Dissecting the Obvious

The point I’m attempting to make here has been written and talked about a great deal. This is nothing new. Go to www.hollywoodjesus.com and you’ll find plenty of spiritual analyzing of current and recent releases, everything from The Matrix Trilogy and Bruce Almighty to Signs or Lord of the Rings. Major magazines and newspapers have recently dissected the spiritual implications of contemporary box-office hits. A new book by Gareth Higgins specifically addresses this topic: “How Movies Helped Save My Soul” (RELEVANTBOOKS).

The Passion of the Christ, the controversial movie from Mel Gibson graphically portrayes the final hours of Christ’s life. It has great potential to impact viewers in a way that no other film made about Jesus ever has, but each person will respond to it on a personal level. Filmed entirely in Aramaic and Latin and presented in the most realistic manner we’ve ever seen, it is a very bold undertaking and admittedly risky venture for one of Hollywood’s big names. Mel Gibson is behind the camera as director and producer. Despite his past accomplishments, including an Academy Award for Best Director of Braveheart, he’s been criticized for what many saw as a decidedly non-commercial project (quite ironic in view of the boxoffice success). Many have leveled criticism that the film is anti-Semitic. I saw it on opening day - Februay 25. I didn't interpret it as putting all the blame for Jesus' death on the Jews, but others might interpret it differently. So much rides on the agenda you bring, which is why I hope viewers will try to go with an openmind and without preconceived notions - admittedly hard to do with all the publicity. See the article A Really Rugged Cross and our review of the movie.

It’s wonderful how film presents opportunities for discussion. Go for coffee or ice cream after the theater experience and you might have all sorts of topics available. Whether the subject is obviously spiritual (Joshua) or implied (Holes) the post movie experience can be invaluable for insight and growth.

To be sure movie studios will continue to crank out plenty of chaff with the wheat. What we “vote” for with our wallets can and will influence what gets made. But, I don’t hold any illusions of the corner cinemaplex becoming a hotbed for evangelism. Nevertheless, God will continue to speak to us and often in ways to we least expect Him to.

Here are some releases worthy of consideration:

The Nativity Story - This movie was released around Christmas, 2006 and is a beautifully filmed effot to tell the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus in historically and biblically acurate terms. Official website here. Now available on video and DVD here.

Amazing Grace - Here is a film William Wilberforce, the antislavery pioneer who as a Member of England's Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. He was highly influenced by John Newton (portrayed by the excellent actor Albert Finney), the hymnist best known for the song, Amazing Grace. It is also a story about how we can all be free of the slavery of sin by God's free gift of grace. Now available on DVD. Official website here.

Therese - Director: Leonardo Defilippis. A movie on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) from Luke Films. At the age of 14 Thérèse Martin (Lindsay Younce) undergoes a mysterious conversion and falls deeply in love with God. Then - not old enough for the convent — she goes all the way to the Vatican, where she boldly steps forth at a papal audience to beg for permission to become a Carmelite nun. Available on DVD here.

End of the Spear — This is a brave movie now out on video and DVD. It is based on a true story of the killing of five missionaries by a violent tribe, the Waodani in the eastern rainforest of Ecuador. The movie takes you on a journey of forgiveness and God’s grace illustrated in a situation most people would consider to be beyond the odds. Find out more about the movie and discover resources you can use in discussions with others at www.endofthespear.com.

The Gospel of John - An ambition undertaking from Visual Bible this film is a meticulously recreated film based word-for-word on the Gospel of John. You can preview information about it at the official site. More information about it at HollywoodJesus.com. This film showed in limited release and is now available on DVD/Video.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe based on C. S. Lewis’ classic Narnia Chronicles from Walden Media and directed by Andrew Adamson (“Shrek”). Now on video and DVD. more here.

The Passion of the Christ – Director: Mel Gibson. Stars: James Caviezel (Jesus Christ), Maia Morgenstern (Mary), Monica Bellucci (Mary Magdalene). See Hollywood Jesus or the official site. Available on DVD/VHS.