Film Review #5 - The Matrix

Film Review #5 - "There is no spoon."  

There are few movies with the level of modernization and proper story adaptation of Christian belief as, The Matrix.  The movie starts in the place that each and every Christian does.  Looking for a savior or "The One".  In the case of the movie it doesn't take long for the audience to figure out who that is, Neo.  While the film itself benefits from an assortment of choreography and visual effects, it is the story which above all else grabs the audience inward.  Why shouldn't it?  It is after all the oldest story told.  The story hidden in place sight.  Retold by every culture in every period of human history.  The tale of good versus evil.  

In the case of the Matrix, the evil manifests itself as a race of artificially intelligent robots who have enslaved humanity in an endless repeat of a pseudo world of the mind.  This fake world supposedly takes place at the height of human history, the early 21st century, but there's no iPhone so I will disagree even though that particular piece of technology wasn't around when the movie was made.

At the core of the film are two questions, "What is real and how do we know it's real?"  Perhaps, it doesn't matter to the "Jesus is the only way because the Bible tells me so crowd", but for those of us who still happen to have enough audacity to question God, it matters a great deal.  Is it true that ignorance is bliss?  Adam and Eve may actually surprise us with their answer considering the fruit of tree after all bestowed knowledge on them that was unintended for them.

Without getting too far off track and turning this into a philosophical discussion, what can we learn from a secular movie where the hero dies, comes back to life as an ascended being?  That Christian story and mythology as the secular world would see it is alive and well in Hollywood and provides an excellent avenue for sparking some serious red vs blue pill type conversation.

Film Reviews #6,7,8 - Sherwood Pictures (Facing The Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous)

Going back to basics.  Films are nothing more than audio/visual modes of storytelling.  Adding or subtracting from what that means is to misunderstand what produces the popularity of films.  Now, as with any story there is always a purpose behind telling that story.  Whether it's a fable/moral, fairy tale/adventure, or dramatic/experience driven.  In the case of truly Christian cinema, the purpose is to express any number of Christian values or to "share the Gospel" message itself on screen.  In terms of quality and effectiveness in this specific area, there really hasn't been anything as inspiring as the films coming from a small Baptist church in Georgia, Sherwood Baptist.  While Flywheel counts as a film production of Sherwood Pictures, it honestly deserves to be separated by itself for a number of reasons that don't need to be discussed here.  Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous, are all excellent examples of Christian film making.  "Why you is this?", you may ask.  I'll tell you.  It is because of their signature "real average people" playing "real average people".  With very few departures from this, the majority of the actors and actresses used are not professional or even amature.  Normally, this would result in a very poorly done film.  However, with an excellent script and believable dramatic moments, the films grip at all the right heart strings and lead to genuine moments of falling on your knees prayer.  

Each movie in its own right has themes which guide the characters.  It can often times be predictable, but then of course, "Lord, you gave me a truck.", still gets me tearing up every time.  For Facing The Giants, the primary theme is Faith.  Fireproof focuses on commitment to The Lord and to the relationships in our lives. While Couraegous is about the responsibilities in our lives.  However in spite of all the honest to goodness quality film making that these movies represent, they wouldn't be half as good if it wasn't for the humor in each of them.  Life sucks, and Sherwood Films certainly don't tap dance around that fact, but they do manage to find a way of capturing those moments in life that cause us to laugh no matter how down we might be.  For that myself and millions of others are truly grateful.

Film Review #9 - Captain American: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

*Spoilers Ahead*

I feel as if the subheading for this movie could be, "The Ends Will Never Justify The Means."  and then expect to spend two hours watching how this plays out for everyone.  By the end of the movie, there isn't a single character who doesn't seriously question their motivates for what they do and how they do it.  Setting aside for a moment the obvious influence events like WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden, the movie addresses themes which deal with the heart of conflict and freedom.  Are we truly free if everything we believe in and fight for as nothing more than elaborate lie.  Certainly Captain America isn't the place to question the stars and the stripes, but with a bold and daring script, Chris Evans and company attempt to do just that.  

At a point in the movie, Nick Furry attempts to save S.H.I.E.L.D from being completely dismantled, but ultimately gives in and sees it as the only option.  I found myself at times wondering if the church could benefit from something like this.  Could we all just start over?  No more denominations, no more division, just because we disagree over silly things can we all not get along.  The movie honestly inspired me to remember how much romanticism goes on in our own country and just how sobering it could to do so in the context of church history.

A less obvious and more subtle theme especially for comic readers of the original "Winter Soldier" story arc is how Steve Rodgers deals with first finding out his best friend is still alive and second that he has to fight him.  He chooses to get the mission accomplish and show mercy when possible.  I think Captain America in this sense, displays qualities that would satisfy both the Sunday school teacher and Drill Sergeant side of him.