Author: the Josh Benner Blog

Review: Les Miserables
When I was 11, I saw Les Miserables on Broadway. I was mesmerized by it. I thought that Les Miz was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen.

Over the years, I’ve always enjoyed the musical and have listened to a number of different recordings and seen multiple film adaptations of the book. Until this week, there still hadn’t been a film version of the musical itself. As one of the most popular musicals of all time, Les Miserables has a lot of fans from all over the world who have eagerly awaited this movie. While the reviews have been mixed, I thoroughly enjoyed the screen version of the musical. Many have commented that people who like the musical will like the movie. I think that makes sense. Both versions essentially have the same script. Because the story is so well established within the musical, I felt that the director had his hands tied with how to handle certain elements to the story. I think that is worth taking into consideration. (more…)
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December 28, 2012
Jesus in Les Miserables
Caught.

Jean Valjean had stolen silver from the Bishop and the local authorities had caught him red handed. On his own merits, there was nothing Valjean could do to rectify the situation. He didn’t have the money to pay for it. He was guilty. But then something amazing happened. The Bishop tells the officers that the silver was a gift. He reminds Valjean that the ex-convict had even forgotten to take two silver candlesticks with him. The sacrifice for Valjean was not made by himself but by the Bishop .

He let him go. (more…)
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December 24, 2012
Why gun restrictions are not the solution
How can we prevent more violence? How can we stop bad people from going on killing sprees?

We can’t.

That’s the stark reality.

We can blame society, we can blame guns, violent video games, how parents raise children, how the media sensationalizes these massacres, or a host of other factors. But there isn’t one reason why these things happen. There isn’t one thing that we can eliminate that will make these things impossible. For as long as there are people who have the volition to act as morally autonomous beings, these tragedies will be possible. And there is nothing that can stop that. (more…)
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December 18, 2012
20 little faces
I think of those 20 kids. Those 20 little faces. 20 people who had all of the potential in the world. 20 innocent people, who despite all of the evil, and discontent in our society and in our world, were still at an age when they hadn’t yet been corrupted. I think of 20 kids who got up and went to school, like it was any other day, who eagerly awaited the weekend (and who even more eagerly awaited the upcoming holiday and a visit from Santa).

What could have been going through their minds when a 20 year old man started shooting? Did they cry? Did they hide? Did they comprehend what was happening?

I think about those parents. Those 20 sets of parents whose worlds are crashing down on them today. Parents who had the normal frustrations of life yesterday and who are now experiencing pain that most of us will never have to imagine. Waiting to wake up from this terrible dream, still in disbelief that this could have happened, longing to rewind time, and knowing life will never be quite the same. 20 sets of parents who kissed their babies goodbye this morning or last night and who took for granted that they would see them tonight and that they would be safe and that all would be right, at least in their worlds. (more…)
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December 14, 2012
Royally tricked: prank call no laughing matter
There’s a bizarre story about two Australian radio show hosts who prank called the King Edward VII Hospital in London where Kate Middleton was staying while being treated for severe morning sickness. In the skit, hosts pretend to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. They first speak with an nurse who connects the shock jocks to the ward where Kate was staying. Once the call was transferred, a nurse gave specific information as to her condition.

The prank call happened on Wednesday. Friday morning, Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who originally took the call was found unconscious, and later pronounced dead from an apparent suicide. (more…)
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December 8, 2012