Media > Sy's Spin On Film

Sy's Spin On Film

Movies are our modern electronic tribal fire where we gather round to hear stories...stories which entertain but also speak on deeper levels. These subtext themes are universal, regardless of continent or culture, and are often, quite spiritual in nature. That’s why so many films play out across the cultural differences.

Hear Sy!s New Message on called Film is the New Wineskin

If you are not familiar with the idea of subtext in film, here are some examples…

Deep Impact isn't about a disaster...it's about re-evaluating what really matters in light of mortality.

Amistad isn't just about the slave trade...it's about finding God & hope in the midst of terrible circumstances.

Terminator 2 isn't just about time-travelling robot killers...it's about the human need for Divine intervention against evil & a boy's need for a father and a mother.

Saving Private Ryan was more than a war film...it's really a story about living beyond yourself for the sake of others - and the sacrificial price required to stop evil - this is a theme played out not only in war, but in the micro realm of the immune system all the way to the cosmic scale of Christ's sacrifice.

Just as Science Fiction isn't really talking about the future but is often about the present, so the Alien series isn't so much about Aliens as it is the dark & terrible consequences unleashed by unethical & greedy corporations & governments upon unwitting humanity.

While acknowledging that some films are indeed a waste of time and money and talent, there are many that are worthy of your consideration. The following list represents some of my best picks for films which reflect God’s redemptive character in the midst of the human experience. For more redemptive insights into film, visit: www.hollywoodjesus.com.

REDEMPTIVE & INSPIRATIONAL THEMES IN FILM:

The following are some of my favorite choices. Note that films may be rated PG-13 to R. Some films mentioned contain sensuality, violence and coarse language. Mentioning these films is not necessarily an encouragement to watch them, although if you choose to do so, I hope you will discern the inspirational and redemptive themes.

CATEGORY 1: Relational Redemption

Moulin Rouge: Best example so far on film of Sexual/Relational redemption: Christ enters the fallen world to win his corrupted Bride…the World and the Devil conspire to stop her, but she makes the ‘pearl of great price’ decision, and heroic love wins. (oh yes, please do skip the tarty music video remake of Lady Marmalade).
Forest Gump: So many themes: Divine intervention; God using the weak rather than the capable; Character vs. Skill; emotional and relational healing and big doses of redemption for Forest, his girlfriend, their kid, and sergeant Dan.
Big Fish: Clever story of a son being reconciled to his father…it will really get you in the end…be prepared for tears.
Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood: A Mother-daughter crisis results in forgiveness and reconciliation. Here’s to learning ‘the rest of the story’.
A Walk in the Clouds: Keanu Reeves portrays a man of noble character who intervenes to rescue an unwed, pregnant woman from certain shame in the 1940s.
Chocolat: This lavish, well scripted/acted story of an outsider who breezes into a provincial town with life-changing impact: Go deeper: legalism vs. ‘grace’, Brittle religion vs. Christ; church culture vs. ‘God among us’ concern and intervention in people’s lives. And chocolate.
You’ve Got Mail: His kingdom keeps increasing, at the expense of hers…but she gets him and all that’s his, in the end. Sound familiar?
Deep Impact: It’s not a disaster flick. It’s not a sci-fi flick. It’s about what really matters in life, especially when facing mortality. Relationships are mended…God is sought and living beyond one’s self for the sake of others highlight this film.
Enchanted Cottage: This rare 1940’s film depicts a disfigured war vet who falls in love with a plain, ‘overlooked’ woman. As their love deepens, their unattractiveness fades and they become ‘beautiful’ to each other…and can face the world again. Keep a hankie nearby.

CATEGORY 2: Justice & Redemption

Ben Hur: Epic, 9-Oscar winning film of betrayal, injustice and Christ in the mix, and how He brings about justice, healing, and redemption. If you haven’t seen this 3 hour classic, I forgive you. But DO rent it, turn off the hell-a-phone, and be inspired by this famous period film.
Count of Monte Cristo: Classy film version of the novel, with the central theme stated at the beginning and the end: God will give me justice. Everyone needs reminding that God does not abandon us to our suffering, and that revenge isn’t as sweet as it promises.
Les Miserables: I prefer the Liam Neeson version of the classic tale of Law vs. Grace, with brilliant examples of sexual and relational redemption too.
Shawshank Redemption: Our hero’s perseverance and character enable him to make the best of a bad situation-by serving to benefit others—while never giving up hope for that day of deliverance.

CATEGORY 3: Spiritual Warfare

Mothman Prophecies: A Jewish ‘instrument of God’ is teleported to a town to intervene in a pending disaster…meanwhile, vulture-like demons congregate in anticipation of doom. Can ‘God’s man’ resist the deceptions and temptations thrown at him so that he may fulfill Divine intent?
Lord of the Rings: Wow. How epic can you get—especially for our times: The dark shadow of war and evil rising requires our least-likely heroes to be loyal, self sacrificing and determined in their burdensome but destined mission.
Bless this Child: Kim Basinger portrays a believer whose faith has grown cold, only to have her faith reignited by a spiritual battle over the fate of her niece, who is destined to lead many to God. Angels vs Demons, intercessory prayer and it’s triumph.
Constantine: Keanu Reeves again does warfare against the devil in this quasi-Christian-symbol cartoon tale, that—while a bit all over the map theologically—still makes some pretty cool statements verbally(you cant earn your way to Heaven) and visually(Satan is real, demons are real, Hell is real, Angels are real, Heaven is real and Jesus is the Lord).
Death Becomes Her: A stellar cast in a modern Faustian fable…with a very clever depiction of Satan. Two competing women make an unwitting deal with the devil…they suffer eternal consequences they didn’t anticipate, while the man they wanted resists temptation only to be ‘born again’ into a life worth living.
Speed: Keanu Reeves saves the day as the Messianic policeman who intervenes to rescue hijacked humanity from a Satanic-ex-cop.

CATEGORY 4: Sci Fi Redemption

Knowing: In a spate of recent 'Apocalypic' films, this Nicholas Cage movie stands above the rest as one of the most clever post-modern tellings of 'the end times.' "Knowing" features key elements of the Biblical concept. Look for: the Torah code sealed up until the end of time; the code is providently placed into the hands of a scientist who can interpret it... that scientist (Cage)lectures on the two world views: Providential Determinism vs. Atheistic and purposeless evolution. Deeper, Cage is a widower estranged from God and his pastor father (his only link to family is 'Grace' his sister). There are angels in human disguise, days numbered in a book, prophetic visions, Ezekiel's wheel (Does God sometimes use technology?), the prodigal son's return, judgment by fire, and God's faithfulness to provide protection for a remnant-- and the tree of life. That's not all, but it's obvious this movie packs a lot in there, and it's told in a suspense building style I quite enjoyed. P.S. Look for the van in the swarming clouds-- painted on the side: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life... very 'Knowing Indeed.
Matrix: What can I say that hasn’t already been said. It’s still so cool.
Aliens: This 2nd film in the Alien series depicts Ripley as an all too human but self sacrificing hero who confronts evil-even though she’d prefer not to, saves humanity as a consequence, overcomes prejudice toward robots, and saves a plucky but vulnerable orphan.
Signs: It’s NOT about Aliens…that’s just the postmodern frosting on this tale of a man’s foundering faith. A tragedy damages his faith…a greater crisis re-ignites it. The story is built on the Biblical concept: God works out everything for good--even the details and tragedies—if we will not abandon our confidence in His character.
War of the Worlds: This Oscar-winning film of the 1950’s retells the H.G. Wells classic story of space invaders who cannot be stopped until… Even more amazing, is the role of faith in God and His Divine, providential intervention. Humanity worships Him in the end. When are you going to see THAT again in a movie?

CATEGORY 5: Straight-Forward Redemption

The Passion: Just in case you didn’t get the metaphors and allegories about redemption depicted in previously mentioned films, then this movie directly spells it out: Who Jesus is, why he came, suffered and died—and that He resurrected. Never has there been such a global conversation about the Christ. You’ve seen it…now how will you respond to Him?
Ben Hur: Though previously mentioned…it’s worth mentioning again as Jesus is woven throughout this story of suffering and the God who is with us even then.
Jesus of Nazareth: This Franco Zefferelli visual masterpiece tells the whole story, and tells it powerfully. Rent it and watch the whole 6 hours in one sitting to really get the impact.
San Francisco: Who knew: This late 1930’s classic is about a pastor’s daughter (power-voice singer Jeannette MacDonald) who goes to the big city to become famous. She falls for a bad boy Cabaret owner (Clark Gable), whose childhood friend (Spencer Tracy) is now a priest. Add one academy award-winning earthquake, Clark repents on his knees and gets born again, and Jeannette inspires the survivors to sing ‘Glory Glory Hallelujah’ while San Fran burns.

More Movies to Consider:

Super Size Me: You should be forced to watch this. And if you do watch it, I dare you not to change your eating habits. Consider it ‘dietary redemption’.
Paradise Road: Western women in Asia during World War 2 are imprisoned in a concentration camp…and how faith, hope, and helping each other brings them through.
Judgment At Nuremburg: Either the 1960’s version or the 1990’s version…both well tell the terrible story of how the professional classes in Germany aided the Nazis in World War 2. Deception, fear and a lack of empathy for others is a lethal brew.
Amistad: Man’s inhumanity to fellow man in the slave trade, make this a dark but important film…punctuated by slaves being born again.
A Beautiful Life: The poignant story of a father and son in a concentration camp.
The Sound of Music: Mock me all you want, but it’s still a fab true story told brilliantly in it’s day, with faith in God’s leading…courage in times of danger…and those infectious sing-a-longs.