Season after season I watched the Fox Series 24 Staring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. While not all seasons ended on a sad note, Jack Bauer always got the bad end of the deal. He would save the world and he would be in trouble at the end of the season. He has been on the run, been a victim of a toxic leak and the list goes on.
This past series 24: Live Another Day ended very sad , I was heart broken at the way it ended. Yes, This is hard to admit, but this 51 year old male cried like a baby when it was all over. It was not enough that we had the President taking his daughter home in a casket, and he has Alzheimers's, it was what he said. He let the viewing audience know that soon he would not even remember his daughter and would never know she existed. As sad as that was I could have handled that.
But to add insult to misery Jack Bauer surrenders himself to the Russians to save the life of his family and long time partner Chloe O'Brian played by Mary Lynn Rajskub. We don't know if there is going to be another season for Jack Bauer. To think this could be the last time we see Jack is very sad to me. If there is only one more day for Jack Bauer then I want the end to be Jack goes back to his daughter and Grandchild.
Maybe that's the point of the whole Jack Bauer story is that you can't always have a happy ending. Jack does the job to get the job done and will blow away anyone in his path. Could Jack Bauer fit back in to a normal society? That question may be part of the reason he never has a happy ending.
So for however long it takes, the 24 fans will have this question.
Some of you that read this may know I watch some of the most despicable, gross ungodly horror movies. I watch movies and TV shows about witches and demons, satanic themes, zombies, vampires, aliens, movies about the end of the world. Most of my daily entertainment never ever mentions God. You would think that maybe I don't believe in God or have anything to do with God, but I do and this is that time to let my little light shine.
There are three descriptions of the movie after the trailer I will share, I want you to have to have a good understanding about the movie before I give my thoughts
Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is Dead” and put the whole incident behind him? GOD’S NOT DEAD weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions.
GOD’S NOT DEAD features a talented cast of actors including Kevin Sorbo (SOUL SURFER, HERCULES, ANDROMEDA), Shane Harper (GOOD LUCK CHARLIE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2), David A.R. White (BROTHER WHITE, REVELATION ROAD and JERUSALEM COUNTDOWN), and Dean Cain (LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN), with special appearances by Christian super-band Newsboys and “Duck Dynasty’s” Willie and Korie Robertson.
Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), a Christian college student, enrolls in a philosophy class taught by Professor Jeffrey Radisson (Kevin Sorbo), an atheist, who demands that his students sign a declaration that "God is dead" to get a passing grade. Josh is the only student in the class who refuses to sign and is then required by Radisson to debate the topic with him, with the class members deciding who wins.
Radisson gives Josh 20 minutes at the end of the first three lecture sessions to argue that God exists. In the first two debates, Radisson has counter arguments for all of Josh's points. Josh's girlfriend Kara (Cassidy Gifford) breaks up with him, fearing that standing up to Radisson will jeopardize their academic future. Ultimately, it comes down to the third and final debate between Radisson and Josh, who again both make compelling points. Josh then halts his line of debate to pose a question to Radisson: "Why do you hate God?" After Josh repeats the question twice more, Radisson explodes in rage, confirming he hates God for his mother's death that left him alone despite his prayers. Josh then casually asks Radisson how he can hate someone that doesn't exist. In the end, Martin (Paul Kwo), a foreign exchange student whose father had encouraged him not to convert to Christianity, stands up and says "God's not dead." Almost the entire class follows Martin's lead, causing Radisson to leave the room in defeat.
Against the backdrop of the debates, a series of peripherally related subplots develop. Radisson dates Mina (Cory Oliver), a Christian whom he often belittles in front of his fellow atheist colleagues. Her brother Mark (Dean Cain), a successful businessman and atheist, refuses to visit their mother, who suffers from dementia. Mark's girlfriend, Amy (Trisha LaFache), is a left-wing blogger who writes articles critical of Duck Dynasty. When she is diagnosed with cancer, Mark dumps her. A Muslim student named Ayisha (Hadeel Sittu) secretly converts to Christianity and is disowned by her family when they find out.
After the final debate, Josh invites Martin to attend the Newsboys concert that is in town. Radisson reads a letter from his late mother, and is moved to reconcile with Mina. Amy confronts the Newsboys in their dressing room, only to admit that she wants to get to know God. While on his way to find Mina, Radisson is struck by a car and fatally injured. Reverend Dave (David A. R. White) finds him and guides him in becoming a Christian as he dies. Mark at last visits his mother, only to taunt her; she responds that all of his financial success was given to him by Satan.
As the film ends, the Newsboys play a video clip of Willie Robertson congratulating Josh. The Newsboys then play their song "God's Not Dead", dedicating it to Josh.
Now that I have given you a clear description , let me be clear, I am a Pentecostal and go to A Pentecostal Church and I believe God is very much alive.
Now here is what I have to say about the movie.
In a world of everything offends someone, I was glad to see and know that there are people willing to take a risk and spend money to produce entertainment that makes it clear that Christians will not be moved. While some critics where very harsh on the movie, it was the message that was more important then what they had to say about the acting. Consider this message, it was a movie with a 2 million dollar budget and it made over 62 million. I would call that a huge success and did better then some of the movies I watch with over sized budgets..
What this movie tells me is that people may mock us, tease us and abuse us, but our faith shall not be moved or shaken. We have our faults, but we are not alone. We push past our heart ache and pain because this is only temporary and no matter if we are rich or poor, time is not going to last for ever, and our next day is not guaranteed.
If I could not pray when things go wrong, I would truly understand loneliness. I think this was the first family wholesome decent movie I have watched since I was five years of age. I am glad I picked this one. And I will be honest. I would have ignored this movie if my Mother had not said she wanted to see it, because I have been busy watching too many Hollywood Sex, Drugs and Violence movies. I am not going to say I will stop watching them. But I may search out more movies with a positive message like this movie.
I would not call myself a great gamer, but I do play video games to get rid of stress, have fun etc. Because of my personal budget I don't buy every game when it comes out. However that is not the case with Call of Duty: Advance Warfare. I have pre-ordered the game and can nlot wait to play it., however after looking at the trailer of the game I have a few questions. Lets look at he trailer for the current Call of Duty game called Ghost.
This game and the ones that came before in the series has a gritty war feel. I have never been in the military and have no clue what war is about, but a few family members have shared details that don't even come close to a video game, But these games have grit in the game play and it seems believable. Please understand I would not want to insult the soldiers that have died for our country in a hell I can not imagine, I am talking about a video game, there is a huge unmeasured difference. But the Call of Duty games has always taken me back to my child hood when we played with other kids of shoot them up bang bang with our toy guns. Call of Duty made it a little more real with impossible missions and warfare simulations. After I played and had a intense session, I always knew it is worse in real war.
Now watch the trailer for the new Call Of Duty Game calle Advance Warfare
This game looks awesome, I can't wait to get my hands on it, but then I step back with questions. Just like the title Advance Wayfarer, it's more like Futuristic Warfare. There are some parts that gives me a feel of KILLZONE: SHADOWFALL or Halo, I truly hope that Call Of Duty Stays Call of Duty, I hope I am wrong but the trailer for Advanced Warfare looked to clean and not enough war torn areas of play. But I am looking forward to it, especially the campaign with Kevin Spacey playing a huge part in this game, that alone is worth the price of the game. I think he will be awesome. I truly hope I am wrong about the fears of what the future of the series will be. I want Call of Duty to always be unique in game play. I know times change and you always have to upgrade, But Call of Duty Games have always been a great source of entertainment and I want it to stay that way.
After ABC's LOST ended in 2010 networks started scrambling to fill it's void of having great story content, but always keeping the viewer lost. HBO's new series Leftovers fills that void for me. Two percent of the worlds population disappears with out a trace and no one has a clue what happen. It's like a biblical rapture but it was not. So what was it? no one knows. We have Police Chief Kevin Garvey who's ex-wife is a member of a strange cult that wears nothing but white clothing and communicates with writing pads and all members must smoke and not speak unless allowed by the leaders. That is just for starters.
Every week I watch this I have less of an ideal of whats going on then the week before, but I am addicted and can't wait for the next episode. The cast is awesome and the caricatures seems to be as lost as the viewers, because even though you may think they know whats going on, I have to ask myself do they really know? This week is the series finale and I will have to wait a year to see season two. But I have a lot of TV and movies to keep me busy. I also have a Playstation. But A whole year, I will be fine.....
This past week they had a flash back episode, and it seemed to patch a few things up. But did it really? If your into shows that make no sense but has great acting and cast and strong story lines, then I recommend this show strongly. It is a show for people that can stretch the imagination, it's for the big boy and girl club and I am not talking about the mature content. If you like a show where everything is explained in a hour, then you not ready for this type of entertainment.
On June 9th 2013 Forbes Magazine predicted the end of console video games. I am not attacking Forbes but using them as a example because they where not the only publication that predicted the end is near for video game systems. But Forbes has a excellent reputation for making business predictions. And it's not about proving anyone wrong or right, OK, maybe it is. But I don't think you can predict the gaming industry with any type of consistency unless Sony and Microsoft would stop making the games system consoles.
The problem with analyst that make predictions is that they are business analyst and not people that play games. In the past few years two games have dominated the market Halo and Modern Warfare and sometimes that is all you hear about and gamers get board. There has not been a lot to stretch that vivid imagination. I have read some of the reasons they think the end is near. I mean come on, while Facebook games like Candy Crush and Farmville can be addicting they are stupid and irritating. I have tried them and they did have a addictive quality, but they do not come close to Video console game play, The vivid graphics and role play that the X-Box and Playstation gives us. I don't like playing games on 2 inch or 8 by 10 screen. I want my 32 inch HD full sound experience.
However, I think the counsel gaming industry heard the call and struck back with a vengeance.
The past 7 months the Playstation 4 has had booming sales and X-Box has been playing catch up. To me this proves that people want to play games. That is what they are interested in. X-Box is pushing the whole entertainment control thing with the X-Box One voice media control system they have. It's about the games, not what my game system can do for me. it's about how I can interact with my game system and be entertained in a virtual world. Do not get me wrong, X-Box is a awesome games system and will make a comeback and Playstation needs to know that.
Motley Fool web site gave a positive but yet cautious outlook for console game systems
In a interview Tim Beyers had this to say
I am leaving Wordpress because I have decided to Monetize my Blog page and Blogger makes it much more easier then Wordpress, Wordpress does have advantages over Blogger but sometimes ease of use in adding widgets can be complicated. Therefore I have taken a easy way out. I am in the process of moving all blog post from Wordpress site to blogger. I hope to be writing more entertainment opinions here at Blogger.
Please excuse my dust as I continue to make changes, and learn more about blogger
