Happy Easter!
Let
every man and woman count himself immortal.
Let him catch the
revelation of Jesus in his resurrection.
Let him say not merely,
"Christ is risen," but "I shall rise."
~Phillips Brooks
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
After Steubenville: 25 Things Our Sons need to know about Manhood
Even though I'm not a mother (I hope to be one day), I found this
absolutely moving and very heartbreaking at the same time. It's
incredibly beautiful.
(everything that is highlighted in blue is a link)
Dear Son,
When you’re the mother of four sons, Steubenville is about us.
Steubenville is about having a conversation with sons about hard things and asking you to do holy things.
Because a Steubenville doesn’t begin with football and it doesn’t begin with alcohol and it doesn’t begin with unsupervised jocks with inflated egos and shriveled morals. It begins with one woman bringing home a man-child in her arms, one mama unwrapping that blanket and what it means to raise up a man.
It begins with one mama looking into her son’s eyes for the next 18 years and showing him what it means to be a woman.
I brought you home when I was 21.
I cradled you, you crying and me crying, and the essence of me ran liquid and milky and a woman poured out of herself to keep you alive. You rooted hungry and it was the roots of a woman that nourished you. It was a woman who gave you life, who was the grace of God that kept you alive, who is the mother of all the living.
I held you when fever burned your forehead. And I stroked back your hair when your stomach churned and I cleaned us both up when you vomited all over everything. I opened books for you and stoked your mind and unpacked a world before you and I laid down me to make more of you and it wasn’t a sacrifice but the unexpected grace of motherhood.
We talked about life being much more than you can see, so you knew that a woman is always more more than you can see. I kept trying to be at peace in my own body so that you would always see women as more than a body. And I always told you that I’ve only ever met beautiful people. Ugly is only a state of soul.
In 8 short weeks from today, you’ll blow out your candles and look up across the table and that baby I brought home at 21 will be 18. I don’t know how that happened. I got a lot wrong. And there’ll be a mother in Steubenville who will be shattered that her teen son’s behind bars and how in the world did that happen. We’re all getting a lot wrong.
Like that night I was 19 and I saw it in my rear view mirror, how a 20-something man reached over and started fondling a terrified 14 year-old sleeping girl. How he shrugged his shoulders when we confronted him, like he was brushing away an annoying fly. How there were girls that whispered that he’d grabbed them too in the dark of a car when he drove them home from youth group, how there were all these shy and ashamed girls who were violated and forced and indifferently robbed.
I want to tell you, son — we were all church kids. There was no alcohol. There were no parties. There were no football teams.
There were young men who opened their Bibles and didn’t value the worth of a God-fashioned woman made for glory, young men who sang worship songs and satiated their lust by ripping off the dignity of a sacred human being, young men who said women were the weaker vessel meant let’s drink them dry and be merry.
We went to the church elders.
A handful of us girls with one teenage boy who knew what he saw and wasn’t afraid, we went to the elders and sat there with our hands literally shaking and our mouths impossibly dry and we tried to find words for what should never have to be said. My cheeks and throat burned.
And I have never told anyone what happened next, but after Steubenville, to stay silent is to let perpetrators perpetuate.
We were looked in the eye, Son, and what we were told, those words tried to shatter God —
“Boys will be boys.”
Son. When the prevailing thinking is boys will be boys — girls will be garbage.
And that is never the heart of God.
That’s what you have to get, Son — Real Manhood knows the heart of God for the daughters of His heart.
Your Dad is one of those men. When he heard of what happened in Steubenville, how boys your age had violated a young woman with such indifference and ignorance, he said it to me quiet –
Unless a man looks to Jesus, a man doesn’t know how to treat a woman.
So this is what your dad and I want you to get, to get this and never forget it: that when God decided to pull on skin and make His visitation into the world, He didn’t show up in some backroom of an inner boy’s club or regale us with some black tie inaugural affair.
This is what God chose as best, this is where He first became one of us: God chose to make His entry point into the world through the holy space of a woman, to enfold Himself inside of a woman, to drink of a woman, be held and nourished and cared for by a woman — that’s the jolting truth of how God loves His daughters with His honor.
That Christ never beat down a woman with harsh words or lusting eyes or sneering innuendos, but He stepped in and stopped a broken woman from the abuse of angry men. Christ came to the defense of a hurting woman and the Son of Man stood between her ache and her attackers and He lifted the weight of shame from her and cupped her heart with hope and wrote a new future into the dust and dirt of everything and he saved. her. life. That’s how God loves His daughters with His defense.
That Christ didn’t degrade women in His talk, but He made women heroes in His stories. He invited a woman with a coin and broom to reveal the truth about the Kingdom of God. He honored an intentional woman with an unjust judge as unveiling the character of God. He elevated a lonely, unmarried woman who dropped her meager resources into the temple treasury as the rebuke of God for all the rich and religious. That’s how God loves His daughters with His words.
That Christ didn’t demonize women but He accepted the presence of a woman reviled by the self-righteous, He sat with the scandalous woman the righteous regarded as damaged goods, He welcomed the rejected and the immodest though he lost the respect of the religious. That’s how God loves His daughter with His grace.
That when Christ stepped out of that black tomb, he still didn’t choose to first manifest Himself to prestigious officials, religious leaders, the Twelve, but instead He revealed Himself first to the women, He entrusted the veracity of His resurrection to the testimony of the women, He offered the privilege of proclaiming Christ as the risen Savior to the women, though no court at the time would accept their testimony. That’s how God loves His daughters with His regard.
So your Dad wanted you to know — when you turn the pages of the Bible, Son, let everything you read of women be shaped by how Jesus sealed His view and value of women.
Let Christ shape you and not the magazine covers of the Walmart checkout: Real Manhood never objectifies women. Real Manhood edifies women.
Real Manhood means you don’t get drunk, and a man can get drunk on a lot more than alcohol.
Men drunk on power, on control, on ego, lose more than all inhibition — they lose The Way, their own souls. Men drunk on anything can destroy everything and real manhood thirsts for righteousness.
Real Manhood means peer pressure only makes you stronger in Christ.
That in a culture where it’s the tendency to bend, you’ll stand. That in situations where there’s tendency to look the other way, you’ll look for help. That, at times in the church when there’s a tendency to be divisive on the secondary and a unified front of silence on the painful, you’ll seek to rightly divide the truth and unify the brokenhearted.
Because if Christ is The Truth — then where there isn’t Truth, there isn’t Christ. Why ever be afraid of the Truth?
Because if you’re at peace in Christ, you fight injustice.
And Son?
Real Manhood means you take responsibility for your body.
A woman’s immodesty is never an excuse for a man’s irresponsibility. Responsible men — are response-able. This is your job. A woman has her’s. Focus on yours. Real Men don’t focus responsibility on women staying “pure” but on men not pressuring. (Truth is, none of us are pure, Son, and the onus is on you, Son, to pursue holiness.)
Your Dad and I need you to know:
Real Men never pressure but treasure. No one tries to crush a diamond.
Because pressuring a girl? Is blackmail, coercion and repeated robbery attempts. You’re meant to be a man, not the mafia. When you’re pressuring a girl for what you want — is your flag to lean into Jesus who will give you what you need.
The thing is: Real Manhood means you hallow womanhood. A woman isn’t a toy to amuse your lusts, a thing to aggrandize your ego, a trophy to adorn your manhood. A woman is of your rib, who birthed your rib, who cupped your rib, who is meant to be gently cherished at your rib, at your side.
The culture of boys will be boys — means girls will be garbage and you were made for more than this, Son. Your Dad and I believe boys will be godly and boys will be honoring and boys will be humble.
And that teenage boy from youth group, who saw how girls were hurting and violated in shadows and shame, who stood with the wounded because he believed real men of God are men for the hurting?
That brave teenage boy, Son?
He’s now your Dad.
There are more than a few good men, Son.
Real men like their Father — who laid down His life for His daughters.
---From "25 Things Our Sons Need To Know About Manhood" written by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.
(everything that is highlighted in blue is a link)
~ ~ ~
Dear Son,
When you’re the mother of four sons, Steubenville is about us.
Steubenville is about having a conversation with sons about hard things and asking you to do holy things.
Because a Steubenville doesn’t begin with football and it doesn’t begin with alcohol and it doesn’t begin with unsupervised jocks with inflated egos and shriveled morals. It begins with one woman bringing home a man-child in her arms, one mama unwrapping that blanket and what it means to raise up a man.
It begins with one mama looking into her son’s eyes for the next 18 years and showing him what it means to be a woman.
I brought you home when I was 21.
I cradled you, you crying and me crying, and the essence of me ran liquid and milky and a woman poured out of herself to keep you alive. You rooted hungry and it was the roots of a woman that nourished you. It was a woman who gave you life, who was the grace of God that kept you alive, who is the mother of all the living.
I held you when fever burned your forehead. And I stroked back your hair when your stomach churned and I cleaned us both up when you vomited all over everything. I opened books for you and stoked your mind and unpacked a world before you and I laid down me to make more of you and it wasn’t a sacrifice but the unexpected grace of motherhood.
We talked about life being much more than you can see, so you knew that a woman is always more more than you can see. I kept trying to be at peace in my own body so that you would always see women as more than a body. And I always told you that I’ve only ever met beautiful people. Ugly is only a state of soul.
In 8 short weeks from today, you’ll blow out your candles and look up across the table and that baby I brought home at 21 will be 18. I don’t know how that happened. I got a lot wrong. And there’ll be a mother in Steubenville who will be shattered that her teen son’s behind bars and how in the world did that happen. We’re all getting a lot wrong.
Like that night I was 19 and I saw it in my rear view mirror, how a 20-something man reached over and started fondling a terrified 14 year-old sleeping girl. How he shrugged his shoulders when we confronted him, like he was brushing away an annoying fly. How there were girls that whispered that he’d grabbed them too in the dark of a car when he drove them home from youth group, how there were all these shy and ashamed girls who were violated and forced and indifferently robbed.
I want to tell you, son — we were all church kids. There was no alcohol. There were no parties. There were no football teams.
There were young men who opened their Bibles and didn’t value the worth of a God-fashioned woman made for glory, young men who sang worship songs and satiated their lust by ripping off the dignity of a sacred human being, young men who said women were the weaker vessel meant let’s drink them dry and be merry.
We went to the church elders.
A handful of us girls with one teenage boy who knew what he saw and wasn’t afraid, we went to the elders and sat there with our hands literally shaking and our mouths impossibly dry and we tried to find words for what should never have to be said. My cheeks and throat burned.
And I have never told anyone what happened next, but after Steubenville, to stay silent is to let perpetrators perpetuate.
We were looked in the eye, Son, and what we were told, those words tried to shatter God —
“Boys will be boys.”
Son. When the prevailing thinking is boys will be boys — girls will be garbage.
And that is never the heart of God.
That’s what you have to get, Son — Real Manhood knows the heart of God for the daughters of His heart.
Your Dad is one of those men. When he heard of what happened in Steubenville, how boys your age had violated a young woman with such indifference and ignorance, he said it to me quiet –
Unless a man looks to Jesus, a man doesn’t know how to treat a woman.
So this is what your dad and I want you to get, to get this and never forget it: that when God decided to pull on skin and make His visitation into the world, He didn’t show up in some backroom of an inner boy’s club or regale us with some black tie inaugural affair.
This is what God chose as best, this is where He first became one of us: God chose to make His entry point into the world through the holy space of a woman, to enfold Himself inside of a woman, to drink of a woman, be held and nourished and cared for by a woman — that’s the jolting truth of how God loves His daughters with His honor.
That Christ never beat down a woman with harsh words or lusting eyes or sneering innuendos, but He stepped in and stopped a broken woman from the abuse of angry men. Christ came to the defense of a hurting woman and the Son of Man stood between her ache and her attackers and He lifted the weight of shame from her and cupped her heart with hope and wrote a new future into the dust and dirt of everything and he saved. her. life. That’s how God loves His daughters with His defense.
That Christ didn’t degrade women in His talk, but He made women heroes in His stories. He invited a woman with a coin and broom to reveal the truth about the Kingdom of God. He honored an intentional woman with an unjust judge as unveiling the character of God. He elevated a lonely, unmarried woman who dropped her meager resources into the temple treasury as the rebuke of God for all the rich and religious. That’s how God loves His daughters with His words.
That Christ didn’t demonize women but He accepted the presence of a woman reviled by the self-righteous, He sat with the scandalous woman the righteous regarded as damaged goods, He welcomed the rejected and the immodest though he lost the respect of the religious. That’s how God loves His daughter with His grace.
That when Christ stepped out of that black tomb, he still didn’t choose to first manifest Himself to prestigious officials, religious leaders, the Twelve, but instead He revealed Himself first to the women, He entrusted the veracity of His resurrection to the testimony of the women, He offered the privilege of proclaiming Christ as the risen Savior to the women, though no court at the time would accept their testimony. That’s how God loves His daughters with His regard.
So your Dad wanted you to know — when you turn the pages of the Bible, Son, let everything you read of women be shaped by how Jesus sealed His view and value of women.
Let Christ shape you and not the magazine covers of the Walmart checkout: Real Manhood never objectifies women. Real Manhood edifies women.
Real Manhood means you don’t get drunk, and a man can get drunk on a lot more than alcohol.
Men drunk on power, on control, on ego, lose more than all inhibition — they lose The Way, their own souls. Men drunk on anything can destroy everything and real manhood thirsts for righteousness.
Real Manhood means peer pressure only makes you stronger in Christ.
That in a culture where it’s the tendency to bend, you’ll stand. That in situations where there’s tendency to look the other way, you’ll look for help. That, at times in the church when there’s a tendency to be divisive on the secondary and a unified front of silence on the painful, you’ll seek to rightly divide the truth and unify the brokenhearted.
Because if Christ is The Truth — then where there isn’t Truth, there isn’t Christ. Why ever be afraid of the Truth?
Because if you’re at peace in Christ, you fight injustice.
And Son?
Real Manhood means you take responsibility for your body.
A woman’s immodesty is never an excuse for a man’s irresponsibility. Responsible men — are response-able. This is your job. A woman has her’s. Focus on yours. Real Men don’t focus responsibility on women staying “pure” but on men not pressuring. (Truth is, none of us are pure, Son, and the onus is on you, Son, to pursue holiness.)
Your Dad and I need you to know:
Real Men never pressure but treasure. No one tries to crush a diamond.
Because pressuring a girl? Is blackmail, coercion and repeated robbery attempts. You’re meant to be a man, not the mafia. When you’re pressuring a girl for what you want — is your flag to lean into Jesus who will give you what you need.
The thing is: Real Manhood means you hallow womanhood. A woman isn’t a toy to amuse your lusts, a thing to aggrandize your ego, a trophy to adorn your manhood. A woman is of your rib, who birthed your rib, who cupped your rib, who is meant to be gently cherished at your rib, at your side.
The culture of boys will be boys — means girls will be garbage and you were made for more than this, Son. Your Dad and I believe boys will be godly and boys will be honoring and boys will be humble.
And that teenage boy from youth group, who saw how girls were hurting and violated in shadows and shame, who stood with the wounded because he believed real men of God are men for the hurting?
That brave teenage boy, Son?
He’s now your Dad.
There are more than a few good men, Son.
Real men like their Father — who laid down His life for His daughters.
---From "25 Things Our Sons Need To Know About Manhood" written by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.
Farewell, Uncle Vernon. We'll Miss You.
British Actor, Richard Griffiths dies at 65
 |
| Richard Griffiths |
Harry Potter fans will probably remember this seasoned actor best as Uncle Vernon in the Harry Potter
movies; Richard Griffiths was able to bring the nasty character to life
in such a believable way that it was a shock to turn and watch him in The History Boys, where he played the flawed but beloved teacher Hector, or as the shambolic Uncle Monty in the critically acclaimed Withnail and I.
After learning the news, Radcliffe has spoken out about Griffiths’ death, saying, “Richard was by my side during two of the most important moments of my career,” those being his first scene as Harry Potter and his first stage production. “Any room he walked into was made twice as funny and twice as clever just by his presence,” Radcliffe says. “I am proud to say I knew him."
We are very sad to learn about this tragic loss to the acting community. We wish his family and friends the best in this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Richard Griffiths.
Source: Hypable
 |
| You'll always be Uncle Vernon Dursley to me : ) |
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Maybe One Day She'll Listen...
It's a relief to know that I'm not the only one who finds her immature and self absorbed. Seriously, I would just love for her to go away...like to college...then again, she may write a song about how she dated her teacher and he dumped her for a better job offer.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tumblr Site
I've always loved going to Tumblr to find graphics and gifs for the videos that I make, as well as find pins for my Pinterest boards. Finally, after some deliberation, I decided to sign up for an account. It was literally the easiest process in the world!!! I've already begun following some 21 various Tumblr pages! Anyways check my page at:
And the link is on the top of my pages!!!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Blogluvin
I've heard about this new site of sorts called Bloglovin and seeing as I'm always in to something new, so I'm going to try it.
Blissful Second
 |
| Q (Ben Whishaw) and Bond (Daniel Craig) meet for the first time in "Skyfall." |
This was my favorite scene in the whole movie and this gif was too cute not to post.
When I saw Q*, I was like, "Whoa!! Gorgeous geek overload."
And I spent the rest of the movie in anticipation of seeing him again. To put it simply, this man totally made Skyfall a worthy watch (Daniel Craig just comes without saying). I'm enjoying this 'Geeky is the new sexy' in the social media right now and I hope it stays for a while.
While I have never been a James Bond fan, I have always enjoyed the Daniel Craig Bond movies and I am planning to do a movie review for Skyfall sometime in the near future.
*Q stands for Quarter Master, the head of the weapons and gadgets department. Like most of the people that work with MI6, there has to be anonymity and so we don't know Q's real name.
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Bible (2013)
 | |
| The Bible (2013) |
My family started watching this when it premiered two weeks ago
and we absolutely love it!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May luck be our companion
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.
~Irish Blessing
May friends stand by our side
May history remind us all
Of Ireland's faith and pride.
May God bless us with happiness
May love and faith abide.
~Irish Blessing
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Oz: The Great and Powerful
 | |
| Oz: The Great and Powerful |
This movie is a prequel to the actual Wizard of Oz movie, where we basically meet the wizard, the witches, the people of Oz and everything that happened before Dorothy crash landed (on one of the three witches we meet) some twenty years later.
~ ~ ~
Oscar "Oz" / The Wizard Of Oz
 |
| James Franco as Oscar/The wizard |
A magician, a con man, a cheat, and everything else one wouldn't expect a good leader to be; but Oscar or Oz as his friends call him, doesn't want to be a leader or even a good man, but a great man. To him, a great man is Houdini, the greatest magician in the world or Einstein, the greatest man of science. For Oscar, though, all he has is a hat and a bag of tricks in a low end circus in Kansas, not to mention a failing act and numerous enemies to deal with.
When Oscar's friend and might have been love Annie reveals that she has accepted the proposal of John Gale, the magician realizes his only chance of happiness has slipped through his fingers. Now alone with no one else, but his hard working stage hand, Oscar faces a life that is lonely and meaningless. That is until...a tornado speeds into town and Oscar is caught up in it flying in a hot air balloon.
When he thinks that his life might be over, Oscar wakes up to find himself in a strange and majestic world, known simply as Oz. He is overwhelmed by the beauty and color of the whole new world, but is even more overwhelmed by the beautiful woman he meets, Theodora. She believes him to be the prophesied wizard that would save Oz and bring it back to its glory.
Theodora takes Oscar to the Emerald City where he meets her sultry older sister, Evanora who tells Oscar that to claim all that is in the Emerald City, he must find the wicked witch and destroy her wand. Sounds easy enough for him, but he was in for a big surprise.
James Franco has always been a favorite actor of mine, ever since I saw him in Spiderman...ok, more like I've had a big crush on him for a long time...and he brought so much charm (no pun intended) and charisma to the role of the legendary wizard. He could go from playing a self-centered, narcissistic con-man, to a kind and generous leader. Oscar's journey is about a man longing for greatness, but to obtain, it he must learn that goodness is the strongest characteristic of all.
~ ~ ~
Glinda, the Good Witch
 | ||
| Michelle Williams as Glinda, the Good Witch |
The protector and leader of the small and ordinary people of Oz, Glinda is the only person who sees Oscar as who he really is, a cheater and a liar. She can also see who he is meant to be as well, a leader and a good man who can redeem Oz from it's harsh ruler and bring it back to the kingdom that it once was under her father. Beautiful, but powerful, Glinda is loved by all her people who look to her to protect them from the harm of the wicked witch and she will stop at nothing to save her people from the powers of evil that threaten them.
Gracious, winsome, and angelic, Michelle Williams was stunning and irresistibly beautiful in her role as the good witch, and Oscar's love interest. She had all the qualities and characteristics that the good witch of Oz should have, as well as a sharp and witty sense of humor. Glinda was an enchanting character from beginning to end.
~ ~ ~
Theodora
 |
| Mila Kunis as Theodora |
The first face that Oscar meets and his warm welcome into Oz, which is saying much, since they are almost killed by the wicked witch's minions within the first three minutes of their meeting. Theodora believes that Oscar is their prophesied king. Although she is beautiful, Theodora is very naive and vulnerable and tends to think with her heart and not her head. She has an innocent soul and a gentle spirit, but even a spirit can break and as powerful as she can be, Theodora is no exception to heart ache and pain.
Even though her character may seem somewhat ditzy in the beginning, Mila Kunis was wonderful with her performance as Theodora. She is an actress that can convey so many emotions with just one look. As the story progresses, so does Theodora's character, who learns the definitive difference between greatness and goodness, love and hate, and revenge and forgiveness.
~ ~ ~
Evanora
 |
| Rachel Weisz as Evanora |
The seductive and sensual witch of Emerald City, Evanora is the counselor to the king and the regent leader until the unknown Wizard comes into being. Fiercely protective of her younger sister, Evanora gives the appearance of being compassionate and loving, but as witch she is very good with appearances and can even fool her own family. She is cunning and deceitful and can fool her sister, the wizard, and the people, but Glinda who sees through her act and who Evanora herself is eager to destroy.
Rachel Weisz was as lovely as ever playing the stunning witch of Emerald City. Not only was she beautiful, but she gave the performance of a very intelligent witch that had spent a good amount of time plotting and planning for the wizard's arrival.
~ ~ ~
Finley & China Girl
 |
| Finley (voiced by Zach Braff) and China Girl (voiced by Joey King) |
The wizards two unlikely companions. A talking, flying money dressed like a bell hop who desperately wants a friend and a cracked china doll who has lost her family and home, due to the wizard's arrival to Oz. Oscar doesn't see any potential in either one of them, but as time goes on they, like the rest of Oz, surprise him with their inner gifts and strengths.
Finley (voiced by Zach Braff): A generous and fun loving monkey who finds himself in trouble upon meeting the wizard. When Oscar frees him, Finley feels that he owes him a life debt offers him his service for whatever the great wizard asks. At first Oscar disregards the little monkey's offer, but then sees the potential that he has in getting the job done.
Finely was the most lovable character in the entire film! I immediately fell in love with him! When you see flying monkey, you might immediately think, the witch's flying monkeys (hence the flying monkey joke in The Avengers), but sweet Finley is exactly the opposite.
China Girl (voiced by Joey King): When her home is destroyed by the wicked witch, her family killed and her own two legs broken off, dear, sweet China Girl doesn't see any reason in going on. Until the wizard and Finley happen upon her and for the first time, Oscar shows a sign of decency and dignity by re-gluing her legs back on and helping her to walk again. Against Oscar's wishes, China Girl joins him and Finley in capturing the wicked witch and freeing Oz. Eventually, she becomes proof that the greatest of powers can be found in the smallest of people.
Definitely a sweet addition to the storyline of Oz. China Girl is feisty and even a little argumentative with Oscar in the beginning, but her character (like Finley) grows and develops as the story progresses.
~ ~ ~
 |
| The Wizard and the three witches of Oz |
Romantic, adventurous, mysterious and an all around entertaining film. The costumes were nothing short of exquisite and every character had their own individual style from Evanmora's glamorous beaded gowns to Glinda's simple flowing dresses (actually all her dresses resembled wedding dresses...). This movie really captured the essence of the magic and fantasy world of Oz...and hopefully, there may be a sequel to follow. It's truly a great movie to start off the summer movie season!
 |
| The Wicked Witch |
Camelot (2011 Series)
***Before I start, I need to say that this is not a family series. It is not meant for young children to watch. There is adult content* that should only be seen by adult viewers.***
*Graphic sexual content in certain episodes
*Graphic violence
*Witchcraft and sorcery
 |
| Camelot |
Now, you might think that with a warning like that you would be wondering:
"WHY ON EARTH IS SHE WRITING ABOUT SUCH A SHOW!!!!"
The reason being, that in spite of the adult content, it is an amazing and wonderful show!!! Also, not everyone that follows me is under 18. I will admit, I did have my reservations about reviewing, but I realized that just because there may be some questionable content, doesn't mean I should write off a good, well written show.
The first time I saw Camelot, I bought it without viewing it first. I had been curious about the show for a long time and I was really anxious to see it. Well...I couldn't get through the pilot episode after the second sex scene that had been shown. Now I really felt like an idiot and shelved the series.
A few weeks later I was curious to see what happened in the show and so I, with caution, took the DVDs off the shelf and continued to watch. I was glad I did, because after the pilot episode, the rest of the show was amazing! Beautiful locations, exceptional acting, stunning costumes, compelling music and of course, a gripping storyline that kept we watching episode after episode. As a matter of fact, I finish the show (all ten episodes) in two days.
~ ~ ~
King Arthur Pendragon
 |
| Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur Pendragon |
The British isles are divided into five kingdoms all ruled by kings or lords, but one small kingdom begins to emerge from its obscure beginnings becoming more powerful with its growth. That kingdom is called Camelot and it can only have one ruler on its throne.
Arthur, the spoiled younger son of Sir Ector (Sean Pertwee), has lived a charmed and happy life with his parents and older brother. Known for his love of mischief and greater love of beautiful women, Arthur cares for nothing outside of his father's property. Arthur's life takes a drastic change when King Uther is pronounced dead and mysterious man named Merlin (Joseph Fiennes) arrives at his family's home.
Merlin tells Arthur straight out that he is not Ector's son, but the illegitimate son of King Uther and Queen Igraine (Clair Forlani) and now king of Camelot, who has been without a ruler for many years. Confused, but curious, Arthur sets out with his loyal brother, Kay (Peter Mooney), to discover this new land and find his calling destiny.
Arthur's new life could begin on happy note, but unbeknownst to him there is another heir to the throne, his older half-sister, Morgan Pendragon (Eve Green) who, although she has taken over her father's throne and kingdom, will stop at nothing to take over Camelot that she also believes to be rightfully hers. As much as Arthur wants peace between him and his sister, Morgan refuses to acknowledges that her half-brother is the king and wages war on him and his new kingdom.
Life in Camleot is as unpredictable as the weather, but Arthur gains friends and companions who help him to becomes the king he is meant to be. His brother Kay, Marshall of England, the courageous King's Champion, Leontes (Philip Winchester), the fierce and brash Gawain (Clive Standon), and the loud and lovable Brastias (Diarmaid Murtagh), become his first knights of the growing round table. Arthur also finds love in the beautiful and noble Guinevere, who is married to Leontes which causes much strife and strain between the two secret lovers. He also grows to love his kind and lonely mother, Queen Igraine.
Seeing Arthur's journey from mischievous boy to a powerful king was enjoyable to watch and Jamie Campbell Bower brought a fresh energy to the legendary character of Arthur Pendragon. Some people thought Jamie to be too young, but I though it was perfect to make Arthur young, rash and reckless. That way you are able to see growth and maturity in the character and the boy who was destined to be a king.
~ ~ ~
Lady Morgan Pendragon
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| Eva Green as Morgan Pendragon |
Beautiful, vengeful, and powerful, Morgan Pendragon has the makings to become a great queen. Hated by her father and sent away to live in a nunnery at fifteen, Morgan has returned to her King Uther's kingdom seeking revenge for her his actions as well as do away with her loathed step-mother, Queen Igraine, who Morgan believes is the reason her father hates her in the first place.
Where Arthur seeks to rule Camelot with compassion and loyalty, Morgan believes is deception and sorcery. When Sybil (Sinead Cusack), a crafty and cruel nun from Morgan's past, arrives at her kingdom, she begins to teach Morgan the proper way to deceive and fool the lowly peasants as well as use magic to accomplish her hardest of goals.
Morgan believes that she can overcome Arthur, punish Igraine, and outsmart Merlin with her cunning skills and stunning beauty. What Morgan doesn't know is that her brother is stronger than he looks, that her step-mother is more innocent that perceived to be and that the powerful wizard lives by his heart and not by his extraordinary skills.
While I enjoyed the character of Morgan (as did most people) much of Eva Green's performance seemed too dramatic, which would have worked wonderfully on stage (she is a theater actress), but didn't do well on camera. Morgan is meant to be larger than life, but sometimes Eva Green could have toned down her portrayal and act a little more realistic.
At the same time, Eva was wonderful at getting inside Morgan's head and allowing the audience to see a broken woman who wants to be loved and respected. All Morgan has ever known is hardship and sorrow and Eva's portrayal done with emotion and depth helped you to get a better understanding and feel of a women who longs for power and greatness.
~ ~ ~
Merlin
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| Joseph Fiennes as Merlin |
Haunted by the wrongs that his magic has done, Merlin has put away all uses of his sorcery and lives the life of a normal commoner. Even though, that doesn't stop his wisdom and knowledge of the world and the ability to hope for a better life the people of Camelot, of which he believes can all come together with the coming of King Arthur Pendragon.
This is a very different Merlin; he is young and not so charming. He is aware of his great power and the intellect of his mind, but also has a compassionate and generous heart, mostly seen by Lady Igraine. It is Merlin that pushes Arthur to strive to become a better man, to go farther than the others before him and to think with his soul rather than with his mind alone, as well as becoming a father figure to Arthur and the other knights
Unlike Morgan who sees magic as a tool for greatness, Merlin sees magic as a dangerous and detrimental force that destroys the lives of the innocent. In spite of all that, his magic is still in his blood and there are times when it is out of his control. Of all the things Merlin is capable of doing, loving doesn't seem to be one of them, but Queen Igraine, with her kindness and patience begins to soothe his guilty conscience.
I thought Joseph Fiennes was perfect for this role! Merlin and Arthur are hardly friends when the story begins. Even though Merlin sees potential in Arthur, he pushes him to the absolute limit to where Arthur begins to doubt his place as a king. Merlin also has a flirtatious relationship with Morgan; both of them aware of each others incredible power and both are unwilling to surrender to the other in defeat.
~ ~ ~
Lady Guinevere
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| Tasmin Egerton as Guinevere |
The jewel of Camelot, wife of the king's champion, and secret lover to King Arthur, Guinevere is a complex and confusing character herself. Although she may give the appearance of being a porcelain doll and delicate princess, Guinevere is strong and courageous and isn't afraid to fight for Camelot's freedom. Although, when it comes to choosing between her loyal husband and the young handsome king, she is scared and unsure of herself and her feelings.
Guinevere's on and off love affair with Arthur is almost stressful to watch. While she is very much in love with her Leontes, who seems to be the ultimate image that every woman wants in a husband, she also is attracted to Arthur's rash nature and love of life. Guinevere is haunted and guilt ridden of her affairs with Arthur, frightened at the prospect of her husband finding out and fearing that she may lose both men in the process.
Probably the most beautiful Guinevere I have ever seen! Tasmin did a lovely job portraying Guinevere as a vulnerable and insecure woman who probably wasn't ready for marriage and who needed to examine her heart, her mind, and her soul before she knew who she was meant to love.
~ ~ ~
Queen/Lady Igraine
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| Claire Forlani as Queen Igraine |
Lonely and unloved by many, Igraine is probably the most misinterpreted character in the story. She was endlessly pursued by king Uther who asked Merlin to transform him into Igraine's first husband so he can spend one night with her. That very night Uther's men invade Igraine's home, kill her husband and then she is forced to marry Uther and live in a loveless marriage. When she gives birth to Uther's son, Arthur, Merlin takes him away from her (to be raised by Sir Ector so he may know how live an honorable life) and forbids her to ever see him again.
Flash forward eighteen years later, Uther is now dead and Morgan has taken over his kingdom. She now gets her revenge on her hated step-mother and sends her away. While in Camelot, Igraine is finally reunited with her long lost son, but he is anything but thrilled to see his biological mother. Arthur accuses her of not loving him and abandoning him, of which she tells him she had no choice. Igraine is perceived by the people to be cold and without feeling, she is misjudged by her marriage to Uther. After Arthur blames her for never knowing his true home, Igraine has finally had enough and confronts him of the pain and agony she has lived through, being separated from her only son, living in an agonizing marriage, being hated by everyone around her, especially her step-daughter, and never knowing true love or happiness.
Eventually, Igraine wins the respect and love of the people around her, especially Merlin who even refers to her as Camelot's queen of hearts. She is source of comfort and knowledge for Guinevere and the other young girls. That doesn't stop Morgan from gaining revenge on Camelot and uses Igraine as her ploy to destroy the only happiness she has ever known.
I love Igraine! She is probably my favorite female role in the story! You really pity the circumstances that she is in and then rejoice when she is finally treated with the love and respect she has waited so long to receive. Igraine falls in love with Merlin and he tries with every ounce of his spirit not to fall in love with her, but her kindness and generosity overcomes his doubt which finds them both believing that they find happiness together in their new home.
~ ~ ~
Kay, Marshall of England
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| Peter Mooney as Kay |
Arthur's loyal and protective older brother who travels with him and Merlin to Camelot, but his beginning journey to Camelot is not easy. Not only does he have to deal with Arthur's difficult half-sister, he watches as his mother murdered in front of his eyes and his father is killed protecting both of his sons. Even though Kay is a Christian, he struggles with God and his plan for his life, for Arthur and the fate of Camelot.
Kay is the opposite of Arthur in every imaginable way, which makes him the perfect companion to the king as well as a much needed asset to the growth of Camelot. Although, not a strong fighter, Kay is a gifted negotiator and manages to to get the job done with only a few well thought out words. Kay believes in absolute justice and will not stand by and watch as injustice is given out to the people of Camelot and the other surrounding kingdoms. He is also Arthur's disciplinarian who isn't afraid to tell his brother off when he needs it, king or not, Arthur is still his brother.
Charming and handsome, it is easy to see why so many girls fell in love with Kay. He is without a doubt my favorite character! The contrasting differences between Kay and Arthur was hilarious to watch, but seeing him fulfill his role as the king's protector as well as remaining the watchful older brother is what made his character so wonderful to enjoy.
~ ~ ~
The Knights of Camelot
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| The knights, (L-R, Brastias, Leontes, and Gawain) |
It's easy to say that these three were the comic relief of the story. Their differences in character and personality are all united by the calling of Camelot's knights. These three are the beginning of Arthur's legendary Knights of the Round Table.
Leontes: The king's champion (which is the equivalent of the first knight) is a skilled fighter, a loyal husband and devout Christian who never wavers in his faith in Jesus Christ and God's plan for his life. He loves his wife with a passion and is devoted to her as well as to his king. Leontes never falters or fails and is always in the thick of the fiercest battle.
Upon the discovery that Guinevere has been in an affair with the king, Leontes could challenge Arthur or divorce his wife for her unfaithfulness, but instead he leaves to try and better understand why God has done this to him and the reason for the disloyalty of the two people he loves more than anything. And yet, he is still the king's champion and made a vow before God to remain faithful to his wife and his king, no matter the circumstances.
Gawain: Melancholy and usually in an ill temper, at least when we first meet him, Gawain is one of the fiercest swordsman in the five kingdoms. Unlike Leontes, Gawain is an atheist who believes that God has nothing to do with him or his life. He is sought out by Merlin to come to fight for Arthur, but Gawain makes it very clear that he stands on his own. Only under persuasion by Kay, (who promises to teach him how to read) Gawain goes to Camelot to teach the knights to fight and defend Camelot.
Brastias: The mouth of the group who loves to have a good time wherever he is. It's normally Brastias who cannot stay out of trouble and loves to poke fun at anyone and everyone around him.
~ ~ ~
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| Merlin, Arthur, and Morgan |
This really is a great show, but sadly they had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts with their three leads. What I found most interesting about Camelot than even in spite of the sexual content, there was a deep religious undertone especially regarding the knights. One was a Christian, one was an atheist, and one struggled with God. Gawain believes that Merlin can perform his magic for good and even questions if he is an angel (much to Merlin's dismay).
I'm really glad that I didn't write this show off entirely and keep it on the shelf! The hard part about watching it, is that the story ends on a cliffhanger and now no one will ever know what happens next, but at the same time, it also allows fans to decide what the fate of Camelot will be.
"Be My Light" Camelot theme
Friday, March 15, 2013
Giveaway Prize Arrival!
My giveway prize from Cait and Mime at >>>Notebook Sisters<<< came today!!
Thanks Cait, Mime and Ashley Allery!
You made for one happy blogger!
Week of Deduction
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| A Week of Deduction//March 11th-15th, 2013 |
Thursday, March 14, 2013
"When The Saints" by Sara Groves
I heard this song last night and I thought it was so beautiful that I got out of bed (at 1:30 in the morning), got on i-tunes and bought it!
It's a wonderful song.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
New Pope: Francis I
I just watched history be made for the second time!
The Catholic Church has a new Pope!!!
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| Pope Francis I |
VATICAN CITY - Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires was named leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics on Wednesday after being elected pope. He will be known as Pope Francis I.
The 76-year-old Jesuit - the first non-European pope of the modern era - was introduced to the world – in Latin - from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in front of tens of thousands gathered in the square below.
Minutes earlier, white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel and bells rang out across Rome, prompting cheers and wild applause.
NBC News Special Report: The Vatican announces that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected as the new head of the Catholic Church. Seen as a compassionate conservative, he is the son of a railway worker. He prizes simplicity and humility and was expected to encourage priests to do shoe-leather evangelization, according to his biographer. Bergoglio has only one lung, the other having been removed due to infection when he was a teenager. He reportedly came in second during the 2005 balloting that ultimately elected Benedict XVI.
Smoke billowed from the chimney at 7:07 p.m. (2:07 p.m. ET) on the second day of behind-closed-doors voting and marked the beginning to a new era for a church combating scandal and internal strife. The cardinals are thought to have taken five ballots to reach the two-third majority necessary for a decision. Before being introduced from the balcony, the Argentine cardinal was taken from the Sistine Chapel into a side room called the “Room of Tears” to be dressed in the papal clothes. His appearance was heralded by a Latin announcement beginning with the phrase "Habemus Papam!" meaning, "We have a pope!"
Now known as Pope Emeritus, he was watching Wednesday's events from a temporary lakeside residence at Castel Gandolfo while his permanent living quarters inside Vatican City are refurbished. The behind-the-scenes ballot process that has taken place in the Sistine Chapel should still remain a secret. Both the cardinals and staff working alongside them swore an oath of secrecy as the conclave got under way, with the threat of ex-communication for anyone breaking the church's ancient code. Such is the importance of secrecy that Vatican officials have installed jamming devices to prevent the use of cellphones by cardinals or hidden microphones by anyone wanting to hear their deliberations.
**NBC News**
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Little Asgardians
The longer I look as this, the funnier it gets.
I can imagine little Loki sounding like this:
"Zey were mean bwover..."
Love it : )
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