Tonight is the Academy Awards and we’re all anxious to see who comes out on top for Best Picture, Actor, Actress and Director. Because you know, we can’t face our day tomorrow without being told what movies and stars are the best. (/cynicism) I don’t really care too much. I don’t make it to too many movies in the theater, so I’m still watching last year’s nominees from my Netflix queue (just watched Julie and Julia Friday night, for example). So I can’t say I’m invested.
Instead a couple of days ago, the Arts and Faith online group released their list of Top 100 films. Moviefone has a great writeup reminding us that movies don’t have to be hyper-religious to be spiritual. The Bible Films blog notes that not too many are Bible-based and he hasn’t seen as many of the movies as past lists. Relevant has an article questioning why we watch movies? While, if you’re still interested in the Oscars, Hollywood Jesus lists the best Best Pictures. (Waiting to hear something on this list from Gareth Higgins, whose book How Movies Saved My Soul, offers a deeper look at movies we may take for granted.) Enjoy reading as you’re trudging through the boredom of best sound mixing tonight. (At least we have Steve Martin to look forward to)
Back to the list, I wholeheartedly agree with the choices of The Apostle and Magnolia. Personally I would add To End All Wars, Life As a House, and Tombstone (believe it or not, there are many lessons on character to be gleaned from that movie). And I admit, I have a domestic bias, but I do have on my “to see” list Jesus of Montreal and The Gospel of St Matthew and I may have to add some of these to my list as well.
As for tonight, it will be interesting to see how The Blind Side does as a not-really-but-really-Christian movie. Regardless, I agree with moviefone, that a movie doesn’t have to star Kirk Cameron or Stephen Baldwin to be edifying.