MovieMinistry's Thirteen Films to Watch in 2006
The New World (wide release on January 13) -- Terrance Malick directs about one film each decade, but the films he directs are distinctive and thought provoking. In 1998, his last film, The Thin Red Line, revealed an Eastern philosophical view of war that was a stark contrast to Steven Spielberg's war epic, Saving Private Ryan, released the same year. The New World is the story of John Smith, John Rolfe and Pocahontas and the founding of a British colony in Jamestown, Virginia. The production values are lush. The story line appears to have openings for discussions about empire building, treachery, keeping one's word, self-sacrifice, and cross-cultural evangelism (most likely as a cautionary tale of how not to do it). It will be interesting to see if the film follows history by showing Pocahontas' conversion to Christianity.
Glory Road (January 13) -- If colonial drama doesn't draw you to a theater next week, then this rousing sports movie should. It is 1965 and girl's high school basketball coach Dan Haskins has been offered his first men's NCAA Division 1 coaching assignment of one of the worst teams in the division -- the Texas Western Miners. Choosing to recruit African-American players shunned by the big schools, Haskins builds a truly integrated team of winners. Overcoming racism, vandalism, and assault, the team makes their way through the season nearly undefeated, and amazingly find themselves in the NCAA final. A great film for discussing racism and partiality, but also to use sports as a metaphor for Kingdom building -- the need to recruit, mentor, persevere, believe, and act. Glory Road also offers a chance to discuss the critical need for group support and accountability. [ Note: Next week, MovieMinistry.com will be giving away an Event-level Bible Study titled "Glory Road: What Does it Take to Change the World" -- complete with a Leader's Guide and Student Study to inaugurate their new Bible study division. ]
End of the Spear (January 20) -- January brings a late Christmas gift with the gripping true story of five missionaries, led by Jim Elliot and Ned Saint, who head to the rainforests of Ecuador intending to evangelize a tribal group -- the Waodani. Spurred on by the knowledge that the revenge culture of the Waodani would eventually become self-extinction, they made contact and exchanged gifts. Ultimately, the five men decide to set their plane down in Waodani territory to gain the tribe's trust. The initial contact is friendly, but soon turns deadly when all five missionaries are speared to death. But rather than abandoning the tribe, Elizabeth Elliot and Rachael Saint -- widows of the slain missionaries -- choose to leave the comfort of their homes to risk their lives and fortunes to make their homes with the Waodanis. This is one of the most moving films I have seen in recent memory. If you have ever wanted to explore the Gospel with someone you care about, take them to this film. You'll get a chance to explore the story of redemption as it is lived out in the lives of these extraordinary people. Don't miss it.
Nanny McPhee (January 27) -- Moving from drama to fantasy, Nanny McPhee looks to be a crowd pleaser. The Nurse Matilda children's series by Christianna Brand has been brought to the screen by Emma Thompson -- who wrote the screenplay and stars in the title role of a magical nanny who arrives to take charge of Mr. Brown's "very naughty" children. Expect lots of bad behavior by the children followed by real consequences once Nanny McPhee takes over. Topics to discuss will include sin and judgment, the family, and whether the supernatural really exists.
Night Watch (February 17) -- This Russian-made supernatural thriller has hints of last year's Constantine. It represents the first part of a trilogy of movies. Set in modern-day Moscow, the supernatural Forces of Light oversee an uneasy truce with the Forces of Darkness. Though both would contend for the souls of humanity, they have agreed not to push people toward good or evil, but to allow them to freely choose. Each side watches the other closely for any violation of the truce. Both sides are waiting for the appearance of The Great One who will come to end the battle between the two forces -- but no one knows which side The Great One will champion. Opportunities may abound to discuss angels and demons, good and evil, the nature of free will, and the need for a Messiah -- for those who choose to see this film, rated R for strong violence.
Hoot (April 21) -- Not yet on everyone's radar, but after last year's Because of Winn-Dixie and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I am excited about this next offering from Walden Media. Hoot tells the story of a young boy transplanted from Montana to Florida who finds himself caught up in a battle between some developers and the endangered owls that nest in the path of the next construction project. This film seems like a great opportunity to introduce the idea of stewardship to young people and introduce older ones to Francis Schaeffer's Pollution and the Death of Man. Conservative evangelicals might benefit from a discussion about how God views the environment. There are also opportunities to discuss friendship, bullying, and whether it is okay to break the law.
The Da Vinci Code (May 19) -- On everyone's radar. Tom Hanks stars in Ron Howard's screen interpretation of Dan Brown's best-seller. The story centers on a mystery concerning a conspiracy by the Church to suppress certain truths about Jesus that will rock the world if widely known. Brown's novel and this film are pure fiction. Plenty of books exist that debunk the myths of the Da Vinci Code. This film will be dismissed out of hand by some evangelicals who regard it as blasphemous, but for Christians willing to take advantage of the hype surrounding this film there will be chances to respond to its charges and make known the real Jesus.
X-Men 3 (May 26) -- The third -- and probably final -- installment in the X-Men franchise (though rumors abound of a Wolverine spin-off). Professor Xavier and his School for Gifted Children must stand against the forces of the evil Magneto to determine the fate of the world. The first two films were blockbusters, but behind all of the fantastic effects were story lines about alienation, responsibility, sacrifice, and redemption. The second installment even had an overtly Christian character -- Nightcrawler -- who, unfortunately, will not be making an appearance in this film. Much of X-3 is to center on Jean Grey rising from the dead as Phoenix. Many of the themes of the past films will be revisited here.
Superman Returns (June 30) -- Let's face it -- any time you have a film in which a super-being comes to Earth in order to protect and redeem it, Christians have something to talk about. Former X-Men director Bryan Singer attempts to resuscitate the Superman franchise, and with a cast that includes Kevin Spacey and Marlon Brando (they used archive footage from the previous Superman films) he has a good shot. Superman has been gone for many years, but when he returns to Earth he discovers that everything has changed except Lex Luthor's desire to destroy him. The people of Earth do not seem to need him, and Lois Lane has moved on. In a story that seems to draw a bit on the introspection of last year's Batman Begins, expect a lot of internal struggle along with the action. This film will give parents a chance to discuss with their children the battle of good vs. evil and the appropriate tools needed to wage that war. It also may allow teens the opportunity to explore Superman and the world's need for a real savior.
Apocalypto (Summer) -- After his record-breaking success with The Passion of the Christ, everyone is waiting to see the next effort from director Mel Gibson. The cryptic title and trailer for this film reveals very little about the plot line. The story takes place at the end of the Mayan civilization, and tags in the trailer imply that when the end comes, not everyone is prepared to go. Brace yourself for a thrilling action picture that may provide avenues to discuss the end of civilizations and the end of the world.
Flags of Our Fathers (August) -- Clint Eastwood follows last year's euthanasia drama Million Dollar Baby with a film about the six men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. This World War II drama centers on the battle for the little island that was the key to American victory in the war against Japan, and was the costliest battle ever for the U.S. Marines. Human battle is a constant metaphor in Scripture for spiritual warfare. Expect to find examples of courage, conviction, self-sacrifice, and struggle and an opportunity to discuss the nature of war and peace.
Charlotte's Web (December 20) -- Wilbur the pig knows that the end is near -- he is destined to become bacon. But through the intervention of his human owner, Fern (the remarkable Dakota Fanning), barnyard friends and the miraculous web weaving of Charlotte the spider, they conspire to save his life. Adapted from E.B. White's children's classic, Walden Media brings another book to life. This is a live-action and computer-animated combination just like last year's Narnia. The book is filled with examples of what it means to be a friend, pulling together to achieve a goal, not judging people (or rats, or pigs) by their appearances, what constitutes a miracle, and an amazing act of selfless love. Walden has a reputation for faithful adaptation, so I look for most of these elements from the book to make the translation into film.
The Fountain (no release date) -- This fantasy adventure spans 1,000 years of one man's quest for the Fountain of Youth. The story cuts across three time periods -- the past, the present, and the future -- and looks to give viewers a chance to discuss the desirability of eternal life and the lengths to which people will go to attain it. It may also open avenues to ask why some people will seek just about any method to obtain eternal life except accepting God's free gift in Christ.
Other films will surely appear on the schedule that will contain thought-provoking story lines, but these 13 films represent a great start for the coming year. Some of the films are obscure, but most of them have hit and even blockbuster potential. Christians need to anticipate films that we know will generate big buzz so that we can prepare to talk about the issues they contain. And this way, just like last year, if we are wise in reading the audience for these films, we will discover there the audience for the claims of our Savior. And then we can choose our words carefully, season them with salt, and begin to discover new ways to have an answer for everyone.
Marc T. Newman, PhD (marc@movieministry.com) is the president of MovieMinistry.com -- an organization that provides sermon and teaching illustrations from popular film, and helps the Church use movies to reach out to others and connect with people.
