ParaNorman – AMC 12 Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA

Fun! I mean we knew as soon as we saw the trailer that it looked like a super cute film (zombies and ghosts? TOTALLY cute), but it totally surpassed our expectations. I mean first off we’re both huge fans of stop-motion films as a rule of thumb (I blame Nightmare Before Christmas) and this is a true gem of the art form (make sure to stay to the very end of the credits for a real stop-motion treat). Secondly, the entire movie (at least in regards to Norman’s gift) isn’t about what you see in the trailer (as some films are wont to do) – the story has some delightful twists and turns that we were very pleased by. It was amusing to learn that Christopher Mintz-Plasse was the bully since he’s had so many roles where he was bullied. How the worm turns and such. I wonder why I … Continue reading →

The Dark Knight Rises – UltraLuxe GardenWalk Cinema, Anaheim, CA

*GRIN* Well now that I’ve had time to digest it all, I still had an amazing time, but the more I think about it, the more I’m confused as to what Christopher Nolan was trying to accomplish. I mean there were so many delightful touches of characters and the Stock Market scene was just eerie to watch (with the tragedy of Aurora fresh in my mind) and the many perfect moments they got right from the Knightfall saga of the early 90s (I was audible gaping at the first Bane/Batman brawl even though I knew it all was coming). But the plot twist. Just….guh. First he (Nolan) kills off Ras Al Ghul. Then he kills off Talia with no intention of bringing either of them back using Lazarus Pits. But then he goes and makes Bane a loyal companion/pawn (well not pawn, maybe knight or bishop) to Talia’s queen just … Continue reading →

The Rock Church Worship Service

Paul Jon The Keatings are moving to Chicago so Stephen can go to theological school Their last week is July 8th Going to preach tonight on the 23rd Psalm Gave you the card and I’d like you to pray through it this week If God says something to you, we’d like you to share it with me Something hidden in our hearts that is really foundational We’ve been dealing with issues of the heart With how God has been making us Matthew 3 Matthew was Jewish which affects how he delivers his gospel The stories Matthew tells these stories, think of what he might be referencing Matthew 3:13-17 ESV Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be … Continue reading →

Mornings On Horseback – by David McCullough

Very interesting approach to a biography. Examines how Theodore Roosevelt (Jr.) grew up and the various challenges he faced growing up that made him the man he was. Started 3/25/2012 Finished 6/22/2012 “[Theodore Roosevelt Sr. ] had a passion for fine horses and to see him astride one of his own in Central Park was…to see the model of Christian manhood” (pg 32). “Separated from home and the beloved ‘home faces,’ he could slip rapidly into abject homesickness and sounds, on paper at least, most uncharacteristically plaintive. He felt bereft of real friends” (pg 32). “Then they turned south again, from Edinburgh to York, an exhausting, sooty eight hours ‘in the cars’ relieved by some of the most appealing scenery of the whole trip: distant blue glances of the Firth of Forth, small white beaches, rolling surf, rolling country; then red-tiled Berwick-upon-Tweed and the Tweed emptying into the North Sea; … Continue reading →

Brave – AMC 12 at DownTown Disney, Anaheim, CA

Beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous and a heck of a good time. If your two year old can handle Finding Nemo, we think they could handle this movie. Angus (Merida’s horse) was GORGEOUS!!!!! I loved the story and am thrilled that a good Pixar movie can be made by more than the original founders. Beautiful Celtic music by Patrick Doyle (Harry Potter, and etc). Elinor’s character arc is very interesting. I find myself wondering about her backstory. When she had to marry Fergus to keep the peace between the clans I was also amused by our second viewing which occurred after rewatching the Nanny McPhee movies (both Merida/Kelly MacDonald and Elinor/Emma Thompson are in the first one and the second one’s just as cute and lovely) and then to hear Elinor mention collywobbles cracked me up. 🙂 Fergus cracks me up (loves me some Billy Connelly – ever since Muppet Treasure Island). … Continue reading →

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – Cinemark 20 at Bella Terra, Huntington Beach, CA

Absolutely delightful!!!! The price of admission is worth Martin Short’s incredible performance as an Italian sea lion and the Fur Power circus performance in London. Mind blowing beautiful, it puts Cirque to shame in my opinion. But I’m not a Cirque groupie, so I could be way off base. 😉