Our movies: Wonderful Life, Star Wars, LOTR, On the Waterfront, All Quiet on the Western Front (the old one), Gattaca.
As for porn, Augustine's Confessions are a wonderful introduction to the idea that the problem of sin is not about what it does to others but about what it does to you. (Why is he so obsessed with the pears? Because it reveals a deep evil within himself.) If you prefer your virtues unChristianized, Aristotle is your man. If you prefer them Oriental, go read Confucius. As C.S. Lewis (and later Father Seraphim Rose) realized, the differences between universal ethical systems pale in comparison with their similarities; almost like there's a natural law leading them to coalesce around similar vices and virtues. Hmm....
In our zeal to eliminate everything Catholic, we Protestants have thrown out the saints with the bathwater and are now reaping the results. The Church Fathers aren't Catholic; Protestants must rediscover that.
I liked Interstellar, but I like sci-fi in general, so I'm biased. My kids just thought it was weird.
I thought Arrival was good too, although Ted Chiang's original short story (for Arrival) is truly amazing. Chiang's book (Stories of Your Life and Others) is likely the most theological sci-fi I've ever read: half the stories touch on religious ideas. "Hell is the Absence of God", "Tower of Babylon" take the divine as an assumed reality. "Liking What You See" is about whether prohibiting vice also prohibits virtue.
Most sci-fi authors have followed from Asimov and Bradbury and Niven. Chiang follows in the tradition of Heinlein and especially Philip K Dick.
Our Movies: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, It's a Wonderful Life, Elf, A Christmas Story, UP, Lord of the Rings, and a few kids' movies that we like to revisit, such as Toy Story 1 and 2, Bedtime Stories, Megamind.
Walter Mitty is a great film. I was astonished how much I loved it the first time I saw it. Might actually have to watch Megamind if it’s in the same list as some of these…
And yet, in Liberty Valance, who really sacrifices to redeem, or ransom Ransom from his own hopeless confrontation with the titular villain but conceals this at great loss? (SPOILER!) Doniphon surrenders all hopes for happiness to save the pilgrim who allows the Legend to be printed, of the heroic Ransom, to hide the truth about who shot Liberty Valence.
Just read it--quite good--the major themes of the movie echo Ford's view of the Wilderness and the Garden (this is the standard interpretation of Ford's western vision)--the west tamed and ordered by, er, western civilization, so Stoddard brings in education and Constitutionalism. Critics at the time thought this was a too-ordinary effort by Ford, a black and white, using the old Academy aspect ratio rather than wide-screen. To make the symbolism stronger, Ford cast two Hollywood icons well past realistic ages for the parts. Wayne WAS the western hero who makes the frontier safe for settlers, but, as the last shot of The Searchers poignantly shows, cannot be part of that civilization. The wilderness is then tended as a garden by the those whose safety and security if vouchsafed by good but violent men, Stewart being the essence of the Decent American. What I love about the film, among other things, is the irony that Stoddard's whole career is built on a lie, and the discomfort we see in his eyes and the Press refuses to print the truth--he is stuck with the Legend.
Our movies: Wonderful Life, Star Wars, LOTR, On the Waterfront, All Quiet on the Western Front (the old one), Gattaca.
As for porn, Augustine's Confessions are a wonderful introduction to the idea that the problem of sin is not about what it does to others but about what it does to you. (Why is he so obsessed with the pears? Because it reveals a deep evil within himself.) If you prefer your virtues unChristianized, Aristotle is your man. If you prefer them Oriental, go read Confucius. As C.S. Lewis (and later Father Seraphim Rose) realized, the differences between universal ethical systems pale in comparison with their similarities; almost like there's a natural law leading them to coalesce around similar vices and virtues. Hmm....
In our zeal to eliminate everything Catholic, we Protestants have thrown out the saints with the bathwater and are now reaping the results. The Church Fathers aren't Catholic; Protestants must rediscover that.
Much to think about here. We share several symbolic flicks. What do you think of Interstellar?
I liked Interstellar, but I like sci-fi in general, so I'm biased. My kids just thought it was weird.
I thought Arrival was good too, although Ted Chiang's original short story (for Arrival) is truly amazing. Chiang's book (Stories of Your Life and Others) is likely the most theological sci-fi I've ever read: half the stories touch on religious ideas. "Hell is the Absence of God", "Tower of Babylon" take the divine as an assumed reality. "Liking What You See" is about whether prohibiting vice also prohibits virtue.
Most sci-fi authors have followed from Asimov and Bradbury and Niven. Chiang follows in the tradition of Heinlein and especially Philip K Dick.
Arrival was stunning. A hard watch for parents, for a good reason
Our Movies: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, It's a Wonderful Life, Elf, A Christmas Story, UP, Lord of the Rings, and a few kids' movies that we like to revisit, such as Toy Story 1 and 2, Bedtime Stories, Megamind.
We're with you on IAWL, LOTR and maybe UP. What do you think of TIME BANDITS? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081633/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 It contains a rather interesting hat time to Narnia
I'm sorry to say I haven't seen it! Will have to check it out. If you haven't seen Walter Mitty, it's a must.
Walter Mitty is a great film. I was astonished how much I loved it the first time I saw it. Might actually have to watch Megamind if it’s in the same list as some of these…
And yet, in Liberty Valance, who really sacrifices to redeem, or ransom Ransom from his own hopeless confrontation with the titular villain but conceals this at great loss? (SPOILER!) Doniphon surrenders all hopes for happiness to save the pilgrim who allows the Legend to be printed, of the heroic Ransom, to hide the truth about who shot Liberty Valence.
A valid point. Read the Olasky essay. It’s a very complex movie.
Just read it--quite good--the major themes of the movie echo Ford's view of the Wilderness and the Garden (this is the standard interpretation of Ford's western vision)--the west tamed and ordered by, er, western civilization, so Stoddard brings in education and Constitutionalism. Critics at the time thought this was a too-ordinary effort by Ford, a black and white, using the old Academy aspect ratio rather than wide-screen. To make the symbolism stronger, Ford cast two Hollywood icons well past realistic ages for the parts. Wayne WAS the western hero who makes the frontier safe for settlers, but, as the last shot of The Searchers poignantly shows, cannot be part of that civilization. The wilderness is then tended as a garden by the those whose safety and security if vouchsafed by good but violent men, Stewart being the essence of the Decent American. What I love about the film, among other things, is the irony that Stoddard's whole career is built on a lie, and the discomfort we see in his eyes and the Press refuses to print the truth--he is stuck with the Legend.