Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, April 25, 2008
Two weeks ago, we asked readers to tell us about movies that have changed them—films that moved you not just spiritually or emotionally, but physically. In other words, movies that made you get up, get out, and do something about what you'd just seen. We said we'd print the best essays (750 words or less) at CT Movies at a later date.
We've received a number of replies, some of them quite interesting, some of them not quite "getting" it. (Again, we don't just want to hear about the films that made you cry; we want to hear about the films that made you take action.) Now we're just a few days from the April 28 deadline, and we'd still love to get your last-minute replies. Click here to take part.
I bring this up again now not just to remind you that the deadline is closing in, but because one film opening this week is certain to at least stir up strong feelings—if not action—in moviegoers. Standard Operating Procedure, a documentary opening in limited release this week, recounts the atrocities at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, where U.S. military personnel tortured and abused prisoners of war. You probably remember some of the horrifying pictures that came out in the wake of the scandal. They weren't pretty, and this film isn't either; the acts committed upon these human beings were atrocious. If you see the film—it'll open in wider release in the weeks ahead—you might be appalled. You might be sickened. You might be angry. But you might move past the feelings and decide to take some sort of action, especially if you're the type who believes that torture is always wrong, even in a war against terror.
If this, or any other film, moves you to make a move, let us know.
Just one other new movie review this week: Baby Mama, a comedy in which a single thirty-something organic foods executive (Tina Fey) can't sustain a pregnancy, so she hires a ditzy surrogate (Amy Poehler) to carry her baby to term. Our reviewer got a few laughs out of it, but not the kind of laughs you're thinking about much later, and gives it 2 stars.
Also, one of our critics, Steven D. Greydanus, weighs in with this commentary on Constantine's Sword, the controversial documentary based on the book of the same title by James P. Carroll. Like the book, the film gets a number of things wrong, and is especially harsh in its criticism of the Catholic Church, Christianity, and the meaning of the cross.
Also new this week: When Prince Caspian, the second in the Chronicles of Narnia series, hits theaters next month, you might look at the title character in a new light after reading this commentary from Devin Brown, a C.S. Lewis expert who tells us that Caspian is, in many ways, the embodiment of his creator. Prince Caspian the book was apparently one of the most autobiographical stories Lewis wrote—other than his "real" autobiography, Surprised by Joy.
Finally, Reel News fills us in on the latest controversies surrounding Expelled, which, despite (or perhaps because of) all the negative hype, opened in the top 10 at the box office last weekend.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Baby Mama
In this comedy, a single thirty-something organic foods executive can't sustain a pregnancy, so she hires a ditzy surrogate to carry her baby to term.
by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Standard Operating Procedure
The scandal at Abu Ghraib is too fresh for Errol Morris to explore it with his usual sense of perspective, but he still digs up some surprising, and troubling, facts.
by Peter T. Chattaway
Rated R
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COMMENTARY
A Flawed History
James Carroll's controversial book, Constantine's Sword, comes to the big screen in the form of a documentary that, like its source material, can't get the facts straight.
by Steven D. Greydanus
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 Expelled
Use this downloadable guide to discuss the themes behind the Intelligent Design—Evolution debate and the importance of academic freedom.
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 Juno
Meet Juno: a quirky (and pregnant) high school student who must decide whether or not to keep her baby. As you discuss Juno's themes, you'll come to understand why Juno's stepmom quipped, "Someone's going to get a special blessing from Jesus in this garbage dump of a situation."
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More discussion guides at
ChristianityTodayMoviesStore.com
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Has a Movie Changed You?
Tell us how, and your story might be printed at CT Movies.
COMMENTARIES
Is This Man Caspian?
Of all the characters in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, the title character of Prince Caspian is most like the author, and the book is surprisingly autobiographical.
by Devin Brown
REEL NEWS
More Expelled Controversy
The Intelligent Design documentary finds trouble with critics, lawyers, and Yoko Ono. Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro has a Hobbit update; updates on Antichrist and X-Files; Christian movies in a post-Passion age; and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
The Color Purple: Family Devotion
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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The summer movie season is almost upon us. What film are you most looking forward to?
- Babylon A.D.
- Bangkok Dangerous
- The Dark Knight
- Get Smart
- Hancock
- The Happening
- Hellboy 2
- Kung Fu Panda
- The Incredible Hulk
- Indiana Jones 4
- Iron Man
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Prince Caspian
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
- Speed Racer
- Star Wars: Clone Wars
- Tropic Thunder
- WALL*E
- X-Files: I Want to Believe
- Other
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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The controversial new documentary Expelled is now in theaters. You will:
- See it the first week: 35%
- Wait till DVD: 15%
- See it within a month: 15%
- See it sometime: 15%
- Skip it altogether: 11%
- What's Expelled?: 7%
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Saving Sarah Cain, DVD
Based on Beverly Lewis' bestselling novel, a self-absorbed
woman attends her sister's funeral and discovers that she
is now legal guardian of her five Amish nieces and nephews.
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Amazing Grace, DVD
The acclaimed story of William Wilberforce, chronicling
his epic struggle to pass a British law to end the slave
trade in the late 18th century. Inspired by a true story.
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The Ride, DVD
The life-changing theme of Christ's love charges from the
gate in this evangelistic drama about a fallen bull rider
sentenced to community service at a boys camp.
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Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce: Sing-Along DVD
