Post-Bella

I got a chance to check out the movie Saturday night with my wife. Whether it was good or bad, I wanted to make sure I supported the film. I now offer my review on the flick...

MPAA Rating
PG-13

Rating System
1 - 5 Rocks, 5 Rocks being the best.

Pace (3 Rocks)
There was a point in the movie where I glanced at my watch. Nearly 45 minutes of the movie had gone by and I was waiting for it to speed up. It did (thankfully). After that 45 minutes, Bella really began to take form.

Character Development & Acting (3 Rocks)
I thought Jose's (Eduardo Verastegui) character was a little ho-hum, although he was likable in the movie. I did not care for Nina's (Tammy Blanchard) character, or her acting, at all.
Bella did a great job of introducing Jose's family, which showed why Jose was the man he was. The character development of his family was flawless. Jose's parents really stole the screen.

Family Friendly (5 Rocks)
Definitely. Some heavy life situations, but a great opportunity to introduce them to children: life, death, and the repercussions of both.

Should you see it? (Don't bother, Rent it, Go see, Must see)
GO SEE - Definitely worth your time. Did not live up to the expectations, but worth 100 minutes of your life. It's nice to see a wholesome movie in the theaters for a change. Hopefully Hollywood catches on and begins bringing us more.


Next movie up for review? Into Great Silence.

St. Paul of SEPTA

Now that we've moved out of center city and I take the train to work every day, I've found a new, more discrete way to evangelize.

I'd prefer Lauds and Vespers, but my schedule doesn't permit me to recite them, so Magnificat (the Hours for People-on-the-Go) suits my life pretty well for Morning and Evening Prayer on the train.

My bookmarks, other than the ribbons from my leather cover (thank you RM), are prayer cards of Christ and the Blessed Mother, so when I read they are plain as day so anyone to my left or right can see them (I've noticed on trains that everyone - myself included - will always look at what a person is reading), in hopes of starting dialogue.

The SEPTA ticket-collectors, usually the most unloving of all the passengers, get a special treat.

When they come around to check tickets and passes, I put my pass right next to the prayer card of Christ (or Mary as I did today), so when they look at my pass it is IMPOSSIBLE for them not come face to face with the Savior or the Mother of God.

And that's how it's done.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
Matthew 3:2

FORTY

October 22, 2007: 40 days left until my first child is due! It is hard to believe time has moved so quickly. I am so thankful to Our Creator, who has granted my wife and me the ability to produce human life. Thank you, Father.

In recognizing the meaningful number of days ahead of us, my wife and I declare more prayer and fasting for our baby's coming. I am like Easter-excited!

Lots of prayers for this child. And soon, he/she comes...

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me right out of the pit,
out of my miry clay.
I will sing a new song,
How long to sing this song?
He set my feet upon a rock,
and made my footsteps heard.
Many will see,
Many will see and fear.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?

Pre-Bella

Well, the opening weekend of Bella is just one week away. I have a lot of close friends that attended private screenings, I've read a ton of reviews and it sure seems that it will fall in line with The Passion, as a movie that will/has change(d) lives.

It's playing in KOP and if it does well, Center City theaters will pick it up, so I urge all of you to check it out or even buy tickets - knowing you won't be able to make it - to get this movie greater attention so LIFE can be brought to all.

Bella won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.

True love goes beyond romance.