Merry Christmas!

Christmas through the eyes of children...brilliant! Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Review: The Projectionist

Check out this song by Sleeping At Last. Perhaps at some point I will do a more extensive review on this one-man-band, but for now please enjoy this song, I know I do! I love this song because it talks about the power, hope, and beauty that stories offer, whether that be fictional narratives or amazing true tales. Stories inspire us, and give us hope and courage to face what life may throw our way. And that is perhaps while I love Sleeping At Last so much, I feel like Ryan O'Neal tries to capture a story in each song.

Song: The Projectionist

Artist: Sleeping At Last

Album: Atlas: Light - EP

Year Released: 2013



Lyrics:

When I was young I fell in love with story,
With the eleventh hour, with the blaze of glory.

The theater lights dim and all goes quiet.
In the darkest of rooms, light shines the brightest.

When hands are tied and clocks are ticking,
An audience convinced: we’re leaning in,
Holding our breath again.

Just when we thought the game was over
The music lifts and our dying solider lives!
And we breathe a sigh of relief.

We’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.

But even dust was made to settle
And if we’re made of dust, then what makes us any different?
I guess we give what we’ve been given:
A family tree so very good at giving up
When we’ve had enough.
Though truth is heavier than fiction,
Gravity lifts as the projectionist rolls tape.
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave.

So we’re leaving, we’re leaving our shadows behind us now.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving it all behind for now.
And it makes us brave again
And it makes us brave.
We’re leaving, we’re leaving ‘em all behind for now.

Review: Hallelujah

 



Title: Hallelujah

 

Originally Released: 1984

 

Song Writer: Leonard Cohen

 

Leonard Cohen's song, Hallelujah, is definitely well know with more than 300 different versions in circulation. When he was writing the song, he actually wrote 80 different verses before finalizing the originally released version in 1984. I don't know about you, but I would LOVE to get my hands on all those 80 verses. Now, I know you are going to hate me, BUT 80's music isn't really my thing, so I chose to show this version of the song performed by Matthew Schuler, from The Voice. (Disclaimer: I rarely watch TV shows, especially shows like The Voice, but my parents like watching it. So, I have seen a couple episodes of this season. Two people, in particular, really stuck out to me and they already got the boot. And that's one of the reasons why I don't like watching shows like this, but I digress).  I chose this version for several reasons. Watching this performance reawakened me to the beauty of this song. I really like the verses he chose to sing in his iTunes' version - which you should check out.

Like I stated earlier, there are so many versions and so many verse mash-ups of this song that I just liked Matthew's iTunes version the best. There are some versions that make you feel more depressed than others. I am actually hoping that someday somebody will perform the song including all the below verses - I guess you could say it's my dream version of the song. I think depending on which version of the song you hear and which artist performs it, the song can be more hopeful or more tragic. I personally think the song is both. To me, the song is about the tragedy of lust, but also the beautiful reality and hope that is in love. That is why I love the lyrics, " I did my best...And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue, but Hallelujah." 

Another reason I liked Matthew's version is, despite knowing next to nothing about him, I feel like there are conviction and truth in his voice; he makes you connect with the song. He even stated in an interview, "I want people to be able to interact with me through my music, that they can see something true, that they can see something authentic, and that I can be honest with them on stage and really connect with them. People are the most important thing. That's my goal, to help and bless people through my music - that's why I am here." Well, well-done, Matthew - I think you did it. :)

And lastly, he just has an amazing voice!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I could sing, I would choose the following verses:

 

I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you

She tied you to a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, and she cut your hair

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before

I know this room, I've walked this floor

I used to live alone before I knew you.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch

Love is not a victory march

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time when you let me know

What's really going on below

But now you never show it to me, do you?

And remember when I moved in you

The holy dove was moving too

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 I did my best, it wasn't much

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch

I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you

And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Thoughts on Dystopias

In light of the release of Catching Fire, check out this article on dystopias: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/november/dark-bedtime-stories.html?paging=off

I think this article makes some interesting points, and please do not let the fact that it is posted on Christianity Today scare you off. ;) From one novel lover to another, enjoy!

Also, let me know your thoughts on the matter and post a comment.

Cheers!

Review: The Tell-Tale Heart

In honor of Halloween (I know a day late), check out this reading of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe by one of my favorites - Matthew Gray Gubler.

(Matthew Gray Gubler)

Title: The Tell-Tale Heart

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Published: 1843

Year I read it: 2001

Perhaps Edgar Allan Poe maybe a bit dark for some of you (I know, The Tell-Tale Heart is rather dark), but I must confess that, yes, I do like Edgar Allan Poe. I particularly like The Tell-Tale Heart because it reveals the depravity of the immorality of man, but also reveals the presence of A Moral Standard that lies within all men. This man experiences the pang of conviction for what he has done, and the weight of guiltiness.

 

 

Review: NT Live: Frankenstein

 

 

Title: National Theatre Live: Frankenstein

By: Nick Dear

Director: Danny Boyle

 Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch & Jonny Lee Miller 

Year Released: 2011

Years I saw it: 2012 & 2013

Summary: The National Theatre, in London, will record certain performances of their productions and tour them in cinemas around the world. NT Live: Frankenstein is by Nick Dear and directed by Danny Boyle (who was the creative genius behind the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics), and stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. This play is adapted from Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus – if you have NOT read it yet, please do and then go see this performance.  

Interesting fact: Cumberbatch and Miller both play Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. There are two separate recordings of this production: one Cumberbatch plays the Creature and Miller plays Frankenstein, and two they swap roles – brilliant!

Strangely enough, both actors have also gone on to play in adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. Which, by the way, I highly recommend BBC's Sherlock (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman).

Reasons to see it: Firstly, it is a wonderful adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Secondly, Boyle’s creativity with set, music, costumes, makeup and concept (the swapped roles) are worth seeing for themselves. Thirdly, the acting - I mean Benedict Cumberbatch is probably one of the greatest actors of my time and you will probably not see him in anything else like this – especially as the Creature.  

Reasons why you maybe should not see it: Well, it is the story of Frankenstein, so it is not like it is the most happy-go-lucky story out there because it isn’t in the slightest. Like I said earlier, if you haven’t read the book first, please do so. It is relatively short and worth the read. The content matter deals with the corruption of man – pride, power, murder, lust, etc. There is also some nudity – for those of you who are affected by that sort of thing.

Check out the website: http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/16546-frankenstein