the old bill

"Son of Man" at FlickFest

This just in:  We've received an okay to screen Spier Films award winning film Son of Man at this year's FlickFest.  Son of Man won top honours at Sundance in 2006 - and has since added many more honours from film festivals around the world. It has, as far as I know, only been shown once before in Canada - at the Vancouver Film Festival.  It is still on the festival circuit - no word yet on when there will be theatrical release in North America [UK theatrical release is in April].

Sone of Man will be shown on Thursday at the University of Winnipeg, and we hope to show it again on Friday and Satruday at Knox [depending on film format]. 

Watch for more news.

prayers for Harry

Hendrick is 11 months old. His parents call him Harry.  His mom calls him her Prince Harry.  They're two of the most loving people I know.  Last weekend they found out that Harry has cancer - in the lungs and on the liver.  They believe strongly in prayer, and I know from our experiences how important it is, and how profound and comforting it is to know that you are being held in other people's prayers.  I know that, athough this blog has a modest readership [to say the least] - that they're also a far flung group - from Ireland to Korea.. Can you hold Harry in your prayers?  And if you are connected to a spiritual community, ask them to pray too. . . Thanks.

space shuttle returns just in case

News story:  Space shuttle returns one day so Americans can shoot down sattelite. 

Ummm.

Just how bad is their aim?

frozen bits

Minus 44. Again.  Just in case: Lord, whatever we've done, we're sorry. . . really sorry. . . please, a south wind?. . .

Seen the Obama song? It's great.  Best orator since Tommy Douglas.

Weaving pain into beauty

Last night I attended a Ukrainian prayer service in celebration of the life of Rita Chomiak, Dave Chomiak's wife.  I didn't know Rita [Dave and I have known each other since high school - where, likely, no one would have expected him to be Minister of Justice or me to be, well, a minister].  But the witness, and I don't know what else to call it, of the words spoken of how out of pain she wove a life of great beauty was poignant and deeply moving.  All the more because I sat a few rows in front of Hoosli, an astonishing men's Ukrainian choir, who stood at the back and sang in response to the chanting of the priest, and sang a capella with such poignancy and power that I had no words, all kinds of harmonies, weaving, building - it was perhaps the most beautiful music I have ever heard.  The simplicity and honesty of Dave and Rita's life resonated. 

Jesus FlicFest3: Film List

Looks like we are close to a final list of films for FlicFest 3  held during Holy Week.  Here's a sneak peak:

• Ben Hur: A tale of the Christ (1925) USA. Silent. B&W / tinted. Often overshadowed by the 1951 remake, the original is considered far superior by many.
• The Book of Life. (1998). France/USA. Comedy about a rather reticent Jesus returning as judge, deciding whether to open the Book of Life [a Mac Powerbook]
• Colour of the Cross (2006). USA. Afro-american Jesus - crucifixion as a hate crime.
• From the Manger to the Cross (1912). American. Silent.
• Gil Amici di Gesù – Giuda [Close to Jesus]. 2001. Italy.  The story from the perspective of Mary Magdalene, Judas, Joseph of Nazareth and Thomas
• Godspell. (1973)  Film version of Broadway Musical.
• Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus. (1973). USA. Johnny Cash’s take on the story.
• Hill Number 1 (1953). USA. James Dean makes his screen debut oddly cast as John the Beloved disciple in this passion tale that doubles as a passionate informercial for the Rosary.
• Il Messia [The Messiah] (1975)  Italy. Rossellini.  Distribution issues kept this film from having the impact many felt it deserved.  Many consider it as good or better than Pasolini’s gritty epic.
• Intolerance: Love's Struggle through the Ages  (1916) USA. Silent. D.W.Griffith's classic exploring the theme of intolerance throughout history, including in the trial of Jesus.
• Je vous salu, Marie [Hail Mary] (1985) France. Jean Luc Godard’s controversial  portrayal of the virgin birth in modern France.
• Jesus Camp (2006). USA. Documentary about children attending an evangelical ‘boot camp’, training them for spiritual warfare.
• Jesus Christ Superstar (2000). UK.  A remake using the London cast.
• Jesus Christ Superstar.  (1973). USA.  Norman Jewison’s take on the rock opera.
• Jesus of Montreal. 1989.  Canada/France. Denys Arcand.  French  with English subtitles.  A passion play within a passion play.
• Jesus. (1999). Czech/Germany/Italy/USA. Epic mini-series. Jeremy Sisto, Deborah Messing & Jacqueline Bisset.
• Johnny Got his Gun (1972). USA. Donald Sutherland is Jesus in what many regard as the most powerful antiwar film in American cinema.
• Judas (2004).  The story from Judas’ perspective.
• The King of Kings. (1927). Silent. B&W / colour [2 strip]. Cecille de Mille's classic.
• La vie et la passion de Jesus Christ (1903).  France. [The life and passion of Jesus Christ].  Silent.  The first 'feature length film'
• Life of Brian. (1979). UK.  Montie Python's tale of Brian, born in the stable next door, and thereafter mistaken for the Messiah.
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe . (2005) USA. C S Lewis' classic tale
• The Miracle Maker. (2000) [animated]  UK & Russia.  Animated. Ralph Fiennes & Julie Christie. Foam puppets but this film is notf luffy - some consider it one of the best film depictions of Christ.
• The Nativity Story,  (2006) USA. Dramatic presentation of the early life of Jesus & his family.
• The Passion of the Christ, (2004). Mel Gibson's controversial film.  In Aramaic, Greek & Latin.  English subtitles . Graphic violence.
• Quo Vadis (1951). USA. LeRoy's extravagant treatment of Sienkiewicz's novel, with Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr and Peter Ustinov.
• Seduto all sua destra  [Black Jesus] (1968). Italy/France.  a fictionalized portrayal of Congolese leader, Lulabi [closely resembling real life’s Patrice Lumamba] as a Christ figure, played by Woody Strode in what many consider his best performance.
• The Last Temptation of Christ. (1988)  Scorcese.  Controversial film based on Nikos Kazanzakis novel - that the last temptation Jesus faced was a peaceful and pleasant life.
• Il Vangelo secondo Matteo [The Gospel according to St. Matthew].  Italy. 1964. Pasolini’s gritty portrayal of the story, using non-actors – a film that is both bleak and beautiful.

WWJD: what would Jesus drive?

Still minus forty bloody degrees.  Been too grumpy to post.  This morning my 92 Tempo wouldn't start.  Now someone's gonna think: why would a 92 Tempo ever start? and, come to think of it, who would want it to?  Me.  Anyway, that got me dreaming about driving something different, something sporty [with lots of heat], something like this! 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. That's yankeespeak for 0-110.  Zero emissions.  I wonder if it would start at 40 below.  I wonder if I'd care. Unfortunately they're not allowed in Canada.  That, plus the 100K pricetag  . .maybe something else. . .  If I had fifty thousand quid for the DEPOSIT, I could order a lightning car from the UK.  There's also the Zenn car - apparently, now available in Canada - nice of the Harpererians to approve it, since its made here [not exactly pretty tho, kind of the bull terrier of electric vehicles]. However, just over the border, in Fargo, ND, which is pretty much as cold as here, they make the affordable GEM [at right] - at a cost of less than $10,000.  And it appears to be legal in Canada.  That's a pretty good looking pickup truck.  I'd love to drive it through Alberta. Or Texas.

friday bits

Here's a link somegraybloke's musings about an email telling him "Jesus loves you". 

And, though I know stereotypes are so well, stereotypical, this presentation on the differences between men's and women's brains is both funny and insightful.