"Amazing" Film

I'll admit it: I was cynical about this film beore I saw it. A lot of Christian films float by on poor quality and aren't seen by anyone but Christians. This, I feel, defeats the point. Shouldn't Christians, armed with their relationship with the Greatest Storyteller and Creator, make the best films? Film is a visual media, and when Christians try to translate a wordy "altar call" into their pictures, they alienate themselves even more from the people you're trying to reach. Alright, so I'll step down from my soapbox now. The recent film Amazing Grace was incredibly refreshing. Here was a film that was infused throughout with a Christian worldview, yet didn't blatantly scream "JESUS LOVES YOU!" I think for the key to good Christian filmmaking you should look to how Christ told His stories: parables. Jesus didn't say "The Kingdom of Heaven is..." He said "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..."

What kind of movie would Jesus make?

Italia

Have you ever noticed how American films look cooler on foreign posters? This is the Italian poster for the Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire musical Funny Face. It may not be one of my favorite movies, but this is definitely one of my favorite posters.

The Music That's Rockin' My World

As the weather warms up, my Jack Johnson cd's emerge from hibernation. Quintessential summer music. I'm going to lie under a tree now and sink into sunny bliss...(until I remember my homework.)

Mama Mia!

I used to hate cooking. This, I have now discovered, is because I refused to follow a recipe (hence mishaps such as catching the oven on fire or creating cherry yogurt scrambled eggs.) But I've since discovered how much fun cooking is when you have a good recipe to follow. Everyday Italian has delicious, easy recipes that trick my friends into thinking I can cook. Some of my favorite recipes thus far are the Beef and Cheese Manicotti, Fruit Salad with White Wine Sauce, and Chocolate Tiramisu. (The tiramisu is heaven. And that's not just me being an over-exaggerating author.)

...Under the Shade of the Tree

Okay, so this might just look like a product plug, but as a design student and nature lover, I had to show you all this bed. It's at www.slmetalworks.com. I love the crazy whimsicalness of it...the bed looks like something from a children's book. It definitely has that Where the Wild Things Are or Peter Pan vibe. I love it.

Hermione's Plea (The Shakespearean One)

Sir, spare your threats
The bug which you would fright me with I seek
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favor,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed priviledge denied, which 'longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i' the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not, no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
'Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle:
Apollo be my judge!

-William Shakespeare, The Winters Tale

(I worked this monologue at a recent workshop I attended with the Royal Shakespeare Company)

Behind the Scenes Oscar Pics

Photos taken from the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly

Quote of the Week: Friday, March 2nd

"Truth without love is brutality, but love without truth is hypocrisy."

-Author Unknown

Little Miss Sunshine

This movie is hilarious, especially if you've ever felt like your family is crazy (so everyone should like this film, no?) I'm not going to write you a comprehensive report on the whole thing...go to www.rottentomatoes.com to find that. But I will tell you that more movies like this should be made-subtle, circumstance comedies with a quirky, dark edge. (Want more? Rent My Man Godfrey, the original screwball comedy, and the first film to have actors nominated in all four acting categories at the Academy Awards. Also check out Expiration Date and The Truman Show...they're a lot of fun.)

The Music That's Rockin' My World

Corinne Bailey Rae has a smooth soulful sound reminiscent of old Motown or classic jazz/blues. Her music is effortlessly sexy, like a lazy Saturday, unlike most of the R&B today that practically screams "stripper." Chances are you've heard her song "Put Your Records On"...it's a defining song for her, kind of like KT Tunstall with "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" or The Fray with "How To Save A Life." Some of my favorite Corinne tracks? "Breathless" and "I'd Like To."