June 26, 2007
Opening Salvo
Welcome to my site.
I have put this site together as a means to look at film within a Christian context. Over the years being involved in theatre and film I have seen many Christians react to entertainment media with dismissal. To many Christians, Hollywood is a snake pit whose only purpose is to poison the world. Usually the relationship between Christians and Hollywood is one of mutual spite and irritation. This sour relationship didn’t happen overnight and both sides have reasons to want to snipe at their supposed foe.
In reaction to Hollywood some Christians have built their own mini film industry. This industry is heavily littered with low rent productions which choke out the good works. Many of the productions cater to the most sensitive members in the audience. Christian filmmakers usually expend so much effort not saying anything offensive that they end up saying nothing at all. On the flip side of the screen, Christian audiences, while eager to denounce Hollywood productions are far too lenient with filmmakers who put their word “Christian” on their work. Listen, Christian film stinks. It stinks but it doesn’t have to. The problem with Christian film isn’t distribution or budgets. It’s not even a lack of talent. It is a lack of proper storytelling and most importantly a continual inability in telling the truth. Christian audiences are left turning to a mini-industry that only serves to support the most legalistic thinking in the church rather than opening their minds and hearts to the beauty in God’s creation.
In truth, this blog owes its existence to Challies.com. On his site, Tim Challies railed against the recent film Evan Almighty. Challies threw scorn on this film which retells the story of Noah, but with a modern twist. The tone of the attack was indignant. It was sinful for the filmmakers to portray Noah in a comedic light (although Bill Cosby and others have been doing this for decades without equal scorn) and it was blasphemy to represent God on screen, or at least in the context of this production. Tim Challies post isn’t anything new and I’m not necessarily going to throw my lot in with Evan Almighty – unlike Challies, I’ll reserve my judgements for things I’ve actually seen (I’m silly that way). What struck me were the comments to Challies post. Over and over again Christians beating themselves up for daring to watch (and enjoy) the original Bruce Almighty film. Over and over again Christians laying out legalistic arguments and denouncements of the unfaithful. Threats of audience members being cast into hellfire and then there’s the gnashing of teeth and cries of sorrow…
As a Christian, a film reviewer and screenwriter, I believe I have the background to speak to the issues that surround Christians and the cinema. I believe that it is merely an issue of ignorance. I don’t use the word ignorance to mean stupid, it means uninformed. Christians have been sold a bill of goods about movies and its time they see it for what it really is – a societal tool. I will explain filmmaking and more importantly storytelling and look at what films are teaching us. I hope that Christians will gain a new viewpoint on the cinema and learn to distill the good from the bad on the screen.
I have put this site together as a means to look at film within a Christian context. Over the years being involved in theatre and film I have seen many Christians react to entertainment media with dismissal. To many Christians, Hollywood is a snake pit whose only purpose is to poison the world. Usually the relationship between Christians and Hollywood is one of mutual spite and irritation. This sour relationship didn’t happen overnight and both sides have reasons to want to snipe at their supposed foe.
In reaction to Hollywood some Christians have built their own mini film industry. This industry is heavily littered with low rent productions which choke out the good works. Many of the productions cater to the most sensitive members in the audience. Christian filmmakers usually expend so much effort not saying anything offensive that they end up saying nothing at all. On the flip side of the screen, Christian audiences, while eager to denounce Hollywood productions are far too lenient with filmmakers who put their word “Christian” on their work. Listen, Christian film stinks. It stinks but it doesn’t have to. The problem with Christian film isn’t distribution or budgets. It’s not even a lack of talent. It is a lack of proper storytelling and most importantly a continual inability in telling the truth. Christian audiences are left turning to a mini-industry that only serves to support the most legalistic thinking in the church rather than opening their minds and hearts to the beauty in God’s creation.
In truth, this blog owes its existence to Challies.com. On his site, Tim Challies railed against the recent film Evan Almighty. Challies threw scorn on this film which retells the story of Noah, but with a modern twist. The tone of the attack was indignant. It was sinful for the filmmakers to portray Noah in a comedic light (although Bill Cosby and others have been doing this for decades without equal scorn) and it was blasphemy to represent God on screen, or at least in the context of this production. Tim Challies post isn’t anything new and I’m not necessarily going to throw my lot in with Evan Almighty – unlike Challies, I’ll reserve my judgements for things I’ve actually seen (I’m silly that way). What struck me were the comments to Challies post. Over and over again Christians beating themselves up for daring to watch (and enjoy) the original Bruce Almighty film. Over and over again Christians laying out legalistic arguments and denouncements of the unfaithful. Threats of audience members being cast into hellfire and then there’s the gnashing of teeth and cries of sorrow…
Click on the poster to view the trailer
As a Christian, a film reviewer and screenwriter, I believe I have the background to speak to the issues that surround Christians and the cinema. I believe that it is merely an issue of ignorance. I don’t use the word ignorance to mean stupid, it means uninformed. Christians have been sold a bill of goods about movies and its time they see it for what it really is – a societal tool. I will explain filmmaking and more importantly storytelling and look at what films are teaching us. I hope that Christians will gain a new viewpoint on the cinema and learn to distill the good from the bad on the screen.Labels: Christian culture, commentary, Evan Almighty, links
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 1:55 PM
Share
Previous Posts
Friends & Reads
Christian & Culture
Film Resources
Christian Sites
Faithcom
Featured On
Good News Film Reviews LLC 2004-2010 - used with permission
Images, video and titles are the property of their respective copyright holders. Good News Film Reviews LLC claims no ownership or connection to them.
The views expressed on this site are not the opinion of any advertiser or external entity.
While we take care to only link to responsible entities, Good News Film Reviews LLC takes no responsibility for the content linked from this site. There are sharks in the waters. Surf at your own risk.
The Template is generated via PsycHo and is Licensed.
1 Comments:
Both Pope John Paul II, whose play "The Jeweler's Shop" I have just seen and reviewed (it was off-off-Broadway) and Pope Benedict understand the urgency of Catholics engaging not running from the culture.
Film is such a central aspect of our culture, that I too get upset at those who scorn any attempt, however well intentioned, by Hollywood to woo Christians. Do you want them to give up on us as impossible to please?
Catholic Critic Steve Greydanus trashed Evan Almighty as well, but I gave it a good, though not perfect review. It's good natured humor, not blasphemy.Grace Hill Media invited me to a pre-screening of Evan in New York focusing on the Christian community. They are reaching out to us, let's appreciate their efforts, and tell them where they need to improve. And, yes, keep writing good screenplays.
Post a Comment
<< Home