• Film
,
• Evangelism
,
• Review
,
• Parallel
,
• Popular Culture

Movies: hidden spiritual meanings, parables and parallels in film stories point up Christian truth
Writer Leslie Hand comments: “MovieGlimpse was the suggestion of several different people who were always asking me to ‘interpret’ the movies. Several years ago the Lord began giving me interpretations of different movies. I believe that He is using the ‘common language’ of today which is the language of film, as a vehicle for His message. Just as He gave the dreams to Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, I think He is using men such as Steven Spielberg in a similar way. I believe the church is missing it by not being an interpreter such as a Daniel or a Joseph. I have just finished writing about Chocolat. I must stress that I don’t sit and try and think these up. I can tell if the Lord is showing me something in a movie and I believe the insights come from Him.
http://internetevangelismday.com/glimpse.php

David Bruce - web evangelist with HollywoodJesus.com
In 1997 Billy Graham challenged Christians to use the Internet for good. I took the challenge seriously even though I had never been on the Internet. With a background in media (NBC), pastoring (M.Div), and being a missionary at heart, I went to the nearest Barnes & Noble bookshop, where I picked up some books on website graphics and design. Then, with cross-cultural missiologist Don Richardson’s Eternity in Their Hearts serving as inspiration, I set to work creating a vehicle whereby I could use the culture to win the culture. Thus, Hollywood Jesus was born.
http://internetevangelismday.com/evangelists7.php

Avatar: new Cameron blockbuster promises embedded spiritual meaninngs and parallels.
Superlatives reign. Movie director Cameron does it again: probably the most expensive film ever made. And in 3D. Took 14 years to make. With its own language to out-Klingon Klingon.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/1127

Christian messages in movies - drawing out hidden redemptive themes, eg Slumdog Millionaire
Michael Landon, director of film The Velveteen Rabbit, is interviewed by CT magazine, on his thoughts about being a Christian in Hollywood. (You can subscribe to Christianity Today Movies for more good stuff like this.) The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic children’s book which explores the moving and recurring theme of being made ‘real’ through a search for redemptive love. Spielberg’s Artificial Intelligence engages with this at a more adult level, as do so many other books and films – Love of Seven Dolls by Paul Gallico is just one such classic.
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/227

Inception - spiritual parallels and meaning within this fascinating movie
Inception has been getting rave reviews. It’s certainly the sort of film you’d want to see a second time. In fact, this second viewing phenomenon is very widespread, as people return to work out the intricacies of the plot, not to mention looking for the many hidden visual and musical puns which have been deliberately embedded in the film. This is what the industry calls a ‘rehook’. (How can we make aspects of Christian and evangelistic ministry, offline or online, have this ‘rehook’, ’sticky’ attraction to return?)
http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/2269

Using Bollywood films for an evangelistic bridging start point for outreach to India
The world’s most prolific film output comes from ‘Bollywood' – the complex of studios based mainly in the Bombay (Mumbai) area. Indians love films and Bollywood feeds the demand with some 800 new films each year. Streets and skylines are dominated by huge hoardings advertising the latest films, many of them painted by hand. If you only know Indian cinema from the wonderful sensitive black-and-white films of Satyajit Ray, Bollywood is a different genre: “bigger, funnier, more heart-rending, with more singing, more dancing, more lighting, more loving (apart from, of course, any kissing) than you have ever seen or will ever see again. And that’s just the trailer.”
http://internetevangelismday.com/bollywood.php

Book review: Hollwood Worldviews - Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment by Brian Godawa
Movies are the predominant form of story-telling in the modern world. So it is vital that we understand how engage with them, interpret them, and be thougthful rather than passive consumers. Godawa is both a successful screenwriter (To End All Wars) and a committed Christian, and he brings insider’s insights to help the rest of us. He guides us through the place of redemption in film, the tricks screenwriters use to communicate their message, and the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching movies.
http://internetevangelismday.com/bookreviews/hollywood-worldviews.php

Book review: Focus: The Art and Soul of Cinema, by Tony Watkins
Most people in most cultures spend a considerable part of their leisure time in the world of story – films (cinema and TV) and books. Using culture as a way in to the Gospel therefore seems almost essential. In this vital book, culture-watch guru Tony Watkins, of Damaris.org, writes about cinema with great insight and clarity. He divides his writing into three ‘reels’.
http://internetevangelismday.com/bookreviews/focus-art-and-soul-of-cinema.php

The Golden Compass: A Hint of Evil
I have received dozens of forwarded emails warning Christians about the upcoming movie, “The Golden Compass.” I can’t help but wonder why this did not happen with Harry Potter.
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_GoldenCompass.html

Youth Ministry Exchange - December 24th: Sad Santa Countdown
A ten minute movie with 100 pictures of kids crying on Santa's lap. Free resource to use with your youth group or church.
http://ymexchange.com/Free-Resources/December-24th-Sad-Santa-Countdown.html