| On this page I post your e-mail and my response. A running dialogue about spirituality and popular culture. | ||||
  PAGE 8 -OCTOBER 1999 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) |
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| I receive a lot of e-mail. I am not able to post all the mail. I have included a good sampling, however. If the subject is the same I might group the newer messages with similar older ones. Also, my response may appear a few days after the original posting. I can't do HJ everyday. You must include your "name" and e-mail address within your comment if you want it posted, otherwise it will not be posted (there is a privacy issue here and we respect that). I do, however, encourage you to give your "name" and e-mail so others can respond to you personally. | ||||
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| MODERN
VERSION OF SON OF GOD October 30, 1999. I have loved Superman from the beginning. I came to believe in this theory as well after I had watch the classic Sci-Fi film, The Day the Earth Stood Still, which is very heavy with biblical meaning. Once I drew the connection between Superman and Jesus I realized that was why I like him so much: he was a modern version of the Son of God. One point that you did not mention: Superman's adoptive parent's names are Martha and Jonathan Kent. Their first initials are the same as Mary and Joseph. -Kris- |
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| COMPLICATIONS
ARE THE DEATH KNELL OF SIMPLICITY October 27, 1999 Powder is a wonderful movie. I do not find the movie to have anything to do with organized religion as is suggested by some of the the commentors. Of course anything metaphysical will have a Christ correlation, but Christ was a metaphysician, or if you choose to believe, the Son of God. Powder, in this movie, represented the potential of human beings if they achieve their earthly potential. That is what Jesus taught, but I do not believe this film was meant to depict Powder as God. Anyone who has studied metaphysics should agree that what Powder depicts is the God-like quality that we all, as human beings, are capable of achieving if we become one with the Universe. The channeling of Universal Energy coupled with the practice of the Spiritual principles set forth by Jesus, as well as other metaphysicians, in its perfect form, would allow us to achieve the level of awareness that Powder possesses. We are all One, beings of the Universe, and the movie quite simply portrays one individual having experienced an accident, which allowed him to achieve a Divine state. As for the comment that the movie depicts a "Gay Jesus," I can only feel sorry for the homophobe who cannot grasp the deep beauty of the movie, which tells us that we are capable of so much more humanity than we presently do. |
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| PICKED
UP ON THE SYMBOLISM October 25, 1999 I'm afraid I must just be too conservative--I walked out of the Devil's Advocate. --it got too graphic and bloody and made the little hairs stand up on the back of my neck and my heart start beating. I had to apologize to God for even going in the first place--even tho yes, I did pick up on the symbolism. Ugh! Satan is such a master of light and deception in this world and no where better than in what we see, hear, say , n' do--like filling our minds with him at the movies instead of with HIM elsewhere or at uplifting movies. Love ya, David. You are an astute reviewer! My responses: You apologized to God? What? Why? Uplifting movies do not equal better. Also, Jesus said it is not what goes in, rather what comes out of you that defiles you. |
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| A
BREATH OF FRESH AIR October 24, 1999 I enjoy Touched by an Angel very much, its a breath of fresh air in dark and cold world. I also liked Promised Land and miss seeing it since it disappeared, at least from my viewing area, at the end of last season. I hoped it would return with the new season, but still no Promised Land. I just hope and pray they don't also take off Touched By An Angel. We need more, not less of this type of programming. Keep up the good work. James Morris Midlothian VA |
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| NO
RESPECT IN "HORSE WHISPERER" October 23, 1999. The only character with any dignity was the husband. Remind me to never watch another Redford movie. Full of twisted values where kissing and groping someone other than your spouse is not great, but at least it did not lead to sex, so we are still to have respect for the leads. Did not cut it with me. dB |
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| NOT
THE AVERAGE "HORROR" FLICK October 21, 1999. Re: Jacob's Ladder. Not your average so called "Horror" flick, I found myself not wanting to miss any of it even though I saw it on video tape I waited to go to the toilet after it was over. Tim Robbins does a great job of making you think that you are him in the movie and getting caught in the middle of all the stuff that's happening to him (you). The effects are great, but what the show does is gets inside your head, the story is very effective and the director does a bang-up job of squeezing every drop out of it. The movie itself has a hypnotic compelling effect it's hard to take your eyes off the screen. There are so many things going on ya just don't know what's real anymore and you can feel his pain. In my opinion it's one of the best frightening shows I have ever seen, it takes you for a roller coaster ride it stimulates your head and it gets you to think. Like a back door to the spirit world. Happy Halloween. --MILO |
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| "PRINCE
OF EGYPT" SENT CHILLS DOWN BACK October 18, 1999 I saw the movie in the movie theaters and was amazed. It sended chills down my back and kept me glued to the screen. that graphics and scenes were amazing!!! The parting of the red sea was so wonderful and to see God working threw Moses makes you feel so good knowing that God can work threw someone else to help maybe even me. Today in Sunday school we watched it too and i jut think its such an awesome movie, and yes some of the songs are sappy just that one "who knows wat miracles u can achieve" is still stuck in my mind. AWESOME MOVIE! ~Melissa |
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| "STEPMOM,"
GREAT MOVIE October 18, 1999 Hi there, i am Bart (17) from Holland, and i just seen Stepmom 10 minutes ago.. What a great movie!!! I love the way the movie ends, and most of all i love the little girl, does anyone knows here name for me??? Well, thanx for reading my comments. Bart My e-mail is heartbreak_high99@hotmail.com |
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| RENT
"THE MUMMY" October 17, 1999 We rented the Mummy tonight and thought it was quite good. No sex or heavy duty swearing. I liked the chemistry between the main actors. Anything Brandon Frasier is in is usually good. He has a boyish type sex appeal. Never did get use to the beetles though. Definitely, for the older children. Your review was on the money. --Karen Harkins |
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| MORE ON AMERICAN
BEAUTY
PROVOKING
AND DEEP FALSE
BEAUTY A
POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT FILM RICKY
IN "AMERICAN BEAUTY" EXTREMELY
IMPOSTANT FILM |
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| "SIMON
BRICH" October 16, 1999 HI. MY NAME IS ERIN AND I MUST HAVE WATCHED SIMON BIRCH 30 TIMES. THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE BECAUSE MY FAVORITE ACTORS ARE IN THIS: JOSEPH MAZZELLO AND ASHLEY JUDD. IT IS ALSO VERY TOUCHING AND I THOUGHT IAN MICHAEL SMITH WAS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMER AND A VERY TALENTED ACTOR. SINCE I WAS 5 YRS. OLD, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING JOE'S CAREER. I TRULY THINK THAT THIS WAS ONE OF HIS BEST FILMS. IT WARMS THE HEART AND SOUL. THE SETTING WAS GORGEOUS (BY THE WAY, JOE IS GORGEOUS TOO!) I LOVE THIS MOVIE AND NO MATTER WHAT THE CRITICS SAY, I BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER!-ERIN WHY
SEE THIS MOVIE? |
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| EXCELLENT
WORK ON OUTBREAK October 14, 1999. The contrast between the military and the church or law and grace was well done. In the beginning where you say, "Infected people.. Firebomb them" this is of course one of Satan's method. Look at how high the suicide rate is. Young people who feel worthless, as they don't fit into school cliques and clothing trends, are ripe for the "fire bomb" attack: just kill yourself. Not to mention the homicides in the recent school and church slayings. Kevin Spacey, I think, represents the sinner, unredeemed by God's grace, who looks to his own righteousness instead of Christ's. His "protective suit" is not the Messiah but that of self-righteousness which easily gets torn and subject to infiltration by sin diseases. Thanks for this review. I've got a review of the film, "Nell" which I'm sending to you shortly. Blessings in the Lord, Adam and Kelly |
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| UMM,
DOCTRINE ANYBODY? October 13, 1999 I had a friend recently ask me to go see Stigmata and tell me what I thought spiritually about the film, for he was frightened about some aspects of it. After viewing the film, I can see his standpoint. If one doesn't know the Bible very well, this film would spur some fear in me as well. At one point as Father Andrew Kiernan explains stigmata to Frankie he states that as one gets closer to Christ they are more susceptible to demonic attacks. Nothing could be further from the truth. If one is truly born again in Jesus Christ, they now are empowered by the Holy Spirit of God Almighty, the power that raised Jesus from death itself. As one walks the holy life God desires, he will more likely be subject to more spiritual attack, but being subject to and susceptible to are two different animals. The episodes of Aramaic speech, writing, and manifestation are clearly demonic, as one of the other writers stated. The final kicker was when Kiernan is visiting her and almost kisses her. As she proceeds to almost kill him she aquires a knife and sloppily cuts her arm saying, "blood of Christ!" totally mockingly. Yah, if i were a catholic priest and decided to convey secret sayings of Jesus through somebody, i'd be sure to try and kill them and, hell, why don't I just mock Christ while I'm at it. Additionally, possession by human spirit is ubiblical as far as i know. Not that movie writers care, but hey, you're trotting on some serious ground, you may as well do it right. The only place I can recall that refers to the spirits of dead saints is where one of the gospels refers to John the baptist coming "in the spirit of Elijah," as in the same calling. Another would be Old Testament where the witch at En Dor calls up the spirit of one of the saints for some king that needed guidance. And finally at the mount of transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appear to Christ and Peter, James, and John. Never possession though, because again, the man or woman of God will be indwelled with the Holy Spirit, which will share our earthen vessels with none, especially the enemy. Keep up the great web site and more importantly your personal walk with Christ! -Brian Grissom |
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| MORE COMMENTS ON
BLAIR WITCH
WHO
DO YOU BLAME? NOT
A TRUE "HORROR" FILM |
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| CHRISTIANS
CAN NOT UNITE October 14, 1999. (Re: Dogma) It is such a shame that Christians cannot unite as one body and evil does it so perfectly. Until that day comes Jesus won't come. --DENNIS |
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| ABOUT
STIGMATA October 13, 1999. Dear David, I had a friend recently ask me to go see Stigmata and tell me what I thought spiritually about the film, for he was frightened about some aspects of it. After viewing the film, I can see his standpoint. If one doesn't know the Bible very well, this film would spur some fear in me as well. At one point as Father Andrew Kiernan explains stigmata to Frankie he states that as one gets closer to Christ they are more susceptible to demonic attacks. Nothing could be further from the truth. If one is truly born again in Jesus Christ, they now are empowered by the Holy Spirit of God Almighty, the power that raised Jesus from death itself. As one walks the holy life God desires, he will more likely be subject to more spiritual attack, but being subject to and susceptible to are two different animals. The episodes of Aramaic speech, writing, and manifestation are clearly demonic, as one of the other writers stated. The final kicker was when Kiernan is visiting her and almost kisses her. As she proceeds to almost kill him she aquires a knife and sloppily cuts her arm saying, "blood of Christ!" totally mockingly. Yah, if i were a catholic priest and decided to convey secret sayings of Jesus through somebody, i'd be sure to try and kill them and, hell, why don't I just mock Christ while I'm at it. Additionally, possession by human spirit is unbiblical as far as i know. Not that movie writers care, but hey, you're trotting on some serious ground, you may as well do it right. The only place I can recall that refers to the spirits of dead saints is where one of the gospels refers to John the baptist coming "in the spirit of Elijah," as in the same calling. Another would be Old Testiment where the witch at En Dor calls up the spirit of one of the saints for some king that needed guidance. And finally at the mount of transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appear to Christ and Peter, James, and John. Never possession though, because again, the man or woman of God will be indwelled with the Holy Spirit, which will share our earthen vessels with none, especially the enemy. Keep up the great web site and more importantly your personal walk with Christ! -Brian Grissom |
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| MORE
ON THE OMEGA CODE
STOPPED
SENDING MONEY TO TBN EXCELLENT A
GOOD, DECENT FILM THIS
MOVIE (OMEGA CODE) IS HORRIBLE SUPPORT
THE "OMEGA CODE" I
SAW THE "OMEGA CODE" OMEGA
CODE |
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| ALL
THE THAT CUSSIN AND SMOKIN October 13, 1999. (Re: Blair Witch). I personally did not find this movie scary (except perhaps by the bad acting). If one is to believe this movie, the natural way humans express their fears is by incessant use of the f word and going through a week's worth of cigarettes in one weekend. No wonder the witch got so angry - all that cussin' and smokin' going on in her woods. It was basically a movie about rude, worldly young 'uns with no strong belief in anything but themselves running around messing with things they could not understand. I am glad to read these other comments about the overuse of the f word. I am not an easily offended person, but I was offended because of the gross insult to my intelligence as I watched this movie. I sat in stunned amazement as those around me discussed whether or not this movie was a fake. DUH! I was sorry I went to this movie, and sorry that so many are deceived by such tripe. |
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| IS
THERE A MUSIC HOLLYWOOD JESUS? October 12, 1999. I have visited your site and found it very insightful. But I was wondering if you are aware of any websites that deal with mainstream music (that is, not Christian) from a Christian standpoint. Recommending what not to buy, and such. If you could help I would be very grateful. Yours in Christ, -Jeff My response: No, I do not. Hopefully there will be such a page in Hollywood Jesus in the near future. |
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| MORE
ON AMERICAN BEAUTY
SOME
THOUGHTS ON "AMERICAN BEAUTY" AMERICAN
BEAUTY AND QUIET DESPERATION |
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| JOAN
OF ARC October 10, 1999. (Re: The Messenger) I have noticed a recent strain of double movies about the same subject, be it volcanoes, meteors, ants, or, most recently, haunted houses. Next we have a duo about the same feisty French girl. Of course, I cannot pass judgment until I have seen both of them, but thus far I have liked the first movie to hit theaters better than its mate, which puts the ball in Milla Jovovich's court. That's not a very good reason, I know, but I think there are other ones. One good reason is John Malcovich. Another is Dustin Hoffman. And, because I can't stress it enough, there's John Malcovich. But I think the real reason is Luc Besson. He's a cool and elegant director, who manages to get both coolness and elegance in the same scene (see the diva fight in 5th Element), which is essential if Joan of Arc is to connect emotionally with its audience. And, most importantly, he's the director of La Femme Nikita, which gives him quite the upper hand at creating strong, complex female characters in the military. -Rob |
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| WHAT
IF THE MATRIX IS REAL? October 9, 1999. (Re: The Matrix) I Don't wish to strike more fear into your hearts then is already abundant, but what if this is not fiction but fact. What would you do about it? The movie did not end with the destruction of the facsimile reality, it ended at a point in time where everything looked as if the war was won. This is only one of many battles before and after these events. Yet it is the only inspiration we have had of late. What this movie does show us is that the super natural need not be evil, we can be super natural and still be good, This is the way of Christ. We should follow his lead. -Michael |
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| GOD
IS DISPLEASED WITH AMERICANS BECAUSE OF HOLLYWOOD October 9. 1999. I'm very concerned about the lack of moral responsibility that Americans display when it comes to sending messages to the world. One day will come when God is going to make you pay for your evilness. It is pathetic how the average American citizen spends time consuming Hollywood garbage that only promotes hate and stupidity. It seems like Americans are very pleased with the way the world is. They just want to keep the level of ignorance, selfishness, racism, violence and suffering that Hollywood celebrates and maintains. The big Hollywood moguls are not interested and changing this situation, what for?, it's doing great so far. Their greediness has no limits. American people are just blind puppets. I hope this little message brings some light to the blind. GUILLERMO C. FERNANDEZ My responses: Americans are not to different from the people in your own country. I have seen Hispanic films and I fail to see the difference in the variety of subject matter. Greed and sensationalism is a world wide problem. We are all in this together. It is a human problem. Your comments come very close to anti-Americanism, which seems out of line with your concerns about racism and hate. You maybe right about the lack of moral responsibility in the film industry in general. I do believe, however, that there are some incredible people out there who have integrity and are trying to make a difference. |
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| 12
MONKEYS HAS MESSAGE OF HOPE October 6, 1999. (Re: 12 Monkeys) The message of hope in the film was that although JC could not change a rather bleak future (apocalypse is nasty business, not everyone gets to go to heaven and those who do, have to endure loads of crap), JC's mission, after all, is to not to prevent it from happening, but to obtain a sample so that a vaccine or treatment (salvation from sin) could be found. The movie deals with the various planes of reality and the future--just because JC serves his fate by dying at the end of the movie doesn't mean the movie has a negative message. You forget that although JC from the future dies, the 8 year-old JC lives on. Also, there is hope that the virus can be treated in the future, as shown in the end when the "insurance" lady (who is the same woman as the scientist from the future, come back to perhaps, salvage JC's mission) has/will succeed. There is a suggestion that she has obtained at least 1 or 2 samples of the red-haired apocalyptic nut's virus (note that when the nut was at the airport, the receptionist listed off about 9 or 10 of his destinations; compare that to the 7 locations JC previously memorized--ergo, there must have been at least 2 of his intended samples missing). Now how you interpret the ending as a religious statement is another matter.... |
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| LIKED
JACOB'S LADDER October 6, 1999. (Re: Jacob's Ladder) I watch hundreds of movies at the theater each year, but this film shot me out of myself for several hours. Go and see it. If you have already seen and liked it, go and see John Frankenheimer's 'Seconds' (1966) - you'll be blasted off as well. Ergo (Germany) PS: post email. mine2@iname.com |
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| MORE
ON THE SIXTH SENSE
THE
COLOR RED IN SIXTH SENSE HEARTWARMING
THRILLER! DISCUSSED
"SIXTH SENSE "ALL EVENING AFTERWARDS "SIXTH
SENSE" MAKES SENSE |
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| HOLLYWOOD
JESUS PASSES OUT FORBIDDEN FRUIT. October 5, 1999. Like your Mother Eve you are taking from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad and when with man you give him some to eat.. Feeding him of the forbidden fruit killing him in you teachings. Your Creator says:' Who told you?" Your brothers are necked and you need to cloth then in righteousness that they will not die. Are you not from your Father the Serpent and your Mother Eve? Do you not run around saying: "to all you meet that it is how FAIR I SEE and how SAD U SEE ?" Are you not the Pharisees and all those who lesson to you and your teaching are the Saddusees. You are the ones who put the word of the Creator to death. Now you have been JUDGED ! ! ! ! ! -JDAF My response: Thank you for your concern. If I am judged then I am SAD U SEE. Oh well, that's the way it goes. Your e-mail has a condemning and hopeless feel about it. In exchange for your curse on me, I send you a blessing: God loves you and God even loves a sinner like me. May God bless you and direct you in ways of love, kindness, mercy, and gentleness (Gal. 5:22). |
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| MARY
AS MOTHER OF JESUS October 3, 11999. (Re: Mary and Jesus) I can't imagine a more beautiful story than that of Mary, the Mother of God! I just hope that it can adequately express the purity and love that she represents. Most people don't think about her nursing, bathing, and caring for the Son of God. She took care of him, and I hope that NBC presents her as the true Blessed Virgin that she is. Joseph Baumgarte |
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| HOLLYWOOD
JESUS IS NOT CHRISTIAN. October 1, 1999. Your "Hollywood Jesus" is NOT the real Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible! You, sir, had better repent! 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4. You, sir, cannot deny the Word of God. REAL Christians separate from the things of the world, they don't PROMOTE THEM! -Russ My response: Thank you for taking time to write. I looked up the wonderful Bible references you so thoughtfully sent. I agree with them, but I believe we disagree about the application. Hollywood Jesus takes its approach from Paul in Athens (see Acts 17:16-34). I am a Christian who is very much involved IN the world. I am just not OF it. I must say, your e-mail lacks a sense of grace. Oh, well, no big deal, perhaps its been a bad day for you. May God bless you and smile on your day. |
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| Your
Comments. Post your thoughts for all to read. Please include your "name." I will not post your e-mail address unless you want me to. CLICK HERE Comments_E-mail Your
Private Comments. Hollywood
Jesus News Letter |
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