professional, that enjoyed a   close set of fun loving friends.
     We regularly "kicked the arse" (UK Saying) out of life and competed  with each other for encouragement and possibly because of high levels   of testosterone. Eventually after a peak 2-3 yrs, we all met "live in"   partners and thereafter things became more complicated. You can choose  your friends, but not their partners.
     So, in summary things were pretty good; no money worries (classed as  yuppies), plenty of parties, great and stable relationships, families  OK. We never discussed life too much only how we may improve ourselves, and sometimes quoted Earl Nightingale and Anthony Robbins  on each others answer phone - "Success is the progressive realization  of a WORTHY goal" & "there is no such thing as luck. Luck is when  preparedness meets opportunity and opportunity is there all the time!"
     So I guess you could say that we were looking to improve and develop,  but this ran in the background. We mostly came from working to middle class up bringing.
     However, things were about to change incredibly. I introduced most of  these guys and I was about to be the one singled out and socially   separated. I can tell you this is not so great, I love them as close  friends very much.
     I personally had always been fairly philosophical and had periods   where I could not stop thinking about what life was about, the single  most valuable factor in life that to me seemed to be Love. The fact  that we all believe in Love even though we cannot see it etc..  But I never looked to a God or to God for an answer. Only as a last  resort when things got tough, would I half heartedly call out to God  for help, more in frustration.
     I never really new the importance of Jesus, and truly thought that he  was no different to Moses, Isaiah, Noah or any of the other great   prophets. I had no idea that his identity was God, and what I am  trying to say is, that if I was looking for God, I would not have looked to Jesus or Moses or the others, but God himself.
     OK, that was an elaboration if ever I wrote one.
     However, during this time I was looking for nothing, things were   great, as I explained earlier. One night however, I was falling asleep, just sat content in a chair and "suddenly" my head and (it  felt like) my body was gripped by the brightest light and
indescribable sensation. The light was brighter than the Sun and was  white and pure - full of life. The feelings where at least 1,000 times  happier than my most happy time in my life. The strangest thing was,  however, even "if" I had been looking for GOD, I new immediately that  this was Jesus Christ and no one else. (Feel those goose bumps yet - I  just did as I wrote this!) In his presence I felt a joy that I cannot  ever explain in words, It seemed as though I could have stayed there   forever! And I normally cannot stand still for two minutes. He said to  me "You are Good" & "Tell Them" followed by what seemed to be a 10   minute period of non-verbal communication. The other amazing feeling I  had whilst experiencing this, was that I felt that I had always known Him.
     I did not know what this meant, but after 18 months or so, I think  I  realize what was being said. "You're good" I think meant for me, your  OK, your valuable, don't worry what others say, be confident - Why?   Because I had (privately) always doubted myself and my ability. The   "Tell Them" I believe was simply this - to tell people what happened   to me, and under what circumstances it happened - I wasn't looking for  Jesus, and in fact didn't know a thing about him apart from the fact  that he died on a cross, and that if I was looking for anything (which  I was not) it would have been God!
     Any way (bored yet), over time I let this experience become just   something that happened to me, and I had soon just got back into the  normal routine. Work went downhill, my Grandma got Cancer for the  third time and said she would be dead in 6 months, my mother became  very ill and my father became an absolute nightmare. Anyway, despite  all this turmoil, I had a great partner and I felt as though I was  coping very well.
     I gradually became tired; physically, mentally and spiritually. I   began to see how people really are, whereas I think before I had often  been naive. It was like a blindness had gone, a new window had been  opened and for the 1st time I clearly understood in others,  insincerity, bitterness, masquerades, hidden agendas, selfishness,  gossip and so on.. I was devastated at the real state of affairs, how  could I have missed this for so long? I became quiet, reclusive and   very uncomfortable with myself and others I didn't trust. My spirit
was dying and eventually felt as though it had left me completely.
     I began praying (out of desperation, but now because of what happened  18 months previously) and prayed for my Grandmother and my mother.   Three months later after my Grandma refused treatment she came to my  house and declared "I have just been for my check up, which we thought  would be the last one, and to the Doctors amazement, the Cancer has  gone. They are now scratching their heads in wonder." My mother came  out of hospital and my parents actually get on very well now, they  even respect each others opinion - wow!
     However, I still and more then ever felt dead inside and remained   desperate. I contacted an old Manager of mine who was a Christian, and  asked him for advice and help. He gave me several books on faith and  one such book explained who Christ was (Questions of Life - Nicky  Gumbel - Kingsway Publications - UK). I now new how important my  experience was, based on facts I could not dispute about who He was.  The more I read (looking for the reason I shouldn't believe) the more
I was convinced. During my reading several amazing coincidences  occurred, they never happened before and merely added to this  realization. A few weeks later I came to John (my previous manager)  and said that I "think" I was ready to give my life to Christ. I  realized that I can achieve nothing with no life spirit inside me, and  if he is the "Life" then maybe he will give me some back. My stance   was "I will give it a try and see if it works" - what a skeptic eh!
     Anyway, I have never looked back and grow strong, as well as more   amazed every day. I am more alive than I have ever been, even though  most of my previous friends have abandoned me (they are beginning to  come back). They thought I was going crazy and "losing it", but I am  now proving to be far from that. Instead of "losing it" I feel very  much as though I have "gained it".
     As you mentioned on the web site Hollywood Jesus, "something's going  on". I see it every day and your film just convinces me more. More  coincidences happen to me every day and I seem to get placed in front   of so many key people that are influencing society and faith. I also  realize that this also has a lot to do with my preoccupation's, I'm  not totally "out there".
     You asked how I discovered the site, I don't remember exactly, but I  was looking through a Christian web site, or "searching" on Jesus or   Christian faith. I was amazed when I saw the site and mailed it to my   un-approving non-Christian friends. One of them spent the weekend with  me this week and your site was the main stimulus to our conversations.  He called me Monday in fits of laughter to tell me that he has just  discovered, the associate he hired 2 weeks ago is an active Christian.  He thinks that he maybe under attack!
     I hope this was what you were looking for, but if it isn't then at
least "I told" someone else what happened, Jesus Christ will do the rest.

MY RESPONSE:
     Wow, what a story you have. Thank you for sharing it. May I post part of it? God has started you on an incredible journey. Things are really happening to you that go beyond the norm. Please stay in touch. I would like to keep current on your adventure in Jesus. It seems there is something powerful a foot in your life. I thought about you all day. You are now in my prayers.
Warmly in Christ, David Bruce

    David, Thank you very much for your encouraging response, sometimes I can  tell you I feel quite isolated. It's great to receive fellowship from  anywhere and by any means.
     However, please feel free to post whatever you wish, being Christian I  am sure that the Lord is guiding you. I will pray for you also and for   Hollywood Jesus, it seems to have the power to reach into the   "secular" zone.
     I am also of the opinion that the Church needs to show people that  Christianity is not "boring", irrelevant, or untrue. The film industry  and popular music etc.. is an effective way to reach people. Too many   churches stay inside the building.

Blessings in Christ
Colin Bosher

Feel free to e-mail Colin at
COLIN_BOSHER@HP-Italy-om1.om.hp.com

MY RESPONSE:
     Not a problem!

MY RESPONSE:
     I don't have any documents on the two films that you are doing. When is your paper due? Maybe I could look around and find something for you. Let me know how much time you have.
Sincerely, David Bruce

MY RESPONSE.
     Dear Edmund: Thank you for expressing yourself. I too think of myself as an idiot at times. You confirm what I sometimes think of myself. "Pretensions" yes! I'm working on them. "Spirituality"? Well, I try, but it isn't easy. "Yer all a bunch..."? No, its just me, one person, one human being. I am glad there is only one idiot like me and not a "bunch of idiots". God help the planet if there were more of me. I am a pretty worthless piece of trash, at times, filled with flaws and undeserving of even the least kindness from you. Thank you for your reminder of the worthless sinner I am. Do you have any insights into overcoming human flaws? Do you know how I can be more spiritual? Do you think that the fact that someone, like me, exists means anything? You exist! And, I think that is pretty special!
Warmly, David Bruce

EDMUND'S RESPONSE:
     My previous e-mail mentioned (albeit rather bluntly) that you are all a bunch of idiots. This reaction is understandable (though probably not excusable) from someone who, as of now, am a self-confessed agnostic. I appreciate your reply though. The very fact that you bother to reply to such a derogatory statement by me shows that you are probably not entirely "pretending to be spiritual".
     You see, I was once a truly committed Christian who hold dearly to all the orthodox Christian doctrines. As time passed, I got absolutely disappointed with the pseudo-spirituality all around me. To be honest, I too have also been guilty of pseudo-spirituality - the kind which looks for a devil under every pew and practice to "see eternity in a blade of grass". The kind that goes around mouthing "Alleluias" and "Praise the Lord", who believes that "all things work for the good of those who love the Lord ..."(Rom.8:28). In my years as a Christian I have met some who were truly spiritual. Example, Michael Card the singer-songwriter who basically sing his way through the Bible. A.W. Tozer, that great preacher with the Alliance Witness whose books alone (Root of the Righteous, Knowledge of the Holy, Divine Conquest, Pursuit of God, Paths to Power,etc.) are a veritable "cloud of witnesses". I go on to appreciate men like Dave Hunt, C.S. Lewis, Leonard Ravenhill and the like. If there were more of such men (at least in my local church), I would probably still be a believer.
     Alas, this is a doomed generation. Doomed to follow teachings such as the health-and-wealth doctrines, Name-It-And-Claim-It, King-James-Onlyism, angel-worship, Matthew Fox's New Spirituality, undiscerning ecumenism, etc. Others hardly even believe anything at all, they merely follow the latest trend and put on a facade of spirituality by criticizing certain Hollywood movies, exposing the apparent "Satanic" influences of certain rock songs with backward-masking, and promoting undiscerningly certain songs (believed to be Christian in origin); such as Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life" with the hedonistic line (How can it be wrong when it feels so right) apparently ignored because the song has a certain Christian "flavor" in its tune!
     All right now, enough rambling. Here's one idiot writing to another idiot - we exist, we can still choose to live. Existence precedes essence? A somewhat liberating thought ain't it?

MY RESPONSE:
     Edmund, thank you for writing again. I am amazed by your story. I can relate. There must be thousands of people, like you, who have grown disenchanted with all that pre-packaged churchianity stuff. I really like your list of authors. It's a good one. Your statement, "If there were more of such men (at least in my local church), I would probably still be a believer" indicates, to me, a lack of appreciation of your own inner spiritual depth. Edmund, your letter, otherwise, indicates to me that you have a lot of spiritual depth. For years you have pursued the inner and outward journey. And, you are still on it. Just in a different way. Keep on, my man. It's worth every pain and joy. Here is an interesting verse for you: Matthew 28:17. It's you. And it's the mark of a true disciple. Also: Genesis 32:28, "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
Just imagine that,
          ISRAEL = those who struggle with God!
          And, DISCIPLE = some doubted!
     Edmund, keep on struggling with God. Keep on believing and doubting at the same time. I pray you will win in your fight against and with God just as Jacob did.
     Keep in touch, you are unique in that most people haven't even started doing the hard work as you have. I was deeply moved by your letter and haven't been able to get it out of my mind for 4 days now. Powerful!
Kindest regards, David Bruce

MyResponse:
Dear Kizu:  What "Christian" group were you in? Yes, the Truman Show was your experience. No  one can deny you your experience. It is hard for me to imagine a good Christian group that would side track honest questions with dismissals like "you'll go to hell" or "that's  demonic." This is unholy and demonic and very much anti-Christ. I am glad you left that  repressive group. May God sent their narrow minded repressive ideas to hell!

You say you are free and yet your comments exhibit a lot of anger -perhaps, even towards God. I saw the film Rapture the other day. Your comments bring it back to mind. It is   about a young woman (Mimi Rodgers) who tells God she does not want to go to his   heaven because of all the suffering he allowed in the world. Is this you? If it is good!  Jacob in the Bible was renamed Israel because he wrestled with God! The name of  God's people in Hebrew scriptures is "Israel" and it means "those who wrestle with  God."

Please continue in your spiritual struggle with God. Don't give up. It's important. Keep   asking the tough question. And, for your own sake, stay away from repressive cultist  groups that paint God's world like the Truman show. I am glad you got out. Now explore  what God will do now! You are Truman at heaven's door about to enter the real world.

Your comment was to long for the guest book so I moved it to the Truman page. Please   e-mail me your additional thoughts. I would love to continue this dialog. And maybe post it as we go along. Your life and thoughts are very, very important
Yours in the struggle,
David Bruce

RESPONSE: Thanks for your kindness Roger. I am really honored.  I really like your filmbuff site. We have a lot of mutual interest -radio, film, humor. Yes, I have linked back ;-) In fact, you gave me good reason to start a links page.

Your Private Comments.
I will not post these comments. What are your personal thoughts?  I also welcome your spiritual concerns and prayer needs.  I will correspond with you, usually within two weeks.
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