Why so serious?
by Paul (1 Comments) 
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan
Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldmam, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman
Rated PG-13
The superlatives and accolades that have been tossed at The Dark Knight are to the point where you almost feel like hating the movie just because its so popular (I'm looking at you Luke -- but seriously, I have the tendency as well). There's very little else one can say that hasn't been exhausted.
The Dark Knight is fantastic. Its plot complex, the characters subtle, mysterious and realistic, the dialog engaging and though provoking, Ledger is phenomenal (and sadly his death is probably his best shot at getting an Oscar, not his amazing performance). As near to perfect as a film can be, The Dark Knight delivers. What always sets the great films apart from the good films is one thing -- a challenge to our comfort and a universal theme that resonants with the time. The obvious part is The Joker's part of "terrorist", and Batman's role of rescuer/hero. The not so obvious part is that the hero is a villain. Vilified and hunted. The most important and impacting line from the entire movie is at the end; as Chief Gordon and his son watch Batman motor off into the horizon (reminiscent of old westerns, like Shane):
Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now...and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector...a dark knight.
Often the things we need aren't the things we want. We want the world to be without suffering. We want everyone to be fed. We want to be rich, to be happy, to be protected. We never want to know the cost. We never want to know the sacrifice. We never want to know the natural consequences. If a hero is truly a hero, then they see those things we ignore, and do what has to be done anyway. That, to me, is the most poignant insight into our American culture that cinema has attempted in the last 5 years.
Distractions: Opening Ceremonies Edition
by Paul (1 Comments)
You know the drill by now. Get up in it.
Disconnect The Dots
by Paul (5 Comments)
So here's the finished movie. Last night (Tuesday, Aug. 5th) was the awards show for the 48 Hour Film Nashville, our awesome team took home zero awards. Meh, politics. I'm still proud of our final product, now you can watch it too!
Distractions: Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em
by Paul (0 Comments)
I'm shooting a wedding today, and trying to finish up a few other projects, but for the upcoming weekend I've left you all with some healthy doses of distraction:
The one where I realize that life never gets easier you only accumulate more complex problems
by Paul (6 Comments)
Its been five months since we realized we had to tackle our debt problem. Not merely address it, not merely talk about, not merely talk to someone else about it; but learning to say "no". Learning to go without. Learning to swallow some pride, learning to sacrifice. And here we are, just one more outstanding debt to go and we're free. Truly free from a fake security. A fake sense of worth and value. Free.
Five months ago I honestly didn't believe we could save enough money while killing our debt and still eat. Somehow we've done just that. $18,000 of debt gone; AND I just ate dinner (so what that it was mashed potatoes, just mashed potatoes, I'm still full -- and alive). I take that back -- somehow God has provided, to allow us to be at this point. Semantics, eh?
I can't think of a greater environment to welcome Circus performer #3 into the Family Armstrong than to be unburdened (in so many more ways than just financially). We won't be worrying about getting the baby the newest clothes (that a baby will wear all of 1 month and poop and spit up on) or a new crib or decorating their room. These things don't matter (we just allowed ourselves to listen to those voices that pressure you into thinking you need and want things, things, things, things). I think we've learned, beyond not using credit cards (and not just because our credit "rating" is destroyed) that learning to say no to "things" -- saying no to getting that extra large McDonald's fries thing, no to eating out again with some friends thing, no to buying that "little" gift for you kids or your friends or yourself thing. Learned to not be so vain as to fear asking for help, or getting second hand or used things, or even shopping "discount" (aka Walmart).
I'm not sure how it happened, but I thank God it did. I went from feeling helpless and worthless, to peaceful, unburdened and fulfilled. You can too ...
there is hope, my daydream child
by Paul (7 Comments)
So here we our -- my bride, my wife -- facing another hope. Another child. A third. Another laugh, another voice, another part of our story. Sunshine and a ray. Hints of excitement and anticipation; but only hints. And left lingering is that crush and burst, that pain of hope unrealized. 9 weeks. Fingers crossed. Hope lingering, yet docked on the bay, waiting for assurance.
But still hope.
