Just a brief notice, we are going to be doing many more video reviews for the page. While there will be the ocassional
written review, most will be video via our page The Movie Guys. I
encourage you to check out the links below and subscribe to the
channels. We are pleased to be working with Wichita State University and
their Shocker Studio along with Teen View Magazine. We will be filming
the shows at the studios and Teen View along with staff from Shocker
Studios will be assisting in the production of the shows. You can find
out more about Shocker Studios by checking out their Facebook page at
the following link:
I
certainly thank you for your support of this work over the years and as
things grow and get bigger and better, we want you to know, we will
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BE ON THE LOOK OUT
FOR OUR NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK, HAROLD THE ANGEL, NOW AVAILABLE AT
AMAZON, BOOKS A MILLION, BARNES & NOBLE AND OTHER MAJOR
RETAILERS, OUR BOOK THE KEYSTONE KID IS ALSO STILL AVAILABLE AT MOST
MAJOR RETAILERS AND IS A TERRIFIC READ.
The Virtual Pew and our other work is
supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on
the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so
much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary
from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a
homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute
to help with this ministry. Believe me, there is much more going on
than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the
ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and
feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that
appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the
materials provided.
You
can also order the book at all major retailers, including Amazon,
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There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
Now
I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The
short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all
means, spread the word. Here is our contact information
The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
As I was growing up I never really thought about the
concepts of Lent as it was a Christian tradition for many that was unique to
what little I understood about church. As I got older and became active in church
it was something not typically practiced in the churches I attended. In my late
30's and early 40's I started looking at concepts of faith practiced by many,
including Lent. As I became aware of the Lenten practices leading up to Easter
Sunday I would give up something in my life to help me in my walk with God. As
I gave up something of meaning it helped me to rely more on prayer and God. The
concept of sacrifice and offering of something in my life became a key concept
of my regular prayer and fasting, not just at Easter but throughout the year. I
can think of few movies that emphasized the concepts of sacrifice more than the
wonderful landmark film by Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List.
Schindler's List is the powerful biopic and Oscar Winning 1993 film that follows
the life of Oskar Schindler during World War 2.Schindler a Nazi sympathizer and wealthy businessman becomes aware of
the atrocities against the Jewish people while in Poland. During an epiphany moment
for Schindler he decides to do all he can to save as many Jewish people as he
can from the atrocities they experience during the Nazi regime. He makes
sacrifices in all aspects of his life by giving away virtually all of his wealth
to purchase the lives of Jewish people to work in his factory saving them from
the various methods of death they would likely face in the German Concentration
Camps. Schindler saved over 1,000 Jews and lost virtually all of his fortune as
a result. The movie shows the consequences of his sacrifices. The movie, an
American Classic won 7 Oscars including awards for Best Picture, Best Director,
Best Writing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Actor in a
Leading, and Supporting Role.
Technically, this work is brilliant. Filmed in black and
white Spielberg known largely at the time as a
Director of fluff entertainment,
albeit great fluff entertainment took the serious story of Schindler and made
it entertaining, yet powerful. Despite the serious subject matter, this film
flows quickly and seems to be much shorter than its 3+ hours and leading actor
Liam Neeson is brilliant along with costars Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and
others. The real star though, is Spielberg in his direction and ability to tell
a heart wrenching, compelling story based on the real Oskar Schindler.
This movie challenged me to contemplate my own willingness to sacrifice for the
hurting, the abused and those in need. Few movies have likely ever moved the
audience to contemplate their own sacrifice to help people in need. We are
moved after seeing this portrayed in such a powerful way and then towards the
end of the film seeing the attitude of Schindler in realizing that in his
incredible sacrifices, he sees only how he could have done more by selling this
car, or this or that, if he would have only made more money he could have saved
more people. Schindler was aware not of what he had done but what more he could
have done.
As followers of Jesus we often make excuses to ignore the
pains and realities of others around us, we especially notice this when we
ourselves are going through difficulties and there are few around us who seem
to care. While the pain those Schindler helped was as deep as any pain one can
experience, the pain we so often feel is none the less our experience, hurts, needs
and pain. The need to help others is exemplified throughout the the Bible, unfortunately,
sometimes we need reminders, from real people, examples, even sometimes a movie
that presents the lives of other people like Oskar Schindler.
There are many moving pictures but this Lent season, for
reminder of what it means to sacrifice, have a right spirit in that sacrifice
and the importance of loving and caring for others, few movies present this as
brilliantly as this Spielberg classic. Of course one of the beautiful things we
also see is one we may or may not see the appreciation of those who are helped.
While we may not know the impact of the sacrifices we make, others will still be
touched and helped.
When Jesus was asked about entering the Kingdom of Heaven,
He spoke of the importance of loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and
strength, and in that process the importance of loving our neighbor as
ourselves. We are also told, of all the commandments, there are none greater
than these two, because when we keep these two, we have kept them all. In the
process of loving our neighbor, Spielberg presents Schindler as among those in
history who can inspire like few others. For those observing Lent, realize that
among the best ways to show God you love Him is by the way we love others. That
love when made with sacrifice is a love that will have an impact on not just
those we are helping, but those looking in at our lives and examples.
To see the trailer for Schindler's List, click on the video below, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:
The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind
contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any
amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net;
I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is
predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can
contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more
going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the
ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and
feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that
appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials
provided.
There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You
can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at
mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.
Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The
short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means,
spread the word. Here is our contact information
The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
It’s been a long time since there was a movie that was powerfully driven by a young cast. Some may say it has been since ET; that is until this summer. With a wonderful new story in the Steven Spielberg camp we have such a movie. Super 8 is a cross between Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Aliens, and ET. With the benefit of living in one of the top movie towns in America I just had the chance to see the film on the largest IMAX Screen in North America. It was perfectly entertaining and was driven with as much an enjoyable experience as I have had the honor to partake in for a movie in some time.
JJ Abrams noted for the television series Lost has written and directed one of the best new stories in some time. As per the norm with Abrams there is attention to story which is done in an entertaining, thought provoking way. In Super 8, we see a family impacted by the death of a mother in a drastic way that has an impact on two different families. The Lamb family has lost a mother and the Dainard family is impacted in a way we are not quite sure of until later in the movie. There are two single dads, raising children and facing the difficulties on dealing with teen children.
Young Joe Lamb and his friends are into making movies. It is while making a zombie movie with a Super 8 camera; they involve the girl of their dreams, Alice Dainard. More than one of the boys in the group have a crush on her and while she makes a perfect cast member in the movie they are making, she also brings a level of conflict that contributes to the tension in the movie.
One night while filming near an old train depot outside of town there is a horrific train crash. The train is an Air Force train and is carrying a strange cargo. It doesn’t take long for the military to get involved. Strange things start to happen around the town and the young filmmakers know more than they let on with the town that starts to have strange occurrences. Of course there is a lot more they don’t know then there is they don’t, but that is for us to discover as the movie progresses.
Technically Abrams has done his best work in a feature film as of yet. From a taught script to incredible special effects, a great sound track, and unbelievable set and prop design. I normally don’t comment on this but there is such a good job of replicating the late 1970’s including the things a young man would have in his room I had to make mention of it. I lived during this time and it is as it was. Even the soundtrack and movie starts with the music of my favorite bands of all time, Electric Light Orchestra with the song Don’t Bring Me Down.
One of the magical attributes of Super 8 is the cast and development of characters. To think that two of these young actors, in lead roles, has never been in a motion picture before gives credit to Abrams on his ability to do one of the most difficult things in movies, direct and get quality results with children. The children in this picture, virtually every one of them are magical. I adored every single one of the primary cast, especially those in the lead roles, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney. I especially enjoyed Riley Griffiths as Charles a young heavy weight child, with a deep friendship for Joe Lamb. Griffiths also carries off quite well the temperament of a young movie director. Abrams starts developing the characters from the very opening scenes and that development continues until the completion of the film. We get to know what drives them and their innermost thoughts. Not since Stand By Me with River Phoenix has there been the potential in a young cast that we have in Super 8.
Abrams does such a good job in his direction that there are multiple themes addressed in the movie, none as important as the themes of forgiveness and learning to let go of past mistakes and moving on. The concept of being able to forgive is critical to the need to let go and move on in the themes here. It is also the formula that allows love to take place when one may not have expected love, whether with a friend or a parent. For many, it is only when they come close to losing the things they love most before they realize the importance of forgiveness and moving on. We see that many are held hostage to their situations because they are unwilling to forgive. Sometimes the bitterness that exists in ones heart is there for unfounded reasons but we won’t know that until we take the step to forgive. This can create conflict that lasts for years and impacts others around us that we love. Some would rather die with an attitude of hate or bitterness than to experience the freedom and liberties that can come about when we forgive those we believe have done us wrong. Super 8, from the very opening scenes until the closing scenes drive these themes home in a way to force us to contemplate on their own need to forgive others.
I loved Super 8! It is without a doubt one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I loved the tributes in the film by Abrams, not only to Stephen Spielberg but to the great Zombie creator, George Romero. It is a modernized, more sophisticated film than any child cast film since Stand By Me. It is fun, entertaining, with a wonderful message. It is frightening at times with a number of jump out of your seat moments. The only negative I would even dare to bring up, was it could have been longer as I liked the characters so much I wanted to see more of them. I suspect there will be some that don’t like the negative portrayal of the military, but I honestly don’t think that is any thing intended by the makers of the film. I have stated in the past that it would be hard to imagine many films better than this one this summer. While I have been wrong before, and may be again here, it is still hard to imagine a better film this summer. I suspect that word of mouth will have Super 8 making its 45 million it cost to make returned this weekend and from there, it will be one of the hits of the summer. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong here unless you take very small children to the theater. It is appropriately rated PG-13 but families will enjoy seeing it together. I know I enjoyed it and I fully expect to see it again before the end of the summer.
On a scale of 1 – 10, for the 9 letters in the name Spielberg who has once again, produced magic, I give a very enthusiastic 9
To see the video posted below, click on the video, if the video doesn’t appear or appears in distorted form, click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRQQCKS7go
Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.
Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information
The Virtual Pew 6441 N. Hydraulic Park City Kansas, 67219
Email: mike@furches.org
Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew
Welcome to my review page. You will find reviews for everything from books to music, but especially movies. Enjoy the page and don't forget while you are at it to check out all of the other blogs I do as well as my web site www.furches.org and www.thevirtualpew.com where you will find message boards that have open discussion about all kinds of issues related to faith.
Mike Furches heads up The Virtual Pew, some say, the first Online Church. He speaks nationally on various topics and; is a freelance writer. He has published 2 books titled The Keystone Kid which has received rave reviews and thechildren's book with his late wife Mary Jane, Herald The Angel.. The short film, The Long Walk is also based on the book The Keystone Kid. Mike’s ministry is to those often called The Last, The Lost, and; The Least. Mike has worked with some top music artists and has an active interest in film. He is also an inductee into the International Blues Hall of Fame as a Great Blues Musician from the State of Kansas. He is available for speaking on a various topics. Mike has also been in some capacity as a pastor at various churches over the years. Thus the name Pastor Mike, which is a part of his Blues Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band which has been endorsed by numerous Blues Hall of Fame Members from across the world.
