The Privileged Planet
DVD
Release date: 08.07.04
58 mins.

Is there other intelligent life in the universe? When one considers the sheer numbers of other galaxies and all the number of stars in those galaxies and all the number of planets around those stars, the answer seems to almost inevitably be yes.

And yet, as this DVD discusses, the factors that are required for life to exist are so numerous and specific, the odds are against there being other life. Which gives Earth, and it's inhabitants, a unique and privileged place among the cosmos.

This introductory documentary is based on material from a book by the same name. (Both of which were part of my Valentine's Day gift. What can I say? My wife is the best!!) It provides a sound, surface-level examination of the evidence that points to Earth's privileged status.

John Rhys-Davies (best known perhaps for his roles in the Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings series) provides superb narration for this look at life on our planet. At just under an hour, it's a great start for those who ponder deep questions about our meaning, significance, and purpose in the universe. B+

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The Bruised Reed
Richard Sibbes
BOOK
Release date: 1630
128 pages

Richard Sibbes was one of a group that has come to be known as the Puritans. He and his contemporaries lived in the 17th century, and their work remains some of the best writing on God's Word to this day.

Over the last decade or so, Banner of Truth Trust has reprinted most of the seminal Puritan works in a series called Puritan Paperbacks. This has allowed a new generation of readers to once again discover these classic works. A website I frequent (Faith by Hearing) mentioned that a man named Timmy Brister was encouraging people to read 12 of these paperback books, one per month, in 2008. (More on that later.)

Sibbes' book, The Bruised Reed, is based on the Isaiah 42:1-3, which states that "a bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench." These verses show how God will not crush those whom he has called; even though they are bruised, he will not break them. From this starting point, Sibbes begins a wonderful journey into the mercy of God toward His children.

Christians are encouraged to remember the mercy shown to us by Christ for our salvation, and to understand that this same Christ continues to extend mercy to us throughout each day of our lives, even when we stumble or fall. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Although the language is a bit archaic at times, considering this book was written in 1630, it is surprisingly readable and relevant.  It was a great encouragement to me as I read, and I often found myself re-reading key portions to let the magnitude of them sink in. There is a great deal of truth squeezed into this little book, and I am being quite honest when I say that it has instantly become one of my all-time favorites. A+

REVIEW ARCHIVE

If you are interested in Timmy Brister's Puritan Reading Challenge for 2008 (and it's not too late to get started!), visit his site by clicking here. February's book is The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from The Bruised Reed:

See here, for our comfort, a sweet agreement of all three persons: the Father gives a commission to Christ; the Spirit furnishes and sanctifies to it, and Christ himself executes the office of a Mediator. Our redemption is founded upon the joint agreement of all three persons of the Trinity. [2]

There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us. [13]

Christ chose those to preach mercy who had felt most mercy, as Peter and Paul, that they might be examples of what they taught. [27]

God put irreconcilable hatred between light and darkness from the first; so also between good and ill, flesh and Spirit. Grace will never join with sin, any more than fire with water. [41]

All scandalous actions are only thoughts at the first. Ill thoughts are as little thieves, which, creeping in at the window, open the door to greater. Thoughts are seeds of actions. [47]

We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ. In time of temptation, believe Christ rather than the devil. Believe truth from truth itself. Hearken not to a liar, an enemy and a murderer. [61]

Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not. [84]

Men of an ill-governed life have no true judgment. No wicked man can be a wise man. [90]

The victory lies not with us, but with Christ, who has taken on him both to conquer for us and to conquer in us. [122]

Satan will object, 'You are a great sinner.' We may answer, 'Christ is a strong Saviour.' [123]

Untraceable
MOVIE
Release date: 01.25.08
101 mins. / R

Diane Lane stars in this thriller based on an interesting premise: what if a murderer used the Internet to kill their victims? The more people that visit the website, the faster the victim dies an excruciating death.

Lane is part of a cyber-crime division of the FBI, and she soon begins to be drawn in to the killer's twisted games, especially as the choice of victims turns out to be less random than she had thought. Lane does a good job of carrying the lead role in this film, and although it doesn't call for much weighty acting, she still brings a certain gravitas to the screen.

I also thought that Colin Hanks (son of Tom) did a nice job in his supporting role. Don't get me wrong: neither of them are going to be nominated for an Oscar out of this, but given the limitations of the script, they elevated the entertainment value with their performances.

Speaking of the script, although the motivation of the killer becomes clear as the movie proceeds, it's hard to understand why they would go to such graphic extremes to reach their end. No victim is killed the same as another, and the movie began to feel a bit like a second cousin to the Saw franchise (not something I imagine any movie would want to aspire to be). And while the killer's rationale is explained in a logical manner, the killer seems a bit beyond sane, logical thinking.

Untraceable provides a bit of entertainment and mystery, but the predictability of the ending, as well as grisly deaths created simply for shock value leave this movie lacking any real punch. C-

The Appeal
John Grisham
BOOK
Release date: 01.29.08
368 pages

The Appeal marks John Grisham's first return to the genre of legal thriller since 2005's The Broker (which, let's face it, was less of a legal thriller and more of a AAA Tour Book of Italy).

The characters in this book are numerous, but it tends to center around Ron Fisk, a lawyer who is persuaded to run for the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Unbeknownst to him, his financial backing is coming from a multi-billion dollar corporation that expects certain rulings to be made in their favor. I won't say any more to avoid spoiling anyone, but Grisham remains capable of writing fiction in a very readable, enjoyable way.

I only had two complaints with this book. One, several ancillary characters are simply forgotten or disappear from the story as it goes on. I am certain that space restricts fully fleshing out every detail, but if you aren't going to spend a page wrapping up someone's subplot at the end, don't spend ten pages setting it up earlier.

Secondly, although I certainly understand any artist's desire to remain relevant, and to speak on the issues of his day, Grisham continues to craft his stories as morality plays designed to send a message. I'll leave it up to you to decide what that message is (since it involves key plot points of the book), but it's not very subtle.

Overall, Grisham's return to the genre that launched his career is a welcomed one, as is his announcement to get back to his "one book per year" writing schedule. Hopefully, this is just the start of another string of great reads. B-