Captain America Winter Soldier Review

My thoughts of the film. It's been forever since I posted here!!

Captain America: Winter Soldier After Action Report

This review will assume you’ve seen the movie, so I won’t be giving a general plot summary but Wikipedia does a good job of that. This will be more of a ‘bullet-points’ review and how it relates to us today. BTW, I’ve seen the movie twice now.

This is one of the few films that I actually looked forward to seeing ever since I heard about it. I liked the first film despite some flaws, and especially liked the character of Steve Rogers (aka Capt. America). First off, Winter Soldier isn’t as much a sci-fi film as it is a political, conspiracy thriller with a touch of Bourne (think massive government surveillance tracking you). It is more intense (action wise) and dark compared Captain America #1. There are a lot of relevant topics addressed in the movie that are currently being debated. This review will mainly focus on these current, relevant topics that are nodded to in the film.

But first the list of cautions:

-Light language

-Tight clothing (less immodesty than the first film)

-Intense action violence and lots of it (lots of adrenaline)

-Some hollywood style tactics (okay, okay, but you have to reload a magazine now and again)

SPOILERS AHEAD!

I like the way they developed Cap’s character, he’s finding he doesn’t quite fit in with the world as it is and is at odds with it, especially in regards to what freedom is (this is seen in his conversations with Nick Fury and ‘The Falcon’).  When shown the massive pre-emptive strike capabilities of SHIELD he argues “this isn’t freedom, this is fear”, and “I thought the punishment came after the crime.” He’s used to following orders, but now he views orders with more caution (which is what current military and law enforcement should be thinking as well). The filmmakers actually brought in the topics of surveillance, drone usage, wire-tapping, whistle-blowers,  pre-emptive strikes (including against American citizens), freedom vs. security and concealed carry into the film on purpose.

-The quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin about trading liberty for security is almost quoted word for word by the BAD GUYS! Take heed, America.

-I thought it was funny how Cap rolled his eyes when Nicks tells him his room is tapped.

-Hopefully people will recognize that what might seem like a good thing is very bad in the hands of the wrong people. Don’t give too much power to the government.

-What HYDRA was doing in the film is what socialism and communism are doing to a certain degree in America today. Going underground over decades and infiltrating (i.e. public schools, media, Obama, etc…).

-Also, as a side note I thought it was funny that the SWAT teams in the movie looked eerily similar to the Nazi HYDRA soldiers in Captain America 1; masked and everything.

-What I really enjoyed, is not only did Captain America take out HYDRA, he also took down SHIELD, an organization which I never liked (although cool) in the Marvel movies anyways.

-Agent Romanoff leaked everything similar to what Edward Snowden has done.

-There’s one non-romantic kiss, using a public display of affection as a disguise during an E&E (escape and evasion); actually kinda comical.

-I also appreciate Rogers relationships with women (and the lack thereof). Even though Black Widow is this super tough super-spy, I counted at least 4 times that Captain America pushed her aside (or down) out of harm’s way to save her. Shows who is supposed to be protecting and fighting on the front lines. And he visits his ‘girl’ even though she is old and frail and takes care of her. I thought it it was actually a very sweet scene.  

-I liked the heli-carrier launch technician who decided to disobey the order to launch (and the so-called mutiny that happens afterward)

-Interesting tidbit: Nick Fury’s father did concealed carry.

-Interesting tidbit: When the satellites start targeting people, somebody in the top of Stark tower is targeted; very quick shot. Not that I’d mind too much, though… :)

-Personally, I liked the realism of real weapons in the firefights compared to space guns. And despite being a superhero film, I did see some reloading and firearms locking back empty. Nice realistic touches.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is my favorite Marvel film to date, and one of my top favorite films in general.

Being Married to my Bride

Four months ago today I married Perry Elisabeth, who has become far more than just the girl of my dreams. Everyday I am so thankful for what a gift God has given me in a bride. Everyday I am so joyful to be her companion, friend, and husband. Her friendship, joyfulness, and character is always so helpful to me in so many ways. She is really becoming, and is, a virtuous young woman. The past four months have gone by so quickly; we've done so many things together, and learned so many things about each other. She is going to an awesome mother, and already is. She has gone through many trials already in bearing our child in her womb, but she can still find in herself to be fun loving and enjoy life. She has a great love for me, and it's so genuine. Being married definitely brings more responsibility, but it also brings inexpressible joy, and it brings two people that can work together for God's glory. Who can create a family, bring honor to His name, and be an image of God's love to the church. Perry is the only one who could do all this with me, she is the one that God created for me (which blows me away)! As we have found out, we are very much alike, but also complement each other in our differences. She has a great desire to support me, to cheer me on, and to see me succeed. It is a true blessing. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her. p.s. Hey look everyone, I blogged!

I Have a Future Bride!!!!

Today I asked the most beautiful girl to be the love of my life; she said "Um-hm-yes!!!" I am the most blessed man ever!! More details to come!!!

A Green Christmas at Eatonwood in 78'

Perry and I stumbled across this together one night, from a Christmas concert from last year. If you like CCM, Irish, acoustic, music listen to this.
Goofy title I know. Cause it's related to the song.

Writing Challenge

Don't think your that interested in writing, try again by trying this!

God's Steadfast Love Manifested

Yes, today is thanksgiving, and I am thankful; but actually I have been thinking about thankfulness the past couple of weeks, (not necessarily because of Thanksgiving) and it has been a huge blessing in my day to day walk. Even though maybe I am not where I would really like to be; which would include having 'the' job, and thus being engaged or married, I'm still was finding myself very thankful. Knowing that God has a plan, and he is making good use of this time to grow me, and Perry together in and to Him.

I've been finding myself being very appreciative of my salvation which God has graciously bestowed upon me. The more I understand his steadfast love to me, the more humble and thankful I've become. God does have a steadfast love for me, which is so incredible when I think of it. My problem though is not meditating/thinking on it enough.

Also I've been thankful for my immediate family, having one, and just appreciating what God has given me. For him providing a house, and so many things in life, meaning spiritual things in life like a faith and a church. For values I've been taught by my family, their dedication through the years.

I'm thankful for God providing fairly constant work for me this year, in this economy. And the experience I gained when working at Intel, and possibly what that experience is leading to. I'm honored about a very real job prospect that I'm currently waiting for, and that I've been selected. Just the possibility of earning a wage more than two times than what I've hoped is amazing. Even if it happens to not be God's ultimate will for me. (BTW, if God gave me this particular job I would need to go to AZ for training!).

And then there is Perry. I don't even know where to start with her. I am so thankful for her! Her friendship, her encouragement, her heart, music, laughter and smile... I am so honored to pursue such a girl who is so beautiful in so many ways. She is blessed by God, and such a blessing to me. I am so overwhelmed and 'fascinated' by her.

God has indeed shown a steadfast love to me this year!

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:10-11

Andrew Peterson Concert Video

From the 'date' I took Perry on. "The Reckoning" song. With Steven Curtis Chapman doing backups. Vancouver Wa, Oct 28, 2011.