Every year Cornerstone Media releases a CD of the traditional Stations of the Cross complimented by a brief selection from a pop song that reflects the themes of prayer and life. Actually, it comes with a whole kit of resources. I listened to this year's CD on the way home from the Religious Education Congress last Sunday. What a way to make holy the task of driving for an hour in Los Angeles traffic. As I listened and prayed I reflected on how catechisms and youth ministers, indeed anyone … [Read more...]
United Breaks Guitars or How to find justice through non-violence and art
July 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
This YouTube video is the hottest since Susan Boyle. I used it in my media literacy education class to show how people can achieve justice through non-violence and art. Dave Carroll, whose guitar United broke, made this statement after United Air Lines reached out to him to rectify the situation (after 2 days and over 150,000 hits on YouTube, now over 3 million in about 3 weeks). … [Read more...]
Michael Jackson R I P Heal the World
July 8, 2009 By 1 Comment
Remembering Michael Jackson. May he rest in peace. Today's "revivial, ceremony, concert" at the Staples Center in his memory Los Angeles is beautiful. I have never seen a funeral like it, and it seems totally consistent with Michael's image and life. Here it is HEAL THE WORLD! This is it. Now I am crying. This song is a meditation and a challenge. Heal the World In the light of Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical, Charity in Truth , the song is even more meaningful. The Pope's encyclical … [Read more...]
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, Thrilled Us
June 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
CNN Headline News just announced that Michael Jackson has just died at UCLA Hospital at the age of 50. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Beverly Hills about 12:20pm this afternoon and went into a coma. HLN is reporting that other news sources are announcing the death but that they are still trying to confirm it. Michael Jackson was a true genius and an icon, an ambiguous, charismatic artist who defined the international pop world for about twenty-five years if you count from his … [Read more...]
What should Susan Boyle sing next?
June 5, 2009 By 1 Comment
Check out my posting today to the National Catholic Reporter's Blog … [Read more...]
American Idol Finale: Go Adam!
May 20, 2009 By 4 Comments
Update Click here for 2010 American Idol: Go Crystal! I think Adam won the night although, overall, this finale program was very limp and underwhelming (and Simon dressed up!) Judge Kara Dioguardi's song (co-written) "No Boundaries" was really sad. To decide this competition, I hope that voters completely disregarded this song. If Adam couldn't save it, it is unsalvageable. Adam Lambert has been my favorite for many weeks and I still believe Adam is the best. This doesn't mean he will win … [Read more...]
The Soloist – the Movie
May 4, 2009 By 2 Comments
What an outstanding film. As you can see, this poster was issued for the planned release for last year, but the film just opened in the USA on Friday. Great poster, though. This is a movie about humanity, heart, friendship, art, grace, goodness, against the backdrop of acute homelessness in a city and country where you would think we would care more for one another. Robert Downey, jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist for the LA Times, who encounters Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man playing a two … [Read more...]
American Idol Finalist Prediction
April 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
After last night's elimination of Scott MacIntyre, I am ready to predict who will be the final two contestants. Adam Lambert is the most original and versatile of all the contestants, and as Randy said about Allison, she can "sing her face off!" This does not mean I don't like the other finalists still "alive" in the competition or even some already voted off. As America decided last year between the two David's - which one had the power to move us - I think pop music lovers will make the right … [Read more...]
American Idol Adam Lambert “Ring of Fire”
April 3, 2009 By 3 Comments
All I can say about Adam Lambert's rendition of "Ring of Fire" is that it should be written into the sequel for "Twilight": "New Moon". This is such an original interpretation of one of Johnny Cash's trademark songs. Very ... Goth! Do I think Adam Lambert will win American Idol this year? Yes, if he keeps going the way he is. I think there are five outstanding artists in the final "ten", but my vote goes for Lambert. <a href="http://"> … [Read more...]
American Idol David Cook “Come Back to Me”
April 3, 2009 By 2 Comments
David Cook's performance last night on American Idol was amazing - just to prove that I was right (along with millions of others) that he deserved to win last year's competition. "Come Back to Me" is probably one of the most meaningful love songs I have ever heard: the transcendent, complete, all there, nothing lacking, unconditional, meaning of love. (This is from YouTube rather than the performance. For the performance, click here: American Idol: Come Back to Me) I wonder what it would … [Read more...]
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