Wednesday, January 30, 2008

U2 in 3D

I am so pumped! Some time in the next week I am going to go see the new U2 film U23D at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago as an early birthday present. I have added the widget to our blog temporarily so I can watch the trailer regularly in anticipation.
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I am a huge U2 fan and they are arguably the greatest band of the late 2oth and early 21st century. They were around when I was in high school and they are better than ever. Moreover, Bono has become a model of Christian activism and has been a great influence on American Evangelicals getting them involved in the HIV Aids crisis in Africa and the Make Poverty History campaign. In 2006 Bono was interviewed by Bill Hybels for the Willow Creek Leadership Summit which was simulcast in 125 churches to over 70,000 Evangelicals throughout North America.

Most days I have U2 playing as students enter my classes. It sets an excellent tone for teaching. Are there any other U2 fans among our readers?

9 comments:

hrobins said...

Oh, Joel. While I also enjoy U2 from time to time, I cannot say that I share your particular enthusiasm. It is nice at 8am, though! Have fun!

Bill Victor said...

I am hoping that the movie comes to my town (Columbia, MO). I have the DVD of their last tour and (dare I say) at times I found it worshipful.

Michael F. Bird said...

Joel,
I'm with Heather R, I am not a fan, and I don't "get" the attraction of evangelicals to Bono (though I'm not saying that you're a Bono fan). IMO U2 does for music what Hannibal Lecter does for vegetarianism.

Guy Davies said...

I'm a pretty big U2 fan, Joel. The 3D movie is an exciting prospect. I saw them play the old Cardiff Arms Park during the Joshua Tree tour.

I wouldn't listen to Michael, he thinks that Andrew Lloyd-Webber is the epitome of cool. How sad is that?

jdarlack said...

I'm there with you Joel. I love the band - though I was introduced to it relatively late in life. (I grew up with strong Fundamentalist Pentecostal/Holiness roots, so "secular music" was to be listened to only when trying to rebel and remain "safe.") I'm glad those days are over!

J. B. Hood said...

Joel, I used to be hard core and still enjoy them. I once had a conversation on a long bus ride in which every sentence had to contain at least one U2 song or notable lyric. I wonder if you could whip up a lecture using those parameters. Probably would be lost on your students, however.

Anonymous said...

Definitely a fan. Favorite Albums are Under the Joshua Tree and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

hrobins said...

Mike,
1) I find it amusing that you call me "Heather R"
2) Hannibal Lector?? Harsh! (side note: fantastic movie)

thunderbeard said...

they haven't put out a good record since joshua tree. maybe an almost decent song here and there since then, but that's it.

u2 is one of the most overrated bands of the late 20th, early 21st century.