Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, June 06, 2008
"How can any Christian who takes the Bible seriously want to watch (or review) Sex and the City?"
"Anyone who could actually find something redeeming in [Sex and the City] is too awfully familiar with the world."
"Sex and the City is a pornographic film. You should either abandon your stated Christian aims and mission statement, or stop condoning pornography."
"Is this really Christianity Today??? Are you guys really serious about Jesus, the Bible, holiness, and biblical truth?"
And so went some of the letters we received in response to last week's review of Sex and the City. (There were a bunch of positive letters too, so please check them out as well.)
We totally understand why many people would have no desire to see Sex and the City, choosing to avoid it because of its portrayals of pre- and extra-marital sex and rampant materialism. I myself have no desire to see it, mostly for those reasons.
But to slam us for reviewing the film makes no sense. Our mission statement is to help readers make discerning choices about movies—not to make the choices for people. Our review clearly warned readers of the sinful behavior in the movie, while also noting some of its redeeming factors—like the universal longing for love and companionship, what it means to be a true friend, and more.
But some folks believe that when it comes to a movie like Sex and the City, there should be no choice—they've decided that no one should see it, period ... at least no one who calls themselves a Christian. They think we should essentially have a three-word review: "Don't watch it!" But that's not what we're about. We trust our readers to make their own decisions; we won't make those decisions for anyone.
But here's another reason for reviewing SATC and other uncomfortable films: It's good to sometimes enter into the minds and worldviews of others, even of those we completely disagree with. Occasionally, it can even be helpful to see what the world looks like through the eyes of the depraved.
Do those words make you uncomfortable? Or angry? Don't blame me, then. Blame C.S. Lewis, because they're essentially his words.
In his book, An Experiment in Criticism, Lewis writes, "We therefore delight to enter into other men's beliefs ... even though we think them untrue. And into their passions, though we think them depraved ... And also into their imaginations, though they lack all realism of content."
Lewis is writing mostly in the context of reading books and poetry, but his thoughts on criticism apply just as well to film—or any art form, for that matter. He continues: "This must not be understood as if I were making the literature of power once more into a department which existed to gratify our rational curiosity about other people's psychology. It is not a question of knowing (in that sense) at all. It is connaître not savoir; it is erleben; we become these other selves. Not only nor chiefly in order to see what they are like but in order to see what they see, to occupy, for a while, their seat in the great theatre, to use their spectacles and be made free of whatever insights, joys, terrors, wonders, or merriment those spectacles reveal ...
"This, so far as I can see, is the specific value or good of literature considered as Logos; it admits us to experiences other than our own. ... Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realise the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors." (Or, I might add, movie directors.) "We realise it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, and therefore less of a self, is in prison. My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through the eyes of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. I will see what others have invented. ... In reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do."
That, dear readers, is why we review "objectionable" movies. Because our eyes "are not enough for me." We will "see through the eyes of others" and yet "remain" ourselves. It's our own "experiment in criticism." If that kind of thinking is good enough for C.S. Lewis, it's certainly good enough for us.
(For further insights into our mission and philosophy, click here, here, and here.)
Three new reviews this week:
- Kung Fu Panda, a fun and fast-paced family flick in which Jack Black provides the voice of Po, a portly panda who's a martial arts geek—but not very good at it. One thing leads to another, and Po finds himself in the thick of a battle against an evil snow leopard. Hilarity—and plenty of action—ensues.
- You Don't Mess with the Zohan, the latest lowbrow comedy from Adam Sandler, in which he plays an Israeli counter-terrorism agent who wants to be a ... hairdresser. A story that had good comic potential—and some political comment—is lost amidst too much raunch and sexual innuendo.
- Mongol, a period drama about the life of Genghis Khan—a gorgeous movie that received an Academy Award nomination last year for Best Foreign film. The protagonist is portrayed as a sensitive family man, not as the warmongering tyrant we all think we know—but still, there's plenty of graphic violence, earning its R rating.
Also new this week, the makers of the JESUS film, which has been seen over 6 billion times (leading to 221 million decisions for Christ), have produced an alternate version that will better appeal to women around the world. Magdalena: Released from Shame is told from the perspective of Mary Magdalene, and is made and narrated in such a way that it will speak especially to women in shame-based cultures.
Finally, Reel News reports that Prince Caspian is fast losing steam at the box office—behind the pace of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe—and that Disney chief Robert Iger blames it on a badly timed release date and a crowded summer movie season.
Next week, look for our story about Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the Georgia pastors behind the film Facing the Giants who are now making their next movie, Fireproof, coming this fall.
Till then, see you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Kung Fu Panda
What do you get when you mix a portly panda, the inimitable voice talents of Jack Black, thrilling martial arts action, and great animation? A very fun family flick, that's what.
by Carolyn Arends
Rated PG
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REVIEW
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Adam Sandler's latest lowbrow comedy tackles Middle Eastern politics but gets too distracted by frivolous, crass jokes.
by Peter T. Chattaway
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Mongol
Genghis Khan's early life is explored in this handsome film—sort of a Far East Braveheart—that completely ignores the very things that made him so memorable in the first place.
by Brandon Fibbs
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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COMMENTARIES
JESUS for Women
The JESUS film, one of the most effective evangelistic tools of all time, now comes in a version edited primarily for women—Magdalena: Released from Shame.
by Carolyn Arends
REEL NEWS
Caspian Can't Compete
Disney chief Iger says summer season too crowded to keep up at box office; still, Dawn Treader on track, and other sequels are rumored. Plus: Bloggers wonder if Indy is a Commie; The 10 Worst Jesus Films; Christian wrestle with how to engage film; and more.
by Peter T. Chattaway
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe: Dying in a Traitor's Stead
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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Kung Fu Panda, starring Jack Black, opens this week. What's your favorite Jack Black flick?
- Be Kind, Rewind
- Envy
- The Holiday
- King Kong
- Margot at the Wedding
- Nacho Libre
- School of Rock
- Shallow Hal
- Shark Tale
- Tenacious D
- Other
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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What theater chain do you frequent the most?
- Other: 25%
- AMC: 22%
- Regal: 20%
- Cinemark: 12%
- Carmike: 6%
- Marcus: 5%
- Hollywood: 3%
- Kerasotes: 3%
- Landmark: 3%
- Goodrich: 2%
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Love's Unfolding Dream, DVD
In the latest release based on the beloved series by
Janette Oke, Missie's adopted daughter Belinda is
determined to become a doctor despite the many obstacles.
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It's Probably Just My Thyroid DVD
Chock-full of laughs, off-the-wall insights, and music,
here's a remedy that's good for whatever ails
you! There's even a parody for Carrie Underwood fans!
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Another Perfect Stranger, DVD
In this sequel to The Perfect Stranger, Sarah, who's mom
told her she had dined with the Almighty, travels to
college where she struggles with her disdain for religion.
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