Watch for crosses and crucifixes in films. Crosses on walls, on actor's necklaces, hanging from rear view mirrors have been placed there on purpose. Their presence is never an accident. Someone had to find that cross, the right looking cross, and intentionally place it on the wall, or actor. It is a planned image and symbol. You will often see crosses in scenes where death is present. They are also common in scenes involving sacrifice. This image in the background will unconsciously connect the act on the screen with the concept of Christian sacrifice.

In other instances, you may see the cross used in the opposite way. The cross can be seen in scenes involving oppression and cruelty. A great example of this is in the movie Monster. The heroine (serial killer Aileen Wuornos) and her lesbian lover are caught in bed. The partner's racist, Christian mother catches the two. The scorn the mother throws down is buttressed by the ominous cross that rests above their bed. The vitriol of the Christian mother and the dark cross over the bed were done intentionally to connect the two with the cruelty of the mother's dialog.

Christians, in particular, should be close attention when a cross appears on the screen. It's not there by accident and it is intended to give a message.

Labels: miscellaneous, movie watching tip