Matt's Musings

I continue my look at my favorite TV series of all time today with a reminder that NBC once used to be a popular, highly-rated network. ER (1994-2009) Network: NBC About: For 15 years, the medical drama about the lives of doctors and nurses at County General Hospital in Chicago, Ill. was a mainstay on Thursday nights. The show was created by Michael Crichton, who based Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) and the show on his experience as a medical doctor. It was headlined in the early years by a fantastic cast — including George Clooney. Famously, all of the originals thought enough of the show and their time on it to be a part, at least in some small way, of the final season. "ER" was a breakthrough in television drama in a lot of ways. It was part of a powerful Thursday night lineup for NBC, and was one of the first shows that hooked me as a youth. At one point during its run, I had watched "ER" for more years of my life than I had not watched it. That's a testament to bot

Today I continue my countdown of my favorite TV series of all time with one that's libel to be polarizing. LOST (2004-2010) Network: ABC About: "LOST" ran for six seasons on ABC, and will go down as one of the most polarizing shows ever. Fans largely loved or hated the series as a whole based on the conclusion to the six-season-long mystery. That's understandable. The show was built around a group of people who survived a plane crash on a mysterious island. The island became a part of the show, and the dense mythology that was a part of the world. It was never going to be possible to please all those who had theories about what was happening, especially as the series went on and the plot became more complex. The producers did their best and, to their credit, did a pretty fine job of getting the show out. Still, for many the ending was unsatisfying. I am one of those who wasn't pleased by the series' finale. I actually wasn't pleased with much of the last t

This is day three of the London Olympics. I love the Olympics. I look forward to it every four years. I have had this one on my calendar for 18 months. Yet, I've seen about 35 minutes of action. Why, you ask? Because I apparently had to move across the western United States, leaving me without TV or Internet access during a once every four years event. Brilliant! So, yes, I am feeling Olympic withdrawal. Somehow listening to interviews on ESPN and watching abbreviated highlights on my phone just doesn't cut it. So, while the rest of the country is celebrating our nation's best and brightest athletes, I guess I will have to make due staring at my wall...

Well, the summer is nearly over. So, too, is the summer movie season. There are just a few blockbusters left, and a few movies that have some promise. August is always an unpredictable month for films, and this year is no different. Here's a look at the highlights. Friday, August 3: Total Recall — This is a re-make, of sorts, of the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Some of the details have been changed, and the characters have been changed. This, allegedly, skews closer to the original source material. Colin Farrell has developed into a reliable main lead, so this could be a good chance for him to build on that with a sci-fi action vehicle. As with all re-makes, this will likely be subject to some intense fan scrutiny. Diary of a Whimpy Kid — Dog Days — This is the third in the "Whimpy Kid" series. Doubtless if you like the books and/or the films, you will be happy to see this one back. Friday, August 10: The Campaign — This is the perfect tonic for political burnout.

Driving can be hard work. That's what I determined on Thursday as we made our way from Fresno, California to Grand Junction, Colorado. Some of the scenery was pretty, and the first time I saw a speed limit sign of 80 MPH I almost had a heart attack, but it was tough sledding. We left at about 6:15 a.m. and got to Grand Junction at 10:30 p.m. local time. Of course, Colorado is an hour ahead, so it was about a 15-hour journey. I drove about 700 miles of the 900 miles we went that day, driving for about 10 hours. Included in that time was four states — California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. My wife, fortunately, took us the rest of the way home, finishing out Utah and scooting into Colorado. There were a few things that were unexpected about the journey. First was physical toll it takes. You feel couped up in the car, and it is just a lot of drive time. Second was the delay in Las Vegas that cost us an hour... that was not fun, especially when you've still got 500 miles to go. I g

Here's a look at the best film of the year so far. The Dark Knight Rises Starring: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Synopsis: How do you balance the weight of expectation with writing the ideal finish to a highly anticipated film series? That was the question before Christopher Nolan and his team as they tried to complete their modern Batman trilogy. It would be hard to imagine the expectations could have been any higher for Nolan’s third Batman film after the iconic work in “The Dark Knight.” Having crafted a masterpiece that set records, changed an entire award voting system, and gave the world an iconic performance from an actor who died too young, Nolan’s second Batman film set a new benchmark in the genre. But with Nolan and star Christian Bale emphatically saying the third outing would be their last with Batman, the question was how to follow up such a masterpiece and wrap up the s

Two weeks ago, the Freeh Report detailed the failings of the adults responsible for football and academic life at Penn State University. It was a startling, stark finding that forever tarnished the reputation of the school, coach Joe Paterno, and all those who were found irresponsible in safeguarding the lives and well-being of young children. On Monday, the world watched at the NCAA handed out its punishment for the school. Most believed it would be severe and historic in its severity, and it was. It also struck me as profoundly unfair. Let me be clear — this scandal has brought deserved shame on those involved and the school. What happened, and what was allowed to happen, is unacceptable on every level. Those involved, and the school, deserve to be punished. But there is a level of punishment here that hurts a group of people that had no role in this tragedy, and that is a tragic turn of events. I'm talking, of course, about the current players. The school was fined $60 million.

Today I continue my look at my favorite TV series of all time with a show about a teenage sleuth. Veronica Mars (2004-2007) Network: UPN/CW About: I have to admit, I was late to the party with "Veronica Mars." I caught up with the whole series after it had been cancelled and was on DVD. But it didn't take long for me to see the allure to a gaggle of fans, very few of whom were actually in high school. This show may have been about a girl in high school and college, but it appealed to a wide audience. That was due in large part to the characters and the writing. Creator Rob Thomas did a great job of creating a fun, vibrant world. The show had interesting self contained cases, but it was the way it wove a season-long mystery into the narrative thread that helped separate the show from others. Kristen Bell was great in the lead role, and Enrico Colantoni was great as her father. Jason Dohring was good as the mercurial Logan and Percy Daggs III was fun as Veronica's frien

Today I continue my summer long look at my favorite shows of all time by jumping to my top 10 series. This list will continue in reverse order (10 to 1). To qualify, a show had to have run at least two full seasons. The X-Files (1993-2002) Network: FOX About: It's hard to believe this show has been off the air for 10 years. Of course the "X-Files" spawned two feature films, the most recent being in 2008. But most true fans would rather forget that last one and remember the way they show concluded its run. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were the heart of the show. Both were dynamic in the role, and played well off each other. The show had a unique sense of humor that served it well, particularly in its final season. "The X-Files" really had two style of episodes — the ones with UFOs and the ones that just featured strange crimes. I wasn't as into the whole UFO mythology, but I loved the unique crime episodes. The writing was strong, the episodes were eng

As I sit in the Seattle airport, it's time to reflect on my week at sea. We were aboard the Star Princess, part of Princess cruise lines, and spent seven days away from the world. Here are some of my highlights: 1. Sea sickness is real. The first day, while at sea pitching around, I did not feel my level best. Fresh air helped, as did staying in the middle of the ship. You know what doesn't help? Sitting in a theater, next to the casino where there's smoke, in the bow of the ship. Not even the allure of the "Hunger Games" could keep me from needing to visit the upper desk for some fresh air. 2. A mid-sea rescue. On our first day at seas, the Star Princess was called to aide a yacht in distress. We were on the top deck when the ship turned 180 degrees. That didn't help my pitchy stomach. It was also quite windy. Some on the ship were miffed at our delay, but it was neat to participate in a mid-sea rescue and everyone got out safely, which is the most important.

Today (Saturday) I went Canadian. The final leg of our cruise was to Victoria, British Columbia. It  was my first foray into Canada, and my first trip outside the United States. It was a beautiful place and fun to see at night. Thankfully it's the English-speaking part of canada, but it was still a little foreign. The first time it occurred to me was when I went to buy something (a DVD of course) and realized I had to ask if they took my money. They did, but the currency I received back had a Queen on it... One thing I noticed was how clean everything seemed. It's sad to think that America, which claims to be the greatest country on Earth, is usually so trashy. Granted, this could have just been a facade for the tourists, but it was a pretty looking place. And now I can proudly declare I am a world traveler... North American anyway.

I've been reading a book called "The Starfish and The Spider" on this cruise. It's a fascinating book about styles of organizations, leadership, and government. One of the fascinating ideas in the book is about how you combat a group with a radical ideology. The example offered is our war on terrorism, specifically with Al Queda. The idea being that the typical response from centralized organizations (like our government) is to fight these ideas with force. That can work against some foes, but not against decentralized foes that are backed by an intense ideology. Instead, the authors pointed to examples of how people have started to use an ideology of care and compassion to win hearts and minds away from the terrorist movement. By showing care and kindness, one can have an ever greater impact and can break down walls. It's so simple and easy, it's amazing we don't do it more often. But when I read that, I couldn't help but think that's the model th

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week. Ted Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Seth MacFarlane Synopsis: What eight-year-old boy wouldn’t wish for his teddy bear to come to life and talk? That’s part of the premise of “Ted,” the first live-action, feature-length film from “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane. Those familiar with MacFarlane’s work will realize that would hardly be the end of his cinematic exploration, and it’s not. What “Ted” is really about is what happens 30 years later, when that teddy bear is a profane layabout preventing his manchild best friend from moving forward in life. It’s a funny premise, somewhat ridiculous, and ultimately hilarious. And it’s pretty much what you’d expect from MacFarlane, who wrote the film, directed the film, and provided the voice of Ted in the film. MacFarlane has a knack for a certain kind of humor. He’s very sarcastic and funny, has great interplay among guys, and is whip smart with send ups of pop culture. On “Famil

What is it in us that forms connections to another person? That’s the fundamental question you have to ask when watching the film “The Vow.” The movie is about a young, married couple — Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams — who suffer a terrible accident. After a prolonged coma, McAdams wakes up, but she’s fundamentally changed. She suffered a traumatic brain injury that essentially erased the last five years of her life — her entire relationship with Tatum and all the decisions and changes she made in her life that led to him. Having just gotten married, this idea was somewhat terrifying to me. Seeing a man struggle with trying to support and love his wife when she didn’t even remember meeting him was deeply sad. The film is based on a true story, which was turned into a book. I haven’t read the book, but I understand the real couple has a strong Christian testimony. The film isn’t really interested in that. Rather, the film is interested in the idea of enduring love, even when you can’

Today I wrap up the first part of my best of TV exploration this summer with my favorite show that was cancelled too soon. Firefly (2004) Network: FOX About: FOX strikes again. The most egregious cancellation on this list belongs to “Firefly.” Yes, if you’re keeping track, three of the shows on this five-show list were on FOX. And this is yet another show (like “Wonderfalls”) where FOX didn’t air the episodes in order, bounced around the timeslot, and basically helped to kill the show before it really got going. And, like “Brisco County Jr.,” the genre didn’t help this show succeed. Look, it’s a space-western from the creator of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” What, that doesn’t suck you in instantly? You’re not alone. When the ads for this show came out, I didn’t know what to think and, thusly, didn’t watch it. I found “Firefly” years later on DVD and felt an instantly blast of shame. It is, without a doubt, one of the most fun and creative shows I’ve ever seen. That is a credit to creato

Today I continue my look at the best shows that were cancelled too soon with a personal favorite, “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.” The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (1993) Network: FOX About: The Western is a genre that has faded significantly from our cultural viewpoint. But once upon a time, Westerns dominated at the Box Office and on the small screen. “The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.” was a family-friendly Western that came out the same year that “The X-Files” debuted. In fact, they debuted on the same night. One became a cult classic that lasted nine seasons. One never found an audience, lasted on 27-episode season and lives on in the hearts of fans. One of the show runners from “Brisco County Jr.” is Carlton Cuse, who went on to be one of the two main show runners for “LOST.’ This was a more family-friendly show, but it was still highly serialized and had somewhat of an ongoing mythology. But that, combined with the Western trappings, is likely what kept audiences from

This morning I awoke to clouds, wind, and the threat of rain... in mid-July. Ah, the precious weather break afforded by Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. For years I've been fascinated with the idea of taking a cruise — being out on the sea away from the perpetual distractions of our daily lives. Today, I will finally embark on said cruise. I tried to prepare for any possible emergency scenario by watching "Poseidon" and "Titanic," but that just didn't fill me with confidence. Instead, I chose "Speed 2: Cruise Control." Just kidding, nothing could make me watch that film ever again... For the next seven days I will be exploring a part of the world that's much cooler (literally), and something I've never seen before. I can't wait to see the wilds of Alaska! With no cell service and spotty Internet, this may be my last post for a week. But rest assured, random theological musings, reviews of films and TV shows, sports theories, and plent

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." — Unknown On Thursday, Louis Freeh offered a report on the scandal that rocked Penn State University. It was nothing short of damning of those in authority, including head football coach Joe Paterno. Of the school's leadership, Freeh said, "Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State." With that, the final tide began to turn on one of the most decorated coaches in the history of college football. It seems hard to believe that as recently as last October most agreed Paterno was one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. Now, his name will be forever linked with perhaps the greatest moral failing of any sporting institution in history. But how did we get here? Last fall, when the Penn State scandal broke, I was angry that most seemed to be giving Paterno a

"Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart." — Unknown Today, my new journey really begins. Last year at this time I felt lost, but there was a spark of hope. I had no idea what God had in store for me, but it's safe to say it has been crazier and better than anything I could have hoped or imagined. Today (15 minutes from now as of this writing), I will marry Lindsay Leann Anderson. She has brought me great happiness and joy, and I know that will continue the rest of our days. It has been said that you never know what God is going to bring into your life, but it's usually 1,000 times better than you'd hoped for. That's certainly the case for me. Today I feel truly blessed and thankful for all the many people who have made this special event possible.

Here's a look at my full review for "Moonrise Kingdom." Moonrise Kingdom Starring: Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Kara Hayward, and Jared Gilman Synopsis: Wes Anderson films are an acquired taste. He is great at creating original characters that are dynamic and featured in quirky, endearing worlds. His films don’t feel like real life, but that’s the point. They are a fun escape. How you feel about Anderson and his films likely depends on what you’re looking for in the film. Connecting to the characters is key in appreciating his work. For me, “Moonrise Kingdom” is Anderson’s best film. It’s also the kind of quirky, endearing break we need during this summer of uneven blockbusters and lackluster attempts at offering entertainment. It is a quiet, darling gem that breaks up the sea of loud, expensive, and over-wrought releases in recent weeks. The film centers on a pair of outcasts that have hatched a plan to make a romantic rendezvous. What mak

"So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles." Acts 1:24-26 This week I was reading the first chapter in Acts and stumbled on a section that we don't think about that often. At the end of the first chapter of Acts there is the story of calling of the 13th disciple, Matthias. There is a lot made in the Gospels about the ministry of Jesus and his 12 disciples. The gospels contain accounts of the selection of the 12, and their role in Jesus' life and ministry. That includes Judas, who betrayed Jesus and later hung himself in shame and guilt. Then Jesus comes back, visits people, offers a final commission, and ascends to Heaven. The disciples who are left are charged w

I continue my look at the Best TV Series that never got a chance to prosper with another Bryan Fuller creation. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) Network: ABC About: Another Bryan Fuller show that was wildly creative that just never found an audience. At one point ABC tried to pair it with "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice." If you've seen those shows, you know that "Pushing Daisies" isn't really the same kind of creation. It's wildly brilliant, funny, and unique. But it's hard to pin it down to one of those standard TV genres. It's a comedy, it's a little sci-fi, and it has some dramatic moments. It was also one of the most visually stunning shows I've ever seen. The color palette was beautiful. The breath-taking scenery and creative visuals were a big part of the appeal. So, too, was the charming cast, led by Lee Pace. Pace was a star in "Wonderfalls," and did even better work in this Fuller creation. Sadly the sh

Today I continue my look at my favorite TV series of all-time. I am counting down the best five series' cancelled too soon before turning to long-run shows later in the summer. As always, I welcome feedback, comments, suggestions, complaints, and anything to make a fun discussion. Wonderfalls (2004) Network: FOX About:  "Wonderfalls" was a quirky drama/comedy that never really found an audience. It was a satirical show that ran over parts of two seasons. It debuted in March of 2004 on FOX and got four spring episodes, a handful of episodes during July, and then a burn-off in October, November, and December. Oh, and I forgot to mention that FOX did the show the incredible service of airing episodes out of order. So the show got 13 episodes, shown in three mini-bursts, out-of-order, and was expected to really pack in the viewers. Nice work, FOX. Co-creators Todd Holland and Bryan Fuller, who created this show and has two shows on this list, really did a nice job of creating

“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” — Richard Bach Seven years ago, my life was profoundly changed. I was three years out of college, I was immersed in my work at the Paso Robles Press, and I thought my life was fine. I worked long, hard hours at a labor of love, and I took my quiet moments on Sundays to watch football, movies, or catch up on rest. What I didn’t know is that God was opening a door in my life and a door in my heart that would lead me on the greatest adventure of my life. And that adventure began with a phone call. The voice on the other end said he and his brother were starting a church and would love it if we did a story. I took the note down, handed off the assignment, and continued on my routine. But when God is calling out for you, when He is chasing after you, you don’t get off that easy. A couple weeks later I needed a nice cover

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a move to get back to relevance — they landed free-agent point guard Steve Nash. Though 38, Nash is still a premier point guard and premier player in the NBA. The idea of pairing him with Kobe Bryant seems like it will instantly upgrade the Lakers' lineup. But now comes the question — what will the rest of that lineup look like? Last year, prior to the start of the season, it seemed the Lakers were pursuing Orlando center Dwight Howard. Howard is a good defensive player, one of the best centers in the league, and a coveted player that seems to constantly be rumored to be available. Once upon a time, the Lakers scored big by prying a center away from the Magic. In that case it was Shaq, and it led to three NBA titles for the Lakers. But is this the same type of situation? I say no. In fact, I agree with Bob Ryan, who on Thursday on PTI said he thought the Lakers were better off staying with the two big men they already have. The Lakers f

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week! The Amazing Spider-Man Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, and Dennis Leary Synopsis: Way back in 2002, director Sam Raimi launched a “Spider-Man” trilogy with star Tobey Maguire. After a superb sequel in 2004 and a second, less superb, sequel in 2007, the series seemed to have run out of gas. But in Hollywood, everything that is old becomes new again. A mere five years after the last installment of the “Spider-Man” franchise, the world’s favorite web-slinger is back in action with a new cast, new director, and new take on the story. Many of the familiar pieces are still here. Peter Parker still likes taking pictures; he’s still a sort of social outcast; his uncle still dies; and he still inherits these strange powers he doesn’t know what to do with. But the trappings of the series have changed, the origin story has been tweaked, and director Mark Webb puts his own spin on the Spider-Man etho

It's the Fourth of July. For most, it's a day of fun, rest, and relaxation. We get to sleep in, have a lazy morning and enjoy our favorite things. For me, that included a trip to the theater to see the latest version of "Spider-Man," watching Joey Chestnut put down 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes on Coney Island, and taking in my favorite Independence Day film, "Jaws." Later, it will probably include some fireworks and, if I'm lucky, an ice-cream sandwich. But in the midst of that, I took some time to appreciate what it means to be independent. And that's to sit and think about the bigger questions. Today, it was what came first — the chicken or the egg. After giving it some thought, I've decided the logical answer is the chicken. I arrived that that conclusion by thinking about Scriptures. Consider Genesis. When God formed man — specifically Adam — the indiction is that he was created as a fully-formed adult. The baby version of humans came later. Tha

We start the countdown off today with a look at the No. 5 show on my list of shows that were cancelled before finding an audience. Killed too soon, if you will. 5. Boomtown (2002-2003) Network: NBC About: This show from Graham Yost ("Band of Brothers," "Justified") was a unique take on cop shows. It showed you a crime for a bunch of different angles, from people in a bunch of different roles. Donnie Wahlberg and Mykelti Williamson were the detectives, Jason Geddrick and Gary Basaraba were the beat cops, Neal McDonough was the D.A., Lana Parilla was the paramedic, and Nina Garbiras was the reporter. The shows were well written, well-crafted, and well put together. The show filled two familiar, popular niches on TV — it was a cop show and a self-contained procedural, at least for the most part. The cases wrapped up in an hour, but there was a slow burn in terms of character development. Also, because of the way stories unfolded, "Boomtown" defied the typical

Last summer, during the dog days of heat and vacation, I began a countdown of my 25 favorite films of all time. It's lame, on sites, when people repeat themselves, so I won't be doing that again... this year. But with Faith in Film wrapped up for the summer, I've decided to dedicate the Monday and Tuesday slots on this site which were about course content to something else. I may not look like the guy in that picture, but I do enjoy kicking back and watching TV. OK, I'll be honest, I don't kick back and do anything. I emotionally invest (way too much if you ask friends and family members) and I tend to analyze (fine, over analyze) the world view and message of just about everything. What can I say, it's my hobby. Last summer I looked at my big screen favorites, so this summer I wanted to look at small screen gems. And the magical thing is, in the age of DVD and Blu-Ray releases for everything, you can actually go find and watch these shows. The next question bec

You know, when you read the Bible sometimes it's easy to start feeling pretty good about yourself. You look at the people of the Bible, the first-hand miracles they experienced, and their lack of faith, and you think you're doing a pretty good job. I mean, think about the disciples. They spent every day with Jesus. They experienced all His miracles first-hand. If there was any group of people that should have had blind faith, it was the disciples. Yet what happened time and again in the New Testament? Jesus constantly asked when they would have that faith. Every challenge that arose led to fear, doubt, and uncertainty. And, again, these are the people that were with Jesus every day. And what about the Israelites in the desert. God literally parted the sea to allow them to escape, yet they were constantly grumbling and worrying. They actually thought life would have been better in slavery than out in the desert. Yet God consistently provided. He gave them quail and manna; he gav

Well, June was kind of a bust. It was supposed to be the summer season, but fairy tales, space oddity's, animated features, and male strippers don't scream summer to me. But there's hope. July promises a return to the kind of films summer was made for. Don't believe me? Take a look at this schedule. Tuesday, July 3: The Amazing Spiderman — So I think it's too soon to reboot a successful comic book series. "Spiderman 3" just released in 2007. Still, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone look good in the trailers, and this actually looks like it might be a good movie. It's a little darker and edgier, which is good since it is following a more goofy take on the material. Either way, it's more of a return to the summer fare we are looking for. Thursday, July 5: Part of Me — It's a musical documentary/concert in 3D. This time with Katy Perry. I think we all know what to expect here. Friday, July 6: Savages — This will be undoubtedly brutal and a very R-rat