First Chance

Sunday night I saw The Second Chance with Jeremy, and Foolishknight, and was surprised by the movie's quality and zeal. Afterall it could be called a CCM movie with yin Michael W Smith acting, and yang Steve Taylor directing, with low expectations for either one. Afterall Steve Taylor had only made music videos and the Newsboys Under the Big-top, and Smitty is uh.... But Taylor is tight and W is well cast as Brentwood preacher's kid, Ethan Jenkins with the nickname of Gucci. The nickanme is courtesy of Jake Sanders (jeff obami carr, the true star), an inner-city pastor of the (fictional) Second Chance church in Nashville. The Second Chance was once the home church of Jenkins family before they retreated to Brentwood (boo!hiss!) to their Wal-Mart church called The Rock and their thrice daily Sunday services that are always televised.
Conflict comes when Ethan unexpectedly truns over a pledge card announcement over to Sanders. He goes on a rant on how churches can't think of any other way of helping others besides throwing money at the problem. He finishes by commanding them to keep their bleep money, which turns the ire of the Rock's deacon board against Sanders for not keeping silent (we put the status in quo). Then they decide to punish Ethan for his ad-libbing by sending him to the inner city with Sanders, hoping such a move would lead him to a tearful repentence, and a willingness to do whatever the board says.

This is more than I was hoping to say; afterall I'm not a film reviewer. All I really wanted to say was that this important movie for all churchgoers to see. Especially those who go to mega-churches (nothing personal Eucharisto), and those involved who are involved in minorties in the Nashville area. I would hope eyes are opened to surrounding conditions, and through Taylor's outsider's eyes they would see what religious life is like in Tennessee, attitudes of the rich in their obliviousness, the poor in trying to trade Plymouth rock for the Rock of Ages, and how churchspeak is contorted by the powerful for wickedness.

I have two reasons two be concerned about the movie's ability to influenced. One, I'm afraid that people will see the names involved and will try to turn it into an evangelizing tool. Second, they'll won't give a movie a chance because of inability to things with a perspective on class relations, instead of race relations. That is someone could see the movie as being the story of white people oppressing blacks, therefore no as meaningful as seeing it for what it is: a story of the wealthy and powerful silencing the congregations of the poor.
I titled the post "The First Chance" so people, the great masses that read this blog, will make this movie the biggest thing since sliced salami, but seriously watch the movie, blog about it, and bring further discussion here.

Two links worth reading: Peter T. Chattaway's review for Christianity Today magazine.

and a feauture piece on the film by Nashville Scene.

And that goes for U2

I'm told that today is a worldwide holiday, and is very popular. At least for some people. As for me I'll stay home, do homework (what else?) and listen to my Charlie Brown doll (a gift from Penny Lane) say really depressing things. Since I'm widely known for my affection towards Peanuts, and I think there's no better way to observe this anti-holiday than reading Peanuts, or watching the gang on TV. Also, I found out that Nov. 19th is the day that Charlie lost his heart to the little red-headed girl.
But before I click "Publish" I have to have a link, so here's an article from Popmatters on the future of Peanuts and what Peanuts mean.

I Ain't Satisfied Either

Yesterday I watched the 4th most boring Super Bowl I've ever seen, and the (Mossy) Rolling Stones did not help. Let me put it this way, they made Sir Paul look good. At least Keith Richards refused to be knighted a few years back, that way I wouldn't have to gripe about Sir Keith and Sir Mick. If mediocre Queen Bess had one millionith of her namesake's prudence, Mick Jagger's head would be with Anne Boleyn's. So if Boriana isn't going to do anything then I'll leave Mick to Bro. Bell, in hopes an imaginative punishment will be conceived. And I will not post any pictures of the Stoned, because I don't want to give Princess Sparklepuff nightmares.

I like Beth Sr., and I'll make sure to post something about the Fairie Queen sometime in my lifetime.

Silent Shroud is now a year old. There was much rejoicing in the land. yeah. whatever. Read my Pushkin piece that is mostly quotes from Pushkin. Also I will write about Tarkovskii's Mirror, and I know all of you would rent the movie, just there aren't any copies in Tennessee, except in Doug Cummings' house (whom I don't know I just like linking there, and the opening image is from Mirror.)