Predictor Pete - Week 17

The Bucs came back from behind late to tie and eventually beat the Falcons in overtime. This week, the Bucs can win the NFC South with a win against the 3-12 Saints. By winning the South the Bucs would be the third seed in the playoff standings and would get a home game. They could make the playoffs if they lose this game, but they need to close out the regular season with a victory and win.

The Saints are having one of the toughest season on record. Playing away from home all year, with an owner who doesn't want to move them back to New Orleans, a coach who is at the end of his contract and has been on the firing line for the last few years, and a QB that's been benched and replaced... it doesn't get any tougher than that.

My Heart: Bucs 27-14.
My Mind: Bucs 21-17.
My Colon: Saints 13-10.

My Pick: Bucs 23-10

The Saints are only playing for pride, but with all of the unknowns still awaiting for them in the off season, I don't even think finishing out the season will offer any closure. If the Bucs can score early, the game should be over.

My Record: 9-6

Anything But Christian

From World Net Daily comes another story from California where public schools can teach anything but Christianity.

Apparently, parents were upset that their kids were being taught how to "become Muslim" in one of their classes. The tasks for this included... get this... for three weeks 12-year-old students were:
- placed into Islamic city groups
- took Islamic names
- wore identification tags that displayed their new Islamic name and the star and crescent moon
- were handed materials that instructed them to 'Remember Allah always so that you may prosper'
- completed the Islamic Five Pillars of Faith, including fasting; and memorized and recited the 'Bismillah' or 'In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate,' which students also wrote on banners hung on the classroom walls.
- students also played "jihad games" during the course, which was part of the school's world history and geography program.

The court ruled that the school was not indoctrinating students about Islam when it required them to adopt Muslim names and pray to Allah!

Where's the ACLU? Where's the secularists? Where's the athiests? Can you imagine them allowing the same thing to be done with Christianity?????

I guess they school will now have students...

- placed into Christian denomination groups
- take Christian names
- wear identification tags that displayed their new Christian name and the cross.
- handed materials that instructing them to 'Accept Jesus so that you may be saved.'
- completed the sacraments of Catholicismm as well as fasting for Lent, memorizing the Our Father, Hail Mary and Apostles Creed.
- students will also play "crusade games" during the course, which was part of the school's world history and geography program.

Not a chance in hell, or should I call it California.

The blatant attack on Christianity and the hypocrisy when it comes to other religions is becoming more astounding, offensive and worrisome.

As Christians we are called to turn the other cheek, but that does not mean to allow the faith to be forcibly removed from our lives. We must defend our faith stronger than those who are currently attacking it or else our nation and our future will truly be lost.

You can read the article here.

Superman = Jesus?

The Superman film series is about to take a much needed jolt with the soon-to-be-release of Superman Returns, from Bryan Singer, director of X-Men 1 and X-Men 2. The original Superman film series had four films... the first two were good, the last two were awful. So, Singer has wisely chosen to ignore the third and fourth movie and introduces Superman Returns to take place after Superman II.

They newly released trailer for the film is very beautiful, but the voice over by Superman's father sounds vaguely familiar... Oh, wait a minute, now I remember, it's from the bible!

Here's the voice-over by Superman's father in the trailer... sounds a lot like God speaking to Jesus, does it not?

"Even though you have been raised as a human being, you are not one of them.

They can be a great people, Kal-El (Superman's real name), they wish to be.

They only lack the light to show the way.

For this reason, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."

Superman is the light to show the way. He is the only son sent to save them. He lives with humans, but is far greater than they. I don't remember the Gospels speaking of Jesus wearing blue tights with a red cape, but maybe I slept through Sunday School that day.

I guess one savior isn't enough. Hollywood had to go and make another one.

The Island (2005) - Hollywood's Accidental Pro-Life Film

I'll admit it, I have a weak spot for Michael Bay movies. Bay, who got his start shooting music videos, has often struggled between style and substance with his films, but, in the end, he usually provides an enjoyable ride. The media, however, loves to pile criticism on Bay's flicks. Bad Boys was a surprise hit, helping launch Will Smith into the upper eschelon of film actors. The Rock did very well at the box office and made Bay an official popcorn-movie filmmaker. Armaggedon got hammered and deservedly so. Pearl Harbor, which I actually enjoy, got pounded and under performed at the box office. Bad Boys II was financially successful, but was an awful film with no moral compass. Bay then followed that offensive sequel up with the intriguing sci-fi drama, The Island.

The Island takes place in the near future and is a Logan's Run-esque cloning action flick starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. McGregor and Johansson portray people in a futuristic isolated underground society, where the world has been contaminated and where the only place left outside that is uncontaminated is called... The Island. Residents of this underground society are randomly chosen through a lottery to go to The Island to help repopulate the planet.

The reality, however, is vastly different and disturbing. Each of the underground residents are actually clones of people in the real world who are in need of organs. When people go to The Island, they are actually "harvested"... meaning they are killed and the needed organs of the clones sent to replace faulty organs of their doubles in the real world. McGregor uncovers this secret and must save Johansson before she gets sent off to The Island. That's where the action really kicks into high gear.

The Island is a good mix of sci-fi and action, while dealing with serious and morally challenging subject matters. What is humorous is that, in The Island, Hollywood inadvertently created an extremely pro-life film. You could just as easily replace "clones" with "fetus" and all of the moral arguments against the destruction of them remain intact. Clones are created and discarded to cure illnesses or for human spare parts. Fetuses are created and discarded for stem cells to cure illness and repair failing organs.

People in the film argue that clones have no souls... there is no proof of this... it is just that the powers that be have determined as such. The same argument is used today with fetuses... those who are pro-choice do not believe... or should I say cannot believe that the fetuses have souls. There is no proof of this, but the powers that be have determined as such.

Human history is replete with society making such moral justifications in order to allow inhuman acts against sectors of society... see slavery... see communisim... see facism and Nazi Germany... see concentration camps... see abortion clinics. The first step is to marginalize the people with whom will be treated inhumanely... Call Jews less than human. Call Africans uncivilized savages. Call unborn babies fetuses. It's all the same process which we repeat over and over again so that those in power can take advantage of those without power.

The Island dares to approach these sensitive questions in an entertaining and occasionally disturbing way. It asks questions that we are afraid to ask... it just wraps the subject matter with beautiful actors, cool action sequences and slick explosions. But, when the film is over, what sticks with you isn't the actors, the action sequences or the explosions... what remains are the images and questions revolving the sanctity of life and where the moving line is currently drawn on which life has rights and which life does not.

You can watch the Trailer Here.

Saints and Soldiers (2003)

I was in Family Christian Bookstore before Christmas and was browsing through the DVD rack and saw a film called Saints and Soldiers. The film is based on the actual events surrounding the Malmedy Massacre where 84 U.S. prisoners were shot by the Germans in World War II. The film uses that real event to catapult the story forward and is about four soldiers that avoid that German slaughter to find themselves behind enemy lines, looking for a way home. The film had garnered multiple Best Picture awards at a minimum of 13 film festivals and looked like a high quality product.

I checked on Netflix and found it available so I ordered it and I watched it last night. Saints and Soldiers is very good film with incredibly high production value, considering it was shot for under $1 million. The costumes, props, vehicles and planes are all authentic and the actors are up to the task. The cinematography is amazing and the soundtrack, reminiscent of the soundtrack from Saving Private Ryan, was composed by J. Bateman and Bart K. Hendrickson and is powerful and moving, eliciting a sense of heroism and sacrifice.

The most intriguing storyline in the film revolves the interaction between two of the four soldiers, Private Stephen Gould, the medic, played by Alex Niver and Corporal Nathan "Deacon" Greer, a sharpshooter played by Corbin Allred. Deacon is nicknamed as such because of his strong faith in God, where Gould has determined God does not exist. Both have seen the horrors of war and use those experiences to validate their differing opinions on the Almighty. It's an interesting dynamic and, over the course of the story, evolves into a very satisfying conclusion.

The film has occasional violence, but it is very limited in actual bloodshed and is 99% less graphic than other recent war films such as Saving Private Ryan. The real story involves the journey of these men as they try to escape from behind enemy lines and reach safety.

I want to support these filmmakers so I will make sure and purchase this DVD. It’s rated PG-13 and it is a film I will make sure my children watch when they are able to handle the occasionally intense subject matter. If you can, check this film out.

You can watch the Trailer Here.

Tuesday Morning QB - 12/27

The Bucs rebounded from a bad loss in New England to win one of the most exciting games in history... or so they say. I didn't actually get to see it, due the Christmas Eve holiday events. I had scheduled it to record on my DVR, but something happened and it didn't work. I was not a happy camper.

My prediction: Bucs 21, Falcons 17

Score: Bucs 27, Falcons 24 in OT

Offense: As I did not see the game, I cannot comment, but the running game did well and they scored on the last drive of regulation to tie the game.

Defense: Again, didn't see the game, but they stopped the Falcons on a three-and-out at the end of OT to allow the Bucs enough time to score the game winning field goal.

Special Teams: C. From the highlights, they missed a field goal and fumbled a kickoff in OT. However, they also blocked a field goal and made the game winning field goal, so it all evens out.

Coaching: Did enough to win.

Outstanding Players: Williams, 150 yards.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: Sitting in my recliner after having heard we won an amazing game, ready to watch my DVR recorded copy of the game only to find out it didn't record. I exclaimed a Darth Vader-esque "Nooooo!"

Bucs Record: 10-5.

Next Opponent: The Bucs can clinch a playoff birth and the NFC South division by beating the Saints at home next week. A must win game, because, even though they lead the NFC South, they could still be out of the playoffs if:
- The Bucs lose to the Saints.
- The Cowboys beat the Rams
- The Giants lose to the Raiders
- The Redskins beat the Eagles.

But, that probably won't happen. The best way to make sure is to beat the Saints and secure the third seed in the playoffs.

Christmas Surplus

Christmas was a great time. My kids got gifts aplenty and Santa made his annual visit to our house.

The most unique gift received was a gift my mother-in-law gave my daughter... it was an oyster in a can of water... you open the oyster and inside is a pearl. Accompanying the oyster was a necklace where the pearl is placed and a chart showing you what the color of the pearl was to represent.

Really cool gift.

Overall, the day was wonderful. We attended Mass Saturday evening and spent the day with my wife's family. Monday Father Morris came over for a visit and later this evening three of my nieces, Merrill, Laura and Catherine, all drove up to spend the evening. We watched old home movies and laughed all night long.

Unfortunately, the vacation comes to an end as I have to go to work tomorrow. But, we all had a great time this Christmas season. Thank you Lord for your infinite grace and kindness.

Merry and Blessed Christmas

I want to wish all of you a happy, merry and blessed Christmas.

My Jesus' example and His guiding spirit be reborn in you this Christmas season.

Christmas Eve Brunch

Today we all drove down to my brother John's house for Christmas Eve brunch. It was really great to see everyone. The hardest part of the day was seeing my father, who has been dealing with Parkinson's disease. He knew who we were, but he halucinates a lot and he struggles knowing reality from non-reality. I was prepared for seeing the disease bind my father's personality, cloak his true self behind the illness, but I was not prepared for the struggle with a grip on reality.

It saddened me deeply. It worried me.

It also made me worry about my mother, as well, who is his caretaker and who bears the brunt of his illness. Having struggled with Crohns disease for years, I know the toll it can take on my wife when she must assist me getting through a normal day. I can only imagine the struggle my mother is going through.

She will not actively offer up that pain, so I can only hope that she will find strength in my prayers for her and my father and that, if things got too unbearable, she would seek out assistance in some way.

We left the brunch so we could attend the 4:00 p.m. Mass, where my daughter was one of the lectures. Almost all of our friends with kids around the ages of our own were there. It was nice to wish everyone a merry and blessed Christmas.

Tonight my son waits anxiously in bed, trying with earnest to sleep as he waits for Santa's arrival.

Tomorrow should be a good day.

Predictor Pete - Week 16

The Bucs got beat up by the Pats, but come home this week for a critical divisional game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win and some help. But, they have to just focus on winning out the last two games and they will defintely get a playoff spot.

The Bucs need to get back to what they did to succeed previously... run the ball, convert third downs, win the turnover battle. Atlanta is in desparation mode, so the Bucs need to be up to the challenge.

My Heart: Bucs 24-18.
My Mind: Bucs 17-16.
My Colon: Falcons 27-24.

My Pick: Bucs 21-17...

The Falcons are less successful in outdoor stadiums than in a dome, so that may be an advantage. In the end, the winning team will be the one that wants it more and executes their game plan better. Mistakes and field position should be key drivers as well.

My Record: 8-6

Sometimes It Turns Out Badly

I got an email from a gentleman who had issue that I reviewed his film for a website when it was in competition with my own. It was a valid concern as a conflict of interest so I requested the review be removed. I tried to explain the timing of it all and so on and the email chain got very heated. No matter how hard I tried to explain myself it just came out badly.

Sometimes, best intentions just get trampled. I asked for forgiveness and left it at that.

Oh well... live and learn.

A Win For The Good Guys...

From World Net Daily...

A U.S. appeals court today upheld the decision of a lower court in allowing the inclusion of the Ten Commandments in a courthouse display, hammering the American Civil Liberties Union and declaring, "The First Amendment does not demand a wall of separation between church and state."

The article goes on to say...

Writing for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Richard Suhrheinrich said the ACLU's "repeated reference 'to the separation of church and state' ... has grown tiresome. The First Amendment does not demand a wall of separation between church and state."

Suhrheinrich wrote: "The ACLU, an organization whose mission is 'to ensure that ... the government [is kept] out of the religion business,' does not embody the reasonable person."

The court said a reasonable observer of Mercer County's display appreciates "the role religion has played in our governmental institutions, and finds it historically appropriate and traditionally acceptable for a state to include religious influences, even in the form of sacred texts, in honoring American traditions."

You can read the entire article HERE.

Creationism... 180 Degrees Later

Isn't it odd how Creationism has made an about face? Centuries ago Creationism, the belief that God created the Universe, was standard teaching. When scientists offered theories that could challenge or even adjust that belief, they were punished and ridiculed.

Now, in our infinite wisdom, our society has turned the other cheek. Now, Darwinism is the standard teaching and those who would teach Creationism are punished and ridiculed. Even though Darwinism is just a theory and Creationism is just another theory, our fine publicly-funded educators have deemed Creationism an inappropriate subject for our youth.

Yes, it certainly is dangerous that the Universe was created by something bigger than us, better than us and more intelligent than us. That makes us... well, human. So, let's not teach that. Let's teach how the Universe is a completely random fluke and it's only by happenstance that we are living, breathing and now dismissing the possibilty that God had something to do with our presence on this planet.

Boy, how times have changed.

Damnation vs. Salvation, Hollywood Style

The one thing I've noticed is that Hollywood loves to cling onto the damnation aspects of Christianity, especially Catholicism, as story devices, but never link the path to salvation as defined by Catholicism and other Christian faiths.

The movie Constatine is a film about a man who can see demons and the struggle between God and Satan over the souls of mankind. These visions, which nobody believes are true, eventually leads him to attempt suicide. Under Catholicism, he is now damned to hell, as suicide is a complete loss of faith. He spends the bulk of the movie expelling demons back to hell in an attempt to "buy" his way back into heaven.

In Angel Heart, Robert Deniro plays Lucifer (Louis Cypher) in disguise and Mickey Rourke plays a 1950s New Orleans private detective hired by Deniro to find a man... this man, we come to find out, has sold his soul to Satan and has used black magic to temporarily escape damnation. The film takes place in the heavily Catholic New Orleans area and has strong Catholic symbolism as well, along with a touch of Voo Doo.

So, to great effect, Hollywood has used the dogmatic fire and brimstone images of the battle of souls to create wonderfully symbolic and cinematic stories of the ultimate struggle for our immortal souls. However, that's where Hollywood's use of Christianity ends. In neither film is it explained to Constantine or the missing man in Angel Heart that, under these same Catholic Christian rules for which they are damned, that there is an opportunity for salvation... Jesus Christ.

I have always found this frustrating because if the Catholic rules of the universe apply for damnation, do not the same rules apply for salvation? Yet, salvation through the Son of God is never mentioned. It could be because it is cinematically anti-climatic... accepting Jesus and following him is not a very visual experience. However, I feel that they don't use it because they don't understand it... or don't want to acknowledge it.

When God is shown in films he's shown like George Burns in Oh God or Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty... loving, yet vague symbols of the Creator, where our salvation is not through the acceptance of Christ but by our own self discovery of our humanity.

Strong followers of Christ are also misrepresented in film. Priests used to be portrayed by A-Level talent, such as Montgomery Clift in I Confess or Bing Crosby in The Bells of St. Mary’s. Now they are B/C-Level talent, often played by character actors with twisted or distorted features. Many of the most dangerous killers are portrayed as overzealous Christians, such as Deniro's character in Scorcese’s version of Cape Fear. And average people with strong Christian beliefs are also often portrayed as hypocrites, such as in Saved or Footloose.

Hollywood has a long way to go. On occasion, Hollywood gets half of the immortal battle correct... its how to win the battle that they've yet to comprehend.

Growing up, my parents used to pray for the conversion of Russia every week at mass. We should reinstitute that global diligence, but instead pray for the conversion of Hollywood so that one day they can turn their half truths into The Truth when it comes to salvation and damnation.

Mary, The Favored One

In Sunday's gospel, Mary is called by the angel Gabriel, a "favored one."

What a special term.

In the bible, rarely do angels show any respect to humans. One releases Peter from prison, only to leave him alone outside with no further assitance, but with Mary, she is immediately recognized as favored and with respect. How holy she must truly be to deserve such a response from an angel... a being who stands in the presence of the Almighty and who knows just how far from the pure light humanity stands, yet Gabriel treats Mary with dignity and honor.

I hope that, by the time of my death, I have reached some level of respect in the eyes of the Almighty. It's a hec of a long journey from where I am to where I need to be. I guess the trick is to make sure that every step I take is in the right direction.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood today. He can successfully run the gamut from Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Carribean to Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Tim Burton directs this re-invention of the original classic and Johnny Depp is appropriately odd and funny. The story itself unwinds almost exactly like the original, but Depp's portrayal of Wonka adds enough new energy into the story, along with Burton's twisted view on life, that the entire cinematic experience is funny and refreshing.

A nice addition to Burton's version is the reliance and importance of family to the mix. Charlie, the poorest of the poor, is richer than everyone else because of the love of his family. So, the story not only entails Charlie's exploration of the interior of the chocolate factory, but the need for family above all else.

Batman Begins (2005)

Batman Begins is a nice kick-start to the Batman franchise. Christian Bale makes an intriguing Bruce Wayne as he journeys through his own struggles to face his fears which, in the end, culminate in the Batman persona.

What makes this movie more successful than all of the othe recent Batman flicks is that you understand where Wayne is coming from, you can empathize with his challenges. I remember watching the Tim Burton directed Batman with Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton and thinking, as they tried to kill each other at the end of the film, that I didn't care who won... I had no emotional attachment to either... they were both freaks.

In Batman Begins, director Christopher Nolan takes time to get us into Bruce Wayne's head and the world in which Batman exists seems a lot like our current world, not totally alien like in Burton's versions. The end result is that, no matter how fanciful the events may be, they seem to be plausible to really happen.

It'll be interesting to see where this franchise heads next.

Monday Morning QB - 12/19

As stated in an earlier posting, the Bucs got crushed by the Patriots Saturday, 28-0. The young offense showed its inexperienced as they could get nothing going on the ground or in the air. The only good thing that came out of this was that the Cowboys, Falcons and Vikings all lost, which help the Bucs playoff chances.

My prediction: Bucs 17, Patriots 10

Score: Patriots 28, Bucs 0

Offense: D. No running game. No passing game. Seven sacks. No touchdowns. No field goals.

Defense: C. The D Line was dominated by the Pats offense. Bad penalties. 28 points scored against.

Special Teams: C. No points. Punting was okay.

Coaching: D. Bucs got out coached today on both sides of the ball. Bucs looked like a southern team unable to adapt to the cold.

Outstanding Players: None.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: Roughing the kicker penalty on Ryan Nece that led to a 14-0 lead against the Bucs. Early in the game, it was all about field position. The Bucs had held the Pats and were only one score away from tying it up. A roughing the kicker penalty extended the drive. Later, a facemask penalty gave the Pats another 15 yards. A couple of plays later, the Pats score. The game was never in reach again.

Bucs Record: 9-5.

Next Opponent: The Bucs finish out the season against divisional foes at home. Next week they play the Falcons, who lost to the Bears. The Bucs control their destiny and if they win out, should make the playoffs.

Pre-Holiday Blues

I've been dealing with some pre-holiday blues. I'm not really sure of the reason for the malaise, but its been pretty potent. I hope I get over it soon. It's making the holidays a bummer.

Bucs Get Pummelled

Well, the three game road trip comes to a crashing, embarrassing thud in New England today as the Bucs got their jocks handed to them by the Patriots, 28-0... and it wasn't even that close.

There are a couple of things you have to do on the road, and which the Bucs have been successful with so far, but did not do today.

- Run the ball. Cadillac Williams 23 yards in 14 carries.
- Protect the quarterback. Simms is sacked seven times.
- Protect the ball. Bucs have fumbled twice, lost one of them.
- Get turnovers. Bucs have dropped an interception, have no turnovers.
- Few penalities. Punt return for a TD called back due to a penalty. Drives killed because of a penalty. Patriots scoring drive kept alive by two 15 yard penalties against the defense.
- Convert third downs. Well, when you have seven sacks, you're not converting third downs.

The Bucs got a reality check and have lost control of their own destiny for the playoffs. A bad loss at a bad time to a good team.

It just goes to show you just how far the Bucs have to go if they want to complete in the playoffs.

That deep thump your heard was the Bucs playoff bandwagon landing smack into reality.

Predictor Pete - Week 15

The Bucs are two for two on this three game road trip. This week they head up to the defending champs, New England Patriots. The Bucs and the Patriots have won the last four Superbowls... of course New England has three of them, but at least the Bucs won one of them. If the Bucs were playing anyone other than the Patriots, they may have had a let down this week, similar to the letdown the Panthers had against us after facing the Falcons the week before. But, since it's the Patriots, the Bucs should be ready.

The Bucs have been following a very simple and effective game plan on their 4-1 winning streak... don't turn the ball over, convert third downs and run the ball effectively. Going up to the cold northeast to face the Pats will require they continue to do the same.

The Bucs need this win to keep the advantage in the playoff hunt. Here's the schedule for the remaining of the season for the Panthers, Bucs and Falcons:

Bucs - at New England, Atlanta, New Orleans
Panthers - at New Orleans, Cowboys, at Atlanta
Falcons - at Chicago, at Tampa Bay, Carolina

New Orleans has decided to bench QB Aaron Brooks, so they may not be as tough as they could be for the remainder of the season. That means the Panthers should have an easier go of it this weekend which requires the Bucs win in New England, if possible.

A road trip in December to a northern city has never been a good thing for southern teams. Both the Bucs and the Falcons have to brave the cold this week. The Bucs will need to play solid, mistake free football this week.

My Heart: Bucs 24-21.
My Mind: Patriots 21-17.
My Colon: Patriots 28-10.

My Pick: Bucs 17-14...

The Bucs defense played its best game of the season last week. The front line headed by Hovan pushed the Panther O-line around, the linebackers were solid, the corners great and safety Phillips has his most complete game as a Buc. They'll need to do the same thing again this week.

This is another big game. In the end, I think the Bucs have more to play for than the Patriots, who are in a much weaker division. They'll have to run well, not turn the ball over and convert third downs... it should be a fun game.

My Record: 8-5

King Kong (1933)

My nine year old son and I watched the original King Kong on our big screen last night. I had never watched this classic before and enjoyed it quite a bit. Sure, it was stylized and the animation wasn't terrific by today's standards, but for 1933, the marriage of animation and live action was pretty impressive.

I was suprised by three things.
1) Fay Wray didn't act as much as scream through the majority of the film. Every scene from about forty minutes in until the end of the movie consisted of her screaming pretty much non-stop.
2) Watching the film was an interesting exposition in the societal take on human dominance and violence. When, on the island, the white men first come across a rare dinosaur, their first instinct is to kill it. When they capture Kong, they talk about teaching it fear to control it. And, even though Kong was never at fault for any of the events that transpired, the movie crew responsible for being the catalyst never once took responsibility or held remorse for how things turned out and the people impacted.
3) Kong actively kills quite a few people, chomping them, stomping them, etc.

Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings trilogy and the new King Kong, saw this movie as a child and it changed his life. After he scored with Rings, he used that power to create his favorite movie of all time. I look forward to his take on the subject matter.

Asking God's Permission

I was reading an article about an author, Wendy Alec, who's writing a series of books about the angels in heaven when God decided to create man. The first book titled The Fall of Lucifer and in the article she mentions that, since she was taking some liberties to fill in the gaps of the story (such as making Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer brothers), she had to ask God for permission to write the series of books.

That made me think that should I ask permission to begin work on Sonlight Pictures? I feel that it is one of the things He wants me to do, but should I ask first?

I guess so.

Okay, so I'm asking...

15 Second Spots

My long term goal is to run my own television channel. The first step in that process is to create some material and put some meat on my Sonlight Pictures endeavor. I've written four :15 second spots and three :30 commercials, which I plan to produce and air and/or offer to Catholic Churches for free to advertise their own church.

Future phases of the plan include producing educational material, shorts, features and narratives (tv shows).

Last night I completed the second of four :15 spots. They are purposefully very simple and, we hope, effective. When the Lord provides a quality cinematographer, the next step will be to shoot the commercials. The first commercial deals with sin, the second with abortion and the third is God's presence.

These are all very small steps in the long journey, but at least I'm moving in the right direction.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a violent, but quite funny film starring two of the beautiful people, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The story revolves around John and Jane Smith who meet under dubious circumstances and quickly get married. They live the facade of a happy, suburban marriage when, in fact, they are actually opposing hitmen whose real identities are hidden, even to each other.

Once they become aware and are hired to off each other, the story kicks into high gear. Gun play and word play intertwine as Pitt and Jolie first try to kill each other and then try to defend each other. Pitt and Jolie have a lot of on-screen chemistry and the script gives them a lot of clever dialogue to feed off of each other. The overall result is a very satisfying cinematic escapism with two of the most naturally beautiful people God has ever created.

I found one thing interesting... at no point during the film do they tell each other they love each other. Granted, most of the story revolves around their re-discovery of their relationship, but they are willing to put their lives at risk for each other and yet they never state why and if that reason is love.

Overall, a very fun flick.

Monday Morning QB - 12/12

The Bucs win another critical divisional road game over the 9-4 Panthers 20-10 and are now in the drivers seat toward the playoffs. The road ahead is not easy, but the Bucs now control their own destiny. The win puts the Bucs in a tie for the top spot with the Panthers, but due to the current Bucs better divisional record, the Bucs move into first place in the NFC South. This Bucs win consisted of the three standard areas of success... a good running game, winning the turnover battle and third down conversion. The Bucs beat the Panthers in all three categories. With three critical games left in the season, the Bucs have to continue their solid offense and strong defense.

My prediction: Panthers 20, Bucs 17

Score: Bucs 20, Panthers 10

Offense: B. No turnovers again, which is key. The most impressive aspect of yesterday's game was the Bucs ability to convert on third downs. This had been an issue over the past few weeks, but against the strong Panther D, the Bucs were able to convert 10 of 17 on third down. Cadillac ran the ball very well, squeezing yards out of virtually no running room or after getting hit. It's great to see him coming back to his early season form.

Defense: B+. The Bucs defense was very impressive. They completely shut down the Panther running game and never allowed the streaky QB Delhomme to get into a rythm. They excelled at getting off the field, as the Panthers only converted 2 of 11 third down conversions and their tackling was excellent.

Special Teams: B+. Matt Bryant came back to kick two important field goals and Bidwell's early, long punt changed the field position battle early in the game which eventually led to the Bucs first touchdown.

Coaching: B+. Excellent coaching in every area of the game. The play calling was conservative, but effective. The defense made adjustments and shut down the Panthers. And the special teams kicked well and was one foot-tripping tackle away from returning a punt for a TD.

Outstanding Players: Ronde Barber became the first cornerback in NFL history to accumulate at least 20 interceptions (he has 28) and 20 sacks of the QB. I've always felt Barber was one of the best ever and his place in NFL history backs that up. Also impressive were Williams, Simms and the entire Bucs D.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: The Bucs conservative play calling at the end of the first half. Michael Clayton caught a pass from Simms down to around the Panther 20 yard line with about 49 seconds left in the half. Instead of using time outs and making at least one attempt at the end zone, Gruden ran Pittman up the middle and let the clock run down to :03. Bryant capped off the half with a field goal. I understand the decision in this case, as the Bucs went into the half two scores up on the Panthers and were going to get the kickoff in the third quarter. But, at some point, we're going to have to take shots at the end zone. When the Bucs have gotten near the red zone, they have rarely taken shots into the end zone. Gruden's conservative play calling has accentuated Simms ability and limited mistakes, leading us to 4-1 in our last 5 games, so I'm not really complaining about the outcome, but concerned about when taking such shots into the end zone are required.

Bucs Record: 9-4.

Next Opponent: The Bucs head up to New England where it will be cold and snowing and where the Patriots are starting to get healthy. This is an important test for the Bucs. The Patriots are playoff caliber and the Bucs need to keep their advantage in the playoff race. If you don't win your division, the wild card grouping is a mess. Good teams will not make the playoffs this year in the NFC... I don't want the Bucs to be one of them.

The Bucs have won an impressive five wins on the road this season. Lets close out the road games this year with a sixth up in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

DP for JC

I need a cinematographer. That's the short of it.

I want to shoot some Catholic/Christian commercials, shorts and features, but without a quality cinematogapher the products will be unacceptable.

So, if you are a cinematographer who's feeling called to shoot Catholic Christian projects for little to no money at first, I'm your man.

Let's do something special.

CandyGram

My sister Mary, who surprised me for my 40th birthday by flying down and spending the night with us, sent us a "candygram"... a box full of candy for our mini-concession stand.

How cool!

Goobers, Junior Mints, Nerds and more.

The concession stand is again fully stocked and ready for our neighborhood kids to munch on during movie nights at the Bauer house.

Thanks Mary!!!

A Tapeless Video Future... The HVX200

I have seen the future of tapless, low-cost High Definition future and its name is the Panasonic HVX200. Panasonic first revolutionized high quality, low cost digital video in the miniDV format with their DVX100 a few years ago, which allowed prosumers (professional consumers, i.e., wedding videographers, etc.) to get film look on inexpensive tape.

Panasonic has now done the same with high definition.

The HVX200 is unique in that, when recording high definition, it employs what are called P2 cards, which are solid state metal cards about the size of a credit card with storage sizes ranging from 2 gigbytes to 8 gigabytes. These cards don't have actual hard drives, but use RAM-like storage to keep the video files stored until erased. When using these cards, there are no moving parts... no sound from the camera as the tape mechanism turns the tape while it is recording. It's virtually silent.

A screen capture from a test of the HVX200

The camera also allows you to record in standard defintion the old fashioned way, on miniDV tape. Another option is that you could shoot on high definition and "down convert" your pristine high def video into the standard definition format, which ends up looking superior than the normal standard definition video quality.

In order to record in high defintion, you need about a gigabyte per minute of storage, so, with the 8 GB P2 card, you can record 8 minutes of high definition video. This is in line with shooting on film because film cannisters on movie cameras have about 8 - 10 minutes of film in them. Eight minutes of high defintion video doesn't seem like a lot, but its only a start. The storage capabilities of the P2 technology will continue to grow... the more space, the more footage you'll be able to store on each card.

The camera comes with two P2 slots, so you can swap out cards as they fill up while you're recording. If you have more than two cards, you could just plop in another one and keep recording. If you don't have more than two cards, when one fills up you could unload the video content on the P2 card to a hard drive on location and then reuse the P2 card. Another cool feature is that you can pre-record record for up to 8 minutes in high definition. What does this mean?

Well, lets say that you are recording your son's little league baseball game and he's up to bat. You don't want to record the entire at bat sequence, you just want to record when he hits the ball. You can set the camera to constantly record/overwrite 10 seconds of video into the P2 card until you hit the record button... meaning, that when you hit the "record" button on the camera, it will save what was coming through the lens 10 seconds before you hit that button. So, you aim the camera and have it setup to continually save into storage 10 seconds of video. Your son swings and hits the ball, you hit the record button, the camera will save 10 seconds before you hit the record button, meaning you have the pitch and the hit recorded.

That's just one of the little advantages that a tapeless video acquisition world will allow. As it becomes more standard, a variety of options will be available when recording video that would never have been a possibility in a linear, tape recording world.

I've been looking for a change in the video technology to allow a low cost alternative to High Definition, filmic filmmaking and the HVX200 may be it. It's certainly a step in the right direction and, potentially, a very important step in allowing me to provide high definition projects at a relatively low cost.

Now, you'll excuse me, as I have to change my shirt... I've been drooling on it since seeing the HVX200 footage.

Predictor Pete - Week 14

The Bucs play a critical game this week in Carolina against the division leading Panthers. The winner of this game could have an inside edge to one of the home field advantages in the playoffs. Seattle is the front runner in the NFC and has a pretty weak schedule, so they should remain in the top spot in the NFC playoff hunt. The second seed is up for grabs and the winner of the Bucs/Panthers could decide that seed.

Again, a road divisional game is tough. So far, the Bucs have done well, winning both divisional road games in Atlanta and New Orleans/Baton Rouge. But the Panthers beat up the Falcons pretty badly last week in Carolina and look very tough to beat.

The only hope for the Bucs is to get the breaks the Panthers did when these teams first met a few weeks ago in Tampa Bay. In that game, the Bucs made costly turnovers that turned into points, the Panthers ran the ball well, converted third downs and did not turn the ball over. The Bucs have to have that type of perfect game to win a road game. They have to force turnovers. They have to turn those turnovers into points. They have to run well and convert on third downs. The Panthers have a tough defense, so that is a tall order. But, as we've seen this year, anything can happen.

Our last two trips to Carolina the games were lost due to bad field goal kicking... and we're going into this game with either France, a replacement kicker, or Bryant, our injured starter... neither option gives me a lot of comfot. My biggest fear going into this week, however, is that the Bucs defense seems incapable of stopping teams on third down unless they get a turn over. They must get a lot of three-and-outs in order to get the edge on the road.

My Heart: Bucs 21-20.
My Mind: Panthers 24-17.
My Colon: Panthers 29-13.

My Pick: Panthers 20-17...

If the Bucs win, they share first place in the NFC South with the Panthers with an edge over inter-divisional play. If they lose, they fall with the Falcons two games behind the Panthers and the Bucs will have to fight it out with the rest of the above average teams in the NFC to get the three wild-card spots.

This is a big game. The playoffs, as far as the Bucs are concerned, start this week. Its time to put up or shut up.

My Record: 8-4

Cafeteria Catholics Leaving Before Dessert

There are certain things I've come to expect as I grow older. I expect my hair to thin and recede on the top of my head. I expect hair to grow on other parts of my body that never once held follicles. I expect my body to ache. I expect my hearing to go and my eyesight to diminish. I expect more frequent trips to the bathroom. I expect my grand kids' music to be too dang loud. I expect to have an instinctual urge to live in a 55+ only community.

But the one thing I don't understand is all of the older Catholics who leave Mass early. Our church has a 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday's that is heavily attended by the snowbirds and retirees. I was dismayed that about 20% of the elderly left before communion. Another 10% left after communion, but before the final blessing.

What is up with that? What the hell is so important?

A member of our renew group often complains about the "cafeteria Catholics", those who attend Mass, treating it as some sort of heavenly insurance policy... "If I go every week and attend 70% of the service, then I should be a shoe in to get into heaven. I mean, I don't have to pay attention or stay through the end or even receive communion. I just have to sit my old, bony butt on this hard wooden pew for 37 minutes a week and I'm in!"

It was so frustrating. I was seated near the exit of the church and people kept getting irriating because I was praying and wasn't aware that they needed to pass me to leave church early. Yeah, I'm the one who's offensive in that situation.

For those early bird special exiters... if you actually stick around for a total of five minutes AFTER Mass, the parking lot is almost entirely empty. So, you'll be able to leave the parking lot with little concern about fighting your fellow Christians to the death on the way out.

So, the one thing I do NOT expect is to be one of those Catholics who leaves Mass early. After all, my crossword puzzles or naps or trips to the pharmacy can wait just a few extra minutes... I think God's worth it.

I Hate Ceiling Fans

I hate putting up ceiling fans. My wife and I spent 2 1/2 hours last night putting up a stupid ceiling fan. 2 1/2 hours! It was insane. I was convinced that whoever designed ceiling fans has never actually put one up themselves.

Silent Night Secularized in Wisconsin

From World Net Daily.com...

For a performance in its "winter program," a Wisconsin elementary school has changed the beloved Christmas carol "Silent Night," calling the song "Cold in the Night" and secularizing the lyrics.

According to Liberty Counsel, a religious-liberty law firm representing a student's parent, kids who attend Ridgeway Elementary School in Dodgeville, Wis., will sing the following lyrics to the tune of "Silent Night":

Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite, how I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm.

You can read more by clicking here.

*******************

I used to live in this country once... it was called the United States of America...

12/7... the day before 9/11

Sixty-four years ago today we were forced into World War II. An unprovoked attack on our country, killing thousands, led to hundreds of thousands of men entering the service to sacrifice their lives for this country. The media was behind it. The politicians were behind it. The people were behind it. The battle and casualties racked up for four years, but we kept our focus on the prize and were willing to pay the ultimate price for obtaining our objectives.

To those men and women who risked it all so that I may live in a country and have the freedom to be entering this blog today... thank you.

I look at how our country reacts to the unfortunate necessity of war today and it goes to show me that we don't have the stomach for fighting for our beliefs and securing our freedoms.

Boy, how things have changed.

Funny Joke

Here's a funny joke I came across... living in Florida it's sad, but true...

*********

At a nursing home in Miami, Florida, a group of Senior Citizens were sitting around talking about their ailments:

"My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one.

"Yes, I know. My cataracts are so bad I can't even see my coffee," replied another.

"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.

"My blood pressure pills make me dizzy," another went on.

"I guess that's the price we pay for getting old,” winced an old man as he slowly shook his head. Then there was a short moment of silence...

"Well, it's not that bad," said one woman cheerfully. "Thank God we can all still drive."

Christmas Carols Banned, But Hanukkah Songs Are Allowed

Let the anti-Christian movement continue! After all, Christianity is SO offensive, what with its rules and ideas about following Jesus' example and all. Squash the infidels!

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47749

After they abolish Christianity from the public, next will be Judaism and Islamic teachings... so, get in line! You too can be the next morally strong belief to be found offensive by those who have no morals!

Lenin and Marx would be so proud.

Leave Left Behind Behind

I'm a big fan of Christian films and have watched all three films of the Left Behind series. Last night I watched the latest film, Left Behind: World at War and it is the best of the series so far. The budget for the film is the largest and it shows up on the screen with better directing, cinematography, actors and action.

Kirk Cameron continues on as Buck, the intrepid reporter who must hide his Christianity in order to keep in close proximity to the Nicolae, the anti-Christ. The story revolves around the President of the United States manipulation by Nicolae and a sup-plot of Nicolae's attempts to spread biological weapons through the Christian community.

The film moves along very well until the end, when a dying preacher, played by Arnold Pinnock celebrates a "communion" which is vastly different from the Gospel, to say the least. There are two main differences between Catholicism and Protestantism: 1) Protestants believe faith alone can save you, Catholics believe faith and works are required. 2) Protestants believe that the Communion celebration is symbolic in nature and Catholics believe the Eucharist is actually the body and blood of the Lamb of God, or Jesus.

This difference was never more obvious than in the Left Behind's treatment of the last supper. As a preacher lays dying he asks to celebrate communion one last time. Instead of quoting the words of Jesus in the last supper from Mark 26:14-17...

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins."

The Left Behind version went something like this "Eat this bread. Seek forgiveness and have faith and you will receive salvation." That's not the exact lines in the film... I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like that. I do know that it was not even close to the actual lines Jesus spoke in the bible. I was dumbfounded that a preacher, who knows the bible backwards and forwards, would not actually quote it accurately on his death bed. Instead, it was a misrepresentation of the last supper.

As a Catholic, I'm more sensitive to these obvious omissions than most others may be, but since it is the core of the Catholic church, I found myself offended. And, because of this selective use of the last supper that I cannot recommend this film.

The foundation of the Catholic belief in the Eucharist begins in Exodus and the first Passover, Exodus 12:6-10...

You shall keep it (unblemished lamb) until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present, it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb.

That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. It shall not be eaten raw or boiled, but roasted whole, with its head and shanks and inner organs. None of it must be kept beyond the next morning; whatever is left over in the morning shall be burned up.

An unblemished lamb will be sacrificed. If you only put the blood on the door and did not eat the lamb, your firstborn would die. You had to eat the lamb in order to complete the sacrifice... in order for your firstborn to escape death.

Jesus understood this. Jesus understood that, as the Lamb of God, his sacrifice to save ALL of us from death required that his blood would have to be shed, that his body and blood would have to be consumed. That's what he was saying in the last supper.

That is also why, in John 6:53-58, prior the last supper, Jesus was preaching to thousands of followers and said...

Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Its as if the original lamb of the first Passover was speaking... "the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."

Jesus lost a lot of followers that day. Some argue that it was figurative, not literal, like the many of his other parables, yet Jesus did not explain this "parable" to his apostles.

John 6:66-69...

As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Jesus offered no other explanation to his statement that he was the true blood and flesh of the sacrificial lamb to be sacrificed for our sins. That's why Catholics believe that our Eucharistic celebration is a re-presentation of that last supper, that we are partaking with Jesus, along with the 12 apostles, his flesh and his blood so that his sacrifice would be complete and so we would be freed from death.

The original twelve obviously interpreted it this way because the celebration, which is basically the same Mass we celelbrate today, was in place and documented as early as 155 A.D. In a letter to pagan emperor Antoninius Pius, St. Justin Martyr explained how Christians celebrated...

On the day we call the day of the sun (Sunday), all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. (church)

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. (Old and New Testament Readings)

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. (The homily)

Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. (The Kiss of Peace, i.e., May the Peace of Christ be with you)

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent. (communion and the delivery of the eucharist by Eucharistic Ministers).

Think about what that means... It means that, since within about a generation of Jesus' life and death, the formation of what is our current Mass was decided, implemented and practiced every Sunday. Unlike the fiction that is the Da Vinci Code, the Mass was not held on Sunday when Constantine, a pagan Sun God follower, was converted in the 400s. Instead, as early as 155 it was already in place because Sunday was the day Jesus resurrected from the dead.

So, I'm a little sensitive when the celebration of the last supper is converted into something far less than it was originally intended and obviously interpreted by the apostles that walked with Christ and their subsequent followers.

Granted, the filmmakers of the Left Behind film series are strong, believing Protestants and are only using the film medium to expound on their faith. Its exactly what they should do.

However, its time Catholics make entertaining films that represent their beliefs where things such as the Eucharist are held up as the holy communional event that occurs every time a Mass is held, including on the day of the sun.

Monday Morning QB - 12/5

The Bucs win a sloppy away game in the division, beating the Saints in the near-empty Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. The end score was 10-3 but it could have easily have been 20-3, with a blocked field goal and a dropped pass by Galloway in the end zone. Ronde Barber had a tremendous game getting 3 of the 4 interceptions thrown by Saints QB Aaron Brooks. I've always felt Barber is one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history and with games like yesterday, he continues to live up to that billing.

My prediction: Bucs 23, Saints 19

Score: Bucs 10, Saints 03

Offense: B. The offense was more effective than the score showed. Simms played solid, Williams ran for 96 yards and Pittman came in an ran for almost 40 yards on two plays. No turnovers, moved the ball well.

Defense: C+. This is going to sound odd, but the Bucs defense worries me because, unless they get a turnover, they don't seem to be able to stop offenses. Granted, they've been getting the turnovers lately, but when they face the Panthers or Patriots in the next two weeks, I doubt those QBs will be making the same errors as the irradict Brooks of the Saints.

Special Teams: C. Todd France, in for the injured Matt Bryant, had his 44 yard attempt blocked, due to a low trajectory on this kick. Bidwell kicked a punt 25 yards.

Coaching: B. Gruden and Kiffin seem to be doing enough to win. With Simms in there, Gruden is keeping things safe and its been working.

Outstanding Players: Barber, Barber and Barber... oh, and Williams.

Things That Drove Me Nuts: Anthony Becht. He's not living up to his billing. Right now he's not a great catcher OR a great blocker. That makes him kinda... well... average.

Bucs Record: 8-4.

Next Opponent: The Bucs hit the second of three straight road games by heading to division leader Carolina Panthers. If the Bucs win, they'll share the lead of the NFC South. If they lose, the Panthers take a commanding lead the division and the Falcons and Bucs will be slugging it out for a wild card berth.

The Bucs ended the 3rd quarter of the season 8-4, winning three of their last four games. We now enter the final stetch with two road games against the Panthers and Patriots and two home games against division opponents Falcons and Saints. It's not going to be easy. The Bucs need to win at least two of these last four games to have a chance at the playoffs.

The Only Gift We Can Give

As we enter Advent and near the celebration of the birth of Christ, the time of gift giving, we will spend the next few weeks trying to figure out what to give each other for Christmas.

Two weeks ago one of our priests gave an exceptional homily on this subject. For the previous month our church had been working on the time, talent, treasure volunteers for church parishioners. In the homily, the priest mentioned that all that we have promised to give to the church, our time, our talents and our treasure, God already owns. Since we are His creations and those items were also created by Him we are therefore not really giving God anything that he doesn't already possess.

It was an interesting thought. Than what can I give to God that is uniquely mine?

The priest went onto explain that the only thing we can actually offer God is our will. Since God gave us free will, we have the ability to ignore his call and ignore his existence, if we'd so like. Our will, our decisions and choices that exemplify our will, is the only thing that we possess that we can offer to God.

Trading my will for God's will. Hmmmm. That's the tough part, isn't it? Surrendering what we want for what God wants, trusting that He will bring us down the right path. Unforutnately, God's path is often fraught with challenges and struggles, but is ultimately more rewarding than anything we can conjur up ourselves. But it's that impending struggle through which we grow that we all fear that most and why we all hold onto our will so tightly.

The only thing I can give to God is my will.

Will I? I'll try.

One decision, one choice at a time.

Movie Memories... Permanent Games Too

The overall bizarre experience that was the shoot of the ultra-low budget film Permanent Games culminated in yet another awkward moment. After having to endure making out with an actress I had never before met who was newly drug free wasn't the worst of it... having to kiss someone you consider your sister was.

The cast of the film included Jay Millman, his wife Leslie and me as the three leads in a love triangle. I had known Jay and Leslie for years in college and they were two of my best friends. Jay and I worked together off campus during our senior year and Leslie and I acted opposite each other in the University's production of The Tempest. They also acted in my short film called Homesick.

Although Leslie had the beauty of a young Grace Kelly, she was more like a sister to me than anything else. She and Jay had gotten married after college and had then got involved with this Permanent Games project .

So, there's the back story leading up to the point of this memory... the point in the script were Leslie and I were supposed to have a love scene.

Ick.

Leslie and I were not comfortable with the idea to begin with... but we were even more uncomfortable doing something like that on a low budget film with unknown filmmakers. So, we rewrote the scene to be something less tame than what you'd find on TV Land on Nickelodeon.

But, it still involved kissing Leslie.

Most men would love the opportunity to kiss someone as beautiful as Leslie. But, we were friends. Good friends. Buds. And it was icky. It was like kissing your sister or cousin or something. In some parts of the country, that's not such a bad thing, sure, but for Leslie and I it was awkward, to say the least.

The best news is that Permanent Games never got completed or distributed. Jay said he has a VHS copy of one of the edits in a box somewhere, but I haven't seen it. Even though the film has evaporated into the ether of low budget filmdom, the unique, humorous and embarrassing moments of that film have been forever burned into my psyche.

Christmas is for Christians

This whole debate over whether Christmas trees should be called Holiday trees in order not to offend others or be more inclusive to non-Christians simply infuriates me.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Christmas trees came from a European tradition celebrating the birth of Christ. Like it not, those are the facts.

I personally don't want Jews, Muslims or Athiests to participate in Christmas... it's not their holiday. They have their own holidays. Just as I will not ask the Jews to call the menorah a holiday candle stick, don't ask me to call the Christmas tree a holiday tree.

All I hear is that Christians should be more accomodating and be more sympathetic to those offended by the display of Christmas trees.

My answer? Bite me. Christmas is for Christians. End of story.

Santa Claus is for everybody else.

Christians have been bending over and taking it for way too long, because we want to be, well, Christian in our behavior. But that behavior should not enable those who would strip away our values and beliefs from the fiber of this country.

If the majority of this country holds Judeo/Christian values, the laws of this country should reflect that. If the majority of our country holds Judeo/Christian values, our government should be allowed to acknoweldge that. And if the majority of this country holds Judeo/Chrisitian values, then a Christmas tree should be proudly called a Christmas tree.

What people SHOULD be asking is whether changing the name of the Christmas tree would offend Christians, which make up 80% of the United States.

The answer is a very loud YES. The problem is that too few people care to hear or acknoweldge that answer.

We, in a public display of our faith, should keep shouting it until they finally get it.

Constantine (2005)

I watched the film Constantine last night, about a man that survived a suicide attempt and who now exorcises demons in an attempt to earn his way into heaven. I love films like this for one reason, they acknowledge the existence of God, Satan and the battle for souls. The existence of God or Jesus or angels or demons or sin or faith or absolution are not up for discussion… they are accepted as truth in these storylines and the story plays within those boundaries.

The other thing I like about these films is that there are no clear, detailed explanations on this battle for souls. There are hints about how we live our lives and that this battle is waging, but it is open for interpretation.

Constantine, for the most part, did a good job of keeping the theological expectations in place. There was a great amount of stuff added to the story to keep it moving that could be theologically questionable, such as “half-breeds” which are half angel/human or half demon/human that help push people in either the right or wrong direction, but this is the part of the gray area that is not well defined and is open for interpretation or creation.

The images of Hell were pretty amazing and our society could use more exhibition of such images…not in a fire and brimstone “you’re all going to Hell” sermon, but just as a reminder of the consequences of our decisions.

For a film that does not question the existence of God, Heaven, Hell, Satan and Jesus or the damned souls of those who commit suicide does not effectively recognize the infinite mercy of God and the salvation through Jesus and the absolution of sins through the sacrament of reconciliation. It was interesting, as the Catholic characters were very clear on the damnation that occur when someone commits suicide, but not clear on the path to salvation.

So, it was surely flawed, but these stories Christian filmmakers should be telling, with greater images of Heaven, Hell and the battle for our souls.

Predictor Pete - Week Thirteen

The Bucs lost a heartbreaker last week against the tough Chicago Bears. This week they have a chance to redeem themselves as they head out to Baton Rouge to take on the nomadic New Orleans/Baton Rouge/San Antonio Saints.

This is a road divisional game, which is always tough. The Saints have played us very well in the past, so we will need to play our best to pull out a victory. This is the first game of a three game road swing with the Panthers and the Patriots awaiting our arrival. This is the easiest of those games and a game we have to have. The Falcons and Panthers play each other, so if the Bucs can win, they have a chance to be in tie for first place again. A loss could severly hurt their playoff chances.

The Saints are fighting tremendous odds and certainly are in a no-win situation. Unfortunately, the Bucs need to take advantage of that and win this game using a stingy defense and a strong running game. Place kicker Matt Bryant has been held out all week with a hamstring pull and the Bucs may have to rely on the kicker they cut in camp... I hope the game doesn't rely on a field goal this week.

My Heart: Bucs 24-10.
My Mind: Bucs 22-17.
My Colon: Saints 21-20.

My Pick: Bucs 23-19...

The Bucs need this win. The Niners and Jets losses are already haunting them. A Saints loss here could be another.

My Record: 7-4

High Tension (2003)

I watched a very interesting film last night called High Tension. Its a French film, originally titled Haute Tension, about two students, Marie and Alexia, who travel to Alexia's remote country home in order to study for upcoming exams. We experience the movie through the protagonist Marie's eyes, played exceptionally well by French actress Cécile De France. Marie, a city girl, gets her first experience at the remoteness of country life.

That first night, as she rests in the upstairs bedroom of the barn-turned-house in the middle of nowhere, a killer enters the house, kidnaps Alexia and kills her family. We live the experience through Marie as she narrowly avoids the killer and tries to rescue her friend.

The film, though more bloody than my personal tastes, has some exceptional suspenseful moments. However, as the film enters the third act, something very odd happens.

**Spoiler Warning**

It turns out that Marie IS the killer and we've been watching her version of the story unfold through her twisted mind. This plot twist is pretty extraordinary for two reasons... one, it is very unexpected, but, secondly, it means that every suspenseful moment we've lived with where Marie is avoiding the killer is a complete fabrication. They never happened. I've been watching a lie. How can she be the killer and be narrowly avoiding him at the same time? So, I concurrently felt both shocked and disappointed.

The other things this does is completely ruin any chance of rewatching the film. The great thing about Hitchcock's flicks is that you can watch them over and over again because the experience of the suspense never loses it's edge. Hitchcock creates suspense by letting the audience know more than the main character and with repeated viewings, nothing is lost.

However the writers and director of High Tension destroyed the reviewing experience because now we know that every suspenseful moment in the film does not truly happen. So, why watch it?

Dressed to Kill, by Brian DePalma, could have had this issue, however the protagonist and the antagonist are not the same person. So, his suspense holds up. In High Tension, I may rewatch the film to study the way they crafted their suspense scenes, but I will never again actually be in suspense when watching it.

A very odd choice by the writers and director. It made for a great surprise, but made the majority of the film a lie.

Movie Memories... Permanent Games

Its 1989 and I'm on the set of a very low budget film being shot in Miami. Very low budget. Did I mention they had no money?

My college buddy Jay and his lovely wife, Leslie, were in the film and let me know they were looking for another actor. At this point in my acting career I was just looking for any screen credit I could find. After all, who in NY or LA is going to know how big or small a film called Permanent Games is going to be?

One day I arrive on location to meet a woman with which I'm supposed to make out. Yes, that's right. At one point, I'm supposed to make out with a woman in an outdoor shower. I don't remember what this had to do with the plot, but a lot of this film has drifted from my memory.

So, anyway, I get dressed in my bathing suit, she in her's and, in an attempt to find some sort of normality in this otherwise extremely awkward moment, we decide to ask each other's names and engage in small talk before hopping into this cold-water-only outdoor shower and begin... well... making out.

And just as the camera is about to start rolling, she ends our small talk by excitedly telling me that she had been drug free for two weeks now!

Action!

It was the most unsexual experience of my entire life. I spent the scene trying to figure out just how long it takes drugs to leave someone's system. And what kind of drugs were they? And why did she have to tell me that? I mean, I've known her for all of thirty seconds.

Let's see... when I thought of being an actor, did I EVER imagine this moment would occur? Hmmm... nope.

Show business is weird.

Fortune Cookie

I had Chinese for lunch today. The fortune in the cookie states:

"A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he gives up."

As the saying goes, the key to success is getting up one more time than you fall down.

Movie Memories... Ready, Willing & Able Too

I had set some pretty specific goals in my life. One of which was to see my name on a movie screen in a real theater on a real movie.

Well, its 2000 and I'm sitting in an AMC Theater in Ft. Lauderdale at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. With me are my parents, my wife and some of my brothers and sisters. The lights dim and the 35mm independent film Ready, Willing & Able begins.

A few credits into the film we see:

Written by
Pete Bauer and
Jenni Gold

A sense of satisfaction shivers through my body and a well of emotions accumulate in my eyes. My wife squeezes my hand and smiles.

I can check off another goal on my list.

My Semi-Surprising Birthday Party

When one's 40th birthday party approaches, you tend to look out for the telltale hints that something surprising has been scheduled. Over the past few weeks I had noticed a certain secrecy in the house and it did not take long before the secrets started to reveal themselves.

First, my son, bless his heart, was so excited about my surprise party on my birthday that he would often start talking about it and I would have to ask him to stop. At one point, I actually sent him to another room so he wouldn't over-speak.

The best of the reveals was from my dear old Dad. My parents, down from North Carolina, called me to wish me happy birthday. My Dad said...

"So are you excited about everyone coming over tonight... oh, your mother just hit me like I wasn't supposed to say that."

Hilarious.

Secret #1, revealed.

At that point, my intuition was fully realized and I asked my wife what I could do to assist. She said she still had some surprises in store for me. About an hour later my wife is in the shower and the phone rings. Its a florist...

"Mr. Bauer, we have a delivery for you for your birthday and we seem to have the wrong address."

I give them the correct address and tell my wife, who had now finished her shower, that she REALLY needs to answer the phone from now on.

Secret #2, revealed. My wife said there were still more surprises.

Later on, after the flowers had arrived and still hours before the party, I walk into the bedroom and my wife is putting the finishing touches on a beautiful collage of my life.

Secret #3, revealed. I suggest using the door lock next time.

Later, I was outside throwing the football with my son and my daughter comes out, holding the phone against her chest, asking...

"Dad, Uncle Charles wants to know if they still need to come over early to surprise you."

The question itself really holds the answer, doesn't it? But, just in case, I said "No, darling."

The surprise actually came to my guests, as I greeted them at the door, telling them not to tell me about the party because it would ruin my surprise. Later, when everyone had arrived, I asked if I should leave and re-enter the house, to make it official. They said to just shut up and open my presents.

My wife did hold one final surprise for me. My sister Mary had come all the way down from Georgia to come to the party and spend the night. It was so great. Mary is one of my older sisters and has six kids, almost all of which are now grown and living their own life. So, it has been rare for us so far to find time to just sit and talk. We spent that evening catching up on life, find out about each other, great stuff like that. It was awesome.

The next day we watched the Bucs/Bears game. She, liking Atlanta, wanted the Bears to win, but was very good about not rubbing the Bucs loss in our faces. I took her to the airport Sunday evening and she made it home okay.

Overall, the four day holiday weekend was great. I got to see my brother Steve and family from Atlanta and my brother Paul and family from Houston. Everyone else in my family made it to my birthday party and I also got to spend time with my closest friends.

Though the party did not go off without a hitch, it was still a very touching and memorable 40th birthday party.