Checking Out a Movie, TV Show or Video Game
July 10, 2009
Here are some websites that might be helpful for you to determine if a movie, tv show or video game is right for your family. I listed them in the order that I use them. Everyone has differing opinions about what is good and what is not. I think many of these sites can give you good insight into movies to help you determine if it is good for your family to watch.
Plugged In Online A Focus on the Family website
Christian Spotlight on Entertainment
I also use Internet Movie Data Base or IMDB to look at ratings of a movie which seem to be pretty accurate. We will usually not waste our time with any movie rated under a 6.
Passion Narratives
April 6, 2009
Jesus before Caiaphas
Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
In the morning, the whole assembly brings Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, under charges of subverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and making himself a king (Luke 23:1-2). Pilate authorizes the Jewish leaders to judge Jesus according to their own Law and execute sentencing, however the Jewish leaders reply that they are not allowed by the Romans to carry out a sentence of death (John 18:31).
Pilate questions Jesus, and tells the assembly that there is no basis for sentencing. Upon learning that Jesus is from Galilee, Pilate refers the case to the ruler of Galilee, King Herod, who was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. Herod questions Jesus but receives no answer; Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate tells the assembly that neither he nor Herod have found guilt in Jesus; Pilate resolves to have Jesus whipped and released (Luke 23:3-16).
It was a custom during the feast of Passover for the Romans to release one prisoner as requested by the Jews. Pilate asks the crowd who they would like to be released. Under the guidance of the chief priests, the crowd asks for Barabbas, who had been imprisoned for committing murder during an insurrection. Pilate asks what they would have him do with Jesus, and they demand, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:6-14). Pilate’s wife had seen Jesus in a dream earlier that day; she forewarns Pilate to “have nothing to do with this righteous man” (Matthew 27:19).
Pilate has Jesus flogged, then brings him out to the crowd to release him. The chief priests inform Pilate of a new charge, demanding Jesus be sentenced to death “because he claimed to be God’s son.” This possibility filled Pilate with fear, and he brought Jesus back inside the palace and demanded to know from where he came (John 19:1-9).
Coming before the crowd one last time, Pilate declares Jesus innocent, washing his own hands in water to show he has no part in this condemnation. Nevertheless, Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified in order to forestall a riot (Matthew 27:24-26). The sentence written is “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Jesus carries his cross to the site of execution, called the place of the Skull, or “Golgotha” in Hebrew and “Calvary” in Latin. There he is crucified along with two criminals (John 19:17-22).
Jesus agonizes on the cross for three hours while the sun is darkened. With a loud cry, Jesus gives up his spirit. There is an earthquake, tombs break open, and the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. The centurion on guard at the site of crucifixion declares, “Truly this was God’s Son!” (Matthew 27:45-54)
Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin and secret follower of Jesus, who had not consented to his condemnation, goes to Pilate to request the body of Jesus (Luke 23:50-52). Pilate asks confirmation from the centurion whether Jesus is dead (Mark 15:44). A soldier pierced the side of Jesus with a lance causing blood and water to flow out (John 19:34), and the centurian informs Pilate that Jesus is dead (Mark 15:45).
Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus, wraps it in a clean linen shroud, and places it in his own new tomb that had been carved in the rock (Matthew 27:59-60) in a garden near the site of crucifixion. Another secret follower of Jesus and member of the Sanhedrin named Nicodemus (John 3:1) also came bringing 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, and places them in the linen with the body of Jesus, according to Jewish burial customs (John 19:39-40). They rolled a large rock over the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:60). Then they returned home and rested, because at sunset began the Sabbath (Luke 23:54-56).
Borrowed from a past blog post on Accredo Christian
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The Passion of the Christ, Widescreen DVD By Word Entertainment Inc Destined to become a classic, The Passion of The Christ created quite the media hype before its premiere. Mel Gibson’s stunning masterpiece portrays the final twelve hours of Jesus’ life. This DVD of the international blockbuster film offers an unforgettable experience of the profound love of Christ’s sacrifice. With amazing cinematography and stellar performances by a talented cast, The Passion of the Christ is Christian moviemaking at its best. This film features audio on Aramaic/Latin/Hebrew languages and English subtitles. Close-captioned. Rated R (scenes of graphic violence). Widescreen. Approx. 126 minutes. |
The Marva Collins Story
March 30, 2009
The Marva Collins Story. I will give this movie two thumbs up! It’s an’ inspirational movie about a woman, Marva Collins, who reformed the education in her town. After teaching public school in Alabama and Chicago for 16 years, and being dissatisfied with the way she saw children being taught, Ms. Collins decided to open her own school in 1975 on the second floor of her home in Chicago’s inner city. The Westside Preparatory School accepted children who were labeled learning disabled, problem children, and even borderline retarded by traditional public schools. By the end of their first year, each and every child had improved their scores by at least five grades.
At its best it may influence you, in whatever role you have with children or education, to raise the standards and to stand up to a failing system in whatever way is applicable in your life.
Homeschoolers Produce Full Length Film
October 25, 2008
This movie is free online and may also be purchased on DVD. It is broken up into 5 segments for viewing. Just click on the graphic. You can read the article about the movie here. And more about the movie here at Advent Film Group.
If you have trouble with the buffering of the movie at this link it might work better starting on the 27th on God Tube where they will have the movie free for 3 days. This will be the link starting on October 27th:
