Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Man Behind Kilted Yoga Receives Homophobic Death Threats – Let’s Show Him We Support Him

Yoga Dork



This is not OK. Remember that captivating video that went viral? We loved it, and we’re pretty sure most of the internet did, too—with its 50 million+ views. But since the video went viral, the yogi behind it says he’s received some seriously terrible threats.
Yogi Finlay Wilson says he received a handwritten letter left on his doorstep. “I was warned in this letter that I should leave my home, along with me and my dog, because I was gay,” Wilson said in an interview with BBC Scotland’s The Social.
“The writers of the letter claimed that they’d been watching me for quite some time, that they’re watching my social media.”
In a separate interview with the BBC, Wilson explains how he was full of fear and panic at first, but then frustration and anger.
“I was upset at first, but now I am furious, because someone’s aim is to intimidate me and terrorise[sic] me into leaving my home because of their own bigoted beliefs.
“The people who do this sort of thing need to know that their views are unacceptable and the majority of people won’t tolerate it.”
The threat is being treated by police as a hate crime, as it rightly should.
A police spokesperson said: “Police Scotland does not tolerate hate crime in any form and everyone has the right to live safely and without fear.”
We’re assuming the offenders are not yogis, but you know, who knows these days? It’s downright awful that this is happening in today’s world. We stand with you against hate, Finlay Wilson, and want you to know that others do, too.
If you feel inclined to show your support for Finlay, please leave a comment below, or send him a message on facebook.

Marvel's The Defenders gets premiere date in new teaser

Entertainment Weekly
@NickARomano



Now that we’ve met the Iron Fist, it’s time to look ahead to The Defenders. Marvel‘s heroes of Hell’s Kitchen will assemble in an Avengers-style miniseries event for Netflix, and now we have a release date.




In a brief teaser video, released on YouTube, security camera footage shows the superhuman quartet riding an elevator in Midland Circle, the mysterious corporation at the center of that literal hole in Daredevil season 2. Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones spies the security camera and smashes it exactly at the 08:18:20:17 mark.

Need more confirmation of an August premiere? If you plug in those numbers in the upper left-hand corner to your browser (http://23.253.120.81), it’ll redirect to a website for The New York Bulletin, the newspaper where Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page now works. At the bottom is a message that reads, “Watch Marvel’s The Defenders All Episodes Streaming Only on Netflix August 18.”

Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Danny Rand (Finn Jones) will team up to take on a new threat, Sigourney Weaver’s Alexandra. As revealed in EW’s The Defenders cover story, each hero arrives at Midland Circle separately before they’re forced to fight their way through a group of enemies in another hallway fight sequence.

“Every one of them is following their own trail of bread crumbs, trying to unpack a mystery in New York,” showrunner Marco Ramirez said. “We wanted them all caught off guard. Once they’re in that room together, it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, s—, who are you?’”

Check out the new teaser above.

Power Rangers - Christian Reviews of Witchy Projects

I am sadly addicted to ChristianAnswers.net. I love to see how Christians, and other religions, view projects with alternate religious, or secular, view points. Currently, Power Rangers has 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, but several of my friends, and my daughter's friends, have seen it and loved it. The reviews through CA.net skips over the Pagan/Witchly character in the film: Rita Repulsa, played by the incomparable Elizabeth Banks. They focus more on the Evolutionary science presented, a gay character, and a singing nun.



This week, I proudly share with you ChristianAnswers.net reviews for the new film Power Rangers!



Moral Rating: Very Offensive

"Some may think that the “very offensive” rating is too strong for this film, but I think it is necessary due to the amount of sexual innuendo and inappropriate content present in the film (see below under objectionable content). Especially for a film that appeals to kids, I believe a strong warning needs to be sounded. Children are impressionable, and there are just too many red flags in this film. Even one instance of innuendo can stay in the mind for years. We must not underestimate its damaging effects. Such content is not only harmful but absolutely unnecessary.

There is a scene where it is heavily implied that one of the Rangers has embraced homosexuality. The media is highlighting this fact, calling her the first openly Gay superhero. The film doesn’t actually come right out and say that, but it is strongly implied, fully intentional, and the Director acknowledges that this. In a movie that appeals to kids, parents have to be ready with answers. Even if they don’t allow their kids to see the film, they will likely hear about this character at school or through the media.
There are biblical answers for this. Scripture is clear that homosexuality is a sin, but it is also equally clear that it is not a sin too strong for the Gospel (1 Cor 6:9-11). Jesus Christ came to save all sinners who will turn to Him. Christians need to be truthful about this matter, but also compassionate and loving to those who are struggling with this sin, or any other sin. We are to offer them hope in the Gospel. We must not believe Satan’s lie that the Gospel is not powerful enough to change a person struggling with this sin. The Gospel is God’s power to save anyone who believes and repents, and it has the power to break every kind of sin (Romans 1:16; 6:11-14)."

"Positive
Positive—I found this movie enjoyable with a decent plot and good acting. In fact, the beginning of the movie was reminiscent of “The Breakfast Club.” I found very little content that was objectionable for this type of movie. There was almost no profanity, the only sexual content was a girl in very modest underwear before jumping into a lake, and there was a mention of bullying and the after effect of such behavior. There was also the two mentions of innuendo, which were mild and would likely go right over small children’s heads.

If you’re worried of a non biblical worldview, I’d be less afraid of the comment of the Earth being 65 million years old and more concerned that all life would be destroyed if the “magical” stone were ripped out of the ground, but this is a sci-fi after all. more »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
—James Carpenter, age 46 (USA)

Positive—Honestly, I feel the media has been blowing up this whole gay thing WAY outta proportion just to cast light and attention to themselves. The so called “homosexual” scene in question is when the Rangers are trying to get to know each other more. When they question one particular secluded character, Trini, they ask her about her relationships. They ask “boy trouble, girl trouble?” This is just implied, as they don’t know a thing about her. She doesn’t even respond to the question, only talks about her trouble relating to her parents or them understanding her, which is a serious issue all parents and teenagers face. Ultimately, it’s up to your own interpretation of the character, but it does open good opportunities for both parents and teens to talk. Cautious parents can talk before or after the movie so as their kids will understand the context. more »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
—Joshua, age 28 (USA)"

"Comments from non-viewers
Negative—…I was disappointed that the new “Beauty and the Beast” film was promoting the LGBT propaganda. Now here’s another film that I’ll have to boycott. I’m so tired of having this agenda crammed down my throat. The only way we as Christians will get this to stop is to put our money where our mouth is. If we don’t take a stand now, what will the future look like?
—John Johnson, age 21 (USA)

Negative—Of course I am not watching “Power Rangers,” another movie targeting preteens with promoting Gay agenda, promiscuity, gender confusion, etc. It’s disgraceful with as many church-going Christians in America, that movies like this continue with success. Until Christians and conservatives begin to put their money where their mouth is, we’ll continue down the same trajectory as gutted Europe. Wake up America—Boycott Hollywood!!!…
—Harry, age 45 (USA)"


Sarah Michelle Gellar Thinks It’s Time To Stop Asking For A ‘Buffy’ Reboot

Huffington Post

“If the show still works and people are enjoying it, don’t mess with it. If it ain’t broke, I’m not fixing it!”

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

For your viewing pleasure - Witches Brew: an animated short by the Vancouver Film School (VFS)

Witches Brew - Vancouver Film School (VFS)


Ian McKellen Set to Reprise Gandalf in London Stage Return

MSN
The Hollywood Reporter
Alex Ritman

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen will reprise some of his most famous roles - including Gandalf - this summer. 

Over nine nights at London's intimate Park Theatre, the stage and screen icon will perform the exclusive one-man show Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You in which he will retread moments from a career spanning five decades, while also discussing his work with other actors and directors and offering audiences the opportunity to ask questions and even participate onstage.

"I'm performing at Park Theatre to help raise funds for the charity," said McKellen. "In a short time the theater has established itself on both the theatrical and local maps. But with no public subsidy for core costs they need to bring in donations of around £250,000 ($311,000) every year just to keep the doors open."

McKellen added that the money raised via the higher ticket prices for Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You would support Park Theatre's "core ambition of producing accessible theater throughout the coming years and furthering their work with the local community."

Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You will run July 3-9.

How to Tell if Your Ancestors Were Witches, or at least accused of witchcraft.

Teen Vogue




We've all at some point opened our mailbox hoping we'd find our invite to Hogwarts inside. Unfortunately, that day has never come, but that doesn't mean that you didn't descend from a line witches — or at least women accused of witchcraft. These so-called witches didn't attend a fancy wizardry school, and they couldn't Expecto Patronum their way out of trouble, earningthis title is actually much darker than Harry Potter would have you believe. We're talking about the thousands of people killed in Scotland after being accused of witchcraft, similar to the United States' Salem Witch Trials. Still, if you want to know if your ancestors were accused of being witches, a new database can help you find out.

Smithsonian reports London’s Wellcome Library has digitized a manuscript called Names of Witches in Scotland, 1658, a document containing all the names of men and women accused of witchcraft in Scotland between 1658 and 1662. Ancestry.com is now hosting the database, where you can find out whether or not you were related to any of the accused witches of Scotland.

The names, towns and "confessions" of suspected witches are included in the list that was compiled during a witch scare in the 16th and 17th century, according to the Smithsonian. During that time, between 3,000 and 5,000 people were accused of witchcraft, and many were put to death.

The Smithsonian points out torture was often used as a method to coerce "confessions" out of potential witches. If they were found guilty of being a witch,many met a violent end in which they were strangled at the stake then burned.

In a press release from Ancestry.com, Dr. Christopher Hilton, Senior Archivist at Wellcome Library, says this database is a peek inside a world we never really got to know.

“This manuscript offers us a glimpse into a world that often went undocumented,” he said. “How ordinary people, outside the mainstream of science and medicine, tried to bring order and control to the world around them. This might mean charms and spells, or the use of healing herbs and other types of folk medicine, or both. We’ll probably never know the combinations of events that saw each of these individuals accused of witchcraft."


If you want to know whether your ancestors met this unfortunate fate, head over to Ancestry.com, where you can search the database.