Category Archives: Movie

May 4, 2011 · 2:35 am

Denzell and Chris

Finally got around to seeing Unstoppable tonight. I have a feeling it would be have been one to see on a big screen.

Denzell was quite impressive – as expected – as usual. Chris Pine, the new Kirk, was also in it. SI was pleasantly surprised by his performance. He has real possibilities.

The film is “inspired by true events.” It isn’t clear how factual the film is – a quick look at IMDB and Wikipedia indicated that there is some semblance to the real events.

Interesting play on the title – the runaway train is stopped; the characters play by Denzel, Chris, and Lew Temple refuse to stop their efforts to halt the train.

Unstoppable points to the willingness of some of God’s children to put themselves on the line for others – even when they don’t know the others – even when they have no reason to do so – even when they every reason not to do so. For such people, I give thanks.

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May 1, 2011 · 3:43 am

Travelers on the freedom road

The movie of the day was The Vernon Johns Story featuring James Earl Jones. It seemed a good choice given that tomorrow will bring an antiracism training.

Naomi Rose is who told me about this movie. I remember her call. “The Vernon Johns Story is on,” she said. “You need to watch it.”

And I did. For I had never heard of Vernon Johns – one of the forerunners of the Civil Rights Movement.

A while back, I found a copy in a Half-Price Book store.

It is a painful film about an unjust time. Yet it is a powerful film about the call to challenge injustice and a reminder of and tribute to all those who have done so through the years. That includes Naomi, my mentor and friend. Since we live in days that still know injustice, morphed and reconfigured and newly sprung injustice but injustice all the same, it is an important film as well.

With thanks for Vernon, Naomi, and all who travel the freedom road and invite us to join them – see you along the Trail.

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April 27, 2011 · 3:34 am

Still on the trail

Posts have kind of taken a new direction.

But the Road goes on – “ever on and on” to quote Bilbo or Frodo or Tolkien.

I am at Stony Point Center tonight and will be here again tomorrow.

I’ve been watching movies now and then as well. Probably the best recent one has been a documentary – For Love of Liberty – about African-Americans and their service in the military. A lot to ponder there.

See you along the Trail.

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April 23, 2011 · 3:58 am

The Timing of Forgiveness

Forgiveness can come too soon.

Forgiveness can come too late.

May I have wisdom to time forgiveness well.

With thanks to Donald Shriver for this observation made in the film Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate

See you along the Trail.

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April 17, 2011 · 1:36 am

Toy Story 3

As rain drenches the Shire on the Hudson,

Memories of Sean and Eric

wash my spirit

flood my mind

fill my heart.

Sorrow, joy, and pride mix together.

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January 18, 2011 · 4:24 am

Glover, Steelers, oldies, taxes

As well as not taking care of myself, other things have been going on.

We have had a couple of seminars at the office that went well.

I have gone through a Danny Glover phase of movies: Honeydripper (Glover plays the owner of the Honeydripper Lounge in the 1950s who is struggling to keep his club going)and Gospel Hill (Glover plays the son of a martyred Civil Rights leader who is reborn and brought back to the struggle). Both are fairly interesting flicks – nothing outstanding, but solid.

Saturday saw the Steelers game – a rather amazing comeback in the second half. Several analysts suggest that the Ravens choked. I tend to go with the opinion that the Steelers came alive and took back the game – particularly on defense. They have some young wide receivers who are coming into their own. Should be an interesting match-up with the Jets on Sunday.

Started work on taxes – always a highlight of the year.

See you along the trail.

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January 10, 2011 · 4:10 am

Random Ws

Worshiped at Church of the Covenant. A small congregation. Good spirit. Reminded me of Shannon City United Methodist Church which in Iowa.

Watched part of Ravens-Chiefs game but really took a nap.

Went to the gym. Walked on the treadmill. Seven days in a row of eating right. Three days in a row – feet are starting to feel better. Blood sugar reading starting to be consistently normal.

Washed clothes. Dried them, too.

Watched Packers-Ravens game on the treadmill.

Watched Bordertown, a rather harrowing look at events in Juarez where women are being killed way too often.

Wondering about rematch between Steelers and Ravens.

See you along the Trail.

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January 7, 2011 · 5:01 am

Whiteout

Yes. I figured it out – at least who did it – but not the reason for their greed.

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January 7, 2011 · 4:53 am

Another day, another trip

Flew back to NYC (Shire East) from Louisville (Shire West) late this evening after a day of meetings.

The meetings went well. I watched Whiteout upon returning. An OK escape, but nothing profound. It seems to winding down, I will see if I figured it out. Not sure I have been paying enough attention to be sure about my suspicions.

Tomorrow is the interfaith prayer service for Sudan. There are signs of hope . . . may they come true.

See you along the Trail.

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January 6, 2011 · 4:39 am

You travel too much

That’s what my friend and colleague Petero told me when he learned I was returning to Louisville this afternoon. Of course he has travel scheduled to Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and several other countries in February. He works for the Episcopal Church and holds their Africa desk.

The morning began with a visit to the office by a group from Eckerd College. They were in NYC for a class on the United Nations. They made their first stop the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. I had the privilege to talk to them about our ministry and to respond to questions. It was great fun!

After meeting with the group, it was discovered that the PC(USA) email system was done – so instead of email, the phone was necessary to make arrangements for Friday’s prayer service on Sudan. Fascinating to realize how much a part of life email is.

Then headed to LGA. The security line was about as long as I have ever seen – but it moved quickly and people were very patient. The flights went well – picked up the rental car and made it back to the Shire. Renovations have continued in preparation for selling the condo.

A limited number of dvds remain at the Shire – that was probably poor planning since the Shire on the Hudson has cable and the Roku box – should have left more to have more variety. Watched Amazing Grace.

Tomorrow I travel back to the Shire on the Hudson.

See you along the Trail.

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