If you're like me, you have great memories of the original Willy Wonka film with Gene Wilder in the title role. And if you're like me, you threw up in your mouth a little while watching that abomination starring Johnny Depp as Michael Jackson in a Willy Wonka Halloween costume.
This new film is actually set as the prequel to the original (not a remake or a reboot, and the only overlap is in faithful and tasteful set-ups for what we know happens later), and so I'll just say - with so much that could have gone wrong - this film exceeded my hopes. It was like having that experience of the first film all over again. If people owned DVDs any more, I'd be tempted to buy this one, and buy the original one, and put them next to each other my shelf as a "box set."
So if you loved the original, and you haven't seen this one yet for fear of another traumatic experience like the last one - do not be afraid - I highly recommend the new one.
If you've already seen it - post here what you thought of it - what are your impressions? Anyone disagree with me? And if so, why? I would love to hear your thoughts! And if anyone can glean any spiritual insights from the story, I'd love to hear about that, too!
Dear friends - Please take 10 minutes to watch this personal update from me:
I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:
I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
I hope you like the song!
The problem with us men is that often we don't have the wisdom to be a father until we're a grandfather.
This may sounds like some ironic statement that makes you nod your head in agreement but shrug your shoulders in resignation, thinking, well there's nothing we can do about that. But the practical application of that is that it demonstrates how important it is for kids to grow up around their grandparents. But as in our culture the family becomes ever more fractured and spread out, that is harder and harder to do.
Lately I've been thinking that part of the problem is the whole concept of college. It used to be that everyone thought a person had to go to college to make a good living. Not only is that not the case (truck drivers make more money than I do) but now college has gone from useless to actually ruining our kids. But when I went to college, what you were supposed to do is figure out what career you wanted (as if anyone knows that at age 18) and then go away to the college ...
And don't forget, if you would like to read my latest novel:
The Sword and the Clover - just let me know by email.
I'm happy to send you the PDF version, even if you haven't been a monetary supporter of the community - all I ask is that you don't share it with anyone else.
My email address:
Keep in touch!
JIm
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