Movie Review- Thor

Let me just say this right off the bat: I never read the Thor comic. I knew who The Mighty Thor was, but I can honestly say I never read an issue. That didn't stop me from knowing a few scant details about the character. So, I saw the film. I was not disappointed; neither with the movie, nor with its yielding of theological subject material or insights.

If there is a problem I have with superhero films it is that the bulk of them are origin stories. But, it in this case, this was helpful. I'm not sure how faithful the film is to the comic storyline. But, I felt like I got a decent sense of the basics.

The eponymous main character is the son of the Norse deity Odin. It is at this point that I should probably inform you, dear reader, that my knowledge of Norse mythology is as limited as my knowledge of the Thor comic. Thor is also the brother (by adoption) of Loki. Apparently, Loki is some sort of trickster or mischievous deity.

There is much to discuss theologically. The deities have some human attributes (human form, the ability to lose limbs, the ability to die) to accompany their fantastic powers. This could spur a discussion of ancient religions, as well as present-day polytheistic religions. It could also start a good discussions of what exactly, the attributes of God are.

There is also the issue of Thor being "worthy" of the title/office (or, vocation) of King of Asgard. This can lead to several possibilities for discussion or illustrating. The first is, obviously, the sonship of Jesus. Another is how we obtain worthiness before God (what our sinful nature tells us vs. what Scripture teaches).

Another issue that could be addressed is Thor's hammer. This is of particularly of interest to Lutherans, especially if you've read the novel "The Hammer of God". This could be a way to introduce the book. Thor's hammer is one of the most powerful weapons in the universe. The Word of God happens to be the most powerful thing in the universe in real life. The connection is obvious.

This film is a good way to kill a couple of hours. It's not the best film ever, but it's not too bad. The hardcore fans will always find something to criticize, but I think the film could serve as a decent springboard to some good discussion. But, realize, there are better superhero film which would serve that purpose.

Movie Review- The Adjustment Bureau

I had been anticipating this film ever since I saw the trailer. The trailer led me to believe that the film would address some of the issues that I struggle with, both personally and professionally. I was not disappointed.

The film (based on a story by Philip K. Dick) tells the story of a hot-shot politician, who meets a woman by chance on the night of an electoral defeat. He then sees her again by pure chance. The problem is that he is not "supposed" to see her again. At this point, a group of men in suits and hats steps in to stop the ripples that will occur due to this chance meeting.

The plot centers around the politician and this woman. But more than just a simple love story is the heart of the issue. This pair's couplehood goes against something that is constantly referred to as "the plan".

So often, Christians (both ordained, and non-ordained) are caught repeating their catchphrase, "God has a plan for your life." Many different varieties of Christians can say that phrase, and even mean it. But it means very different things to different breeds of Christians.

Some of the issues addressed by the film are good questions that many people have: Does God have a plan? What does that mean? How much of the plan do we have control over? How much can we influence the plan? Is the plan adjustable? Does it matter if we don't understand the plan? Should we worry about trying to understand the plan or merely worry about following it? All of these are good, honest questions that regular people in the pews (and sometimes the pulpits) wrestle with.

How would you preach the idea of "God's Plan"? How would you answer the questions listed above?

GOSPEL HANDLES

The film shows that there is grace when we slip up, and redemption (or recovery) is possible.

CLERGY HANDLES

There are no depictions of clergy in the film.

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 19

"There never yet have been, nor are there now, too many good books."

--Martin Luther

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 18

"So let's shut up and bite this Lilliputian-sized tax bullet. Help keep some great old paintings and some deranged new ones in plain view of the average citizen, and at the same time, help defend individual expression against the first wave of the brain gendarmes."

--Dennis Miller in The Rants

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 17

"The Christian artist will often be an irritant, disturbing the anthropocentric view of the world that fallen nature naturally gravitates toward."

--Steve Turner in Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts

Introspective Interlude 1

Lately, I've gotten back into the practice of listening to books on tape or CD in my car instead of music or the radio. This certainly helps out with my goal of reading 75 books by the end of the year. It also gives me a quite a variety of reading/listening material.

The book I most recently finished was A Match Made in Heaven by Robert L. Mitchell. It tells the story of a Harvard professor named Elliott Goodman. The good professor has a heart attack, and while the hospital staff is trying to save his life, a dialogue with God. God asks why he should spare Elliott. God gives him a chance to save his life by playing golf. God sends down 18 icons of human history to play against Elliott, 1 per hole. he plays for his life against people like Leonardo DaVinci, John Lennon, Babe Ruth, Edgar Allan Poe, Moses, Gandhi, Socrates, and others.

This is not a Christian book, and will not match Christian theology in any manner. However, that's not really the aim of this post. While I enjoyed the book's depictions of the historical figures, and the parallels it made between golf and life, it did get me thinking about another thing.

Suppose I were in the same situation. Who would I want to play golf against, given the chance? Here's my list. The numbers correspond only to people. They are not indicative of hole numbering. It should also be noted that no one on the list is still living. I will amend the list as the situation demands.

1. St. Paul
2. Johnny Cash
3. Humphrey Bogart
4. Albert Einstein
5. Richard Wright
6. Cole Porter
7. Benjamin Franklin
8. Langston Hughes
9. Martin Luther
10. Katherine Hepburn
11. Kate Chopin
12. Curly Howard
13. Henri Nouwen
14. Rod Serling
15. Martin Luther King, Jr.
16. Fred Rogers
17. Basil Rathbone
18. Charles M. Schulz

Movie Review- The Last Airbender

I have never seen the cartoon on which this film is based. I saw this film because I'm a big fan of its director, M. Night Shyamalan. I've been a fan since The Sixth Sense. I hated The Happening. So, I was eager to see him bounce back. I was not disappointed! I know many professional critics dislike this film. That's fine, they're entitled to their educated opinion.

The plot itself seemed convoluted to me, but this is largely due to my own lack of familiarity with the source material. Fortunately, other people summarize the plot much better than I do. Yahoo! gives the following: "Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara, a Waterbender, and her brother Sokka to restore balance to their war-torn world."

Fortunately, this blog is more dedicated to spiritual issues than plot. And this film is loaded with spiritual issues. Examples include the power of belief, communing with a 'spirit world", reincarnation, dedication to religious vocations, as well as others which I know I am overlooking.

Many critics, profession and otherwise, and many filmgoers in general have given up on Shyamalan. But, the above paragraph explains why I have not. Regardless of the aesthetic merits of most his work post-Signs, his films speak to me. I thought about why this is. Then it hit me, the films of his which I love (all except The Happening) deal with persons trying to find their purpose. I've struggled with that issue personally.

Regarding theological issues, the films seems to be a conglomeration of various Eastern theologies. The discerning viewer will want to familiar with the basics of such religions as Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as pantheism. That sounds like a LOT of effort, just to see a movie, but it IS worth it.

Spiritual issues the film discusses include purpose, reincarnation, supernatural powers, monasticism, as well as others, such as corruption of power.

GOSPEL HANDLES

Aang (though a reincarnation of the Avatar), is the chosen one who will save the people. He is the only one who can master all the elements. He has special tattoos (markings) which identify him as the Avatar.

Also, there is a scene where the princess of the water tribe sacrifices herself so the people can be saved.

CLERGY HANDLES

Monks and priests abound in this film. They live in temples. They are not Christian monks or priests, though it is unclear what religion they actually are.

Many of our parishioners have children who are quite familiar with the cartoon series. That alone makes it worth seeing. I enjoyed the film, and still believe in M. Night Shyamalan, even if everyone else doesn't.

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 16

"The promise of art and revolution is that people might discard their preconceptions and truly understand what is in the mind of another."

--John Hockenberry in Moving Violations

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 15

"Like an artist who transfers mental images and colors to canvas, so the visioncaster paints a picture in the imagination of his audience."

--Andy Stanley in Visioneering, p. 90)

Pastoral Aesthetic Quotes- 14

"Epic poetry and Tragedy, Comedy also and Dithyrambic poetry, and the music of the flute and of the lyre in most of their forms, are all in their general conception modes of imitation. They differ, however, from one another in three respects, -the medium, the objects, the manner or mode of imitation, being in each case distinct."

--Aristotle (in Poetics)