Holier Than Thou

Televangelists are everywhere these days, and getting more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Gone are most of the big scandal makers of the 1980’s and 90’s, who have been replaced by more slick marketing, with promises of huge rewards in this life; here and now; with no more waiting for the afterlife to collect. These days it’s pay and collect now, as you go.

There is one televangelist in my area who promises a tenfold return on an investment of only $1,000 dollars. As a matter of fact, it’s not called an investment; it’s known as “planting a seed with Jesus.” Who says money doesn’t grow on trees? Clearly, they are not watching enough television, or they would know.

The clip above, from You Tube, is a look back at the good old days; when the televangelists were comparatively honest liars, looking for whatever you were willing to send. The proof of that is in the Jimmy Swaggart affair, in which; being a good steward of his congregation’s money; he ticked off a prostitute by paying her only $10 for her services. He was in his Lincoln Town Car at the time.

Religion is an important part of my life in that I am spiritual in nature. I believe in God, and also free will. I also believe that the heaven or hell we are destined for are of our own making; and further; that as such, we live now in those worlds by the choice of our everyday actions. The bill is not deferred. The bill is always due.

"The Brothers Bloom" with Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz and Mark Ruffalo

This film, by Director Rian Johnson, of "Brick", is a quirky, offbeat tale about two brothers, Bloom and Stephen Bloom, who spend their whole lives, since birth, as con men, abandoned as children by their con artist father. Bloom, played by Adrien Brody, is the schill, with his role in life always changing along with the scripted movements of the con. Due to that fact, he has no idea of who he really is. Where does the con leave off and the real him begin? With this in mind, after 35 years, he quits.

Three years later his brother Stephen, played by Mark Ruffalo, finds him, asking Bloom to perform one last con that will set them both up for life. The "mark" is an epileptic heiress with a penchant for art and literature. She is a very mysterious, and attractive woman.

When the plans to involve her in a car accident involving Bloom go wrong, the con goes awry, and Bloom comes to the aid of his would be mark, who has had an epileptic seizure due to the accident. Stephen, not wishing to let go of the con, comes up with an alternate plan, which involves a world trip.

When the script becomes the non-script, and the con artist becomes his own mark, things get a bit complicated. The success of any con is judged by each party to the con getting what he, or she wants. Or thinks that they want. In the end, when people go off in search of themselves, it's often interesting to see just whom they find.

An unusual movie, with a great soundtrack, and inspiring acting, this is an upbeat film which manages to stay grounded enough to feel "real." With good direction by Rian Johnson, who also wrote the script, this is a good and carefully nuanced film.