catholic film review

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Increasingly, thinking Christians are examining the influential role that movies play in our cultural dialogue. Reel Spirituality successfully heightens readers' sensitivity to the theological truths and statements about the human condition expressed through modern cinema. This second edition cites 200 new movies and encourages readers to ponder movie themes that permeate our culture as well as motion pictures that have demonstrated power to shape our perceptions of everything from relationships and careers to good and evil. Reel Spirituality is the perfect catalyst for dialogue and discipleship among moviegoers, churchbased study groups, and religious film and arts groups. The second edition cites an additional 200 movies and includes new film photos.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0801031877
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baker Academic; 2nd edition (December 1, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780801031878
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801031878
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
Reviewer: Teng-Kuan Ng
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Review of "Reel Spirituality"
Review: Reel Spirituality begins in chapter 1 with a description of the tremendous influence that films have come to exert on myriad spheres of life today, whether religious, social, cultural, or economic. Chapter 2 traces the lively history of the church's response to Hollywood since the genesis of cinema, from mutual cooperation (early 20th century) to escalating hostility (1920's to 1960's), then back to more occasions of moderation and openness (since the 1980's). Akin to the five typologies of Richard Niebuhr's Christ and Culture, chapter 3 gives a run-down of the different theological postures that various Christian persuasions have adopted, and are prone to adopting, in film criticism. Addressing the suspicious avoidance that conservatives often have towards "pagan" movie culture, and drawing from resources like sacramentalism, common grace, and narrative theology, chapter 4 offers an astute apologia for sympathetic, active dialogue between theology and film.In chapter 5, Johnston argues that movies ought to be recognized as a fully legitimate and complex art form; irrespective of their commercial or entertainment purposes, the artistic richness of the film medium is capable of conveying spiritual truth. From a broadly literary framework, Chapter 6 makes a case for the importance of the storytelling aspect of film, examining both certain general structures of a film story as well as the circle of interaction (between film, filmmaker, view, and larger worldview) that comes into play in criticism. And while chapter 7 introduces a few key elements of film (e.g. editing and framing) essential for basic visual literacy and competence, chapter 8 suggests four different but intimately-related approaches towards film criticism: understanding a film according to its genre, its auteur, its themes, and its social context.Against the simplism of the current rating system, chapter 9 advocates a more dynamic and sophisticated paradigm for the ethical evaluation of films, a paradigm that for instance takes into account differences or ambiguities amongst a film's vision and that of its characters. In chapter 10, Johnston identifies transcendental encounter and analytical reflection as two aspects of theological film criticism, and in particular further delineates the former into experiences of the "Human" and the "Holy." The book then ends in chapter 11 with a case study of the existentially-charged and deeply (albeit implicitly) spiritual films of Peter Weir, applying the methods and insights hitherto discussed for constructive theological dialogue.I much enjoyed reading Reel Spirituality, finding it an intelligent treatise about theological engagement with film. It strengths are many. Firstly, while written in an easy and readable style, it is also informed and substantial, and thus accessible to academic and non-academic readers alike. Secondly, I commend the balance that Johnston takes while critiquing opposing positions (such as the fundamentalist avoidance of film or the Reformed over-emphasis on the written word), presenting them fairly and recognizing the contexts in which these positions have been formed. Thirdly, the book demonstrates a good measure of intellectual self-awareness, complementing conviction with humility by affirming how the paradigms it offers, though accurate and useful, are nevertheless often fluid and partial. Perhaps what I appreciate most is Johnston's constant emphasis on the need to engage a film on its own terms before anything else; "however ultimate one's theology is, it is the penultimate - the movie itself - that demands our initial attention" (239). In light of the theologically-imperialistic hermeneutical sins that Christians are known to commit in their "zeal of the Lord," such words exemplify the precious wisdom of being "quick to listen, and to slow to speak" (James 1:19).No work is perfect, of course, and there are a few aspects of Reel Spirituality that I think could do with a little improvement. For example, its register is rather uneven at certain parts, alternating between academic propriety and chatty informality. What if the reader neither has children to ask ("Just ask your kids") - nor needs to ask any - to know that film has become the world's lingua franca (267)? The occasional contractions ("...what they do and what they don't") can be jarring to academic readers as well (267). Moreover, sometimes Johnston seems to makes too many assumptions about the effect a film has on its viewer; it is well and good that he found the closing sequences of The Godfather powerful, but it seems difficult to state without qualification that it "leaves viewers speechless as they exit the theater," especially in view of those who are already acquainted with Christian hypocrisy (166). Finally, I find this statement in chapter 10 confusing to understanding the progression of the book's argument: "It is for this reason that I have postponed until now a discussion of theological criticism" (239). Though approached from a more historical or apologetic standpoint in chapters 3 and 4, are there not already fairly substantial discussions of theological criticism there?

Reviewer: Mumsie Henry
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best of Its Kind!
Review: Better than his first book, Reel Spirituality helps readers understand the subtle nature of film. I appreciated the book's frank discussion of theme and culture.

Reviewer: Chris Forbes
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Reel Good Book on Film for Christians
Review: I enjoyed this book. I was glad it wasn't too academic or too technical since I am not an expert on film making or movie criticism. There was good historical information and many examples from a variety of films to help illustrate the author's point of view. I agree Christians need to become more critical consumers of film. Since 95% of people see at least one film per year, it shows that there is tremendous potential for spiritual dialog with friends and family by talking about film. I plan to think through some of the concepts in the "Theological Approaches to Film Criticism" and "Becoming a Film Critic" chapters as I continue to grow in my understanding of film making.

Reviewer: Will Nuessle
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nearly Impenetrable
Review: Far from disparaging Eugene Peterson, the author might have done readers a service by taking a page from his approach and making the book accessible to non-academics

Reviewer: Taylor Sauschuck
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Condition!
Review: Thank you so much for such a well-in-condition book! I had doubts as to if there were underlining, highlighting, etc. I highly recommend this seller (:

Reviewer: Anthony Munson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Stars
Review: Interesting read. It gave me a whole new way to look at film.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Not Very Good
Review: I'm not certain if I missed something but this book is not a useful tool for Christians to determine the movies they view. The author did not seem to understand the danger of viewing movies that have the potential to create sin in a persons life. While he boast about how powerful films are and how they should be viewed by Chrsitians to draw them closer to Christ, he seems to ignore that same power in a film can create sin in a persons life. I suggest reading this book with caution.

Reviewer: Amazon User
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Useful
Review: Great insights, useful thoughts, useful information

Reviewer: Christopher J.W.Hawthorne
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The book was well priced. It is an interesting exploration of the history of American cinemas in a theological context..