Dubbadeedubbadeedubbadeedubbadeedubbadeedubbadeedub...
 
Du duddaaaaaaaah, da!
Du duddaaaaaaaah, duh.
Du du dadad dud du dadad dud du dadada dududududududuu. du du du duuuuuuuuu dop.
 
Every time that theme music blurted out of my telly I was entranced. Would the Chief finally lose his patience and fire Max. Would agent 86 cotton on to the loveydovey eyes the exquisite 99 kept firing at him? And would agent Fang leave poor old 13 alone in that tree costume?
 
In the re-imagining the Cold War is over and Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is an analyst, not a field agent. So, Smart is...smart if not 100% competent. Bit of a dissapointment, really, but fear not - as well as being interminably dull, ol' Max is also fairly thick. Don Adams can rest easy.
 
The show comes to life when Control is invaded and all its operatives are done in or identified. The Chief (a feisty Alan Arkin) promotes Max to the big game, where he is partnered by the deadly but gorgeous agent 99 (Anne Hathaway).
 
The plot's predictably mindless and over-used - they gotta chase down some missing nukes from the Ruskies - but it';s the jounrey towards that goal that lends excitement and ludicrous mirth.
 
The film;s laughs are fairly frequent and shared around an entire cast. I dips me lid to Terence Stamp as Kaos's ruthless head and Dwaye 'the rock' Johnson as a muscular Control superagent.
 
rated PG for comedic violence and coarse language, this is not the innocent dopey sight gags and stooopid Get Smart of the TV series, but it doesn't suffer completely in its redesign and pays sufficient homage to please the nostalgic faithful.
 
Steve Carell doesn't try to 'outsmart' the late Mr Adams and - in a crtedible ensemble cast - his is the performance that the show hangs on. It may not reach the heights of Mel Brooks' original TV genius (or his movies for that matter) but it is well-intentioned, fun and cleverly done for the most part.
 
Get out, be seeing these movies; and loving it.

Open House film reviewer Barry Gittins is editor of On Fire magazine, and a regular reviewer for the Salvos' Warcry magazine: www.salvationarmy.org.au/warcry

The struggle to find harmony with our spirit
Review of Breath, Tim Winton,

Kara Martin

For me a new book by Tim Winton is like opening a box of your favourite chocolates. You know you are not going to be disappointed, and there might be some surprises, and much of the joy is in the anticipation of the delights within. Winton is Australia’s most celebrated author having won the Miles Franklin award three times, and twice been nominated for the Booker Prize. He is probably Australia’s most recognised author in terms of an international audience.

Breath is his latest offering. Bruce Pike is the narrator of the book, and the story follows his life from a kid, when he was known as “Pikelet”, through to late middle age, with the intensity of the focus on his teenage years. It is about him making sense of his life looking back at some of the events that formed him.
This is a very autobiographical book, in terms of the place and the initial subject matter. At the age of 12 Winton went to live in Albany, which was an isolated country town on the coast of Western Australia in the 70s; and he continues to love the thrill of surfing. Tim also almost drowned several times, and that’s a recurring theme in this book.

Some reviewers have made the connection between the title of the book with the Hebrew definition of “breath” as “spirit” or “life force”. There is very much a sense that all the characters are trying to control what should be natural, breathing. So they try and tame waves, they take risks and fool with the risk of death by drowning or asphyxiation. It’s about fear and risk and thrills and hedonism. In reality though, the activities that Pikelet gets involved with as a teenager end up stealing his spirit, draining his lifeforce, such that he suffocates in the midst of his family and marriage. All the characters are struggling for breath in some way.

This is essentially a book about taking risks. Most of the riskiness involves surfing: trying to catch the biggest waves, surfing in shark breeding areas, surfing over reefs, swimming long distances to get there or back, surfing alone. However there is also some drug sampling, hanging out with people who don’t have your best interests at heart, the riskiness of lying to your parents or cutting off your options at school...

Pikelet seems to be searching for a sense of feeling alive. He becomes an adrenaline junkie. He has begun to define himself by the riskiness of his behaviour, his courage. There’s a sense of control and mastery that he gets when he surfs a wave, it’s a moment of dancing and freedom. He gets intense highs from experiencing intense fear, and after that everything seems boring or ordinary.

This is an extraordinary book in that the crisis moment comes right at the end of the book; although there are hints and a sense of brooding danger all the way through. Pikelet ends up having an affair with an older woman and this relationship damages him forever. It’s the sort of book where you just want to yell at the character, this silly but brave 15-yr-old: “Don’t do it!” You want to reach in and rescue him. But there’s no saviour available, and he must suffer the consequences.
There is much wisdom in this book, although Winton never preaches. I particularly was struck by the risk-taking behaviour even more prevalent among the young. I guess surfing is usually relatively harmless, while drug taking or binge drinking is the urban equivalent, or driving cars fast. It confirms for me that we need to provide challenging and real but safe risks for our kids, to help them to explore and develop their characters: activities such as hiking or abseiling or going to help out in a developing country. We also need to surround our teenagers with mentors and guides we can trust.

It also brought home a comment that Tim Winton made in an interview with Andrew Denton that middle age is the time when we tend to understand fully the impact of the risks we took in those teenage years. That’s when it comes back to bite, or we see the mess we have made of our relationships since.

This is a beautiful and lyrical book that grabs you from the first breath. It isn’t epic like some of Winton’s previous work: Dirt Music or cloudstreet; but it is rich and deep and evocative and challenging. I cherished the reading, even if it did sometimes take me places I didn’t want to go.

Open House book reviewer KARA MARTIN is a lecturer with Macquarie Christian Studies Institute (www.mcsi.edu.au), and is an avid reader and book group attendee.

The Garnaut interim report on climate change was handed down on Friday – it calls for an Emissions Trading Scheme, including petrol, to be introduced from 2010. The emissions trading scheme revolves around a yet-to-be-announced price put on carbon, paid by polluters, as an incentive to reduce their emissions.

I’d like to hear your feelings on the scheme in general. Environment groups say 2010 is too late; Opposition leader Brendan Nelson says 2010 is too soon, saying if the government acts too quickly industries like power generation could be destroyed.

But I’d particularly like to hear what you think should be done with the money raised through the scheme. One of Professor Garnaut’s recommendations is that 50% of the revenue go to helping poor families with the inevitable rises in food and fuel as a result of the scheme; 30% goes to help businesses with their cost rises, and 20% goes to research. I’m particularly interested in what new energy sources you believe that 20% should be spent on. Some say trees would be the greatest investment. Others say solar. What about wind power or geo-thermal, or nuclear or clean coal?

Which form of alternative energy do you think has the most potential, and should therefore get the most attention and dollars spent?

A couple of weeks ago we spoke to Dr Tom Frame about the ethical aspects of reproductive technologies. Afterwards I received an email from a listener, who we'll call John. He writes:

"I have recently learned that my wife and I are very unlikely to become pregnant naturally. I am trying to think through the ethics of IVF, even though there may be an ethically OK path of IVF to tread, I still feel like it is a lot of money for a POSSIBILITY of a child of my own genes. Is this selfish? Does this treat the child as a commodity? Should I rather spend the money and effort on loving a child that already exists and as we speak desperately needs love and hope and care? I wonder if this is better."

John and his wife are weighing up a very common dilemma for infertile couples - whether to try IVF and create a life fom their own genes, or whether to adopt a child out there already alive and needing a family.

John and his wife are very clear that this difficult decision is their own, but as they consider their options, they are keen to hear your thoughts on the matter.

• Is it selfish to want your own child, when it will cost considerably more than other couples to achieve this?
• Is it better to look after a child who’s already been brought into the world and needs love and care?

Your thoughts, ideas and stories are welcome, as always.

What makes you happy? Good friends? Close family? Meaningful work? Chocolate? This week on Open House we’ll explore the science and spirituality of happiness with psychologist Dr Arch Hart. We’ll also talk to the foreign correspond who tracked down the world’s happiest countries. Why were they so resilient?

Along the way we'll be asking questions like, How much does happiness depend on thrills, pleasures and successes? What things promise happiness but ultimately fail? How does a relationship with God fit into the equation? Join me this Sunday for some answers.

After a long time no TV, the movie that the fans* demanded be made has finally besieged the big screens of the world. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her gal pals - feisty redhead Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), sultry blonde Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and prissy brunette Charlotte (Kristin Davis) - are unleashed in all their designer glory.
 
Our heroine and narrator Ms Bradshaw has finally landed her paramour, 'Big' (Chris Noth) after years of breaking up and making up. Wedding fever ensues, as the other gals pitch in while simultaneously dealing with their own life crises (and you just know there are going to be some doozies).
 
The film perambulates around the subjects of matrimony, fidelity, intimacy, joy, pain and, not surprisingly, sexuality. None of the big issues are fully resolved, which is a reflection on the realities of the characters' lives perhaps, as well as, possibly, some scripting issues.
 
There are good, life-affirming messages to be found, which may surprise some viewers: the film does serve as a homage to friendship and a reminder of the need to be able to forgive and be forgiven.
 
The big point to be made re friendship is that it is strictly 'girly friendship' (the guys, for the most part, are cyphers or commitment-phobes). Without her crew it's doubtful if poor old Carrie could get out of bed .
 
There is a manic quality of these bonds of camaraderie but that support base is also the source of the movie's strongest (and I'm talking 'surprisingly strong') dramatic and moving scenes. A big wrap goes out to Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) who rolls in as Carrie's new PA, Louise from St Louis.
 
That said, there is also an interminable amount of 'fashion porn' to endure for the dags among us. There are designer labels, couturier dresses and handbags aplenty in a non-stop product placement frenzy.
 
This movie is often tacky but worthy of consideration. There is a market for this kind of nostalgic, femme culturefest as evidenced by the box office takings internationally. But it trudges on for 2 hrs 22 mins. Unless you are a hapless fan of the series (the taste police are on the way) you may want to wait for the DVD. Ladies, please don't drag your fellas to this.
 
Re the title, let's get this clear: the movie earns its MA (mature adults, 15 plus) rating for brief depictions of sex. There are also elements of voyeurism, tacky dialogue and strong language for moviegoers to contend with. It ain't a pic for everyone, nor - definitely - a movie for children.
 
Concerning the sex happ'n'ng in NYC, it is either famine or feast for the characters. There is a sadness, a tawdriness, to the worldview expressed.
 
The film and the church would both agree that a healthy expression of sexuality is vital to the health of individuals and relationships. That said, the church would disagree as to how that 'healthy expression' of sexuality is, well, expressed.
 
Sex, as seen in the film and in the western culture we swim in, is reduced to a commodity. There is incredible body pressure and expectations put on women, in particular, and we are all in danger of being sucked into a vertiginous matrix of constantly wanting more and more for ourselves - more money, more resources, more toys, more pleasure, more freedom, more friends, more power - which invariably leaves less and less for others.
 
Ultimately, the film follows the mantra that success and pursuit of happiness are gained at the expense of another. Selfishness and self-absorption are constant companions of the fab four. They do transcend those 'travelling fools' at times, but you tend to regret the melodramatic damage done along the journey.
 
* Here follows the reviewer's declaration of selflessness (cue the violins): I am not a fan. On behalf of you, dear readers, I saw this for Sheridan and the review process. Sitting through SITC rates as the most noble sacrifice this poor servant has undertaken in some time (akin to a visit to an especially inept dentist).

Open House film reviewer Barry Gittins is editor of On Fire magazine, and a regular reviewer for the Salvos' Warcry magazine: www.salvationarmy.org.au/warcry

Newly engaged couple Ben and Carmen are in the early stages of figuring out the details of their wedding.

Their dilemma is simple - they want a big, all inclusive wedding so that they can invite all their friends and family and not worry about having to limit the number of friends who can celebrate with them.

They’ve found a place which would cater for the crowd, within the budget.

It’s a fair way out of town, and it’s a bit daggy, but they don’t care.

Carmen’s parents on the other hand, want a wedding with better food in a nicer venue.

But that means less people would be able to go.

Both options would cost the same, but Carmen’s parents are contributing financially, and they want a say.

Who should determine the format of the day? The couple getting married? Or whoever happens to be paying?

Are you in Sydney for World Youth Day this week? Why are you attending this event, and what are you hoping to get out of it?

• The chance to see the pope?
• To meet with other young Catholics?
• An excuse to check out Australia? Or Sydney more specifically?
• Do you consider attending this event a pilgrimage?
• What are you looking forward to?
• What are you hoping to take away from the event?

Are you even looking forward to it? Maybe you're not. Perhaps you’re a Sydney-sider who’s wary of all the disruptions - the closed roads and extra burden that will be placed on public transport.

Are you planning to attend the some of the events even though you’re not a Catholic?

Will World Youth Day trigger a conversation in Sydney and Australia about spirituality more broadly? Has it already?

Dr Arch Hart this week described happiness as built on a 'tripod' of

1. Satisfaction/contentment
2. Joy/playfulness
3. The right amount of the right kind of pleasure (based on nature and relationships)

In addition, Arch said that happiness is a choice: we can choose to set realistic goals, be content, do kind acts to others, and to be grateful for what have.

I'm interested in what brings you happiness and joy. What are you most grateful for? Your family, children, friendships? The satisfaction of having completed difficult studies? Following a risky hunch you believed to be from God? Let me know.

Mike Pilavachi is the quick-witted Brit behind Soul Survivor—one of the UK’s most influential youth-oriented churches. Its annual conference sees thousands of young lives changed. This week we’ll find out why.

We'll review the latest Batman installment The Dark Knight, and find out why novelist Anne Rice has stopped writing horror and started writing about Jesus.

Plus, what can the dying teach the living? While most of us recoil from the subject of death, this week we explore the value of facing our mortality. By listening to those whose days are short, we can prepare for our own journey’s end, and consider seriously what lies beyond.

This week’s dilemma is from John and Susie, who say they are constantly discussing whether or not to have children.

They’ve been married eight years and emigrated to Australia from South Africa so that they would be able to bring up children in a safe environment.

They always planned to have children four to five years after getting married, but now they are seriously wrestling with whether or not they should.

They’re questioning whether it’s right to bring children into the world when there are already so many children in the world without food and water.

But they’ve been told by family members that they’re being selfish if they don’t, and that they’ll have major regrets if they choose not to have children.

They want to emphasise that they have compassion for people who are struggling to have children and do not want to cause any offence by their dilemma.

What do you think?

What did you think of the Pope’s apology to victims of sexual abuse - do you think it went far enough?

Did you go to World Youth Day? What did you make of it? What did you take away from it?

What did you think of Pope Benedict's messages throughout the week?

• He said that alongside the material prosperity of our society, there’s a quietly growing “spiritual desert” – that’s leaving many with an inner emptiness and “a quiet sense of despair.”

• He called for the delegates at World Youth Day to be better stewards of the earth’s resources.

• He rallied against substance abuse, sexual degradation on TV and online, and the exaltation of violence, saying they’re poisoning society.

“Christ the Lord, and Man”
Review of Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, Anne Rice.

By Kara Martin

I was so suspicious opening the pages of this book: Anne Rice, the Vampire novelist writing a biography of Jesus? As usual, I deliberately made sure I knew very little about the background so I would not have been prejudiced. Instead, I found out my own prejudices.

It started when Jesus was getting excited about seeing a woman in the village, Avigail. Maybe I was worried about another Last Temptation of Christ, instead I had to face the fact that I might be worried about Jesus being human after all.

However, what we are working with here is a master story-teller, supplementing truth with plot innovation, dialogue and characterisation that is based on scholarly research. We are also dealing with a woman who has had a profound reawakening to God, and has dedicated the remainder of her years to writing about Jesus.

The result is a book of depth that has been recognised by scholars as accurate in setting, by theologians as consistent with conservative doctrine, and by readers everywhere as a revelation.

This book is the second in Anne Rice’s biography of Jesus. The first was Out of Egypt, telling the story of Jesus’ birth and childhood. In Road to Cana, Jesus is working as a carpenter in his village, and approaching the start of his public ministry. As the title suggests, it covers his baptism, temptation and the miracle at the wedding in Cana.

Rice doesn’t stick strictly to the Gospel text. There is a little bit of licence, for example, Rice portrays Jesus’ first miracle as the healing of Mary Magdalene from evil spirits, and she has tended to pick and choose between the gospels rather than focusing on one account. So purists will be a little disappointed; but her material is carefully researched and what she has done has added depth and colour and continuity; with reverence.

Some may also be disappointed with the sense of Jesus’ gradual awakening to his divinity; and the fact that his brothers are from an earlier marriage of Joseph. Mostly, however, the theology will satisfy bible lovers.

Rice has added to our understanding of Jesus: this is a Jesus who is human as well as Lord, who eats and drinks, and faces challenges. He is sinless but NOT an automaton: there is humour and gentleness and joy. She makes Jesus more real, and more approachable, and possibly more likable. Rice makes you realise how much of our Jesus may be more ritual and stained glass window than biblical.

Christ is the Lord, and Yeshua bar Joseph. He is the Messiah, and a simple carpenter from Nazareth. He is loving, caring, just, and able to perform miracles. It all comes alive from the pages of this book.

This is a wonderful work, completed with great skill and integrity. It would be an excellent way in for seekers, and it is a faith-affirming experience for Christians. I’m encouraged that it has been endorsed by CS Lewis biographer Peter Kreeft, renowned Jesus scholar Ben Witherington, and others. I am really looking forward to the rest in the series.

Readers may need to be reminded that this is a narrative account, a work of fiction, however well-researched and based on fact. It is a book best read hand-in-hand with the Gospels.

Open House book reviewer KARA MARTIN is a lecturer with Macquarie Christian Studies Institute (www.mcsi.edu.au), and is an avid reader and book group attendee.

This week we welcome to Open House one of the leading figures of religion and politics in the US—Jim Wallis. His best-selling book God’s Politics got people of faith thinking seriously again about war, riches and poverty. On Sunday, Jim will walk us through seven 'commitments' that could make the difference to some of the biggest issues of our time.

We’ll review also the latest in film, tackle another everyday dilemma and explore the tricky issue of divorce and remarriage in the church.

Our dilemma this week is from Cameron who is in the process of trying to win the business of a significant sales client. He gets on well with the client and is genuinely excited about the prospect of working with the organisation.

The only problem is that the client operates a large gambling operation, which Cameron doesn’t feel entirely comfortable about.

On the one hand, someone will have to do the job. And Cameron thinks, why not me? On the other hand, he’s seen firsthand the effects gambling can have on people, with members of his own family losing significant sums of money.

Cameron is a Christian and wants to do the right thing. Should he take on the job if he wins it? Or take the high moral ground and not have anything to do with this particular client?

• Have you ever refused a job because it didn’t align with your personal or spiritual beliefs?

• Was it a good move – or a detrimental move?

• If you work for a company that endorses and indeed relies on people gambling, do you become a partner in that by working alongside them?

• Is it simply a question of morals versus money? Cameron stands to do quite well if he wins this business. But is it more complex than that?

Education Minister Julia Gillard says big business could provide a source of funding for Australian schools.

She’s just returned from the U.S and has told Fairfax that in her view, “there is certainly an opportunity for corporate Australia to play a role in the education of our young people.”

What do you think? Should Australian business play a greater role in contributing to education in Australia? Is it a good idea for corporations to give more to the country’s educational institutions?

Some teachers are alarmed it could mean less public funding.

Others are concerned it could lead to companies promoting their own interests in schools.

Is it a good idea or not for Australia to adopt American style corporate philanthropy for schools?

UK Christian rock and worship band Delirious? have announced that they are breaking up next year. Frontman Martin Smith will join the Open House next week to talk about the end of this era, and his new project, CompassionArt.

Plus, Professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Dr Dallas Willard, will show us how we can renovate our hearts.