Echoes and Moments

It's not a coincidence she looks like an Elf princess... Considering the dirth of negative press, critical reviews, and general shade thrown at the DC Cinematic Universe since Henry Cavill groaned and yelled his way through Zack Snyder's overcooked Man of Steel in 2013, I was greatly pleased to see much in the way of positive feedback surrounding the franchise's latest offering, Wonder Woman. Since origins stories are necessarily difficult endeavors with regards to the source materials, fanbase of comic readers, and general public, I am always willing to cut slack to films that stick to the basics of all good filmmaking: character and narrative. While the superhero genre has saturated the screens for over a decade, I was reminded by a friend that before Robert Downey Jr. launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe into its current reign as a box-office juggernaut with Iron Man in 2008, the vast majority of regular joes/janes (myself included) were more familiar with the DC l...

It's no secret that sci-fi is one of my favorite genres. Though I was raised consuming volumes of fantasy novels, sci-fi is cut from the same cloth. A good science fiction story draws upon enough believable material to make us engage with the story, with some good imagination and speculation to draw us into deeper, unknown, and perhaps bolder territory. I just saw a great example of how science fiction engages our deepest, very human questions, asking us to think and feel familiar things while venturing into new narrative territory. But before I talk about the film I'll give you a little background on why (and how) I came to love the genre. The journey began with some classic novels new and old (although science fiction is a relatively new genre, coming to prominence only in the middle of the 20th century). Some highlights include Frank Herbert's 1965 masterpiece Dune , where I followed the Messiah-like Paul Atreides on his quest to seek justice for the injuries again...

Many people in my generation  were introduced to pop philosophy through the words of the cloaked future warrior Morpheus, played with concise elegance by one Laurence Fishburne in The Matrix trilogy. Although some dismiss the movies for their shoddy treatment of philosophical and religious themes, I've always been a fan for the pure amount of adrenaline that the series creates as Morpheus guides the hacker turned hero Neo to claim his identity as 'the one.' The series pits humanity against a race of machines that desires nothing but control through a programmed dream world. Neo awakens from this dream to a nightmarish reality where humans "are no longer born, but grown" in vast fields of embryonic chambers. He is trained so that he can face the deadliest of these computer programs, called "agents" and then proceeds to lead us in a series of increasingly impressive action sequences where his skills are honed and we are generally reminded that the purpose ...

Ok, so I was going to write my weekly blog contribution around the topic of the recent anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki . This occasion is an important one to reflect on our attitude of retribution, justice, and violence. Most especially, to hold us accountable for our attitude of "the means justify the ends." Yet the pastor of my parent's church gave a great word today about our attitude towards women and the effect it has on our Christian discipleship. As adherents to the kingdom of God, we believe in a reality of freedom bound in love (not simply unhindered liberty) in the gaze of our Creator God. In sharing his perfect, Triune love, we are compelled to live with each other perfectly, harmoniously, and peacefully. In short, our shared vision turns towards shalom . Still, we are wise to recognize the siren call of our culture that seduces us to return to the old slavery to our flesh (as Paul calls it), or our gridlocked mode of being that is sel...

Hey, who put me on the cover of this movie? It is very difficult for me to summarize a topic as broad as the consciousness of a people. Although I cannot properly consider myself "Mexican," there are many Latino/Hispanic people who share both my ancestry and cultural dilemma. Consider California: we have an overwhelming population of Mexican Americans here, with the most vibrant communities of recent and established generations of immigrants proud to call this country their home, yet firmly rooted in their own culture and traditions. Today I need to remember that I should be sensitive even with labels; the majority of my friends greatly prefer the term Latino even when my family has considered itself Hispanic for so long. I could write for a long while on the distinguishing characteristics of New Mexican identity, even though I have never lived in New Mexico itself. Rather I find it helpful to take the macro scale: identifying those trends in Latin American culture that ...

I frequently lament the constant lampooning of Christian culture via broad-stroke mockery that seems to pervade the media these days. While some of today's music has the guts to give religious credit to the complexities of a moral lifestyle (I'm thinking of U2, any other obvious ones?), the average character on TV with spiritual convictions ends up being bigoted, ignorant, and intolerant. See Joe Hart from Glee , Kristin Wiig's character from Paul , and the evil warden in Shawshank Redemption.   I can normally get over this, because my favorite TV characters are far from the ideal spiritual role models , and some of them even have  some serious issues . Yet lo and behold, I just happened upon a delightful show that, after first viewing, promises  a refreshing and sympathetic look  at the life of a clergyman in modern inner-city London. If you're like me and love the smug charm and quick wit of those programs from the other side of the pond (I'm talking about S...

2011 had many highs and lows, many places travelled, and many good times to be had. Here are some memorable highlights that mark my year. Favorite Album: Bon Iver: Bon Iver There's already a lot that's been said  about this sophomore effort by our heartbroken hermit-turned-musician friend Justin Vernon, and so I won't add any commentary of my own. I will say that I truly enjoyed it as my favorite music to unwind to on the drive home from Santa Maria late at night. I recommend a curving night highway or an overcast day to let these melodies and electro-acoustic soundscapes wash through your ears. Honorable Mention: Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues; The National: High Violet; New York Hymns: Songs for Lent. Favorite Travel Spot 2011: Sandia Mountains, New Mexico I was in New Mexico twice this summer, the first time for my staff training with InterVarsity (along with new interns from all the western states), and the second time with my family. Since the place...

Ah, the allure of the international film. Perhaps "international" is too loose a term, since the main characters all speak English. Oh yeah, and the stars have been in worldwide blockbusters like the Harry Potter and Ocean's Eleven series. Check the trailer: Despite your expectations from the trailer, The Guard offers a moviegoing experience you likely won't encounter many other places this fall. Most big screen releases here in America don't allow you to ponder deep ethnic and cultural wounds in a movie that's supposed to be a comedy. To be fair, the thing was marketed to American audiences as a buddy cop movie with quick one-liners between a country dweller and the straight yankee foreigner, with racist jokes to boot. But the film deals with themes like grief of death, loss, racism (for real), and purpose. Brendan Gleeson is the key here, perhaps you know him as Mad-Eye Moody from the Harry Potter films. He shines with a searingly sarcastic humour that...