.
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with comments by David Bruce

MORE FAITH IN GOD
Subject: Save_The_Last_Dance
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Jordanna

I agree with Shelly Euverman when she says the movie could have been better if the girl (Sara, played by Julia Stiles) put more faith in God. Like Shelly said it is Hollywood, they never mention God because this could mean low ratings and people are not as interested in seeing a religious movie. This movie was well done because it shows teenagers struggling with every day ordeals. The movie really demonstrates to others what is really happing now for teenagers in this day and age. This is important for teenagers to realize that others are struggling with the same problems, but as a Christian it would be nice to see in a movie were a young teenager turns to Christ for help. For Hollywood this would never happen because Hollywood wants to make money. This movie is well done and I believe it really helps teens to understand the decisions they may have to make.
Jordanna

COMMENTS ON PEARL HARBOR
Subject: Pearl Harbor
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Lana Jones

Overall, I thought this film was well done. The camera work and special effects create a whole new view of reality on what's happening to the characters, which helps us to understand some aspects of what people must have gone through and experienced during the actual event of Pearl Harbor itself. Although the story line didn't quite focus so much on the details of Pearl Harbor, and more on the love triangle between Danny, Rafe, and Evelyn, it stayed true to what happened. It portrayed both America and Japan in good 'light' and we especially see this when Commander Minoru does not wish to go to war against America. Something else that I highly admired in the this film was that the idea of becoming sexually involved with someone has it consequences. The media today usually portrays sex as something that will fulfill a persons innermost needs and it that it's almost always great all the time. Not that sex can't be, but realistically, it needs to be used in the right context. This is shown when Evelyn and Danny rush into sex to fast and as a result everything becomes even more complicated and more hurt as a result, especially when Rafe shows up alive. Where as when Rafe and Evelyn make the choice to 'wait' we find that their love seems to be more pure. I liked this because this is something that we don't often have portrayed in our society today.
-Lana Jones

MITHRAS AND THE TEACHING OF JESUS
Subject: Mithras
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Frances

I have been (still am) on a site called Christianity - General. For a very long time (70 years old) I have been reading everything I could on all the religions and have been struck by the similarities by them and the New Testament Gospels. I keep being told that the cult of Mithras was not around at the time of Jesus, yet everything I read tells me the opposite (Your readings are correct). For me, every past religion has lead up to Christianity and possibly to others newly as come. Was not Mithra the Roman soldiers god of worship and still in practice at the time of Jesus. (Yes) The similarities between Christianity and Mithra is just too coincidental. (There are also, major dissimilarities: Mithras is found in the star stories, not in history, Mithras has no death and resurrection. But there is truth contained in the Mithras myth that points to Jesus: light overcoming darkness, etc.) Not that Jesus was wrong to preach a way of life, but the Christian communities maniacal desire to erase anything that is even close to anything that Jesus taught. In a sense He did not teach "something" new, it was always there, (true, not so much in myth, as in Hebrew scriptures) but that He re-iterated all the positive concepts for people to follow. (Yes, but also "I am the way, the truth and the life" statements are unique to Jesus). Would you be kind enough to enlighten me if I am really as wrong as these fundamentalists believe I am. I am always ready to accept and repent of my errors.
Frances Greenfield
fgreenfield3260@home.com

Response: Yes you are generally right. Many Christian have a deep fear of myth. I have none. And all myth points to a central truth: Jesus Christ. -David

SPIRITUAL BEAUTY IS MORE THAN PHYSICAL BEAUTY
Subject: review.. Shrek
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: "Claris"

Shrek is an animation that not only been attractive to kids, but also the adults. It describes how the true love between lovers can make the physical outside looking not that important anymore. Sort of similar Beauty and the Beast, it sends out an educational message to its audience that physical looking is not as important as spiritual ones. It is necessary to let kids know that dating with a girl/guy is not because him/her has good looking, but love someone because of their characters. At the end of the movie, after the princess kissed Shrek, she thought that she was going to turn back to a beauty after all; however, she didn't. She turns in to an ugly green ogre like Shrek. But it won't be a big deal for her after all, since she found her value by knowing that Shrek, the one she loves, loves her too. Shrek must also receive self-confidence from her love. We have to be patient until the day we meet the one that is given by God. God will put a voice in our heart that telling us that he/she is that Mr./Ms. Right. The wedding takes place in a cathedral, where the princess kissed with her only true love, Shrek. God blesses their love; they will have comfort in each other. The movie also talks about the importance that we better not judge a person before we just get to know him/her. This is a beautiful thing to know in our life; otherwise we will miss a lot of good friends, or even the true love. Shrek teaches us many ways to do God's will.

BABY BOOMERS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Heather

Hey, I liked your provocative thoughts on us baby boomers. I agree with you .. to a point I guess. In the church we are temporarily in, we are the youngest people there and we are in our 40's. The older members of congregation are interested in our opinions of 'what is happening' out there and ask my husband to speak on the New Age and me to speak. So while we are still considered young, anyone in their 20's would feel extremely uncomfortable there.

My 'other' church is very young, mostly under 30 with lots of YWAMers and multicoloured hair styles and a cross section of people from ex-drug addicts, single parents, families, etc. But the Church wouldn't be there or operating if the baby boomers who founded it didn't have the vision and tenacity to get something going. There are few churches that last started by people in their 20's .. you need wisdom, experience and a great deal of emotional support and security to be able to ride the hard times. People in their 30's and 40's can still really minister and speak to the hearts of younger people .. if they are seeking God they are going to listen.

Obviously, the ideal church would have ALL ages represented, not just young people. I would like to see elderly people speaking and playing their music, the young ones and us in between talking and sharing. Everyone has a story, everyone has a gift. Our gifts don't die out as we get older and wrinkly. We don't lose our ability to communicate because we have children and mortgages. At least, I don't see anywhere in the bible where it says only young people can lead, minister and be useful. The people who most ministered and mentored me when I was 15 were in their late 60's. I considered them ancient, but I learnt a lot from them.

It needs to be remembered that a lot of the 'normal' looking people in the church, with straight hair cuts and standard families often have had difficult lives and been through a lot of stuff to get where they are. People would look at me and my family on the surface and see we are pretty conservative, but our journey has been anything but!
Anyway, just my 2c/ worth.

Response: Yes, the ideal churches is multigenerational. And the Boomers have a lot to be proud of. Of course, I am a Boomer, and I like my generation. We just have a control thing going on. We need to be more inclusive. -David

AN AWESOME MOVIE!
Subject: Gone_In_Sixty_Seconds
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001
From: "Scott Patterson"

Some people love cars. Some don't. I do. When "Gone In 60 Seconds" first came out I thought it might be 'just another car movie'. How wrong I was. I don't think I was expecting such a beautiful display of such legendary cars. I'll admit, my favourite car has, and probably always will be the Porsche 911. But the stunning array of cars from past and present times shown in this movie - and driven to such extremes - put a smile on my face. From Ferraris to McClaren, the Hemi Cuda to 'Eleanor' the 1967 Shelby GT 500, everyone including the 4x4 lovers gets a taste of adrenaline when viewing Nicolas Cage busting up the city with what I call the greatest all time car-chase ever filmed. Angelina Jolie plays the sexy love interest - an added bonus, in my mind - as fast cars and beautiful women are the foremost joys in most guy's lives. The scene involving the Lamborghini Diablo was pure 'Cool' - and the bit with the red Cadillac from China Town (full of drugs) really made me laugh. Old school mixed up with a little New school, combining the latest in electronic technology and the Good ol' Tricks of the Trade. Did they really have to crush Eleanor at the end of the chase scene??? That still hurts. However, building up another Shelby at the very end was an awesome finish.

All in all, a definite ten out of ten, keep up the good work guys. Just to know that there are people out there making excellent quality movies like this makes me look foward to seeing whatever is coming out next.
Scott Patterson, New Zealand.

100 FAITH AFFIRMING FILMS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Rev. Linda Middelberg

I know that every one will have additions but I would add, Spitfire Grill and Deadman Walking to you list of movies.
Rev. Linda Middelberg

GRACE RULES!
Subject: A_Knights_Tale
Date: Sun, 27 May 2001
From: Melinda

I, too, was struck with the parallels of the Christian experience -- Grace, mercy, redemption. This is truly a story I felt good about -- good enough to take my child to see it despite the brief nudity. (She thought it was funny!)
Melinda

After having just seen "Pearl Harbor" I feel a need to respond to "I Smell a Stinker" and to the journalistic critics. I was twelve years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed and sixteen when the war was finally over. Critics have written and spoken this movie was high on explosions---true that is what happened. For two hours Pearl Harbor was bombed and the time of innocence was over. When the fighting ended there were two thousand six hundred some lying dead, some are still entombed on the Arizona at the bottom of the harbor. We now have two generations in this country who have little or no knowledge of the history of our country in that period, and what a shame that is for our educational system. Those persons have no idea what their grandparents, great-grandparents experienced. Knowing the history of our background is an important part of who we are.

One critic stated the movie was low on plotline or even interesting dialogue. The moral standards were different in that period of time than current standards. It was common for lovers of that time to delay sexual activity, and at the same time there were those who did not delay that experience because we were living in a time when being a casualty of war was very real. As for the dialogue in the movie, that was the speech of that period in time.

The only fault I found with this movie was when Betty said they would wait for two years to marry because she would be 19. That would have meant she was 17 at the time and in Hawaii as a nurse. Nurses' training at that time required three years and women were not admitted into a training program until they were 17 or 18.

Some have complained that the movie was too long. I believe that comment comes from those who do not know the history or the impact that event had on the people of the United States at that time. And that is the sad part about not knowing the history of your country. This movie does an excellent job of showing us what grace and forgiveness and reconciliation are about. We need that in our culture at this time. I liked this movie and I am glad that someone finally told the story of that Sunday morning.
May 26, 2001
M. Vanzant

Response: Thank you so much for your well thought out remarks. -David

THANK YOU FOUND ENCOURAGEMENT
Subject: Thank You
Re: thank you
Date: 26 May 2001
From: Shar A

i recently stumbled onto your website, and as a christian who loves film (and intends to pursue a career in entertainment) i want to thank you for your open and honest reviews.  i, in the last few years, have become somewhat disillusioned with fundamental christianity, and although i am still a practicing christian, i am seeking for some better understanding of our world than what a lot of churches are presenting.  i have read some of your newsletters and the responses, and it is heartening to know that there are christians out there who are willing to accept the fact that christians must also live IN the world, even if we are not to be OF it.  it is difficult to say exactly what i mean in a short email, but suffice it to say, i have found great encouragement in your website.  thank you for being a christian who refuses to check his brain at the door.

Response: You made my day. Thank you for your kind words. May God Bless you in your journey. Please stay in touch with me. -David

PARENTS ARE IMPORTANT
Subject: Pokemon
Date: Sat, 26 May 2001
From: "Jose"

I hope this comment is not annoyed all of you. Pokemon like everyone has been talking about or if it has anything to do with evil. And know Teletubbies are also get bad comments like Pokemon. I don't think Pokemon is from evil is true because if children like to collect pokemon's stuff and even have to fight to get what they want its natural. I know that because I've been like that too. It also need parents attention with a good attention from parents they won't be like that. A good relationship between family is really important to build the children. I think the most important thing is from the family especially parents to teach their kids what's the good things or the bad things means what they can do or can't do that.

REINCARNATION AND ARMAGEDDON
Subject: The Mummy Returns!
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001
From: Starr

The Mummy Returns is a continuation of the first movie the Mummy. Rick(Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn(Rachel Weisz) are now married and have a child. All three of them are fascinated by ancient Egyptian artifacts and hieroglyphics. The three of them end up fighting 2 evil forces to preserve the world from catastrophie.

I found this movie to be scary and exciting at the same time. It is action packed, and has many great special effects to it. There are many different shots and angles which keeps the movie interesting. It had many scenes that represent meanings to them as talked about in my Media Studies class. When introduced to the Scorpion King, he was found at the top of the frame to portray his dominance & power, and when Rick fights him, he is at the bottom, to show his powerlessness. Something else I enjoyed was the transition of the beginning scenes. Some parts faded into the next scene which I liked very much. The end credits were neat in that they wrote first in Egyptian hieroglyphics and then it switched to English.

Now I was a bit hesitant to go and watch this movie, but it was good that I did. The movie had many topics that bring up disscusion. One theme in the movie was of reincarnation. This was shown throughout the whole video with the idea that the Mummy and his lover came back to life. Although this is an Egyptian belief I don't believe in this. This movie challenges the christian belief and makes one wonder if it could possibly be true. But as a Christian I know that reincarnation is not biblical; a man only dies once and doesn't rise again.

The Scorpion King, and Rick, his family and the other Magi Warriors fight an great battle which some could say symbolizes Armageddon. "The evil soldiers rose up like endless grains of sand and come against a handle full of faithful warriors". This is very biblical in the way it was portrayedand as it states in the bible the good side wins, and Jesus regins again. This faboulsly staged battle was half animated and turned out very realisic. It is very captivating, with its life-like characters. I liked this movie and recomend it to people who want to see a new twist on the story of good and evil.
Gloria

GREW UP A GODZILLA FAN
Subject: Godzilla Original_Godzilla
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001
From: dav

I was born in 1963 and grew up a godzilla fan,... all my life i"ve been watching the KING OF ALL MONSTERS. destroy everything in his mighty path. The thing is I was really disapointed when I saw the T REX version of the mighty upright godzilla, ...... and from what i understand so are alot of other people that grew up, rushing home after school to see the godzilla week on bill kennedy at the movies, here in michigan. i would love to see The old school godzilla do a number on the T REX version godzilla that was recently released. hopefully, the people at the studieos will realize the error of there ways and see the block buster that is staring them in the fase. do you have any idea, how many people would go to the theater to see their old hero come back and take out her impersonator????? the bill boards-----WE WERE WRONG! Godzilla is back,.... and is it p*ssed! and It's looking for you know who! the one who disgrased it's name in her absents gives me goose bumps!,..... oh well, let me have my fantisy but old gozilla rocks and will never be defeated,.... and that godzilla that looks like T-Rex, well looks like a good stomp fest for the REAL GODZILLA!!!!!

FEARING SEXUAL REALITIES
Subject: Miss Congeniality
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001
From: Kimberly

A truly funny and positive movie. I really appreciated your comments in regards to Sam's e-mail. Speaking as a 24 year old female, I have often "feared" the concept of masturbation and similar subjects because of constrictive dogmatic church teaching. They don't really even like to talk about it, they just condemn you if you bring it up yourself! Its taboo. But like you mentioned in one of your other letters, Jesus didn't talk about it! Surely such activities were extremely common in those Roman days. It would have made an especially great substitute for avoiding having too many children, which must have been a concern back then. I am shocked that more Bible thumping people don't realize this when reading the NT! I used to live by these same fears, especially during the time I attended a Conservative Baptist church. I'm still in the process of deciding which lessons were misinterpreted dogma and which are real and beneficial. It is so good to finally recognize what are simply normal parts of any contemorary society and should not be condemned! Jesus did not want us to live in fear, but, misery loves company, right? People wo live in fear tend to inspire fear in others, with or without intent.

One thing that truly helped to liberate me from these views was accepting that God made us just the way we are. It happens that God made me a gifted dancer with a style that some extremists might call "lustful" or "bump and grind". I don't consider either of those things true, but I had a hard time at church finding people who didn't view my talent as "potentially sinful". But I insisted to everyone that My gift was "as is", and that I no intention of stealing anybody's husband with it or becoming a naked club dancer. It was just a gift that allowed me to move in an evocative yet fun and graceful way. And eventually I learned that people would either accept that or not, and not to feel any guilt about it if they are not convinced enough. If anything, I feel I should use my gifts more!
sincerely, Kimberly

Response: Thank you ever so much Kimberly. I really appreciate your straight forward honesty. I wish more Christians would feel like they could openly discuss the issue of sexuality, without the feeling like they will be condemned by the self righteous. I encourage others to respond as you have. Blessings on you Kimberly!

In terms of dance, there is a story in the Bible about King David dancing in public and "exposing himself" to the servant girls: (2 Samuel 6:14-23) And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.... Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.... When David returned home to bless his family, Michal came out to meet him and said in disgust, "How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the servant girls like any indecent person might do!" David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be held in honor by the girls of whom you have spoken!" So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her life.

Dance in the scriptures was usually done by the women (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; comp. Judges 5:1). It is spoken of as symbolical of rejoicing (Eccles. 3:4. Comp. Psalm 30:11; Matthew 11:17). The Hebrews had their sacred dances expressive of joy and thanksgiving (Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6). Psalm 149:3 says, "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp."

Whatever you do Kimberly, do it as unto the Lord. Again Thank you so much. -David

WHERE IS YOUR HEAD
Subject: Dracula 2000
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001
From: "Gemma Mcleod"

My goodness where is your head. Not once did you mention the amount of disgusting swearing one has to put up with in this film. But you also didn't mention that in the end (as most hollywood films) dracula wins. the word G*d*mn is said soooo many more times than the f-word. Yes there may be connections as all these 'spritual' films do. But come on, this is not entertainment for the Christian. Whatching the films hurts. I saw it from start to finish

Response: We saw two different films, I am sure. And, did I ever say "this is entertainment for Christians"? If you are such a good judge of what Christains should be entertained by, why did you view this film? Why would you watch a film from "start to finish" if it "hurts"? Dracula 2000 did a good job of connecting the Dracula story to the life of Jesus Christ. -David

MORE RESPONSES TO NEWSLETTER #25

THANK YOU
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: shr

thanks for your consistently positive insights into the film world. as a christian, i too find much "right" with hollywood. you just have to look/listen. i think sometimes we get our roles confused: we are the ones who have to "conform to the mind of Christ," not those who never claimed to be christians in the first place!
peace, shr

Response: Wow! Good thought! -David

KNEEJERKS = GOLD STARS WITH GOD?
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: Ken

Re: Why do Christians have such negative knee jerk reactions to the culture. Why can't we seem to build bridges. Why are we so hesitant to give credit when it is due? Why can't Christians admit to common ground with unbelievers?

Hi David; I'm a new subscriber to your newsletter and this is the first of them I've read, and I enjoyed doing so.

I've been a Christian now for almost 25 years and peripherally involved in the entertainment industry during some of that time. My experience has been that we, as Christians, find it easier to kneejerk our way through culture as because doing so allows us to live as easily and safely as possible, and it's also the best way to get a gold star from God for our abstaining from being "in the world."

Cultural paranoia is an integral facet of Christian life for too many North American Christians (the only ones I'm familiar with.) Last week I received an email from my godparents, warning me against Harry Potter books as "satanic" and "dangerous." Remember the furor over backward masking in the 80s? Remember the "truth" about the Procter & Gamble CEO admitting his involvement with the church of Satan? Remember John Todd and Father Alberto Rivera and the Illuminati?

If I'm insecure in my faith but don't want to admit it, if I don't *really* believe God is who He says He is, then I will do my little dances to keep my faith from being jarred or tested and then exposed and I truly see how bankrupt I am. I'll leap to "defend" God when what I'm really defending is just my prejudices or my fallen notion of Him.

I have more to say on the subject, but I don't want to bore you, so this is just a taste; I hope you like it!
--Ken Jessup

Response: Thank you. Christians do indeed have a long kneejerk list. It is embarassing, indeed. -David

TOP SPIRITUAL FILMS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: FSA

Matrix- clear depiction of Jesus Christ as Neo, the savior of mankind.
Fight Club- many references to Zen Buddhism

GREAT ILLUSTRATION FROM TOY STORY 1
Subject: Toy_Story_2
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: Jon

Hi there, I have just discovered your website and am really impressed with it. I thought I would send you illustration I have used from Toy Story 1.

In the scene where Buzz jumps into the Claw game thinking it to be a space ship, I see a lesson for all Christians. I see the aliens as being symbolic of many Christians today. We sit in our church, safe and secure, in our beliefs (The claw decides who will stay and who will go, "I go to a better place"). When a stranger comes into our churches we react we curioustity (A stranger, from the outside). The aliens expect Buzz to accept their beliefs without question, when Buzz is chosen by the Claw, they exclaim "you have been chosen".

How often do we as Christians sit in our churches, waiting for someone from the outside to come in. When they do, how often do we expect them to accept our beliefs, traditions, and practises without question. Do we just try to turn them into another clone of us looking, dressing, behaving the same that every other person in our churches does. Surely we should step out of environment to reach the lost, we should accept them as they are, God made us all different, he delights in our diversity. Let's make God ( and church) more accessible to the lost (without compromising the message or our integrity). We need to show a God who loves people for who they are and what he can make them into, not for who they will be if they follow our traditions.

Hope you find this interesting
Jonathan Hardwick
Surrey United Kingdom

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