For those who live outside of the inconceivable comic book bubble, the storyline for Captain America is very similar to most action movies, and even more similar to most superhero films.
The setting is 1942 at the beginning of WWII, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to join the military but is rejected for not meeting the physical requirements. He is asked to volunteer for a secret experiment that transforms him into a super soldier. Instead of sending him off to war however, the military turns him into a propaganda dummy called Captain America, trying to get Americans to support the war. He is forced to take matters into his own hands when Johann Schmidt aka Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) uses his technologically advanced army, HYDRA to take control of the war. Truly becoming the hero the country needs, Captain America leads a group of soldiers against Schmidt and HYDRA, altering the course of WWII.
Coming in to the release of this movie, I, like many others had high hopes but was skeptical. Being a huge comic/superhero fan and just a Marvel fan in general, i hoped for a production comparable to Thor and Iron Man, entertaining Hollywood renditions. I anticipated a solid action movie that somewhat stayed true to the comics, and told Captain America’s story similarly to the other Avengers films. My skepticism came from the inevitable “cheesy” factor that surrounds super hero movies and comic books in general. Superheros & villains that fill the script with comical one-liners sometimes put a damper on an otherwise solid story with real heart and drama. When i heard that Chris Evans (The Losers, Fantastic Four) was going to play Captain America, I quickly joined the skeptic’s side. He is generally a goofball, is hard to take seriously, and on top of that he had played a superhero in Fantastic Four (Johnny Storm). All strikes when you are about to become the First Avenger, right?
Wrong. Turns out Chris Evans surprisingly can play a serious (mostly) role, and pulled off Steve Rogers quite well. He ultimately retained his dry humor and wit but really was able to capture the emotionally vulnerable side of Captain America which was what i was most worried about. Throw in solid performances by veterans Hugo Weaving (V for Vendetta, Lord of the Rings) who played Red Skull and Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive, Men in Black) who played Colonel Phillips, and you have a well laid acting base for the film.
Ultimately i gave the movie 3/5 stars and here’s why:
Although the acting was surprisingly solid and the story stayed pretty close to the core of the comic books, the action sequences were rushed and mildly entertaining at best. Instead of focusing on larger battle scenes and letting them play out, most of the core action is done very quickly using overly dramatic bursts of action showing the Captain in slow motion poses or jumping motorcycles through fire. General fans of comic book movies will be pleased but not impressed. The more avid fan might be let down a bit easier at the “easy way out” approach that was seemed to have been taken. Fans of the Avengers however get to wet their appetite with countless references to the future of Captain America and the Avengers themselves. Even Howard Stark, Tony Stark’s (Iron Man) father plays a rather large role in the film and we are given insight to Tony’s personality and the relationship he and Rogers will have later in the Avengers. Captain America while it did not impress me, was definitely a solid entertaining film worthy of watching, besides with Iron Man as my favorite Avenger, I’m a bit biased.
Watchers : Rent it.
Collectors : Worth buying.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Review- The Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is working on a chemically engineered virus that is designed to give brand new genetic material to a living creature. With hopes of curing diseases like Alzheimer’s Rodman starts his testing on chimpanzees and discovers that the virus not only creates new genetic material but increases brain function and motor skills at a incredible rate. One of the test chimps called “bright eyes” shows such increased intelligence, being able to complete complex puzzles and communicate easily, that Rodman pushes for human trials. An outburst of agression and rage from the promising chimpanzee shuts the program down before Rodman can find a cure for his dying father. After putting down all the test chimpanzees, a fellow scientist finds an infant in “bright eyes” cage and realizes that the mother only showed aggression because she was protecting her baby. Filled with compassion he gives the baby to an unwilling Rodman who reluctantly takes and raises the chimp. “Caesar” (Andy Serkis) inherits his mothers advanced genes and learns at an incredible rate, being able to reason and communicate. After an accident with a neighbor Caesar is taken away from Rodman where he is placed in cruel conditions with other zoo apes. Caesar feels betrayed and soon plots to gain his freedom with his fellow primates. Caesar sneaks out of the preserve to Rodman’s house and steals more of the samples of the virus and releases it to the other apes in captivity. Quickly gaining a conciousness and intelligence the other primates follow Caesar’s leadership and run wild through San Francisco destroying any attempts at control by the police, and eventually find refuge in the forest. Meanwhile the released virus at the pharmaceutical company has the reverse effect on humans, becoming wildly contagious, and spreads throughout the world quickly, implying the eventual downfall of the human race.
I had low expectations for this movie, simply because the first remake was such a let down and because the original version with Charlton Heston was such a classic. Coming in from a low perspective I was able to appreciate the entertaining value of the movie. It is easy to become attached to the lovable character of Caesar and then be on their side when the police are trying to stop their escape. The action was done well, not over doing the CGI to the point of ridiculousness. It was a bit slow at first but the acting is solid enough to keep your attention. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5 for an entertaining remake with a surprisingly believable screenplay for a movie about apes becoming the dominant species on earth. I will definitely look for a sequel continuing the story.
Watchers: definitely watch it!
Collectors: worth buying!
I had low expectations for this movie, simply because the first remake was such a let down and because the original version with Charlton Heston was such a classic. Coming in from a low perspective I was able to appreciate the entertaining value of the movie. It is easy to become attached to the lovable character of Caesar and then be on their side when the police are trying to stop their escape. The action was done well, not over doing the CGI to the point of ridiculousness. It was a bit slow at first but the acting is solid enough to keep your attention. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5 for an entertaining remake with a surprisingly believable screenplay for a movie about apes becoming the dominant species on earth. I will definitely look for a sequel continuing the story.
Watchers: definitely watch it!
Collectors: worth buying!
The Truth Can Set You Free, or Keep You Locked Up -taken from my tumblr from last year
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. - Colossians 1 13-23
Knowing that man was created in the image of God, and choosing to believe that we are here for a reason, apparently means that i am “denying myself the education i have the right to” and that i “have been lied to”.
Lets make one thing clear, to assume that just because someone is a Christian they have just fallen for a trick, not really searched for the answer, and blindly follow what the bible says just because they have been told to, is a MISTAKE.
The Bible says to search for yourselves the truth, not to take someones opinion about it. For we can’t come to God through someone else’s reasoning.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14-6
Knowing that there is only one truth and believing it, is the same thing as believing in gravity. You see the evidence, however asinine some may think that it is, and you believe it based on what you know to be true. We have been instilled with the ability to know wrong from right, but no one questions that.
It is not me that has been lied to.
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” John 12:40
It’s hard to argue with people about anything serious, because emotions get the best of the situation. Before you know it, its more of a personal attack than it is a debate. It’s funny how irritating simple truth can be, and while i am laughing at the insults, the “offended” are fuming until steam is coming out of their ears.
Anyway, heres a good bedtime story. It applies to everyone, even me.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God -Romans 3:23
____________
I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly. I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.
When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.
I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. -Revelation 20
Knowing that man was created in the image of God, and choosing to believe that we are here for a reason, apparently means that i am “denying myself the education i have the right to” and that i “have been lied to”.
Lets make one thing clear, to assume that just because someone is a Christian they have just fallen for a trick, not really searched for the answer, and blindly follow what the bible says just because they have been told to, is a MISTAKE.
The Bible says to search for yourselves the truth, not to take someones opinion about it. For we can’t come to God through someone else’s reasoning.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14-6
Knowing that there is only one truth and believing it, is the same thing as believing in gravity. You see the evidence, however asinine some may think that it is, and you believe it based on what you know to be true. We have been instilled with the ability to know wrong from right, but no one questions that.
It is not me that has been lied to.
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” John 12:40
It’s hard to argue with people about anything serious, because emotions get the best of the situation. Before you know it, its more of a personal attack than it is a debate. It’s funny how irritating simple truth can be, and while i am laughing at the insults, the “offended” are fuming until steam is coming out of their ears.
Anyway, heres a good bedtime story. It applies to everyone, even me.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God -Romans 3:23
____________
I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly. I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.
When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.
I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. -Revelation 20
How do you love? -taken from my tumblr from last year
I could write for days on love.
Days.
but i had a thought just reading another post about a mans true love for a woman.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
This principle is obviously pointed towards husbands and wives, but it can be applied to all aspects of true love. friends and family.
Christ gave us an example of how we are to love another and how we are to love Him.
Can you love a sandwich?
“Hey man you gotta try this new sandwich from Fridays, i absolutely LOVE it!”
Incorrect. you do not love the sandwich. There is no emotional attachment to it.
You might “like” it. You might “like” it alot. But you don’t love it. Its impossible to love a sandwich.
It’s impossible to truly love anything, unless you are willing to give up your own life for it.
So how should we love someone? Truly love them?
Well, how did Christ love us?
He died for us.
The next time you use the word love. Place it in perspective.
Would you give your life for them? Would you willingly die to ensure that they would have life?
In most cases, the answer is no.
Re-evaluate the source of your so called “love” and make sure its not a “like”.
Days.
but i had a thought just reading another post about a mans true love for a woman.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
This principle is obviously pointed towards husbands and wives, but it can be applied to all aspects of true love. friends and family.
Christ gave us an example of how we are to love another and how we are to love Him.
Can you love a sandwich?
“Hey man you gotta try this new sandwich from Fridays, i absolutely LOVE it!”
Incorrect. you do not love the sandwich. There is no emotional attachment to it.
You might “like” it. You might “like” it alot. But you don’t love it. Its impossible to love a sandwich.
It’s impossible to truly love anything, unless you are willing to give up your own life for it.
So how should we love someone? Truly love them?
Well, how did Christ love us?
He died for us.
The next time you use the word love. Place it in perspective.
Would you give your life for them? Would you willingly die to ensure that they would have life?
In most cases, the answer is no.
Re-evaluate the source of your so called “love” and make sure its not a “like”.
For Today - Taken from my tumblr from last year
Let me tell a story. For Today is a hardcore band from Iowa. They aren't that popular in the mainstream sense, but they have a heavy independent following and are able to pull a good crowd where ever they play. They are openly professing Christians, and their lyrics and lifestyle reflects they things that they believe. They seem to take scripture and translate it right into lyric form, and then combine that with amazing musicianship and talent. Some of their lyrics for example: “here i am God, send me to the world” and “i will proclaim the name of Christ, to a dead and dying world” anyway, several of the guys in our church including myself found out they were playing nearby, and it became a must-see event to attend. So we planned it out and got a group of people together to go see them. Now, when we found out that they were on tour, we looked and saw that the tour was called “the anti-hero” tour, and that they were playing with several other non-christian bands. We decided we still wanted to see them, for one because they are that good, but for two, because we wanted to see how they were around a different environment, one that was outside of their comfort zone maybe. Which brings me to a side note, if your in a so called “christian” band and you cant do any kind of relating or sharing of that faith in a so called “christian” scene, how are you going to reach the “non-christians”? its so easy to walk up to a fellow believer and say “yay God! lets pray together”. that's what happens at festivals like creation, and cornerstone. its the norm there to be a christian, its easy to share with everyone else there, your not getting judged by everyone around you! its quite a different experience when a few hundred people are staring at you expecting to hear cursing and profanity coming out of your mouth, and instead you are sharing Jesus with them. That's what it was like Sunday night. We got there as the first band was playing, and we were already somewhat annoyed with the venue. They had posted that the show was $15 online, but when we got in they said it was $17, and that we should have had our money ready. We started watching the opening bands and it was like they couldn't go a full sentence without dropping the F bomb. It was the “scene” thing to do, and the crowd loved it. The band A Word Alive got onstage and set up their gear, they got into a huddle and i expected to hear them say 1, 2, 3, hardcore! or something silly, but instead they put their hands together and counted, 1, 2, 3,…. F you! and gave each other the middle finger. i was like wow, is that where music has gone? we just wanted to see For Today and get out of there. We were anxious to see them and see how the crowd would react, after hearing what seemed like the entire place yell the F word every other sentence. I was actually shocked. Shocked at the crowd, and impressed by the band. They came out and played, they sang their in your face, this is who we are, this is who our God is, we are not ashamed, hardcore music. and the crowd sang every word! The same kids who were throwing up their middle fingers for hate, were now singing about being soldiers for Christ. It was so bizarre, i wanted to stop the show and ask them if they even knew what they were singing, and how they justified acting that way. I didn't see the booing and the rejection that i thought i would see, instead i just saw kids blind to their own guilt. no conscience. I was impressed however, by the band, because in the midst of their measly 20min set, the lead singer stopped and gave a short gospel message. Basically explaining that if he didn't get a chance to share why they did what they did, and who his God was, there was no reason they should be onstage. He told the crowd that there is freedom and peace in Jesus Christ, and that he could stand onstage unashamed and forgiven because of what Jesus did. He explained that no one in the room could be too broken, too hurt, too addicted to be rejected by the God that made them and loves them. He said all this in a secular environment, knowing that everyone there was judging him. That is being unashamed of your faith and what you believe in. Do you stand up for what you believe in?
Review- Stillglow Pride/Envy
Maryland based band Stillglow recently released their latest album called “Pride/Envy”, first in a series based on the seven deadly sins. Continuing to grow musically and lyrically, Stillglow provides a solid listening experience, provoking questions and concerns about self and humanity.
Musically the album spans genres, creating a bridge between the ambient/melodic to the punk/indie. The broad spectrum of this CD makes it impossible to classify Stillglow as a “band in a box” so to speak. Dan’s (lead vocals/guitar) sometimes quiet clean vocals provide a contrast to his sometimes erratic and energetic screams. The depth that they are able to achieve with only a three piece band is quite remarkable, thanks to intelligent writing on all accounts. Chris(bass/vocals) and Hunter(drums/vocals) are solid yet creative, making each member provide a unique point of view on each song. The music always matches the lyrics and mood of each individual line, heightening the effects of the emotional roller coaster the listener is on.
Lyrically dealing with two very heavy subjects, not only spiritually but personally, Pride/Envy is able to pose the hard questions but also point to the answers. Pride & envy are two of the seven deadly sins, but you don’t have to be religious to know that they are both something that every human has to deal with. Stillglow is able to make the listener question his/her own morality without shoving religion in their faces. The album points to our own sinfulness and then shows the possibility for forgiveness and escape. The alleviation is the key, bringing the listener back up from the bottom of despair. Using a plot complete with characters and a storyline, it displays pride & envy and the consequences therein.
The pride part of the album includes four characters: The Judge, King Hubris, God, and a narrator. The Judge sees that King Hubris puts himself as an equal with God and decides he will provide the justice for God himself. In the first song (Pride Wrought) the Judge sees what the King is doing and decides to exact God’s vengeance. The second song (The Judgement Of) is when the Judge brings Hubris to be punished and the King is unaware of his offense. The last song in the story (Hubris, the King) the King sees his failure and repents, asking for God’s grace and to be made clean. Pride on both accounts is evident and so is the release from it.
The Envy half of the album is written from the view of a leaf and a piece of dirt, two inanimate objects. The dirt wishes to be mighty and prominent like the mountain, envious of its stature and worth. The leaf is jealous of the wind and the effect the wind has on what it touches. The story ends with a song about erosion, and how we all have our own part to play no matter how big/small we might be. Envy is something that is unquenchable, for when we achieve what we are jealous of we are then envious of something else. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Showing their maturity spiritually and musically, Stillglow’s Pride/Envy showcases the bands talent, talent that should not go unnoticed. Well rounded and charismatic, this album makes Stillglow a must listen every time they produce new material.
Musically the album spans genres, creating a bridge between the ambient/melodic to the punk/indie. The broad spectrum of this CD makes it impossible to classify Stillglow as a “band in a box” so to speak. Dan’s (lead vocals/guitar) sometimes quiet clean vocals provide a contrast to his sometimes erratic and energetic screams. The depth that they are able to achieve with only a three piece band is quite remarkable, thanks to intelligent writing on all accounts. Chris(bass/vocals) and Hunter(drums/vocals) are solid yet creative, making each member provide a unique point of view on each song. The music always matches the lyrics and mood of each individual line, heightening the effects of the emotional roller coaster the listener is on.
Lyrically dealing with two very heavy subjects, not only spiritually but personally, Pride/Envy is able to pose the hard questions but also point to the answers. Pride & envy are two of the seven deadly sins, but you don’t have to be religious to know that they are both something that every human has to deal with. Stillglow is able to make the listener question his/her own morality without shoving religion in their faces. The album points to our own sinfulness and then shows the possibility for forgiveness and escape. The alleviation is the key, bringing the listener back up from the bottom of despair. Using a plot complete with characters and a storyline, it displays pride & envy and the consequences therein.
The pride part of the album includes four characters: The Judge, King Hubris, God, and a narrator. The Judge sees that King Hubris puts himself as an equal with God and decides he will provide the justice for God himself. In the first song (Pride Wrought) the Judge sees what the King is doing and decides to exact God’s vengeance. The second song (The Judgement Of) is when the Judge brings Hubris to be punished and the King is unaware of his offense. The last song in the story (Hubris, the King) the King sees his failure and repents, asking for God’s grace and to be made clean. Pride on both accounts is evident and so is the release from it.
The Envy half of the album is written from the view of a leaf and a piece of dirt, two inanimate objects. The dirt wishes to be mighty and prominent like the mountain, envious of its stature and worth. The leaf is jealous of the wind and the effect the wind has on what it touches. The story ends with a song about erosion, and how we all have our own part to play no matter how big/small we might be. Envy is something that is unquenchable, for when we achieve what we are jealous of we are then envious of something else. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Showing their maturity spiritually and musically, Stillglow’s Pride/Envy showcases the bands talent, talent that should not go unnoticed. Well rounded and charismatic, this album makes Stillglow a must listen every time they produce new material.
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