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with comments by David Bruce

Garbage
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001
From: Jeff

You are trying to make Hollywood something that it is not. If a movie is rated R it is garbage, sorry but that is the truth. If I see a preview on t.v about a R movie I have no desire to see that movie and I speak for a large number of Christians. Sexuality, bad language,drugs,and nudity is all sins of this world. God has called us to be lights in a darkened world. Right now in this world Hollywood and Jesus does not go together. If Jesus came back tomorrow I would not want to be in David Bruce's shoes. I believe that you are trying to pick these positive things out of these movies to help support Hollywood's pagan ways. To make a difference you must stop producing R rated and pg-13 garbage. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Please reply
Jeff

Response: I think you just judged me. Too bad and oh well. May God bless you. -David

#1 spot for best movie and Hans Matheson!
Les Miserables
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001
From: DamslNotNDstrss

I must say, this movie was absolutely magnificent! I watched it in my French class, and not one person said a word during it. All eyes stared at the screen nonstop. This movie really touched me, and the plot was wonderful. The characters were brilliant and portrayed extremely well. Les Miserables has definitely taken the no. 1 spot on my list. Never have I seen a movie that kept me wanting so much more... and might I add, Hans Matheson is quite beautiful. Oh... his enchanting eyes, and creamy complexion... Hans Matheson is absolutely the most gorgeous male I've seen in many. His acting is so real, and tasteful. I hope everyone loved the movie as much as I. And if you haven't seen it, I advise you to, a.s.a.p.!!!
P.s.~ Email me at: DamslNotNDstrss@aol.com (If you would like!)

Purpose
Simon Birch
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001
From: Nathan nathanrl@hotmail.com

God has a plan for my life? It is hard to put into words what this film has meant to me. I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my savior around the age of 12 (I'm 23 now)...and always knew God had a special plan for my life. What I didn't realize until several years later, was that God as a special plan for every life...which doesn't take away from the significance of any of our lives...but adds to the glory of God. I watch the movie nearly every night before I go to bed...I normally can't pay attention to a movie the second time around, much less the hundredth. I agree that this movie will be counted as a classic..every time I watch it, I realize more of it's brilliance. The great thing about this movie, is that I don't go away thinking about how great the movie is...but go away thinking how great God is. One day, we will all die, and have to answer to God.

feel free to include my email...
so if anybody would want to know how to Trust Christ as their Personal Savior, I would welcome their questions.

TWO THUMBS UP
Subject: Charlie's_Angels
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001
From: Ralph Reed

I want to give a "two thumbs up" opinion on Charlie's Angels. In a country shamed by violence such as evidenced by the high school and even middle school shootings, people should applaud Drew Barrymore's refreshing attitude on guns. The Angels don't have to "gun down" people to fight crime. I would ask for people to think about what Jesus would be more offended by, a partially-exposed breast, or Drew gunning down the opposition in cold blood. But I guess people seem to forget about Jesus' non-violent qualities (such as the instance of healing the slave's ear and such as his comment about casting the first stone). I never cease to be amazed by people who blame their anti-welfare, anti-abortion, anti-woman, pro-gun, and pro-military political views on my Savior. Can anybody really say with a straight face that Jesus is a Republican? He and his apostles lived a communist lifestyle, with each given to according to his own needs. Actually, I doubt that He supports any particular party. The petty politics of humankind are probably far-removed from heavenly pursuits. Again, two "thumbs up" for Charlie's Angels.

The main contradiction of religion in U.S. society
Subject: Newsletter 21
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
From: Bruce Donaldson

Mr. Bruce,
I think the main contradiction of religion in U.S. society lies in whether or not people perceive that religion is being "imposed" upon them.

You can believe what you want as long as your neighbor can believe what they want and they don't sense any disapproval by you. Any time you begin to apply your moral standards to someone else's life they get a bit edgy...Especially if your are Christian and claiming exclusive revelation and salvation.

I think this is the phenomenon observed in your note about Bush trying to use faith-based institutions to do the charity work in the United States. No one wants the government endorsing or promoting a belief that might convict them of their own righteousness, or lack thereof. Especially after the leader of the country has so openly confessed Christianity.

Another element lies in the leftist/progressive mind that abhors any display of religion that might take the power from the hands of the state and give it to the citizens. One of the first steps communistic/socialistic government take is to outlaw charity by its citizens. The state, in the oppressors minds, is god and will supply all the needs of it citizens -- as determined by its leaders.
Bruce Donaldson
El Segundo, CA

JESUS AS A GAY FILM
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
From: Bill

Help -I am a Christian and need your help. I received an email from a friend recently that talked about a film that is coming out in 2001 claiming that both Jesus and his disciples were gay. The email contained a petition to sign and forward on.

Before I sign the petition and forward it on I need to determine whether or not there is a film coming out in 2001 with the above subject matter. Have you heard of such a film? If so, could you please provide a few details on it.

I plan to sign the petition and forward it on, but I need to make sure what I am signing and forwarding on is true.

If you would like, I can also forward the email to you.
Thanks in advance for you help in this matter,
Bill

Response: Please do not be taken in by such hate mail. There is no such film. This is a bogus fraud. Do not become a victim. It is not true. Rumor. Lie. Just another way to get Christians to appear as Gay bashers and haters. Please notice there was no film title, or producer, or director, or studio mentioned. That is a big red flag. Please pass this word on. -David

David - Thanks for the info! I greatly appreciate! Keep up the good work! I really enjoy your website!
God Bless! Bill -----

What was he? A Ghost?
Subject: Jacob's Ladder
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
From: "Dagon"

It struck me as particularly scary; what if postal workers discovered one day their colleague had vanished, suddenly. When they inquired they found out the guy they knew as postal worker had actually been reported to have died in Nam; So in fact he Did come back, unaware that he had died? What was he? a Ghost? or someone who had transcended death in a moment of extreme insanity.

MIKE'S TOP FILMS
Subject: Top Films
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001
From: Mike Parnell

1. Forest Gump: I cry every time Forest comes to Jenny's grave and struggles with the randomness of life or life as preordained. It speaks to the mystery that is God.

2. The Empire Strikes Back: "There is no try. Do or do not." That is the essence of faith.

3. E.T. Death and resurrection portrayed on film.

4. The Truman Show: The confrontation with the man who would be God with the man who longs for freedom from a predetermined world is excellent.

5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The step of faith is an excellent visual illustration for any presentation.

6. It's a Wonderful Life: "My mouth's bleeding." No greater scene of redemption ever has been filmed. Shows the power of God to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the midst of an ordinary life.

7. O Brother, Where Art Thou: "I have been baptized and my sins are forgiven, boys!" Shows the contradiction that lives in all of us. The old nature warring with the new nature.

8. The Shawshank Redemption: Hope is more powerful than sin and the evil that men do to others.

9. Traffic: The power of sin and evil is so compelling. Evil easily besets those whom the end justifies the means.

10. The Apostle: Proves that the call of God is greater than the circumstances that we live in. The end of the movie is much like I would imagine Paul acted in prison. Sonny manages to tell others about Jesus in spite of himself and what he has done. That is the power of redemption.

Powder Is NO JESUS CHRIST
Subject: Powder
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001
From: MRST

I do understand how you may think that "POWDER" is similar to JESUS, but the differences are to profound. No where in the movie did Powder refer to himself as GOD or did anything even remotely hint at him being GOD. So my point is, that if you have ever read the BIBLE you'd understand that Christ is the human form of the LORD our GOD. It says that the LORD humbled himself to human form and became JESUS. Powder on the other hand can move things, heal, jump start people back to life, and do other little odds and ins, but he is limited. Jesus had no limitations he is everything at all times. Jesus could do anything and be anywhere at any time, but that wasn't his plan. His plan was to do exactly as he did no questions asked. So I guess what I am trying to say is if you are going to try to compare Powder to GOD (JESUS) that is like trying to compare a Craftsman fishing boat to THE TITANIC.
OH YEAH AND IF YOU COULD PUT THIS UP THAT WOULD BE KIND OF NEAT

Response: You are being concrete in your thinking. No one is saying that Powder is Jesus, merely that Powder is a Christ figure. -David

The church is depicted flatly as the villain
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001
From: Rob

This movie would have been much better if the conflict had merely been between legalism and grace. As it is it is a straw man argument against Christianity.

The possibility that the religious people in this movie misunderstand Christ is not presented. The Comte and the others are presented as "the Church of Legalism" not as merely legalistic Church members .The real reason someone would give up chocolate for Lent is not because it is bad, but precisely because it is good. Obviously, the Christians in this movie are in need of grace, but so is Vienne. Ultimately, the all-bad church comes around to the all-good pagan's way of thinking. There was an attempt to show Vienne as not having all the answers, but her "growth" was the result of her interplay with someone with the same worldview as her own. The church ultimately contributes nothing to her development as a person.

If the movie had been set in Victorian England with a Dickensian villian (the cruel schoolmaster, the cold-hearted industrialist) the story would have worked much better. But since the church is depicted flatly as the villain I think there is no room to interpret chocolate as a metaphor for God's grace. I hope I make sense!!

LISTEN TO IT AGAIN!
Subject: listen to it again U2 All That You Leave Behind
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Brian

I am awfully disappointed by the site's review of U2's new album. This is an album worth listening to again and again. A careful examination of the songs lyrics, coupled with careful analysis of the songs' backgrounds, open up a world of understanding and insight into the message behind this album. I would suggest the writer of the site's review take the time to read the recent Rolling Stone article focusing on U2. It is very insightful and would hopefully encourage a second listening with a more focused ear (and even heart). It is interesting that you were so quick to dismiss an album that is rich with imagery that is encouraging and insightful. Stop comparing it to Joshua Tree and other albums. Give them room to grow...they are world-weary and full of new discoveries and it is a shame to make them a band that "had their best stuff in the past". Take your time with reviews. Especially with albums that are influencing society (see: the ticket sales of their latest tour, the sales of the album, the front page articles, the t.v. engagements, etc.). Some albums deserve more credit and more attention before we go off writing about them, forming half-hearted reviews that "gloss over" songs when we feel they are inconvenient to the point we are trying to make.

PLANES OF EXISTENCE
Subject: Jacobs Ladder
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Bryan

This is a story with many possible interpretations, each valid.

My personal conclusion is that Jacob was under the effects of the hallucinogen before he died, but through the haze of his mind, images and experiences manifested themselves as scenarios his mind could cope with.

The ice bath: is it possible this was a manifestation of the "shock" or blood temp drop one experiences as one dies?

The "paralysis" as he falls from the car: in the reality of Vietnam, laying on the stretcher, he surely felt heavy and weak, and this would be manifested as a scene in which he couldn't move.

Did you notice there were no scars on Jacob's stomach in the fantasy NY? His BACK hurt him. A redirection of the pain. I think the rattling heads of the demons were a manifestation of his memory of Ving Rhames (George?) going into apoplexy as the drug affected him. Remember Jacob was holding him, trying to help, shouting "medic."

The battle scene: all the soldiers reacted differently. One barfed. One spun around wildly after saying "somethings wrong...my head!" Another one sat and cried: Paul... which manifested itself as him coming to visit Jacob. George spasmed and convulsed with blood coming out of his nose.

I think the drug was real, and the angels came to help Jacob understand. It's a "deep adjustment" as Louis says. His real memories intertwine with fantasies and nightmares and reality and all are affected by each other.

A MESSAGE TO A LOST WORLD
Subject: Left Behind: A Message to the Lost World
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Daniel Miramar, Florida

I thought "Left Behind" brought a clear message to a world that does not understand the biblical message of the end times. Even if it does not lead them to accept Christ, it will allow them to understand better what is to come. It is unfortunate that they released the film on Home Video first. To send Hollywood a message, then they should have released it just as Hollywood does - - Build up to a Grand Opening - - Open on a few preview screens the week before - - Then have an opening weeked with a big push among churchgoers - - Then promote the next week to the remaining audience who may have heard about it.

By releasing to Christians for months before, there was little reason to go to the box office and pay for a ticket. We did, in hopes that it would help the cause of getting out the message. Unfortunately, because of a poor marketing plan we may not get to see Part 2, 3 . . .
Daniel Miramar, Florida

WHAT A THRILLER!
Subject: What_Lies_Beneath
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Butson

WLB is a movie I've got to watch several more times. We just watched it on video last night (gotta get a DVD for letterbox format though!). There is SO much to watch for in this movie that plays on those ideas of lying beneath, water, being covered, forgotten yet being brought to light. I know I've got a lot of friends that would strongly object to watching a "ghost story" when this is more a morality play, a "your sin will find you out" story, with the character of Madison playing the "deus ex machina", the god from outside the story who steps in to set everything right. What was so great about this move? A few things...

1) The neighbors who seem so opposite, yet you come to find out they appear so messed up but are actually quite in love. Meanwhile, Norman and Clair look so perfect, but everything is going right down the tubes.

2) The store sign that perhaps tells Claire that she should leave well enough alone, but Claire finds the key to the problem at the store.

3) The psychiatrist's office below street level.

4) And to top it off (THIS IS GREAT), she nearly just drowned in the tub as the water slowly rose over her face. But how do you know she's going to be OK during the climax? SHE'S BROUGHT A BOAT WITH HER!!!!

This is a great movie and I'd recommend it to anyone who can handle the suspense. Nothing gross, nothing crude or crass, but a definite thrill with an interesting message.

LOVED IT!
Subject: Loved it O_Brother_Where_Art_Thou
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Betty Hamm

We just saw "O Brother,..." Friday night and loved it. I will admit, I am a Coen brothers fan but I was surprised by this latest work. I felt it lacked the over-the-top feel of their other works. I grew up on this music and have known and/or been related to many people like those portrayed. I felt it was a fair telling for the 1937 south with the tongue only slightly in cheek. I loved the cinematography, scenes that were over exposed, or colored. I was amazed at the portrayal of religion. The choir in the baptism scene was phenomenal. I did not feel as though it was mocking religion in the way so many movies do. Very interesting the conversation later in the car. Everett keeps insisting that he has been forgiven and Ulysses points out that even if God has forgiven you the state of Mississippi has not. That is true. We can experience total forgiveness and cleansing from God, regardless of how heinous our sin; Christ's blood covers it all. However, we could still have earthly consequences for our actions. My husband is much more familiar with Homer's Odyssey than I am, so he helped me follow the parallels such as the Cyclops and others. I plan on seeing the movie again. I thought it was great.
-- Mrs. Betty T. Hamm
Fine Arts Director Evangelical Free Church,
Naperville Il (630) 983-3232
bhamm@efcn.org
http://www.efcn.org

HANNIBAL RETURNS!
Subject: Hannibal
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
From: Gary S. Orlando

I saw "Hannibal" this evening and all I can say is WOW-what a movie. I am sure that every one by now knows the plot and has heard about the final scene. I will not comment on that. This film is very stylish in it's direction with superb on-location shots of Italy. I will have to say that it is not for the skittish in places, but it is also not the all-out bloodbath that I had read about in some reviews. Sir Antony Hopkins did a wonderful job as Hannibal and Julianne Moore did a fine job of filling the shoes of Jodie Foster. As for the spiritual connections, some interesting role reversals as far as the good characters getting the short end of the stick and the bad guys getting away. There was an interesting scene of Hannibal in a cross- like position about to be sacrificed and some Judas symbolism. Anyway, to sum up my ramblings, I did enjoy the film for the artist qualities. I will be interested in reading other peoples gleanings.
Gary S. Orlando

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