Over the past four weeks, my church (church I go to) had a unique series. It all centered around war, and what the bible (& Jesus) had to say about it. Honestly, before the series, I've held the viewpoint, that war in certain circumstances is something that is necessary, during certain occasions that call for it. In fact, prior to attending my church in 2010, I came close to joining the National Guard. I went as far as taking the ASVAB test. The only thing that kept me from going forward, well there were several (such as prior thoughts of suicide, a few attempts), however the fact that I didn't know many people (enough to fully fill out the application), I probably would have gone through with it.
Looking back, I didn't have much thought about anything else when I thought about joining. This church series, has caused me to take a deeper look into war. I don't know if I can say I've changed my viewpoint, but it has caused me to think on it longer. Longer then I honestly thought it would.
I was asked about it during home church tonight, and my response was that it hasn't changed (my viewpoint), but I guess I wasn't totally honest about that. I also didn't share how I came close to joining the National Guard either.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
AMC Best Picture Showcase 2012
Next month (February 18th and 25th) marks the return of AMC's Best Picture Showcase, and for myself, marks my 4th or 5th year of going (in a row, pretty sure it's my 4th). If your a movie fan, it's an event that you have to be a part of at least once. This year, there will be 9, down from 10 the past two years, but still up from the traditional 5.
Tickets for the event aren't cheap ($60 total for both days, or $30 and $40 separately). I'll be seeing the Help in theaters for my third time during the event, and unfortunately, won't be sticking around for The Artist, or Midnight in Paris, as I have an evening event planned on the 25th. I'll be seeing WWE Raw World Tour house show that night (which is across the street from the theaters).
I will be seeing the Artist in theaters this week however, and I have bought Midnight in Paris on blu-ray, so I'll be able to have the same voting chance as others that stick around for the full event.
Tickets for the event aren't cheap ($60 total for both days, or $30 and $40 separately). I'll be seeing the Help in theaters for my third time during the event, and unfortunately, won't be sticking around for The Artist, or Midnight in Paris, as I have an evening event planned on the 25th. I'll be seeing WWE Raw World Tour house show that night (which is across the street from the theaters).
I will be seeing the Artist in theaters this week however, and I have bought Midnight in Paris on blu-ray, so I'll be able to have the same voting chance as others that stick around for the full event.
There's a man on the ledge
Well not really, but there is a new movie starring Sam Worthington and Elizabeth Banks that came out today, and unfortunately was the only one I saw today. Technically, I have seen two movies that have come out today, as I did see The Grey a few weeks ago, via screening, but anyways, back to this film.
This film is very similar to the movie Phone Booth, being that a majority of the film takes place in a phone booth, only with this film, the majority of the film takes place on a ledge of a hotel. The plot of the film is an ex-cop (Worthington) has been framed for a crime he did not commit, and Banks (a negotiator, or a cop who's role is to talk potential jumpers down) is brought in to talk with Nick Cassidy (Worthington), to get him down. Meanwhile, in a building directly across from the hotel, is Nick's brother, and his girlfriend (Nick's brother, not Nick's) attempt to steal the item that Nick was accused of stealing, from the man that setup Nick.
I was hooked on the film, but to be honest, there's a scene in the film (towards the end) where the film loses credibility, but won't effect the way you view the film (at least it didn't for me). I'd recommend this film, for someone looking for an escape, and nothing more. If the choice is between this one and the Grey, I'd go for the Grey.
This film is very similar to the movie Phone Booth, being that a majority of the film takes place in a phone booth, only with this film, the majority of the film takes place on a ledge of a hotel. The plot of the film is an ex-cop (Worthington) has been framed for a crime he did not commit, and Banks (a negotiator, or a cop who's role is to talk potential jumpers down) is brought in to talk with Nick Cassidy (Worthington), to get him down. Meanwhile, in a building directly across from the hotel, is Nick's brother, and his girlfriend (Nick's brother, not Nick's) attempt to steal the item that Nick was accused of stealing, from the man that setup Nick.
I was hooked on the film, but to be honest, there's a scene in the film (towards the end) where the film loses credibility, but won't effect the way you view the film (at least it didn't for me). I'd recommend this film, for someone looking for an escape, and nothing more. If the choice is between this one and the Grey, I'd go for the Grey.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
God's Plan For Me
This is something I have been thinking about for weeks, if not months, and if not for a friend's post on facebook, I probably wouldn't have thought about writing this for a blog entry. I also probably would have kept it to myself, and in turn that probably would be eating away at myself.
Maybe that's not worded correctly (I don't know), but that's something I often wonder, and have been praying about. Sometimes I feel stuck, sometimes I don't feel I'm moving in the direction I want to be moving, and at other times, I feel like the sky's the limit, but more and more I do feel god's presence in my life.
I'm nowhere near being content with where I'm at in life, but at the same time as I turn my complete trust towards the lord, it's slowly changing, but not quite.
Maybe that's not worded correctly (I don't know), but that's something I often wonder, and have been praying about. Sometimes I feel stuck, sometimes I don't feel I'm moving in the direction I want to be moving, and at other times, I feel like the sky's the limit, but more and more I do feel god's presence in my life.
I'm nowhere near being content with where I'm at in life, but at the same time as I turn my complete trust towards the lord, it's slowly changing, but not quite.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Job Search
No job, or unemployed, or however you want to describe it. That's my status right now, and in all honesty, I don't know when that's going to change. It sucks not having a job. In a sense it feels like you don't have a purpose, or at least it does me. My living situation doesn't help either. I live with my father, and two other brothers, however my father is extremely negative, and honestly, will tell you one thing to your face, and another behind your back. That makes it harder than it should be.
Right now, I'm trying to get a job with a tax agency, but I'm having no luck as of right now. It's also hard to be expected to go out driving everyday to look for a job, when you have no money for gas, yet that's the "talk" I'm given. My ideal scenario would be to get a job, and then move, but that's easier said than done. It's been my goal for a while now, but I haven't had any luck on the job front.
Right now, I'm trying to get a job with a tax agency, but I'm having no luck as of right now. It's also hard to be expected to go out driving everyday to look for a job, when you have no money for gas, yet that's the "talk" I'm given. My ideal scenario would be to get a job, and then move, but that's easier said than done. It's been my goal for a while now, but I haven't had any luck on the job front.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
WWE Monday Night Raw 1/16/12 (Honda Center)
I am by all means a big wrestling fan. I occasionally watch Impact Wrestling (TNA) on Spike TV, but I do watch WWE every week, and I am more a fan of that federation than the other one.
This past Monday, the WWE was in Anaheim for Monday Night Raw, which airs on the USA Network. I went, along with my brother, cousin, and dad (couldn't find anyone for the 4th ticket, so he went). This wasn't the first event I've been to, but these were perhaps the best tickets I've had since I've been going to these events.
Normally speaking, we've sat in the upper deck, or further back in the lower bowl, but our seats were right next to the entrance ramp, and it was amazing. The pyros were loud (which was expected), and it did get hot for a bit when they went off (again, was expected). The crowd was into it from the very beginning. Upon going to our seats, the crowd started chanting "Let's Go Cena, Cena Sucks." Various other chants throughout the night included "We want Ice Cream," which is in reference to CM Punk's Ice Cream shirt. There was the "Sexual Chocolate" chants, which is in reference to Mark Henry's older gimmick. Those Cena chants persisted each time Cena came out, and is always hilarious to hear.
Below are a few pictures to show where we were seated:
In total, the event lasted for three hours. The show started at 5:30 (they let you in the building at 4:30) and didn't finish until a little past 8:30. Before Raw, there was a taping of Superstars (which I believe is an online only show, or it runs on the weekends, not quite sure). At 6, the live taping of Raw started (it actually starts at 6 on the West Coast as well, if you have the HD channel of USA Network, otherwise you have to wait until 9 to watch the west coast feed). After Raw went off the air, there was a dark match between John Cena and Kane. That was fun. Most people jumped when Kane's pyros went off at the entrance ramp. Both wrestlers fought back and forth, with Kane getting disqualified because he used a chair on Cena, then gave him a chokeslam. While heading up the ramp, Kane (pictured in picture #3) turned back towards the ring, and headed back to give Cena a Tombstone (his other finisher), upon which Cena countered to give him an Attitude Adjustment (his finisher), after which Cena's music played, thus ending the night.
All in all, it was a great show. One of which I won't forget anytime soon. I will definitely try to go to the next live show that the WWE has out here, and am going to the house show they will be having out at the Ontario Citizens Business Bank Arena on February 25th.
This past Monday, the WWE was in Anaheim for Monday Night Raw, which airs on the USA Network. I went, along with my brother, cousin, and dad (couldn't find anyone for the 4th ticket, so he went). This wasn't the first event I've been to, but these were perhaps the best tickets I've had since I've been going to these events.
Normally speaking, we've sat in the upper deck, or further back in the lower bowl, but our seats were right next to the entrance ramp, and it was amazing. The pyros were loud (which was expected), and it did get hot for a bit when they went off (again, was expected). The crowd was into it from the very beginning. Upon going to our seats, the crowd started chanting "Let's Go Cena, Cena Sucks." Various other chants throughout the night included "We want Ice Cream," which is in reference to CM Punk's Ice Cream shirt. There was the "Sexual Chocolate" chants, which is in reference to Mark Henry's older gimmick. Those Cena chants persisted each time Cena came out, and is always hilarious to hear.
Below are a few pictures to show where we were seated:
All in all, it was a great show. One of which I won't forget anytime soon. I will definitely try to go to the next live show that the WWE has out here, and am going to the house show they will be having out at the Ontario Citizens Business Bank Arena on February 25th.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tinker, Tailor, Solider Slow... I Mean Spy
That is my initial reaction upon seeing the film. Then again I could have been a bit too tired to sit through the film, as the day before I spent 8 hours helping a neighbor move (which in hindsight could be true, as I dozing off during the movie, which is extremely rare for me). The film though does start off a bit slow for my standards, and in all honesty didn't pick up until Tom Hardy entered the picture.
The film itself is a spy movie, and a bit on the mystery genre, that takes place during the Cold War. There is a spy that the Russians (don't think this film is based on a true story) have placed in the British Intelligence Service, and the man tasked with solving who that person is, is George Smiley (played by Gary Oldman). As mentioned, the film gets good when Tom Hardy (who plays Ricky Tarr) appears in the film. He is the man whom holds the key to figuring out who the mole is.
The film does leave you thinking throughout the length of the film, and even so with the ending (won't reveal it), but I will say that it was a bit too obvious (at least for me) who the mole was. I suppose for anyone else that sees this movie and knows there actors, will be able to figure out who the mole is upon first seeing it.
Having said that, I do recommend this movie, however if you go in seeing it as tired as I was, I'd advise something with more action, and a bit more fast paced than this movie. If your up for a good film to keep you guessing, then by all means go out and see this.
The film itself is a spy movie, and a bit on the mystery genre, that takes place during the Cold War. There is a spy that the Russians (don't think this film is based on a true story) have placed in the British Intelligence Service, and the man tasked with solving who that person is, is George Smiley (played by Gary Oldman). As mentioned, the film gets good when Tom Hardy (who plays Ricky Tarr) appears in the film. He is the man whom holds the key to figuring out who the mole is.
The film does leave you thinking throughout the length of the film, and even so with the ending (won't reveal it), but I will say that it was a bit too obvious (at least for me) who the mole was. I suppose for anyone else that sees this movie and knows there actors, will be able to figure out who the mole is upon first seeing it.
Having said that, I do recommend this movie, however if you go in seeing it as tired as I was, I'd advise something with more action, and a bit more fast paced than this movie. If your up for a good film to keep you guessing, then by all means go out and see this.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saw The Grey Early...Was Worth It
This past Saturday, I had a chance to visit the AMC Century 15, which is in LA, and was for none other than a movie screening. It wasn't the first time I've ever been to a screening, but was the first with the company that was holding it. Prior screenings I've been to, were done through Nielsen Screenings (or some other name, and I forget the one that held this one). Unlike the previous screenings, there were no review papers to fill out afterwards, as the movie is only three weeks away from being released (or at the time was three weeks away). Previous screenings there was a paper to fill out, with reason being there was still time to make certain changes (depending on the feedback).
Anyways, the film stars Liam Niesson, whom works in Alaska as a huntsman for an oil company (hunting wolves). Pretty much, the only reason why he took the job was to get away from everything, but his thoughts of his wife plague him, and at one point in the beginning, almost cause him to take his own life, and in retrospect probably would have been an easier way out then what lies ahead for him.
The plot of the film, is one that's been done before (plane crashes, in the snow, and survivors try to last until help arrives), only there is a twist. The twist in this film is wolves. From there, the plot is a rather simple one. Try to escape (and find help), before the wolves get to every last survivor.
Having said that, I will say that the film was done fairly well (for what it was), which is a 2 hour or so escape from it all survivalist flick, and was miles better than the last film I had the unpleasure of seeing (The Darkest Hour). The Grey isn't released in theaters until January 27th, and I would recommend it. You can't really go wrong with a Liam Niesson movie, and he doesn't disappoint in this one.
Anyways, the film stars Liam Niesson, whom works in Alaska as a huntsman for an oil company (hunting wolves). Pretty much, the only reason why he took the job was to get away from everything, but his thoughts of his wife plague him, and at one point in the beginning, almost cause him to take his own life, and in retrospect probably would have been an easier way out then what lies ahead for him.
The plot of the film, is one that's been done before (plane crashes, in the snow, and survivors try to last until help arrives), only there is a twist. The twist in this film is wolves. From there, the plot is a rather simple one. Try to escape (and find help), before the wolves get to every last survivor.
Having said that, I will say that the film was done fairly well (for what it was), which is a 2 hour or so escape from it all survivalist flick, and was miles better than the last film I had the unpleasure of seeing (The Darkest Hour). The Grey isn't released in theaters until January 27th, and I would recommend it. You can't really go wrong with a Liam Niesson movie, and he doesn't disappoint in this one.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Darkest Hour...More Like The Lamest Hour
So last night, before attending a friend's birthday dinner at BJ's, I saw The Darkest Hour, along with my brother. As the title suggest's, the movie was horrible. It's a film that will get you laughing at the extreme corniness, with acting that leaves you scratching your head and wondering "where did they find these people from." Surprisingly, it wasn't the worst film I've seen from 2011, as that honor went to Abduction, but since I saw it in 2012, and not 2011 when it was released, thus far it's the worst film I've seen of the year.
The plot is hysterically bad. Invisible aliens come down to earth, and disintegrate any living matter it touches. You watch as a cast of unknowns (and will likely remain that way after this horrible movie) try to get to the US Embassy in Moscow, and later a submarine. The aliens, look comically bad when the survivors figure out how to harm them, and the special effects are bad.
To be honest, the only reason why I saw it last night, was because I've seen every movie there is to see as of right now at my local theater (and I refuse to see Twilight). Looking back on my decision, I now realize I probably would have been better off seeing Twilight.
The plot is hysterically bad. Invisible aliens come down to earth, and disintegrate any living matter it touches. You watch as a cast of unknowns (and will likely remain that way after this horrible movie) try to get to the US Embassy in Moscow, and later a submarine. The aliens, look comically bad when the survivors figure out how to harm them, and the special effects are bad.
To be honest, the only reason why I saw it last night, was because I've seen every movie there is to see as of right now at my local theater (and I refuse to see Twilight). Looking back on my decision, I now realize I probably would have been better off seeing Twilight.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Movie List January-April (2012)
Looking back on my entry on August 13th, I compiled a movie list, and of that list, the only movie I failed to see in theaters was Trespass. So I've decided to compile another list, and see where I stand after April. First and foremost, I will be going to the AMC Best Picture Showcase, and that will be anywhere from 5 to 10 films.
Here's my list:
Contraband
A Thousand Words
Man on A Ledge
Beauty & The Beast 3D
Joyful Noise? (Not completely sold on this one)
Underworld: Awakening
Red Tails
One for the Money
The Grey
The Woman In Black
Big Miracle
No One Is Safe
The Vow
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence
This Means War
Star Wars Episode I 3D
Wanderlust
Act of Valor
The Lorax
John Carter
21 Jump Street
Mirror Mirror
Seeking Justice
The Hunger Games
Wrath of the Titans
American Reunion
Titanic 3D
The Three Stooges
The Lucky One
The Five-Year Engagement
Here's my list:
Contraband
A Thousand Words
Man on A Ledge
Beauty & The Beast 3D
Joyful Noise? (Not completely sold on this one)
Underworld: Awakening
Red Tails
One for the Money
The Grey
The Woman In Black
Big Miracle
No One Is Safe
The Vow
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence
This Means War
Star Wars Episode I 3D
Wanderlust
Act of Valor
The Lorax
John Carter
21 Jump Street
Mirror Mirror
Seeking Justice
The Hunger Games
Wrath of the Titans
American Reunion
Titanic 3D
The Three Stooges
The Lucky One
The Five-Year Engagement
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