Rogue One and more Star Wars

Just as the Harry Potter and the Ranger’s Apprentice books are well loved in our home by Miss 11 and Mr 13, the Star Wars franchise is also highly treasured.   It’s been a drip-feed approach to now – they have been able to watch Episodes 4, 5 & 6 from about age 10, and they both saw Episode 7: The Force Awakens last year.  

So, with Rogue One on the horizon, expectations and excitement levels were again high.   Husband and I went to see it – because really, once a Star Wars fan, always a Star Wars fan.   As expected, it was pretty good.   It’s set just before Episode 4 (it’s ‘Episode 3a’ if you will).   Much has been made of the fact that it could be stand-alone story.  I personally struggle to see how it could be because allusions to the trilogies on either side are peppered throughout, with the same actors or computer adapted versions of the same characters.   It’s always interesting to see how one creates the same (younger) character when the original was shot 40 years before hand!   Anyone who is already a fan knows the premise – in Episode 4 they need to blow up the Death Star.   Rogue One is the account of how the Death Star was made and how the plans were stolen.

As with all Star Wars movies, there is action, fighting, humour, and a clear distinction between good and evil.  The final scenes always have multiple major battles being played out – on land, on space and on space ships.

With the release of The Force Awakens and now Rogue One, you appreciate how the early movies were shot well before their time.   The same tried and true formula still works 40 years later, and computer generated imagery has finally truly caught up with the imaginations of the creators.   

After that Miss 11 and I watched Star Wars (A New Hope) again to see how closely it linked in.  Then we agreed Mr 13 and Miss 11 could watch Episodes 1-3, and I was the ‘designated adult viewer’ with them.   There was no surprise or suspense for them, having read numerous books about the episodes and played all the Lego Star Wars Xbox games.

For me, it was interesting to return to those movies after only having seen them once 10-15 years ago.   They received such bad reception at the time, and we never had any real desire to see them again.    On reflection, they weren’t as bad as I recalled – yes, Jar Jar Binks is annoying, and yes, the love story is appallingly unrealistic, and Anakin’s anger issues make you ponder Padme’s life choices – but the rest was fine.   Same essential story of good vs evil every time.

Now my head is completely fully of Star Wars, having seen five movies in 3 weeks (strictly six as I saw Rogue One twice!).   Time for a break from the Republic, Galactic Empire, the Jedi and the Force for a while!

Now that there are 8 movies in total, and at least 2 more to come – it does make it a major exercise to revisit the story when you want to.  Serious fans on Star Wars day (May the Fourth) will have their work cut out for them – with about 20 hours of movies to get through!  I might note here that while we are definitely fans, that is not something we do!

Tying the Knot

Tying the Knot, Rob Green

As we continue our involvement in marriage ministry, we’re always on the lookout for good resources. This new book by Rob Green published by New Growth Press is a great option for marriage preparation. Green has designed a ‘pre-marital course’ for Christian couples who want to prepare well for marriage and to ensure that Jesus is at the centre of that marriage. He has produced a clear, Christ-focussed resource that a couple can work through alongside a mentor. It could be done without a mentor, but the benefit to the couple would be so much greater with a wiser, experienced person or couple alongside them (like a marrying minister). 

I think this one has risen to the near top of my favourite marriage preparation materials. It does what many don’t – combines a clear gospel truth of living with grace having Jesus as your focus and then thinks about how to apply that to various aspects of marriage.

In the introduction Green says he wants to avoid two misconceptions people have entering marriage, both of which are extremes:

• Marriage is hard and difficult with a miserable transition period
• Marriage is wonderful without any effort

We have encountered both viewpoints in couples and I am pleased he addresses it clearly from the beginning with the counter that marriage is given to enjoy, but it also takes commitment.

Then he states his goal – that you can have a marriage that brings pleasure to Christ and to you.   Before the first session, he wants couples to prepare four things:

• Ensuring they have parental support for their marriage (or the support of wise older people) 
• Set physical standards of conduct with each other
• Testimonies of each person’s conversion to Christ
• Two paragraphs on why they want to marry this person.

Each of these are the starting points of conversation with each other and with their mentor.   

Then follows eight sessions. The core is that Jesus must be at the centre of your life, this chapter reiterates the gospel message and how that impacts your marriage, as it is to reflect Christ and the church. From these seven different areas are addressed, all with the idea of Jesus being at the centre of each: love, problem solving, roles & expectations, communication, finances, community and intimacy. It’s comprehensive and easily readable, the chapters neither felt too long nor too brief.  

I was impressed with how he repeatedly uses scripture to bring you back to how to love one another as you love Jesus. Most chapters deal with the myths and misconceptions you will come to in marriage, and then look more realistically at what each topic looks like once you decide to let Jesus speak into them. The chapter on love and the analysis of 1 Cor 13 added a depth that was helpful and challenging. The comments on finances challenge couples to see their roles as stewards not owners, and pushed to guard against jealousy and towards sacrificial generosity. The chapter on community is a welcome and much needed reminder to couples that they need to commit to a church community to be matured, to serve and to let others care for them.

If you happen to be someone who prepares couples for marriage, you may be interested in this resource. For those who are already experienced in marriage preparation it could be something that assists you in the way you prepare couples for marriage. For those with less experience, or who are a bit more hesitant, you could use this material with confidence and it could become the main resource for your marriage preparation. There is an appendix for mentors at the end, where each chapter has a little more explanation about how to use the material well.

This is good material. We have a couple we are preparing for marriage, where we cannot meet with them in person until much after the wedding. This book seems to be a timely provision for them as they can prepare for their marriage with each other, and still have access to us if needed for assistance. It’s not the same as meeting together, but it’s a pretty good second option.

2017 – here we come!

After a lovely long relaxing summer, I am back to blogging.   Lots of book and movie reviews will follow in weeks to come.  I read a lot of fiction (youth and adult) which was an absolute treat as well as some excellent Christian books which I will share with you.    

One movie which didn't warrant a review was La La Land, which I found a disappointment, although surprisingly Husband didn't mind it.  He did have incredibly low expectations going in though!   I thought the singing was pretty average and the story was just an ode to Hollywood and following your dreams.   Visually it was impressive, but on the whole it wasn't great.   Having watched Les Miserables again, I was reminded how powerful a musical can be - with a great story and inspired music.   That is a musical that will always be hard to top.

Miss 11 has agreed to be one of my co-reviewers this year, giving her input on children’s / youth novels as she reads them.   I can’t possibly keep up with their reading anymore, so she will add an extra voice helping us bring you book reviews for younger ones.

So – look out for book reviews on Mondays and movie reviews on Fridays (when I have them!)

Thanks for reading!