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 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
| In This Issue |
- Something You Can Use: Aeon Flux video clip discussion, and a few other discussion starters, complete with questions and a wrap-up (free, as always)
- A Link You’ll Like: Check out this funny video of how NOT to share your faith!
- Movie Reviews: Check out Jonathan’s 2 cents on “RV” and “Last Holiday”
- Jonathan Training in Tampa This Month: If you’re near Tampa, FL… don’t miss this affordable training opportunity. Pre-register now for just $10 a person!
| If you aren’t a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe – it’s free – just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign up in the upper right hand corner. |
| Something You Can Use: Aeon Flux video clip discussion, and a few other discussion starters, complete with questions and a wrap-up (free, as always) |
Discussion Curriculum
Movie Clip: Aeon Flux, PG-13
Main Point: We must remember that this world we live in is temporary, so we must not conform to it.
Attention Grabber: Movie – Aeon Flux
This movie, starring Charlize Theron, is a futuristic, science-fiction, action thriller that just released on DVD and video last week. Charlize Theron plays the character Aeon Flux, a super-efficient operative. She is part of a rebellion set out against the government in the last remaining city on Earth. The movie has lots of action and creative special effects. Unfortunately, the movie has an implied sex scene and several other scenes that sport unnecessary cleavage. As it is, I don’t think that I personally would recommend this movie to watch on the bus on the way to the junior high winter camp.
Clip: Meant to Be Temporary
This particular clip does not actually feature the character Aeon. Instead, it features a conversation between two men, the leaders of the totalitarian government. One man, Trevor Goodchild, is working on a solution that will allow the human race to once again populate the world. His colleague, Oren, prefers not to find a solution, so that the people can remain in the nice little utopia they have already established. The clip begins in the middle of a conversation, so proper cueing is highly recommended. However, if your DVD player isn’t “cue-easy,” then it is better to err on the side of starting your clip earlier in the conversation. I suggest beginning at approximately 21:09 in the middle of chapter 4. The first line will be, “And what about the test results?” This particular clip to be used ends at 21:47, after Oren says, “Things change.” The clip chosen is only a little more than half a minute.
Introduction to the Clip:
Say this to introduce the clip… The following clip is from the movie Aeon Flux-some of you may have seen the movie. This 30 second clip captures the dilemma that this film is about. In this future world only one colony of people have survived a disease that killed off every human on the entire planet. A man named Trevor Goodchild has found a temporary solution that is helping keep the human race alive. But Goodchild knows that the solution is only temporary and not beneficial for the people in the long run. His brother Oren isn’t looking long term. He prefers not to find a solution so that the people can remain in the nice little utopia they have already established. In this scene, Trevor asks Oren about the test results, hoping to finally find a solution. Oren reports negative results and tries to talk Trevor into just “selling out” to the temporary.
Scene Script:
- Trevor: And what about the test results?
Oren: All negative. Sorry.
Trevor: Find me a new test group by morning.
Oren: Maybe it’s time to give up on the tests, Trevor. We’re living the solution already. This is perfection. Why can’t you just embrace it?
Trevor: You see what’s happening to people. You know how desperate this has become.
Oren: It can be contained. Controlled.
Trevor: I think that you’re forgetting that this was all meant to be temporary.
Oren: We’ve always said that, but why should it be?
Trevor: Because it’s wrong.
Oren: Things change.
End clip 21:47
In this scene we see a huge problem. One guy is focused on the future, while the other is focused on the now. The city they live in is only meant to be a temporary place, but the one focused on the now has become so used to living where he is, that he has lost his vision for a better future. He looks around and says, “Maybe this shouldn’t be temporary. It’s good enough.” Wouldn’t you be frustrated if you were talking to this guy about the future?
Right now we’re going to break up into our small groups and discuss the idea of being content in this world vs. focusing on what’s still to come.
INCLUDING SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS,
SCRIPTURE, AND A “READY MADE” WRAP UP.
Or
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEW
VIDEO CLIP DISCUSSION STARTER IDEAS
ON OUR VIDEO CLIP IDEAS PAGE LIKE:
24- SEASON ONE (a discussion about sin)
HOTEL RWANDA (a discussion about faith in action)
| A Link You’ll Like: Check out this funny video of how NOT to share your faith! |
Some of you have seen some of the “crazy” videos that we use in our training seminars. Check out this funny video short of how NOT to share your faith!
NOTE: Make sure your sound is on and give this link about 30 seconds to load when you click on it… funny!
| Movie Reviews: Check out Jonathan’s 2 cents on “RV” and “Last Holiday” |
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (The Men in Black films, Get Shorty…)
Starring Robin Williams, Jeff Daniels…
JONATHAN’S SCORE: Rental
I guess that sums it up, both good and bad. “Bad” because some people just aren’t a fan of the Chaplinesque antics from guys like Chevy Chase or Robin Williams. “Good” because some people remember Vacation as a comedy classic.
Vacation came to us in 1983 starring Chevy Chase, directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. That’s a pretty good combo. In the same spirit, RV stars Robin Williams, is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, and written by a semi-newbie Geoff Rodkey (The Shaggy Dog and Daddy Day Care).
The story is about Bob Munro (Williams) and his dysfunctional family as they rent an RV for a road trip to the Colorado Rockies where they ultimately have to contend with a bizarre community of campers.
This film isn’t going to win any awards… but it had me laughing pretty hard from beginning to end.
I admit, I suspected that this might be one of those films where we see the only funny scenes in the preview. Not even close. The film was well written, cleverly directed, and the gags worked.
Although John Hughes was not involved in this project, it has the feeling of many of his films from the previous decade: the Home Alones, the Beethovens, the Vacations, The Great Outdoors, Planes Trains and Automobiles… but jump to the 21st century with IPODS, mobile devices, the hip hop generation… and Robin Williams as the father of all of this! The results are hilarious.
Directed by Wayne Wang (Because of Winn-Dixie, Maid in Manhattan…)
Starring Queen Latifah, Timothy Hutton, Gerard Depardieu, LL Cool J…
JONATHAN’S SCORE: Theatre Worthy
Does anyone use that word any more? Well, if you don’t, then look it up. Webster’s defines the word: giving great pleasure and joy, especially by being pleasant, good to look at, or amusing. That would definitely describe Last Holiday. The film was a lot of fun, a great date flick!
At first I was surprised to see Queen Latifah playing the role of Miss Georgia Byrd, a shy, church-going woman who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. This isn’t a normal role for Latifah. She’s quiet, she wears very little make up, and never curses- almost the polar opposite of her role in Bringing Down the House. But don’t let that scare you away (if you’re like me, you might have even liked her in Bringing Down the House)-she’s still incredible. And her character really develops, becoming bolder and more spontaneous as the story progresses.
Don’t worry; the tagline isn’t spoiling the film. Early in the story Georgia finds out that she has a terminal disease. Most of the film is about how her life changes with this realization. With nothing to lose, she decides to take a European vacation, learning a lot about life… just a little too late.
Sound like a tear jerker?
Don’t worry, this is no Dying Young. I’m not saying you won’t shed a tear or two, but the film is definitely a fun “fairy tale” of sorts.
Or
CLICK HERE FOR OUR MOVIE REVIEW PAGE
| Jonathan Training in Tampa This Month: If you’re near Tampa, FL… don’t miss this affordable training opportunity. Pre-register now for just $10 a person! |
A TRAINING OPPORTUNITY YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS: Last year Youth Specialties released Jonathan’s hit new book, DO THEY RUN WHEN THEY SEE YOU COMING? REACHING OUT TO UNCHURCHED TEENAGERS. (CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOK) Now it is available as a one day training! Come to this affordable training on either U.S. Coast!…OR REGISTER NOW FOR THE TAMPA EVENT!
Tampa, FL
May 20th, Jonathan is doing a Saturday workshop (9AM to 3PM) for youth workers within driving distance of the TAMPA area. If you’re a youth worker, paid or a volunteer, this is for you!
A Personal Note from Jonathan: I’d love your help! If you are a youth worker in the TAMPA area and would like to help me spread the word to the greater Tampa area, please email me at jon@TheSource4YM.comHere’s the details for this TAMPA training:
WHEN:
- Saturday May 20th, 9AM to 3PM
- St. James United Methodist Church
16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (3/4 mile south of I-75)
Tampa, FL 33647
- Two choices:
- $20 (includes lunch)
- ONLY $10 for paid pre-registrations (VISA/MC accepted) on or before May 15th (includes lunch)
- CONTACT David Smith at (813) 978-8880
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Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.