Kudos to the Catholics

Last week a Vatican newspaper discussed the movie, “Avatar”. It praised the wonderful special effects in the movie. Having just seen the movie at an iMax theater in 3-D, I concur. The special effects combined with the music and the 3-D effects made for an incredible movie watching experience. The Vatican newspaper got this right.

However, the paper also pointed out that behind all this was a very lame and unimaginative story with a theme that was completely anti-military and pro-environment. Again, they got it right. When I watch a movie, I’m usually pretty naïve concerning any kinds of subtle messages being conveyed. Movies such as GI Joe, Narnia, etc. which others said had some kind of message went right by me. I suppose they were there but I didn’t really see them. ”Avatar” was different. The messages in this movie are so obvious you’d have to sleep through it to miss them. And the primary message as I see, and as the paper pointed out, was not only being pro-environment, but actually worshipping nature. I mean, come on – praying to a tree?!? That’s taking this whole environmental protection/global warming/climate change issue to a new level. But it certainly fits into the whole progressive-liberal-humanistic approach and that is to worship anyone or anything other than God, the Eternal Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. This movie uses the environment but there are other objects of worship. Let me name a few.

How about sports? Every year at playoff time and during the Super Bowl, I am amazed at the time and effort people put into this. I don’t think it was an accident that most professional football games are played on Sunday. Tell me it’s not worshipping when you spend weeks planning and preparing for something, then gather around and look up to a 52” screen while partaking of large amounts of food along with alcoholic beverages as you view a singular, 3-hour event.

And what about animals? Is it just me or do more and more people seem to be raising animals up to the worship level. Many at least are putting their importance beyond that of humans. I heard an animal activist interviewed some time ago and the commentator asked, “If you saw a homeless man and a dog both about to be hit by cars, which would you choose to save?” The person hesitated before answering. As if you have to think about that before you answer!! Don’t get me wrong, I think animals should be treated with kindness and love and I think it is heartwarming when you see someone who has taken in an animal (usually a dog or cat) and they become an important part of the person’s life. But it seems to have gotten out of hand recently with pet insurance, pet wills, pet trusts and all other such nonsense.

Of course, people have worshipped power since the dawn of time. But our recent cadre of leaders (Obama, Reid, Pelosi, et al) seem to be taking this to new levels. When your desire and striving for power overtakes your sense of doing the right thing, you are worshipping it. And that is where this group lives their lives.

I like sports, animals and having a little power. But they certainly don’t influence me such that my life revolves around them. There is a balance and that is what so may have lost.

Next time I think about going to see a movie, maybe I should just stay home, watch a good basketball game and snuggle up with the dog. Or maybe not.

Avatar - The Movie

First, I'm not a film critic. Wait, I take that back. I'm a movie watcher who knows a good or bad movie when he sees one. So I think that qualifies me to be a film critic. So here I go.

I went to see 'Avatar' at the iMax theater in 3D. What an experience! Great picture, great sound and the special effects were spectacular. The movie was pathetic. If you love Al Gore and Greenpeace, hate George W. Bush and the Iraq war, worship Mother Earth (instead of God) and trees, then you'll think this movie is a masterpiece. This was the biggest propaganda movie I've seen in quite some time. And it was advertised as an action movie but as it turns out, there was very little action in the entire 2 hour 45 minute experience.

I don't mind a subtle political message here or there (either liberal or conservative) while watching a movie but this was ridiculous. What ever happened to the fun, feel good movies of yesterday? Gene Kelly, I miss you.