Basic Instinct 2

Rating: 4 out of 5
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones
Starring:  Sharon Stone, David Morrissey, David Thewlis, Charlotte Rampling, Hugh Dancy
Viewed on the big screen

Basic Instinct 2’s
story is told well, very mysterious, very mind-boggling. With all it’s
twists and turns, it’s difficult to tell who’s pulling who’s strings,
who’s being manipulated and who really has the risk addiction… until
you get to the end of the film.

If you’ve seen the first Basic
Instinct movie, you know what Catherine Tramell is capable of. That’s
what the premise of this sequel is banking on, but plays around with it
a bit. The opening sequence re-establishes Tramell’s extreme addictions
very well — you have to see it to know what I mean.

Writers of
this film did a good job confusing me and toying with my mind. I had a
good time in the cinema trying to figure out the whos, the whys, the
hows, only to be completely surprised with the ending. It was really an
unexpected twist for me.

I love this sequel. I enjoyed watching Sharon Stone
bring life again to Catherine Tramell. She is so good in this movie.
She comes off really intelligent and confident in the role. But then
again that’s how Sharon Stone is.

I also liked David Morrissey,
who plays psychiatrist Michael Glass. This is the first time I’ve seen
this actor and I liked his performance here. A perfect partner to match
Ms. Stone’s intensity.

A worthy sequel.

Another Chance

[from Our Daily Bread]

Jesus promised Peter something every
repentant believer craves – another chance (Luke 22:31-34). After
telling him Satan would sift him as wheat, Jesus reassured Peter that
He had prayed that his faith would not fail. Although Peter had
insisted that he would never forsake Him, Jesus said he would deny Him
three times before dawn. In expectation of Peter’s restoration, Jesus
recommissioned him for future ministry: “When you have returned to Me,
strengthen your brethren.” (v. 32)

Preacher George Duncan said, “I don’t think many church-vacancy
committees would have considered Peter a suitable candidate for a
church!” Duncan pointed out that at Pentecost, however, God chose Peter
to deliver the most vital sermon in church history. “It would seem,”
Duncan said, “that some Christians have a message of forgiveness for
the unbeliever, but no message of forgiveness for the believer. I’m
glad that God does!” Because of that forgiveness, a new day of service
dawned for Peter.

Indeed, if you are a repentant believer like Peter, you too can trust
the Lord to give you another chance. Confess your sin and experience
His forgiveness, healing, and restoration 1 John 1:9). – Joanie Yoder

=====

When we confess our sins to God,
We’ve washed as white as snow;
Then He will send us out again –
His love and grace to show. – Sper

=====

God’s forgiveness always comes with another chance.

Free pre-Easter Cantata

Gung Ho Guilliens

I really admire this family. They are the Guilliens (pictured from
left: Annie, Bjoy, Butch, Tara). They’re one of the families in
Maranatha (my congregation) that really deliver the goods when they are
needed to.

For two cantata seasons now, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Sir Butch and
his family made themselves available for the ministry, got involved in
the drama part of the musical, contributed to behind-the-scenes
operations and just be sources of encouragement and blessing to me and

my fellow choir members.

I like being around them. I like working with them. It was easy
directing Sir Butch and Ate Annie during last Friday night’s drama
practice because they took directions from me and they listened to me,
and at the same time they contributed their ideas about how their
characters should be played.

They are a family who inspire and encourage me. They are a cooperative
bunch of spiritual soldiers. They are a dependable quartet. They are a
fantastic foursome. And for that, I’m inducting them to my very own "Michael’s Gung-Ho Hall of Fame". hahaha!

God bless the Gung Ho Guilliens!

=====

Lord, thank You for balancing out my life with different sorts of personalities. Thank You for bringing the Guilliens into my life and for giving me some breathing room through them. ;o)

Steve the Energizer

This is the third article in a series of four on Jars of Clay band members. Got this from Christian Music Planet.

Steve Mason
[the funny man]
by Jenni Isaac

"Steve is as comfortable talking to a conservative youth pastor as he
is talking to a woman who owns a bar in the seediest part of town,"
says Jars of Clay guitarist Matt Odmark about band mate and fellow
guitarist Steve Mason.

"He’s the one that’s the most kid at heart," adds group lead singer Dan Haseltine.

"The outgoing humorist," agrees keyboardist Charlie Lowell. "He’s very
social." Mason admits it himself—he is unable to pay attention for long
periods of time, uncomfortable in a suit and tie (both literally and
figuratively), emotional and funny and he loves to talk with all kinds
of people.

His band mates thank God for him because they realize what an
introverted group of guys they would be without him. In fact, Mason’s
high-energy personality has been a major contributor to Jars’ success.
Haseltine credits Mason with inspiring a great deal of the creative
process, Odmark attributes much of the "gut-level" emotional feel of
the band’s music to Mason’s musical expression and Lowell labels Mason
the "pulse" of the band.

The translated description of what Mason actually does within the band
is extensive. He creates new ideas for musical effects and keeps the
songwriting process "light and accelerated." He keeps the guys laughing
and encourages them. He also plays a large part in challenging
Haseltine to enhance the lyrics and melodies the lead singer brings to
the band. And that sometimes translates into conflict.

The Mason-Haseltine dynamic is one that has taught both guys much about
relationships and compromise. But when it comes down to it, "We’ve had
some of the toughest, knock-down, drag-out situations I’ve ever had in
life," Haseltine says of Mason. "Steve and I are the ones that butt
heads the most. But it’s definitely iron sharpening iron."

Disagreements over music, lyrics and the future direction of the band
have sometimes caused strife between band mates. Though painful at the
time, the guys have experienced a spiritual growth that would never
have resulted if the band members were not committed to working through
problems.

"There were a lot of ugly days where we (each of the band members)
realized that we didn’t necessarily like each other," Mason explains.
"And at some point, we realized that we were going to have to make a
decision if the group was going to survive."

It has been the process of "surviving" that has taught Mason so much.
Being able to see God at work in unexpected and unpredictable places
(i.e. in occasional disputes with band members) has only given him more
incentive to continue to seek God in other areas.

Sporadically, there are still moments of dissension, but as Mason says, "It is rock ‘n’ roll we’re talking about."

V for Vendetta

Rating: 4 out of 5
Directed by James McTeigue
Starring:  Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, John Hurt, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry
Viewed on the big screen

A
decent graphic novel-based film with a plot that deals with very
current, relevant issues (those in the Philippines can somehow relate
to the significance). V for Vendetta succeeds in telling a story about revenge, revolution and romance, albeit in very controversial forms.

I
like the political themes tackled in the story and the dialog centering
on those themes are really engaging — "People should not be afraid of
their governments, governments should be afraid of their people." "Fear
became the ultimate tool of this government."

Hugo Weaving
is great voice actor! How he conveys V’s emotions through his vocals is
very varied and very valiant — never vacillating nor vacuous,
sometimes vociferous, always with validity.

However, I can’t say the same for Natalie Portman’s
accent. Yes, she’s good in this film, but like Uma Thurman in The
Avengers, she didn’t sound so british at all. Two words: LANGUAGE COACH.

Other
than that, V for Vendetta is another vestigial addition to the volumes
of very victorious comic book-based films that will verily vigorously
vindicate the visually voracious superhero votaries.

Sky High

Rating: 3 out of 5
Directed by Mike Mitchell
Starring:  Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Michael Angarano, Lynda Carter
Viewed on DVD

An entertaining coming-of-age story about a teenager (Michael Angarano) born to the very famous superhero parents and how he deals with the pressures of that and of high school life.

Being
a Disney film, expect this to be very family oriented and have the
requisite happy ending. Although not really in the same league
(story-wise) as other high profile superhero flicks (such as the
Spider-Man and X-Men series), Sky High does manage to get you hyped up about its characters and their superpowers.

It’s a treat to see Michael Angarano
as a teenager here after having seen him as a young kid in previous
films and on TV. He seems to be making a seamless transition from child
actor to a grown up one.

Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston look really… er, super in their costumes. Also of note in this film is the appearance of Lynda Carter (TV’s well-known Wonder Woman) as the school’s head, Principal Powers. Bruce Campbell co-stars.

Imaginary Heroes

Rating: 3 out of 5
Directed by William Butler
Starring:  Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels, Emile Hirsch, Michelle Williams
Viewed on DVD

Imaginary Heroes is an engaging drama about a son (Emile Hirsch) who is overshadowed by his overachieving brother and alienated by his overbearing father (Jeff Daniels), and how he and his family deals with the loss of a loved one.

There are some really quirky story points here and very good acting also, especially from veteran Sigourney Weaver and relative newcomer Emile Hirsch.

The
quality of the storytelling in this film reinforces the fact that
independent films are better at presenting character driven features.

Madhouse

Rating: 4 out of 5
Directed by William Butler
Starring:  Joshua Leonard, Jordan Ladd, Lance Henriksen, Natasha Lyonne
Viewed on DVD

One of the slickest, well-told suspense-thrillers I’ve seen in recent years, Madhouse played a lot with my mind with its whodunit-in-a-haunted-loony-bin plot.

It’s
a very cerebral, very tricky, very well-executed film. The kind I
always enjoy watching. And as with most independent movies, this one is
character-driven and is propelled by good performances from its cast,
most notably Joshua Leonard who plays the new doctor in the mental institution.

There
are some disturbing images in this film (which lend themselves to the
overall tone of the story) and some people with weak stomachs may find
them hard to take. Other than that, this madhouse is pretty much decent
and (in)sane.

I totally had a blast viewing this flick!

The Real Thing

Rating: 4 out of 5

He may have finished second to Carrie Underwood, but to me Bo Bice has always been season four’s ultimate American Idol!

I got to listen to the first three songs of The Real Thing online, on his official website and thought that the title track, You’re Everything  and U Make Me Better really showcased Bo’s powerful, rock n’ roll vocals.

I
bought the album days later and was really excited to hear the rest of
the songs in the CD. As expected, the entire album is rock n’ roll,
which borders on pop rock really–hey, he comes from American Idol, so there’s gotta be some of the pop.

For
someone like me who listens (or has listened) to pretty much every
available genre, this debut album is pretty decent. With collaborators
like Chad Kroeger, Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and a producer like Clive Davis, I guess very little could go wrong. As is the case here.

Most
of the songs are about handling, surviving and going through
relationships and there are a few that centers on Bo’s personal
experiences with his musical career–all of them propelled by his
solid, wide-range voice.

I liked his live performances on
Idol–the raw energy of it all. But what I liked about the CD is that
his voice is more refined, focused, more concentrated–he has a very
good recording voice.

The music in this CD is also noteworthy.
As I already mentioned, Bo got help from some of the industry’s best
musicians and songwriters and they all did a good job. I especially
like their work on the first three songs.

An impressive debut for Bo! Can’t wait for the next album!

Track list
The
Real Thing / You’re Everything / U Make Me Better / Nothing Without You
/ My World / Remember Me / Hold On To Me / Lie…It’s Alright / It’s My
Life / Willing To Try / Valley Of Angels