The subject of this blog came up, regarding essentially the idea of what a blog is and/or should be and his opinion was that it should be something with regular posts, weekly at least, and I was determined to begin doing so in August when I returned. Obviously that didn't happen and there are many reasons why. In fact, I plan to put together a "looking back at 2013" post early in the new year that may, in part, help explain.
For now, let me just end 2013 by saying I plan to make good on my determination to post regularly in 2014, with a goal of once a week. Also I plan to not focus solely on my creative work and research but also on whatever happens to interest me at the time I sit down to write. Hopefully those of you who are already following my blog will be interested; I also hope that others who might be interested in more regular postings will begin following me now.
In closing, here are my four favorite Christmas movies, in no particular order:
1. A Christmas Story
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Bad Santa
4. Dogma
The first two are probably on the list of many people, certainly those as sentimental as I am. I watched Bad Santa with my then teenaged son Mike one Christmas Eve years ago. A perhaps inexcusable thing for a father to do with an impressionable teenager on the cusp of a religious holiday but, hey, it's not the first time I've done so with young people. In fact, for more than thirty years it was my full-time job! Being a "bad" influence on impressionable minds that is. So continuing the tradition, Christopher and I recently watched Dogma, the Kevin Smith film from 1999. I've always loved it and think it has many good things to say about religion in general and Christianity in particular. It too is not exactly appropriate for young people, and Christopher is about the same age Mike was when we watched Bad Santa. In my defense, let's just say that Dogma is (at least) a much better film. And just as funny. I'll post a link below to the first part, which includes a hilarious (profoundly so) scene where Matt Damon, playing the Angel of Death, is able to convince a nun to renounce her faith, even though (as his partner Ben Affleck mentions after she leaves) he is one of few people who has personally met God and spoken with him (or her in this case--played by Alanis Morrisette):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmcFIbqfOkU
I think it's a great film to watch during the holidays. Why not actually examine one's faith on Christmas?
I loved this read! Thank you for sharing. And you know, your taking the younger people to movies started way back when us three brothers lived at home. I'm sure you know what I'm going to say next. I'm referring to when you convinced dad to take us boys to see A Clockwerk Orange. As an adult I consider it one of Stanley Kubrick's greatest films. But at that time I think I was only ten or eleven. It changed me forever (for the better).
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing on this blog. I truly look forward to reading more from you. Happy New Year!
Thanks for reading Kurt! I remember that well. I had read the book in eighth grade, even learned and spoke the language using the dictionary in the back, and when the movie came out was determined to see it even though it was X rated. I wasn't old enough either, so convincing Dad was the only way possible. Don't know why he took all of us but you're right I'm responsible. Glad the movie changed you for the better--it's one of my favorites too. And still a tough watch, even as a grown up. As it should be!
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