Lazy Cultural Engagement

This is an intriguing article from Christianity Today's critic Alissa Wilkinson which challenges my conception cultural engagement. Sometimes I feel I do a good job in this area and other times not so much. 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/october-web-only/lazy-cultural-engagement.html?start=2n 

John Piper and Citizen Kane

Recently after just finishing Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper I had a thought. Not a life changing epiphany, but an idea I thought was worth talking about.

One of the reasons Citizen Kane is such a talked about and memorable film stems from its major tragedy. It is a tragedy of futility and purposelessness. Kane had all the riches, media clout and political power to move the masses. He strove for success, one might say the American Dream, but he also yearned for love and acceptance. Instead of being a world shaker and a culture changer for good, he slowly encircled himself in his treasure filled dungeon. Riches carried more value than people, or at least Kane assumed riches could buy him friendships and love. He was wrong and he died with a feeble phrase on his lips. In other words we cannot carry all our mountains of worldly goods with us into the next lifetime. Not even our favorite childhood sled. They are utterly useless. They cannot save our souls. They have no bearing on our infinitesimal lives when put in context of an eternal perspective.

Now what does any of this rambling have to do with John Piper's book? It has a great deal because Kane is just the type of person and just the type of life Piper seems to be calling for us to avoid at all costs. Especially as Christians our lives should not simply be reliant on human love and interaction (which are important), but more paramount than that is fellowship with our Father, the Creator of the Universe. We are told to magnify the Lord in how we live and with what we are given.

Kane was blessed with much, but with those who are given much, much is also expected. Thus, it makes sense why the kingdom heaven is said to be a difficult goal for a rich man. None of us can get there alone, but Christ simply illustrates that we are expected to bless others with our treasures on earth.

My hope is that I do not end up as a Citizen Kane, my last words being my favorite sled, my prized piece of hardware or my favorite film. I hope I might leave knowing that I did not waste my life and then I will hear the Lord say, despite all my shortcomings, well done good and faithful servant!

Bible Flicks Not Just B-List

Here is an interesting article on Christian themed films in the modern film industry. Take a look and see what you think!

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/03/bible-flicks-move-beyond-the-b-list.html 

Modern Romance Films

Could it be that modern movie romances are finally trying to portray love and romantic relationships as they really are? You can never be completely positive, but this article seems to suggest that movies are depicting them in a more realistic light. The reality is, as humans we are messy people and that often spills into our relationships.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/april/theres-more-to-love-than-true-love.html

Marilyn Monroe: Not a Bombshell just a Shell

Recently I watched the Howard Hawks musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," starring Jane Russell and of course Marilyn Monroe. After watching this film, which I can only imagine helped to solidify Monroe's image, I was reminded of an article that I saw once online.

It related the story of ballplayer turned pastor Albie Pearson who played for Gene Autry's Angels back in the 1960s. One evening that would leave a mark on his life occurred in the summer of 1962, a month before Monroe would be found dead. Pearson saw something that many of the tabloids failed to acknowledge. Out of the glare of the spotlight he saw in Monroe a lonely, broken person. He wanted more than anything to share the Gospel with her but it just did not seem like the right situation for it. Pearson would be deeply saddened when he heard of Monroe's death, but he devoted his life thereafter to shepherding others and caring for them spiritually and physically.

This is just one story that reflects the brokenness that is in mainstream Hollywood. It is not a reason to show more contempt for the industry but to show them love so that the lost have a chance to be found.

http://articles.latimes.com/1997/dec/14/sports/sp-64080/2

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

In one of his best performances, Jimmy Stewart is an idealistic, naive boy's troop leader named Jefferson Smith. The starry eyed Smith, trusts that our nation is founded on some very noble principles that should be fought for tirelessly in government and in society. Above all he is a likable fellow who earnestly believes in the merits of this country and he is beloved by boys all across the state. Now this all sounds fine and dandy, but it would never have come across on the screen if it had not been for Stewart. He emanates this awkward and innocent energy that puts life into the idealistic creation of Jefferson Smith. 

When the film opens, everything is in turmoil when a senator suddenly dies and a replacement is needed fast. Believing Smith will be a pawn, a powerful man named Taylor (Ed Arnold) gets Smith a seat in the nation's Senate. There he joins the respected Senator and old family acquaintance, Joe Paine (Claude Reins), who is also a cog in Taylor's machine. However, although he is out of place in Washington, the patriotic Smith does his best to be worthy of his position. He realizes that the press will not give him a break and the other Senators do not take him seriously. So on the urging of Paine he decides to come up with a bill for a boys camp back in his home state. He requires the help of the world weary secretary Saunders (Jean Arthur) to get his bill done. Initially she is disgusted by his naivete, but as she grows to know him she realizes he is only going to get himself hurt. His action to propose a bill soon find him face to face with the political machine that elected him. Taylor also has stakes on the piece of land where the boy's camp would be and he wants it for a dam. 

Smith finds himself being accused of using his position for his personal gain and he finds himself before a committee with false evidence piling up against him. With all odds and seemingly everyone  against him as well, Smith makes one last monumental effort. With the help and guidance of Saunders, Smith fights to plead his case through a filibuster. Fatigued by many hours of giving impassioned speeches and reciting the Constitution, Smith finally collapses but not before effectively succeeding at his task. I doubt this would every happen in real life, but in the film it is fantastic watching the Senate break out into complete and utter mayhem. Ultimately, a young man with "a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness and a little looking out for the other fella," was able to win. True, it may be overly sentimental, but it is a wonderful piece of sentiment all the same.

5/5 Stars

Honestly, I had never really noticed it before, but while he filibusters in the senate, Jefferson Smith's impassioned entreaty is backed by scripture several times. He looks at the many men around him seemingly much greater than himself and he recites the "simple rule: Love thy neighbor" which was part of the great commandment that Christ gave his disciples in the Gospels. Smith goes up to the one man who is in a sense his Judas, the man who betrayed his trust and he says,

"a man who knows that one rule has a great trust. You know that rule, Mr. Paine, and I loved you for it, just as my father did. And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any others. Yes, you even die for them, like a man we both knew, Mr. Paine."

Now right here Smith is obviously talking about his father from the film, but still this is a wonderful picture  of what Christ did. He fought for the lost cause which was you and me and he died for that cause so it could be won over.

Between reading historic documents such as the Constitution, Smith can also be heard reading a short passage from the King James version of 1 Corinthians 13:13 which reads, "charity wanteth not itself. Is not propped up and now, abideth faith. Hope, charity, these three, the greatest of these is charity."

In the more modern NIV the translation is, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." This is the passage where Paul talks about love and so the charity that is mentioned in the film is love. More exactly it is loving thy neighbor which is a form of charity.

So despite the obvious themes of Mr. Smith, patriotic and otherwise, there is also a less obvious theme that is biblically based. Yet another reason to enjoy this film.

Amazing Grace (2007)

Based on the life of Christian activist and British parliament member William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace is a very important and powerful film. Wilberforce is a unique and extraordinary man to say the least. The story opens as a dreadfully sick Wilbeforce takes a holiday at the home of some close friends. They introduce him to his future wife Barbara Spooner, however to begin with they resist any romantic involvement and remain friends. He relates his story to her about how he became an Evangelical Christian while also a popular member of the British Parliament. He had considered leaving politics for theological studies, however he is persuaded by friends including William Pitt to continue in parliament. He is asked to tackle the highly unpopular issue of slavery and after a visit to his aging mentor John Newton (Albert Finney), Wilbeforces’ fervor increases. Due to his own regrets about formerly being a slave trader, Newton is hounded by guilt and urges Wilbeforce to end the trade. Soon William Pitt becomes prime minister and Wilbeforce gets ready to bring a bill outlawing slavery to the house. He gets some unexpected support, but his popularity dwindles and he is strongly opposed by a coalition with a large stake in the trade. His bill is ultimately beaten outright but William continues the cause for numerous years to no avail. Now back in the present, Wilberforce is sickly and dejected, but Barbara encourages him to push on. They get married soon after and the fight continues without much progress. However, finally William devises a clever plan to cripple the slave trade and he gains some new allies. His colleague and friend Pitt is slowly dying but he supports Wilbeforce. After many years of tireless struggle a bill is passed in parliament that effectively ends the slave trade in 1807. Wilbeforce is one of those often unsung Christian heroes who truly did something extraordinary. With the release of Lincoln more recently, there were definite connections that could be made between the films. Like Lincoln, Wilbeforce worked for more than political clout, because he knew what was good and right and so he struggled for those principles. That is the sign of a truly great man. Much like Wilbeforce himself, this film is less heralded than Lincoln, but I would wager that it is no less  important. 

4/5 Stars

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."
~ excerpt from Amazing Grace by John Newton

Shadowlands (1993)

Starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger with direction by Richard Attenbourough, this film chronicles the romance of famed Christian professor and writer, C.S. “Jack” Lewis with the American poet Joy Gresham. Jack is by now a respected professor at Oxford and a widely acclaimed lecturer who often speaks on the issue of human suffering. In his personal life he is rather reserved. He lives with his older brother Warnie and spends times with his colleagues discussing at the local pub in the evenings. It is not until he receives a letter from an American admirer named Joy Gresham that his life seemingly begins to change. He first accepts to meet her only to be gracious, but soon their relationship develops into a close bond. Jack meets Joy’s son Douglas who is enthralled by Narnia. He even offers them a place to stay during the Christmas season since they have no where else to go. Lewis and Gresham are very different people to say the least. He is a reserved and quiet intellectual while she is a plain speaking American who is not afraid about mincing words. However, these differences bring them closer together because help each other to view the world in a radical new light.  Jack learns how Gresham’s marriage is going badly and he settles to marry her in a practical union so she and Douglas can stay in England. They do not speak of it much and it hardly seems real.  However, then Joy is diagnosed with bone cancer and slowly but surely she begins to deteriorate. For the second time in his life Lewis understands the anguish that comes when a loved one is suffering. Because the fact is he most definitely loves Joy. As with any unexplainable suffering Lewis is tested in his faith and the concept of human suffering has a new more personal meaning to him. Although this film is not so much focused on C.S. Lewis as a Christian theologian or apologist, I think Anthony Hopkins does a wonderful job of portraying him as a kindly and gentle man of faith. He struggles as we all do, but he found something wonderful in his love for Joy that changed him. Debra Winger must also being commended because she played well off of Hopkins and even though I have no picture of the real Gresham, Winger seemed to embody her well. As Jack says we live in the “Shadowlands,” but amidst the pain and suffering love seems to shine through even brighter. 

4.5/5 Stars

"We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn', and I accept it. I've got nothing that I hadn't bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination." - C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Telling the intertwining stories of two runners, Eric Liddel and Harold Abrams, the film leads up to their trials and triumphs in the 1924 Olympics. Liddel is a Christian Scot who believes he has been called to run and he takes his faith very seriously. Abrams on the other hand is a proud Jewish runner who wants to be the best. Liddel is faced with the prospect of running on the Sabbath which goes against his beliefs. Abrams is extremely afraid of failure because running is his life. With those problems they enter the Olympics and end up flourishing for Britain. After the two men are deceased two of their mates reflect on those great days that they experienced together. This film may seem simple but that does not make it any less powerful. The main theme reverberates through your head hours afterwards.

 I would venture a guess that I have seen this film half a dozen to 10 times and each and every time it resonates with me. It is not an overly impressive film, but it is a spiritually uplifting film about a man who stood by his principles and did what he was called to do. Eric Liddel was given the God given ability to run and he used it. However, he also ministered to others throughout his whole life in the U.K. and in China. Harold Abrams is on the complete other side of the spectrum as a Jewish runner who is searching for meaning in his life. I would like to think that he found it. Nevertheless, this is a redemptive film that showcases a Godly man in a wonderful way.

4.5/5 Stars

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receive the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified - 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

Night of the Hunter (1955)

Directed by Charles Laugton and starring Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish, with Shelley Winters, the film tells the story of a preacher who epitomizes a wolf in sheep's clothing. While serving a short sentence in jail, this "preacher" (Mitchum) learns from another man who is to be hanged that he hid $10,000 near his home. Intent on finding it, the fanatical man slithers his way into the life of the man's widow (Winters) hoping to find the money by using her kids. They are adamant to not tell where it is and they soon discover what kind of man he is. After he murders their mother, the two children flee down the river. There they are taken in by the hospitable Christian woman Rachel Cooper (Gish) who has other orphans. They grow to love and trust her as their own mother. However, the sly preacher is bent on taking them away along with the money. Gish realizes his evil and has none of it. In the final scenes it is proved that love always wins over hate. This movie is certainly chilling, and disconcerting but the latter half I found especially good. Laughton deserves credit and the acting was good as well.

This film is a powerful and at times disturbing picture of love vs. hate, good vs. evil, and the sinful vs. the righteous. The Preacher embodies the "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" mentioned in Matthew 7. He is a man who professes to follow the Lord, but in reality he is a "ferocious wolf" who only looks out for himself and ultimately chases after a pair of children to take their money. It says that "by their fruit you will recognize them," and thus by the fact he was in prison and also a killer, he is easily recognized to be no good.

On the other end of the spectrum the character of Rachel Cooper is the exact opposite. She is loving and kind to the children in her care.She spends time reading the Bible and has her children study it as well. Furthermore, she does not allow her self to be swayed by the Preacher and she easily sees right through him when others did not.

4.5/5 Stars

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." - Matthew 7

Sergeant York (1940)

Starring a wonderful cast including Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie with director Howard Hawks, this is a feel-good film. Alvin C. York (Cooper) lives in a small town in Tennessee where he works hard but also drinks a lot. Over time however he becomes a devout Christian and falls for a girl named Gracie (Leslie). He is hoping to get married and own a piece of bottom farm land. World War I begins and after a great conflict inside of himself, Alvin decides to go fight. While there he proves his valor, helping to capture 132 German soldiers almost single-handed.  He returns home a great hero and is reunited with his family and Gracie. Despite being a great war picture, this is also a very nice biography of a simple yet religious man who tried to live his life to the best of his abilities. His is an important story of conversion, conflict, and ultimately tremendous success.

4/5 Stars

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"a time to kill and a time to heal," ...
"a time for war and a time for peace" - Ecclesiastes 3

Sites for Christian Movie Reviews

I think my favorite sight that I have seen is Christianity Today because it not only gives a synopsis of the film and the redemptive qualities of each film, but it also focuses on the cultural or artistic aspects. They are not quick to dismiss a film that is rated R because there could still be something powerful to be gleaned from it.

Plugged in Online and Christian Spotlight on Entertainment are two other sites with film reviews. If you have children it is a great place to look and see what potentially negative or questionable things there are in a film. However, it seems that these sites can often focus on the negative and they can often sell a film short.