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with comments by David Bruce

NO SWORDFISH
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001
From: D. L. Porter

David-- I would first like to say that I really enjoy your site and usually visite there a few times a month or after I've seen a movie. However, my question is--Will there be no review for SWORDFISH? There is nothing on your site about it and I was just curious.
Thank you. D. L. Porter

Response: Maybe I will get to it. -David

JUST WHEN I THOUGH...
Bettie_Page
Subject: David, just when I thought you couldn't surprise me again...
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001
From: Joe Admire

...Hollywood Jesus leaves my jaw slack in delight and amazement, with your full-length treatment of the amazing Bettie Page (complete with pictures - it'd be illogical to write about the greatest of 'em all and not _show_ what one is talking about, right?) I think you could probably do a whole another feature on all the modern pop-culture references to Bettie. Not to mention the whole subculture of pinup modeling itself; you can _tell_ the difference between pre-Bettie and post-Bettie pinup art. (Compare Bill Ward and Fritz Willis with, say, Gil Evgren and George Petty, and you'll see what I mean.)

Not to toot my own horn - well, all right, I'm tooting my own horn - but my website, For the Love of Opera Gloves, has a big gallery page dedicated to Bettie:
http://www.operagloves.com/superstars/bettiepage.html
(Apologies in advance for any broken image links, I just moved the site to a new host last month and I'm still trying to catch up.) Bettie, as you know, frequently wore opera-length gloves in her shoots. In fact, you might want to start from the beginning:
http://www.operagloves.com/glovmain.html
and cruise around for more examples of how profoundly Bettie has affected American culture's idea of what is sexy in the past half-century. (For some bizarre reason - I must have been demented - I didn't get around to adding Bettie to the site's galleries until several months after I had founded it. Yeah, I know, shame on me...) If people are looking for Bettie websites, one of the best I know of is Planet Bettie.
-Joe-

ATLANTIS REVIEW
Subject: Atlantis_The_Lost_Empire
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001
From: Bethany

I was quite appalled upon viewing Atlantis a few days ago with my three children, ages 5-15. Even my five-year-old was unhappy with the amount of New Age, Eastern mysticism-type mumbo-jumbo in this movie. In looking for a fun, Indiana Jones kind of adventure movie, we found a violent, incoherent, badly-plotted movie that opens even small children up to acceptance of New Age ideas and practices. These are evidenced in the movie's elements that rely on the healing power of crystals, the main crystal which "kept the whole civilization alive" and was powered by the emotions of past inhabitants, the human sacrifice aspect of the "crystal consciousness" selecting a person to be sacrificed when the civilization becomes threatened, to name a few. All are anti-Christian and even demon-honoring concepts that young children should not be exposed to.

This movie is just one more media element (like Harry Potter) that could very easily cause children to take an interest in Eastern or New Age religious practices that involve crystals and manipulation of power. I would not recommend this movie at all for any Christian family.

Response: Did we see the same film? "Anti-Christian and even demon-honoring concepts" you say! Somehow, this is not my idea of an anti-Christian film. I am curious, what do you think of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe"? Or, T.R.R Tolkien's "Lord of the Ring"? What do you think of the "Ghost of Christmas Past"? Why do you think that New Age groups experience little growth? Oh well, just wondering. -David

IMPRESSIVE ESSAY
Subject: 'lord_of_the_rings
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001
From: Eric Stoverink

I found your essay very impressive. I sure you already heard from other readers about how Tolkien implied that there was no allegory in his story, so I'm not going to go into that.

But assuning for moment that allegory was present, another angle you could take is that the rise of Man in Middle-earth and the fading of "divine" powers, is in fact part of the preparation of the revelation of God in the world. Remember that this story is supposed to take place before recorded history, so maybe in the 4th or 5th age, Illuvitar, (aka Eru) does in fact take on human form to sacrifice himself for the salvation of mankind. It just so happenes that that episode does not take place in this part of the tale. This part of the rtale eakes place before the coming of Jesus, before David, before Noah and the Flood, and maybe even before Abraham. Then again it may be comtemporary to any of these figure, just in a different part of the world where these are unknown.

J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic (his name is even in the New Jerusalem Bible as being one of the several translators) and I am certain that he would not intentionally write anything to downplay Christianity. We seem to be in agreement that The Lord of the Rings is a remarkable story, and hopefully will be an equally remarkable movie trilogy. Thank You for the essay and for reading mine.
Eric Stoverink

PRAISE GOD FOR DYAN!
Subject: Dyan Cannon
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: Brent Young

I have always been amused by the Jewish leaders who chastised Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath; completely ignoring the fact that a whithered hand had been healed. They saw the Law and could not see the supernatural right before their eyes. Dyan does not hold any degrees in theology (would a tax collector or fisherman be better credentials than an actor?) and does not conform with everyone's rules for how it is "supposed" to be done. This also reminds me of the disciples jealousy about other people casting out demons. It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is doing this, not Dyan.

Dyan, if you ever read this. God bless you, keep it up. Follow the Holy Spirit and ignore the Pharasee criticism.
Brent Young

MISSING THE TRUTH
Subject: Lord of the Rings
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: "Jeremy Yoder"

To whom it may concern, This analysis of the relationship between J. R. R. Tolkien's faith and work is correct on many points, but manages to miss the truth. In the past academic year I researched and wrote a paper on this very subject, and while I am far from an expert I do believe I am qualified to correct a couple of points:

First: Tolkien was, in fact, a devout Catholic Christian. Further, he did not pick up his faith from his friend and colleague C. S. Lewis; Lewis picked his up from Tolkien. According to Humphrey Carpenter's book *The Inklings* (Houghton Mifflin, 1979), Tolkien was in fact instrumental in converting the rational materialist Lewis to the faith.

Second: Tokien would not have said that Middle Earth was based on some "T-mythology" precursor to the Bible. Rather, in his essay "On Fairy-Stories," (available in the book *Tree and Leaf,* from Houghton Mifflin, 1965) he explains his belief that since Man was created by God as a good being, anything created by Man will contain traces of God's truth. Tolkien would have said that the "T-mythology" was in fact God's truth, which is at the base of any of man's creative works from Greek mythology to modern cinema (this argument is apparently part of what helped Tolkein to win Lewis for Christ). While he did very clearly state in the introduction to the *Lord of the Rings* trilogy that the books were not meant to be allegorical, he would insist that as the product of his creative processes they would contain recognizeable traces of Christian truth. In her book *The Mythology of Middle Earth* (Houghton Mifflin, 1977), Ruth S. Noel explains that while Middle Earth is obviously based on Northern European mythology, Tolkien re-interprets his source material in ways that can only be called Christian.

For further reading on the Christian nature of Middle Earth, try Gracia Fay Ellwood's *Good News From Tolkien's Middle Earth,* published by William B. Eerdmans in 1970.
Jeremy Yoder

UNDER SEIGE BY FUNDAMENTALISTS
Subject: R rated movies etc Newsletter#26
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: Virginia

Hi, I signed your guest book after receiving your letter about R-rated movies. I have been subscribing to the newsletter since Number 9.

I don't watch R-rated movies as a rule -- too violent for me. But I do enjoy reading your reviews of them and I have seen a couple based on your reviews.

I do understand the violent reaction you received concerning your reviews. I live in a small Virginia town under seige by Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christians who want to rid the public library of 'gasp' homosexual materials and other non-Christian materials such as Mary Crow Dog's Lakota Woman, biographies of noted Impressionist artists such as Gaugaun (sp?) who lived X rated lives. Arg.

These 'Christian' folks are giving the rest of us a bad name. Even the Sons Of Confederate Veterans (we are a Southern town) have banded with the local Chinese Reading Community to request that the library keep all their materials intact including the questionable ones. (The SCV provide historical materials to the library and the CRC provide Chinese books for their readers.)

I have spoken to some of the folks and have discovered that they are afraid of the world we live in. My son is a bisexual and has been singled out by them for 'conversion'. He doesn't bother them and lives a quiet, and I think moral life. At least I haven't picked up a newspaper and read that he is in jail for armed robbery or other violent crimes.

Anyway, my son wishes that they were just go away and leave him alone. I wish they were go away and leave us alone. I do have problems with my son's sexuality but as Christ taught -- you love the sinner, and hate the sin. But as Christ loved the sinners, I try to follow His example with my son. I love my son and don't wish for these 'do-gooders' to interfere with their ignorance of our problems.

Sorry, if I babbled on, your newsletter brought that out in me. I am glad for your Christian POV and reviews.
Virginia
If you do publish this, please leave out my last name.

Response: My heart goes out to you. I have sent you a private note. God bless both you and your oh so pecious son. Thank you so much for your letter. I really appreciate it. I hope that as others read it they will be moved as much as I was and begin to understand. -David

QUESTION
Subject: Questions
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: Bob

Question 1: If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already; three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she had syphilis would you recommend that she have an abortion? Think about that, and don't immediately answer. Now, while you are thinking about the answer to the previous question, read the next question before scrolling down to the answer for this one.

Question 2: It is time to elect a new world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates:

Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs. Which of these candidates would be your choice for world leader?

Decide first (no peeking), then scroll down for the answer.

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt Candidate

B is Winston Churchill Candidate

C is Adolph Hitler And by the way:

If you answered yes to the abortion question, you just killed Beethoven.

Pretty interesting, isn't it? Makes a person think before judging someone. Remember: Amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic!
Lifting shadows off a dream once broken,
Bob www.jawbonemusic.com

BECOMING COMFORTABLE IN THE SKIN YOU ARE IN
Subject: Shrek
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: "Mike Parnell"

The thing about Shrek that I truly liked was that the ending was never about the princess becoming beautiful, but it was about becoming comfortable in the skin that your in. As I watched the story unfold, it was apparent that the quest to find and rescue the princess was more about Shrek becoming comfortable with his ogreness than it was about ridding his swamp of the creatures that Lord Farquaad banished there.

Shrek journeys to find himself and in the course finds a mate. The princess is struggling with becoming comfortable with herself because she believes the false self that walks around in the daylight hours may not be her final form. If she did she would have kissed Shrek and took on that final form.

Farquaad is a man out of touch with reality because he thinks that the princess will bring finality to his life and will add to what is missing. He is classically in denial as seen by his uncomfortably with his height.

I saw in Shrek the truth that God loves the broken and the imperfect. To become, one must ultimately accept the falleness that is imprinted on all of us. This comfortability is not acceptance as a cop out or acceptance as license, but acceptance as a fact of life. Shrek has to come to accept that he is an ogre and being an ogre is not what he thinks. Being an ogre means he looks different, he eats different, his hygiene habits are different. Yet, being an ogre means that he does bleed and he does hurt and he does laugh.

The choice of the song, "I'm a Believer," is an arrow back to this ultimate truth of the film. Believing in the fact that we all are not pretty but we all are loved and can love in return is a great truth to take home.

ZIDLER'S BID FOR THE CONCEPT OF DEATH IN SPACE AND TIME
Subject: Moulin_Rouge
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
From: Silvanus

It is critical to note that Zidler, jovial but compromised master illusionist of space-and-time that he is, actively 'sells' Satine the idea of her 'death' even after she has impressed that she loves Christian unequivocally and will risk all for him. In this moment, wherein Zidler is lit to look beyond Satanic, he tells her she is 'going to die' and that "Christian is a traveller, Satine. We... we are but creatures of the Underworld. We cannot afford to love." It's always telling that Zidler's compromised female companion refuses to verbally support Zidler when Satine asks him if her own death really is certain, but she remains complicent because she says nothing.

What a wonderful and instructive film.

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
Subject: Hi! Victimized_Christian_Newsletter 26
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
From: JoAnne

I wanted to share that I too, have been judged because of what I do. I "hang out" with, as much as they will "allow" me to do so, Jehovah's Witnesses. I do Bible studies with them, etc. I never pretend to be something that I am not, I even tell them straight up that I will never convert. However, they continue to study with me, and they come back week after week, as they are given questions by me, that they can't answer, and occasionally, one of them will find the Real Jesus, the Real Truth, and the Real Life, through their investigations, trying to find answers for me. That is what makes it worth it for me.

This probably seems like I am babbling, since it is hard to explain to a Christian, let alone a non-Christian. They usually only think that either I a Jehovah's Witness, or am considering becoming one, or that eventually, I will become brain-washed by them. I do not go to their "Kingdom Halls' or attend group events, though. I just study one-on-one with those who seem genuinely interested, but deceived by the Watchtower. I pray a lot!

The only way I can find to explain it, is that we are called to snatch others from the fire, and sometimes we have to go to the gates of hell to get them.

Thanks for listening,
JoAnne

THOUGHTS ON GREEN MILE
Subject: Green_Mile
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
From: Brian

I have enjoyed this thread on The Green Mile a great deal. I have to say, forst of all, that this film gave me a profound sense of spirituality. I love that films like this are made with the sole purpose of portraying an allegory of Christ.

I find it interesting to think about the space in the film. A prision, like in Shawshank, would normally denote isolation and desparity. But as we see, it is filled with the beauty of the human spirit. I find the irony of JC speach, saying that evil exists in the world, "everyday." Coming from inside a prison, there is an interesting thing happening in seeing the world as a kind of prison, full of evil. But as the contrast of spaces shows us, goodness lies in unexpected places. In looking at similar ironys of spaces, it is interesting that race is ostensibly incorporated in the story. For one, JC is black. Why might this be?Though he was found with the dead girls in his hand, I found a southern country town, with hunters and hound dogs tracking down a murderer to be significant. The white southerners, with suspected racial tendencies, are portrayed in the film negativly. Perhaps they "judge" by color, and would never suspect a white "wild Bill" to be capable of the evil he commits. Now, I am not saying this is a intergral part of the storyline, but it is interesting. I would like to see what others had to say about this.

I do have some speciffic questions I was hoping someone could answer. First, the necklace JC is given after he heals the brain tumor, is the figure on it significant? Also, though this may have been explained in the movie, why does Hanks' character live for so long. Is there a biblical connection? E mail: bnflemin@hotmail.com

SUNSHINE
Subject: sunshine
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
From: Irene Hill

I don't think that you have a review of the movie Sunshine. It would be good to see a review of it.
Thank you. Irene Hill

Response: So many films. So little time. -David

WHERE DID THEY MEET?
Subject: Pale Rider
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
From: Anthony

I have seen your Pale Rider site and had a question that has been perplexing to me about the very end of the movie. When Clint eastwood was about to shoot marshall stockman, stockman looks at clint eastwood and says "YOU!?". He says it as if he knows or recognizes him however I don't recal where in the movie they met. Any help on this question would be appreciated.
Thanks, Anthony

DISAPPOINTMENT
Subject: Newsletter 26
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001
From: Paula

I made a special effort to view the sitcom Kristen last week. Quite frankly, I was disappointed in the quality of the program. It was the usual mindless sitcom nonsense with the only difference being a Christian character. I was not impressed with the writing or the acting. Bless Kristen's heart, but her rather high-pitched delivery grated on my nerves. I thought the fake sex scene was inappropriate and not all that funny. I suppose the moral of the story was that she did confess and repent and learned a rather predictable lesson from her experience. The character of the minister was an insult to the clergy. I cannot imagine that this will be popular.
Paula (Please do not publish my e-mail address. Thanks!)

ENJOYED THIS EXCELLENT FILM
Subject: A Knight's Tale
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001
From: pc setter

I went to see A Knight's Tale with my friend and as Ebert says, I would give it two thumbs up. It had me in stiches, laughing the entire time. Plus that, the lack of language and sex did not make me feel guilty about laughing and enjoying this excellant movie. I highly recommend it.

STRONG SENSE OF MORALITY
Subject: non-religious TV shows Television
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001
From: Virginia

I have watched non religious TV shows and have found a strong sense of morality in some of them.

For example, The Outer Limits presents problems that religious people should think about. For instance on 'Summit', the plot was of a genetically engineered race seeking their rights from the human race. It was an 'TV14' show since it dealt with suicide. The ambassador of the genetic race, who was assassinated, gave his life for his people. Afterwards, the human ambassador, to establish trust with the genetic race, took her own life. This is strong stuff but worth examining for moral and ethical questions. (I find that Touched by An Angel tends to make ethical decisions look easy.)

REALLY TOUCHING
Subject: american history x
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001
From: "Kandy Escamilla"

personally i wanted to say hi to you, and also to tell you , you did a great work with american history x . i saw the video i saw it a few days ago and i fell in love with it so i decided o buy it,but the only sad part was when (edward furlong) danny was shot. i started crying it was really touching. well nice e-mailing you and keep doing your great work.
sincerely kandy escamillla

CHRISTIANITY AND FILMS
Subject: Newsletter 26
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001
From: Marge Hassler

I do not receive your newsletter. # 26 was sent to me by a friend.

You are right! The church must see the reality of society and see God in all of it. Yesterday I read a portion of Ecclesiastes beginnging somewhere in chapter 7. Basically it said to me, don't be so righteous that you cannot see reality.

It also says,"Do not give heed to everything that people say about you, or you may hear your servant cursing you;" I don't usually quote the Bible in response to questions, but this seemed to fit.

I have visited your web-site and used many illustrations in sermon preparation and delivery. Thanks for your faithful witness to the gospel With a prayer for your ministry,
Marge Hassler

NOT ONE WORD ABOUT CARMAN
Subject: Carman: The Champion
Date: 15 Jun 2001
From: Marcia Rolland

I was on your site tonight after going through my favorites. I had forgotten about it until I saw the title. I only say this so you know why I am just now getting to you about this movie.

I noticed that you have not mentioned one word about Carman: The Champion. The movie is about an inner city preacher who put the down payment on a building when he was the boxing Champion. Things have changed since that time and he is in danger of losing the building. He runs a youth center and works part time as a hotel security guard. One night during a wild party at the hotel he knocks out the current champion with one punch. Orlando wants to concentrate on his ministry but his brother Alfredo (better known as Freddy) has bought the building. The fight that the current champion (Keeshon Banks) was supposed to have is cancelled after the punch because nobody can make odds on the fight. That is when his brother told Orlando that if he doesn't fight he would sell the building from under him. The movie is about him trying to decide how to reach his dream.

At the same time, Orlando comes to meet Ceasar when he steals Orlando's jacket from the truck and Orlando catches him. He works on getting him off the streets while taking heat from gangs. This movie is unfortunately no longer in theatres but is available on video. It will put you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning and keep you there. Just when you think it is going to slow down there is another turn. Please post this or even anything about the movie on your site so that others can hear about this great movie. Thank you. If you want to find out more go to www.8x.com and click on the link for The Champion.
Marcia

ISABELLE
Subject: Isabelle Faithless
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001
From: S

Does anyone know that happened to Isabelle?
Thanks, S.

TRUE POKEMON FAN
Subject: Pokemon
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001
From: Raichu

Hiya im a TRUE pokemon fan, NOT a kiddy kid thingy who says pokemon is cool hehehehe..................uh no. I love your style ^_~ and how you talk about pokemon. Why talk bad about pokemon when there is digimon ( Digital monsters ) ewwwwwwwww just sayin the name freaks me out >_<. Anyhoo This is a cool web page site thingy ^_^. Buh Bye o^.^o ( pikachu, raichu, pichu) who ever u want it to be i perfere
Raichu. ( sorry for my typos ~_~ )

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