Movie Review: Lady In The Water.
I watched M. Night Shyamalan’s “Lady in the Water” last night. It was free movie night at the local video store (every Thursday), so as I browsed the aisles this one caught my eye. I absolutely loved “Signs,” and was sorely disappointed by “The Village,” so I really didn’t know what to expect. This much I knew: it was based on a bedtime story that M. Night told his children, and the critics didn’t care for it.
The critics are idiots.
No, this movie isn’t like his earlier works, “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable.” Despite the presence of an evil creature in it, it’s not a horror movie by any stretch. It’s a fantastical tale of hope, identity and purpose. It was slow, complex, and oftentimes confusing, and I found myself deeply moved by it, even crying. (I know, I know… I cried while watching King Kong, and now THIS… God’s really tenderized my heart or something…)
I think what really did it for me was seeing the regular, ordinary people in the story slowly accept the truth that they had a specific purpose. They weren’t worthless or wastes of space, which is exactly what they would be portrayed as in a typical movie (and in society as well). They were special. Every one of them.
I’d like to watch it again, but I need to give it some time, let it settle a little bit, allow the message to take root before I try to decipher it all. If you want to read a synopsis and other people’s well-crafted, thought-out reviews, be sure to visit the Spotlight page of the ChristianAnswers.net. It will fill in all the gaps I’ve left.
Kevin
Human Foosball.
I was searching for Foosball on Google and I ran across this monster. What you’re looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is a humongous, inflatable Foosball table. An’ you see those rings and ropes in the middle? That’s where you an’ I would stand, strapped in and ready to go.
This. Is. Awesome. And what a way to build teamwork, huh? I mean, either you run with your mates or BAM! They score!
Now, granted, I’m sure it might not be as fun in practice as it is in theory, but still. It’s a giant Foosball table! Yowza!!
Lifechurch.tv – Urban Legends: God Will Never Give Me More Than I Can Handle.
Kim and I have been going to LifeChurch.tv for close to two years now. We’re constantly amazed at how God continues to speak to us directly through the messages that Craig Groeschel preaches each week. Nine times out of ten, the word that reaches our hearts is EXACTLY what we’re dealing with at the time. It’s uncanny.
I’m testing some of the code that would allow me to stream sermons to you directly from my blog, so let me know what you think (if it works). Just click on the link below and prepare to be changed.
Kevin
Kevin’s Movie Review: King Kong, Deluxe Extended Edition
I just finished watching Peter Jackson’s King Kong, the Deluxe Extended Edition. Kim bought it for me last month for my birthday, but I haven’t made time to see it until tonight. Actually, I saw half of it LAST weekend, and the other half tonight. The original theatrical version was over 3 hours itself, and the extended version adds another 38 minutes of deleted scenes, so it really is a large undertaking to watch it in one sitting. (Which, I should note, I fully intend to do… just as soon as I recover from watching it THIS time…)
So what’d I think of it? Well, let’s get one thing straight: I love the story of King Kong. There are so many alluring elements for me. Huge monkey on a remote island, monster creatures to fight, a short time frame of events. It’s perfect is so many ways. But Peter Jackson has taken the original storyline and enhanced it beyond anything I had ever imagined. Despite all the various plot holes, insane character motivations and laughable timing transitions, I still consider this movie to be a modern masterpiece.
Why? Because as much as I love the action and the gigantic fun of it all, what really gets me in this movie is the dynamic between Ann Darrow and Kong. She felt so alone in the beginning of the story. Abandoned and afraid, she had been let down by those around her throughout her life. But in Kong she found someone who would not only stand by her, but would fight to the death to defend her as well.
I’m not ashamed to say I cried while I watched this movie, even more so here at home than I did in the theaters, which surprised me. It’s just so wrenching, seeing them united and separated like they were, at peace and then thrust into turmoil once again. And what’s worse, my tears stung, so it wasn’t a cleansing cry. It was downright painful.
So, yeah, it’s going to be a while before I watch King Kong again. But I’ll be anticipating it for months to come, I can tell you that. And Kim? If you’re reading this, I Thank You. Thank you for such a wonderful birthday gift. This almost makes up for that time you gave me luggage. Almost.
Kevin
Book Review: An Ordinary Box Of Life, By Tim Olney.
One of the many benefits of editing papers at PaperPolisher.com has been meeting a variety of interesting people. When I initially launched the site, I envisioned editing a few college papers here and there just to make some extra eBay spending money. Within a few months, however, I was being contacted for jobs ranging from Christian philosophy to personal poetry to a full-fledged romance novel. (Yes, Kevin edited a romance novel… And it wasn’t half bad, either!)
Without a doubt, however, my most enjoyable editing project was Tim Olney’s “An Ordinary Box of Life.” As soon as Tim contacted me and I browsed his website to get an idea of what he was like, I knew we were going to hit it off.
Down-to-earth, conversational and easy to read, Tim’s book is just plain fun. Ranging from Seinfeld-like observations on life to dishing the family dirt, “An Ordinary Box of Life” is the kind of book you can read before unwinding for bed OR on a cross-country flight.
Although I’m officially retiring PaperPolisher.com to spend more time focusing on
The Kids and my other personal projects (TeleSpank, etc.), I can say I look forward to editing anything Tim sends my way in the future. 
Kevin
Tim’s Website: www.timolney.com, www.ordinaryboxoflife.com
Kevin’s Acrostic Movie Review – Spider-man 3
Slightly slower Spider-Man, sometimes
plodding. Peter & pals ponder
identity issues, internal
darkness,
Ego. Effects? Eye-popping & eye-twitching.
(Recommending retina removal.)
-
My marvel(ous) moment?
Arriving alien
nemesis. (Niiiice…)
3 (Um… can’t really make an acrostic out of a single number… sorry…)