Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, November 10, 2006
A few weeks ago, our weekly poll asked what you thought of the year in movies so far. For the most part, you weren't all that impressed. And I tend to agree; there have been a few highlights, but many forgettable films too.
Frequently, some of the best films of any given year are those movies you may have never heard of—the little independent and foreign films that make their rounds at festivals and art houses … and rarely show up at your local megaplex. With a limited staff and resources, we can't always get around to covering these gems, even when we wish we could.
But Ron Reed is helping us to fix that situation. This week, we've debuted Ron's new quarterly feature, "Movie Gourmet," which we're describing as "a feast of off-the-beaten-path films with a spiritual flavor." Ron, a playwright and theatre director in Vancouver, loves to watch and write about these lesser-known flicks—old ones as well as new ones—especially when they depict some spiritual truth. That doesn't mean they're "Christian" films or even necessarily shiny and happy, but they're movies with heart and soul.
The first installment of "Movie Gourmet" includes a look at such older films as My Night at Maud's (1969) and Metropolitan (1990), several now in theaters such as Requiem and Deliver Us from Evil, and a few that will be released in the months ahead, including Copying Beethoven.
Speaking of movies with heart and soul, Babel, which we reviewed last week, is one of those films that's difficult to watch because it's so gut-wrenching in its portrayal of the human condition—in how we really are, our "sinful nature," as Paul describes it in Romans 7. Babel director Alejandro Iñárritu told us that his films are essentially just "family stories"—stories about parents and children, of course, but also the global family … and the consequences of trying to live without God.
Our new reviews this week: Russell Crowe is back on the big screen with the romantic comedy A Good Year, and Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson pair up (how's that for an unlikely combo?) for the sci-fi comedy (yet another strange juxtaposition of words) Stranger Than Fiction.
And don't forget our latest editions of Film Forum, which rounds up what other critics are saying about Borat, and Reel News, which gives more details on the demise of the real Jesus Camp.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Online Managing Editor/Music & Film
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
A Good Year
A typical film about an unfulfilled man reexamining his life, A Good Year tries too hard, shows little change of heart, and offers very little new to the genre.
by Todd Hertz
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Stranger Than Fiction
Comedian Will Ferrell turns serious and dramatic—with surprisingly poignant results—in this metafictional movie about an author who meets her fiction.
by Peter T. Chattaway
Rated PG-13
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INTERVIEW
Family Stories
Alejandro Iñárritu, director of Babel, says his films are about families—parents and children, of course, but also the global family … and the consequences of trying to live without God.
by Jeffrey Overstreet
COMMENTARY
Movie Gourmet
A feast of off-the-beaten-path films with a spiritual flavor.
by Ron Reed
FILM FORUM
Borat, Babel Bothersome; Flushed Fun
Christian critics are upset over Borat, mixed about Babel, but having fun with Flushed Away. Also, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, The Great Warming, and further perspectives on Little Children, Marie Antoinette, The Prestige, and Flags of Our Fathers.
compiled by Jeffrey Overstreet
REEL NEWS
Jesus Camp Shuts Down
Controversial Christian kids' camp shuts its doors in wake of bad publicity, vandalism; Jesus Camp film readies for DVD. Plus: Da Vinci Code gets extended DVD; sequel updates for National Treasure 2, Evan Almighty, Superman Returns, and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
Gattaca: Science's Attempt to Perfect Humanity
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
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NEW ON VIDEO
Cars Leads the Parade
Lotta new stuff on DVD, starting with Cars, the latest smash summer hit from Pixar. Also new: Islam: What the West Needs to Know, which argues that it's not a religion of peace; Christmas in the Clouds, a cute holiday comedy with a Native American twist; Thou Shalt Laugh, a live concert of Christian stand-up comedy; 50th anniversary editions of Carousel and The King & I; and more.
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CT at the Movies
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The holiday movie season is almost upon us. What film are you most looking forward to?
- Apocalypto
- Blood Diamond
- Casino Royale
- Charlotte's Web
- Deck the Halls
- Déjà vu
- Dreamgirls
- Eragon
- The Fountain
- Happy Feet
- The Holiday
- The Nativity Story
- Night at the Museum
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- Rocky Balboa
- We Are Marshall
- Other
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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The latest animated movie, Flushed Away, is now in theaters. What do you think of all the animated films that have come out in the last few years?
- The more, the merrier: 37%
- Um, OK, I guess: 35%
- I ignore them: 17%
- I'm sick of them! 9%
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Gideon: Tuba Warrior, DVD
Tu-ba or not tu-ba? Based on the biblical story of Gideon, this hilarious, inspiring tale stars Larry the Cucumber and his army of puny recruits.
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Peter and Paul, DVD
Follow these two very different yet highly influential men over three world-changing decades. Anthony Hopkins and Robert Foxworth star in this epic television mini-series.
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