More on Lent movie reflections

Jeromey Balderrama

As I said in my earlier post, I was hoping to already have Quiz Show this weekend so that I could post some reflections this evening.  Since I set aside time tonight to do that, I’ll just go through the listing of the movies for review (again, these come from the “Lights, Camera, Faith” book, which offers movies that reflect on the theme for readings in the Catholic Lectionary:

If you’re looking for the corresponding readings, I would suggest checking out the USCCB’s web site.  If you’re interested in seeing any of these movies and sharing reflections, I definitely would enjoy the dialog.  Let me know if you’re interested.

Quiz Show Update

Jeromey Balderrama

Just a quick update on my Lent post, committing to do the movie reflections: I have yet to receive Quiz Show, the movie for the 1st Sunday of Lent in the mail.  Quiz Show was first in my Blockbuster queue and was mailed first, but the movie has yet to arrive (even though movies #2 & #3 are both here).  My hope is it’ll be here on Monday and I can watch it and offer reflections within the next day.  I’m not planning to slack on these.

Update: Nothing from Blockbuster on Monday.  Hopefully it’ll be here Tuesday.  I’m going to request movies for week 2 & 3 now so this doesn’t happen again.

No more "Inside the NFL" on HBO

Jeromey Balderrama

I was browsing my feeds tonight when I ran across this story: After 31 years, ‘Inside the NFL’ ceases production on HBO.  All I can say is “damn”, and at this point there goes my only reason to subscribe to HBO.  If you haven’t seen Inside the NFL, and you’re a football fan, you’re really missing out.  Inside is simply fantastic at giving highlights of the game.  At their best, they make the games so theatrical and dramatic, it’s hard to believe they only had 2-3 days to get the footage put together and edited the way it is.  I loved watching the footage of the Broncos home games, as I see the theatrics unfold before me and remind myself “I was there”. It’s definitely highlights as you haven’t seen them before.

As the ESPN story says:

The decision does not mean the end for the program itself. It’s owned by NFL Films, which is looking to continue the show in conjunction with another network in the fall.

I realize that the show may go on, but there’s no way it’ll continue in it’s current form.  Part of what made it awesome was that it was a solid hour of football – no commercials.  I dread thinking about how commercial breaks are going to interrupt the flow of the program.  Not only that, the chemistry of Marino, Collinsworth, Costas and Carter gelled pretty well, and I can’t imagine that their network contracts will allow them to appear on ESPN (maybe the NFL Network).

If they are able to bring this show back and not screw it up too back transitioning it to a regular cable format, the NFL Network may be the most logical place for it.  At least the NFL Network would have something quality to re-air besides the 1000th repeat of “Americas Game”.  It was a great series, but they’ve run that to the bone.

I guess it’s time to cancel HBO.

Kicking off Lent

Jeromey Balderrama

It’s hard to believe that Ash Wednesday is already here (and granted it is much earlier this year), but thus begins the 6 week period of reflection, prayer, abstaining and not-so-good liturgical music (especially from the drummer’s perspective).

A lot of people typically give up something for Lent.  Some years I try to give things up, but some years I instead try to take something on that I don’t normally do.  Part of it is with the intention of reflecting on myself and where I need growth (of fasting) in my life, but also what are things that can keep me prayerful by doing (or not doing) those things.  This year I have decided to do a little of both, hoping to improve my physical health along with my spiritual health.  I have been doing really well with keeping up with the gym, working out 4-5 days per week.  It’s not necessary something new to take on, but it is a challenge to maintain this momentum, especially as life is starting to get really busy again. In addition to that, I have decided to refrain from sweets and desserts – no ice cream, cookies, chocolate or candy bars from vending machines.  Eating sweets isn’t necessary something I do every day, but it is something that I will take advantage of at certain restaurants.  Bethany is also giving up the sweet craze as well.

LightsCameraFaith One last thing, Bethany and I are going to do some faith sharing through film, watching movies based on the scripture readings for the Sundays of Lent.  The movies come from a book called “Lights, Camera, Faith“, which is a book that uses recent and popular movies as another way of looking at scripture readings.  If you’re a movie buff at all, and would like to see how God can work through media, I invite you to try this out. The first movie for this Sunday is Quiz Show.  After watching the movie, I will offer my thoughts and reflections through the blog. If you’re interested, I would invite you to do the same, either by responding to my posts or perhaps we could set up a discussion board somewhere.  Let me know if you’d be interesting in learning more, of if there’s something I can do to help you get started.

Super Bowl Recap

Jeromey Balderrama

SadSeau

 

I would be remised as a football fan if I didn’t offer my humble observations on the Pats/Giants Super Bowl on Sunday.

I hosted a Super Bowl party with a dozen family and friends over at my place (thank you guys for coming!).  While I was a little nervous for the large crowd in my seemingly small living room, I think we all had a good time.

24 hours later, here are some observations I’d like to make about the Super Bowl experience, including the game, personal reflections from the game, and my experience in watching the game.  These are in no particular order.

  • I love fly-overs after the Star-Spangled Banner, but do you realize they flew over a stadium where the roof was closed?  Sitting in the upper levels at Mile High I can tell you that the open field is what makes the fly-over.
  • The first two series of the game resulted in scoring.  After that, we went 11 possessions until the next score in the 4th quarter (don’t ask me why I know this, I can only tell you many weren’t happy).
  • Seeing Giants TE Jeremy Shockey sitting up in a suite drinking beer, while his team-mates were duking it out only made me despise him more.  I realize he got hurt at the end of the season, but at least stand on the sideline with your teammates.  He better be in the crowd during the parade as well.
  • Watching Belicheat storm off the field with 1 second left to play was about the most classless thing a coach can do.  I realize nothing’s going to happen in that one second left, but when you blow out people the way you did all season, you need to take your medicine as well.
  • Fox’s Chris Meyers had about the crappiest job in interviewing Belicheat in the locker room. I bet he would have much rather been cleaning the toilets in there than having to deal with the awkwardness that was the bitter Hoodie not saying more than 7 words.
  • By brother-in-law-to-be (how’s that for hyphens) was rooting for the Pats to win, solely because he wanted to see the ’72 Dolphins go away with their antics.  With the way they did the ’98 Broncos, I can understand that.  But after thinking about it, I would much rather deal with the ’72 Dolphins for part of my life than the ’07 Patriots for most of my life.
  • The commercials weren’t all that good but if I were to pick my top 3 I would say it would be PepsiStuff with Justin Timberlake, the Budweiser Rocky Clydesdale, and the ETrade baby with the clown.
  • SadBrady2Watching that smug look wiped off Tom Brady’s face was the best part of the game. I love watching him lose his cool.  I bet that Brady hates Mannings.
  • Someday I’m going to be telling my kids about that catch between Eli Manning and David Tyree.  That was legend.
  • Take & Bake Pizza was definitely the way to go for the party.  There was minimal cooking involved, no stress on delivery, and not to mention the pizza was very good.
  • The next time I want to carry my TV down-stairs to give people a Wii-playing alternative during the Super Bowl – please talk me out of it.

Oh, and this isn’t technically a Super Bowl ad, but this was the "Perfect" way to end the Super Bowl.  This goes out to my future brother-in-law, Tony: