TV Review - Defiance

While not actually a Christian Speculative program, Defiance shows much promise as a Science Fiction TV show. There are plenty of twists and turns, unexplained mysteries, and a hints of some type of spiritual background among the various alien races who live in the town.

The show starts with a human and an alien racing across the barren landscape in a type of car often seen in post apocalyptic movies. They stop to investigate an ark fall, uncovering a treasure which will help them 'get ahead' in their life. They run into vicious bikers, escape, injured but alive, and run into the lawkeeper from Defiance.

They're taken in, cared for and get involved with the locals, pretty much against their will. There's a murder, an attack by an army and in the end, the human male is offered the job of lawkeeper.

Best of all, there is plenty of undercurrents, like a family feud between two powerful families, two sisters, one of which if the mayor, the other the local bar keep - brothel owner, and a Romeo-Juliet romance.

It will be interesting to see if the writers manage to pull off a tight action packed series with all the interesting set up elements in tact.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'The Jensen Project'

The next movie, 'The Jensen Project' follows the adventure of teen age boy who is the son of two brilliant parents. They had removed themselves from a think tank project but were recalled when an emergency emerges. Their son teams up with a fellow girl genius and the two of them embark upon an adventure to discover who caused the problem.

A good attempt at a Science Fiction/Mystery film but also predictable. The flying car was a fun addition and for the teen audience, the tension between the girl and boy would be all they could hope for. The parents' and other adult roles are downplayed, the bad guys stereotypes, which makes the film a bit less than it could have been.

If the viewer enjoyed films such as 'Return to Witch Mountain' or other Disney features, then they will enjoy this movie.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 3.

'Why Not Question' - What Christians could learn from the Science Fiction Community

There is a great deal Christians could learn from the Science Fiction community. Yikes! Christians fleeing in many directions of the mere mention of Science Fiction.
Ahhh! Save us from that unGodly thinking.

Oh, come on now. There are Science Fiction fans in many churches. It just isn't talked about because of this very reaction. Why set one's self up for condemnation?

However, the original comment stands. There is much Christians could learn from this tight knit and very open community.

What you ask? What could unbelievers possibly teach us?

Ever been to a Science Fiction convention? Answer is probably no, but please, bear with the blogger.

To begin with a convention, or con as it's normally called, is a huge family reunion. Most in these circles, and there are many sub genres, only see each other once maybe twice a year. It is a time to catch up on each others lives, the things one wouldn't post on Facebook, go out to eat together, see out of town friends, and engage in activities mutually enjoyed, example, gaming, filking,(SF folk singing), talking with authors or artists, viewing art, buying new stuff in the dealer's room, hanging out in the Con suite where free food is served, making new friends because everyone there is attending for the same reason and have a common interest, not to mention all the hugs exchanged. They're family.

Unfortunately, in many churches, people do not feel so welcomed. Yes, there are small groups as in the SF circles. Yes, everyone attending church has the same reason for being there and a common interest.

But today, everyone in church seems to be so busy they don't get involved in each others lives. They rush in for the service and rush out, maybe saying a quick 'Hi', before leaving to get the family home, fed and in front of the TV for the football game or to get the homework completed.

Rarely do Christians seem to take the time to get to know each other, hang out, talk, go eat together, or do anything that is common during a Con.

After all, Christians are all part of God's family yet seem to treat each other as perfect strangers and content to stay the way. No, it's not way in every church, but in the larger ones, it's the norm. One can go to church, sit in a pew, be preached at and leave, without ever speaking to anyone else.

This is unfortunate and part of what is wrong with churches/Christians today. How can a secular group have it so right and God's people so wrong?