Movie Review: The Ten Commandments

The new "Ten Commandments" animated film was released this past weekend. I took the family to see it.

My grade: C-

I sat down with popcorn and Icee in hand, excited to see a new version of the Ten Commandments, hopeful that an animated version would offer some exciting visual interpretations of the plagues and other miracles. I was immediately disappointed with the low-grade computer animation and could not shake my disappointment for the rest of the film. The characters looked and moved like wooden puppets. In this age of Pixar-type animation that amazes the eye and makes you believe it's real, this film was a visual flop.

The script was not much better, frankly. Sometimes the dialogue was as wooden as the animation.

I did not express this disappointment with my kids, however. They enjoyed it, I think, but have not talked about it like they have other films.

Don't waste your money on tickets. Rent the DVD instead and judge for yourself.

CD Review: Peace Like A River

I've been listening to Chris Rice's new Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project.

I love it for:

The selections: Chris just happened to pick some of my favorites for this project, including: "It Is Well With My Soul," "Rock of Ages," "A Mighty Fortress," "Come Thou Fount," "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Thanks Chris!

The simplicity: Simple arrangements simply accompanied with piano and/or guitar and sweet vocals. Even the CD artwork is simple, yet creative.

In the CD jacket notes Chris says: "I miss the days when our songs were written to teach and perserve theology, rather than to become a radio hit."

Folks of all ages will enjoy this collection.

James 1:2-3 ESV

Our family is using the "Fighter Verses" Memory Verse System from Bethlehem Baptist Church in order to hide God's Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). We've found that the best and quickest way to memorize verses of Scripture is to set them to a tune.

This week's verse was James 1:2-3. We sing it to the tune of "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" (you can hear this tune at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/t/jtbloodr.htm). Try it yourself:

Count it all joy my brothers when you
Meet trials of various kinds
For you know that the testing of
Your faith produces steadfastness.