So, where will you be on May 7th?

Here's an email I just got:

THERE BE DRAGONS:
Everyone, take a look at this movie trailer for THERE BE DRAGONS. It's a powerful film about love and redemption, directed by Roland Joffe (The Mission, The Killing Fields). It opens in theaters May 6!



This looks like it will be a great movie! Here's a bit about the story-line:

[It's] an epic action-adventure romance set during the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. The story traces the lives of two young men, Josemaria Escriva (Charlie Cox) and Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley), childhood friends who are separated by the political upheaval of pre-war Spain to find themselves on opposite sides as war erupts. Choosing peace, Josemaria becomes a priest and struggles to spread reconciliation by founding the movement Opus Dei (work of God).

Manolo chooses war and becomes a spy for the fascists. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful Hungarian revolutionary, Ildiko, who has joined the militia in pursuit of passion and purpose. But when Ildiko rejects him out of love for the courageous militia leader Oriol, Manolo's jealousy leads him down a path of betrayal.

A group has gotten a viewing down here in Fredericksburg on May 7th at 7p.m. (movie location TBA).  I know we'll be going.  Why don't you think about joining us .... or check if it's in your area the weekend of May 6th ...
 

Review: Adventures in Booga Booga Land

First, I have to say that I think this dvd would sell better if it was set somewhere else than "Booga Booga Land" ... it's just too goofy of a name. 

But, that aside, this is a pretty good cartoon for the kids. The Adventures in Booga Booga Land is an animated series made in Canada based on Richard Milner's allegories, compiled in his book Adventures in Booga Booga.  The dvd has three episodes which bring parables of Jesus into a new context -- that of BoogaBooga Land.  Marty the monkey and Gerard the giraffe are the "stars" of the series and work all different kinds of jobs ... which is how they get involved in the scenarios that evolve into the telling of the parables. 

All of the parables on this dvd are from Matthew:

1. the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16)
2. the wise and foolish builders (Matt 7:24-27)
3. the lamp under the bowl (Matt 5:14-16)

All are well done re-tellings (except for the third which doesn't have as clean a link between the Booga Booga story and the original parable).  My kids -- 7, 10, and 11 -- and I all liked the stories on the dvd.  The animation is well-done (especially at a time when most of the animation done for kids is cheesy computer-generated graphics or ugly).  The voices are appropriate (and cute with the Canadian accents!).  The music is not irritating but peppy and "fits" the stories.

Overall, I'd say this is a great dvd to show kids of all ages.  I wish they had a study-guide or resource at the end of discussing the links between these cartoons and the scriptures; definitely want to take advantage of the teachable moments engendered by these stories.

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Disclaimer:  I recd this dvd as part of the Book Sneeze program.  I promised to post a review of the product.  The words of the review above are  honest opinion of this dvd.