Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Indwelling by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

In book 7 we pick up immediately after Assassins. Carpathia is dead. There is a huge hunt for the killer. The suspects are all around the Tribulation Force, or even someone from the Anti-Christ's own administration.

Buck dares a harrowing rescue out of Israel, old men are seeing visions and the safe house is no longer safe.

You'll find some interesting test your prophecy I.Q. at the end of this book. And I have to ask, is this for real? Do people think they are going to predict when Jesus is going to return?

And, like the other re-releases, you'll read about how prophecy from this book is being fulfilled. They point to the recent poll that says a majority of evangelical Christians believe there are multiple ways to "get" to God.

Well this must prove that the Left Behind writers are divine authors!

The Indwelling is okay reading. Like I've written of the other books in the series, after the first 3 books I lost interest fast. Now it's simply a matter of finishing them to know who dies. (Or who survives as the case may be.

The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind)
This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.

Assassins by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

This book begins with a Christian character desiring to be the one to murder the Anti-Christ. Is that ironic? Is it okay for a follower of Christ to want to murder?


Assassins is a quick-paced novel leading up to the assassination of the Anti-Christ. It's one of those whodunit stories where the culprit may surprise you.

This was a fun endeavor for the Jenkins/LaHaye team (Seriously, what input does Timmy have here). I enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was. I love how this book ends: we know who our assassin is. We sure do. End book.

It's a terrific cliff hanger.

After the story, you get "The Truth Behind the Fiction": added content describing how prophecy is being fulfilled in this era. Of course, all of this new information comes from their own prophecy newsletter so it's going to be heavily biased.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.

Apollyon by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

Book 5 of the Left Behind series finds us experiencing the plagues of locusts, bloody water and a one-world faith.

As believers gather in the Holy Land, the Anti-Christ desires to eliminate them.
How long can Steele continue to be his pilot?
Was his wife a mole for the Carpathian regime?
Will this be the last book for Buck Williams?

These questions will be answered as the supernatural continues to be the focus of these books.

I'm at the point where I read these books just to get through them, finish the series and let my brain relax a bit. It's a shame that so many people actually believe the antichrist will be named Nicholae.

You have the now-common added bonus features at the end of this book: prophecy trivia, and looks at how prophecy given in this book is coming about in real life.

Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed (Left Behind)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.

Soul Harvest by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

I was not at all thrilled with Soul Harvest. After the exciting build-up from the first 3 books, I had a feeling the thrill was going to taper off at some point and this book is when it happens.

The Tribulation Force continues to infiltrate and work their schemes against the Anti-Christ. They also include new believers into their force but the question is: which one(s) can't be trusted?

An underground website continues to be a thorn to Carpathia and his administration. Which adds to some thrills as his forces attempt to locate the rebels.

Maybe it's the magic number of 3, but after the last book I had a hard time enjoying this one.

Like the other re-released books, Soul Harvest includes trivia, a look at how prophecy is coming to pass and other "latest ground-breaking news" on the biblical end times front.
Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides (Left Behind)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishers.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Branded by Tim Sinclair

It took me one day to read this book. I might take another day to go back and read it again to soak in the message.

Tim Sinclair asks the question: How Do We Market Jesus?

In this consumer culture, how do we tell others about Jesus effectively?

If you're like a majority of Christians (or people in general) you don't get too excited when you hear the word, marketing. And Christians have been raised to object to the idea of "marketing Jesus". It's not like we're selling him they might say.

I felt the same way. And I think I still do to some extent; but after reading Branded, I was confronted with the reality of the times and since we are in postmodern times, it bodes well to understand how the term, marketing, has been assumed to mean something not so positive.

The chapters are very short which helped speed me through the book.

Tim offers words of wisdom via companies that weren't sure how to change with the times (i.e. Circuit City, Movie Gallery, Walden Books). He suggests that Christians need to change tactics but keep the message. Try letting go of the "turn or burn" tracts or the megaphone screaming.

I found this book exciting as I endeavor to lead people to sharing their experience with Jesus.

The What If chapter was good enough for the entire book. Tim offers ideas as questions to spur your creative juices and some of them are explosive:

What if we sold our church building and rented a theater or school to help save resources, what if we went to a bar with our friends one Saturday a month (seeing as we want them to come into our place, why not enter into theirs as well.)

This is a terrific book.


Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture



This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Kregel Publishing.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

X-Men: First Class

I was pleased to see that Bryan Singer was returning to the X-Men franchise after bailing to make the Superman Returns movie. I enjoyed the first two X-Men movies (not so much with the third).

X-Men: First Class is an origin story of how the X-Men first form. You will see the early stories of Professor X and Magneto and how their friendship forms to become a working alliance.

James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender do fantastic jobs in their roles but the Oscar should go to Kevin Bacon who plays the villain. It's been a while since I've seen Bacon in anything worth seeing and he does a perfect bad guy.

The other characters are just there for filler. They do tie in to the other films and there are a couple cameos that may come as a surprise. But all in all this is a fun summer movie. You don't have to think too hard, the special effects are "special" enough without being hokey and there is enough emotional resonance to keep people plugged in. (Fassbender finds his strength here)

This movie proposes that mutants were actually involved in some of the Cuban Missile ramp ups. It ties comic book and actual history in a nice package.

A fine addition to the Bryan Singer X-Men movies.
X-Men: First Class

Scott Pilgram vs The World

I wanted to give Michael Cera another chance. I had seen Juno, and Nick & Nora and found them to be very similar. I wanted to see if Michael was a one trick pony.

What better way to be a "game changer" as the cover blurb says than with a comic book style movie?

In Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Cera plays the same guy who plays the guitar, loves independent music, his friends are gay and he develops a relationship with a girl who is similar to him with hidden issues.

Now, granted, this may reflect life in some cities, but I was hoping to see this guy portray something different.

Take Brandon Routh. The guy was Superman and in this movie he's some flaky bass player. (Of course he has superpowers and his eyes light up)

Scott Pilgrim (Cera) is dating a 17 girl before he meets Mary Winstead's character. She changes hair color every few weeks and she happens to have had a relationship with 7 different people prior to Scott. These 7 people seek to defeat him. Why? Because he's the latest boyfriend.

This is shot in comic-book fashion (see Hulk) and I found it too absurd to enjoy.

Plus, I was hoping for different and instead I watch the same Michael Cera in three different movies.

Has the typecast been set?
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Switch

I was expecting a slap-stick comedy from the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman but I was pleasantly surprised. The Switch is actually a decent movie (although it does carry the heavy cliches).

Aniston is a single middle-aged woman was has no prospects of getting married yet she wants to have a baby. She decides to get a man to donate his sperm for her to have a baby on her own. Patrick Wilson is only too happy to participate.

Bateman is her friend from forever ago, and he isn't quite sure her plan is the best idea.

After getting drunk at her party, he accidentally spills Wilson's "donation" and makes The Switch.

7 years go by with Aniston moving away, having the baby and Bateman getting on with his life. When Aniston returns with her son, Bateman begins to notice they have similar quirks and characteristics. (He doesn't have the memory of that drunk party decision)

The cliches in this movie range from the cute kid who acts like an adult to the climactic reveal of strong feelings at the most improper time. (With the expected results)

All in all, and I must have been in just the right mood, this movie wasn't too bad.

BONUS: Jeff Goldblum is the best part as Bateman's boss and best friend. He has to make more comedies.
The Switch

Due Date

After 10 minutes of watching this film I turned to my wife and said, "I've seen this already except it starred Steve Martin and John Candy and it was called Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

The story is the same and the characters are the same.

The only difference is that Due Date has much more language than the Martin/Candy version. (Which, as my review critics will explain, is to be expected in an R-rated movie)

Robert Downey Jr. is trying to get home to his wife before she goes into labor with their first child. Zach Galifianakis is an aspiring actor trying to meet with his agent.

They run into each other at the airport and Galifianakis continues to be a bother for Downey Jr. After being forced to exit their plane, they have to go on a cross-country drive to California in a small call with a dog.

I'm trying to remember if there was a moment in which I found anything humorous in this film...and I can't think of any.

The film actually hit rock bottom; no below rock bottom, when it showed 2 and a Half Men at the end of the movie.

Forget this horrible movie and watch Steve Martin and John Candy be hilarious.

Due Date

The Social Network

Even if this film isn't totally based on true events, The Social Network is a great tale of what it takes to create a powerful business.

When you have Aaron Sorkin as your screenwriter, you know the dialogue will be rhythmic and quick. The opening scene offers the skill at which these actors can deliver a Sorkin script.

Luckily things slow down just a tad for the rest of the film so that we can actually enjoy what's being said.

Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield do a fantastic job portraying the guys behind the creation of Facebook. Eisenberg's portrayal is one that you can't decide if you want to cheer for him or despise him.

Garfield is the perfect friend. I can't wait to see his version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming superhero movie.

Justin Timberlake gives us the man behind Napster and you can pretty much place the blame on his shoulders for how Facebook exploded out West as well as the destruction of the friendship between Garfield and Eisenberg.

The Social Network could be a great tool to inspire people to create their own business. As long as they don't forget the friends who made it possible.
The Social Network (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Friday, June 17, 2011

Black Swan

Natalie Portman deserves the Oscar for this role.

Other than that, my brain was a little squirmy after sitting through Black Swan.

Portman plays Nina who has been dancing ballet for quite a long time. Her troupe is going to put on a "fresh take" version of Swan Lake and she has been chosen to star as The Swan Queen. This role is actually two as she will be the White and Black swans.

The biggest trip of this film is that you don't ever really know what is real and what is inside Nina's mind. (She goes a little trippy with the stress of starring in such a huge production)

Her mother is a nag, she tends to be a little OCD, Nina is majorly paranoid that a new dancer is there to take her place and all the while she needs to find some dark aspect within herself to dance the Black Swan.

This rings out Independent Film all the way through the shoot. So if you are into that kind of feel, this will be one of your favorite movies. If you like stories where you will sit and think about the story long after the credits, you will want to talk about this with everyone you text.

Beware as there are some strong sexual scenes and other uncomfortable moments. I'm thinking of the hangnail part and the file-through-the-face scene.

Dark, disturbing and very artistic.

My favorite part was the very end when we finally get to see the dance of the Black Swan.
Black Swan

Bowfinger

Frank Oz directing, Steve Martin acting and Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles. You'd think that would be the recipe for brilliance.

For all intents and purposes, Bowfinger is a decent movie. Martin plays Bobby Bowfinger, a lame director trying to find his one blockbuster movie. He dreams of casting the biggest action actor in town Kit Ramsey (Murphy). The only problem is he has almost no money and no one will work with him.

The plot is to film the movie starring Ramsey without him knowing he's being filmed. Somewhat original.

They bring in actors to surprise Ramsey while he's out doing his normal everyday things in order to create the illusion that it's just a film.

When Ramsey disappears the film crew find a close look-a-like to play his closeups.

This movie felt like every other Frank Oz movie (see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). There are moments when it was pretty funny and most times it was grin-and-bear it.

I no longer wonder why it took so long for me to watch this movie. It's really not worth the time to sit and watch.
Bowfinger

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet & Lori Wagner

Looking for a Dan Brown-type book about the end of the world? Wishing you could read something that takes more brain power than your typical Christian fiction?

Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner have teamed up to deliver a knockout: The Seraph Seal.

Historian Paul Binder has received a cryptic message and you journey with him through the many clues and dangers that follow.

You have complex characters, long forgotten, symbolic traditions, plus a love story. You will have a lot of information to process even if they include descriptions and a glossary and the end to keep your imagination flowing toward what could possibly be coming our way.

This story takes a few chapters to get up to speed, but once you're familiar with everyone you will enjoy the rest of the ride.
The Seraph Seal

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

I review for BookSneeze®

Futurecast by George Barna

George Barna has revealed new research on how our behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs are shaping our future.

Inside Futurecast, Barna uses his polling data to explain a number of topics in America:

Our Lifestyles and Aspirations
Our Family Life
Our Attitudes and Values
Media, Technology and Entertainment
Our Religious Beliefs
Our Religious Behavior
Institutional Faith
Our Profile.

Barna explains what his polling and questionnaires reveal about our culture and how each generation is altering the American landscape.

Near the end, you get the feeling that Barna, as a Christian, isn't happy with the direction and he uses the final chapter to offer advice as to how we can redirect the current trends.

This book can be pretty slow with all the numerical data and percentages. Church leaders may want to take a look at the belief''s segments as they pertain to why people are leaving the current denominational church model and opting for more house-church styles.
Futurecast: What Today's Trends Mean for Tomorrow's World

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishers.
I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network

King's Cross by Timothy Keller

I wasn't too thrilled with Keller's bestseller, The Reason for God, but I loved King's Cross.

Keller takes us on a trip through the Gospel of Mark. This book is essentially a series of his sermons put into book form.

Inside he breaks the book into 2 parts: The King and The Cross. The first section deals with the chapters of Mark up to where Jesus is proclaimed the Christ by Peter. He skims over a few verses but touches on what he feels drives the major thought of the story.

The Cross focuses on the last part of Mark. You will read about the misunderstanding from the disciples and why Jesus was so upset the night of his arrest.

This book is a great pastoral book. Each chapter ends with a positive challenge that has come to engender Protestant churches.

In addition to reading simple sermons, you will learn a few tidbits of the culture in Jesus' time as well as some inspiring anecdotes.

I had listened to Timothy Keller online when he was doing a multi-cast talk with another author and, at the time, he seemed to be rather dry and professor-like. I worried that all of his books would read like a college lecture. Luckily I was wrong and King's Cross is a great book.

King's Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Nicholae by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

Book 3 of The Left Behind series re-release was my most anticipated novel back in the day. I thought the original cover was "looking good". Now with the added content, readers will learn that 64% of Christians believe that the Antichrist is alive and well on planet earth.

Everyone assumes it will be a political leader. Speculation has ranged from accusing Saddam Hussein, George W. Bush and Tony Blair as possible candidates.

This is just silly.

Other new content is the "test your prophecy I.Q" section in which you can see if you are in compliance with the Left Behind Theology.

Nicholae picks up exactly where Tribulation Force ends. Rayford is in the helicopter with the evil man himself and Nicholae continues to exert his power over the nations.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.
Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist (Left Behind)

Monday, June 6, 2011

Tribulation Force by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins

Book 2 of the Left Behind series finds those left behind with great decisions to make now that they've decided to take an active role in opposing the anti-Christ.

Tribulation Force was a typical sequel in long series in that it didn't live up to the success of the first book. However it does build the story to launch what becomes 10 more books in the series.

As with Left Behind, this re-release edition contains added content at the end of the book.

They touch on the food crisis they believe is coming.

Of course, this comes from their own prophecy newsletter.

I think at this point, if you aren't a fan of this theology or these books, nothing will convince you. And I think people who believe this End Times theology will claim that it's how it's supposed to be.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.
Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind