John Masters, Author at Deep Something

Fury – A Movie Review

February 21, 2015February 20, 2015 B. John 483 Views 0 Comments War, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Pena, David Ayer, Action, Brad Pitt, Drama

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. It was worth watching, and much of the action was realistic, but in some cases logic has to be stretched a little.

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Craziness Roundup for the Week of Feb. 20, 2015

February 20, 2015February 20, 2015 B. John 930 Views 0 Comments Welfare, school funding, Gene Alday, Roy Moore, Glenn Murdock, Witherspoon Institute, Michael Paulsen, republican, Mississippi, Robert George, Nom, James Van Huss, Tennessee, Roy More, Micah, Alabama

This week’s crazy has been especially over the top, especially with Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore trying to stand in the courthouse doorway, and more Christians believing that only they can defend God (shhh, apparently he can’t take care of himself).

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American Sniper – War and Politics

February 16, 2015February 16, 2015 B. John 609 Views 0 Comments Chris Kyle, American Sniper, Heroes, cowards, Iraq, Michael Moore

The recent movie, American Sniper, based on the autobiography of Chris Kyle, has sparked quite a bit of heated discussion. I’ve previously reviewed the movie, but in this post, I’d like to take on some of the politics, praise, and condemnation that’s been the result of the movie.

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American Sniper-A Movie Review

February 16, 2015 B. John 606 Views 2 Comments Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Action, Ben Reed, Drama, Biography, Clint Eastwood

Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind. We watched this one in the theater a couple of weekends ago. I’m sorry to just now be getting around to writing my review. Me and Lay both thought this movie was OK. I suspect he liked it a bit more. I had some trouble separating the politics, the biography, and the movie.

Culture Movies

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-A Movie Review

January 19, 2015 B. John 474 Views 0 Comments Maggie Smith, India, Liza Tarbuck, Judi Dench, Paul Bhattacharjee, Bill Nighy, Lucy Robinson, Tom Wilkinson, Ronald Pickup, Celia Imrie, Jaipur, Patrick Pearson, Hugh Dickson, James Rawlings, Comedy, Penelope Wilton, Drama

Seven elderly Britons, for a variety of reasons, respond to an online ad and travel to Jaipur, India, where they find run-down hotel with a young, exuberant, and optimistic host. Evelyn, newly widowed, wants low-cost experience, Graham seeks a long-ago love, Douglas and Jean have lost their pension in a family investment, Muriel needs cheap hip surgery, Madge seeks a rich husband, and Norman is chasing women. Lay was off Saturday, and I watched this. It was an enjoyable movie.

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As Usual Methodist Episcopacy Missing in Action

January 18, 2015September 29, 2018 B. John 525 Views 0 Comments UMC, College of Bishops, methodist, Episcopacy, Georgia, Benjamin Michael Watson, James R. King, Religious Freedoms Bill

It will come no surprise that members of the Georgia legislature have introduced model legislation similar to that introduced in other legislature where marriage equality has either passed or been instituted by judicial action. This one of those “Religious Freedoms” bills designed to allow “christians” to discriminate against anyone they don’t like…because, you know…who would Jesus hate. In this instance, a group of religious leaders in Georgia have banded together and issued a letter denouncing the bill, and explaining that no one, besides certain Republican members of the legislature has actually asked for the bill. I was heartened to see that a number of United Methodist pastors from Georgia had signed the letter. But as usual, the Methodist Episcopacy was missing in action.

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Atlanta Fire Chief and Free Speech

January 17, 2015September 29, 2018 B. John 523 Views 2 Comments Josh Duggar, Nom, Kelvin Cochran, Brian Brown, Fire Chief, FRC, free speech, Religious Freedom, Atlanta, Anti-Gay, Tony Perkins

The story is based on a recent action by the City of Atlanta in which they fired Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran for the publication of a religiously themed book, and how it was distributed within the department. The book included some pretty strong anti-gay comments, so of course the main characters in anti-gay, inc. are all grifting on Cochran’s martyrdom. I’d like to offer some reminders to these staunch defenders of “free speech.”

Culture Movies

The Imitation Game – A Movie Review

January 11, 2015January 10, 2015 B. John 471 Views 0 Comments Biography, Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Morten Tyldum, Thriller, Drama

During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. We saw this last weekend, and while there’s a long way to go in 2015, I won’t be surprised if this remains at or near the top of my 2015 list of favorites. Turing opens saying, “…But if you choose to stay, remember that you chose to be here. What happens from this moment forward is not my responsibility. It’s yours. Pay attention.” Do that. Stay in the room, and pay attention.

Culture Movies

Skeleton Twins – A Movie Review

January 10, 2015January 10, 2015 B. John 320 Views 0 Comments Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Craig Johnson, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell

Another movie we watched a few weeks ago from Redbox. I’m catching up. This one we both liked a lot. It was a well told tale. Having both coincidentally cheated death on the same day, estranged twins reunite with the possibility of mending their relationship.

Culture Movies

Birdman – A Movie Review

January 10, 2015January 10, 2015 B. John 434 Views 0 Comments Jamahl Garrison-Lowe, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Comedy, Drama, Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Kenny Chin

We watched this nearly a month ago, and I’m just getting to writing the review. A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. It was an interesting movie, but frankly got a bit tiring. The setting, a theater, must have been the largest theater backstage ever.

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Update to Marriage Issue in Pasco County

January 9, 2015September 29, 2018 B. John 1484 Views 5 Comments Pasco, Marriage, Clerk of Court, florida, Paula O'Neil

This entry is part 17 of 35 in the series Gay Marriage

Boy oh boy, did I get a surprise phone call Monday. I live in Tampa, just south of Pasco County, and Monday morning I faxed a letter to Paula O’Neil, Pasco Clerk of Court concerning their discontinuing performing marriage ceremonies in deference to the bigotry of some of her assistant clerks. You can read the letter here.