Derelict Theology

Movies and Television:

This is what I was wasting my time watching last year -

and now, the best of 2006, part 3: the movies and tv

the best movie of 2006: drama
Facing the Giants - a church in Georgia makes a Christian movie that isn’t cheesy and isn’t about Armageddon, which seem to be the two requirements for Chistian cinema. Wonderful movie about hope and trust. Great stuff.

the best movie of 2006: comedy
Nacho Libre - Not Jack Black’s best stuff, but the pure insanity of the concept of a wrestling monk is just way too over the top not to laugh. Be sure to at least rent this one.

the best thing about tv in 2006
DVR. It’s like TiVo, only not as good. But, because of DVR, I actually watch television now, and I watch what I want! What a novel concept. Until I realize that I’m basically paying my cable bill every month to watch about 5 shows.

best tv show of 2006: drama
LOST and Heroes. I was going to put Reunion here as well, but it got cancelled just when it was getting good! Stupid FOX.

best tv show of 2006: comedy
The Office and My Name is Earl. I’m hooked. Jason Lee and Steve Carrell own my Thursday nights.

best tv show of 2006 that i’m a tiny bit embarassed to admit i watched
The Real World. I just can’t help it. I get sucked in every time. Maybe it’s because I’m a people watcher. Or maybe it’s just like seeing a wreck on the side of the road. Either way, I’m embarassed.

Let me know your lists, yo.

Part 2 = The best music of 2006

This category is quite near and dear to my heart because I love music so much. So, there are no disagreements allowed. This is what you should’ve been listening to in 2006. Nuff said.

the best song of 2006
Luv Addict by Family Force 5 - these guys really made music fun again in 2006. They have just enough tongue in cheek humor combined with some catchy hooks and fine musicianship, not to mention that they put on one heck of a live show. And who can forget the opening words to the song….”hold up, waitaminute, put a little love in it!” Classic.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
2. Rebirthing by Skillet

the best album i downloaded in 2006
Under the Influence of Giants - wonderfully poppy 70’s style poprock with funk influences. Great stuff.

best album i downloaded in 2006 that you may have missed
Pettidee- Thug Love - Yes, Pettidee is gangsta rap, but I’m a sucker for a hot beat and his gravely delivery. Pettidee’s deep fried southern rap always hits the spot when I’m looking for driving music.

best album i downloaded in 2006 that you probably didn’t
Ships by Danielson - Such a wonderful collection of music along with the wonderfully quirky and catchy “Did I Step On Your Trumpet”. This album is one of my faves.

best song of 2006 that you may have missed (the point of)
Savin’ Me by Nickelback - typical chord progression and rockstar vocals from Nickelback, but the video, which featured a guy who could see timers ticking down above the heads of everyone he passed, really knocked this one out of the park for me. Such a wonderful image of the urgency of life and our mission as Christians.

best musical surprise in 2006
Finding out I actually like folk music. Oh yeah. And Sufjan Stevens. He’s great. And put Matisyahu on that list too. Great stuff.

most fun i had with a band in 2006
Seeing Family Force 5 live at NYWC in Cincy. Just fun times. I would pay to see them again.

So, yeah, I’m totally stealing this from one of my favorite bloggers, Marko, but I don’t think he’ll mind.

I’m going to be running down MY favorites of 2006 over the next few days, but if you want to respond with yours, just drop a comment below and let me know what you think. First up though, THE BOOKS OF 2006!

my favorite christian book in 2006
Quite possibly House, by Ted Dekker. I love suspenseful style thrillers and Ted Dekker’s writing just gets better and better. He transcends the typical “Christian” writer’s style and manages to tell a great story with characters I really care about, and he always manages to creep me out at the same time. From Deliverance style rednecks to serial killers to a twist ending, Dekker’s House definitely wins this one by a landslide.

my favorite non-fiction book of 2006
Both Postsecret books by Frank Warren. These books cut me to the heart everytime I look through them, because deep inside I have some secrets too, just like we all do. Seeing people pour out both their triumphs and their heartaches on those little postcards really cements the fact that life happens all around us and when we’re down and we feel like everyone is against us and we feel all alone, chances are we’re not. Check out Postsecret’s website to see what I’m talking about.

my favorite fiction book of 2006
War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. I finally picked this up and read it after seeing the movie and the book totally blew the movie away. There’s such a sense of hopelessness and dread that is woven through the story, which is told in a first person perspective from one of the survivors. You should be able to find this classic in a bargain bin at most bookstores and I know for sure they sell it at Wal-mart, so you don’t have any excuse to not read it! Now.

book that changed my life in 2006
What Matters Most: When Saying No is Better Than Saying Yes by Doug Fields. This book changed the way I do ministry, thus changing my life. My new goal is to say no more in everything I do. And to be honest, I’ve had the chance since finishing it. And it felt good. More time for my family means a happier, less stressed out Marty. That’s a great thing. Doug’s book really serves to pull us off our pedestals and remind us that yes, the world will keep turning if we stop doing what we are doing sometimes.

best reads for youth workers in 2006
Teenage Guys and Teenage Girls from Youth Specialties, and the aforementioned book by Doug Fields take my top spots. After 4 and a half years in youth ministry, I still don’t have everything figured out, but I don’t feel like a rookie, and these books are still teaching me things I need to know about ministry to teenagers. Seriously, these are great reads.

If you want to add yours or disagree with me, you know what to do.