March 30, 2005
Favorite Movies of 2004
(Filed under: Movies)- Napolean Dynamite
- Spider-Man 2
- Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- Shrek 2
- The Grudge
- Dodgeball
OK, I can understand just about every movie on the list—I completely agree with the top 3. #4 and #5 I accept, but Dodgeball? Come on. I can see how it looked funny: great sport, Ben Stiller, goofiness. But then when you actually watch it—yikes. Those jokes would make a frat boy blush.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 10:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Let the Church Say Amen
(Filed under: TV)A documentary about a storefront church in Washington, D.C. airs tonight on PBS.
"It's not my responsibility to build a church," says Pastor Perkins as he opens the church doors one Sunday morning. "It's my responsibility to build them and they will build the church."
See Christianity Today's review and PBS for local listings.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 29, 2005
Beauty From Pain by Superchick
(Filed under: Reviews: Music)Beauty From Pain
by Superchick
2005
Skip the opening track. This album really starts with "Pure" and the line, "This is my brand new day." From the second track on Superchick dives into deeper musical territory, exploring hip-hop and harder edged punk rock.
Best line: "You need that boy like a bowling ball / dropped on your head / which means not at all." from the rocker "Bowling Ball."
Over-hype: Their much-talked about collaboration with Toby Mac. "Stories (Down to the Bottom)" is a one-sided effort that should have stayed on Toby's album where it first appeared.
Piano props: "Beauty from Pain" and "Courage" are both piano-happy ballads, though the former is stripped and bare and the latter is built on hip-hop beats.
Bottom line: Musically Superchick is stretching their wings and for the most part it works. Lyrically they're solid, both painfully real and even witty at times.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Online Christian Music Explosion
(Filed under: Music)The world's largest Christian music company has released more than 300 Christian albums to be available for download at popular services like iTunes. The catalog of music goes all the way back to 1983 and includes artists like Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, Rebecca St. James and my personal favorite, Petra.
This means you can now download many of the songs I listened to an somehow loved when I was in high school, including Degarmo & Key's "Boycott Hell" (all song links go to iTunes because that's what I use, and well, you gotta love it) and Petra's--where do even I start? How about "He Came, He Saw, He Conquered"? Or "Somebody's Gonna Praise His Name"? I should point out that those songs were released long before I was in high school. Back then my musical tastes were in left field.
Some other quality tracks that aren't so far out there include Chasing Furies' "Thicker," Audio Adrenaline's live version of "Happy and You Know It," and the Untitled Studio Rough cut from the Newsboys' Entertaining Angels EP (which went on to become "Truth Be Known--Everybody Gets a Shot", but the rough cut lacks vocals and makes for a great backing track.) See the complete list of music now available.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 05:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Red Lake Update
(Filed under: Society)Amid news that a tribal leader's son has been arrested on charges of conspiracy in connection with the Red Lake shooting, there is some hopeful news.
A web site has been started by 16-year-old Andrew Motzko as a memorial to those killed. Motzko met the shooter, Jeff Weise, online last summer. The site includes detailed accounts, photos and resources for anyone depressed or grieving.
Author and humorist Garrison Keillor, in an essay about Easter, Terry Schiavo and the Red Lake shooting, said this about Weise:
Look at his words: "I have friends, but I'm basically a loner inside a group of loners. I'm excluded from anything and everything they do. I'm never invited. I don't even know why they consider me a friend or I them." Jeffrey Weise was sad, angry, sick, desperate, given to violent fantasy, but he was a person of perception: Those words "A loner inside a group of loners" and the construction of they/me and I/them mark him as a writer. Six feet tall, 250 pounds, black eye makeup, goth hair, lumbering around in a black floor-length coat, "different," but not so different that we can't recognize him as one of our own. ...So here we are at Easter. I can't speak for you but to me the gospel of the Lord is what makes this sad world of March comprehensible.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2005
Seventeen Reality Show
(Filed under: TV)Those bastions of teen culture, MTV and Seventeen, are teaming up to produce a reality TV show. The goal is to find a Seventeen role model who will score a scholarship, internship and spot on the cover of the magazine.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 06:57 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Pez Music Player
(Filed under: Technology)Move over iPod, the Pez mp3 player is coming. The Pez company just signed the licensing agreement and mp3 players resembling Pez dispensers could be available this summer. While they won't dispense candy (just music--512 MB worth), the fliptop head will be interchangeable with other Pez dispensers. They'll probably be priced around $129. Visit the company's blog for more.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 06:02 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Destroy Web Sites with Netdisaster
(Filed under: Links)Netdisaster lets you wreak havoc on the not-so-lucky web site of your choice. You can unleash a smorgasbord of disasters (meteors, nukes, fried eggs) and pick random destruction or target the mayhem. It's a bit of harmless fun, and I'll let you imagine the possibilities. (link via Planet Hunt)
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 05:46 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Britney Spears Whining
(Filed under: Quotes)"I have to tell the maid to buy diapers and get the pool boy to walk the dog? Can't I just make out with Kevin all the time? Being married sucks."
-Britney Spears, complaining in Allure magazine about the responsibilties of family and stepchildren. (Time, March 28, 2005)
If this is what happens when you become rich and famous, I think I'd rather be penniless and unknown.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 05:21 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
One Moment More by Mindy Smith
(Filed under: Reviews: Music)One Moment More
by Mindy Smith
Alt-country/Folk
2004
The poignant, emotional song rises to a climax with the understated chorus, "Come to Jesus."
And this on mainstream radio.
Mindy Smith has come out of nowhere as a singer songwriter to watch, appearing on national TV before her debut album even came out. Her music is raw and bare, some parts country, some parts folk, but full of honesty and depth. It’s also laced with open spirituality.
"My father's a minister and I was brought up in that mentality to hold on to it, because sometimes it's the only thing that's going to save you," Mindy Smith said in an interview with NPR's Morning Edition. "I think there are times where I fall away, more so than not, I'm not very consistent, like most people, but when I have the struggle I tend to put a prayer out there like everybody else does. A lot of times my songs wind up being the vehicle to do that."
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 05:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Mirror Mirror by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne
(Filed under: Reviews: Books)Mirror Mirror
by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne
Nonfiction
2003
It's more like a magazine than a book, but you won't find make-up tips or quizzes.
Oh wait, yes you will.
But along side those magazine staples you'll find straight talk about subjects young women struggle with: weight, food, sex, beauty, boys and more. It's accessible and personal, but it's also hip and fun. It's less "the talk" with your mom, and more an honest heart-to-heart with a close friend.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Rock Stars on God by Doug Van Pelt
(Filed under: Reviews: Books)Rock Stars on God
by Doug Van Pelt
Nonfiction
2004
Ever wondered what Rage Against the Machine thinks about God? Now you can find out. This book collects interviews with 20 mainstream rock stars asking tough questions about God and spirituality. Don’t expect many Sunday school answers, but you will get a glimpse into the minds behind the songs you hear on the radio.
Includes Metallica, Green Day, The Get Up Kids, Bad Religion, Alice Cooper, Sunny Day Real Estate and more.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Talking: Boys vs. Girls
(Filed under: Numbers)7,000 - average number of words girls say per day.
2,000 - average number of words guys say per day.
(Sweet 16, April/May 2005)
Being a guy, I guess I don't have much to say about this.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Abstinence Underwear
(Filed under: Fashion)Victoria’s secret may just be that she’s saving sex for marriage. Wait Wear has introduced a line of underwear with abstinence slogans, including “I’m Saving It!” and “No Vows No Sex.”
The chastity-wear has received both praise and criticism. Lauren F. Winner, author of the book Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity, says it can be good to have a tangible reminder of such a commitment, but she also questions turning underwear into billboards, especially billboards no one should see.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Teen Considers Genocide in Sudan
(Filed under: Society)Teen columnist Erica Nannini writes for the Tucson Citizen about genocide in Sudan and wonders why there's been little response. Learn more about Sudan and take action.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:24 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 27, 2005
Red Lake School Shooting Aftermath
(Filed under: Society)Details continue to emerge about 16-year-old Jeff Wiese, the high school student who killed 9 people and injured 7 more before killing himself in Red Lake, Minn. He had been suicidal, depressed, and was crying out for help. Those cries went unheard.
High school is hardly a place where teens look out for one another, but that’s what it needs to be. There are probably people like Jeff in your school, people who need help. They may not want it, but even the smallest bit of love can make a difference.
More:
- Article recounting the timeline and details of the shooting.
- Some decry the link to Goth culture:
"We're normal people," said David McNally, 17, of Lebanon, Pa. Metal chains aside, he was dressed entirely in black--black arm warmers, black T-shirt, black jeans. "We look different, but inside we're all the same."
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The Rebirth of Real Magazine
(Filed under: News & Updates)It began as a by teens, for teens print magazine in the mid 1990s, morphed into an online publication just before the turn of the century, and now, after a period of quiet, it's back. Welcome to the rebirth of Real Magazine.
We're planning to use a blog format to cover anything of interest to the life and faith of teens--be it pop culture, spiritual growth, or just stupid quotes that make you laugh.
As with any birth, it won't be quick and easy. We're still tweaking the site design, so you might see wildly changing styles--but we are working on it. We'll also begin providing steady updates, though it make take us some time to get in to gear. You'll also notice the extra pages of the site (the about section and whatnot) also need some work. We'll get there: Patience.
It's rather fitting that we're relaunching the site on Easter. It's a great day for new beginnings. We hope you'll come along for the ride.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2005
The Old Real Magazine
(Filed under: News & Updates)If you really want you can check out the remains of the old Real Magazine.com, which is now very defunct.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)