Culture update: February 24

This is an exciting week. Justin Bieber may have cut his hair, but more importantly, the GIRLS' MINISTRY FORUM is happening right here in Nashville, Tenn., tomorrow and Saturday. I can’t wait to meet any of our blog readers who are coming! Please find any of the blog contributors at the forum and let us know what else you’d like to see on our blog.

Here’s what’s happening in music (on the Billboard Hot 100) these days:

1.    “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga. (For more info on this song, see this previous post.)
2.    “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green (While the catchy edited radio version may have you humming along, pay attention to the words. Both versions boldly feature a guy blasting his gold-digging ex-girlfriend, but the unedited version does it in a really offensive way.)
3.    “Grenade” by Bruno Mars (OK, I bought this CD. I’ve loved everything Bruno Mars has released to radio, so I thought I’d check out what else he sings about. His is NOT an album I’d recommend to teenagers. Sex outside of marriage, being a player, getting married on a whim, drinking, and other vices are crooned about with a voice so good it makes you forget what you’re hearing. [Another one of Satan’s favorite tricks.] Bruno Mars is definitely talented. But his music glorifies a lifestyle that is anything but Christian.)
4.    “I Need a Doctor” by Dr. Dre, feat. Eminem and Skylar Grey
5.     “Firework” by Katy Perry
6.    “F**kin’ Perfect” by P!nk (Again, another radio-edit that is somewhat truthful and gutsy, but its original content [specifically, the F-word] is not good.)
7.    “S&M” by Rihanna (I searched online for the lyrics to this song [I’m sure I’ll be getting a call from our IT department any minute). Absolutely appalling. I thought her song “Rude Boy” was way too overt for daytime play on the radio. But this song takes singing about sex—specifically, S&M—to new levels. The fact that songs like this are seeing the light of day breaks my heart.
8.    “Never Say Never” by Justin Bieber feat. Jaden Smith (Yep, the Bangless One and Will Smith’s son teamed up on this song about not giving up. It’s also the title of Justin’s movie (see below). The song is pretty catchy.)
9.    “Tonight I’m Lovin’ You” by Enrique Iglesias
10.    “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
 

Oscars: This Sunday!

OK, the Academy Awards are this weekend. While I’m pretty sure the Oscars won’t be as crazy as the Grammys, there’s bound to be some celeb flub/weird outfit/dumb acceptance speech that your students will be discussing come Monday. The show airs on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. (Red carpet coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET.) You can check out the list of nominations here.

And speaking of movies, here are the top ten from last weekend (and only one of them has an Oscar nomination):

1.    Unknown [PG-13] Liam Neeson plays a man who awakens from a coma and realizes someone has stolen his identity. Not even his wife knows who he is. So he sets about getting it back, with some necessary violence, I'm sure.
2.    Gnomeo & Juliet [G]
3.    I am Number Four [PG-13] I would think your girls may be interested in seeing this one. A teen with super powers avoids trying to be killed by an enemy bent on destroying him and others with powers like his; meanwhile, a teenage romance buds between him and Sarah (played by Diana Agron of “Glee”). While some have likened it to Twilight, I get the feel it has more of an XMen flavor. I’ll let you know, if I see it. But if you know more about this flick and its appropriateness for teens, please leave a comment and let me know!
4.    Just Go With It [PG-13]
5.    Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son [PG-13]
6.    Justin Beiber: Never Say Never [G] I’ve heard this documentary is positive and even briefly showcases Justin praying before his concerts.
7.    The King’s Speech [R] Oscar nods have been given. Will it win?
8.    The Roommate [PG-13]
9.    The Eagle [PG-13]
10.   No Strings Attached [R]