Thursday, August 30, 2007

300

Last night I went over to Jeff's house and we watched 300. It was deffinately worth the re-watch even though I had to fight sleep during the last half hour. There is a lot to talk about with this movie, even though it's claimed not quite as good as the graphic novel to movie adaptation of Sin City. I think what this one lacked against the dreary hit Sin City was multiple plot lines to keep you engrossed. Rather 300 relied on the fact that you were watching a stylistic interpretation of actual events. The characters did not lead you to become attached to them, but then again, would it be right to become attached to a rough, war-lord Spartan? I think that the quick paced, killing spree that took place is enough to raise the hair on anyone's neck and get any action seeking male 's blood pumping.

Technically this movie was beautiful. I loved the use of contrasting color used throughout the movies, mainly golds/tans/greys and deep reds. Red for the most part indicative of passion which is something that the Spartans were full of, tan/grey I would guess to lean towards disparity, barrenness. There are many scenes where people are left standing alone in the midst of or against a tan color. There is also a lot of usage of heavy shadowing, something used to forshadow a lot of the betrayal that is to take place.

Because of the style, not much if any blood is actually left lying around or on anyone or anything (yet much is spilled). This brings the level of gore down a notch or two when viewing. Knowing that this movie was mostly green screened, I am rather impressed by the use of technology, lighting, keying, camera movement and design to fill this movie (as well as acting, when was the last time you tried fighting something that wasn't there).

Warning, there is a fair use of nudity, as indicated by previous Miller movies.

I'd give this movie a 4.5 out of 5 on entertainment/viewing and about a 3 on story.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

A State of the Hardcore Union Address

I went to a show tonight, the first I've been to in a while. It was kinda sad the way hardcore music has ended up. All of these scenester kids running around trying to act hardcore. Since when were athletic shorts and cut off tshirts scene? Every 12 year old jumps into the pit now, regardless of whether or not it's time to go.

As far as the music goes, anyone can play hardcore, but you're not always hardcore. The intricacies of hardcore were amazing, and now you have simple drum beats, and guitar rifts that leave nothing to enjoy. It's just a barrage of loud noise to assault your ears. Oh well who knows what the future holds for hardcore. Maybe it will take a turn for the better and all of these bands who have potential will get their heads out of their arse.

I think an era has passed and it's time to move on.

stop going to shows

Thursday, August 23, 2007

They Never Got There Because They Never Listened

"Where am I going?"

There are a few times you ask yourself that question. You ask it when you graduate highschool, and again when you graduate college. You ask it when you're in a serious relationship, you ask it when you're in a job (or trying to find one).

How often do we ask ourselves in general where we are going?

They Never Got There Because They Never Listened

This is a quote from Hebrews 3 out of The Message, talking about Moses and the Israelites coming out of Egypt. Other versions say because of their disbelief they were unable to enter the promise land.

They weren't watching out for where they were going! They didn't listen to God and so they weren't able to enter his promise for them.

So I ask again...where are we going? are we listening to God? are we able to enter what he has laid out for us?

This is a hard question for me as I take a look at my life, daily struggling to enter the word and seek God, it's been a while and I'm searching for my groove. Praying God will keep me accountable and consistent. I want what he wants for my life, whether that is where he has me here and now, or he is prepping me for something in the future.

I've hear people say don't worry, God will direct you. I even tell myself that sometimes. God said to listen to him, to believe him. He never said we could not or should not ask where we're headed or to look forward. We may not get a quick or definitive answer, but we still need to ask, to seek, to follow and to listen.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Singularity

Mae's newest album Singularity happened to be sitting on a shelve in FYE last night as I was walking by. It caught my eye and when I saw that it was Mae, I picked it up and walked straight to the register! Destination Beautiful was a great album, very melodic and mellow and totally consistent from front to back. This album is the exact opposite with a great upbeat tone and diverse sound from track to track. Mae keeps their beautiful melodies and haunting vocals and delivers it with a new energy and catchy rifts that will have you loving every second of this new release.

As Cities Burns was an group that i discovered some time ago when I went to Nashville with a few friends. Their aggressive vocals and high energy mixed with incredibly lyrics and amazing melodies drew me in. This sophomore release on Tooth and Nail's label has that same energy and lyricism but to be honest I was a little shocked at the lack of aggressiveness in this album. Apparently with age comes some serenity in their music, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They've matured a lot vocally and musically and there is still an heir of their former aggressiveness. If you are partial to a little bit softer style but still enjoy some hard edge to your rock, then give this one a try.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Stepping on you with a smile since 1954

Most management principles and leadership training seminars tell you that service with a smile is the key to success in your career. This is entirely true, if you're not willing to get down and dirty then you're not going to be able to go any where.

Now take that statement service with a smile...and put it in terms of religion. Apparently in the realm of the religious, and more as a rule than an exception in christian realms do we see it take a whole other meaning. Somewhere down the line, in some great movement of faith someone had to have taught that what Jesus really meant by being a servant, was that Christians are to step on everyone else, but do it with a smile.

I was a server for about a year or so. I enjoyed it, I love serving people. To be honest, one of the groups of people that drove me to hate my job were 'Christians'. You could usually tell who these people were when they came in. Dressed casually, but nice, or dressed extremely nice. They usually come in with the whole family, or if older their spouse. Smiles from ear to ear, and 'joy' oozes from them as they just sat in the presence of a gifted pastoral figure that made them feel good about themselves for not being as much as a sinner as those that weren't there. Because you're serving on a Sunday you must not be a Christian. Strike One (and usually that is enough strikes that you get an attitude). These people sit there and smile the entire time, they usually forcibly order for their kids the cheapest thing on the menu, then order soup and salad for themselves (so long as it's unlimited). Mom makes sure the kids get milk, no pop, and then mom and dad have a glass of tea. What I never figured out is how I got them mad. They never seemed to stop smiling, but at every turn they were complaining and sending me back and forth as if they were the only table I had. In fact, most of the time they went to a manager, not about me directly, but about their experience as a whole. The whole time, stepping on you with a smile.

That was kind of mild in comparison with some encounters I had, and yes, that was a real situation with a real family in a real restaurant that I served at.

What about working in a Christian environment? Surely that wouldn't be so bad? Everyone is working towards the same goal, with the same end in mind?

People seem to think that because they're a 'Christian' and you're a 'Christian' that if they want you to do something and you're supposed to serve with a smile then you have to do it. There's that old two step, making life more miserable in the religious community. Unfortunately once again, this happens to be the rule rather than the exception while working or serving in a place that is supposed to run like the church in the bible. A church that Paul described as the body of Christ, fluid, one coherent machine, one mind.

This is extremely aggravating to most Christians. Yet we put this golden rule into practice with others right after we've been crushed between the proverbial toes of some other pious religious moron.

I'm not going to pretend that I haven't done this to any one, because I'm sure I have. I'm also not going to try and suggest a fix for it because I'm not sure I have one beyond Christ's calling for us to serve Him, and placing ourselves and our agenda to the side.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

back in black

I'm rejoining the blogsphere. 

I wouldn't say it is because of withdrawls, more like I need a place to vomit my mind every once in a while. I may put up the occasional review, I may even get geeky or techy on you. Just be prepared for whatever comes out of my mind to be thrown up on here. 



-audiojunky-