Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Clunk--Man of Steel

Amy, Hannah, and I took in a summer movie last Saturday night as we drove up to East Bethel to see “Man of Steel.”  By moving worship to Wednesday evenings, Saturday evenings are much more relaxed and free for my family.
 
The movie started with a long scene on the planet Krypton.  The planet is about to explode due to its unstable core which happened because of years of exploitation of the planet’s natural resources.  Scientist Jor-El  and his wife Lara save their son Kal-El by sending him on a spacecraft to earth.  Kal-El’s cells were infused with a genetic codex to preserve the Kryptonian race.  The rebel, General Zod murders Jor-El, but Zod and his followers are captured and banished to the phantom zone.  Kal-El is found on earth—in Kansas, no less—and raised by a farm couple who name him Clark and who we know as Superman.  His Kryptonian physiology gives him superhuman skills.   General Zod escaped the phantom zone and found Clark on earth.  He wants to extract the codex from Clark so Zod can develop the Kryptonian race on earth.  Zod tries to turn earth into Krypton; Clark—Man of Steel, I can’t help but call him Superman—tries to stop him.  The U.S. army helps Superman.  Huge battles ensue with lots of computer-generated destruction.  Superman wins, earth is saved, humanity will live!
 
Superman is a wonderful story, but the story got lost in Man of Steel.  The movie was much more about big destruction and computer-generated violence than continuing the traditions of Superman.  I felt assaulted as I watched the movie.  We were forced to endure these long scenes of people battling each other.  What’s compelling about that?  When I left the theatre I checked my clothes to see if I had any bits of the movie on me.  I felt like some rock from some destroyed building would fly from the screen and land on me.  I can’t imagine what it would have been like to watch Man of Steel in 3-D. 
 
The best moments of the movie were when Clark and his dad, skillfully played by Kevin Costner, talked about Clark’s identity.  Important questions were pondered about whether Clark should reveal his superhuman, physical skills and whether Clark could trust humans.  These scenes worked because the scene was prompting the viewers to reflect on important and even eternal questions.  The producers didn’t stay with these scenes for long—there was too much destruction to share!
 
I particularly questioned the destruction of New York City that the movie seemed to want to show.  If I had been in Manhattan on September 11, 2001 I wouldn’t watch this movie.  These long and violent scenes would have brought back too many memories. 
 
The movie deserved an “R” rating for the violence.  My pre-teenage daughter hated the film and was frightened by the destruction.  If an equivalent amount of sex was shared in this movie, the film would have never reached the screen.  I guess over-the-top destruction is accepted in the movie industry.
 
Give me a story, tell it well, use your flashy computers if you want to generate some fun stuff, don’t assault me with destruction.  Man of Steel failed on all of these elements.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Sundaes on Wednesday starting!

I want to invite the community to join Chain of Lakes for “Sundaes on Wednesday” starting tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Northpoint Elementary in Blaine.  The address of the school is 2350 124th Court NE.
 
Worship will be casual and light.  We’ll be seated around tables.  This year I’m sharing a sermon series called “10 faith lessons for life.”  The themes of the game of “Life” will be interwoven into the series.  Instead of having a devotion everyone will receive a “Life Card” in their bulletin that will help them apply the lesson during the week.  At the end of the sermon an “obstacle” card will be read.  This will share specific situations that would prevent us from living out the life lesson.
 
Nutritious snacks will be available to eat during worship and sundaes will be served after worship.
 
The first life lesson is called “Making Decisions—I need wisdom Lord!”  The children will have separate classes where they will explore the same lesson as adults.
 
This year different Presbyterian congregations are supporting each Sundae on Wednesday.  Tomorrow evening North Como Presbyterian Church from Roseville is a sponsor.  Rev. David Maghakian will make a presentation about the ministry of their congregation.  Other churches who are sponsors during the summer are Presbyterian Church of the Way, North in North St. Paul, First in Rochester, Community in Plainview, Kwanzaa in Minneapolis, Dayton Avenue in St. Paul and Valley in Golden Valley.

Monday, June 3, 2013

FREE Ice Cream Social at Chain of Lakes

I want to invite the community to attend a FREE Ice Cream Social that our new congregation is hosting this Wednesday, Jun e 5th at 6:30 p.m.  on our property.  Directions to the property can be found on the Chain of Lakes web site:   http://www.colpres.org/module/events.htm?year=2013&month=Jun&day=5&eventId=522649
 
This is not an ordinary Ice Cream Social.  Spudster the clown is showing up to entertain children and twist balloons for them.  We are having an ice-cream eating contest featuring Tom Ryan, Mayor of Blaine.  I figured since I participated in a Triathlon two weeks ago I can now participate in an ice-cream eating contest.  I’m not sure how to practice for an ice-cream eating contest , though.  We’ll have FREE kits to fly, and drawings for coupons at Yogurt Sundae.
 
What’s not to like??
 
Stop on by and enjoy the hospitality shared by Chain of Lakes Church!