Z-Type by Dominic Szablewski

Slightly longer review: This movie was truly AMAZING. Avatar was more than a movie, it was an experience. This was the most immersive and enthralling movie I have experienced in a long time. Perhaps ever. At this moment I cannot think of another movie that has affected me so greatly.During the movie I noticed myself physically agitated. My heart rate was affected dramatically. By the time the credits rolled at the end I was actually numb and weak from over-stimulation and perhaps over-oxygenation. This movie makes made me want to go out and do something. So I think that when I am done with this review I am going to go for a run.

I am told that this movie used computer-generated imagery (CGI). That is incredibly hard to believe. The characters in this movie, both alien and human seemed to me as real to me and anything I know. The movements of the characters was fluid and dynamic. The world in which they lived was rich beyond comprehension. The interaction of the characters with the world and the creatures in the world was flawless.

The filmography was breathtaking! The world was gorgeous and awe-inspiring. In fact, those words cannot do the scenery any kind of justice. The artistic beauty was incredible. The bodies of the alien people were beautiful. The creatures of the world were beautiful. I find myself at a total loss of words to adequately describe what I have just beheld. No words that I can think of seem to do this movie any level of honest credit.

Even the story had depth. And there was much more depth that was hinted at that we only got a glimpse of. There is so much more to this story that I just want more. I do not want to spoil the plot, so I will just say that the movie, had a very fulfilling ending. Yet at the same time I yearn for more.

James Cameron has outdone himself. Everyone who worked on this movie has outdone themselves. The technology and imagination that has been employed to create this masterpiece were tremendous.

I do not have enough thumbs to rate this movie. A scale of 1-10 is worthless for this movie.

Truly, this was an amazing experience. Amazing. That is really the only word that keeps coming to my mind, over, and over. Amazing.

Check out the Official Avatar Movie Site.

Check out some images of the movie on Flickr.

Check out movie details on IMDB

Find out why it is rated PG-13.

Let us first address the morality of World of Warcraft, since there are those that think it is evil.

WoW is all about killing and violence.

Some of the characters in WoW are very immodest in their dress.

My significant other spends too much time on WoW and never gets anything else done.

There are other concerns that people have, but these are the most popular.

Now for the comparison. Let us take the previous quotes and replace the word “WoW” with “Television”.

Television is all about killing and violence.

Some of the characters in Television are very immodest in their dress.

My significant other spends too much time on Television and never gets anything else done.

Seems to me that the morality of WoW is quite comparable to that of Television. In fact, I would say that in many ways, Television can be much more immoral than WoW ever could. Some of the content (smut, language, innuendo, violence) I have seen even on public television was much more graphic and has made me much more uncomfortable than I have ever been while playing WoW.

Then again, it really depends on what you are watching on Television. Many channels can be quite educational. I really enjoy the Discovery and other educational channels on Premium Television.

Can World of Warcraft be educational? I argue that it indeed can be very educational. Here are a few ways that I just thought of off the top of my head. I am sure there are more.

• Interaction with others
• Problem solving skills
• Hand eye coordination
• Reading skills
• Typing skills
• Project management
• Resource management
• Critical decision making skills

Let us now look at cost in the form of money. World of Warcraft costs at most $15/month to play (per person). Premium Television costs an average of $60/month (per person would be $15/month for a family of 4). Quite comparable, I should say. In fact, Premium Television could be considered much more expensive.

Now to address cost in the form of time. The amount of time someone spends playing World of Warcraft or watching Television could both vary from 1 minute to 24 hours. It really depends on the interest of the person. Both are forms of entertainment. Any given individual could spend “too much” time in front of either form of entertainment.

Why is Television more acceptable than and WoW? I would submit that the reason for this is that Television has been around much longer than WoW. WoW tends to be seen as only for a younger generation or for those that are more “computer savvy”. WoW (and other video games) is much less understood by older people or by people who are not as tech savvy or by people who do not engage in that form of entertainment. Lack of understanding (aka ignorance) can often breed unfounded fear and distrust.

It is my opinion that video games are no more of a problem than television, or any other form of entertainment.

The problem comes in the overuse of whichever form of entertainment you choose. Good judgement and moderation must be used in every situation. Entertainment can be good even educational and relaxing or at least distracting. However, if we allow our chosen form of entertainment to consume our lives to the exclusion of fulfilling our responsibilities, then it is a problem. We must practice moderation in all things. Time limits are a good thing.

This movie is from the same people that brought us, “Facing the Giants“, another excellent movie.

I highly recommend watching these movies to anyone and everyone.

Watch them and then tell me what you think of them.

Here is what I learned from watching “The City of Ember”.

• You can’t always trust your leaders to do what is best for you.
• If you have a dream in your heart, follow your passion and what you know and feel is right. Every one of us can make a positive difference in the world if we just have the courage and tenacity to follow our dreams.
• If you do not like the system you are in you have three choices: 1) Ignore it, 2) Complain about it, 3) Fix it.
• Just because a “grown up” (someone who supposedly knows better than you) tells you “how things are”, that does not mean that is how they really are or how or that they should stay that way.
• We all crave light, we are children of light.
• Trust those who love you, but do not believe every thing they say without thinking it through first yourself. Most times those who love you have your best interests in mind but they can also often be blinded by that same love and perhaps even smother you with it.

What did you like or learn about from the City of Ember?

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If you are a true Firefly fan, then you should consider yourself a browncoat

“I thought I would post a video that we put together last week which includes every image from the Reflections of Christ exhibit currently on display at the visitors center in Mesa Arizona. We have received so many amazing emails asking for this type of thing – as there are many of you who haven’t had a chance to actually see all the images yet. Here it is set to the amazing compilation of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing performed by Clyde Bawden and Freddie Ashby.”

Reflections of Christ – Reflections Slideshow

On a similar theme, Michael Stevens, another friend of mine brought to my attention this video of a Christian song of praise that was sung on American Idol. It is also beautiful and well done. Check it out:

American Idol Top 8 perform “Shout To The Lord”