Kris Rasmussen: November 2008 Archives

The first Sunday of the advent season comes a little early this year, right on the heels of Thanksgiving, and if you are looking for some inspiration to usher in this time of expectation and hope, I have some great books for you to try. For the last few years I have made a point of doing more than putting a wreath on the table and lighting a candle. Instead, I have chosen one book every year to use as a guide to learning more about this church tradition. Here are my favorites.

God with Us: The publishers of Image Journal released a coffee table style book last year that is probably the most comprehensive and beautiful book for Advent that I have found. It contains artwork, poetry, and devotions from some of the best post-modern evangelical minds

Poems of the Incarnation: If you haven't read any poetry by Luci Shaw, this is a good place to start. She wrote an entire collection of poems about the season with her usual flair for smart turns of phrase that create unorthodox yet profound images.

In searching for a not wholly traditional Thanksgiving-themed movie for my DVD pick, an often overlooked indie movie from a few years ago quickly came to mind. "Pieces of April" , a film which features a pre-Tom Cruise Katie Holmes playing a frazzled young urbanite making her first Thanksgiving dinner for her estranged family. "Pieces of April" is not completely snarky in its portrayal of family dysfunction, nor does it lapse into sticky sweet sentiment too often. The story may be slight but it benefits from a nice ensemble cast that brings to life the joys and stresses of family at the holidays.

Germany has made no secret of their complete and utter distaste for Scientology in recent years. Last year, government officials dared to ban Tom Cruise from filming on location because of his Scientology affiliation. But that was really only one minor incident in the government's surveillance and investigation of the organization in an attempt to ban the Church of Scientology from the country altogether. However, the government has now dropped its attempts citing insufficient evidence. But, government insiders say that the organization will continue to be monitored by the government because of concerns that the tenants of the religion go against the constitutional principles of Germany.

The Church of Scientology is celebrating this decision as protection of freedom of religion and as a hopeful end to alleged persecution of its members in Germany. I suppose I should be celebrating along with them-- however reluctantly--because governments limiting reasonable religious expression is never a good idea, no matter the religion. But Germany hasn't attacked the Church on grounds of religious expression as much as it has sought to define the group as a business and to attack its corrupt business practices. I think it would be great if the United States and other countries would try that angle in dealing with Scientology as well.

After weeks of speculation, the whimsical drama "Pushing Daisies"--along with "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money"--was officially cancelled last week. In spite of numerous Emmy nominations and critical praise, the series about a pie maker who can bring people back to life couldn't survive an unpredictable broadcast schedule and an expensive shooting budget to stay on the air a full season this year. To help soften the loss for die- hard fans like fellow blogger Donna, the series has a few new episodes left to air in the spring.

While I was once a fan of the action drama "24" the first couple of seasons, I got tired of the show's premise with its increasingly convoluted storylines. Don't worry--fellow Idol Chatter blogger Doug Howe has continued to watch---and blog about --the show faithfully. However, I will be tuning in on Sunday for the two-part movie/season premiere entitled "Redemption." I am hopeful that the show has returned to top form for three reasons: Cherry Jones, Robert Carlyle, and Jon Voight.

Tony winner Cherry Jones ("Doubt") has come on board as the first female president, indie film favorite Robert Carlyle ("Trainspotting") plays Jack's former mentor and a leader of a boys school somewhere in remote Africa , and Jon Voight (you know, Angelina's dad) plays a sleazy politico. I mean, it's like the trifecta of casting coups, and I find it hard to believe that something entertaining and intriguing won't come out of this delicious acting mix.

I suppose the biggest reason of all for checking back in with the series is that after a long hiatus-- the show has been off the air for 18 months-- absence has finally made my heart grow fonder for Jack Bauer and the moral catharsis his tattered, morally righteous and, yet, morally tenuous life provides.

Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert is turning his wry wit toward Christmas. His comedy special, "A Colbert Christmas" airs this Sunday at 10 p.m. and it will skewer the festivities of the season before the season's really begun. As Colbert points...

The tabloids have been busy covering what is allegedly the first custody visit of the kids as they spend time back in London with Guy Ritchie. The London Daily Mail has printed what it claims to be a long list...

Not long ago Movie Mom referenced a list of "comfort movies" posted over at movie lovers website Cinematical and then offered a few of her own personal preferences. In both cases, the concept of a comfort movie had more to...

Certainly with the many movies made about the tragedy of the Holocaust--several which have been done brilliantly--it could be easy to steer clear of yet another bleak look at the horror of that time in history. Yet if there was...

Sure, fundamentalists like Movieguide's Ted Baer have long been opposed to the evils of the Harry Potter book series, but would you believe that renowned atheist RIchard Dawkins agrees with him? In fact, the author of "The God Delusion"...