No doubt the recent release of the Oscar nominations is creating plenty of buzz in the workplace and at church gatherings. For people of faith there is a lot to cheer about this year. Six of the films nominated for “Best Picture” are on my annual “Top Ten” of films dealing with spiritual and human relationship themes that Presbyterian News Service just sent out. And then I got to see director Stephen Daldry's wonderful Extremely Close and Incredibly Close Up, and thus had to insert this and expel one of the films from the first list. To see which one, go to www.visualparables.net . (This might not get posted until Monday, Jan. 30)
The Artist
Rated PG-13. Ecclesiastes 9:11-12; 1 Corinthians 13:4a
This blend of A Star is Born and Singing in the Rain is a delight to see, with no dialogue until the end. Set in the late 20s when sound is being introduced to motion pictures, it is story of a falling silent film actor and the rise of the young actress whom he helped break in to the profession. Themes of love, grace and the danger of pride are well developed.
The Descendants
Rated R. Matthew 18:2; Psalm 24:1-2.
Grace, responsibility to the land, and family reconciliation—director Alexander Payne's film, set in Hawaii has all this and more. (See an earlier blog for more.)
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Rated PG-13. Matthew 5:4; Isaiah. 66:13.
This powerful film is not about 9/11 but about its aftermath, and in particular about a boy whose father was in the tower and struggles with a mixture of grief and guilt as he searches throughout the five borroughs of New York City to discover what a key that his father left will open. What seems at first like a father son film has a couple of surprises, especially in regard to his mother.
The Help
Rated PG-13. Psalm 146:7b-9; Proverbs 31:8.
This civil rights era story set in Jackson Mississippi affirms the importance of sisterhood and of the support of the church for the black maids and the white writer in exposing racism in the domestic workplace.
Hugo
Rated PG. Psalm 82:3-4; Isaiah 11:6d
An orphaned boy secretly living above the concourse of a Parisian train station during the 1930s discovers his purpose in life—to fix a complicated automaton left by his father and a broken man.
The Tree of Life
Rated PG-13. Job 38:4-7; Matthew 5:45b
Terence Malick's film can be seen as a visual meditation on the Job passage, which we see on the screen at the beginning of the film. Departing from the usual narrative structure, the film includes scenes of a family living in Texas in the Fifties, with the themes of law and grace of great beauty. The director even inserts the creation of the universe from the Big Bang through the dinosaurs, the family, and a reunion beyond this life.
War Horse.
Rated PG-13. Luke 2:13-14.
Steven Spielberg is up to his usual high form in that his war film shows the humanity of both the British and the German soldiers, drawn together at the climax by their love of the horse trapped and in pain between their lines.
All of the above will make for good viewing and discussion for church film groups, as well as provide some preaching material for pastors seeking to relate their sermons to the culture. And besides the seven briefly discussed above, other worthy nominees include My Week With Marilyn; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The Iron Lady, and one which I wish could have been given more recognition, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2. I'm really looking forward to the Oscar Awards this year—and am somewhat glad that I don't have to pick “Best Picture,” torn as I am between so many good choices. What ones are you hoping to see honored on February 26?
Reviews of the above films are up, or in several cases, soon will be posted at visualparables.net.
