In my mind, the thoughts are not random

A few not so random things (I do not believe in random thoughts or ideas)...

My former parishioner Craig (I just wanted to call someone that), from our time in Boston has an excellent posting on his blog regarding the limits of the theory of intelligent design. His thesis is that Intelligent Design may make a wonderful philosophical argument. However, it is poor science (if it can even be called science). Conversely, evolution is science, yet poor philosophy.

The inherent problem of the arguments is simple. There are 2 groups fighting each other, but talking about different things. No wonder it is such a disaster. Please read it and comment (especially if you are studying ID).

As I commented on his blog, I am sorry that Christian apologists try so hard to "defend the faith" and "defend God's Creation." Of course, God needs no defenders. And, it is an unwinnable argument because it elevates scientific reasoning, rationalism, modernity, Decartian reason and the rest of these things to a level above the Bible and Scripture (if it didn't then they would not try to prove God in the realm built by modernity).

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We saw Fever Pitch this weekend. I am unable to properly critique the film. I feel that Jimmy Fallon is funny but nolt able to carry the emotional weight the script demanded of him. I felt much was wrong regarding the culture of the Red Sox and Red Sox fans within the city of Boston (most of it details the Farrelly's knew). I felt Drew Barrymore's character was not believable on many levels.

But, the movie was funny. The Red Sox obsession of Fallon's character and his friends was very amusing (even through he could not have hidden it until March). Also, it is hard to properly judge a movie when it is about the city you love more than life itself. Watching the skyline and the buildings brings back memories that would not allow a critical viewing. Wish we were there.

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The greatest living American actor has a very strange personal website. Jeff Bridges gives a taste of his art, his music, his writings and his photography. By the way, you can join in tribute to him this year at the annual Lebowski Fest July 22-24 in Louisville. The fest is a gathering of fans obsessed with the Coen Brothers 1998 classic The Big Lebowski starring Jeff Bridges, in one of his sinfully unnominated performances, as "the Dude." How can Tom Hanks get an Oscar for playing a character of an autistic man stumbling through recent history, as well as an Oscar for losing lots of weight and having good makeup, yet "The Dude" does not warrant a nomination?

Kevin Spacey plays himself in American Beauty, Roberto Benigni plays the clown in Life is Beautiful, Russel Crowe wins for the wrong movie. I could go on.

Yet, in 30 years, Jeff Bridges has garnered no wins and only a handful of nominations (and only one for Lead Actor). Nothing for The Dude. Nothing for Fearless. Nothing for Starman (did get nominated). Nothing for The Fisher King (the biggest travesty ever. He carried the film. Williams was comic relief and a tragic figure, but looking back, he played himself). Nothing for The Door in the Floor (as good as Jamie Foxx in Ray). Nothing for the Vanishing or American Heart. He was even brilliant in lesser films like Arlington Road and Tron.

The only comparison is the underrated brilliance of Kevin Bacon (and even Don Cheadle). Both of these men have been hampered by the ability to disappear wholly into roles. When you watch Tom Hanks, DeNiro, Denzel, Nicholson, Pacino or Hoffman in great roles, you may say to yourself, "wow, that actor is acting so great." When you see Bridges (and Bacon to a lesser degree) in such a role, you forget the actor. Watch the Big Lebowski again and see what I mean.

That is acting.