Sunday, October 21, 2012

Jonathan's Favourite Things - Reject Apathy

Reject Apathy is an online magazine which features articles on social justice. They also have published two print editions. It has specific ethical shopping opportunities and accessible ways to respond to crises of poverty and injustice.

Reject Apathy is published by Relevant Media Group. They put out Relevant Magazine which I have subscribed to for two years. It is aimed at 20 and 30 somethings from a Christian perspective. I find their articles very useful in struggling with my faith and exploring meaty issues.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Movie Reviews

Muppets at the Movies

In early 2012, I volunteered to write movie reviews for a favourite radio station's website. I have lots of fun writing them - and of course viewing the films!

This is a list of links to all my movie reviews over at Light FM's website:

"The Muppets" poster

The Muppets (2011)
In this, my first review, I was experimenting and working out my style.

http://lightfm.com.au/movie-reviews/movie-review-muppets

"Any Questions For Ben?"

Any Questions For Ben (2012)
From the creators of "The Castle" and ""Thank God You're Here", I enjoyed seeing Melbourne on the silver screen.

http://lightfm.com.au/movie-reviews/movie-review-any-questions-ben


"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" poster

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)
An Academy Awards' Best Picture nominee, this film follows a family whose lives were turned upside down by the New York World Trade Centre Attacks on September 11th, 2001.

http://lightfm.com.au/movie-reviews/movie-review-extremely-loud-incredibly-close


"The Amazing Spider-man" - hero poster

The Amazing Spiderman (2012)
I wrote this review right after I saw the movie. I loved it so much I raced to the computer and got it down.

http://lightfm.com.au/movie-reviews/movie-review-amazing-spiderman


"Finding Nemo 3D"

Finding Nemo 3D Re-release (2003, 2012)
This was the first 3D movie I reviewed. I love this movie. I got a lot more out of it as an adult than as a teenager when it came out.

http://lightfm.com.au/movie-reviews/finding-nemo-3d-movie-review


After you have read one or two reviews, please leave a comment on this page - I would love some feedback on my reviewing style.

Update: For a more recent review, this time for a music concert, click for My "Owl City Concert Review" link.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Stranger's Smile


A Stranger's Smile 
Based on a true story

By Jonathan Parsons


  
John turned the corner. He saw 4 or 5 people waiting at the bus stop. He began to smile, as he always liked to do for strangers. He chose a man in his mid-thirties.The guy's shirt hung out on a corner and his eyes looked down past his shoes. He was just a bit too far away for John to see his face. 

Ah, there it was, the polite smile was returned. John turned away to cross the road. The library was near, and he had to check the old email.

“Hey, mate!” It was the friendly stranger. John turned to see him.
“Are you Adrian?”
Making a thousand assumptions and judgements about the stranger and his story, John replied. “No, I’m not Adrian.”
And why not end with another smile?

Photo credit: Brian Auer