Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, May 30, 2008
For the last couple of weeks, you couldn't turn on the TV, go online, or open any publication without seeing some sort of promo for Sex and the City, opening in theaters everywhere today.
For many Christians, the mere mention of the movie—or the former hit series on HBO—is taboo. But to go so far as to actually talk about it, to include it in everyday conversation? Egads! Heavens, no! Blasphemy!
But is it really?
I've never watched the show, and thus have little interest in seeing the new movie. But I have nothing against friends who have enjoyed the series—including the relatively "sanitized" re-runs on WGN—and the topics it addresses, such as love, loneliness, and relationships in a post-modern world.
For Christian singles, especially women, the longstanding mantra from the church has been little more than a reminder that "true love waits." There's nothing wrong with that message; a commitment to sexual purity before marriage is clearly biblical and absolutely the right signal to be sending from the pulpit. But the church has often been slow to regard its singles as not just a "demographic" that meets at a certain place on a certain night each week, but as sexual human beings who wrestle with the same cravings and longings as any of their "secular" counterparts. (And no, the cravings and longings in themselves are not sinful.)
So, if the church isn't addressing these issues adequately, who is? Well, shows and movies like Sex and the City, for one. They're not necessarily addressing these issues appropriately, and certainly not biblically, but they're at least talking about them, out in the open. And many Christian singles simply want these things to be a part of the conversation.
My friend Camerin Courtney, one of our film critics, is one of those singles, one reason she was a good match for reviewing the new SATC film. As Camerin notes in her review, the last time a church acknowledged her existence as a sexual being she was simply told that "true love waits." Camerin writes, "Well, 15 years later, it's still waiting. And it ain't so blithely simple."
Movies like SATC address the realities and difficulties of waiting—not just for sex, but for the right relationship, for a worthy significant other, for a spouse. SATC often comes up with the wrong solutions to waiting—delayed gratification, anyone?—but the topics are at least on the table and up for discussion
All to say, whether you have any interest in seeing Sex and the City or not—and I don't—let's not just dismiss it as sexualized, sin-sick cinema. Much of America—including your neighbors and colleagues—will be talking about the movie in the coming weeks. If SATC were merely about jumping into the sack every time one's hormones start hopping, it wouldn't resonate with so many people. But the fact that it addresses universal needs of love, longing, and relationships, that's what connects—even with Christians.
Only one other new review this week, for Bigger, Stronger, Faster, a documentary that explores the topic of steroid abuse, especially among three brothers who were driven to become musclemen, no matter what it takes. One of the brothers, who has since quit taking steroids, is now a budding filmmaker, and directed the film.
Also new this week, CT Movies sent a reporter to Nashville for a visit to the set of Billy: The Early Years, a drama about Billy Graham which is scheduled for a fall release. And Reel News reports that Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro—producer and director, respectively—discuss their upcoming plans for The Hobbit and its sequel.
Finally, we've just introduced our movie discussion guides for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—one for adults, and one for teens.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Sex and the City
It's no surprise that SATC includes sex and materialism, but it also offers an intriguing look at friendship, identity, and love in a postmodern age. Still, handle with care.
by Camerin Courtney
Rated R
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REVIEW
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Entertaining documentary examines steroids and performance-enhancing drugs as side effects of competitive American culture.
by Brett McCracken
Rated R
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 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones first cracked his whip in 1981, with Raiders of the Lost Ark. Almost three decades later, he's back at it in The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This guide will help adults and teens consider the themes of the new Indiana Jones, such as knowledge, mystery, and nostalgia.
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 Prince Caspian
In this new sequel to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the Pevensie kids return to Narnia only to find it under a dark siege in this epic tale of faith, friendship, and family. Use this movie discussion guide to learn about themes like grace and mercy, jealousy and pride, and the true meaning of childlike faith.
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More discussion guides at
ChristianityTodayMoviesStore.com
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NEWS
The Making of an Evangelist
CT Movies visited the set of a new film about the life of Billy Graham, focusing on his early years and call to the ministry, which recently finished filming in Nashville.
By Jewel Graham
REEL NEWS
Jackson, del Toro Talk Hobbit
"Greed" to be thematic thread in upcoming films; Ian Holm expected to narrate. Plus, Ono's suit against Expelled to be ruled on soon; Communists want Indy 4 banned in Russia; Shyamalan's latest explores global warming; and more.
by Peter T. Chattaway
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
One Night with the King: Taking a Stand in a World of Kneeling
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens this week. When will you see it?
- Opening weekend: 30%
- I'll wait till video: 22%
- Within a month: 15%
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- Won't watch. Ever: 5%
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