| On this page I post your e-mail and my response. A running dialogue about spirituality and popular culture. | ||||
  page 3 INDEX TO ALL COMMENTS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE (Home) (Contents) (What's new) (News) (Store) (Upcoming Movies) (Current Movies) (New On Video) (Videos) (Music) (Television) (Great Art) (Spiritual Insights) (Cartoons) (Humor) (New Birth) (Spiritual Direction) (Correspondence) (E-Mail) (Guest Book ) (About Us) (Links) (Technical and Legal) E-mail and Comments: |
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| BRILLANT PICTURE OF THE GOSPEL April 10, 1999. In Life is Beautiful there is a wonderful scene in the film where Guido has been given a job working in the officers' dining room at the camp. he knows that his Dora is out there somewhere in the camp. One night he finds in a pile of records next to the old phonograph a record of "the tales of Hoffman" the opera they went to the night he won Dora's heart. He puts it on and turns the speaker towards the window. The music drifts out on the night air and in her cell Dora hears it and goes to the window to listen. As she listens the music tells her two things - her Guido is still alive and he stills loves her and is thinking of her. What a brilliant picture of what the Gospel is!!!–Sean |
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| PORTRAY'S A FAMILY WITH REAL VALUES April 10, 1999. Charlie Allen Harding University October Sky is a truly touching, sincere film that does something Hollywood had seemingly forgotten about-portrayed a family with real values. The relationship between father and son in this film is the heart of the film and has worked for me both times that I've seen it this year. One of the best films of the year thus far, if not the best. |
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| THERE'S NO GENE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT April 10, 1999. Gattaca is more than just inspiring. It is Nicol's outright challenge to genetic engineering and worship of the material; "there is no gene for the human spirit". Make no mistake, laws or no laws, genetic engineering will be a reality - and maybe even a commonplace one - within the next generation. Gattaca is a timely film, therefore, one that ought to be heralded loudly before the young generation. Yet, while we applaud the truly valuable accomplishment of Vincent - he gains his spiritual quest; he enters heaven - let us not forget Jerome. Jerome's accomplishment is the vicarious sharing of Vincent's triumph; and one that can only be gained through the obliteration of his self. As surely as Vincent must become "a borrowed ladder" and 'be' Jerome, Jerome must become no-one. It is poignantly fitting that at the moment Vincent achieves heaven, Jerome ceases to be a physical person at all; he suicides through incineration. Yet, in a way, he is not condemned to annihilation. Jerome's spirit lives with Vincent. This is a telling motif for all of us. Vincent's achievement is a metaphor for that of Christ; the gaining of a heavenly life. As surely as Jerome "threw in his lot" with Vincent in his denial of the artificial world, so too can we gain a heavenly life should we throw in our lot with Christ. Of course, the death of the body is the easy part...? A marvelous film! Hollywood, take a bow (for a change!) --Mark Storm storm@ruralnet.net.au |
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| HARD TO ABSORB CHANGES MADE IN CLASSICS April 09, 1999. Having read the book long before Leonardo, just as I did Les Miserables before Andrew Webber, I was aware of artistic interpretations on the directors part. I was reared on heroes..those brave few who stood against odds and majority. I find it sadly missing today. It was evident in the "Mask." Good was Good to the bone...Bad was Bad to the Bone...It was a delight to watch it with my daughter and see her response to bright heroism sans dark under-tints. For myself, I question the saintliness of Aramis, he did after all, leave a 16 year old boy locked away for six years and offered only one, Someday I will ask your forgiveness... Leonardo is as daughter gleefully says, Easy to look at...and one has to absorb the changes made in classics, doesn’t one. It should be a one for all, and all for one world and if this was gleaned by even one adolescent or adult, all is forgiven. |
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| BRILLANT ALLEGORY FOR THE HUMAN CONDITION April 09, 1999. The Truman Show - a brilliant allegory for the human condition. 'Truman /True Man' is a fair equation, but I think Niccol could have done better than 'Christof' for his Archon of Seahaven. Perhaps 'Sataniel' (He who like the Opposer) might have been better for the allegory - although less effective for a movie. The Bible tells us that Satan has manipulated this world to achieve his ends. Yes... it's all very much like a conspiracy. How will it end...for you and for me...? One could discuss philosphical interpretations (ontology, existentialism, phenomenology) in trying to determine what Niccol is really saying, as I believe his art (Truman, Gattaca...) would bear all such analyses. Perhaps, with inspired writers like Niccol, there is cause for much hope that Hollywood can help humanity think about where it is going a little more seriously. Thank you, Mr Niccol. And, thank you, Messrs Bruce for you fine work with this site.--Mark Storm |
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| WATCH IT WITH AN OPEN HEART AND MIND April 06, 1999. I know some people objected to this movie and some cheered it on for it's subject of Nazi Skinheads and racism, but look past that. The film has a point to it, if you don't open your eyes and your mind, you'll end up throwing your life away. If some, so called "Nazi" idiot cheered on, he's not getting the point. It's about un-learning what you supposedly know. I myself love punk rock and the whole punk subculture. "true" skinheads are not racist, there are also black, Asian, Hispanic, and various other races of skins. The racists took to the whole skinhead "look" so their image could be tough. there are also SHARP skins (Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice). They and traditional skins are pretty much "crucified" if you will, by society's blame on them for hate. They did not start it, they oppose it. the film is great. I suggest you see it with an open heart and mind. For those who disliked the ending (watch the film, you'll see it.) It clearly states the whole subject of the film, through different eyes. |
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| FOX + SCI-FI = 0 March 27, 1999. In my opinon brimstone is one of the better show on tv today much better than all those sitcoms that are springing up on all the networks look at the history of fox sci-fi series star trek the original that aired on NBC during the sixties when that show was on the brink of cancellation tens maybe hundreds of thousands of fans wrote in supporting the shows and the shows was saved for another season after 4 movies or so the series returns to tv with an all new cast on fox they took a chance with the next generation and that series lasted 7 years even if the first series was cancelled and on to sliders another sci-fi series on fox after 3 seasons they thought it wasn't popular enough to continue so they cancelled it. the sci-fi network pick it up for a fourth season and sliders became one of the highest rated shows in the history of the sci-fi network and now fox is about to end brimstone which will be another lost series to the fox network when it becomes a highly watched and popular series on another network |
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| PLEASANTVILLE COMMENTS COMING IN, AGAIN
CHRISTIANS SHOULD SEE IT GREAT FILM OPENED EYES BLOWN AWAY BY PLEASANTVILLE You are someone looking for and needing freedom. Follow the freedom road and you will get out of the circle that you have bound yourself to like the main character. Take the bus out - push through your fears and that is when you discover the transforming power of God. God has a wonderful purpose for your life - go for it! |
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| SONNY IS A CHRIST FIGURE March 16, 1999. I like all of the comments I saw on this site (about The Apostle), but I think something is missing. I see Sonny as a Christ figure in this movie. In the scene where sonny baptizes himself in order to restart his life is similar to the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. Mark has no infancy narratives and Jesus begins life in Christ after baptism at the age of thirty-three. Mark is believed to be the first gospel recorded, and one would not know to begin recording Jesus' life right at the beginning. It is more likely Jesus first came on the scene at a much older age, like Sonny does in the Apostle. Another thing Duvall's character does that is Christ like is the calling of his disciples. I can't remember their names but the retired Rev., the radio station guy, and the young mechanic kid were all called as Duvall's disciples and they were with him to the end. Still need more? How about Sonny's interaction to the children. There are numerous scenes where Duvall is interacting with children in some way. The one scene that sticks out in my mind is the scene where Duvall and about twenty-five children paint and repair Sonny's new church. Remember Jesus' feelings on children? Last, but not least the final scenes where Sonny is taken away by the authorities could not resemble the roman soldiers taken Jesus away as his disciples watched on, just as Sonny's do. I know that the Apostle is not a literal story of the life and teaching of Christ, but their are to many similarities that just can't be ignored. Some quick ones to think about: Billy Bob Thortan as a Pharisee, Sonny constantly "talking" to God in a personal voice, and finally do we really know what Jesus was like before he started his ministry? --Joel Warger  MY RESPONSE: Yes, I can see what you mean. In literature there are two terms used for literary characters that resemble Jesus. 1. A Christ figure -someone that has some of the characteristics of Jesus. 2. A Jesus figure -a retelling of the Jesus story through a character in a different setting. Sonny is not a retelling of the Jesus story, but he is a Christ figure. |
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| FAITH IS NECESSARY March 17, 1999. I suppose I can start off by saying that I believe faith is absolutely necessary for human existence. Even those who believe in nothing have faith in something. I first saw this movie (Prophecy) a year ago, when my father was dying from cancer...and all my prayers and tears, along with those of my family couldn't save him. For a long time after that, my faith wavered severely before I could finally grow and put my pain behind me, with the grace of God. Taking this film as "only" a film, yes it was extremely entertaining (though the sequel was inferior). As for the film's message, I believe it got across the point that the director and writers were attempting to make. As for the film's theology, you might be surprised to know that there is a religious basis for it. In the Islamic faith, the fallen angel Iblis (their Satan) was in fact thrown out of Paradise because he cannot stomach the fact that God elevated man above the angels. I thought that was a bit interesting. :) Anyway, take care, now. -Chris-- kastowt@hotmail.com MY RESPONSE: Thank you for your sensitive story Chris. My father died of a heart attack, and my sister died of painful cancer, so I know something of the pain you must have felt. Faith does help us past the pain, even when it wavers. Faith is more powerful than pain. My first take on the film was negative, but since then I have come to appreciate the important message of faith it contains. I even re-did my review of it. Did this film help you in your faith journey? Thank you for the note about Islamic faith. Also, the Hebrew scriptures have the similar story of Satan in Ezekiel 28:13-17: "You were in  Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone—red carnelian, chrysolite, white moonstone, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald—all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created. I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire. You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. Your great wealth filled you with violence, and you sinned. So I banished you from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire. Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings." |
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| BASKED IN "AFTER POE GLOW" March 14, 1999. Prince of Egypt's da bomb! The irony is, I didn't really wanna see it at first. Then, it seemed as if the whole world was flocking to it so I thought I'd give it a try. By the time I exited the theater, my face was basked in an "after-PoE" glow. I was so enthralled that it was all I could think about the next day. Now, I am totally obsessed with it. The animation is totally spectacular and the story is so true (even though a few minor details were left out or altered, but never mind that). The Red Sea is totally fantastic--it took them three years to do it and it was only for, like, four minutes! Imagine! The songs are wonderful...I can't get them out of my system 'cuz they're so worth listening to! And the characters are so true-to-life. I predict that this will be the beginning of more adult animation because it's really mature and sophisticated. The few kids I know who went to see it didn't like it that much because it was too complicated for them. But we, as grownups (teens and adults) truly appreciate it. This film shows what it really means to be a human being (including pain and suffering) as well as the true way to solving difficulties: it's not by a fictional sidekick or fairy godmother or your own pride, but by asking help from the Lord. Because I am a Christian, this has so much meaning to me. When I was a child, I remember being mesmerized by the story of Moses. It was such a wonderful and exciting story. In a way, Dreamworks made me look deeper into the story of Moses. Way to go, PoE! You're da bomb! Because of you, the Mouse House is invulnerable no more. MY RESPONSE: The Moses story is the most important story in the Hebrew scriptures! Moses like you and I was flawed and yet God usesd him powerfully. The story gives us hope and faith in a God that can get around our failings and use us for great purposes. |
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| WALKEN RAISED A METHODIST March 12, 1999. This excerpt was taken from Parade Magazine interview (September 21,1997): Christopher Walken, 54, attributes his acting success to his religious beliefs (he was raised a Methodist) and his lifelong resilience. "God is very mysterious to me", he confided, "but I know the power of belief. It's my source of strength." He said he prays for harmony and humility. lilianvaz@hotmail.com |
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| JENNIFER = SERPENT, DAVID = CHRIST March 11, 1999. From Jon Zuck frimmin@exis.net http://surf.to/frimmin It's mid-March, and I'm still finding new things in P-ville! Also I want to suggest that David is somewhat of a Christ figure and Jennifer a serpent figure. Jennifer introduces seduction to the world, David wants to preserve it in its holiness. As Jennifer begins introducing more and more chaos into Pleasantville, David wants to stop her, but can't interfere with her free will, which she uses rebelliously. David is concerned and hears the inner cry from the hearts of people who talk to him. (Mr. Johnson confessing his dream of painting in the soda shop), Jennifer acts on self-interest, and gets others to do so to. (Seduction, teaching masturbation.) David finds his purpose, as Jesus did, in teaching others to use their free will for good. Jennifer finds that she really has no purpose. David's purpose leads him to become a Savior. Punching Whitey is symbolic of the decisive blow against evil dealt with on the Cross. That is his defining moment, when he is stretched, what allows us to see his "true colors." Beyond that he becomes an Advocate (like Christ) before the Judge, loving all men, and his speech urging Mr. Parker to LOVE, is the greatest Commandment Christ gave us. Everyone's response to that, whether they agree with him or hate him, gets them to show their "true colors." The masks are off! That's exactly how Christ said he will judge us (Matt 25). The symbolism continues. Jennifer stays in the lower realm, still searching. The TV Repairman returns David to his world, (the Ascension). And there, David is doing what the Savior is always doing: LOVING. Dave, you also have a Christian friend who thinks Pleasantville and the changes that happen are cause for celebration! I think charges that the film teaches moral relativism are simply hogwash. It shows plainly how the very smallest seeds of evil which seem innocent and pleasurable in themselves contain within them the source of riots, hatred, violence, etc. Yet it is a reminder that Garden of Eden story is complex. The Fall didn't unleash just the Knowledge of Evil, but the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God Himself seemed to have something much, much more glorious in mind by giving us free will than for us to stay in unaware innocence forever. After all, as St. Paul said, "where sin abounded, Grace abounded all the more," and this wonderful Grace brought to us by our Savior gives Pleasantville its triumph! -Jon Zuck MY RESPONSE: Jon, you never cease to amaze me! I love your analysis. You are so right about the Fall being complex. Pleasantville is indeed a reminder of this! |
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| INSURRECTION IN BERLIN March 10 1999. It was a movie with a lot of energy, and a kind of smile about Startrek. Sometimes with all its sens of seriousness and liabilitie, while fighting for the Ba'ku people sometimes just having fun to be involved. Sure it was "cheaper" produced - so it was a bit more personal. I liked it. -Lupus in Berlin |
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| BRIMSTONE WAS CANCELED. FANS ARE PROTESTING. THE MAIL IS COMING IN! RARE GEMSTONE OF TELEVISION IT'S THOUGHT PROVOKING POSITIVE MESSAGE WORTH SAVING |
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| PROPHECY 1 AND 2 ARE EXCELLENT March 6, 1999.I think both The Prophecy 1 and the sequel are excellent movies. Indeed it is a perfect role for Christopher Walken. One thing I like best about The Prophecy is that it's just a kick-ass movie without really interfering with the biblical facts its based upon. Most movies based on anything religious, heaven or hell, are supposed to be entertaining because they are offensive to anyone religious (Hellraiser etc.). Indeed, the final words of Elias Koteas are a strong statement of faith and I think both movies are in a class of their own. Ruben - Rude-Dog@wxs.nl |
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| THIN RED LINE NOT BORING Feb 27, 1999. . I have to say that I don´t understand why some people find this movie boring or something like that. Wasn´t it obvious that this won´t be a normal movie for normal viewers? A good movie has the task to stimulate the viewers attention and I think this is one of the rare movies that fulfils that task completly. This was not a movie about war, this was not an action movie, this was an excellent masterpiece about men, about their lifes, their fears, their thoughts, their dreams! This movie stimulated me to think about what´s after my life, what am I going to expect after my death? Nobody, least of all a movie, can tell you or explain you what´s going to happen after your death, but this movie helps you to think about what's coming, this movie stimulates your mind. Florian from Germany e-mail: vflorian@hotmail.com MY RESPOSE: I found the movie very stimulating as well! And, it does open up conversation about the other side of life! |
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| FALLEN SERVES A GOOD PURPOSE Feb 27, 1999. I think this movie (Fallen) served a purpose...a good one. It showed a man who is confronted with something purely evil and virtually indestructible, something unknown in the extreme. Yet he does not give in to fear. He faces this evil...he accepts that it is here...calls it by it's name and engages in battle with it. Despite the outcome(which I won't disclose :) he was willing to sacrifice all to destroy this beast. I think the film makers were right to make this film. It brings to light the various faces that evil can wear and that we should not ignore them. |
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| SNIPES NOT PLASTIC Feb 25, 1999. I have always been a fan of Wesley Snipes and this movie clinches my feelings. He is so versatile and he masters Blade. I hope there will be another Blade and that we get to see Wesley Snipes as Blade again. Wesley Snipes is Blade. If he won't play Blade then don't make the movie. We got enough "Plastic Surgery" characters with Batman. –Johanna |
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I FELT SOMETHING INSIDE
Feb 23, 1999. Hi, my name is Jenn. I have been doing a study on angels, for a while now, to do a report in my psychology of death and dying class. I have always personally been interested in angels and what they are here for. My beliefs are very strong, spiritually, not necessarily  religiously. When I watched City of Angels, I felt a feeling inside of me, that doesn't happen with other movies. It put a mental picture in my head and a question. Maybe, that's what angels really are doing. When a bad thing is about to happen, an angel embraces you and holds your heart in their hands. They wear black, because they are the shadows to those of us who have prayers, those of us in a bind, and need an extra helping hand. Thanks for doing a site on this subject, its definitely something to be thought about.-JENN |
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| FROM BRAZIL: ACTING IS CONSIDERED EVIL HERE. Feb 14, 1998. I really liked this site and I would like to keep contact with you all. My name is Lilian Vaz, I'm Brazilian, a protestant Christian,a musician and I like very much cinema and many actors and actresses (Christopher Walken is in one of my favourites). Here in Brazil, the art of acting is considered evil by our brother and sisters, they say it's something that comes from the devil. I dIsagree, and I get misinterpreted sometimes by my Christian Family. When I discovered this site, I thought "Oh, no! There comes the radicals", but I got surprised when I noticed it was totally different of everything I saw until that moment. You usually try to take something positive from every movie, intead of taking the bad side, which is not usual. When I meet open-minded Christians it's something that increases my hope and faith in Jesus. On links to Hollywood Jesus... I've just finished the construction of two sites, which I'd like you to visit. Walken In My Shoes - The First Brazilian Christopher Walken Page. Featuring several interviews,a photo gallery and other links on this actor (including Hollywood Jesus): http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion /7275/walkeninmyshoesfirstindex.html And another site on my band and previous works: UNIGLORY - Brazilian Heavenly Techno http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion /7590/unigloryindex.html (this one is still under construction, but there are some discography, photos, info and links, too). So, I think that's all for now. Please, pray for me and thanks for your attention. Don't hesitate to e-mail me back, as soon as possible, ok?! God bless you all! Lilian Vaz. lilianvaz@hotmail.com |
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| MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THIN RED LINE Feb 12 1999. I have mixed feelings on Thin Red Line. On one hand, the movie was very deep and effected me deeply. Of course on the other, much larger, hand, many times I thought the movie was intentionally made painful to watch so that the viewer would understand the pain of war. The film was unnecessarily long, confusing, and poorly edited, to say the least. I understand to critics and reviewers, who look for deeper meanings in movies, this was a masterpiece filled with symbolism after symbolism; but to the ordinary movie-goer who seeks entertainment, this movie was terrible. I couldn't tell what half of the movie meant. And the tiring endless muttering of those monologues made me want to choke on my popcorn (which would be less painful). Finally, I am not the only one who feels this way. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I know who saw this movie, was left confused and disappointed. Thanks for allowing me to voice my oppinion. -Kevin ces53@erols.com MY RESPONSE: You are right, this isn't mindless shoot-em'-up entertainment. It is a masterpiece of thought provoking artistry of the highest kind. |
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| FAITH INSIDE A TUNNEL Feb 10 1999, I know Daylight didn't do that well at the box office, nor did it do well with some critics. But I consider it to be one of my favorites. I love watching these people from different backgrounds, come together throughout the movie. And also the way they changed indiviually. For example, those who believed they would never get out of the tunnel, would gradually have more faith throughout the movie and did believe they would get out. |
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| JOHN MILTON AND PARADISE LOST Feb 8 1999, I read Paradise Lost in one of my English classes. I'm going to be writing a paper and I thought it was ironic that John Milton, the author of PL was also Satan in The Devil's Advocate. I was hoping to compare/contrast these two for my paper. Do you know of any other sites or places where I could get more information about direct relationships of the two? Your website was very helpful! Thanks, --Jennifer jbhansen@internetcds.com |
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| THOUGHTS ON THE FIFTH ELEMENT:
NAKED TRUTH INTERESTING, BUT... |
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| SAVE BRIMSTONE -WRITE TODAY Feb 07, 1999. Brimstone, Fox TV, 8:00pm pst Fridays This is a series about redemption and God's love and no matter what he is still looking out for us even after we fail. This series is about a detective Ezekiel Stone and his quest for redemption and his place in heaven after being sent to hell for murdering his wife's rapist. The story begins with Stone being enlisted by the devil to come back to earth after 15 years in hell and retrieve 113 souls that escaped from hell, in return he is promised redemption and a release from hell. We wants this because he is a good person and God knows this and works to help him achieve this goal. He also wants this because he still loves his wife and wants to reunite with her after he has earned his redemption and life back on earth.. Each episode deals with 1 or 2 souls that he is sent to track down and send back. He has to pierce their eyes because they are the windows to the soul. There are also 113 tattoos on his body and as he eliminates each one a tattoo burns off. In Friday 2/6/99 episode Stone is starting to show signs of stress from having to deal with the devil when he sees his wife for the first time since being back on earth. The devil starts to try even more tormenting behavior when God sends down Satan's twin, a good angel to help fight for Stones soul and help him save his wife's life during a bank robbery. The angel reassures Stone that his work on earth is appreciated by God and to keep his faith. In the coming weeks Stone realizes that the evil souls are moving into the neighborhood where his wife lives because they realize that his love for her is the only thing that will keep him from sending them back to hell. This is a great program that deals with redemption, consequences of our actions, good and evil, undying love that has transcended time, humor in the way Stone keeps beating the devil much to his dismay, scripture and its relevance to situations and God's unwavering love for us even if we fail and his efforts to set things right for a truly good man who had an all to human moment that cost him his salvation and his efforts to get it back. Fox is deciding on whether to cancel this program and I feel that good programming is vital to sending messages to people young and old that help teach lessons in life and about God's love for us. Please e-mail Fox TV at: ASKFOX@fox.com to try and keep this show on the air. Their address is: Fox / Brimstone , P.O.Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213 Watch it a few times and it will really make you think about the consequences of even the smallest things we do in our daily life and how it affects not just ourselves but the people around us. This program need a chance to reach more people. Each episode delves deeper into the struggle between Stone and the devil and the angel God has sent to intervene on Stone's behalf. Please respond to this message and help keep it on this air. Thank you so much for everything, Barbara Arnold / Creative Designs/ Robes4you@aol.com |
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| PETITION TO SAVE BRIMSTONE Feb 9, 1999. Good evening, Rev. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steven S. Hood, one of the main coordinators of the current campaign to save the television show, Brimstone. Barbara Arnold has written me about your site, and the work that you've done, and I thought you might be interested about the site I established at the beginning of the campaign toward saving the show. You can visit it at www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Network/3610 to see some of what's been going on. It has the information to write both Fox and Warner, as well as a bit more about the show, the petition that was started on January 29th, 1999, and other information as well. The main place you'll see alot of information is over at the WB Brimstone Message Board, located at www.brimstonetv.com. Thanks for taking an interest in the show, and for your input and help. Every bit is appreciated. Thanks- Steven S. Hood (nexus_dragon) |
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| 'BLAST FROM THE PAST' IS 'PLEASANTVILLE' IN REVERSE Feb 10, 1999. I think you were far too kind in labeling Pleasantville as "honest." I agree with you as to the ironies of the situation, BUT the movie does NOT recognize these as ironies. It's like a movie about the Garden of Eden that celebrates the FALL! You are right on, however, about Blast from the Past, which could be called Pleasantville in reverse. -Dave Forsmark My response: You are right about Blast From the Past being Pleasantville in reverse. And yes, I was too kind. In fact, it was a hard film for me to sit through because it was honest to the fall. It was like reliving the 60s, 70s, and 80s all over again knowing the outcome. I wanted to stop the flow of events, but was powerless to do so. Which made it both powerful and depressing. I believe it was the writer's father (I could be wrong) who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era of the 50s. I believe the film flows from the idea that television sitcoms of the 50s were repressed, censured, and untrue to life, as indeed they were in many ways. |
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| IT'S SCIENCE COMMUNITY VS. CHRISTIANS Feb 9, 1999. I agree with those who found the Rob Lowe character in Contact "rank". I am sick and tired of Christians being satirized as hypocrites and political manipulators, or just plain blind idiots. I read the original book "Contact" many years before and if I remember correctly the Joss character was more mature and "fatherly" and less, um, sleazy. Also, as someone interested in science and religion, and specifically the Creation/Evolution controversy, I resent the idea that science represents factual truth, as opposed to religion being nothing more than "feelings". As the science community holds on to the theory (or rather several contradictory theories) of evolution, despite the direct contradiction of the fossil record and other evidences, they more closely resemble someone with blind faith, then the so-called Creationists (of which there are many types)who represent honest inquiry and reasonable doubt into a dogmatic religion called Evolution. I recommend the book that I just finished yesterday, called "Reason In The Balance" by Phillip E. Johnson. Oh yes, the movie review. It made me think, which is always good for you, and it was well done. I don't agree with every little thing in it, but I recognize it as a good attempt to reconcile two groups that often seem in conflict. It bogged down in the middle, but overall, quite good. -JOHNNY  My response: Maybe its just the circle I am in, but none of my scientist friends are hostile toward faith. None! Some of my fundamentalist friends who believe the universe is 10,000 years old, despite evidence to the contrary, speak of the science community with hostility. I chose friendship over hostility any day. I truly believe this is the point of the film. It is easier to win friends to your point of view than to win enemies. |
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| YES, THERE ARE PARALLELS, BUT: Feb 6 1999. Yes there ARE some similarities between the story of Superman and our Savior Christ Jesus; however, the Antichrist will likewise have some similarities, as so to decieve many (which the False Prophet will focus on). Superman NEVER refocuses glory to the Creator. Jesus said that he came in his father's name and was not accepted, yet that others would come in their OWN NAME and would be accepted (as a messiah/savior). Don't get me wrong, I love the Superman story (as science fiction);- But, as a born-again Christian with Jewish ancestry, and as a 20-year student of Eschatology, I have to put in another vote for concern of making mountains out of mole-hills, and re-writing the origins of good movies via speculation. If the writers' had intended the parallel, then it would be common knowledge (such as George Lucas' source of "The Force"; in the Star Wars storyline). There are many things in this world would could be paralleled to God / Jesus / the Creator (such as Alcoholic's Anonymous' "higher being", for example), which are actually substitutes for the Truth that they just can't accept. Jesus is the (ONLY) Way, and the (ONLY) Truth, and the (ONLY) Life. --Pete Souza psouza3@pacbell.net My response: Pete, here are some quotes as food for thought: "Christ-figures, men and women (and perhaps even creatures of fiction like Hobbits) are 'analogies' of Jesus, images of Jesus, who can assist us in our attempts to give depth to some understanding of him... However, many storytellers (especially in cinema) are not believers or committed to Jesus.  And yet, many of them use Christ-figures, consciously or unconsciously, in their work."-Peter Malone, Christology in Edward Scissorhands. "As expressed in his human existence, the Word has a history. Jesus is born, lives, suffers, dies rises. As he enters the heart and mind of people, the Word becomes story. As projected into the history of all people, in all times, in all cultures, the Word becomes a story told and re-told. The occasions for such retellings are as frequent as the number of the life-stories of men and women who hope that their story is a good story, The Word becomes the way of telling our story, the way of accounting for how we all belong together, from the beginning unto the end." -A Kelly, The Word in Story, 1974:27) "(Screen writers) have drawn on the universal fund of archetypal stories, be they fairy-tales, legends or myths, that fascinate story tellers and story-hearers alike. These stories include the Gospel stories. Joseph Campbell, following Carl Jung in his exploration of meanings of these stories, uses the phrase, "the hero with a thousand faces." Jesus is one of these heroes, He has become the universal figure and his life, death and resurrection have become symbols of human experience" Peter Malone, Explorations in Theology and Film, 1997:84 "Pagan resurrection myths, for those who are able to discern, foreshadow the central event of God's dialogue with his creatures, the resurrection of Jesus. This is to say that pagan resurrection myths, in their own limited way, were vehicles of God's revelation. What is pagan, then, is not to be disparaged as if there was nothing worthy in paganism. There is in paganism and in pagan resurrection myths a bestowal of insight by the God who created pagans as well as Christians." -Leon McKenzie, Pagan Resurrection Myth and the Resurrection of Jesus, 1997:145 |
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| THIN RED LINE IS A THINKING MOVIE. Feb 6, 1999. Not what I was expecting, but wow was The Thin Red Line deep and enjoyable once I shifted gears to a thinking movie vs. a "blood & guts" action film. Great symbolism all pointing to the ultimate of man's futile attempts to survive and thrive without understanding the creator. -Rick J. Fritzemeier |
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| CHRISTOPHER WALKEN IN PROPHECY Feb 6, 1999. On Prophecy, I read a comment saying Prophecy was blasphemous,but I disagree! I am a protestant Christian and I think Prophecy is pure fantasy,based on a real book,the bible,just that.A very well-done movie with very good performances,a classic on its genre. Note: Christopher Walken is an excellent amazing actor and he is not a practitioner of the occultic arts.It's said he is a Methodist Christian since he was a child. So,please,stop judging our brothers,ok?! -Lilian Vaz. lilianvaz@hotmail.com |
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| SUSAN AND JULIA DESERVE OSCARS Feb 5, 1999. I loved Stepmom. Susan and Julia deserve oscar nominations. Direction wasn't the best and neither was the title, but the acting was amazing. |
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