I know how to pick ‘em…

Not really.

My Oscar picks: 3 for 5

My favorite Oscar nominated movie, Juno, receive the Oscar for best screenplay by Diablo Cody. Diablo?

Filed under: film, from the sublime to the profane

“confirmed possible overdose”

In a report over the death of Heath Ledger one reporter repeated the words above. Whether it is over matters of the heart, or just the evening news, we are losing, perhaps already lost, our ability to speak coherently.

In the middle of this tragedy and the millions of others that have occurred today: Kyrie eliason.

Lord have mercy, indeed.

Filed under: film, from the sublime to the profane

Golden Compass…pt. III

I have really enjoyed the conversations around the subject of the Golden Compass. The dialogue has been good, the insights have been wide ranging, and it all contributes to a deeper appreciation for God’s work in the world.

There are too many complaints about the movie to respond to each one individually. However, let me address three “grievances” about the film and three things we can take from the film. (I have seen the movie, read Lyra’s Oxford which is a later installment to the series, and read more than a couple of articles on the subject.)

Let me start with the negative side and move to the positive.

1) Pullman speaks negatively about C.S. Lewis and the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Narnia movie was a pale representation of the books and I regret that the popularity of the movie has made room for it’s characters to be satarized in SNL, Southpark and elsewhere. In spite of this, Lewis’s books are classics for a variety of reasons. Their religiosity is not so overt to make them unpalatable to the taste of a non-religious person. It is personal and I suppose that Pullman’s distaste for the books is personal too. Either way, I hold this agin’ him.

2) Pullman’s terminology is vague and can be confusing for young and old readers/viewers alike. The most obvious example of this is the use of the word daemon as a reference to the personality. In the alternative universe of the Golden Compass this personality walks around in animal form next to its human counterpart. The word should not be confused with the biblical concept of demon. The words are pronounced the same and if one is watching the movie without reading the books this could create confusion. Pullman could have easily come up with another word that would have brought clarity to what he was trying to communicate without losing the essential idea.

3) Using the church, especially the Roman Catholic Church, as the focal point for his critique of authority is too obvious. First of all, few young people in the Western World look at the church in this way anymore. These kinds of attacks have been taking place for a long time when there are other, more creative, images of authority that could have been used. His use of words taken directly from Roman Catholic theology and practice reveals what I can only believe is his thinly veiled contempt. As regards literature, it seems that Pullman could have come up with a better bogey man.

Pullman’s message is not so much anti-faith as it is an attack upon control based systems. Whether they be religious, governmental or academic. On this side of the argument Pullman comes across more American than British.

Here are some positive things I believe we can take from the film and books.

1. The Golden Compass is a critique of ideology. It holds authoritarian totalitarianism to the fire and asks questions about it. Teaching children to be constructively critical of authority structures is not easy and I am not convinced that Pullman’s books and films do it well. However, for Christian people, including Christian children, the critique of ideology can serve as a critique of our own idolatry. For example, one of the complaints about the film is that the “god” defeated later in the series is a weak and impotent deity. We should welcome critiques that empower us to look beyond simplistic, sub-Christian views of God.

Eugene Peterson, and no doubt countless other thoughtful Christians, when confronted by a person who claims atheism will often ask: “Tell me about the God you don’t believe in?” After the individual describes the deity that they can’t believe in Peterson responds: “Good, I don’t believe in that God either.” This becomes an entree into deeper conversation about both the nature and existence of God.

Movies like the The Golden Compass may be misleading but they are a helpful critique of the conceptual idols we create. Christian are not immune to the temptation of creating idols out of our ideas of God. Our ideas of God should be challenged in order to avoid the trap of idolatry. If we discover that our concepts of God are too small then they should be discarded for the sake of pursuing God in his fullness, rather than in the poverty of our perceptions.

2) Related to #1, this film can help parents and children discuss discernment. In truth The Golden Compass is less dangerous than other films because it is so obvious. The attacks on religion are impossible to miss and one will find himself forced to make a decision about the author/filmmakers intentions. If a parent watches the film or reads the books with her child she can help that child discern the good from the bad.

3) The Golden Compass gives an opportunity for Christians to learn about “common grace”. This is the theological concept that speaks of God’s work in the world through non-Christians unbeknownst to them. For example, throughout the movie the themes of courage, wisdom, self-sacrifice and grace are displayed. It is important for us to recognize these and emulate such virtues in our own lives. Films with little or no Christian emphasis can exemplify these. Tolkien’s novels and Lewis’s fiction, have no explicit Christian references. However, the discerning reader recognizes God’s silent hand moving in the background.

Much to his chagrin, I believe this is true for Pullman’s work too.

Filed under: books, film

The Golden Compass … the latest movie controversy

The Golden Compass was the highest grossing film from this past weekend. It opened to a lot of fanfare excitement from those who have read Philip Pullman’s series called His Dark Materials. It also received a great deal of criticism from evangelicals and Roman Catholics who are concerned with the author’s atheistic orientation.

On one level I do understand the concern that many Christians have regarding the film and books. (In light of the box office this weekend I assume the entire series will be made.) In addition, I can appreciate the consternation the Roman Catholic community has expressed since Pullman’s critique of Catholicism is very thinly veiled in his books where he uses the terms magisterium and Vatican in pejoratively.

On the other hand, I wonder if the call to boycott films like this one aren’t shortsighted. Instead of calling for a quick ban on a film like The Golden Compass, what if we were to “redemptively engage” the film. This could happen by viewing the film, or reading the books, and entering into constructive conversations with others who have seen the film. This could lead to discussions about matters of faith, the church, atheism and Christianity.

Another means of “redemptively engaging” the film would be to view it with your children and discuss the characters, plot and overall message of the story. (One must, of course, take age appropriateness into consideration.) None of our children will remain free from outside influences forever, no matter how we try to protect them. A film such as this one may provide an opportunity to compare and contrast faith claims and worldview all the while aiding our children in the development of discernment. Helping our kids understand why they hold the beliefs they do is vital. Helping our kids hold the beliefs they do in a way that is also honoring to Christ and the other is vital too.

Here are a couple of articles that you might find useful in your thinking about this movie, and the many others, that we have the opportunity to “redemptively engage”.

Mike King from YouthFront in Kansas City. (He has two posts so you’ll want to scroll down to both, Dec 3rd and 5th.)

An interview with Philip Pullman and Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Williams is the leader of the Anglican Church worldwide.)

HT:Tallskinny Kiwi

Filed under: books, film