Book 18: Cross-Shattered Christ by Stanley Hauerwas (2004)

.

.

Ah, the first of the many theological books I’m going to be reading before I finally lose interest and move on to other things. Since this is the first theological book I’ve read in a while – or maybe ever – I’m not sure what kind of impression I’m supposed to have. I would like to agree or disagree with some of what the author says, but I don’t have enough knowledge in this department to do that.

I do know that this book focuses on the “seven last words” that Jesus said before he died on the cross:

1. “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” — Luke 23: 34

2. “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” — Luke 23: 43

3. “Woman, behold they son!” . . . “Behold thy mother!” — John 19:26-27 (KJV)

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — Matthew 27:46

5. “I thirst.” — John 19:28 (KJV)

6. “It is finished.” — John 19:30

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” — Luke 23:46

If I feel like it, I may add what I think the author is trying to say later. For the moment, I’ll leave it at a simple, useless list. What I find interesting is the way the author uses the KJV version for the third and the fifth words. Isn’t the King James Version notoriously inaccurate? How exactly are those verses worded in the other versions? More importantly, what do they say in their original language?

I’m now going to do some research on this issue. Stay tuned while I eat this cupcake.

Movie 9: Princess Mononoke (1997)

.

Japanese title: Mononoke Hime

Fear not, fans of Hayao Miyazaki. I’ve finally come across Princess Mononoke, a movie that I cannot begin to criticize it is that excellent. Yes, this is the first of his movies that will escape being tag as “boring” by yours truly – a most qualified judge of anime and movies in general. I absolutely love everything about it. There’s enough action and the characters are fascinating. Ashitaka is the kind of guy that lured me into watching anime in the first place. He’s almost perfect.

Kudos for having ex-prostitutes instead of regular women and for letting ‘em show what they got. Toki is excredibly tough.

Movie 8: Hero (2002)

.

Chinese title: Ying Xiong

Strange. I normally like Chinese movies, and I’m a big fan of Jet Li. That said, you would think I’d love this movie from the bottom of my heart. But I don’t. Maybe my memory is deceiving me, or maybe it’s the snobbishness kicking in, but Chinese movies used to be a lot better. During a fight the characters move so unnaturally, making it obvious that they are hanged and choreographed by some invisible strings – as though they’re puppets.

It reminds me a lot of the time I watched either House of the Flying Daggers or Bulletproof Monk (I forgot because I’ve seen way too many movies) where the fight scenes look equally idiotic. I need some real action! Real fights! See, this is where I have a sudden appreciation for Jackie Chan (I dislike him otherwise and I seriously think he’s ready to retire).

The story is great, though. Historical movies always make me want to learn the real history behind it. I want to know how much of the movie is true and how much of it is made up. (I was both intrigued and disappointed when I found out about the historical Princess Anastasia of Russia. And Anna Anderson. And such.) Unfortunately, I have no idea where to begin where China is concerned. I promise I’m going to pick up a history book on China one of these days. Yeah, one of these days. Definitely.