GENRE: DRAMA
RATING: R
STUDIO: WARNER BROS.
THEATRICAL RELEASE: DECEMBER 12, 2008
DVD RELEASE: MAY 2008

Nutshell Version:

Clint Eastwood has delivered up another masterpiece in the form of Gran Torino. This is an extremely rich film. It is like biting into a piece of lemon meringue pie and lingering. The film raises a number of difficult questions and does not provide easy answers or solutions. There are questions of faith and justice, good and evil, forgiveness and redemption. Again, Eastwood has a knack for pulling out these varied themes and working them together into a cohesive whole.

Full Version:

Synopsis:

Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski’s prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.
–courtesy of imdb.com

Can Clint Eastwood make a bad movie? I’m sure, in his illustrious career, he must have made a lemon somewhere. However, I am young enough to have never seen one of them. Unforgiven. Million Dollar Baby. Flags Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima. Now this former Dirty Harry has delivered up another masterpiece in the form of Gran Torino.

This is an extremely rich film. It is like biting into a piece of lemon meringue pie and lingering. Eastwood is gifted at crafting an experience that is hard to pin down. There is so much going on in the story, but you never feel overwhelmed by it. Everything here is necessary and organic. Where does one begin?

Gran Torino raises a number of difficult questions and does not provide easy answers or solutions. In fact, the ultimate answer Walt Kowalski arrives at will leave viewers pondering what it means to be a hero. More importantly, it will make many wonder it means to be a man. But, those are not the only questions to be found here. There are questions of faith and justice, good and evil, forgiveness and redemption. Again, Eastwood has a knack for pulling out these varied themes and working them together into a cohesive whole.

While I shouldn’t be surprised by a Clint Eastwood-directed picture’s acting being stellar, I couldn’t help but being doubly impressed. While Eastwood is featured in a majority of the film, the rest of the film’s cast are relative unknowns of Hmong descent. That is a marked difference when compared to a film like Million Dollar Baby, which had A-list actors like Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman to round out the cast. The same could be said about Unforgiven and his WWII pictures. The acting in this movie may be attributed to Eastwood’s presence in front of and behind the camera, but that cannot be all. There is also raw talent to be considered and Eastwood knows how to detect that and play to those actor’s strengths in order to get the best performance possible. Eastwood’s turn as crotchety and haunted Walt Kowalski is eminently believable. But, newcomers Bee Vang and Ahney Her gave equally impressive performances as Thao Vang Lor and Sue Lor, respectively.

A personal added bonus is that this movie was filmed on location in Detroit, Michigan. There were several locales that were recognizable to me, including a hardware store on Kercheval Avenue that I used to personally frequent for odds and ends. While this may not matter to moviegoers in other parts of the nation and world, it certainly added to the authenticity—unlike films that purport to be in one place but are actually filmed in another location.

Gran Torino is one of the best films of 2008 and is certainly Oscar-worthy. There hasn’t been a lot of promotion this year (as far as I can tell) on that end of things for this winter’s dramas, but when that train gets moving, you can bet this one gets my vote for a statue or two. There is quite a bit of racist language in the film, but, believe me when I tell you, it is entirely necessary to the story.

GENRE: MODERN WORSHIP
LABEL: INDEPENDENT
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 13, 2009
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

If you’ve been attending Lighthouse for a little while now, then you must have heard of the Mark White Band. But, on the off chance that you haven’t—they’re a modern worship act from the local Detroit area. And trust me when I say that their material is right up there with Starfield, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, and Charlie Hall. One listen to their debut album “Now & Forever” and you will likely be convinced of the same thing. With the right exposure, these guys are on the brink of making a big splash.

Offering up eleven original worship songs, the quality is a rarity from a small time, local outfit. But, it seems like the Mark White Band is dedicated not only to glorifying God through their words, but also through the quality of their musicianship and production.

“Glory” kicks things off and is a high-energy praise song. It really starts things out on a right note. Actually, after hearing the track once, I put it on repeat for the rest of the day before moving on to the rest of the album to review. It’s just an amazing number and needs to be heard to fully understand what I’m getting at. “Forevermore” is more of a Starfield-influenced number—one part praise, one part all-out rocker. It’s not as palpable as the first track, but it should get people on their feet and dancing. “Priest & the Lamb” is a piano-infused piece where Mark White’s vocals really shine. Mark Labelle’s work on the keys are particularly impressive, accompanying White’s voice perfectly. “Moment” is a quiet, acoustic ballad that is both worshipful and contemplative. However, “God of Ages,” in my humble opinion, is the best track on the entire album. It’s a mid-tempo rocker that could easily get the group recognized if it hits AC radio. It’s not the strongest song lyrically, but it is catchy and well-delivered. “Hallelujah” is another light, piano-driven ballad. Title track “Now & Forever” starts out sounding a bit like Coldplay with its synth-pop vibe, but soon takes off into a crashing din of loud praise.

The album is not without its drawbacks, though. “Another Breath” is fun, but a little bit cheesy. It strikes me as more of a middle school or high school number. Better yet, it’d be good for the Christian camp scene.

In a market that is being inundated with more and more worship acts every year, the Mark White Band is a welcome voice that stands head and shoulders above the rest. I cannot stress how good I think this group is. If “Now & Forever” were the only album they ever released, the world would be a darker place for it. What I mean is that, it is so good, it would be a shame that this were all they had to offer. The church needs to always be creating fresh art, new expressions of praise to the Creator. The Mark White Band has taken that call seriously and crafted a wonderful piece of art to be enjoyed and engaged by the listener—and accepted as praise by God.

Track Listing
1. Glory
2. Forevermore
3. One God, One Hope
4. Priest & the Lamb
5. Great Love
6. Moment
7. God of Ages
8. Another Breath
9. Hallelujah
10. Now & Forever
11. Double Doors

Jimmy Needham is an amazing Christian artist. His soulful pop music is a treasure and his sophomore release, “Not Without Love” is definitely one of those rare gems in Christian music that we feel more people ought to know about and hear.

I recently caught up with the young artist and spent some time picking his brain about his life, his music, his relationship with Jesus, and issues he thinks Christians ought to be concerned about.

Enjoy!

The Christian Manifesto: First, we’d like to thank you for taking the time to interview with us.

Jimmy Needham:  Absolutely.  No problem at all.

TCM: Tell us a little about your past. How did you get started in Christian music? Were you always a Christian musician?

JN:   I didn’t really ever intend to do music as a career at all.  I was always hesitant because I know the tendency of my heart is to become prideful, and there really isn’t anything quite as pride-bringing as being on stage in front of tons of people with the spotlight on you.  However, God slowly began opening doors for me to perform places, and in faith I stepped through them.  One night my dad came to one of my shows at a local coffee house.  Afterward he came up to me and told me that he felt like I had what it took to “make it” and that he was willing to put up money for me to make a record if I was interested.  My indie CD came out August 2005.  We sold it locally and I posted songs online as well.  Not 3 months later I got a call from the president of Inpop Records in Nashville saying that he had heard my record on Myspace and wanted to fly down to Houston to talk about signing me.  What a God thing!

TCM: “Not Without Love” is the title of your new album. What’s in a name?

JN:  I actually meant that title to be the completion of a sentence I began with the title of my first record, “Speak”.  So, the complete sentence should read, “Speak, but Not Without Love.”

TCM: So, the new project recently hit shelves. Tell us a little about this album and how you feel it’s different than your previous effort?

JN:  My previous record was full of challenges to the Church in regards to living holy, sharing the gospel, etc.  In my personal life however, I really became religious and zealous, doing “all the right things” but with all the wrong motives.  God began to show me that, though He is concerned with the obedience of His people, if we are not motivated by love to reach out to a lost and dying world and to serve our God, then we are nothing more than Pharisees.  This album is an attempt to lay a foundation for why we serve God, and that is, because we love Him.

TCM: Who would you consider to be some of your musical influences?

JN:  Musically speaking, I love the classics:  Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder to name a few.  Lyrically however, I respect any artist who is honest, who can challenge his or her audience, and who can be poetic enough to say things in fresh ways.  In this category I am a fan of Derek Webb, Ross King, Lecrae, Keith Green, Nichole Nordeman, Lauryn Hill etc.

TCM: If you had to categorize your sound or pick a genre into which your music would fit, what would it be?

JN:  I usually tell people I make soul pop music.  I’m not even really sure what that means though.

TCM: Are there any new songs from the new project you’re particularly fond of playing live?

JN:  I love playing “Forgiven and Loved” live.  It’s a critical part of the record’s theme and I love letting the audience get a chance to connect with the idea that for the Christian there is therefore now no condemnation.

TCM: Where are you planning on touring the new project?

JN:  Currently I’m on the Barlow Girl “Million Voices” tour which is literally spanning coast to coast.  In the spring of 2009 I’ll be out with Rush of Fools for their “Wonder of the World” tour which is currently being booked.

TCM: Speaking of performing, when you’re up on stage you’re singing in front of strangers and connecting in ways otherwise unavailable to you except through the medium of music. How much does your faith in Jesus affect what you do?

JN:  My relationship with Jesus is the only reason I am even making music at all.  Ultimately, it makes the crafting of my shows very purposeful.  I have one aim in my concerts:  to make Jesus famous through everything that takes place on stage, and promoting the gospel of His grace to everyone who comes to a show.

TCM: Let’s reverse that question. How has writing, singing, and touring grown your faith individually

JN:  Honestly, they all have tested my faith.  Writing, singing and touring really cause me to wrestle with the issue of motivation.  Am I doing all these things for the promotion of my name or of Christ’s?  It’s a daily battle to guard my faith against any worldly corruption, and all 3 of those aspects of being a singer/songwriter have to be handled with extreme caution.

TCM: Replay an episode where you’ve been made aware that your music has affected someone in a positive way.

JN:  About a year ago I received an email from a Christian girl who was apparently dating a guy who didn’t know the LORD.  She told me that my song “Dearly Loved” came on the radio as they were both in the car one day.  At one point during the song she looked over at her boyfriend and he was crying.  She told me that he raised up his hands right there in the car and asked to be saved.
About 4 months later that same girl messaged me again.  She told me that a week ago her boyfriend died tragically.  She was writing me that day to thank me for the song I had written because God had used it to rescue this young man, and that he is in Heaven today because of what I wrote.  It so encouraged me to know God is doing incredible things through such a broken vessel.

TCM: Your music is definitely spiritually-tuned, even worshipful at moments. But, it never comes across as “preachy.” What kind of doors has this opened for you in the mainstream? Has it ever proved detrimental in Christian circles?

JN:  I’ve never really tried to promote my music to the “mainstream”.  I’ve always just let it be what it is.  However, the songs on the new record that I’ve written for my wife have an ability to really connect with the mainstream audience.  Regarding Christian circles, my songs always seem to have a warm reception, even though, admittedly, some of my lyrics are not sugar coated Christian jargon, to say the least.

TCM: What’s it like being a Christian in the limelight? Do you all feel any undue pressure to measure up to a certain standard?

JN:  By most people’s standards, I am barely dancing on the edge of fame, and the limelight for the most part is pretty dim.  However, there is always pressure:  pressure to be “successful”, pressure to write hit songs, pressure to sell as many records as comparable artists in my genre.  These pressures must be crucified because they threaten to steal the very heart of what I do.  I am first and foremost an ambassador of Christ.  My standard is Jesus, and my success should be measured only by obedience to what my God calls me to do, to write, and to say.

TCM: Let’s switch gears here before I let you go and talk about the world around us. As a Christian artist, what are some important social issues that you think should be highlighted in your art?

JN:  I believe that a grossly neglected issue that Christians should be aware of in evangelism as it pertains to the 10/40 window.  If you are unaware of what the 10/40 window is, it is the area on our globe between the 10th and the 40th latitude where 97% of the world’s unreached population live.  This includes all of the Middle East, India, China, the Philippines, etc.  In India alone there are over 1 billion people, 500 million of which have never heard of the name Jesus even one time.  These people are dead in their sins and dying every day, slipping into a Christ-less eternity and in general, most of our time, energy and money are staying right here in the states.  The situation is dire and we as Christ followers we need to at a minimum learn more about the situation there and ask what God would want us to do.

TCM: Looking at the social issues you’ve highlighted, what are some unique ways in which Christians can approach the topic in their everyday lives?

JN:  I would advise you to get a copy of the free book, “Revolution In World Missions” at www.gfa.org and begin to investigate the situation in the 3rd world.  There is an organization that I have been connected with for the past 5 years called Gospel For Asia that is doing a tremendous amount for the kingdom of God among the world’s most unreached.  Simply put, GFA exists to raise up native missionaries in the 10/40 window, people who are indigenous to these cultures, to share the gospel of Christ in ways most of us will never be able to.  $30 a month helps sponsor one of these missionaries and, having sponsored quite a few now, it is so rewarding to know that the gospel is now being advanced in places that have previously never had an opportunity to hear.  At a minimum, get the book, and allow God to change your heart the way He has changes mine concerning this issue.

TCM: You’ve been so gracious in spending some time with us. Just a few more questions, though. If Jesus were to comment on your life, what would you want him to say about you?

JN:  I think I’d like Him to say, “Jimmy loved Me, even to the end.”

TCM: One final question. Look down the road 5 or 10 years. Where would you like to see yourself? Do you still want to be in the Christian recording industry, or would you like to be off on other adventures?

JN:  I don’t know.  I love where I am, but I would like to think I’m open to whatever God wants me to do next.  I’ll let you know if 5 or 10 years.

TCM: Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Any final thoughts?

JN:  If you’d like any more info on anything, you can check out jimmyneedham.com or myspace.com/jimmyneedham.

I attend college at Rochester College where I’m spending ungodly amounts of time and money double majoring in History and Biblical Studies. For the last 3 years I’ve been part of the Rochester College A Cappella Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Joe R. Bentley. We sing various choral pieces in various languages—ranging from English to German to French. It’s an eclectic experience to take part in and an angelic experience to behold. I do not misspeak.

This past weekend I took part in my third Chorus Camp experience with the group at Michigan Christian Youth Camp in Attica, about an hour directly north of Troy. Now, I am not much of a camp person. It took one summer working at a camp for me to realize this. (The experience was so atrocious that I couldn’t even make it through the whole season.) Camps are dirty. The food is worse than advertised. The flies are unbearable (I am not kidding…one bug in particular had it out for me…). I’m just not a camp kind of person. The upside is the visibility of the stars out in the country. I’m just not sure the trade off is worth it, though. Actually, when it comes to Chorus Camp, I often try to think of excuses that will get me out of going. But, I always end up going anyway.

But, I digress.

As much as I don’t like going to camp and as easy as it would be for me to come up with an adequate excuse not to attend, I always pack my bag, hop in the car, and make the hour-long trek to the campground where the weekend excursion is held.

There are a lot of things that take place that weekend that are intended to connect the group to one another. Every year there are ice breaker games, extra practices, the annual softball game, and just a lot of free time to hang out and get to know your fellow chorus members. What I look forward to the most though is the candle lighting ceremony.

The candle lighting ceremony is the oldest running tradition that the chorus has. It is during this time that the older chorus members welcome the new chorus members. Songs are sung, verses are read, statements are made, candles are lit. As things go, it’s not the most amazing tradition I can think of. What I adore about the tradition is that it connects us to those who have come before and to those who will come after us. People I do not know have taken part in this same ceremony. How many people removed from them am I? People who are nothing more than a glimmer in the mind of God at this point will one day take part in this same ceremony? How many people removed from them will I be?

Christianity is a lot like this. In fact, this is one of the things I really appreciate about Christianity and attending church.

When I attend church I don’t always feel like being there. Let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes it doesn’t connect with us. Sometimes its just “going through the motions.” But, as I’ve matured in my understanding of the function and role of God’s church, I have learned there is power in tradition. Unfortunately, for so many from contemporary Protestant settings, “tradition” carries with it negative connotations. It conjures pictures of rote recitation, dead languages, and meaningless rituals. That is not what I mean.

When we worship on Sunday, we join those who have sung praises to our heavenly father down through the ages. When we listen to Cliff speak, we join those who have listened to the proclamation of and been changed by the Word of God. When we take communion, we join those who have supped with the Father. Sometimes these experiences can be less than stellar. I’ll be the first to admit that. But, tradition connects us to the past and informs the future of our presence. How many others have done this before us? How amazing is it to know that millions—maybe billions—of others have taken part in this blessed ritual, connecting us to each other and connecting us all to the Heavenly Father? And who will come after us? How many others will come to faith in Jesus Christ that we will never meet until we are all worshipping him in Paradise?

Tradition connects us to the saints who have come before and the saints who we will one day be “a great cloud of witnesses” for.

GENRE: MODERN WORSHIP
LABEL: SIXSTEPRECORDS
RELEASEDATE: AUGUST 19, 2008

Nutshell Version:

“The Bright Sadness” features 12 new tracks that are guaranteed to make the worship rotation in every postmodern worship service within two weeks of its release. While not reaching the heights of “Flying Into Daybreak,” there are certainly several gems to be considered on Hall’s most recent offering. Even a lesser effort from Hall eclipses the efforts of his contemporaries. Fans of his earlier work and modern praise and worship will greatly enjoy the album. Not only that, they’ll greatly benefit from listening.

Full Version:

I have always considered Charlie Hall to be the most underrated worship leader to come out the 268generation, the minds behind the Passion conferences that are so wildly popular among twentysomethings. Everyone goes ballistic over the David Crowder Band (“Remedy: Club Tour Edition” - August 19) and Chris Tomlin (“Hello Love” – September 2) whenever they come out with a new album. Yet, lyrically, I have always felt as if Hall were the better of the three. Now, he returns to the airwaves with his fourth studio effort. “The Bright Sadness” features 12 new tracks that are guaranteed to make the worship rotation in every postmodern worship service within two weeks of its release. While not reaching the heights of “Flying Into Daybreak,” there are certainly several gems to be considered on Hall’s most recent offering.

“Chainbreaker” starts things out on a particularly high note as Hall reminds listeners that if they are in Jesus then their chains have been broken. It is destined to be a modern classic worship piece in the tradition of “Indescribable” and “O Praise Him.” The instruments are strong, Hall’s vocals shine through the din, and the lyrics are solid. The second track, “New Year” is a ballade-esque number that “was written after a long period of difficult pain and confusion,” according to Hall and looks forward to leaving behind things of the past and toward a bright new future.

“The Second Alive” and “Hookers And Robbers” are the kinds of songs I point to in order to make my point that Hall is a fantastic psalmist for a new generation of worshipers. The former is probably one of the most rock-infused songs I’ve heard out of the worship quarter. It’s great stuff that could burn up the Top 40 if it tried. The latter is…well…it’s called “Hookers And Robbers!” What more do you want? Either way, it’s a song written to those on the fringes, imploring them to ‘Come as you are.’ Inspired by excerpts from ‘The Book of Common Prayer,’ the album’s closer “Mystery” is by far the best track on the album. It is beautifully written and beautifully delivered. The instruments melt together with Hall’s smooth and reflective voice, providing a symphony of praise to the Father.

The major “miss” on the album is “Thrill.” To be honest, it’s one of those tracks that makes me scratch my head and wonder, “What were you thinking, Charlie?” It’s kind of hokey, cheesy, and so many bad things that people have come to associate with Christian music. A song like this may have been popular in the mid-90’s from the likes of Maranatha, but I expect more from Hall.

The majority of “The Bright Sadness” is pretty stellar. Again, I don’t think it reaches the heights of his previous studio effort, but even a lesser effort from Hall eclipses the efforts of his contemporaries. Fans of his earlier work and modern praise and worship will greatly enjoy the album. Not only that, they’ll greatly benefit from listening.

Track Listing
1. Chainbreaker
2. New Year
3. Walk The World
4. My Brightness
5. Scenes
6. Thrill
7. The Second Alive
8. Hookers And Robbers
9. Bloom Again
10. You Are God
11. Knit My Heart
12. Mystery

So, I have this strange fascination with feet.

Don’t be weirded out. I assure you, it’s not some strange fetish or anything along those lines. I don’t dream of feet at night or go crazy when I see open-toed strappy shoes.

You see, when Malena didn’t jump across the aisle and choke her attacker, when she stood and responded kindly “Buena sera,” my rage, bitterness, and unforgiving spirit were shown for what they truly are. I think many of us can relate.

How many times have we watched a movie and hated a character so much that we said, “Just…kill…them!” Maybe we can escape responsibility there. It’s just a movie, right? What about when we are faced with man-perpetrated atrocity in the real world, though? We watch television programs like “To Catch a Predator” and think to ourselves, “Those men ought to be killed.” We hear that three white men abducted and repeatedly raped a black women for several weeks in a dilapidated shack and think to ourselves, “Those monsters should be electrocuted while being lethally injected and shot at by firing squad.” Let’s bring it a little closer to home. How many times when we have been slighted by someone in even the most minuscule manner have we desired blood in retribution?

The reason Malena makes me think of feet is because of this notion of forgiveness. In Malena Scordia’s case, she would have been entirely justified in seeking retribution, yet she seeks none. She chooses to forgive. She chooses to show grace where it is not deserved. In fact, the sin against Malena is so heinous that it deserves not just mere confrontation or chastisement, but prejudiced wrath. But, that is not what we see.

In Scripture, we find Jesus taking off his outer garment, sitting at his disciples’ feet, and gently washing them. We can rightly understand the confusion on the part of Jesus’ associates. This man was the one in whom they had placed their hopes and dreams of toppling the corrupt Roman government, yet here he was washing their feet. While this might seem like a humbling act, even in our day, in Jesus’ day it was a job reserved for servants and children, not for prophets, priests, or kings. I find this fascinating. 12 disciples. 24 dirty crusty feet.

What was going on here?

The feet of Peter, a man who not long afterward would deny he even knew Jesus. The feet of Simon the Zealot, a man who kept company with those who planned and executed political assassinations. The feet of Matthew, a man who fleeced his own people by working for the Roman government as a tax collector. The feet of Judas, the man who would betray him with a kiss. And 22 of those feet would run when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

What was going on here?

Preemptive grace.

It was not as if Jesus did not know the end from the beginning. We know that if Jesus is indeed God as Scripture attests, then all knowledge is available to him. So, Jesus knew where these feet would go. He knew that in his darkest hour most of them would desert him. Only John would follow Jesus to the very foot of the Cross. Yet, even though he knew these feet would not follow him to the Cross in his greatest moment of need, Jesus bathed their feet in forgiveness. When Jesus would have been justified in revoking their “disciple” status, he showed them grace—grace before they even knew they needed it.

And what happened?

Those feet moved swiftly to spread the message of Jesus to the four corners of the earth. Scripture tells us that “Beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.” Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in undeserved forgiveness and they were compelled to take that forgiveness to others. And, eventually, many of them would follow Christ to their own cross to be executed for his namesake.

For the better part of a year I have been in a place of unimaginable hurt and pain caused by the thoughtless actions of another individual. It has been very difficult to show that person grace and forgiveness. After all, I was the one who was wronged. Why should I have to forgive if they aren’t even asking for it? But, in Jesus I see the spirit of forgiveness par excellence. I do not see Jesus asking this question. I simply see him sitting on the floor with a towel and basin, washing away the physical and spiritual dirt and grime of our lives. So, I am learning to forgive those who do not want to be forgiven, those who do not know they need forgiveness, and those who do not deserve forgiveness. Because, ultimately, I am all three of those people.

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us…”

C. E’Jon Moore is the creator and administrator of the Christian review e-zine, The Christian Manifesto (www.thechristianmanifesto.com). He enjoys forgiveness, wallowing in grace, and laying his life at Jesus’ feet on a daily basis. Oh…and comic books.

What if you believed me?
Would that change the way you see
The world and how it twirls?
Would that change the way you feel
About what’s real and what’s not?
What’s cold and what’s hot?
How would you deal with the sudden change of view from the top of the mountain?
Do you think you would change at all?
Or would the world remain the same lame mundane game so many tend to play?
What if you believed me?
Would that change the way you taste
The life that’s given you?
Would that change the way you hear
The voice that is so near
Does that voice dance within your being
Or is what I’m seeing just a fleeting sound carried on the wind?
What if you believed me?
Would you be free? Would you see? Would you hear? Would you feel? Would you taste?
Or will you waste away in the desert of your own making?
Hesitating saying, ‘I’m not nearly ready.’
What if you believe me?
Would you come as you are?
Would you know you’re never to far from the hand of the Son
Pierced for all and one…you.

What…
If…
You…
Believed…
Me?

GENRE: ACTION/SCI-FI
STUDIO: COLUMBIA PICTURES
THEATRICAL RELEASE: JULY 2, 2008

RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

Will Smith is back to rule the July 4th summer blockbuster roost. Having locked down the holiday weekend with other notable popcorn flicks such as Independence Day, Men in Black, Wild Wild West, Men in Black II, and I, Robot, Smith now offers up his ode to super-heroism with the film Hancock. The film is laden with special effects, and is filled with things that catch fire and/or explode in a terrific fashion. The film is rather full considering the mere hour and a half it runs. Be that as it may, Smith has the kind of drawing power that studios salivate over. He is box office gold and you can guarantee that Hancock will continue the trend, despite the fact that it is not as engaging as some of his other offerings. Basically, no matter what I say in this review, it will be a lesson in futility. As TIME’s Richard Corliss asks in his review of the film, “So why should critics even bother to review a new Will Smith movie? You’ll go see it anyway.”

Synopsis:

A hard-drinking lush finds himself thrust into superhero mode in director Peter Berg’s unconventional look at the private life of a crime-fighter. Will Smith stars as the embittered do-gooder whose lifestyle is more akin to a rock star than a role model, and who has grown as disillusioned with his once-admiring public as they have of him.

—from All Movie Guide

I tend not to read reviews of films before I go see them. I like to walk into a movie theatre with nothing clouding my judgment, the film only having to stand up to my own personal standards. However, throughout the day I was told by several people that movie critics had been rather harsh with the film, the median rating being only two stars. Unable to resist, I read several reviews and was somewhat disheartened by what I had read. But, much like Corliss surmised, I went and saw the movie anyway.

Now, I’m not quite sure what movie the critics watched, but I fell in love with Hancock. Sure, he’s not Iron Man, Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, or even the Hulk. He’s a superhero no one has ever heard about because he’s a superhero without a comic book attached to his name. He is a Hollywood construct, the brainchild of writers Vincent Ngo and Vince Gilligan, the vision of director Peter Berg. For some, this has proved a difficulty. The aforementioned superheroes are etched in the American psyche and boast mythologies that span decades and cross the universe. But, as a self-confessed comic book aficionado (read: nerd and/or geek), not being weighed down by years of established mythology and fanboy expectations works in Hancock’s favor. Essentially, the writers were able to establish a whole new mythology which is theirs to toy with in future sequels (and their will be sequels). Hancock is a new superhero for a (post)modern world.

Will Smith brings the character John Hancock to life. You really get the sense that this man doesn’t care about anything, not even himself. You struggle with him as he struggles with whether or not that is what he truly believes about life. You grow with him as he morphs into the hero he is meant to be. Jason Bateman brings his Arrested Development chops to the role of Ray Embrey, a down-on-his-luck PR guy who takes Hancock on as a client, partly to thank him for saving his life, partly because he feels sorry for the unappreciated hero. Charlize Theron works well as Mary Embrey, a woman who doesn’t like Hancock from the moment she meets him. Mary believes Hancock is beyond rehabilitation and she also holds a dark secret that Hancock’s presence may expose. Her turn is a little telling (a friend of mine actually called what Mary was hiding long before it was revealed), but it’s a popcorn flick…I didn’t expect an Oscar-caliber performance.

The main complaint I have with Hancock is the special effects, specifically the flying scenes. I felt like we were short-changed in that department. Given films such as The Matrix Reloaded, Superman Returns, and Iron Man, the studio could have spent a little more money making the flying look a bit more realistic. I’d say it looked like “made for TV” flying, but even television’s Smallville does a better job. I just felt like there should have been something more. The other special effects were pretty stellar, though. There were other idiosyncrasies that were bothersome, such as the “criminal mastermind” part of the story that falls a bit flat (given that its not even a major part of the story).

Fair warning: If you’re walking into the theatre expecting to see Iron Man or The Dark Knight, you are going to be sorely disappointed. While you will certainly see points of comparison in the standard modern monomythic hero’s journey (i.e. rejection of mission, growth, acceptance of mission, redemption), Hancock is a bit slower than what you may be used to. He’s a character of a different breed and Will Smith does an excellent job of communicating that fact. While the fight scenes and special effects are cool, there is not wall-to-wall action from start to finish. There is quite a bit of time spent developing John Hancock and his mythos.

I loved this film. I think it was great fun. Great action. Great plotting. Great movie-going experience overall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the movie. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, as other film critics have pointed out so well. But, I think those who have an appreciation for the art of comic book superhero tales and a love for conflicted characters who reflect our own inner and outer conflicts will greatly enjoy Hancock.

Family Value – 2 stars – There’s a fair bit of violence and bodily orifices into which certain things are shoves (hysterical for adults, not so much something you want your kids seeing…). There is also a fair bit more swearing than usual for a Will Smith July 4th pic and a kiss between a Hancock and a married woman that can send a mixed message (I say can because, technically-speaking, the kiss makes sense when the film is all over).

Entertainment Value – 4 stars – You’ll be fairly entertained. There’s enough things exploding, wise cracks made, and character-building to keep you fairly engaged. There are slower points in the film, more than usual for an action film. But, again, this film is not what you expect. It’s not all about action. It’s also about growth.

Spiritual Value – 3 stars – There’s nothing overtly spiritual about this movie, but there are certainly redemptive themes. Love, sacrifice, the ability to do the right thing for the right reasons (regardless of whether or not we will receive accolades for our actions), redemption, growth. These are all nobble characteristics that I don’t believe any person, Christian or non-Christian, would frown upon.

C. E’Jon Moore is the creator and administrator of the Christian review e-zine www.thechristianmanifesto.com, a site dedicated to reviewing books, music, film, and culture with a critical eye. He also enjoys long walks on the beach, full moons, Andrea Bocelli over candlelight, and the smell in the air after a light rain. You can send him email at thechristianmanifesto@gmail.com.

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Cliff closed out the “Frames” series by looking at God through the frame of marriage. Those of you who were in attendance understand the difficulty with which Cliff approached the topic—Angela, the wife of his youth, the love of his life, at home dealing with particular health issues. Truth be told, I think Cliff could have bawled the whole hour and we would have all understood. That would have been his sermon and we all would have left just as moved. As it was, though, God used him as a willing vessel and Cliff was able to deliver what may have been one of the best sermons we will ever hear, evidenced by all the hugs and tears afterwards (even between dudes secure in their masculinity).

During the sermon, Cliff alluded to Barry Bonds and his tainted record in MLB. Embroiled in the performance-enhancing drug scandal (read: steroids), Barry Bonds’ legacy will always have a question mark attached to it. Or, as Cliff puts it, an asterisk (*). There will always be doubts as to whether or not Bonds’ record was attained through raw, natural talent or through a combination of talent and steroid use. Connecting this to the matter of his own personal purity prior to celebrating his marital union, Cliff spoke openly about the mistakes he’d made sexually that had left his past marked by an “asterisk.” “I was a virgin, but I was a virgin with an asterisk,” Cliff explained. Going further, he revealed the painful truth that this fact was on his mind on his wedding night (and likely will always remains with him).

When the sermon was done, I spoke with Cliff a little about how the message encouraged me a great deal. I was able to latch on to other portions of the sermon that enabled me to see how God connects with his Church. But, I also left a bit disheartened. You see. I am divorced. So, when I hear messages about marriage and how God relates to us, like a lover relating to his bride, it elicits feelings of rejection, bitterness, and especially failure. My life is an asterisk.Allow me the spiritual discipline of confession. (If you can’t allow that…well, it’s a blog…deal with it…) I wish I could say I was the perfect husband. I wasn’t. I didn’t know the first thing about women when I got married. We had made mistakes sexually and, in a way, I felt like I should make things right by getting married. But, we lacked communication, worked extremely opposite shifts, and didn’t see eye-to-eye spiritually (nor did we try to work on it). We didn’t know how to argue; we didn’t like the same things; we didn’t like the same people. Interestingly enough, despite all of this, I liked being married. (I kind of think I might have been designed for it. I think I read that somewhere in Genesis. That’s humor for those of you who are uncomfortable at this point.) What is more, commitment is commitment. If I couldn’t communicate my love with my words, I could, at the very least, stick to my word. I hear actions speak louder than words, anyway. Furthermore, I am a firm believer that God can redeem anything, especially a messed up marriage.

Life sometimes does not honor your commitments, though. My wife, now pregnant with our child, separated from me in a backwards attempt of fixing things. Not long after our daughter’s birth, my wife ended up having a very hurtful sexual affair with another man. I wish I could say I didn’t understand it, but I did. That didn’t make it right. Not long thereafter, I was sent divorce papers in the mail. I fought the divorce for nearly a year. Many people told me it was a hopeless cause. Even my Christian friends implored me to let it go, citing Scripture to let me know that I was off the hook because of her unfaithfulness. Ultimately, it was a losing battle, but to stick to one’s commitment is always worth the fight. If that is the lesson I take from it all, so be it. But, I digress. When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. What do you do when it leaves a brown paper bag full of dog poop that has been lit on fire at your doorstep?

Married at age 20. A father by 22. Divorced by 23. As I sat in the courtroom, just prior to signing the papers that would dissolve our marriage in the eyes of the State, I remember asking, “I wonder what this means to my faith?” You see, the fact that my divorce was “Biblical” does not make it any easier. It doesn’t make the feelings of hurt and pain go away. It doesn’t make the questions of adequacy—spiritual, emotional, sexual—go away. Marriage creates one person out of two. Divorce divides one person in half. That’s why God hates it. I do not imagine there is any worse pain than divorce. It is a fate worse than death, because death is what is supposed to separate a husband and a wife. If death does not break a marriage, it is tantamount to seeing the living dead. And, it certainly screwed up how I saw God. If marriage is supposed to mirror God’s relationship with mankind, what does it say when the reflection you see in that mirror is a divorce?

During his sermon, Cliff also alluded to the story of Hosea. Commanded by God to marry a prostitute, Hosea’s relationship with Gomer was a metaphor for how Israel was treating the Creator. How different they must have been. The prophet and the prostitute. It conjures pictures of a Southern Baptist minister dressed in a flammable three-piece leisure suit standing next to pre-shopping spree Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Ultimately, though, Hosea got his wife back. For all the pain and sorrow he went through, he buys her back. And God buys us back. That’s the point. We return. We are healed.

Now, the turn.My marriage was not redeemed. It was destroyed. Totally and utterly destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah. But, since then, the Father has continued to lavish love, Jesus has continued to redeem, and the Holy Spirit has continued to give peace and comfort. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I’m still the chief of sinners. But, Jesus has softened me—made me more pliable. I respect marriage so much more now. I have the ability to cry and be moved with others who have gone through that kind of brokenness. I offer kind words and compliments, because this world (including many marriages) are filled to the brim with so many hurtful ones. My life is an asterisk, yes, but I have been given a unique ministry to others whose lives are asterisks, too. My story isn’t necessarily one for or readily accepted by those who are “healthy.” That’s fine. It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Jesus said that.

Let me close this inordinately long-winded entry with this. There are things I can’t see that God does. One of the things I cannot see is God and the frame of marriage. I think I understand what makes marriage work a little better now, but I won’t know unless I get married again. Be that as it may, while I may not see it, I experience it. I run from God like Gomer runs from Hosea. I whore myself in both word and deed. Yet, God kicks in the door of my spiritual hotel room, pulls the sheets away, reveals my shame, acknowledges my brazen defiance as I eat my sacred raisin cake, pays the fifteen shekel redemption price that I’m not even worth (Hosea 3:2), and tells me in no uncertain terms, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.” Despite myself, Jesus pursues, woos, and smothers me with undeserved romance. And I am undone.

Blessings.

C. E’Jon Moore is the creator and administrator of the Christian review e-zine www.thechristianmanifesto.com. You can send him email at thechristianmanifesto@gmail.com. He’ll likely email you back pretty darn fast because he lives his life in cyberspace.

I adore the film, Memoirs of a Geisha. A lot of my friends had no patience for it, but it is a true vision of love, friendship, and perseverance. The pairing of John Williams’ (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) always genius scoring with the deep cellos of the ever brilliant Yo-Yo Ma, doesn’t hurt either. In fact, I just found myself watching the film again with a group of friends who had not yet been treated to the fantastic cinema.

The reason I bring this up is because two Sundays ago, Pastor Cliff Johnson (of the Lighthouse Collective) gave us a new frame through which we can view mankind’s relationship with God: friend. As the theme of friendship undergirds Memoirs of a Geisha, it got me thinking about the message a bit deeper than I might have had I not watched it again. This is in addition to a few other things, which we will get to in short order. As it is, Cliff spoke powerfully from John 15:12-15, explaining for us the deeper implication of Jesus’ teaching on what it means to be a true friend to each other and a true friend of his. The credo of Christ is that friendship is about sacrifice. If one is willing to go further, this fits into the larger picture of Jesus’ teachings and lifestyle of servanthood. But, I digress.

In the film, The Chairman (Ken Wantanabe) is clearly in love with Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang). You can see it in his eye as the plot unfolds. He is smitten. But, their love story is not an easy one. You see, The Chairman’s best friend, Nobu is interested in her. And, as Cliff said on Sunday, Man Law # 245 is “You don’t go after your best bud’s girl.” But, it goes a bit deeper than that for The Chairman. You see, Nobu physically bears the scars of their friendship upon his face. The two men fought together side-by-side in battle and Nobu shielded The Chairman from a bomb blast, scarring his visage for all to see. Thus, The Chairman explains to Sayuri, “I owe the man my life.” Though The Chairman loves Sayuri, his friendship with Nobu is profound because of their shared experience—profound enough to allow love to slip through his fingers so that his friend might have a chance at love. Through a series of events, Sayuri falls out of favor with Nobu and the door is opened for a romance to finally take place between her and The Chairman. So, don’t worry, there’s a happy ending. But, this illustrates Jesus’ point quite succinctly. While The Chairman loved Sayuri, he loved Nobu more because of the sacrifice he was willing to make.

I can count on one hand how many friendships I have that are like that. Hopefully, none of my friends will have to take a bomb to the face to prove it, but you get what I’m saying. True, deep, meaningful, sacrificial friendship is hard to come by. When you find it, you never want to let it go. If distance separates that friendship you can feel it—to your core, you can feel it. I think of my best friend, Justin. He has been there for me through a lot of bad stuff this past year. Where other people have paid lip service to the idea of friendship, Justin is the only one who has been an “in the cup” (to borrow Cliff’s golf analogy) kind of friend. I’ve also recently begun a friendship with a beautiful young woman (spiritually, emotionally, and physically) named Emilie that seems to be on the fairway headed towards the green. I see Christ in those friendships. I really do. It brings tears to my eyes as I think about them.

Truth be told, I’m not sure that there’s a major point I’m trying to make with this particular post. I didn’t come at it with any preconceived notion as to a lesson I wanted people to learn. I guess, this past Sunday coupled with Memoirs of a Geisha and my new and continually growing friendships gave me pause. If I could make one request, I guess it would be that you some time to take stock of your friendships. Let those who are “in the cup” friends and “fairway” friends know how much you appreciate their time, energy, and heart. And while you’re at it, appreciate the new frame through which we have to view God. Friends with the Creator of the Cosmos? How awesome is that!?

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C. E’Jon Moore is the creator and administrator of the Christian review e-zine www.thechristianmanifesto.com. You can send him email at thechristianmanifesto@gmail.com. He’ll likely email you back pretty darn fast because he lives his life in cyberspace.