BlueLikeJazzing

The other night I had a great opportunity,..that was to be one of about the first 500 to preview a rough cut of the Blue Like Jazz Film at the Angelika Plano Theater during the Echo2011 Conference. Renowned Christian Music God-Father, Steven Taylor, brings yet another “edgy” classic to the world. This time it’s not with a guitar, nor a crazy 80’s hair do, and certainly no empirically satirical lyrics “outing” yet another repulsive godless leader,.. no this time.. Taylor brings a humbly loud rendering of Donald Miller’s eternal classic to the big screen. The film presented in what Taylor self-describes as a “very rough” form, was just short of perfect. In this world where critics sit in the driver seat in almost every enclave our world deems valuable, this artistic showing allows the viewer to engage in so many levels. The real value in the film is in its simplicity. Some observed, “it seemed a little slow here”, and a few,.. “it dragged a little there”. Not for me,..even when there was no “film”, but rather, some rough picture-boards telling the story as the narration allowed the story to transition, tied the readers experience from the book to the viewers seat, and in doing so places the viewer in their same mind frame as when they first read the book. This movie needs to make the big screen and everyone who has ever struggled with their faith, or is struggling right now, should go see this. Anyone sending a Christian 18 year old should see this with their college send-off. The film gets a little racy at moments in this PG-13 that he doesn’t want his 12 year old to see( yet), but Steven shares in his opening statements that this is Portland, and it is at Reed College, so,… well if anyone has ever been to progressively liberal PDX they would understand the constant attack on Godly Values and Morality, .. and then to over emphasize this, Reed College has as its on it’s unofficial logo the words,.. “Communism, Atheism, Free Love”. This is the onslaught of value deprecating forces that young Donald faced when he chose Reed. Wrap-up– Miller’s printed words get screen life via Taylor that are genuine, eclectic and inviting!