Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, May 02, 2008
"So," a friend asks, "how's it going?"
"Fine," you reply in passing, and move along on your way.
But you're not fine, not at all. Your car's in the shop, your mom's in the nursing home, your kids are in the principal's office, and your job is on the line. So why'd you say "fine" anyway? (Hey, I do it too.)
We say "fine" because we've become proficient at wearing masks—at home, at work, at church. It's easier to say "fine" than to admit our weaknesses, much less dump our troubles on somebody else. Hey, we think, I can handle this, all by myself. So we keep wearing our masks and our emotional armor, and we don't want anybody to break through.
That storyline sounds especially familiar this week with the long-anticipated release of Iron Man, a Marvel comics superhero who not only literally wears a mask and a high-tech suit of armor, but figuratively as well. The man behind the iron mask is Tony Stark, who is no more of a superhero than you or I. He's one of those rare comic book characters who have no superhuman powers whatsoever (Batman, anyone?), but became "super" through intelligence and inventiveness—by creating a heavy-duty wardrobe that enables him to fly, shoot repulsor rays and missiles, and beat up lots of bad guys. (Cool. Where can I buy one?)
But what's hidden behind it all is a man—Stark—who's encased in his own emotional armor, battling his own demons. Stark grew up estranged from his parents, and spent his early years trying to impress his father. He ended up being a party boy and womanizer, walling himself up from others—trapped in an armor that he couldn't put on and take off, and gradually, inevitably, he began to break down, ultimately becoming an alcoholic before finally (and literally) hitting the gutter.
Stark's own personal journey—and his propensity to hide behind masks and armor of his own making—might mirror some of our own. Learn more about this fascinating character in this commentary.
The film opening in almost 4,000 theaters today doesn't get into too much of Stark's dark side, but if it does well at the box office, sequels most certainly will. As for the movie itself, it's a winner.
Other new reviews this week:
- Made of Honor, a forgettable romantic comedy in which a man (Patrick Dempsey) falls in love with his best friend Claire, but is afraid of commitment and never pops the question. When a rich Scotsman does ask for Claire's hand, Tom finds himself in an uncomfortable situation.
- Son of Rambow, a delightful British comedy about a young boy growing up in a Puritanical sect in which music and TV are forbidden. But when he encounters a pirated copy of Rambo: First Blood, the youngster's imagination is set free as he and his friends set out to make their own action epic.
- Then She Found Me, based on the novel of the same name, in which Helen Hunt makes her directorial debut in a story about a schoolteacher, reeling from her adoptive mother's death and separation from her husband, who is suddenly contacted by her apparent birth mother.
Finally, Reel News reports that the buzz for Prince Caspian—the second in the Narnia movies from Disney and Walden Media—is kicking into high gear in advance of its May 16 release. And it really kicks into high gear for me this weekend; I'm seeing the film tonight in New York, and interviewing cast members tomorrow. Look for our conversations with director Andrew Adamson, actor Ben Barnes (who plays the title role), and others in the weeks ahead.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
P.S. Congrats to Jeffrey Overstreet, one of our critics, whose debut novel, Auralia's Colors, has been nominated for two Christy Awards.
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Iron Man
This tin man doesn't have quite as much heart as Spider-Man or the X-Men, but this sleek and timely adaptation of the classic superhero has enough smarts and eye candy to entertain.
by Russ Breimeier
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Made of Honor
A lackluster paint-by-the-numbers romantic comedy that's likely to leave moviegoers looking forward to ... other movies.
by Lisa Ann Cockrel
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Son of Rambow
Two boys set out to make their own Rambo movie in this quirky British indie from the director of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
by Steven D. Greydanus
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Then She Found Me
A schoolteacher finds and loses love in many forms in this uneven but intelligent drama.
by Camerin Courtney
Rated R
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COMMENTARIES
The Irony of Iron Man
What can we learn from an armor-encased superhero who can protect others, but can't save himself? And what does his story say about finding strength in weakness?
by Frank Smith
REEL NEWS
Caspian Buzz Storms the Web
Exclusive Narnia footage surfaces on YouTube, MySpace; Switchfoot plays song for the end credits; and church groups offered early screening opportunities. Plus: The Hobbit gets a director; Angels and Demons gets a cast; Expelled gets a lawsuit; and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
The Honeymooners: Couples' Dreams Don't Work Out
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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Theater or theatre?
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The summer movie season is almost upon us. What film are you most looking forward to?
- Prince Caspian: 38%
- Indiana Jones 4: 24%
- The Dark Knight: 12%
- Get Smart: 3%
- WALL*E: 3%
- Iron Man: 3%
- X-Files: I Want to Believe: 2%
- Other: 2%
- Hancock: 1%
- The Happening: 1%
- Kung Fu Panda: 1%
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2: 1%
- Star Wars: Clone Wars: 1%
- Babylon A.D.: 0%
- Bangkok Dangerous: 0%
- Hellboy 2: 0%
- The Incredible Hulk: 0%
- The Dragon Emperor: 0%
- Speed Racer: 0%
- Tropic Thunder: 0%
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Believe In Me, DVD
In this inspiring tale of perseverance, character and
redemption—based on a true story—a small-town
basketball coach battling politics, prejudice, and himself.
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Bella: Sing-Along DVD
Through the healing power of love, a disillusioned former
athlete and a struggling waitress learn how to confront
the past and embrace the future.
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The Final Inquiry, DVD
Tito Valerio Tauro is sent by the emperor of Rome
to uncover the truth about the death and rumored
resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem.
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Facing the Giants, DVD
Created to evangelize non-believers and encourage
believers, this is an inspiring story about a losing high
school football coach with a whole new game plan.
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Expelled
