SEB Ice-Skating Trip

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Bus Departs The Commons Circle @ 6:30pm

All Guests = $5.00

Ticket #: 19 of 50

SEB NYC Bus Trip

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bus Departs The Commons Circle @ 8:00am

All Guests = $25.00

Ticket #: 34 of 106

Okay film buffs out there… we want your opinion.

We’ve been watching the films throughout 2011 and now it’s time to make some wagers…

We’re going to put our (metaphorical) money down on the potential Oscar winners and we want you to join in with your picks. We will end up on Oscar night with an online score card for you to fill out. Let’s see who comes out on top… you or us!

Today we are going start our evaluation of the film categories with the nominees for screenplays.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• The Descendants Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
• Hugo Screenplay by John Logan
• The Ides of March Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
• Moneyball Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin  Story by Stan Chervin
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Screenplay by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

No real surprises here. Still, other serious contenders, Steve Zaillian for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Tate Taylor for The Help, didn’t make the cut. Our bet is on The Descendants who seem to have the strongest chance with its endearing and smart screenplay. Plus, it would be pretty cool for Jim Rash (the Dean from Community) to get an Oscar.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• The Artist Written by Michel Hazanavicius
• Bridesmaids Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
• Margin Call Written by J.C. Chandor
• Midnight in Paris Written by Woody Allen
• A Separation Written by Asghar Farhadi

This category certainly has some shocking choices. Bridesmaids was definitely was expected to make the final list but it’s still pretty surprising that the Academy would nominate the R-rated comedy whatever its merits.

While Margin Call was well-received it also flew under the radar for the most part. We liked that it is J.C Chandor’s first feature film, which he also directed.

A Separation, which is nominated for Best Foreign Film, was an unexpected finalist. Foreign films rarely get noticed in other categories but this film was highly praised.

Will Reiser’s semi-autobiographical 50/50 was surprisingly snubbed. We would have enjoyed seeing Diablo Cody’s wicked dramedy Young Adult in the list of finalists.

We predict that Woody Allen will take home his third Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Midnight in Paris which was both a critical darling and a box office success. We think he deserves it for capturing that key word in the category title: original. His concept was unique and, after winning the Golden Globe, it seems to be the favorite.

Okay… now it’s your turn. Which screenplays are in your top 5 list? Or did you fav’s get shafted?

Stay tuned for more of our nominated breakdown leading up to the Oscars on February 26.

Isaiah 55:10-13 (NIV)

¹⁰As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹²You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

¹³Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD’s renown,

for an everlasting sign,

that will endure forever.”

Reflection

Isaiah is asserting here that God always will accomplish his purpose. This is not a distant hope, but something that is already happening now and will continue to happen. In this vision, the effects are seen throughout creation as every part is redeemed and renewed. The imagery captures active participation and response. Hills are bursting into song and trees clapping along. There is a resounding ‘yes’ to everything God is doing.

Responding to the Transmission

Let’s join in with the resounding ‘yes,’ not just waiting around for things to happen, but living in ways that make what we believe begin to happen now in Christ. As we go through wilderness times together, let’s be assured of God’s faithfulness and that he is renewing and restoring…starting again right now. “It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  Do you want to see the trees on your street clap their branches?  Then fully live out your hope and salvation today…and keep an eye on your trees; they will continue to show you how awesome God is.