Last Friday I went and saw “Law Abiding Citizen” with my dad. The movie stars Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx and is the story of a man who is seeking vengeance for the murder of his family and the lawyer trying to stop him.
The movie is great in many aspects. One of the first things I loved was that it took next to no time to get right into the meat of the story. (I personally do not enjoy when a movie spends twenty minutes establishing a happy family life just to see it brutally taken away, especially since (as LAC showed) that same establishing can be done in about sixty seconds. From there the film is a whirlwind of great story telling and graphic violence. Gerard Butler completely delivers an outstanding performance that is surprisingly matched by Jamie Foxx. While this is definitely NOT a movie for children, I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good action-thriller.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Apparently the Navy has never seen a movie...
The United States Navy has recently announced that they have begun development on a new type of drone fighter. The new drones are designed to have the ability to "talk" to each other and act as a "swarm" to fight their targets. One question: Has anyone in the Naval Intelligence Community ever seen a science fiction flick? This seems like step one to the robot-zombie-nazis.
Full (Non-Sarcastic) Article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571133,00.html
Full (Non-Sarcastic) Article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571133,00.html
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday Movies: Top 15 Action Movies
Today we are counting down the 15 best action movies of all time as according to Joshua J.
Now let’s be clear on what qualifies as an action movie: Explosions, fight-scenes, car chases, blood, gore, and general mayhem. Notice what is not there: Good acting and good writing. While many of the movies mentioned below will have both of those within them some may be…lacking in one or the other.**
1) Die Hard – He’s just a normal guy, that’s what makes John McClane so amazing and enjoyable to watch; he doesn’t have huge rippling muscles, he’s not a member of some elite military unit, he’s just a guy (who isn’t wearing shoes) who has to take on a sect of international money-grubbing terrorists to save his wife. (It is simultaneously the best Christmas film of all time, go Bruce Willis!)
2) Predator – In stark contrast to the number one choice, this movie is all about huge muscles and even larger guns. The quintessential movie of alien arrivals and blowing things up, this movie also spawned two govenators.
3) Rambo: First Blood – Now this movie does tend to break my own rules, not too many explosions, not a LOT of gunfire even, it could arguably be called a psychological thriller more than an action movie, but I think it should be called both, it is quite simply one of the most interesting action movies out there.
4) Saving Private Ryan – This WWII movie starts off with one of the most brutal and graphic scenes in the history of film (for those who do not know WWII veterans watched it and said it was EXACTLY how they remember it) and from that scene the movie goes into a stirring story interlaced with action sequences; not just one of the best action movies, but one of the best movies out there period.
5) Gladiator – From the incredible war scene in the beginning to the oh-so-satisfying slow shoving of the dagger into the emperor’s neck, Gladiator does not leave you wanting and unlike other movies about ancient Greece/Rome, Gladiator focuses less on scantily clad muscular men and more on a story that has you cheering for the ending.
6) Robocop – This movie was nearly rated X for violence, need I say more? I will anyway, but seriously. It’s a movie about a cyborg that goes all kinds of crazy and kills bad guys, in a word: Awesome.
7) Terminator 2 – Alright, I’ll admit that 99.999999% of the time sequels suck, but every GREAT once in a while there comes a sequel that outshines the original; T2 is one of these rare movies.
8) Zombieland – Gore, hilarity, and a hot girl. This movie is the best zombie-action movie I’ve ever seen, and it’s entertaining from start to finish. Rule 1: Cardio.
9) Braveheart – Arguably this is actually a romance movie, but with all the arms getting lobbed off, eyes getting shot with arrows and Scottish accents I doubt you’ll notice.
10) The Matrix – There is no spoon, but there ARE lots of bullets and explosions. Whoa.
11) Transformers – Huge transforming robots fighting a centuries-long-war here on Earth. Oh and Megan Fox looking smokin’ hot. Yes please.
12) Incredibles – Yep, it’s a kids movie, and it’s awesome. One of the few animated action films to bridge the age gap, “Incredibles” has a perfect mix of childish humor, adult plotlines, and exploding stuff; it also has the best soundtrack since Junglebook.
13) Taken – Any girl who is considering going overseas MUST see this movie. But the reason it’s an epic action movie is because everything the guy does is believable; he does not do insane martial arts or use crazy gadgets, and by the end of the movie he’s been shot, beaten, bruised and broken all in the pursuit of saving his daughter.
14) Raiders of the Lost Ark – Timeless period-piece and classic movie. Just go see it.
15) Star Wars Saga – While it would be possible to talk about how any single one of the SW movies was an action movie (okay except maybe episode II), it’s really one story and the action of the whole thing deserves to be examined. (Plus this way I avoid some nerd-boy sending me an e-mail of why Episode V was the best and not Episode VI or whatever.)
Now let’s be clear on what qualifies as an action movie: Explosions, fight-scenes, car chases, blood, gore, and general mayhem. Notice what is not there: Good acting and good writing. While many of the movies mentioned below will have both of those within them some may be…lacking in one or the other.**
1) Die Hard – He’s just a normal guy, that’s what makes John McClane so amazing and enjoyable to watch; he doesn’t have huge rippling muscles, he’s not a member of some elite military unit, he’s just a guy (who isn’t wearing shoes) who has to take on a sect of international money-grubbing terrorists to save his wife. (It is simultaneously the best Christmas film of all time, go Bruce Willis!)
2) Predator – In stark contrast to the number one choice, this movie is all about huge muscles and even larger guns. The quintessential movie of alien arrivals and blowing things up, this movie also spawned two govenators.
3) Rambo: First Blood – Now this movie does tend to break my own rules, not too many explosions, not a LOT of gunfire even, it could arguably be called a psychological thriller more than an action movie, but I think it should be called both, it is quite simply one of the most interesting action movies out there.
4) Saving Private Ryan – This WWII movie starts off with one of the most brutal and graphic scenes in the history of film (for those who do not know WWII veterans watched it and said it was EXACTLY how they remember it) and from that scene the movie goes into a stirring story interlaced with action sequences; not just one of the best action movies, but one of the best movies out there period.
5) Gladiator – From the incredible war scene in the beginning to the oh-so-satisfying slow shoving of the dagger into the emperor’s neck, Gladiator does not leave you wanting and unlike other movies about ancient Greece/Rome, Gladiator focuses less on scantily clad muscular men and more on a story that has you cheering for the ending.
6) Robocop – This movie was nearly rated X for violence, need I say more? I will anyway, but seriously. It’s a movie about a cyborg that goes all kinds of crazy and kills bad guys, in a word: Awesome.
7) Terminator 2 – Alright, I’ll admit that 99.999999% of the time sequels suck, but every GREAT once in a while there comes a sequel that outshines the original; T2 is one of these rare movies.
8) Zombieland – Gore, hilarity, and a hot girl. This movie is the best zombie-action movie I’ve ever seen, and it’s entertaining from start to finish. Rule 1: Cardio.
9) Braveheart – Arguably this is actually a romance movie, but with all the arms getting lobbed off, eyes getting shot with arrows and Scottish accents I doubt you’ll notice.
10) The Matrix – There is no spoon, but there ARE lots of bullets and explosions. Whoa.
11) Transformers – Huge transforming robots fighting a centuries-long-war here on Earth. Oh and Megan Fox looking smokin’ hot. Yes please.
12) Incredibles – Yep, it’s a kids movie, and it’s awesome. One of the few animated action films to bridge the age gap, “Incredibles” has a perfect mix of childish humor, adult plotlines, and exploding stuff; it also has the best soundtrack since Junglebook.
13) Taken – Any girl who is considering going overseas MUST see this movie. But the reason it’s an epic action movie is because everything the guy does is believable; he does not do insane martial arts or use crazy gadgets, and by the end of the movie he’s been shot, beaten, bruised and broken all in the pursuit of saving his daughter.
14) Raiders of the Lost Ark – Timeless period-piece and classic movie. Just go see it.
15) Star Wars Saga – While it would be possible to talk about how any single one of the SW movies was an action movie (okay except maybe episode II), it’s really one story and the action of the whole thing deserves to be examined. (Plus this way I avoid some nerd-boy sending me an e-mail of why Episode V was the best and not Episode VI or whatever.)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday Music: Memento Mori
Mark it on the calendar, put it in your cell phone notifications, tattoo it on your forehead: Flyleaf will release their second album entitled “Memento Mori” on November 10th of this year.
It has been just over four years since the release of the group’s first, self-titled, album, and for this fan, that has been a span too long. They are one of the incredibly rare bands that have poetry in their lyrics, great musical ability and are able to keep their songs clean while still not pulling punches. If you have not heard their work before go to their myspace at www.myspace.com/flyleaf and check out their first album (last I checked they had the whole thing free for you to listen to). There you can also find the first single from “Memento Mori” which is entitled “Again.” I’m fairly certain that you will become a fan of the beautiful voice of Lacey Mosley and the sweeping melodies of of Flyleaf.
It has been just over four years since the release of the group’s first, self-titled, album, and for this fan, that has been a span too long. They are one of the incredibly rare bands that have poetry in their lyrics, great musical ability and are able to keep their songs clean while still not pulling punches. If you have not heard their work before go to their myspace at www.myspace.com/flyleaf and check out their first album (last I checked they had the whole thing free for you to listen to). There you can also find the first single from “Memento Mori” which is entitled “Again.” I’m fairly certain that you will become a fan of the beautiful voice of Lacey Mosley and the sweeping melodies of of Flyleaf.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday Theology: The Discipline of Fasting
"In a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the Golden Arches and an assortment of Pizza Temples, fasting seems out of place, out of step with the times. In fact, fasting has been in general disrepute both in and outside the Church for many years…What would account for this almost total disregard of a subject so frequently mentioned in Scripture and so ardently practiced by Christians through the Centuries? Two things: First, fasting has developed a bad reputation as a result of the excessive ascetic practices of the Middle Ages…Second, the constant propaganda fed us today convinces us that if we do not have three large meals each day, with several snacks in between, we are on the verge of starvation." – Richard J. Foster
Even though fasting has, by in large, fallen out of practice (and even when it is practiced it is often done so incorrectly), it is important to recognize that many of the great men of God embraced this discipline; Moses the lawgiver, David the King, Elijah the prophet, Esther the queen, Daniel the seer, Anna the prophetess, Paul the apostle, Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. Theresa De Avilla, and St. John of the Cross are just a few of the notable people.
Biblical Fasting:
Biblically, fasting means abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water. In general a fast is truly that simple, stay away from all food save water, however there are two major exceptions, the first of which is known as a “Partial Fast.” A partial fast is exactly what it sounds like, it is a fast from MOST things, but not all things, this often takes the form of only consuming fruit juice so that your body will have some nutrients, but will still be abstaining and is most often used as either a method of learning to fast, or in situations where it is impossible to do a regular fast. The second variation is an “Absolute Fast” in which everything, including water, is given up. It is important to note that an absolute fast is ONLY embarked upon under clear guidance from God and only for three days at most. (There are accounts of miraculous absolute fasts lasting weeks in the Bible, but unless you are certain you are the next Moses or Elijah, just stick to the three day rule.)
Purpose of Fasting:
The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on God. However, this focusing does have some secondary benefits; fasting often reveals what things control us, reminds us that God and not food is what we are sustained by, and keep things in life in perspective. The easiest example of this is food (though fasting will often reveal other things which control you); if a person is giving up food and feels themselves drawn to it above worshiping God, they know that they are at least partially controlled by that, they are forced to acknowledge that no matter how much they are able to eat their very existence is dependent upon God (they could easily eat a five-course meal and walk outside to get hit by a bus), and they are reminded that nothing in this life is as important as God and the people He has put into our lives, especially not things; all of this can easily be revealed during a fast.
During a fast, you should be in constant prayer, meditation and internal (or external if you feel so led) song to God. The fast will take you out of your normal routine and allow you to more easily remember to focus on God.
Fasting must be LEARNED:
Fasting is one of the most commonly failed endeavors believers embark upon. This is often because they are not taught how to, nor prepared for a fast. Like all disciplines there is a progression that can be used to slowly gear up your fasting abilities so that you can be more successful and thus not lose heart as you attempt to fast more and more; that said, do not beat yourself up for failing! Here is a program by which fasting can be started, and increased incrementally:
- Start out by going on a partial fast for twenty-four hours once a week. Drink fruit juice during this fast but don’t eat solid foods. Do this until you find yourself being successful at it for two or three weeks in a row.
- Next trying going on a twenty-four hour regular fast once a week for a few weeks. Once you are successful at this, begin attempting a 36 hour fast.
- After this begin to pray about whether you should go on a 3-7 day fast, and as God and your ability to fast allow, simply add on days. There are many people, not me yet, who can go as long as 40 straight days on just water.
**NOTE**
Some people should NOT fast! Diabetics, pregnant women, and heart patients are a few; if you have questions about your health consult a medical professional.
Fasting can lead to incredible spiritual breakthroughs and bring us into a more correctly aligned walk with God. I encourage you all to embrace this long set-aside discipline and please, let me know how things go for you! Remember that all of these concepts and some of the text come directly from Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Next Thursday I’ll be talking about studying the Word, the last of the inward disciplines.
Even though fasting has, by in large, fallen out of practice (and even when it is practiced it is often done so incorrectly), it is important to recognize that many of the great men of God embraced this discipline; Moses the lawgiver, David the King, Elijah the prophet, Esther the queen, Daniel the seer, Anna the prophetess, Paul the apostle, Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, St. Theresa De Avilla, and St. John of the Cross are just a few of the notable people.
Biblical Fasting:
Biblically, fasting means abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water. In general a fast is truly that simple, stay away from all food save water, however there are two major exceptions, the first of which is known as a “Partial Fast.” A partial fast is exactly what it sounds like, it is a fast from MOST things, but not all things, this often takes the form of only consuming fruit juice so that your body will have some nutrients, but will still be abstaining and is most often used as either a method of learning to fast, or in situations where it is impossible to do a regular fast. The second variation is an “Absolute Fast” in which everything, including water, is given up. It is important to note that an absolute fast is ONLY embarked upon under clear guidance from God and only for three days at most. (There are accounts of miraculous absolute fasts lasting weeks in the Bible, but unless you are certain you are the next Moses or Elijah, just stick to the three day rule.)
Purpose of Fasting:
The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on God. However, this focusing does have some secondary benefits; fasting often reveals what things control us, reminds us that God and not food is what we are sustained by, and keep things in life in perspective. The easiest example of this is food (though fasting will often reveal other things which control you); if a person is giving up food and feels themselves drawn to it above worshiping God, they know that they are at least partially controlled by that, they are forced to acknowledge that no matter how much they are able to eat their very existence is dependent upon God (they could easily eat a five-course meal and walk outside to get hit by a bus), and they are reminded that nothing in this life is as important as God and the people He has put into our lives, especially not things; all of this can easily be revealed during a fast.
During a fast, you should be in constant prayer, meditation and internal (or external if you feel so led) song to God. The fast will take you out of your normal routine and allow you to more easily remember to focus on God.
Fasting must be LEARNED:
Fasting is one of the most commonly failed endeavors believers embark upon. This is often because they are not taught how to, nor prepared for a fast. Like all disciplines there is a progression that can be used to slowly gear up your fasting abilities so that you can be more successful and thus not lose heart as you attempt to fast more and more; that said, do not beat yourself up for failing! Here is a program by which fasting can be started, and increased incrementally:
- Start out by going on a partial fast for twenty-four hours once a week. Drink fruit juice during this fast but don’t eat solid foods. Do this until you find yourself being successful at it for two or three weeks in a row.
- Next trying going on a twenty-four hour regular fast once a week for a few weeks. Once you are successful at this, begin attempting a 36 hour fast.
- After this begin to pray about whether you should go on a 3-7 day fast, and as God and your ability to fast allow, simply add on days. There are many people, not me yet, who can go as long as 40 straight days on just water.
**NOTE**
Some people should NOT fast! Diabetics, pregnant women, and heart patients are a few; if you have questions about your health consult a medical professional.
Fasting can lead to incredible spiritual breakthroughs and bring us into a more correctly aligned walk with God. I encourage you all to embrace this long set-aside discipline and please, let me know how things go for you! Remember that all of these concepts and some of the text come directly from Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Next Thursday I’ll be talking about studying the Word, the last of the inward disciplines.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday Wellness: Just like Jessica
When you think of beautiful women in Hollywood, one girl that absolutely must come to mind is Jessica Biel. The spunky brunette has been gorgeous since her days on 7th Heaven, and has only gotten more so as time has gone on. That beauty however, has not come without a LOT of work, discipline, and dedication both to her diet, and to her intensive work out routine.
Jessica Biel’s Workout:
- Stretch: One of her favorite warm-ups is the walking lunge. How-to: With feet together, lunge first with right leg. Bring left foot alongside right. Lunge with left. Do 8-10 per leg.
- Cardio: Cardio is arguably the most important part of any workout.. After a ½-mile jog, she hits the track for two 200-meter, 150-meter and 100-meter sprints.
- Core: Jessica does hanging leg-raises to tone and flatten her tummy. How-to: Hanging from a high bar or rings, pull knees up slightly above waist. Do three sets of 15 repetitions.
- Plyometrics: For the record: I’ve done these, they flipping suck but they’re awesome as well. How-to: Jump from the bottom step of a flight of at least 20 stairs to the third. Keep going, skipping a stair each jump.
- Weight Training: Ms. Biel does a lot of light-weight work, with high repetitions. This allows for a toning rather than a building of muscle and combined with speed is also a decent cardio workout.
- For the waist: She does the Russian Twist. Sit down and lean back slightly. Hold a 5-lb. medicine ball and twist from side to side, 15 twists per side, three reps.
- For shoulders/biceps: Stand with knees slightly bent. Hold 10-lb. weights in each hand. Curl to chest. Rotate hands, palms face outward. Press overhead together. Do 3 sets of 10-12 reps
Jessica Biel’s Diet:
- “Clean foods”— those that aren’t processed—are on the menu Jason Walsh, Jessica’s trainer created. “She eats complex carbs at the beginning of the day,” he says, “and tapers off by the end.”
- Breakfast: 1 cup of oatmeal with handful of berries.
- Snack: 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1-1 ½ tbsp. of almond butter and sliced bananas on top.
- Lunch: Salad with 5-6 oz of chicken, vinaigrette dressing.
- Snack: A banana, apple or strawberries.
- Dinner: 6oz. of fish, plate full of veggies, 1/2 cup of low-glycemic basmati rice. Sweets A couple of pieces of dark chocolate.
The above information is from an interview Mr. Walsh did with People. However it is also important to note that Ms. Biel also lives an active lifestyle; she jogs, plays volleyball, all kinds of things that burn calories but are not directly a planned “work-out”. It should also be noted that on five different sites discussing this topic, five completely different routines and diets were good; I chose to use the above because out of the five websites I read it seemed the most realistic and healthy.
Also check out a video of Ms. Biel discussing the Blade 3 Workout (She looked ridiculously awesome in that movie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tISVO9CcEBQ
Source for workout/diet information: http://www.fitsugar.com/117770
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday Talking Points: Henry Gibson
A few weeks ago, on September 14th, one of the great comedy character actors of our time passed away of cancer at his home in Malibu. Henry Gibson was a regular and stand-out on the show Laugh-In, which I experienced in re-runs on Nick at Night growing up. His most famous role was as the leader of the Illinois Nazis in John Landis' 1980 film, The Blues Brothers.
Henry Gibson's real name was James Bateman. He chose the stage name Henry Gibson as a play on the name of the famed playwright Henrik Ibsen, of whom he was an admirer. Here are three examples of his poetry:
How I Saved A Baby Rhino from Slippin' In The Quicksand,
Whilst In Search Of My Fountain Pen,
Last Summer Along The Amazon River
With great difficulty.
Patacake
Patacake, patacake, baker's man
Bake me a friend.
Dogs Are Better Than Ants
Dogs are better than ants
Because you don't have to bend so far to pet them
In addition, they are sturdy old muzzlers
Who fetch us our slippers, papers, and twig chunks
Twig chunks
But most of all, they stay out of jelly jars and
Never go squish if you happen to step on them.
Here are some good YouTubes of Mr. Gibson:
Henry Gibson (the one in purple) on an insane episode of "Wonder Woman"
A clip from Blues Brothers
and some bits from Laugh-In.
Rest in peace sir.
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