catholic movie reviews
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(as of Dec 29, 2024 06:31:29 UTC - Details)
You love movies. Who doesn't?
In Finding God in the Movies Catherine Barsotti and Robert Johnston show you how to combine your love of movies with your desire for God. Introducing thirty-three films of faith--ranging from Tender Mercies to X-Men--the authors identify and explore key biblical themes like forgiveness, faith, and repentance. An enthusiastic guide for the individual movie lover or small group, this resource contains production notes and film synopses, relevant Scripture texts, theological reflection, recommended video clips, discussion questions, and more. It will deepen your fervor for film and for God.
Publisher : Baker Books (August 1, 2004)
Language : English
Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 0801064813
ISBN-13 : 978-0801064814
Item Weight : 1 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.73 x 8.5 inches
Reviewer: Judy Ramirez
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Stars
Review: great book
Reviewer: Mumsie Henry
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Where Has This Book Been?
Review: Excellent book to help any Christian student of the arts. I appreciate the format of the book--the quick summary with the good discussion questions at the end.
Reviewer: FaithfulReader.com
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A book for finding God's grace in the secular world
Review: Catherine Barsotti and Robert Johnston --- husband and wife --- give thoughtful Christians a book full of tools to help them view select movies (33 in all; the oldest released in 1982) through a theological or philosophical lens.FINDING GOD IN THE MOVIES starts with an informative introduction that discusses the film genre and theological approaches to film. What makes a good film? "Head, gut, and heart. The best movies will engage the whole person." How does a viewer find God in the movies? "Unpack the story.... What is more primary in the way the story is shaped? (1) Is it the plot...? (2) Is it the characters...? (3) Is it the point of view, where a story is given value by the perspective of the narrator(s)...? Or (4) is it the atmosphere...?...Concentrate your critical attention on where the filmmakers have centered their attention. By doing this, you will prove a more receptive viewer of the story and perhaps the Story."Each of the 33 movie-chapters starts with a two- or three-page "synopsis and theological reflection" --- a review. This is followed by "dialogue texts" (relevant biblical passages), "discussion questions," "clip conversations" (more discussion questions but about specific scenes), and several pages of "bonus material," which includes interesting behind-the-scenes information about the making and makers of the film. Movies also are clearly linked to two helpful appendices: one listing (Genesis to Revelation) relevant biblical references; one listing (A to Z) topics covered in or themes of the movies (for example, Abuse; Affirming the Human Spirit; Anger; Arguing with God; Balance in Life).The movie-chapters are presented in 13 categories, the more blatantly religious ("Living Our Faith"; "Images of the Savior"; "Renewing the Church") placed toward the end of the book. You might want to start your exploration in these later categories or simply bounce around. The second of the 13 categories, "Beauty, Imagination, and Creativity," discusses two Pacific Rim movies, Spirited Away and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that celebrate imagination and creativity but may be hard for the neophyte to discuss theologically.This is a book for Christians who have an understanding of common grace, "the wider work of God's Spirit throughout and within all creatures and creation," and for those who are open to dialogue with the secular world. What are some of the films discussed? Life Is Beautiful. Ulee's Gold. The Hurricane. Simon Birch. Chocolat. We Were Soldiers.By using this guide you might get the hang of facilitating a movie-discussion group and then move on to films you wish the authors had included. We'd all have our own list. Mine? The Trip to Bountiful. Cinema Paradiso. Babette's Feast. The Quarrel. Smoke. Maybe I should check out Johnston's earlier book REEL SPIRITUALITY: Theology and Film in Dialogue (Baker, 2000). --- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence
Reviewer: bl
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Four Stars
Review: good
Reviewer: JONG HUN JOO
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Help me open my eyes wide!
Review: Can we find God in the movies? Yes! In this outstanding cultural book, Johnston leads us to find God in the popculture. He mentions the movie as a story teller in which people communicate their values and worldviews. He, also, teaches us what the christian movies are and how christians can watch the films; the christian movies are what deal with the real human stories and what show the reality afresh. And, when we watch the movies, we, as chrsitians, have to see the christian values such as humanity, friendship, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. In addition to these strengths, the most wonderful character of this book is the excellent complete film study guide. I enthusiastically recommend this book for all people who are interested in popculture and its application to their real lives.
Reviewer: Matthew Scribner
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Helpful
Review: I host a small group and have for about a year, coincedentially I called it Finding God in The Movies. I had a hard time coming up with questions for the small group and this book has great questions right inside. Eventually more people started showing up and everyone has amazing insights! I couldn't have asked for more!
Reviewer: Riley Draft
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good book
Review: The book really helped me with me class that I used it for. Even though we weren't required to read it.
Reviewer: Ashley Ferguson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: "Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films of Reel Faith" is an enlightening and thought-provoking exploration of spirituality through the lens of cinema. As a devout believer and a film enthusiast, this book provided me with a unique perspective on how art and faith intertwine to convey profound messages. Each film discussed in this book offers not only entertainment but also deep insights into the human experience and the search for meaning.What makes this book truly remarkable is its ability to bridge the gap between secular entertainment and spiritual introspection. The author's insightful analysis of each film goes beyond surface-level observations, delving into the symbolism, themes, and underlying messages that resonate with viewers on a spiritual level. Whether you're a cinephile, a devout follower, or simply someone seeking inspiration, "Finding God in the Movies" offers a captivating journey through some of cinema's most profound works.In conclusion, "Finding God in the Movies" is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith and film. It not only deepened my appreciation for the art of filmmaking but also enriched my spiritual understanding. With its engaging writing style and comprehensive analysis, this book has earned its place as an essential guide for those seeking enlightenment through the magic of cinema.
Reviewer: Joyce
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I had to purchase this for my film studies class, and it changed my perspective on movies. It's cool to analyze movies from the Christian perspective :).