You're judging this [expletive] the wrong way: Pulp Fiction & miracles

"Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous."

I used the term "judging" in the title of this 3rd installment exploring  Pulp Fiction's treatment of redemption, but I'm not using it as it has been used in previous posts on the theme of judgment. 

For you fans of Koine Greek, there's a nuanced difference (pun intended) between krino and diakrino (and katakrino, and anakrino, etc.). In this post, we're talking about the issue of discernment - differentiating one thing from another; what we're differentiating are coincidence and providence.

You can't handle the truth! A Few Good Men, complexity and judgment

"You want answers?"
"I think I'm entitled."
"You want answers?"
"I want the truth!"
"You can't handle the truth!"

That great line was voted as the #29 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100), and #92 of "The 100 Greatest Movie Lines" by Premiere in 2007.

A Few Good Men is loosely based on a true story. In the movie, two soldiers are charged with killing one of their bunkmates. Demi Moore, Kevin Pollack and Tom Cruise are to defend them, and it's supposed to be but a bit of paperwork to put these young men away...but something doesn't add up.

The Avatar Review: Part 3: "Spiritual-Religious Insightfuls or Mislead Mamipulation?"

One of the more prevalent arguments you will find in Christianized movie going, (er is there such a thing, or am I being too generalized in labeling?) is the influence of the film has on the audience, or specifically the Christians who see the film. The debates can range from, why are they going to see the movie in an atmosphere of a theatre to begin with (as discussed briefly in my “Film Limitations,” post), to how will this film affect me spiritually, if at all?

Independence Day and the dark side

Independence Day was a 1996 summer blockbuster popcorn flick, to be sure. However, there is a very interesting thematic development that goes largely unnoticed with all the action and corny screenplay.

The essential theme is "overcoming the dark side", and explorations have resulted in some significant films including Apocalypse Now, the Star Wars story (they shout it in your face throughout the trilogy), and Falling Down. The protagonist sees in the antagonist his own dark side. The decision to overcome the dark side usually means some form of destruction of the antagonist by the protagonist, whether in symbol or literal death, to confirm the rejection of temptation to give in to the dark side.

The Last Airbender; the Last make-or-break for Shyamalan?

Not to worry, I am still working on the Avatar review, but just wanted to go a little off topic to a movie coming up that I (and quite a few others) have concerns about.

As some of you know, I'm a big fan of the "other" Avatar animation series (aka Avatar: The Last Airbender). And I'm certain I'm not the only fan of the series currently posting on here too...(hint-hint). I even have all 3 seasons on DVD, So when I heard they were going to do a live version of this series, I was surprised and quite excited. That is until I found out that none other than M. Night Shyamalan is producing and directing this film..(and I also know that I'm not the only poster that has strong opinions on this filmmaker too *hint-hint*) 

American Gangster and the devil on 116th Street

In the movie The Usual Suspects, Roger "Verbal" Kint (Kevin Spacey) answers Dave Kujon's (Chaz Palminteri) question: "Who is Keyser Soze? He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real. Nobody ever saw him or knew anybody that ever worked directly for him, but to hear Kobayashi tell it, anybody could have worked for Soze. You never knew. That was his power. "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

The Usual Suspects is a great movie, but it's a work of fiction.  American Gangster, however, is based on a true story, and not only speaks to the discussion of the devil's approach, but also reflects wonderful aspects of the salvation relationship.

The Avatar Review: Part 2: "Militaristic Message?"

First off, my apologies for not getting this one out sooner, I got caught up in daily life events and such, as well as waiting for some feedback from a friend, specifically for this theme critique of the movie (you’ll see why).

 

With many films that have opposing factions between the obvious protagonist and antagonist characters, the inevitable epic battle is sure to take place. No more is this true than in the movie Avatar and its battle between the various ground and aerial Na’vi tribes and the military might of the RDA Sec-Ops (with a nice soundtrack to go with this battle sequence too, I might add). 

Many have described the battle as symbolic of progress vs. nature, colonialism vs indigenous cultural identity, or even capitalistic imperialism vs. noble savages. Typically, it becomes apparent that the human military are the antagonists, and such is the case in this film, but I've got to ask the question: is this depiction of the military a fair and accurate one? Or is it too one-sided?