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 Free Album
3 Lucky Entrants Will Win
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 Church of the Holy Touchdown
...And It's Time For My Confession
Patrick "CoachZ" Zalamea
I'm actually a hockey fan, and according to most polls and pundits I'm
not supposed to like any other sport. Fact is, that's true; most
hard-core hockey fans don't even know any other sports exist. There is
ice in our veins, so to speak. But the Super Bowl transcends all that,
at least for me. Maybe it's partly because they'll be talking about it
at work and I won't know what they are talking about if I don't pay
attention; maybe it's the excitement and drama of one game winner take
all... I don't know, but I had to watch the game.
I'm glad I watched Super Bowl XLII, because I actually came away
from it with some deeper insights, which I'll be writing more about
later. Which got me to thinking: can spiritual insights come from
something as ordinary as a football game, even the Super Bowl? Many
would think no way, this is an event that's all about gorging ones self with chips and large amounts of beer. To some that would taint it, make it ineligible for anything spiritual.
I'm not one of those people...
Read more...
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 A Word from J. Alan Sharrer
New Editor on the Importance of Books
In a media-saturated society such as ours, it's easy to
become actively engaged with the world.
We can get instant access to news as it develops. We can research almost anything with a few strokes
of the keyboard. We can become
commentators on the world's events through message boards, blogs, and real-time
chats.
So where does a good book fall into all of this?
One obvious answer is that a book allows a person time to
think about a subject, usually due to its nature. Web pages and text messages can be easily
forgotten. But a book allows for
highlighting, writing notes in the margins, and the ability to filter the text
through the lenses of 21st Century society. It's like how a person reads the Bible: one
goes back in time to the story itself, relives the story, then brings back
something that is both useful and relevant for today.
Another reason books are important involves remembering the
past. The generations that preceded us
knew this well and have helped us by keeping alive stories that awaken the
imagination, stir the spirit, and offer phrases we use in conversation today
("Big Brother" from George Orwell's 1984,
anyone?).
A final point on the importance of books is their accessibility. During a given week, there are only a limited
number of movies that are released to the public. With books, hundreds of titles with topics
ranging from fiction thrillers to the next diet phenomenon are available-with
hundreds more coming out next week. As
Ecclesiastes 12:12b (NIV) puts it, "Of making many books there is no end." So why not find out what there is to offer?
At Hollywood Jesus, our goal is to share with you current
works that you can find in any bookstore.
We may not think some books are great, but we want to provide a
spiritual focus that you can use in your daily lives.
My recommendation is a simple one. Take a look through our Books section and see
what there is to offer. Then grab a book
and start reading. I think you'll find
it interesting, challenging, and a great subject of discussion with those at
work, at home, or on your blog. Who
knows what you might learn about life, yourself, and God in the process?
Happy reading!
Hollywood Jesus has been thrilled with Lisa Baker's work as Books Editor for the last two years; but she's had to reprioritize with a new family on the way, and we congratulate her on those new, less-book-oriented developments... and we're grateful that she helped bring Alan along to us, too! Be sure to visit the Books Page at Hollywood Jesus for all the latest book reviews.
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The Week in Movies
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In Bruges
Don't Read This Review
Elisabeth Leitch
A comedy and action movie that stands above the crowd, In Bruges captured me with brilliant humor, spot-on dialogue, and a stylishly smooth form. But In Bruges also made me appreciate the truth of grace and redemption more than any other story has in a long time. |
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Fool's Gold
The Quest for Greater Things
Elisabeth Leitch
The story of Fool's Gold
is simple. But even so, I still found myself drawn in and satisfied by
its end. And the reason why? Because more than just a movie about a
treasure hunt, Fool's Gold is also a story about the people who come together to find that treasure. |
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Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
Home Coming
David Bruce, Webmaster
Jesus found "home" in relationships. Think of home as where friends
are. Develop that! Emily Dickinson put it nicely: "Where thou art,
that is home." Home is being at peace with God and friends. Love just
might turn you into the Better Man. |
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The Hottie & the Nottie
Searching for Sincerity
Elisabeth Leitch
Forget that Paris Hilton is its star and ignore its title, and I have
to say, the story has potential. But in the end, the fact that I can't
decide if there is enough of it that made me smile to negate the huge
chunks of it that just annoyed or offended me does not surprise me. |
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Montana/Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds
What You Can Expect
HJ
"Hannah Montana" fans everywhere will have a chance to see their
favorite singer, songwriter and actress, Miley Cyrus, perform her
sold-out concert tour on the big screen in "Hannah Montana & Miley
Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert."
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In DVDs, Music, Books, TV, & Games
Feast of Love
Greg Wright | 02/05/08 | Movies, On DVD
Benton uses sex scenes as an invitation to
pass judgment on people we don't know; and if we accept that invitation
to judge, I think we'll find that dismissing people on the basis of
such judgment doesn't do their lives, their passions, and their hopes
justice.
Blind Dating
CoachZ | 02/05/08 | Movies, On DVD
It's too bad that the movie was so bad,
because the premise is great: Mr. Right (who happens to be blind) is
looking for Mrs. Right. He finds her, but she has a pre-arranged
marriage, since her family is from India. These two have even "saved
themselves."
2 Days In Paris
Tim Berroth | 02/05/08 | Movies, On DVD
So much for first impressions - and perhaps
a roadmap on how to fall back in love. Not exactly the kind of thing
that will spark warm fuzzies between lovers especially if the barbs hit
a little too close to home, but a worthwhile journey if you are willing
to take it.
Social Justice Musical Army
Jacob Sahms | 02/10/08 | Music
Overall, the album carries itself
beautifully, no pun intended. Hopefully, we'll continue to see more of
these guys, their music and their social justice. It's a movement that
can change the world. Seems like there's room here at Hollywood Jesus
for that...
What's In A Name?
Jacob Sahms | 02/07/08 | Music, Interviews
Our families are so important and we really
want to make this band continue to work, but we have realized over the
years [that] our families are our backbone, and if they are weak then
we will not be strong as a band.
Reinvented
Jacob Sahms | 02/05/08 | Music
Edison Glass' Time Is Fiction shows that
the band formerly known as Mannafest, but now fronting the names of
Thomas Edison and Philip Glass, has really reinvented itself. Overall,
a nice take, worth catching a few times again, to see what new
creations come to mind.
The Year of Living Biblically
Jacob Sahms | 02/09/08 | Books
The Year of Living Biblically is clever,
witty, honest, transparent, natural, self-deprecating and easy to read.
I'm not sure what else I can say about it, other than that there is an
actual Biblical stoning that takes place.
Hebrewpunk
Maurice Broaddus | 02/09/08 | Books
Steeped in Jewish culture and tradition and
combined with pulp adventure, HebrewPunk makes for a thrilling ride. It
certainly stands to breathe new life into the more tired conventions of
the fantasy-horror genre.
Double Act
Maurice Broaddus | 02/09/08 | Books
Hass and Coker's past sins, from love
affairs to pride and jealousy, come back on them in the form of a
mysterious figure/force. The least mysterious part of the journey of
these characters is how easy it is to fall into a spiral of sin.
The Appeal
Jacob Sahms | 02/06/08 | Books, Previews
It always seemed to me that the justice
meted out by the protagonists in Grisham's works showed that there was
something to be hoped for in the justice system itself. Whether
depicted as such or not, it's just an earmark of hope for a better day.
The Subtle Knife
Mark Sommer | 02/04/08 | Books
Lewis was accused of being a misogynist-of
having a prejudice against or hatred of women. But Philip Pullman's
Lyra sounds like a subject for Dr. Laura's "10 Stupid Mistakes Women
Make to Mess Up Their Lives". Which author wrote about truly
independent women?
The Universe
Rob Rolfingsmeyer | 02/09/08 | TV
Every so often, something comes along to
help put into perspective just how small I'm thinking. I know it may
sound odd, but the show The Universe is almost like a catalyst for a
mystical experience with God.
Eli Stone
Jacob Sahms | 02/05/08 | TV
When Eli begins to hear the music -
literally, the music of George Michael's "Faith" - his life will never
be the same. His friends, family and co-workers have lots of
explanations for him, but the new age acupuncture artist insists
"everything has two explanations..."
Rayman Raving Rabbids 2
Yo | 02/09/08 | Games
The origninal helped demonstrate why the
Nintendo Wii was not only a unique but fun console. It showed just how
much potential there was in the unique motion controls of the Wii.
Unfortunately, that potential hasn't been realized in the second
adventures of the Rabbids.
HJ Playbox
Yo | 02/07/08 | Games, Analysis
Mature rated video games (games intended
for people 17 and older) get a lot of press and attention from the
media. They cause controversy and make it seem like all gaming is an
assault on the decent morals of society. But are games really as
depraved as we've been led to believe? You may be surprised at what
games are the biggest sellers.
Boom Blox
Yo | 02/06/08 | Games, News
Steven Spielberg; director of Acadmey Award
winning films and now the developer of video games. EA recently
released details on the first game developed by Spielberg and EA, but
it's probably not quite what you were hoping for.
Turok
Yo | 02/04/08 | Games, Previews
Turok makes his triumphant return with an
all-new next-gen game. Will it be enough to erase the bitter taste of
his previous games, or will it be just one more shooter in an already
crowded genre?
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Previous News
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Glad to be here,
The Staff
HollywoodJesus.com |
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