I'll start us off. My husband and I just watched Definitely, Maybe, a romantic comedy from the producers of Love, Actually (a fav film of mine). We really enjoyed Definitely, Maybe--it's an unusual story structure and just a sweet film.

We also just finished up the 6-hr Masterpiece Theatre Pride & Prejudice (the Colin Firth version). I've renewed my love of Masterpiece Theatre this summer, and this classic is always a favorite.

I loved Wall-E (and knowing more about the story). It was such a sweet film with depth. I've been meaning to see The Visitor--I've heard nothing but good things about it, but my schedule has kept me pretty busy.

I did just see Iron Man (a tad late, but still in my discount theater) just for an escapist film, but I ended up liking it much more than I thought I would.

Actually, I've gotten back into watching some re-runs of Law and Order...the original. Is there a place in the world where it's not broadcast at some time of the day?

I like the take-off on the 'headlines' of the day, and some of the corresponding ethical questions and legal issues surrounding the plot-line that are debated back and forth.

Also went to see Wall-E with my wife. We loved it!

Thanks for the post, Daneen!

Frank

Daneen: Ironically (since I review movies at times for you) I don't go to see very many. Much of that has to do with general busyness (rat race etc. with the rats in the lead). But one movie my wife & I saw about a month ago is well worth going to - albeit an indie and likely long gone from the few theatres it did show up at. It is 'Young at Heart' which (quoting IMDB):

"Documents the true story of the final weeks of rehearsal for the Young at Heart Chorus in Northampton, MA, whose average age is 81, and many of whom must overcome health adversities to participate. Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing songs, for example, by James Brown, and Sonic Youth. Although they have toured Europe and sang for royalty, this account focuses on preparing new songs, not an easy endeavor, for a concert in their home town, which succeeds in spite of several real heart breaking events."

I found this film to be a very moving experience. And it underscored I think how deeply important meaning is to us as human beings! The folks in this choir could be off rusting somewhere in a nursing home but they were passionately involved because they were doing something valuable to them and everyone needed to pull together. Two choir members died during the shooting of the documentary and the dimension of human frailty and the need we all have for for hope - while not addressed by the film - was certainly bouncing around in my brain as I watched.

As Paul wrote in I Cor 15 "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; ... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

I'm a real fan of the Comedy Hour with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. They're tops in my book. They also are blessed with such political pratfalls for their program.

I'm also a big Law & Order fan, Frank. They have some great writing and do deal with very complex ethical and moral issues. The original series remains my favorite, but you're right that they must be playing somewhere in the world 24/7.

Thanks for reminding us about Young@Heart, Rich. That was one I missed and need to add to my Netflix queue--it did look very inspiring.

Jon Stewart is brilliant--I remember hearing a while back that, contrary to some popular opinion, the people who watch his show are very up-to-date on the "real" news. You have to be quite tuned in to get the humor.

While holed up in Denver, I, and an unnamed GC-headquartered employee, hit the local cinema for some escapist fun.

We decided to watch whatever was playing when we arrived, but after a few minutes of Meet Dave we left and enjoyed "relatively" the anti-hero drama of Hancock.

I'm on summer break from grad school, so I am giving myself a break from academia and making a point to watch shows that would make my professors cringe. My current guilty pleasure is Kimora:Life in the Fab Lane. If you've ever wondered how a former supermodel spends her time and maintains her "fabulosity," this show is for you. I've also been watching Oprah reruns and 30-minute meals with Rachael Ray. I never make the meals, though. I'm just fascinated by how much she does in only 30 minutes!

I watch How Its Made; Law and Order; The Situation Room;
After doing a blog, I try to find a Dirty Harry Rerun--just a joke folks.

Most of my time is reading or listening to Classical music on my I Pod. History and Biography are my top choices in reading.

I have tried to watch Amazing Facts--can't make it through 30 minutes. I balance it off with John Haggie Ugh.

Tom

Hubby and I just finished the John Adams series. It was a Father's Day gift. Really well done. I like that period in history. The task of starting a country!!! What an amazing group of men. We have also, for the past several months, been watching our own Alfred Hitchcok retrospective. That has been interesting. Seems to be so much more dialogue back then. We get our movies from NefFlix, so at the end of the movie, there is conversation with some of those who were in the movie, Hitch's daughter, writers or directors. Lot's of interesting background. Also some great nature documentaries. We just watched 12 Angry Men, All About Eve. We've been watching a lot of the old classics.

We love NetFlix. The selection, of course, is amazing. The service is super fast.

Amazing Facts??? Yikes, that is painful. I really enjoy Ravi Zacharias.

I'm hopelessly addicted to YouTube. I need a support group. My television quit half a year ago...and I have no plans to replace it. I rarely go to the movie theater. I recently rewatched the Da Vinci Code and the old movie 'V'. Could 'V' be in our future? I hope not. I much prefer Desire of Ages to Amazing Facts. Do any SDA evangelists give 'Desire of Ages based' presentations? Speaking of movies...Steven Speilberg's step-mother used to attend Graham Maxwell's Sabbath School class at LLU. I recommended Desire of Ages to her and wished out loud that 'someone' would make a first-rate motion picture based on DA. Without a doubt, I have no clout...

A few nights ago our small family, including two sisters visiting from opposite sides of the continent, watched "To Kill a Mocking Bird" still a wonderful classic.

A must see again is the DVD "A Lion in Winter" with Katherine Hepburn. Anything with Laurence Olivier, Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and the old great actors are worth more than one viewing. The diaglogue of the first DVD mentioned, is absolutely superb. Also, I love Othello and any of Shakespeare's plays on film.

If you want to smile and cry...click this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY Be sure to click 'watch in high quality' and to click the little box to enlarge the video. Also, watch the 'Outtakes' video. Does our theology make people want to dance? Why can't we make the world into one big party...instead of a war zone? Is this the 'Kingdom of God' that Jesus talked about?

Orthodoxymoron: You don't need clout. You only need a Mel Gibson. ;-) In the meantime you can encourage the Rise of the Minions team.

Today I watched Wicked and highly recommend it. The lead actress in this city was very strong indeed. Plenty to learn from the Wizard of Oz...

My wife and I are enjoying the BBCs Planet Earth series on Saturday nights. I don't know whether my tastes are changing or nature documentaries are getting better, but these ones keep me coming back for more. Infotainment at its best!

Reading a few entries, I agree that To Kill a Mockingbird and Twelve Angry Men are classic as is a Lion in Winter. How about Chariots of Fire? The Waltons was a good series of the Great Depression. There are a few clips in the Longest Day and a Bridge to Far that are realistic to war. War is beyond retelling in any medium. Just the smell of death all around you is a sensation one never forgets even as far back as 1943-1945.

I can't imagine the Crusades--in the name of Jesus Christ no less! Or the truth about how the West was won! The John Wayne brand of heroism is anathema to me. The heros I saw were of the Desmond Doss type.

But I can't resist a story. I was in a unit attached to the 40th Infantry Division. The Company Commander of an Infantry Company told me this story. It seems, that between island hops, his company got a new Major, who had spent the better part of the war training recruits back in the states. We had just landed the day before, the eneny had retreated about two miles inland. However, during the night, a machine gun squad infiltrated back to a hill overlooking the shore. At first light they let out a burst to let us know they were back! The major quickly gathered a platoon and said, men let's route them out.

He began running along the beach with his men close behind.
The machine gun bullets started to hit the sand near his feet.

He dropped to the ground and his men with him. He shouted to my friend the Captain, to get a squad together and out flank the machine gun nest. The Captain shouted back. Yes Sir. Stay still. From where I am standing, I can see they can't get any closer to you without exposing themselves. I have
men posted to take them out, if they raise their heads. I'll personally lead a squad around back and take them out.

He got his squad of old timers together, loaded up with proper equipment and weapons and started out. As soon as they were out of sight of the beach the Captain sat down and told his men to take five! He said, boys, the Major and his men are safe if they stay put. But we have to teach that major a lesson about tactics. So we are going to take our time to surround that nest. Time to let him think and sweat a little. Well they took about three hours to get into position to throw fragmentary gra. into the machine Gun pit, killing all of the occupants. They then went in to secured the entire area and had a smoke. Then the Captain stood up and shouted down to the major. Major, It is safe now, you can get up.

Which of course the major and his combat team did with great relief. My friend the Captain, said, you know Tom. That major became one of our best officers! That is the kind of war movie I would like to see. "Tell it like it was!!

Tom

The following is something I stumbled upon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUUrzZEhY1k&feature=related Viewer/listener discretion is advised. I am not endorsing this clip...but it touches on subjects worth considering...especially considering the prophetic nature of the SDA church.