Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

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Note 15.145                Christianity in the Movies                 145 of 153
CSC32::J_CHRISTIE "Ps. 85.10"                        17 lines  28-SEP-1995 15:12
               -< Murder in the First (Corrected & re-entered) >-
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Murder in the First
-------------------
Christian Slater
Gary Oldman
Kevin Bacon

This is no waltz in the park.  This movie disquiets the soul.  Don't see it
with the kids, but do see it.

Based on a true story, Henry Young (Bacon) is sentenced to Alcatraz, where
after over 3 years of physical punishment and solitary confinement, he kills
another inmate in front of guards and other witnesses.  A young, idealistic
attorney (Slater) is stuck with defending Young, considered a lost cause.

Shalom,
Richard

    One of my all time favorites is "Jacob's LAdder".  At face value, you'd
    think it to be distasteful as the main character is tormented by what
    appear to be deamons.  But if you listen to what's being said in the
    philosophical interludes, you see that exactly the opposite is
    happening.  Note 216 of ORION::MOVIES talks about it a lot more.  I
    wrote a long reply which pretty much sums up my interpretation of a
    very complex movie.  Grossly underrated and widely misinterpreted,
    Jacob's LAdder is a gem.
    
    -dave

i watched "PRIEST" last week. this 1995 BBC production is now also
available on video.

set in the UK, the story is of two catholic priests. one, an aging 
68er who appears to preach more of a social gospel than the vatican's 
party line and who is engaged in a relationship with the home economist 
of the parish house. the other, a young orthodox priest, who, as it 
turns out, is gay.

this film tells many stories. about the conflict between liberal and 
orthodox theologies, the seemingly futile attempt of the church to 
reach more people in the community, the dilemma of a catholic priest
when being confronted in confession with a teenage girl who is being 
sexually abused by her father and the priests inability to intervene, 
societies ambivalence towards gays and the churches point blank refusal 
of homosexuality.

this is a powerful movie which offers much space for laughter and 
tears.




andreas.

Andreas,

	You might enjoy this film with its somewhat similar strains:

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Note 15.85                 Christianity in the Movies                  85 of 155
CSC32::J_CHRISTIE                                    24 lines   2-NOV-1992 21:47
                                -< Mass Appeal >-
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I watched a movie this weekend that I'd seen once before.  And I thought
"Mass Appeal" was better this time.  The second time I was not so caught
up in the storyline.  The second time I came to an appreciation of the
exquisite love and agony with which this must have been written.

"Mass Appeal" stars Jack Lemmon as a popular parish priest who finds himself
in the position of mentoring a young and radically idealistic deacon.  The
headstrong deacon is known for his uncomproming honesty and for posing
upsetting questions.  He's a real eyebrow raiser with a reputation for
making disturbing proclamations like:

	"You're shackled by your possessions!"

	"The purpose of the church is to become obsolete!"

"You're not going to preach any kick-ass sermon in my church," demands Lemmon
at one point.  "Better kick-ass than kiss-ass," the young man retorts.

The characters are sharply drawn, complex, multifaceted and very human.
There are glimpses of humor, but this is definately a drama.   One I would
recommend seeing -- twice!! :-)

Peace,
Richard

thanks for the pointer, richard. one big advantage of having moved is
that the video shop is now right around the corner. i hope they have 
"mass appeal" for tonight! :-)



good night all,

andreas.

    I recommend The Life Of Brian (except for the naked parts). Pretty
    much says it all. 

    .6
    
    I try to "Look on the bright side of life!"
    
    Richard
    

.6> I recommend The Life Of Brian (except for the naked parts). Pretty
.6> much says it all. 

why? is there something particular about the naked parts?

whilst we're on the subject, the film "priest" which i recommended in .3 
contains a scene of two men making love. if naked parts are of significance
in this topic, then i suppose i'd better mention it.  




andreas.

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Note 15.10                 Christianity in the Movies                  10 of 155
TFH::KIRK "a simple song"                            29 lines  21-SEP-1990 16:05
                        -< I got a lot out of these... >-
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Can't quite say that these portray Christianity per se, but I found them quite 
thought provoking along those lines anyway....

First one is titled (I think, it's been a while since I saw it) _Ressurection_, 
about a woman who is given the ability to heal via laying on of her hands.  
Her questions about where this power comes from, why her?, what she is to do
with it, and trying to avoid exploiting it (or having it exploited by others) 
raised some very interesting questions and perspectives.

The other one, which I seriously believe to be an excellent movie covering 
religion, spirituality, and the difference between the two is Monty Python's 
_Life of Brian_.

From the portrayal of various splinter groups (one having a single member), to 
the followers looking for a positive sign that this messiah was the One ("...I 
should know, I've followed a few!") to Brian's addressing the multitude
outside his window ("You all must think for yourselves"  [response in unison]
"Yes, we all must think for ourselves.....Tell Us More!") it takes a serious, 
if humorous, look at many pertinent issues and foibles in the church, and in
the Church.  (And the spaceship scene is out of this world!!.-) 

Oh, and _Saving Grace_, starring Tom Conti as a pope who wanders away from all 
the "protection" foisted upon him and finds himself in the middle of a 
struggle to save a small village.  Don't remember a lot about it, I think I'll 
look for it at my local tape rental service this weekend...

Peace,

Jim
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Note 15.29                 Christianity in the Movies                  29 of 155
SYSTEM::GOODWIN "Crazy like the parrot. WORRRRR!!!"  21 lines  22-APR-1991 05:01
                                   -< Films >-
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    Channel Four here in the UK has been running a "BANNED" series, showing
    films that were at some stage banned.
    
    "Life of Brian" was one film that was banned here in the UK on TV. The
    producers say that it pokes fun at established religion - the religion
    it portrays is Christianity.
    
    "Inherit the Wind" was a true story based on a court case - the "Monkey
    Trial". A teacher tried to teach Darwin's theory of evolution in school
    - however in that State it was illegal, so he found himself arrested
    and in jail.
    
    In the court case, he was found guilty and fined $100, but the defence
    decided to take this to the Supreme Court - the prosecutor died trying
    to make a speech once the court had closed.
    
    How accurately this film portrays the events is difficult to say - the
    prosecutor put the teacher's girlfriend on the witness stand after she
    came to him in confidence and put words into her mouth. It appeared he
    simply wanted the bible to come out smelling roses despite the cost to
    a human being.
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Note 15.30                 Christianity in the Movies                  30 of 155
LJOHUB::NSMITH "rises up with eagle wings"           14 lines  22-APR-1991 12:52
                               -< Life of Brian >-
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    I *loved* "Life of Brian!"  
    
    For example:
    
    In chasing Brian, whom the crowd *thinks* is Jesus, the crowd finds a
    sandal of Brian's that he lost while trying to run away from them. 
    They then proceed to discuss the possible *meaning* of that sandal! 
    Does the Lord want them to go barefoot?  To wear only *one* sandal? 
    Etc.   
    
    I think the film really points up our human foibles and foolishness
    and our overwhelming ability to miss the point of Jesus' teachings!
    
    Nancy
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Note 15.31                 Christianity in the Movies                  31 of 155
TFH::KIRK "a simple song"                            16 lines  22-APR-1991 14:01
                 -< always look on the bright side of life... >-
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>    I *loved* "Life of Brian!"  

Me, too.  In fact I think it to be one of the best and most insightful movies 
about religion, and how that differs with faith.

As one of the sandal worshippers said, "he IS the Messiah, I should know, I've 
followed a few..."

Or Brian speaking to the masses: "you all have to think for yourselves!"
(and the crowd responds "yes, we have to think for ourselves....tell us more."

Wonderful stuff.

Peace,

Jim

    "Wewease Bawabbas!!"

    
    The name of my IHH (thanks Eric (;^)) is Brian, so I *must* see that 
    movie sometime, as he refers to it indirectly quite frequently.  (;^)
                                         
    Cindy

re .8

> .6> I recommend The Life Of Brian (except for the naked parts). Pretty
> .6> much says it all. 
>
> why? is there something particular about the naked parts?



having now seen life of brian, i must say, i agree with jay on the naked 
parts!

this monty python movie is as much a parody on christianity as it is on
our popular understanding of aesthetics. in either respect, the film is
in my opinion rather crude and i've seen better from monty python and, as 
the guy from the video rentals put it: "a popular film, but i don't know 
what people see in it."




andreas.

    I have to second "Priest"  If you look past the stereotypes, you see
    men of faith and integrity. You see the Lord's interaction in our
    lives.  Does it paint the Church as perfect?  No, but niether is it
    buffoonery or wickedness.  I can't recall seeing a recent movie that 
    displayed the Catholic Church in more realistic light.
    
    I saw it in the UK and the US (they cut down the love-making
    scene- I guess us Americans can't handle it like the Brittish (: )
    
    
    My second favorite is not a movie [I din't want to start a new note],
    but a play   Les Miserables.
    
    The musical portrays the struggle between two men of God - one who
    lives to fulfill God's justice, the other personifies His mercy.  Good
    show for 10 year olds and up.
    
    jay

"Indecent Proposal"

Demi Moore
Robert Redford
Woody Harrelson

	Interesting parallels with the story of the Garden of Eden, the
expulsion and reconciliation.

	Redford's role is the serpent.

Shalom,
Richard