Sep 29, 2010

Star Wars in 3D, its Finally Official!



Lucasfilm announced yesterday that they would be re-releasing all six Star Wars films in 3D. The proposed date will be in 2012 and all signs point to February. This has long been rumored and discussed among fans, but now it is finally going to happen. I have never been a fan of 3D movies. Avatar's affects were good, but then there was the Clash of the Titan's and Alice in Wonderland debacles.

I would be excited if Star Wars reentered the Theater in 2D or even with no picture as a digitally converted version of the radio dramas. Industrial Light and Magic is overseeing the project and has said they will take their time to do the job right.

It turns out that 2012 will not be the end of the world, but rather a dawning of an era where there are 3D films that actually have a great original story (sorry Dances with Wolves, ahem, I mean Avatar). I can't wait to see: the Death Star trench run, pod-races, lightsaber duels, asteroid fields, light-speed, the Rancor, and the Millennium Falcon in 3D.

If you have never seen any of the films, this would be a great time to give them a chance. Star Wars never had the chance to be released with the modern ticket prices and inflated 3D prices that propelled Avatar, The Dark Knight, and The Titanic past the greatest film of all time. I say it is time to reclaim the top spot. I myself will see it at least three times.

Now we can start crossing our fingers for 3D releases of Braveheart, The Matrix, and Fifth Element. I would much rather see great movies come back to the theater (3D or not), than new movies that are weak in story and rely on 3D alone for special effects.


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Sep 23, 2010

Has God Been Removed from Declaration of Independence?


Wow! I am shocked! I just saw a video that I had to watch twice. President Obama spoke to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 33rd Annual Award Gala on September 17. In his speech he quoted from the Declaration of Independence. The only difference was that he omitted the words "their Creator" in his speech. Could it have been an accident? I doubt it, because he was using a teleprompter.

I am not bashing our President. In fact I pray for him a whole lot. I am just pointing out how offensive the mere mention of the Christian God has become. Watch the video below. Let me know what you think of his decision to take God out.

Sep 9, 2010

Would Jesus Burn the Koran?



People everywhere (including this blogger) were outraged this week to hear the plans of Terry Jones, a pastor of a small church in Gainesville Florida. He stated that he and his followers would be burning the Koran on the 9th anniversary of 9/11. Muslims around the world have been protesting and even threatening violence. I even heard one man say on CNN that muslims everywhere would kill Americans if the Koran was burned. They have already burning straw men with Terry Jones' face along with the American flag. Hold the phone people. Is this the peaceful religion of Islam that they keep telling us about?

Am I for the burning? Absolutely NOT! I believe that pastor's everywhere should stand up and speak out against it. In fact they are. Rick Warren and others have condemned this hateful and shameful act. Does that make the news? Of course not!

Should our government stop a citizen from expressing his right to free speech or put pressure on him to stop? No, they should not! Muslim leaders around the world have been trying to persuade our President to stop him from acting. I am sorry but that is not our President's place. It is also not his place to speak up for the rights of those building the New York mosque that is billed as insensitive by Americans at large. Just as one week later, to speak out against a different brand of insensitivity when free speech is concerned is not his place either. This my friends, may be considered hypocritical, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Since I know nothing of the pressure he must be under to speak out on these issues.

The good news is that earlier today Terry Jones did a press conference to say that it was postponed. The bad news is that he later said that it may be on again. I think the publicity has gone to his head. His 15 minutes of fame should have been over by now.

The big question on everyone's mind is What Would Jesus Do? Well for starters he would LOVE his enemies. So if burning an object that "your enemies" consider sacred is a loving act, then go right ahead. If it is not however, then stop saying you represent our God! We should show our faith by our love.

I hate how one bigoted extremist gets so much press. We should react different than the world or even other religions. One example that comes to mind is when Comedy Central planned to have Mohammed in a bear costume in an episode of South Park they received death threats from Muslims. They decided to censor the program. Now they plan to release a cartoon called JC, which will openly make fun of Jesus Christ and Christianity. What should we do? Nothing. Let's take the high road. Let others see our love rather than our hate. Remember, "Love your enemies, and do good to those who despitefully use you".

I hope Terry Jones and his small ragtag band of followers do truly call off their charade. I hope Muslims see that Christians everywhere are against this type of act. I am not against it because of fear, but because it is un-Christlike in the highest since of the word.

Sep 7, 2010

The New York Mosque



There are sides being drawn across the country. The building of a Muslim Cultural Center which will house a mosque near the ground zero site has started quite a few conversations. Some are civil and some are heated. I have stayed relatively clear of the controversy, but I do have a few things that I would like to point out.

First of all it is NEVER the government's role to impede or interfere with ANY religious group unless they are breaking the law. The Islamic community behind this project is going through the proper legal channels to get things done. We should not be asking our government to interfere with religious freedom.

With that being said, we as Americans also have a few other freedoms. We have freedom of speech and can voice our displeasure over the location of this mosque in hopes that the group involved will decide to move to improve relations with the rest of the country. We may also peaceably assemble in front of it and any other mosque that we choose. Let's remember that we may only do so peaceably and one bad apple can ruin that for the rest of us.

Secondly, this is the same building that was hit by landing gear that fell off of one of the planes. This may be a total coincidence, but I find it extremely interesting that a building directly affected in 9/11 would be chosen. I think it shows poor taste and insensitivity.

Thirdly, I have a good friend who just returned from New York who said that the mosque and ground zero can both be seen from the corner of Park Place and West Broadway. This brings new light to the whole two blocks away argument. This alone tells me that it is a poorly chosen spot.

Lastly, my friend was with a group that decided to take pictures of the Muslim cultural center. A man immediately came out and took pictures of them. When they asked him what the pictures were for he said, "We take pictures of anyone protesting." They quickly let him know that they were not protesting to which he responded, "We still have your picture." One of my friend's group responded, "We have yours too." The Muslim man was not rude or threatening, but one may find the whole situation a little strange.

This Saturday when we look back at the tragedy of 9/11 let us remember the fallen and be angry again, but in a healthy way. In our anger however, we should not let it lead to hate. Remember, "Fear is a path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering" --Yoda.