Mark Clement

Oh My God

Came across a really interesting movie trailer today, wanted to share it. I think the premise of this movie is extremely important and serve as a reminder about where people are coming from. Check it out here:

Haul Videos: The End Is Near. It's Gotta Be.

Just came across this hilarious clip from Viral Video Film School. If the content of this video is any indication, we're all in a lot of trouble. The fact that the one girl gets over one million hits to see what she bought at the store is dumbfounding. Check it out for yourself. BTW, I didn't choose the screen shot so no comments about that.  

The Pacific

For anyone out there who is a fan of 'Band of Brothers', you'll be thrilled to know that the follow up, 'Pacific' is scheduled to air sometime around March 2010. Like BoB, Pacific is produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. The production budget for this is rumored to be around $200 million, making it the most expensive TV program ever produced. Check out the trailer below:

New Music

Wanted to take a minute and promote a phenomenal new band I've been digging the last few weeks. The band is called Green River Ordinance and the album is called Out of My Hands. The first single 'Endlessly' is destined to be a huge hit as soon as mainstream radio gets a hold of it. Definitely an indie flavor but the tunes are so catchy that it lends itself to a bit of pop sensibility. For fans of Plain White T's or Augustana. I know that's a little broad but they really do fit right there in between somewhere. Do yourself a favor and download this ASAP. You can also catch them on tour this summer with Gavin DeGraw although I'm really disappointed to add that they aren't currently scheduled anywhere in the southeast. 

Check them out and let me know if you like. BTW, when's the last time you bought an actual CD in a store as opposed to downloading? Other than buying AC/DC as a gift last year (they aren't on iTunes) I literally can't remember the last real life CD I bought. I'm curious. 

Great iPhone App

If you are a creative, or a communicator, or an entrepeneur...or all 3 rolled into 1, you NEED TED for your iPhone.  This free app brings some of the most out of the box thinkers right to your phone with video, audio podcasts and more.  The TED conference (technology, entertainment, design) hosts some of the world's most fascinating people.  Trusted voices and convention-breaking mavericks, icons and geniuses.  Check it out now and thank me later.  And thanks to Ben Arment for turning me on to this. 

Who is the most challenging person you've ever been around and why?

Blue Like Jazz: The Movie

Blue Like Jazz is a book that had a tremendous impact me.  It came out about the time I had left full time church staff and was really doing some extensive spiritual exploring.  This book was a God send.  I've learned that Steve Taylor is moving forward on shooting Blue Like Jazz the movie. He’s set to shoot in Mid May through June in Portland and Nashville.  Don't know when it's supposed to be released.  If you've read it you can join me in pondering how on earth it could be turned into a coherent movie.  But having read this review by Gabe Lyons , based on his reading of the screenplay, I'm beginning to get excited.  

From Gabe:

Blue Like Jazz portrays a vivid tension between Christianity and the world. I thought it was fantastic. It was hard to swallow some the direct obligations towards Christianity - they are so true though. The times of hope and resolve allowed me to emotionally connect to the character of Don. I laughed out loud and swallowed hard at times when reading through the script. The story touched on every single issue that outsiders have with Christianity (Judgmental, Hypocritical, Antihomosexual, Sheltered, Too Political, and Proselytizing based on the research of unChristian). It’s an emotional ride that brought me to an ending that gave me much hope and confidence in (1) Being Christian (2) The story I am developing with God on a personal level and (3) Jesus.

The Evangelical viewer is going to come face to face with some tough criticisms. However, the honest Christian is going to come away feeling refreshed. The cultural elite are going to laugh at the cynicism and debate that takes place during the Reed College scenes and they will appreciate the genuine tension that Don has with God. Your Juno fans are going to love the the witty dialogue, emotional connection to each character and who they represent. They will also love the scenes dealing with rabbits, the Pope, condoms, college parties, and the journey Don is on. The dialogue comes off as very genuine, even when reading it as opposed to seeing it on screen. Homosexuals who believe in God will love the relationship between Don and Laura. Conservative Christians are going to have the hardest time with it - but it is a necessary affliction they need to feel. The postmodern crowd of Christianity is going to rave about it. Since the story is about a guy who is in college your college students will love it on so many different levels, especially, the character development of Don. I think majority of criticisms will come from your extreme conservative and your extreme liberal - However, majority of the world rides the fence.

I can’t wait to see the motion picture.

U2 & Slumdog

Over the weekend saw the highly praised 'Slumdog Millionaire'.  Highly recommend.  Great writing, fast moving, enthralling story.  Biggest takeaway is that it's hard to believe that people around the world actually live like this, in such unbelievable hopelessness and poverty.  Mankind at it's worst.  Make sure you stay for the credits and witness the Thriller-esque dance sequence.  Comes out of left field, feels a bit cheesy, but after about 30 secs you are hooked.  Great experience.

Finally downloaded the new U2 album 'No Line On The Horizon'.  So far I'm really enjoying it, especially the upbeat stuff.  A lot of slow - mid tempo tunes that I haven't quite warmed to yet, but if it's like most U2 offerings, I'll warm to them in the end.  I've head a lot of smack talk about them losing their edge but I would not say that.  True to form, they once again have reinvented themselves, always staying one step ahead of being comfortable, and as usual, waiting on the rest of us to catch up. 

Trust Me

Pumped about a new show coming out January 26 on TNT called 'Trust Me'.  Stars Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanaugh.  I'm pumped because the writers have a strong history with previous shows and because it is set in an ad agency.  Also a big Tom Cavanaugh fan so expectations are high. You can see the promo below.

Heeeey little brother.
MC

U2 New Album

  U2's No Line On The Horizon will be available in five different physical formats on March 3.

The Irish band's 12th studio album will come on CD and as a double vinyl LP. But if you're a bigger fan, you might be interested in the three more expansive and expensive versions.

The digi-pack version will come in a cardboard folded sleeve with a 36-page booklet, a fold-out poster and a download of a U2 film by Control director Anton Corbijn.

The next step up is the magazine version of No Line On The Horizon, which comes in a CD enclosed in a 60-page soft cover magazine with the downloadable Corbijn film.

High rollers and diehard U2 fans may prefer the top of the line box set, which includes the CD, a 60-page hard cover book, a second poster and the Corbijn film on DVD.

7 Pounds

Tammy and I had a chance to catch 'Seven Pounds' last night.  Walked away with an interesting mix of emotions.  It's a great movie.  But disturbing.  The tender will cry.  A lot.  Others will question motives, think hard about grace and forgiveness and look deep within.  Still some others won't really get it at all.  It's not a must see, but I do recommend it.  Just be prepared going in.  I'd love to hear what others thought.