MovieChat Forums > Letters to God (2010) Discussion > Christian movies

Christian movies

posted 15 years ago by Barloq
14 replies | jump to latest

Just to start things off, I'm a Christian, and I've seen a few Christian movies (like The Second Chance, Facing the Giants, Peretti and Dekker adaptations, some kid movies and so on). One thing I've noticed though is that they are often very safe, and merely a reaffirmation of one's faith. Sure, I may enjoy Facing the Giants, but it's so preachy that I'm sure none of my non-believer friends will be able to sit through it.

What I'd like to see is a Christian movie that goes the other way, which questions aspects of the faith. The Second Chance was a step in the right direct in this aspect, dealing with racism and greed in the churches, but there are plenty of other issues. I'd be especially interested in seeing some sort of movie about an even-handed and loving Christian response to homosexuality - heck, the secular community might even be interested in this too.

Anyway, that's just my thoughts. Peace.

Kill the trolls!!!

[–] spiden 15 years ago

Several years ago, an apology from the Vatican was put forth to atone (poor choice of word?) for the past crimes of the church. I'm not sure of a Christian movie with such an aim, but the apology may have been commented on by columnists or popular commentators, I haven't taken the time to search.

"We humbly ask for forgiveness for the part that each of us with his or her behaviors has played in such evils thus contributing to disrupting the face of the church. At the same time, as we confess our sins let us forgive the faults committed by others towards us."
-Pope John Paul II

Quote taken from a video clip, transcript from CNN.

As someone who doesn't aquaint himself with a faith (but holds generally agnostic views) I recognize John Paul II as a sincere humanist, and his death was very unfortunate.

Hope it helps!

"You can stick this in your alphabet soup!"

[–] straw_hat_boy_luffy 15 years ago

A film dealing with homosexuality will not work. It will either be labeled homophobic or too liberal.

I'd like to see a Christian movie deal with darker themes and use less of a safe formula. You can have a Christian theme and have character's really sink to low levels. I'd also like a movie where characters have to deal with darker issues.

__
Writing is my favorite hobby. Writing something that many can enjoy is my favorite dream.

[–] hrmnrabb 15 years ago

Liberal is evil, homosexuality is not. Big difference.

[–] hendrika-1 15 years ago

try seeing this movie: http://tosavealifemovie.com/win.php
i havent seen it. it's made my christians but it deals with heavy stuff. i heard it's good but not like any of the rest of the christian movies out there

[–] sympho_natica 15 years ago

"Prayers for Bobby" was a movie about a Christian family and homosexuality. It is a very direct film that gives some real and powerful perspectives from both the pro-gay and anti-gay sides. It ends up being pro-gay and delivers a powerful message near the end that is neither too preachy or too biased in any other sense. It, in general, is a movie about acceptance and love. I recommend it highly.

[–] dcf1420022002 15 years ago

To Save a Life is probably the closes Christian-made film to what you are talking about. It doesn't deal with homosexuality, but it deals with a lot of other gritty subjects, specifically hypocrisy in the church. It's the best Christian film I've seen IMO and is definitely worth a look.

[–] Barloq 15 years ago

Ok, thanks for the recommendations.

Kill the trolls!!!

[–] adamsmo 15 years ago

There's Saved! It is a tad preachy, however, though liberally. I probably wouldn't classify it as a Christian movie, though, it's more mainstream, but there were a handful of eyeroll-worthy parts for me (as an atheist.)

Into Temptation was also somewhat of a religious movie with relatively quite dark themes. It also had Kristin Chenoweth, who is absolutely amaaazing, though not particularly in that movie.

[–] David-K-West 15 years ago

I liked To Save a Life a lot, it's a lot closer to what you're talking about than all the other saccharine Christian films that get released.

As an aspiring writer/director myself I'd love to create some of the types of films you're talking about. I have several stories I'm writing and one in particular that I've been working on for years that I hope to make one day that is very dark and asks some pretty tough questions about faith. My goal with it is to create an overtly Christian story that is mature and adult in nature and is equal parts thought provoking and thrilling.

[–] Barloq 15 years ago

Sounds great Dave, best of luck to ya! The Christian film industry definitely needs some maturing, and a real successful film to set the bar for the rest that follow. At the moment, I'd say they're still finding their feet.

Kill the trolls!!!

[–] dcf1420022002 15 years ago

I definitely wouldn't classify Saved! as a Christian movie, but it does have Christian elements and is quite good.

[–] aillas55 15 years ago

What about 'The Apostle' with Robert Duvall?

[–] hrmnrabb 15 years ago

Great Christian Story: The Ultimate Gift -- High production and it truly makes you think.

An action adventure Christian movie: The Book of Eli -- Violent but again, it really makes you think.

[–] David-K-West 15 years ago

Yeah, I absolutely LOVED The Book of Eli, especially because I have a soft spot for post-apocalyptic films. It was definitely overtly Christian yet it actually had the balls to not simply pander to the typical church going audience. That's the biggest problem with most Christian films is that they cater to an audience doesn't want a movie, they want a family-friendly sermon on screen. The majority of their audience isn't even particularly film-going. Movies like The Passion, Facing the Giants, and even Narnia get people who haven't seen a movie in years to come out of the woodwork, but they are either incredibly watered down (The Narnia films, while solid and entertaining, is no where NEAR the theological brilliance of C.S. Lewis' actual books) or appeal only to a very specific audience. AKA, conservative, evangelical Christians. What we need is more big-budget genre films with Christian themes, characters, and messages. The Book of Eli is probably the best example of this yet.

I'm sure if my movies ever actually get big I'll end up pissing off some of the typical "Christian movie" audience. There isn't a script I've written or a story I'm working on that wouldn't earn a very deserved R rating, and like I said far too many people expect Christian films to be family-friendly affairs with happy endings, contrived plots, and perfect characters. I, on the other hand, write action-adventure stories about flawed humans set against backdrops of war, disaster, and political intrigue laced with elements of science fiction and fantasy. I also like thought-provoking stories that ask hard questions about faith and morality, as opposed to the simplistic black and white view most Christian films have.

There's also probably a few people out there who think God is a Republican and America is his chosen nation who will look less than kindly upon the blatantly libertarian aspects of my stories. :)

Another GREAT christian movie I just remembered is End of the Spear. It was a very quality production (budget of about $10 million if I remember correctly) and told the excellent and TRUE story of Nate Saint and several other missionaries killed while witnessing to a remote tribe in South America. It's a very powerful story.