Up in the Air

Up in the Air is a 2009 American comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and co-written by Reitman and Sheldon Turner. It is a film adaptation of the 2001 novel of the same name, written by Walter Kirn. The story is about a corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) and his travels. The film follows his isolated life and philosophies along with the people he meets along the way.


In scene #2 we see Ryan Bingham in action at his motivational seminar 'What's in your backpack?'.  He unpacks his philosophy of life where he equivocates living with moving.  It only becomes a matter of time until Ryan is forced to take an introspective look at himself, his life and the idols that dominate him which should lead us to do likewise.

Proverbs 9:7-12

 If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face;
   confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
So don't waste your time on a scoffer;
   all you'll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
   that's different—they'll love you for it!
Save your breath for the wise—they'll be wiser for it;
   tell good people what you know—they'll profit from it.
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,
   insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens,
   and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life;
   mock life and life will mock you.


In scene #6 we catch up with Ryan on the road with ambitious associate Natalie Keener whose job is to observe Ryan.  While watching, Natalie interjects and while trying to be helpful, simply comes across cold and uncaring.  This scene portrays that not only are our words and actions are to wisely crafted in love, but also their perception as well.  

1 Peter 3:8-12

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

   Whoever wants to embrace life
      and see the day fill up with good,
   Here's what you do:
      Say nothing evil or hurtful;
   Snub evil and cultivate good;
      run after peace for all you're worth.
   God looks on all this with approval,
      listening and responding well to what he's asked;
   But he turns his back
      on those who do evil things.


In scene #13 Ryan is called upon to help with with Jim Miller, who has developed a case of 'cold feet'.  While Ryan himself admits that he is the last one to be giving such advice, he still goes to bat and knocks one out of the park with Jim eventually relenting, seeking forgiveness and is restored to his fiance' Julie.  Ryan's soliloquy
echoes our created need for relationship and how ultimately our existence points to it.

Romans 14:1

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a 2002 American science fiction action film written and directed by Kurt Wimmer. It stars Christian Bale as John Preston, a warrior-priest and enforcement officer in a future dystopia where both feelings and artistic expression are outlawed and citizens take daily injections of drugs to suppress their emotions. After accidentally missing a dose, Preston begins to experience emotions which make him question his own morality and moderate his actions, while attempting to remain undetected by the suspicious society in which he lives. Ultimately he aids a resistance movement using martial arts, which he was taught serving the very regime he is to help overthrow.


In chapter 2, An Unfeeling Society, we hear the voice of father proclaiming victory of man over emotion through a drug induced state that causes one to not 'feel' at all.  The father of this tale wrongly declares war on feeling, while the Father of ours inspires a life of thoughtfully guided feeling.  He's blessed us with a nature that feels, while we so desperately need spiritual birth, formation and maturation to gauge and control it.

Philippians 1:9-11

^9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.


In chapter 6, Existence and Purpose, we witness Cleric Preston's interrogation of Mary O'Brien when they come to the purpose of existence.  Mary dismantles John's argument as circular, while he has a hard time relating to the subject of existing to feel.  While feelings are a definite part of our existence they certainly aren't the main point nor purpose of it.    

2 Peter 3:3-4

 ^3-4First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they'll mock, "So what's happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything's going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing's changed."

Hebrews 11:1-2

 ^1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

2 Peter 2:10-11

 ^10-11God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures. Even angels, their superiors in every way, wouldn't think of throwing their weight around like that, trying to slander others before God.

Nothing to do w/movies or class...

Watch this if you have a soul...

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a 2007 drama film directed by Marc Forster based on the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of Afghan refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the Taliban regime.


In chapter 8, we get a very strong sense of Baba's conviction of what's right and his call to stand for it.  It also foreshadows his feelings for Hassan and the longing he feels for Amir.  It's Baba's feelings of morality that drive who he is and the relationships that he maintains.  While birthed in a good place, it's Baba's sensibilities that tend to marginalize and push away the one's he loves.

Matthew 5:19-22

^19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

 ^21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.


In chapter 12 Amir travels to Pakistan upon request of old family friend Rahim Kahn to discover 'a way to become good again.'  Once there Rahim Kahn tells Amir of his failing health and denies Amir's request for him to come back to America with him, stating that Amir has been 'infused with America's sense of optimism.'  Without us knowing any better, what role does our being American play in our own Christianity?

Galatians 1:10-12

^10-12Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.


In chapter 16 Amir finally decides to stand up for his since dead half-brother Hassan by defending his nephew Sohrab from his father-in-law General Taheri's inquiries regarding the perception of the family in the community.  In doing so he breaks the cycle of generational sin, prejudice and pride.  We often see ourselves in light of ourselves, but often need to draw back and take our measure in light of our families with a eye towards where we see our families headed in the future.  

Nehemiah 4:13-14

^13-14 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Who doesn't love them some John C. Riley...?