From Blockbuster Movies to Blockbuster Reviews 🎬 →

My first job was at Blockbuster Movies — remember those? One of the best perks was being able to rent movies for free. I took full advantage of that, watching everything from action-packed thrillers to heartfelt dramas. I’d walk the aisles, scanning the backs of movie boxes, looking at the photos and reading the blurbs to figure out if it was worth watching. I was previewing stories — much like how I preview the Bible. Sometimes, a powerful verse catches my eye and draws me into the full chapter, revealing so much more of the story God is telling.

Movies are a lot like that. You don’t really understand the whole picture until you sit through it. Some are good. Some are bad. And some are so ridiculous… they’re awesome, like Austin Powers. There’s always a behind-the-scenes element, the unlock the story factor that we don’t see at first glance. It’s the deeper narrative or hidden layer that transforms the experience.

So it was an honor to write a movie review for the new Superman film and have it featured in HCU’s Campus Connections newsletter. This opportunity allowed me to unlock the story behind the scenes and share insights beyond the surface, giving readers a glimpse into what makes the film resonate on a deeper level.

Superman (2025) Movie Review: A Blockbuster That Soars with Heart and Hope

Image ourtesy of Warner Bros – © Warner Bros.

A couple of weeks ago was my birthday, and I decided to treat myself to a movie. Within the last couple of months, I’ve actually been to the picture show twice. The picture show — that’s what my high school football coach used to call going to the movies. And I’m glad I went, because I saw the highly anticipated reboot of Superman, and it was awesome!

Superman is written and directed by James Gunn. Not only is it one of the biggest box office hits of the year (as of this weekend, it’s brought in a whopping $406.8 million worldwide), but it’s also one of those movies that reminds you why we love superheroes in the first place.

A Fresh Take on the Man of Steel

First off, I loved how they didn’t spend time retelling Superman’s origin story. We all know it by now. Instead, the movie jumps right into the action —

🎥 Read the Full Review

Veterans Day Reflection: A Revelation About Leadership and Sacrifice

On this Veterans Day, November 11, I’m reminded of the incredible sacrifice made by so many men and women who have served this country. We honor those who served in the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. For me, it’s not just a national observance—it’s personal. My grandfather served in the Korean War, my father was an MP during the Vietnam War, and my wife’s family has a legacy of service with her grandfather, uncle, and now cousin all serving in the military. The sacrifices these families have made and continue to make are woven into the fabric of America’s history.

George Washington once said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

But this year, something different stands out. It’s the loss of 13 American soldiers during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. I’ll never forget the raw grief of Mark Schmitz, the father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who screamed his son’s name during the State of the Union. It hit me like a ton of bricks—what really caused America to turn the page? What caused so many to say “no” to four more years of leadership? It wasn’t the price of gas, the cost of eggs, or any of the surface-level issues that the media often points to. It was something deeper.

It was the moment when the nation saw the faces of the 13 soldiers who gave their lives. It was the day when America realized that the leadership we had was not living up to the trust we placed in them, especially when it came to the lives of those who serve in the military. Those 13 soldiers who died in Afghanistan—they can no longer speak for themselves, but their sacrifice screamed at us. Their deaths woke up a nation that had been numbed by politics, reminding us that there’s a price to leadership—and it’s not just about policies, it's about the lives of our service members.

The names of those 13 soldiers are important to reflect on:

1. Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum (20)

2. Corporal Daegan W. Page (23)

3. Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz (20)

4. Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover (31)

5. Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo (25)

6. Sergeant Nicole L. Gee (23)

7. Corporal Hunter Lopez (22)

8. Sergeant Kiana H. Brown (22)

9. Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez (22)

10. Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui (20)

11. Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza (20)

12. Corporal Dylan R. Merola (20)

13. Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola (20)

These were real people—young men and women who gave their all. And it was their sacrifice that became a turning point. It was because of those lives lost that some Americans voted. They voted not for the price of eggs or the gas pump or even the over run border but because those who could no longer speak for themselves, their bloodshed, their sacrifice, demanded a reckoning.

When I reflect on this, I think about Romans 13 and Ephesians 1:13, which remind us that we are called to pray for our leaders, that they may have wisdom. That wisdom is needed most when decisions are being made about sending our service members into harm's way. We should never forget the weight of those decisions, the bloodshed that comes with them, and the responsibility of those who lead.

This year, Veterans Day isn’t just about honoring those who served. It’s about honoring the sacrifice that has been made on our behalf. It's about remembering that the leadership we choose must be held accountable, because the cost of those decisions is not just measured in dollars, but in lives. And it’s a wake-up call that America spoke for those who cannot speak for themselves anymore.

Let’s never forget the sacrifices made by those who’ve served and laid down their lives for our freedom. And as we pray for our leaders, let’s pray that they lead with the wisdom, foresight, and respect for those who’ve given it all. Because in the end, if we love America, we love those who loved us enough to give their blood on the battlefields.

Happy Veterans Day.

Michael P. Taylor, Jr.

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A Call to Christ

As we reflect on the sacrifices of others, let’s remember the ultimate sacrifice made for us. Jesus Christ gave His life openly for our salvation. He died for us while we were yet sinners, offering us the gift of eternal life through faith in Him. If you’ve never made a decision to follow Christ, today is the day to do so.

The Bible says in Romans 10:9, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Give your life to Jesus today, because He gave His life for you. Let His sacrifice be your turning point. May you find the peace that comes from knowing Christ as your Savior.

If you have any questions or need prayer comment in the box below.

Now that Donald Trump is #47th President-elect, here’s my Hope →

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." — Romans 12:2

Now that Donald Trump is President-elect, here’s what I hope his term will bring to our country:

• A renewed commitment to making the United States truly the land of the free and the home of the brave.

• Stronger, more secure borders that ensure lawful entry into our country.

• A swift, peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, ideally within eight months.

• Greater focus on reducing crime and restoring civil common sense.

• Significant steps toward reducing $2 trillion in federal spending to strengthen the economy.

• Reopening the Keystone Pipeline to put Americans back to work and restore our energy independence.

• Support for parents who choose to homeschool their children, through allowances or tax breaks.

• Expanded efforts to bring Bibles into schools and display the Ten Commandments in public schools, as seen in states like Oklahoma and Louisiana.

• Growth of faith-based programs to support the rehabilitation of the homeless, those struggling with addiction, and alcohol dependency.

• A commitment to making women’s sports a safe and fair place for women to compete against each other.

• Increased support for mental health initiatives to address issues often linked to mass shootings in public places like malls, schools, and parades.

I’m hopeful that Speaker Mike Johnson and others in leadership will bring godly wisdom to these efforts, and I pray for them most of all.

God Bless,

Michael P. Taylor, Jr.

3 ideas for Father's Day Videos

Father's Day isn't far away so start planning now. Typically mothers day has more attention paid to it because all the sports figures say hi to Mom on TV. But Dad's are very likely to do a lot for the family. Here a some video ideas that you could use for you church services or fathers day events. 

1. Here is a fun uplifting video idea from Worship House Media. 

2. Skitguys.com always have humorous and heart-felt videos for all occasions. 

Stuff Dads Never Say Video « The Skit Guys

This next video is a good option to open up the service with before worship. 

3. With 3 weeks left you still have time to put together in your own creative way of telling Dad that he is loved and appreciated by his family and by God. I would do your best to get a creative team to bounce some ideas around. But make sure that you get yourself a time limit or you could be sitting there all morning or afternoon long. You want to have so time to make some phone calls if need be. Your groups idea could be a live skit, live music, music video, or a video skit to honor the Fathers of the audience. 

If you are looking to do something original and heart felt that will not require intricate  camera or set production. I always like to interview the children of some of the fathers at least 5 - 8 and ask the 3 different questions that you create about their fathers. Another twist that you could but on this is to interview the mothers or the whole family exempt for dad.

I pray that this has been a helpful tool for you in your preparation for Father's Day service on June 18, 2017.