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with comments by David Bruce

WONDERFULLY ANTI-DISNEY
Subject: Shrek Review
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Jon

Wonderfully Anti-Disney Upon going to see Shrek, I had somewhat limited expectations.

From the trailer, it looked like your typical Disney-produced drivel. To my surprise, the theatre was filled with teenagers and adults, not just children, and I found my optimism for the film growing slightly. Low and behold, within the first 5 minutes of the film I was pleasantly surprised with its adult-oriented humor. Let this be a lesson to everyone (including myself).never judge a film by its trailer. The animation of this film was intense. Not intense in a way to take away from horrible holes in the plot (this movie had an excellent plot, for a animated feature, very surprising) but intense in a way to add to the overall visual experience, as eye candy. The voice of Mike Myers (with a slight accent) is excellent and is well suited to the character of Shrek, as is the voice of Cameron Diaz (the princess), Eddie Murphy (the talking donkey), and John Lithgow (Lord Farquaad). Each individual actor/actress lends their vocal talents, and steps up to the task beautifully. The plot is so anti-Disney I was both shocked and overjoyed at the same time; extensive use of Disney characters throughout the story is simply hilarious, and is clearly not done to cast Disney in a positive light. The ending, well, it goes against everything Disney has done. Think "Beauty and the Beast" without the "Beast" turning into a handsome prince. That's right, true beauty is * gasp * from within. Maybe Disney can wrap their collective heads around that one sometime soon. Overall Shrek is an enjoyable film, with enough humor for both adults and children alike, and enough material to make any anti Disney advocate proud.

MICKEY AS A GODLY FIGURE
Subject: Snatch - Movie Review
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Dave Sawatsky

The key factors in this movie were Mickey being a Godly figure, and the unknown. Mickey was almost like a Godly figure to Turkish by controlling Turkish's fate, and the unknown was that Turkish never knew what was going on the whole time. He was tossed around with bad luck and circumstances, and Mickey was the administrator of that. Turkish had almost resigned himself, he had hit his low in dealing with the wrong sort of people, but was redeemed by the same man that he had lost trust in. In the end, despite the way things were seeming to go, Mickey saved Turkish from what seemed his inevitable demise. He had brought Turkish into the downward spiral by knocking out a man when he wasnt supposed to, and then continued to make it worse by doing it all over again, with more stakes on it. In the end Turkish sees Mickey knock out a man when he wasnt supposed again (this is the last straw for Turkish according to the men he is dealing with). From his perspective, he cannot see how this can work out for the good in any way possible, he has resigned himself, BUT, Mickey has other plans. Mickey takes care of business, not in the way that Turkish had been expecting, but definitely effective. In a sense Mickey had been in control of Turkish's fate the whole time, almost as a Godly figure watching over his children.

DEFENDING MY STATEMENT
Subject: Crouching Tiger
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Tracey Bauer

On March 15, I wrote a little something about different cultures and this movie. I believe you misunderstood me. I was writing in response to another message in which the gentleman writes, "the jade fox definitly represents the devil." It was statements like this that I had in mind when I wrote about forcing your own culture's ideas onto another. This movie was in a totally different cultural mindset, one that puts little or no emphasis on Christianity. I wanted others to understand that those who were a part of this movie had no such "Christian" symbolism in mind. Please don't misunderstand, but in a Sunday School environment, one may be able to draw comparison. I believe that, though this can be done, a person cannot assuredly claim that "the jade fox represents the devil" when this was more than likely not the intention of the writers, directors, producers, actors, etc. of the movie.
Tracey Bauer (college student)

MEMO IS A CHRISTIAN
Subject: Driven
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Darren J. Seeley

I am extremely surprised that HJ didn't really mention much about actor Christian de La Frente, whose character, Memo, is a Christian, or at best a strict Catholic. He wears a cross around his neck, prays to God before a race, and when he is in the accident you can make a good arguement that it wasn't his time, God looked out for him, and his teammates and even the rival (!) came to help him out. Those drivers were used by God-and "the world" caught out and critiqued them for it. There was a (unbelievable) subplot coming out of left field where Jim Blye is 'sold out' for doing something right at the expense of his injury.

I really enjoyed this film, I wished more people went to see it. I suppose -even though it is Formula One racing, there is that awkward "Winning is the only thing" speech by Carl (Reynolds). Since 'safety' is secondary, audiences might have been turned off. After all, in NASCAR racing, Dale Earnhart Sr. was a recent tragedy, and in any sport, safety is ALWAYS an issue. So is life and death. You also did not mention when Beau gets back with his wife that he remains faithful, even breaking the bet of a Formula One groupie of sorts ("I made a bet that I can kiss every driver here. I win $50 if I do it." she says. She leans over to kiss Beau. He stops her and smiles "You just lost your bet")

Also there is shots of drivers prepping for the Big Race; many are thinking of thier friends, families, etc.
-Darren J. Seeley

PSYOPS
Subject: Ninth_Gate
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Marty

I have not seen the movie and will not. But here's my thoughts on what I have read and seen. Satan is indeed the master deceiver and is in the business of "disinformation". By sending up enough false ideas and stories about Hell, himself and God he is able to dupe the unsuspecting into thinking that he just may have some "light" for them. Polanski is just continuing the theme he started in my generation with Rosemary's Baby. He is just cashing in on the Devil. Much like iD software, who's former office was in an all black building on the 6th floor and the office number was 666 (they made Quake, the game).
Marty

OVER DOING EVERYTHING
Subject: A_Knights_Tale
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: ECMNA

I thought that this movie started with a good plot and all but it really seemed that they kept overdoing everything. One example of this was when his "lover" wanted him to lose for her and then when he did this for her and went through this the hard way. Then she wanted him to win for her at the last possible second. It's not the fact that she does this that is cheesy it's the fact that he wins. There are many examples of this in the movie. It seems like the scriptwriters were running out of ideas. It started out as a very poor movie and you would think that it couldn't get much worse right, Wrong. Now they decide that it would be funny to put a Nike swoosh on his armor. I don't know who thought that up but that was just a little over the top. So you can see although the movie started with a descent script it shows how a few little things can ruin a movie. Another thing that just made the movie was the accents. Williams' "lover" made the worst attempt at a British accent I have ever seen. The whole time she was going back and forth between a British and American accent, which just made the already hard to follow movie even harder to follow. Therefore this was a movie that isn't worth paying spending the money on and a waste of time. I would recommend that you don't see this movie and saver yourselves the 10 bucks.

OVER DOING EVERYTHING
Subject: A_Knights_Tale
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: ECMNA

I thought that this movie started with a good plot and all but it really seemed that they kept overdoing everything. One example of this was when his "lover" wanted him to lose for her and then when he did this for her and went through this the hard way. Then she wanted him to win for her at the last possible second. It's not the fact that she does this that is cheesy it's the fact that he wins. There are many examples of this in the movie. It seems like the scriptwriters were running out of ideas. It started out as a very poor movie and you would think that it couldn't get much worse right, Wrong. Now they decide that it would be funny to put a Nike swoosh on his armor. I don't know who thought that up but that was just a little over the top. So you can see although the movie started with a descent script it shows how a few little things can ruin a movie. Another thing that just made the movie was the accents. Williams' "lover" made the worst attempt at a British accent I have ever seen. The whole time she was going back and forth between a British and American accent, which just made the already hard to follow movie even harder to follow. Therefore this was a movie that isn't worth paying spending the money on and a waste of time. I would recommend that you don't see this movie and saver yourselves the 10 bucks.

MEMO IS A CHRISTIAN
Subject: Driven
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Darren J. Seeley

I am extremely surprised that HJ didn't really mention much about actor Christian de La Frente, whose character, Memo, is a Christian, or at best a strict Catholic. He wears a cross around his neck, prays to God before a race, and when he is in the accident you can make a good arguement that it wasn't his time, God looked out for him, and his teammates and even the rival (!) came to help him out. Those drivers were used by God-and "the world" caught out and critiqued them for it. There was a (unbelievable) subplot coming out of left field where Jim Blye is 'sold out' for doing something right at the expense of his injury.

I really enjoyed this film, I wished more people went to see it. I suppose -even though it is Formula One racing, there is that awkward "Winning is the only thing" speech by Carl (Reynolds). Since 'safety' is secondary, audiences might have been turned off. After all, in NASCAR racing, Dale Earnhart Sr. was a recent tragedy, and in any sport, safety is ALWAYS an issue. So is life and death. You also did not mention when Beau gets back with his wife that he remains faithful, even breaking the bet of a Formula One groupie of sorts ("I made a bet that I can kiss every driver here. I win $50 if I do it." she says. She leans over to kiss Beau. He stops her and smiles "You just lost your bet")

Also there is shots of drivers prepping for the Big Race; many are thinking of thier friends, families, etc.
-Darren J. Seeley

PSYOPS
Subject: Ninth_Gate
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Marty

I have not seen the movie and will not. But here's my thoughts on what I have read and seen. Satan is indeed the master deceiver and is in the business of "disinformation". By sending up enough false ideas and stories about Hell, himself and God he is able to dupe the unsuspecting into thinking that he just may have some "light" for them. Polanski is just continuing the theme he started in my generation with Rosemary's Baby. He is just cashing in on the Devil. Much like iD software, who's former office was in an all black building on the 6th floor and the office number was 666 (they made Quake, the game).
Marty

NEWSLETTER #26 COMMENTS

WELCOMING CHURCH
Newsletter #26
Subject: Centenary United Methodist, St. Louis, MO
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Gwen Trullinger

Hi, Beginning July 1, I will be the senior pastor at Centenary United Methodist at 55 Plaza Square, St. Louis, MO 63103. From all I have learned thus far, Centenary is very inclusive and will be a wonderful place of ministry.
Thanks, Gwen Trullinger

Response: -David

WHAT HAPPENED TO RESPECTING OTHERS?
Subject: Newsletter #26
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Kevin

hello Hollywood Jesus man-
When I first saw your site I was immediately intrigued. Hollywood and Jesus.......how could they ever go together??? I wonder what movies Jesus would like if he was in human form here today? Jesus was much deeper than people like to realize and quite the rebel.

We Christians seems to forget all the rules he broke and the people he made mad. I am a new Christian of a couple of years and the "cookie cutter" is big around my parts. But, I just say let God deal with me and I'll let Him deal with you. I love Jesus and the Bible is my source of comfort and the way I feel closer to God. My husband and I also often go to the movies. We don't even pay attention to the ratings. If their is a good movie we go see it....no matter what the rating. I love your Site. Keep up the good work.

May God Bless you and continue to use you to OPEN up people's minds, Pam

Response: Thank you Pam. I am with you. Jesus was a rebel! People tend to forget the real character of Jesus. Thanks for the affirming words. And yes, what did happen to respect? -David

A REALLY COOL CHURCH
Newsletter #26
Subject: Without Walls International Church, Tampa, Florida
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Mary E. Lowther

"Without Walls International Church" in Tampa, Florida (by Raymond James Stadium). Pastors Randy and Paula White minister to a 5000 strong congregation of roughly 1/3 white, 1/3 hispanic, and 1/3 black believers along with the many outcast tatooed, long-haired, whatever seekers. This is a bible based church, speaking the truth of God. There are 250 outreach programs to the inner city, kids, etc. All are welcomed.
Mary E. Lowther,
OTR, D.C. Certified
NeuroEmotional Practitioner
813.281.1820

KEEP THE FAITH
Newsletter #26
Subject: Keep The Faith
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Paula

Mr. Bruce: I am writing to encourage you to continue your ministry here on the Hollywood Jesus web site. You recently published a newsletter article accusing the Baby Boomer Church Leaders of holding the church hostage. Those are fightin' words! Jesus said similarly challenging words to the religious leaders of his day. If the master is rejected, how can the servant expect to be treated any better? Of course, these words coming from me prove that you are in the enemy's camp. I am not an agnostic, atheist, or pagan. I am worse. I am a liberal Episcopalian. If God is calling you and empowering you for this ministry, who will stop you?
Paula

Response: Thank you. I really believe something new is in the wind. -David

A COOL NON JUDGEMENTAL CHURCH
Newsletter #26
Subject: Eastgate Christian Fellowship
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: "rob woodrum"

Love your stuff. Don't always agree...but that matters little. You rock dude...Jesus bless you big. Hang in there, no matter what fools may say.
Rob
(pastor, Eastgate Christian Fellowship)
www.eastgatefellowship.net
www.javalooyah.com

COOL CHURCH
Newsletter #26
Subject: River Hills Christian Church
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Jeff Metzger

River Hills Christian Church Office: 683 Loveland-Madeira Road Loveland, OH 45140 Meets at: Oasis Conference Center 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road Loveland, OH 45140 Phone: 513-677-7600 Web: www.riverhillscc.com This healthy new church is doing a series called Summer at the Movies starting in July, 2001.

TEACHING CHILDREN
Subject: Newsletter #26 About_R-Rated
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: Jane

I am not sure that I am sending this to the write address given, but here goes. When our kids were young teens and preteens we had a rule in our house, no r-rated movies. It made it easier to keep tabs on what movies were brought into our house. As the years have gone on the line between r and pg-13 has become very blurred. And after finding your sight and reading some of your reviews we have altered our stance a bit. I have seen some quality r-rated movies that I feel good about seeing, for in stance The Patriot" and I have avoided some pg 13s and even pgs that I might otherwise have seen that would not have been right for my husbabd and I to spend our time and $$ on. (our children are now adults and hopefully use some discretion and judgement in what they watch. After all that is what is really important...teaching our children to make wise decisions and not just controlling what they see and hear while they live with us!)
Sorry for rambling..keep up the good work.

Response: You are totally right on. I hope all parents weill follow your lead. -David

WAY TO GO
Subject: Newsletter #26
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: gord taylor

I have really appreciated your site. I was initially very skeptical, expecting the usual "christianize" schlock, but was very pleasantly surprised to see that you fairly looked at films without mashing them into some cookie cutter mold. Though I have been a Christian most of my life I have never been comfortable being identified as such. This has nothing to do with Jesus, but all to do with popular contemporary Christianity (so called). I too have been questioned and prejudged ( I'm a philosophy major, graphic artist, anarchist, punk music aficionado) so I can understand where you are coming from, and your response from "narrow majority". Just thought you should know that not all Christians are down on your thing, some of us find strength and solidarity from it. Be encouraged. Goredough

Response: I appreciate your kind and affirming words. Thank you. -David

SOME WORDS OF PRAISE
Subject: Newsletter #26
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: Ben

Mr. Bruce, I have been getting your e-mails ever since my youth pastor told me about your site, and let me tell you that I think you are right on the money. First of all, your tone reminds me of three books that I have read, Dangerous Wonder, by Mike Yacconelli, The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning, and Roaring Lambs, by Bob Briner. Wait. Make that four. In my rather inexperienced view of the Bible, your insights are exactly congruent and theologically consistent with scripture. If you haven't read this book, Roaring Lambs, I'd recommend it, because I'd imagine you and Briner share this same vision. Either way, what you are doing and talking about is one of the most important things the church should be doing right now. Culture must be relevant to the church, and the church must be relevant to culture; not through reactive criticism and isolating bigotry, but by proactive efforts such as your newsletter. I hope you don't go back to those churches who attacked you, and I hope no one else does. In my corner of the world, there are a group of people in my church who think like you, and on behalf of them, I must say keep up the good work. As you spoke of in your last letter, there are major generational differences, and I sincerely hope Generation X will not grow up to be their parents. There is hope, and your efforts will eventually pay off. Thank You for your time and effort putting all this together, and I look forward to the next letter!
Ben

Response: Ben, thank you for the affirmations. I have read Roaring Lambs -a real favorite. Also, I believe something new is beginning to come forth. A new direction, I can really sense it. I want to be a part of it. The modern era is over. The Boomer churches (Thomas Kinkade family fellowship types) have had their day. I believe God is breaking forthe something brand new and very different. -David

YOUR OPEN MINDED CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
Subject: Newsletter #26
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: T

Dear HJ,
Let me begin by telling you that I thoroughly enjoy your newsletter and appreciate everything you are trying to accomplish ( although I dont always agree with you). I assume this is the same free thinking and respect you are endorsing. While I applaud your attempt to find some Christian good in almost every movie, methinks thou trieth too hard. While I agree that its not what goes in that is the problem, but what goeth out, some movies are so chock-full of worldly evil as to have no good value at all. ( Ninth Gate, for example, was foul for the soul as well as beig a thoroughly crappy movie).

I am saddened by your experience with the very closed-minded church, saddened for them more than you. If they are as you say, they are missing out on most of the joy and glory that Jesus so wants us to have. Everything about the experience you relayed was so off base as to what Jesus is about. Jesus WAS about hanging with the very most lost, this is true. But be very careful when you do. We are also commissioned to live IN the world but be not OF the world. When you encourage people to be free-thinkers, there is a very real danger of trying to fit Jesus into a box that will fit into our lives. This is every bit as bad as the person who uses Jesus as a stage to look down on others from or a club to beat others into submission. If we study the word and realize that our righteousness is filthy rags, we may begin to glimpse the awesome love that God has for us.

I am an emersed, God loving, Bible believing Christian. I believe in loving everybody, "punkers, gothics, blue collars, suits, divorced, singles, outcasts, freaks, geeks, doubters, the broken and abused, smokers, drinkers and maybe even a few "Thomas Kinkade perfect family" types". But loving them is not the same as accepting what they do, what they may be "about" right now. I can love a homosexual person (some of the nicest guys I have ever met are gay) but uttery reject the behavior and lifestyle. I cannot accept it, endorse it in any way. And I object to anyone who tries to force me into acceptance. But I still love them. For some people, this is very hard to even understand, let alone live it. But it is exactly what Jesus did. He hung with the prostitutes, the dregs of society. But he did not condone the behavior, nor did he tolerate it in his presence ( look at the moneychangers). Big difference.

The point I am trying to make is this: study the Word. Find out what Jesus was really about. Dont just follow the man in the pulpit. THAT is the best free-thinking you can do for yourslef. Dont shy away from whats going on in the world, but ALWAYS remember who you are and why He has put us here. Being like Jesus means accepting everyone but rejecting unhealthy lifestyles, behaviors and attitudes. It is our burden to show His better way. Differences? The more the merrier....as long as the differences are within the boundaries of scripture. I will continue to see movies of all types (other than X) because they are often entertaining and enlightening. But ultimately, I'm gonna dance with He who brought me to the party.
God's Love and Peace to All,
~T.

Response: I like your last line. Clever. -David

I'M A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
Subject: Newsletter #26
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001
From: "Jakob Smith"

Hi David, Having enjoyed reading about your last visits to the churches, I just wanted to write you a few words.

You have made a number of email-adresses for the different types of persons out there, and I just came to think that each of the questions you pose there designates a problem that every christian church have to deal with from time to time. Even those churches that seems to have gotten the focus right. Because the church is build up from living stones it can begin to wander in the wrong direction if it's not guided.

Maybe people become like those you've described out of a sincere hope of serving God in "the right way", just like the pharisees. And maybe we are all, as christians, in danger of acting likewise, when we are going to put into action all the fine words. It can take some time to understand practically that we can't earn us into the love of God.

I guess my point here is to see the positive in this and that we can learn something from it. I'm reminded of a two good books that I've read about God's love for us. They're by Floyd McClung and their names are: "The Father Heart of God" and "Learning To Love the God That Loves You". There are some good words in them about knowing God better, not only as a condemning and angry God, but also as a very very very loving father.

My background is that I'm from Denmark, 24 yrs old, attending a baptist church where I was baptised a month ago. I come from a somewhat lutheran background, because in Denmark you are automatically a member of the lutheran state-church if your parents are and if they don't decide otherwise for you. I was both baby- baptised and confirmed there, without ever really understanding what or rather who the center of christianity is. That is one problem I have with the danish state-church, that it seems that it has become so much of a culture that the personal relationship with God has been forgotten. But then again I never really became a part of it, so my overview can be imprecise.

In the last 4-5 years I've come to know Jesus Christ through some friends and accepted him as my Lord and Saviour. I have settled now in the baptist church, but I have also come into contact with some very charismatic churches. I went there by my own free will, i.e. not forced, and also because I was looking for a congregation to be a part of. These encounters with tongue-speaking, falling and so on gave me a lot of doubts about myself and whether I was really saved and so on and I still meet this very devastating fear from time to time. The fear can be expressed in the following question: "If I'm not acting like them, with tongue-speaking, loooong hours of worship-singing, lots of "Amen"'s and "Halleluja"'s etc., am I then a real christian and am I still a member of the community of the holy spirit?"

I had a hard time reconciling the quiet times at home where I was speaking, crying and praying to God with these very noisy meetings. Trying to deal with it I researched a bit on the internet on the subject of the charismatic movement, word of faith etc., but what really helped me was meeting some people in the baptist church and in other contexts, that reminded me that the holy spirit has many ways of dealing with us. The research also gave me bad feelings because you (or I) could see it as a way of doubting that those things I had witnessed at those meetings were what it was said they were. I guess that I was afraid that God would punish me for doubting my experiences.

It's really hard to visit those feelings when I write this, but I feel it is very important to share them, so people can read how crazy ones ideas can get. Enough of that for now. I really like reading Hollywood Jesus and the newsletters.
Thanks for doing it. :)
Jakob Smith

Response: Thank you Jakob for sharing your story. You have had a very interesting journey. May God continue to bless you and make the adventure exciting. I have been in every church imaginable. It's interesting to saw the least. Thank you for the affirmation. -David

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