An unsleeping light drapes the darkened sky. An eerie desolation fills the landscape. The ground is hard and course. A stage set ready for adventure and story telling. Yet despite the obvious aesthetic quality and charm of the characters, Tim Burton’s movie Nine fails to satisfy both with its story and the worldview it conveys.
A band of nine strangely doll like, yet somehow robotic characters, join together to fight a machine ridden world. Only the small flecks and speckles of human civilisation endure. The film is dark, and suspended sense of horror is sustained through the film. The tone is melancholic at best, and provides not one moment of comic relief. This sombre film is in my opinion too scary and unnerving for children, its intended audience. Yet the thin plot, a ninety minute endeavour to destroy a single machine, fails to satisfy the adult viewer also.
As the story progresses, the nine heroes suffer numerous casualties. Confusingly however, once the remaining couple destroy our villain, the souls of fallen characters, which bear a peculiar shade of translucent green, are released back into the world. These souls represent their maker, the last human on earth. The message of this film is ultimately humanistic. Although mankind is extinguished for their folly and arrogance, the souls of those freed, ultimately depicts a world in which folly counts for nothing. Humans are victorious, despite the circumstances. Although it may provoke discussion, this film will leave children puzzled and confused and will prove in no way edifying.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Marginalia
The word marginalia was one employed by Samuel Coleridge, to describe the etchings one would place within the margin of a book whilst reading. From the outset many disregard this practise as simply bad etiquette, saying “didn’t your mommy ever tell you, never to write in books?” Others may articulate that writing in a margin is just bad practice, defacing and devaluing the book.
Mortimer Adler however argues that “reading a book should be a conversation between you and the author,” what better way to do this than to converse within the margins of each page. Thus, marginalia does neither deface nor devalue, but on the contrary, ascribes value to both the book and its author. Writing within the margin shows that you are engaging with the text, attempting to ascent its ideas, forming conclusions and critiques as you read. Billy Collins exhorts us in his poem, not to be those who merely laze in the armchair turning pages, but instead those who press a thought into the wayside, planting an impression along the verge.
Marginalia is also an historic and stylistic tradition, which has attracted in particular the scholarly work of Dr. H. Jackson (University of Toronto). Jackson traces the consistent practice of well known authors such as Alexander Poe, William Blake and Samuel Coleridge himself. Thus it is clear, to write within margins is to write upon the very pages of history itself, continuing in the tradition of these many great authors, leaving behind a fleeting thought, a cutting critique or perhaps just a hearty ‘Amen.’
Mortimer Adler however argues that “reading a book should be a conversation between you and the author,” what better way to do this than to converse within the margins of each page. Thus, marginalia does neither deface nor devalue, but on the contrary, ascribes value to both the book and its author. Writing within the margin shows that you are engaging with the text, attempting to ascent its ideas, forming conclusions and critiques as you read. Billy Collins exhorts us in his poem, not to be those who merely laze in the armchair turning pages, but instead those who press a thought into the wayside, planting an impression along the verge.
Marginalia is also an historic and stylistic tradition, which has attracted in particular the scholarly work of Dr. H. Jackson (University of Toronto). Jackson traces the consistent practice of well known authors such as Alexander Poe, William Blake and Samuel Coleridge himself. Thus it is clear, to write within margins is to write upon the very pages of history itself, continuing in the tradition of these many great authors, leaving behind a fleeting thought, a cutting critique or perhaps just a hearty ‘Amen.’
Monday, 26 October 2009
A Solomonic discursive on the Ants...
It was the work of zoologist William Beebe - whilst exploring the Guyanan jungle - who first noticed the both unfortunate and deadly phenomena known as the ‘circular mill.’ The circular mill is a situation which occurs among a certain species of Marabunta ant, more commonly known as the ‘army ant.’ Whenever a single ant breaks away from the main foraging group, the unfortunate fellow automatically follows the one in front. As this pattern continues, many other ants inevitably follow in pursuit, going no where and ultimately embarking on a windy (and probably dizzy) path of self destruction. Beebe recorded the size of the circular mill as some 1,200 feet in circumference, with each ant taking two and a half hours to complete a single rotation. Within two days Beebe recorded those ants within the circular mill all to have died.
We must learn from nature’s analogy, steering clear of the army ant’s folly. We should be Christians who avoid following mindlessly the doctrines and traditions of our past, believing something simply because we always have. That is not to say we should disregard everything from our past experience, becoming sceptics of the old and slaves to new, holding with little regard the teaching of our parents. However when a foundation is unsteady, repair work must be done in order for profitable work to continue. At the beginning of this college experience, may we be Christians and students alike ready to change even in the simplest of things, that we may grow into maturity of the fullness of Christ.
We must learn from nature’s analogy, steering clear of the army ant’s folly. We should be Christians who avoid following mindlessly the doctrines and traditions of our past, believing something simply because we always have. That is not to say we should disregard everything from our past experience, becoming sceptics of the old and slaves to new, holding with little regard the teaching of our parents. However when a foundation is unsteady, repair work must be done in order for profitable work to continue. At the beginning of this college experience, may we be Christians and students alike ready to change even in the simplest of things, that we may grow into maturity of the fullness of Christ.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Laziness 05 - Early Retirement
Thus far we have discussed some of the frustrations, causes and symptoms of laziness and have discussed only the typical stereotypes of laziness; those dorito munching television addicts. However I would like to suggest the idea that it is not always the outwardly lazy who suffer from the temptation and sin of laziness. I would like to propose the idea that even the most diligent and successful people can be motivated by laziness.
Why do I say this? It seems to be a trend in society that the ultimate badge of success, the ultimate goal to be attained is that of early retirement. Reaching this goal means to be able to escape the grip of work; to be released to a life of lazy mornings, round upon round of golf, and endless scrap booking. A man does not easily attain this badge of 'honour' (inverted commas intended), it can only be attained through hard work, long hours and the great investment of time.
However this working man appears to have committed one major sin, and most likely a plethora of other sins as a result. Most seriously he has turned leisure into an idol, he has made the idol of 'doing nothing' his God, and he has it worshipped not through laziness itself, but strangely through relentless hard work and long hours. Put simply... his motivation for work is fuelled by his want not to work. Not only has he disobeyed God's first commandment, which forbids man to worship any other God but the true God, Yahweh.... he has abandoned his creation mandate which is to work, produce, cultivate and multiply. He has taken to work furiously and foolishly in order to abdicate responsibility and productivity in the future.
Furthermore, because of this great sin other sins have likely flowed as a result. Instead of working steadily and finding balance in his life, he has most likely sacrificed the relationships with his wife and children, and most probably his involvement in the church and fellowshipping with other Christians.
I will leave the rest for a later post.
Why do I say this? It seems to be a trend in society that the ultimate badge of success, the ultimate goal to be attained is that of early retirement. Reaching this goal means to be able to escape the grip of work; to be released to a life of lazy mornings, round upon round of golf, and endless scrap booking. A man does not easily attain this badge of 'honour' (inverted commas intended), it can only be attained through hard work, long hours and the great investment of time.
However this working man appears to have committed one major sin, and most likely a plethora of other sins as a result. Most seriously he has turned leisure into an idol, he has made the idol of 'doing nothing' his God, and he has it worshipped not through laziness itself, but strangely through relentless hard work and long hours. Put simply... his motivation for work is fuelled by his want not to work. Not only has he disobeyed God's first commandment, which forbids man to worship any other God but the true God, Yahweh.... he has abandoned his creation mandate which is to work, produce, cultivate and multiply. He has taken to work furiously and foolishly in order to abdicate responsibility and productivity in the future.
Furthermore, because of this great sin other sins have likely flowed as a result. Instead of working steadily and finding balance in his life, he has most likely sacrificed the relationships with his wife and children, and most probably his involvement in the church and fellowshipping with other Christians.
I will leave the rest for a later post.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
This is a wonderful version of a great song by Bonnie Raitt. I am not sure about the overly sentimental ending...it would have been better without it if I am honest. I also would have enjoyed to hear a few more 'Hornsby-esque' references through out the piece, it would have been a nice touch, pointing the listener back to the original.
The hints of gospel however subtlety shine throughout this piece; they creep up on you wonderfully expected. The tension and release/rise and fall, is simply masterful. A superb performance.
The hints of gospel however subtlety shine throughout this piece; they creep up on you wonderfully expected. The tension and release/rise and fall, is simply masterful. A superb performance.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Boys and War...
A great quote from Doug Wilson in regard to boys playing War. To be found again in his book, Future Men.
His conclusion: Go ahead little warriors, just make sure your shooting in the right direction please; not at Mummy, or Mummy's friend.
His conclusion: Go ahead little warriors, just make sure your shooting in the right direction please; not at Mummy, or Mummy's friend.
'What about playing at war? More than a few adults have been concerned about boys playing at war with stick guns and swords. But boys who play at war are training to something men should do. It is as honourable as a young girl mothering a baby doll. But just as we do not want the young girl abusing a doll, neither do we want young boys pretending to do evil in war. Among the essential things, boys must learn honour and restraint...
This means that a boy who is playing with a toy gun should be trained never to use it more freely simply because it is not real. A small boy who is playing with his brothers should be pointing and blasting away with the best of them. But if a lady from church comes over to visit the young boy's mother, and is standing in the foyer, and the boy comes up and tries to blow her away, the young boy's mother should haul him off the bedroom to be tried for war crimes. The visitor was a civilian and a non-combatant, and Mother should be schooled in the principles of just war theory, and she should enforce the rules.'
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Laziness 04 - Reputation
I must first start off my acknowledging my appreciation for Douglas Wilson's book Future Men, whose ideas I am drawing upon and expanding on in these posts. It is a fine book for parents and young men alike, in regard to the challenge of raising sons to become Christian men. It is a straight down the line, no messing about type of book...not everything you will agree with, but when is that ever the case.
Wilson, when discussing laziness usefully distinguishes between self esteem and self respect; both are necessary, yet both quite different. Self esteem is useful and valuable in that it helps a young man to be confident, and interact with other people well. However, as we discussed in an earlier post, laziness is deceitful and a boy with too great a self esteem, in the words of Wilson himself 'may fancy himself quite the working man.' We must be careful not indulge young men with a false sense of self esteem, which actually encourages laziness in the face of true reality. Galatians 6:3 says 'For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.'
The Galatians passage goes on to say in verse 4 and 5...'But let each one test his own work, then his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbour . For each one will bear his own load.'. There is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from working hard; it is a good feeling when you are exhausted at the end of a shift knowing you having done a good, solid, profitable days work.
Furthermore, work is almost always a public affair, therefore it is good and right that our work should be tested by those around us. In this way, those who work hard will be upheld and earn a good reputation. On the other hand, those who are lazy should be identified as such, and subsequently exhorted toward taking responsibility and working hard. For this reason it important we do not let those around us - our friends, our children, those we disciple - fall into laziness, for there very reputation is at stake.
Wilson, when discussing laziness usefully distinguishes between self esteem and self respect; both are necessary, yet both quite different. Self esteem is useful and valuable in that it helps a young man to be confident, and interact with other people well. However, as we discussed in an earlier post, laziness is deceitful and a boy with too great a self esteem, in the words of Wilson himself 'may fancy himself quite the working man.' We must be careful not indulge young men with a false sense of self esteem, which actually encourages laziness in the face of true reality. Galatians 6:3 says 'For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.'
The Galatians passage goes on to say in verse 4 and 5...'But let each one test his own work, then his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbour . For each one will bear his own load.'. There is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from working hard; it is a good feeling when you are exhausted at the end of a shift knowing you having done a good, solid, profitable days work.
Furthermore, work is almost always a public affair, therefore it is good and right that our work should be tested by those around us. In this way, those who work hard will be upheld and earn a good reputation. On the other hand, those who are lazy should be identified as such, and subsequently exhorted toward taking responsibility and working hard. For this reason it important we do not let those around us - our friends, our children, those we disciple - fall into laziness, for there very reputation is at stake.
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