VIRB

I'd heard it was a bit like the Bourne movies. The filmography was similar (very good), their was a "spy" element, and it was intense. Maybe it could be a second-cousin to the Bourne movies, but not more closely-related.

The music & acting were both really fantastic (although Jeff Daniels will forever be "Dumb & Dumber" to me). Guy Pearce had a main role, and we couldn't believe how much he talks like Brad Pitt. Amazing. And the PG-13 rating was fair. The whole movie is tense, there is some violence (none of it gratuitous at all), and a little bit of bad language.

With that said, I liked it a bunch. Beth liked it too - probably not as much as me. The plot was very captivating and the movie doesn't give you many chances to catch your breath. It also keeps you guessing who is on the right side, and not all of the pieces come together until the final moments.

Beth and I both liked how it portrayed the human-side of islam (both the terrorist & peaceful factions). In the end, it's an anti-terrorist movie that demonstrates their lack of both compassion and intelligence behind such people.

Some people would be upset to hear the words "human" and "terrorist" in the same sentence. I understand that murder of any kind is horrendous & unthinkable to most humans. But the reality is that we are all probably only a few steps away from being "inhumane."
-Being around violent people.
-Being in a violent home.
-Anger that's not dealt with.
-Depression & hopelessness sets in...

We'd like to think that a terrorist is a "freak" or "inhumane" because we are uncomfortable thinking that they are equal to us. We want them to be at a lesser level or from a different DNA. But they are equal to us. Everyone is human. Everyone is created in God's image. Everyone is loved dearly by God. But only few find redemption, which is sometimes the same people who have sinned the most - and then loved the most (Luke 7).

I think this principle is important for Jesus followers to learn. Jesus certainly lived this out. So how is that we only want a certain type of people in our circles? Why do I sometimes think that God's grace can't cover someone else's sins?