Reformed SHEology

We're a bit behind schedule, but we do have a film of the month! This month's film is A Face in the Crowd, the story of a nationally renowned television celebrity, loved by millions and revered as a pop culture hero. But behind closed doors, this TV Star is someone his loving fans would never recognize.

STATS
Year: 1957 (Not Rated)
Directed by Elia Kazan, Written by Bud Schulberg.
Starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Walter Matthau.
Setting: America, 1950's.

Content warning: Some implied sexuality. Drunkenness, abusive personality traits in Lonesome Rhodes (Andy Griffith's character).

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Celebrity Worship. Celebrities can do no wrong. We love them for who they are on television, but if we truly knew the person behind the star, we may change our minds.

2. The interesting connection between celebrities and politicians. There is a great, great scene from this film that is available on You Tube which demonstrates this connection beautifully. If your political career is suffering, just enlist the endorsement of a beloved celebrity! (Note: We do not necessarily endorse the opinion implied by the title given to this clip.)

3. Television as an opiate of the masses. There is power in the media. Click here for a profound clip from the film which claims: "In TV we have the greatest instrument for mass persuasion in the entire history of the world!"

4. Portrait of a "player." Lonesome Rhodes is a smooth-talking ladies' man who ends up defrauding the only woman who was truly good to him. While we cannot control what others do to us, we certainly have control over the choices we make as far as getting involved with people like this. Ladies, if people have warned you to stay away from a particluar man, don't be so arrogant as to think that you can change him. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person!

TRIVIA
In 2008, A Face in the Crowd was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The film marked the debut of actress Lee Remick, who plays a teenage baton-twirling champion from Arkansas.

This is one of the most riveting performances you'll ever see by Andy Griffith!

Man's best friend. We all know who that is! There's nothing quite like the joy that comes from raising and bonding with a treasured pet. This month, we will examine the concept of friendship - starting with our film of the month, My Dog Skip. This is the story of a boy named Willie (Frankie Muniz) and his best friend in the whole world.

STATS
Year: 2000 (Rated PG)
Directed by Jay Russell, based on the novel by Willie Morris.
Starring Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane, and Luke Wilson.
Setting: Mississippi, World War II era.

Content warning: Mild profanity and a few uses of the Lord's name in vain by the "villains". There are also some uses of words I personally find offensive, as well as some mild violence. This may appear to be a children's story on the surface, but once you are into it, you will discover it is actually a very mature film that takes a profound look at the topics of friendship, war, death, change, and racism. It is a very emotional film - I was an eyewitness to a grown man, 6'2", 230 lbs., bursting into tears while watching this movie. Be forewarned!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The extraordinary and profound mystery that is friendship. Even if the friendship in this film is between a boy and a dog, the relationship between Skip and Willie demonstrates that unconditional love overlooks a multitude of shortcomings, real or perceived, and even those prescribed by society. Our friends provide the support we need when life is tough, but they are also there to partake in our joys. They give us the confidence we need to carry on through each day.

2. Poignant scenes surrounding death. One scene in particular involves a deer hunt, immediately followed by Willie's narrative about the changing seasons in Willie's life. We all should reflect upon the seasons of life as reminders of all the beauty that surrounds us.

3. Role models. Children look up to their older counterparts and aspire so much to be like them. Titus 2 describes the importance of these older/younger relationships. But even our childhood heroes are subject to fall into seasons of despair. We often feel confused when someone who once appeared so strong suddenly shows signs of weakness.

4. Not-so-subtle messages about racism. The film is set in the segregated town of Yazoo, Mississippi in 1942. The racial hypocrisy is clear: Dink Jenkins goes off to fight World War II, but back on the home front, there is still so much animosity toward people for the color of their skin. But Willie reminds us that Skip is colorblind, as most dogs are. And he's so much smarter than people.

5. A Canine Christ Figure. Skip essentially makes a new creature out of Willie. He teaches him about life and death, forgiveness and repentance, joy and sorrow. Willie denies Skip and experiences true repentance when he thinks he's lost the dog for good. But Skip has a "resurrection" of sorts. And he forever lives in Willie's heart.

TRIVIA
This is based on the true story of American writer Willie Morris and his dog, Skip.

You can visit the official website by clicking here.

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

--Langston Hughes

Our film of the month takes its name from a line in the preceding poem. A Raisin in the Sun is Lorraine Hansberry's classic play about a family struggling to find their dreams and identity in 1950's America.

STATS
Year: 2008 (Not Rated)
Directed by Kenny Leon, based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry.
Starring Phylicia Rashad, Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan, and John Stamos.
Setting: Chicago, 1950's.

Content warning: There is the mild profanity during a scene when Walter (Sean Combs) is drunk. We also see one scene where Beneatha (Sanaa Lathan) takes the Lord's name in vain repeatedly, however she receives a strong rebuke by her mother (Phylicia Rashad). This film has a happy ending.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Respect for Men (even when they screw up). Walter makes a very bad financial decision that nearly robs his entire family of their dreams. When the temptation to withdraw respect for his leadership rears its ugly head, his mother continues to believe in him.

2. The Search for Identity. My favorite character in this story is Beneatha, who is desperately trying to find herself. She searches high and low for meaning, and tries to define her identity through activities (like horseback riding) and African culture. Our true selves will eventually shine through, despite our numerous attempts to become someone we feel is more glamorous or important than who we were born to be.

3. The Lure of Success. What is success? Is it defined by money? Happiness? Love? Freedom? What lengths will we go to achieve it? What happens when our plans are ruined? Are we at peace, knowing that God is in control, or have we given up hope for a brighter tomorrow?

TRIVIA
The play was adapted for the screen twice before: 1961, (starring Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee), 1989 (with Danny Glover and Esther Rolle). Both Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee were also members of the original Broadway cast.

Click here to go to the official website. The official trailer is below:

If you look in our sidebar you will see that although this blog is geared toward women, we have three faithful male "advisors." These guys give us suggestions for the site every now and then and so it is only fair to give proper credit to James Lee, our brother from Detroit, for our film of the month. You will probably find it surprising that I do not go to the movies very often. (I prefer classic movies and find that many of today's films pale in comparison.) So when James enthusiastically recommended The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, I was intrigued. I had never heard of it before. I rented it from Blockbuster and watched it Sunday night.

I watched it again on Monday. I asked people at work if they had seen it. I emailed my brother and told him to rent it. And now I am recommending that you, dear reader, do the same.

This is a tale about the Holocaust unlike any other: as experienced through the eyes of a child. It is a story of innocence lost and innocence kept. It is a story about friendship and loyalty. And I believe it is also a story about the little things that give God great pleasure in the midst of so much evil.

STATS
Year: 2008 (Rated PG-13)
Directed by Mark Herman, based on the novel by John Boyne.
Starring Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon.
Setting: Nazi Germany.

Content warning: There is no profanity whatsoever (not even a pseudo-profanity in the form of a word that may be questionable). Violence is implied, but not shown. Subject matter concerning the lives of children during the Holocaust may be upsetting to some viewers (particularly young children and anyone who has ever been addressed as "Mom"). Therefore I would advise everyone to please heed the PG-13 rating. The film has a shocking ending.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The Symbolism of the Dolls. Pay close attention to Gretel, the older sister, during the first 30 minutes of the film. Notice how tightly she hugs her dolls to her chest. Watch her care for each of her dolls by tying ribbons in their hair. See how she surrounds herself with the dolls she loves. Then notice how tightly she hugs the Nazi literature she is given. Her bedroom now covered with posters of Hitler, the dolls abandoned to a mass grave in the cellar. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

2. Love, Repentance, and Forgiveness. We could all learn a lesson in relationships from Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and Schmuel (Jack Scanlon). If only we could all move past our interpersonal conflicts without holding onto grudges or beating ourselves up over our trespasses against one another. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

3. Friendship Rooted in Loyalty. Loyalty is a dying virtue in this day and age. How can we call ourselves friends when we refuse to make and honor commitments to one another? Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:3)

4. Indoctrination vs. Innocence. Children are so impressionable and I believe much of their innocence is stolen from them before they have a chance to outgrow it naturally. We need to be so vigilant when it comes to what our kids are learning at school. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)

5. The Agony of a Guilty Conscience. Compare the guilt Bruno suffers for his betrayal of Schmuel with that of his mother, who must keep silent about the gas chambers in their own backyard. "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer." (Psalm 32:2-4, NASB)

6. God Will Have His Day of Vengeance. When I saw this film for the first time, three Old Testament stories came to mind in the last 20 minutes of the film. One of them was the story of David and Jonathan. Can you guess the other two?

TRIVIA
Vera Farmiga won the 2008 British Independent Film Award for Best Actress. The film also picked up two nominations for Best Direction (Herman) and Most Promising Newcomer (Butterfield).

To the best of my knowledge, this is NOT based on a true story.

The official website does include a spoiler, so visit with caution if you have not yet seen this film. The official trailer is below:

This is one of those movies you'll either love or hate. As always, my hope is you'll love it, as I'd hate for you to sit through something you didn't like for two hours. And as usual, this is a secular film, more humanistic than Christian. Yet I chose it for one main reason: it showed me how incredibly cynical I can be.

At first, the cynic in me mocked this movie. For one thing, much of the plot depends on a string of serendipitous coincidences. I found myself saying, "Aw, come on! Like THAT would ever happen!" Then about halfway through the story, it hit me . . . carefully orchestrated events such as these happen all the time! They are child's play to God. As I realized my attitude, my heart changed. I can now say I absolutely love this movie, and with that, I present to you, August Rush, the story of an orphaned musical prodigy who finds his parents with the help of a social worker and a little thing called fate. Our theme of the month is, coincidentally, "The Sovereignty of God".

STATS
Year: 2007 (Rated PG)
Directed by Kristen Sheridan
Starring Robin Williams, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Terrence Howard, and Freddie Highmore.
Setting: New York City, 1996-2007.

Content warning: Mild language (The word "damn" is uttered about 10 times in one scene by street children. The Lord's name is never taken in vain.) Some mild scenes of violence, mostly in the form of intimidation of children. An implied reference to fornication at the beginning of the film (Couple kisses at night and wakes up the next day in an embrace, fully clothed). And I am pleased to report that this one has a happy ending!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Watch your attitude. If you're anything like me, you'll be rolling your eyes at first, thinking, "What are the odds of that happening?" but if you stop to think of some of your favorite Bible stories, you'll remember that in real life, events such as these can and do happen against the odds. Remember God is sovereign!

2. Music as a metaphor for God. The creators of this film did not intend for it to be that way, but Christians will appreciate the similarities between the personification of music in this film and the force of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Music appears to be that driving force that compels these characters to make certain decisions. At one point, August (Freddie Highmore) says of music, "Only some people can hear," to which Wizard (Robin Williams) replies, "Only some people will listen." Great exchange of dialogue, and also reminiscent of God's presence in the world.

3. Music as an expression of human emotion. There is a lot to be enjoyed in an auditory sense. There's an eclectic mix of all sorts of genres, from alternative rock to classical music. There's also a great gospel choir!

4. Another interesting commentary on orphans and adoption. Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) decides to carry the child full term, despite her father's urging to "get rid of it." Lyla seems to know this is not just a living being inside her, but an extension of herself and Louis (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).

TRIVIA
The story is loosely based on Charles Dickens' classic, Oliver Twist.

Click here for the official website. The official trailer is below:

In an effort to spend some time acknowledging the reformed side of Reformed SHEology, our chosen Film of the Month is Ace in the Hole, starring Kirk Douglas. This is a tale of human depravity like no other!

Kirk Douglas stars as Chuck Tatum, an overly ambitious journalist who will do anything to get the big story - including manufacturing details that would turn an ordinary story into a news sensation. Chuck's "ace in the hole" brings out the worst in everyone . . . with tragic consequences.

STATS
Year: 1951 (Not Rated)
Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling
Setting: Albequerque, New Mexico, 1951.

Content warning: None, other than the fact that this film is considered to be an example of "Film Noir." (That basically means it is a dark story that will probably not leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling in the end.) If you are anything like me, you will be sick to your stomach about halfway through this story and feel incredibly saddened when it is over. Yet, this is a stunningly accurate illustration of the human inclination to center the universe around our own needs, desires, and comforts.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The growth of lies. When we lie, we often need to manufacture more lies in an effort to protect the original lies we told. From the beginning of this film, we are met with a stern warning: "Tell the Truth." We will see in this film that lying to get ahead has its consequences.

2. The god of self. We see selfish ambition manifest itself in Chuck Tatum, but pay special attention to Lorraine Mimosa (Jan Sterling), the ungrateful, disrespectful wife of Leo Minosa. As her husband's life hangs in the balance, all she can think about is how much better off she will be without him.

3. Everyone is infected by sin. One of the greatest spectacles in this film is the masses of people being dropped off by the trains, rushing to the mountain site where Leo Minosa is trapped. As he gasps for air and struggles to stay alive, we see literally thousands of people enjoy cotton candy and carousel rides as they wait for news of Leo's rescue. The insensitivity to the needs of another human being in this film is off the charts.

4. The power of the conscience. Guilt sets in finally for Chuck Tatum as he realizes that his depraved desire to worship self has resulted in tragedy. The conscience is the only thing that sets a standard for Chuck and alerts him to the fact that his actions are sinful.

5. The bias in the media. Even in 1951, we see a scathing indictment of the media: that their real agenda is not to tell the truth, but to align themselves with successful corporate giants for personal and professional gain.

TRIVIA
The film was originally titled, The Big Carnival.

"Ace in the Hole" is a slang expression meaning a secret or extra asset to assure success, referring to the ace playing card a player has as a hole card (or face down card) in a game of stud poker. It is also a play on words, as in this film, the "ace" -- the thing that is going to give Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) his big break as a journalist -- is a man who is literally trapped in a hole.

Thank God there is hope for the human race through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2009 with a theme of "Change". To illustrate what a changed life looks like, our Film of the Month is Bella, a contemporary story of faith, family, and friendship that is quite rare in today's modern cinema.

STATS
Year: 2006 (Rated PG-13)
Directed by Alejandro Monteverde
Starring Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard
Setting: New York City, 2006.

Winner: Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award, 2006.

Content warning: The story is centered around a woman who is considering having and abortion and this may be sensitive for certain viewers. Some images involving a car accident may be disturbing. Language is squeaky clean!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Very interesting Christian imagery and symbolism. There is an intriguing use of a headscarf in the film, as well as strong references to a butterfly. A blind homeless man holds a sign that reads, "God closed my eyes and now I can see." Some critics have commented on Jose's character as being a type of Christ figure. The film opens with the line, "My grandmother used to say, if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans."

2. Strong pro-life message. The script treats the subject with great sensitivity and wisdom. The arguments for abortion are presented by Nina (Tammy Blanchard) however, Jose (Eduardo Verastegui) is able to counter her reasoning not with words, but with demonstrations of love that make adoption a compelling alternative.

3. Vanity vs. Selflessness. Flashbacks tell us the story of Jose's vain and arrogant past, but now he is a changed man. It is interesting to see how our passions change when our perspectives change.

4. Beautiful portrayal of family, as well as Mexican culture!

TRIVIA
None of the music in the trailer is actually featured in the film. This almost makes the trailer a unique work in itself.

Eduardo Versategui had his own life changing experience as he was preparing for this role (we will highlight the life and work of Verastegui in a separate post this month).

The movie was produced by Metanoia Films. Metanoia is the Greek word for repentance.

This film was based on a true story.

Here is the official trailer:



Click here to visit Bella's official website.

After a month of depressing stories, courtesy of my testimony, I thought I'd lighten things up a bit and choose a theme of "Hope" for the month of December. The Film of the Month to accompany our theme is Annie. Now I know what some readers might be thinking, "Annie? That's for kids!" or, "Hrm, I think I'll skip this one this month." Stay with me on this. Annie is more than meets the eye.

STATS
Year: 1999 (Not Rated - Made for Television by Disney)
Directed by Rob Marshall, based on the stageplay by Thomas Meehan (book) Charles Strouse (music) & Martin Charnin (lyrics)
Starring Kathy Bates, Victor Garber, Audra MacDonald, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth and a special appearance by Andrea McArdle
Setting: New York City, 1933.

Content warning: No objectionable content observed, however Annie does lie and steal during the "Tomorrow" scene with the police officer. The film takes the position that deceit and theft are wrong.

Please Note: I strongly recommend the 1999 Disney version with Alicia Morton as Annie. I do not recommend the 1982 version with Aileen Quinn. I present a summary of the difference between the two versions further below. In the meantime, here is the trailer for this film:



WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The special relationship between fathers and daughters.
2. The precious blessing of adoption.
3. The message of hope throughout the film.

TRIVIA
Andrea McArdle, who played the title role in the original Broadway production, makes a cameo appearance as the aspiring starlet in the "NYC" number. What a treat! Click here to see rare footage of Andrea singing "Tomorrow."

The 1999 version we are recommending is in "moratorium" status, so it will soon be hard to come by. If you wish to buy a copy for your family, you can get it for a great price on Amazon.

THE HISTORY BEHIND ANNIE
Annie has long been dismissed as a movie for children lacking in any real substance. But do not be fooled. Annie has a rich heritage rooted in American history and politics. The title character has lived through the Great Depression. She speaks up for what's right. And she inspires hope for the underdog. Truly, she is a slice of American culture that still speaks truth to us today.

Annie first appeared on the scene in 1885 as the subject of a poem entitled, Little Orphant Annie. The poem later inspired the Little Orphan Annie comic strip in 1924. The comic strip was originally intended for children, but with the onset of the Great Depression, the storylines turned very dark. Harold Gray, the strip's creator, began to use the strip as a platform for his political views. By 1931, Little Orphan Annie was read by more adults than children.

Gray's political views, which were a cross between conservative and libertarian, drew ire from Democrats. Gray was a strong believer in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. His themes focused on human depravity, especially greed. Many of his villians were corrupt businessmen. His strip was accused of being fascist by its critics, and The New Republic even referred to it as "Hooverism in the Funnies." This naturally was a reference to former President Herbert Hoover, a Republican who was blamed for much of the economic fallout that resulted in the Great Depression.

Meanwhile, Annie had moved from print to radio. During the 1930's, the story catered once again to a child audience. But the political and historical themes present during the Great Depression were revived again in 1977, when Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin produced the first musical version of Annie on Broadway. Interestingly, the show deviated from the comic strip's conservative roots and instead took a more left-wing view on the depression. This is evident in three of the show's musical numbers.

"Hooverville" presents a chorus of homeless people living under Manhattan's 59th Street Bridge. The homeless characters are openly angry with President Hoover and the lyrics make several references to Hoover being one of the reasons for the Great Depression. It is one of the most political numbers in the entire show. (Some productions have gotten downright vulgar in their portrayal of disgust over the Hoover administration.) The play also features a reprise of "Tomorrow" sung by the Franklin Delano Roosevelt character. Roosevelt, a Democrat, is portrayed as a hero in the Broadway version. The finale is called "A New Deal for Christmas," and the show ends with an implied promise that FDR's series of economic programs will usher in the relief the country so desperately needs. In the Broadway version, it is Little Orphan Annie herself who serves as the inspiration for the New Deal with her positive outlook on life. The irony here is that Gray, the strip's creator, despised FDR and his policies.

In 1982, a film version of the Broadway musical was made, featuring an impressive all-star cast including Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, and Ann Reinking. In 1999, Walt Disney Pictures produced a made-for TV movie -- it is this version of the film we are recommending to our readers, not the 1982 version.

A WORD ABOUT THE 1982 FILM
The 1982 version deviated quite a bit from the Broadway script. As a Broadway purist, this film is difficult for me to watch as Columbia Pictures virtually slaughtered the original stageplay. Aside from many of Strouse and Charnin's wonderful songs being cut and replaced with new ones, most notable is the inclusion of Punjab. Punjab is one of the regular characters from Harold Gray's comic strip. In the 1982 film, Punjab is a swami who performs miracles through the use of Hindu mysticism. This character is not present in the 1999 version (as with the Broadway play).

The 1982 version of the film also makes some immodest choices. As much as I love Bernadette Peters and Carol Burnett, their portrayals of Lily St. Regis and Miss Hannigan are indecent compared to 1999 interpretations of the same characters played by Kristin Chenoweth and Kathy Bates. Other instances of immodest dress appear in some of Anne Reinking's dance numbers, as well as the "Let's Go To The Movies" sequence. The film makes no attempt to clean up the dozens of times Warbucks says "damn", nor does it filter out Miss Hannigan's constant use of the Lord's name in vain. There are also several references to drunkenness in this version.

Finally, the climax of the 1982 version involves a very dramatic, cat-and-mouse chase which ends in Annie dangling from a bridge. The entire scene is over-the-top but also very dark, complete with Rooster (Tim Curry) threatening to kill Annie. She is finally rescued via helicopter. It is a terrifying sequence (I saw the film in the movie theater when I was 8 years old). Throughout the film, child abuse and neglect is used as a vehicle for comedy. Needless to say, these are the reasons I do not recommend this version as it is inappropriate for children. If you wish to view this scene for yourself, you may do so by clicking here.

The 1999 version, on the other hand, has remained true to the original Broadway production in many respects. The Disney version has removed most of the political references from the story. It has also cleaned up much of the dialogue from the Broadway script to make it more family friendly. But aside from that, all of the music comes from the original Broadway score. The music is outstanding and you will enjoy the wonderful arrangements.

CONCLUSION
Whether she is being used to support Republican or Democratic political views, Annie has been a symbol of hope during tough times. Her message of optimism is a timeless one which we may need to revisit as we enter a new chapter of American history -- a chapter in our history that is strangely reminiscent of the America portrayed in Annie's time. As the book of Ecclesiastes tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun." In present times of economic crisis, our hope is not in Republicans, nor in Democrats. Our hope is not in money or stable employment. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, we can "hang on 'till tomorrow, come what may." He is coming soon.

And you thought Annie was just for kids!

We have something very special in store for our readers this month. To celebrate our first year on the internet, we have chosen a theme of "Testimony" for the month of November. All month long we will be sharing true stories of God's grace and power in our lives. Perhaps no film would be more appropriate to accompany our theme than The Miracle Worker. And because this is a special month for us, we thought we'd do something a little different with our film of the month. For this reason, The Miracle Worker is our first ever "double-feature" (well, sort of).

STATS
Year: 1962 (Not Rated)
Directed by Arthur Penn, based on the play by William Gibson
Starring Anne Bancroft (Anne) and Patty Duke (Helen)
Setting: United States, 1890's.

Year: 1979 (Made for Television)
Directed by Paul Aaron, based on the play by William Gibson
Starring Patty Duke (Anne) and Melissa Gilbert (Helen)
Setting: United States, 1890's.

Based on the life of Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind, and her teacher, Anne Sullivan.

Content warning: Mild violence in the form of Anne and Helen slapping each other in the face. Otherwise, no objectionable content observed.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
I will not list point by point the themes I have noticed in this film. Instead, I would encourage you to simply reflect on God's love as you watch this movie. Many of us will most likely identify with Helen Keller on a spiritual level, as we were once without eyes to see or ears to hear. For me, the whole relationship between Annie and Helen is best described when Annie says:

I treat her like a seeing child because I ask her to see! I expect her to see!

We can expect no less from our faithful God, who treats us like seeing children because He expects us to see:

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

TRIVIA
Patty Duke, who won an Oscar as young Helen Keller in the 1962 version, played Anne Sullivan in the 1979 TV version and won an Emmy for it.

The 1979 version is extremely hard to come by, but highlights are available on YouTube. On the other hand, the 1962 version is easily accessible as a video or DVD rental. The 1962 version should most likely have sufficed as our feature film on its own. (In fact, I happen to think it is superior to the 1979 clips I've seen.) But I just couldn't see myself ignoring Patty Duke's wonderful double performance. For a quick comparison of Patty's talent, here are both versions of the final (and most powerful) scene of the movie side by side:

1962 film, Patty Duke as Helen Keller:


1979 Made-for-TV Movie, Patty Duke as Anne Sullivan:

Kind've reminds me of my relationship with God sometimes!

Although I highly enjoy all the films of the month that we feature on this site, none has excited me as much as our film for September 2008. All About Eve is perhaps Hollywood's greatest story of an aging actress who finds herself scrambling to defend her career against a conniving, backstabbing diva. Bette Davis plays the aging Margo Channing, whose star is on the decline. Anne Baxter is Eve Harrington, the ambitious and driven young woman who uses her feminine charms to manipulate her way to the top. Both women deliver stellar performances and the film is loaded with issues that will resonate with women everywhere.

STATS
Year: 1950 (Not Rated)
Written and Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Gary Merrill, Celeste Holm.
Setting: New York City, 1950's.

Fourteen Oscar nominations (rivaled only by 1997's Titanic) and six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Content warning: No objectionable content observed.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The use of God-given feminine charms in an evil manner for the sole purpose of self-service. Watch as Eve displays many of the celebrated qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman in an effort to manipulate the people around her.

2. Aging as a threat to society's standards of physical beauty. Women struggle to both feel and appear desirable as they age.

3. The interesting dynamic when an older woman is romantically linked with a younger man.

4. Physical beauty is negated entirely, if not completely defiled, by ugly character. Lying to get what one wants is particularly unattractive.

5. The natural desire toward marriage and motherhood, in the end, eventually overrules even the greatest career ambitions.

TRIVIA
This film is loosely based on a true story surrounding the life of Elisabeth Bergner, a stage actress in the 1940's whose kindness toward a fan turned sour when the fan began to undermine her.

Does Anne Baxter look familiar to you? That's most likely because you recognize her as the sensuous Queen Nefretiri in Cecil B. DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments, starring Charleton Heston.

The film contains one of Marilyn Monroe's earliest screen appearances as Claudia Caswell, an aspiring starlet.

This month's feature film is Shadowlands, the true story of C.S. Lewis and his fight to make sense of grief, loss, and suffering. Most of us know Lewis as the author of such books as Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia. But few know his struggle to open his heart to true love and real intimacy. Shadowlands surrounds the story of his marriage late in life to Joy Gresham, a woman who encourages him to love after being emotionally shut down for decades following the death of his mother.

STATS
Year: 1993 (Rated PG)
Richard Attenborough (director), William Nicholson (screenplay)
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
Setting: England, 1950's.

Two Oscar nominations, including Best Actress (Winger) and Best Screenplay (Nicholson).

Content warning: None that I can see, however, the story is a real weeper and will touch your heart if you are someone who has ever experienced the fear of loving again after losing a loved one. Also, do not expect an overt gospel message in the film. Although there is only little mention of God, Christians will appreciate it nonetheless.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The sin of pride. We often think pride is merely thinking highly of oneself. But pride also manifests itself in fear: we care about our own hearts and do everything to protect our own hearts from pain, often at the expense of withholding the very lives Jesus commanded us to give away.

2. Suffering yields fruit. God is close to us in our grief and pain. He does not want us to shut ourselves off from enjoying love, for fear of one day losing it.

3. Images of masculinity which lead to the erroneous belief that men should not cry or deal with their feelings.

4. Unconditional love. Joy Gresham displays many characteristics that were considered unbecoming to Jack's (C.S. Lewis) Oxford colleagues, yet he loved her in spite of any perceived uncouth behaviors she may have exhibited.

5. The need for children to have a strong father in their lives. Young Douglas (Gresham's son) learns more about true fatherhood from C.S. Lewis than his biological father.

6. THE LAST LINES OF THE FILM ARE VERY CONVICTING if God is calling you to tear down any walls you have built around your heart.

TRIVIA
This film is adapted from Nicholson's stage play by the same name and is inspired by Lewis' book, A Grief Observed. The trailer for this film can be viewed by clicking here.

This month's feature film is The Best Years of Our Lives, a story which follows three American servicemen as they try to adjust to life after war. Hailed as a classic masterpiece, the film portrays the challenges and crises of masculinity in society, in the home, and in the mind. In spite of the many battles fought and won overseas, perhaps the toughest battle of all is a man's silent fight for respect.

STATS
Year: 1946 (Not Rated)
Robert E. Sherwood (writer), William Wyler (director)
Starring Friedrich March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell.
Setting: Post World War II America.

Seven Oscars including Best Director (Wyler), Best Supporting Actor (Russell), Best Actor (March), Best Screenplay (Sherwood), Best Music Score, Best Editing, and Best Picture.

Content warning: Some scenes portray drunkenness. One plot line encourages the deliberate demise of a marriage that no longer seems to be working. This film also warrants a SEVERE KLEENEX ALERT.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. The importance of biblically feminine support in a man's life. A woman can either make or break a man's spirit. In this film, we encounter both types of women.

2. The "Impostor" Syndrome: No matter how many awards and accolades are bestowed upon a man in an effort to acknowledge his greatness, he still feels like an impostor. The fear of being "discovered" as a fraud or failure can drive a man to either work harder or completely withdraw from others altogether.

3. The importance of respect in a man's ability to feel valued. This month's film not only portrays men crushed by disrespectful women, but also by society as a whole.

4. Body image. One man discovers that true love is unconditional, even when presented with a physical disability. One woman's constant dripping completely disfigures her otherwise stunning looks.

5. Perhaps the most valuable currency among men is loyalty. Loyalty to one's country, one's values, and one's family and friends can make even the toughest times we face feel like the best years of our lives.

TRIVIA
Harold Russell is a real life WWII veteran/amputee who lost both hands while serving in the United States Army. William Wyler discovered Russell in a documentary and cast him in the role of Homer Parrish. Russell went on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

The film is available for rent at most video stores and it is common for many public libraries to own a copy of it. The movie can also be purchased online.

As a theatre major in college, I learned all too well how art imitates life. Sometimes the angst and sorrow we face in life can best be expressed by fictitious characters. We laugh with them, cry with them, and learn from their mistakes. In April I attempted to dissect the film Now Voyager in accordance with a "theme" I had designated for the month. This didn't work for several reasons, the primary one being that are just too many themes inherent in a good story that one can't really give them all the proper attention they deserve in a weekly blog post. That being said, I will instead simply recommend a film every month, and encourage the readers to apply the themes discussed on this site to the characters in the story. Sometimes, viewing ourselves in the plight of the characters can give us an introspective look at the consequences of our own sinful behavior.

This month's featured film is Splendor in the Grass, the story of two young lovers whose relationship is destroyed by sin. It is for this reason one of the most heartbreaking stories of all time. As you watch the mistakes made on both sides, consider how your own behavior in your courtship or marriage is affected by sin.

STATS
Year: 1961 (Not Rated)
William Inge (writer), Elia Kazan (director)
Starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty in his first film role
Setting: Southern Kansas, 1928 (just prior to the Great Depression)
Won 1962 Oscar for best screenplay and best actress (Natalie Wood)
Content warning: Some scenes contain intense kissing and several references to fornication. One scene features showgirls in revealing costumes.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Dating without accountability. Even when two people are sincerely in love, emotions that are not kept under control can result in heartbreak should the spoken intentions never come to fruition. Bud and Deenie's hearts were so emotionally intertwined, the pain resulting from the end of their relationship could be comparable to that of a divorce.

2. The goodness of marriage. If God brings someone special into your life and there is no good reason to postpone the union, the Bible encourages you to marry (1 Corinthians 7). Had Bud not postponed his desire to marry Deenie, the hope and promise of being able to eventually consummate the relationship with Deenie may have helped him resist temptation.

3. The pain of sin. This story is about two single people, however married viewers can see how important it is to remain faithful to their sexual commitment, else they be tempted outside the marriage. Sexual desire leads to sexual sin. Sin is a threat to relationships.

4. The power of love. The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. In spite of the pain Bud caused her, Deenie still loves him. In spite of his pride, and in spite of the fear that he no longer deserves her, Bud still loves Deenie and is heartbroken over having hurt her.

5. The plans of man. The Bible says that in his heart, man plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Sometimes we can do everything according to God's laws, but that doesn't guarantee things will always go the way we want them to. We can become confused and question God's goodness when our choice to do the right thing results in pain and heartbreak. (The bathtub scene where Deenie says, "I'm a good little, good little, good little girl!" is gut-wrenching.) But it is important to remember that God is always good, no matter what happens.

TRIVIA
The film's title comes from William Wordsworth's poem "Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood":

What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind...

Want a preview? Here is the original trailer of this classic film:

I have a passion for card games. I like traditional card games (Hearts is my absolute favorite) but I’m also a sucker for games with specialized decks, such as Uno and Skip-bo. As a child, I also enjoyed playing a game called Old Maid. The object of the game is to get rid of all the cards in one’s hand by eliminating pairs. The only card in the deck that does not have a matching partner is called the “Old Maid.” The player who is left holding the old maid at the end of the game is the loser.

The rules of the game are reminiscent of the common stereotypes society places on older single women. The word spinster is used to convey not only the age and marital status of these women, but also certain negative connotations that go along with it. In addition to being old, “spinsters” are usually portrayed as being ugly, frumpy, somewhat depressed, and most of all, childless and unlikely to ever marry in their lifetime. Feminists have criticized the word as yet another example of sexist vocabulary, asking a very valid question: “Why are no such negative connotations attached to the word bachelor?” Well, there is a very valid answer. The reason is that a woman who is still single beyond the traditional age of marriage is – historically speaking – not single by choice. According to Genesis, men were created to be the spiritual leaders. They are, by God’s design, the initiators, and women are the responders. Today, if a woman chooses to exhibit biblical femininity in her life, she will not pursue, rather, she will allow herself to be pursued. If no man is pursuing, we can infer she is somehow unworthy of a man’s love, and therefore an object of pity in our society. The implication is that nobody wants her.

While there are many Christian women who buy into this lie, those who do not may still struggle under the duress of social pressure which reminds them that this is generally how they are viewed by the public. Many in the Christian community do not want to believe that a woman can be content in her single years. They will simply assume she is miserable. Ironically this assumption can prove to be very convincing. Unless she renews her mind, the single woman who does fall prey to this mentality will begin to think there is something wrong with her, and can grow very depressed if not careful.

A powerful example of a woman who fought to take her thoughts captive is Charlotte Vale, the heroine of the 1942 classic film Now Voyager. Charlotte, played by Bette Davis, is a woman who possesses a natural charm which is discouraged and eventually suffocated. The plot of the story reveals Charlotte’s quest to break free of the lies she has been fed her entire life that she is ugly and will never amount to anything.

The film was made during World War II, a time when so many women were temporarily without their husbands who were overseas. For this reason, most of the films at that time were geared toward a predominantly female audience. Although there are plenty of other films with a female heroine at the center of the story produced during this time (including one bearing the title, Old Maid, also starring Bette Davis), Now Voyager is absolutely bursting with biblically feminine themes. The characters are remarkably complex and the qualities of helper and nurturer are all present in this film through multiple roles such as mother, daughter, surrogate mother, sister, niece, and female companion. We see sin weaken the bonds of interpersonal relationships, and how a biblical response to sin enables one to rise above its consequences.

I must stress this is not a Christian film. It is a story straight out of Hollywood, and there are certain biblical criticisms we can apply to some of the dialogue. In spite of this, the viewer should still be able to discern just how relevant the characters and the story are to their own lives, and the lives of individuals within the church. Every woman has at some point in her life has felt she was an ugly duckling. It is important to note that even within a marriage, women can be criticized by family and friends, leaving them feeling unfulfilled, unwanted, and unfeminine. But through Christ, we are all a thing of beauty, having been given His righteousness.

The title, Now Voyager comes from Walt Whitman’s poem, “The Untold Want.” In context, the phrase reads:

The untold want by life and land ne'er granted,
Now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find.

Regardless of our age, gender, marital status, or physical appearance, true joy is only found on the journey of sanctification when we sail forth to seek the ultimate untold want of our hearts: Christ, our life. Charlotte Vale, although a fictitious character, is an unlikely role model because she learns to make the most of her life and her circumstances. She is a nurturer and helper, albeit a surrogate in both roles, but she fulfills these roles with finesse and confidence. It is her spunk and determination to embrace her blessings that makes her the ultimate "Spinsta." If you are looking for a good movie to rent this weekend, I highly recommend this film!