Yesterday we had a theatrical theme for our lead commentary. Today, and entirely by serendipity, Daniel Gullotta gives us a cinematic theme. It's his choices of the best, the bad and really bad movies made on Jesus, the Church or Christianity. What are your favorite movies on a spiritual theme? Which ones do you think do religion or spirituality a disservice?

Lights! Camera! Pray!

Anyone who knows me knows I love movies! I try and go to the cinema at least once or twice a week. On my Facebook and with ACU Wired Radio I review the films I watch. I own over one hundred DVDs and take great delight in sharing my thoughts and feelings on all of them. Movies have a special power, they have a way of sending us to a different world with interesting characters and amazing stories — or painfully boring ones. Either way, movies are a source of more than entertainment, they enlighten us, they make us laugh and cry, they shock us, they dare us, and sometimes they challenge us. Perhaps no category of film challenges us more than the 'religious film'.

They can be something the whole family can enjoy to something where protesters line up for hours, condemning it to hell. The debate between art and respect often comes up when speaking about religious films. However, I am one that loves films about religion, about Jesus, and about Christianity. Some have shocked me, some have made me happy to be a Christian, some have made me think seriously about what I believe and why, and some just bring a smile to my face and put a tune in my heart. So, friends and readers of Catholica, I want to share with you some of my favourite and least favourite religious movies. Enjoy!

Those Movies that make you doubt God's Goodness

I might as well as start with the worst and work my way up. Bad movies ... really bad movies. Some films suffer from lack of direction, some from poor acting, and some from a low budget — a lot (and I mean a lot) of religious movies suffer from all three — and more. When people think of the stained glass image of Jesus and the Church, I think a lot of that is picked up from these sort of films. The actors are terrible, the director has not a clue what they are doing, and the plot ... I think the biggest problem is the plot. Biblical movies? Apparently the Bible and it's stories are the greatest ever told right? The problem with bad religious movies is that they don't tell the story, they preach a sermon. They don't let me get to know the characters or feel for them or care about them or follow them or anything. They expect me to sit back and just watch, watch these miracle men and women do 'holy stuff' for a few hours. No thank you. I think the other problem is that when this happens, we know the story too well. They take our hand and take us right through everything most people learnt in Sunday school. Here are some of the worst…

The Gospel of John – It just doesn't work... John is a Gospel that is meant to be read and mediated over. You just can't dramatize it and get the same message. Henry Ian Cusick is actually a pretty good Jesus, but the rest of the cast is so weak it's embarrassing to watch. It's long, it's boring, and there is no pay off — it's word for word the Gospel of John, just without the heart of the gospel!

Jesus – If there is a film that portrays the mild and meek Jesus, the heaven-man from outer space more than any other; this just might be the one. It's painful to watch for longer than half an hour because of how stupid everyone is acting, and how over the top Jeremy Sisto is acting as Jesus. Plus the crucifixion and scene of the movie is so corny ... this is the type of film that makes me want to believe in the Da Vinci Code Jesus.

The Robe – I know this is going to annoy a lot of people, I know it's a classic Biblical epic, and I know it was nominated for an Oscar. You might call me a young whipper snapper that doesn't know what I am talking about and does not respect the classic, but I know a bad film when I see one (and I love the classics too!). This movie might as well be the definition of the over acting. But to me, the story is what kills it, because the story is boring — I don't believe the conversion, I do not believe their faith and, by the end, I wanted to see them martyred (and I didn't even get to see that!).

The Da Vinci Code – I still don't get this movie. The book was okay, and I did enjoy it, didn't love it, but it was a good enough read. But ... this film ... I just don't get it. It's slow, it's pointless and so much of it runs on chance and luck, it makes it really hard to believe. Really, the only enjoyable thing about this movie is the 'history lesson' about half way through, which always gives me a laugh.

The Passion of the Christ — I hate this movie. This movie contains everything that makes a bad movie, bad. Now the acting isn't bad, but there is no plot to go with it. Explaining what it's about is simple and meaningless, you simply watch Jesus die. That's it. You watch Jesus die in the horrible way imaginable. Why? It hints at penal substitution atonement theology, but even so, it just feels so pointless. The death of Jesus is the heart of his movie but when it happens, it is empty. And when he rises from the dead at the end, it comes in as 'so left to the last minute", it's almost random. I hate this movie.

Notable Other (movies that make you doubt God's Goodness): The Little Drummer Boy The Miracle Man The Gospel according to Matthew Prince of Peace Paul the Emissary And so many more!

Popcorn and Papal Approval...

But, because of God's mercy, sometimes we get a few movies that are good. They aren't ground breaking or completely breath taking, but they are good! And good religious movies are hard to come by. These movies are the type of films you would recommend to show a church movie night and the type of films that even non-Christians can enjoy. The films that are enjoyable and make you proud of your faith. They can make you laugh and smile, or ponder and think, or just simply tell a great story. But also, they don't just give a great message, they are made well, directed well, and acted well. There aren't as many good ones as there are bad ones, but you are proud to have these in your collection. There is my top five...

Luther – I was surprised by how good this movie was. Going to a Lutheran High School, I had the story of Martin Luther stuffed down my throat every month or so, and when we began to watch this film on Martin Luther's birthday I was very doubtful it would be good. Luther, played by Joseph Fiennes, is a very real and very honest human being. He is full of doubt and is full of fears, and yet, overcomes both to challenge the great. It is a very interesting story and a very enjoyable one. You feel for the characters, you care about the characters, and you want to see justice done. Good movie all around (apart from the ending).

Amazing Grace – Once again, another movie that took me by surprise. I was expecting some preachy Christian drama that was going to bore me to tears, but what I got was a fantastic tale of one man's dream and calling to challenge the world, with a single song. WOW! I did not see it coming and I enjoy the hell out of this movie. The acting from everyone is fantastic and rather than it being a well-known story, because it is a lesser known one, the plot keeps you in suspense and guessing, wondering what is going to happen next. Something anyone can watch so long as they love justice.

Godspell & Jesus Christ Superstar – Ok, I am biased to JCS because I starred in my High School production (this was before Hollywood crushed my hopes and dreams of acting stardom) and I love Godspell because of its semi-hippie nature, but both of these films are fantastic! The costumes, the dance numbers, the music, the songs, everything is fantastic — and very 70s. These are the sort of movies that you need to watch in a large group or at least with a friend so you can sing along. They are fun to watch, great to listen too, and portray a cool 'modern' take on the Jesus story.

Peter and Paul – FINALLY! A GOOD MOVIE ABOUT THE EARLY CHURCH! Anthony Hopkins steals the show, and does a terrific job at portraying the sort of Paul you can believe in and want to follow. But this performance is matched by the relationship he has with Peter, played wonderfully by Robert Foxworth. This movie really gives the Early Church a human face. Now, it does make a few mistakes with its history and order and some of the finer details, but all that aside, this is a fantastic movie and one I would highly recommend. It's a keeper.

Mary the Mother of Jesus — This is one that I loved from the moment I saw it on TV one Easter afternoon. The concept is simple but very powerful and even more effective: The Jesus story through of eyes of his mother, Mary. Christian Bale, to many people's shock and surprise, plays Jesus yet — this movie is all about Mary — played by Pemillia August. This movie gives the story of Jesus "a mother's and a woman's touch" suggesting that the parables were drawn from the stories Mary raised him on. The film is short and clearly the budget was very low — yet this film as a lot of heart and emotion to it, perhaps because the central focus is not on Jesus, but how his birth, life, and death, shaped his mother's life.

Notable other (papally approved pieces of popcorn): The Ten Commandments The Apostle The Greatest Story Ever Told Joan of Arc Les Miserables The Mission The Prince of Egypt The Kingdom of Heaven In the Name of the Rose

Films that Push, Ponder, and Preach...

However, even with the good films, the ones that go beyond are the ones that catch our attention. Some are shocked by them, some are condemned, some are encouraged, and some have been used in sermons and church services ever since they first screened. These are the movies Hollywood and the public are really interested in. Why? Because when they hear "thou shall not", they do. They challenge us and dare to be different, breaking tradition and crossing hairs with religious and non-religious alike. Some are fantastic 'what if' stories about Jesus and the early Church. Some make you question everything you believe in…

The Life of Brian – Do I really have to explain it? This movie is just brilliant.

Dogma – I am fan of Kevin Smith, as an actor, as a comic book writer, and as a director. Theologically, I don't think this film has anything really worthwhile exploring ... some of it yes, but mostly, not really. Howeve r... it's a brilliant idea and a great story. It is fun and it is funny, something you don't get a lot of when it comes to religious films. This movie to me is like the greatest 'what if' of Christianity, and always makes me laugh. It's a film that doesn't make you question your faith, but able to laugh at it — laugh at some beliefs that really are funny, laugh at some aspects that really are silly, and laugh at yourself because of what you believe ... all in a good way. A film that argues and succeeds in saying God has a sense of humour.

Doubt – This movie is not for the faint of heart, nor for people who get bored easily. To begin with, the acting is nothing short of breath taking. Meryl Streep, Philip Semour Hoffman and Amy Adams, set up a power house of acting in his life, which is only matched by a story that keeps you doubting and guessing the entire time. This film makes you think, it makes you question, and it makes you doubt — maybe not what the subject that film is about. But you will leave doubting someone or something. It divides people, it causes debates, and it proves that certainty doesn't always mean truth.

Jesus Camp – As a youth minister, this documentary exposes and displays everything I fought against in my ministry, and is the stuff that my nightmares are made of. However, it doesn't just point the finger at the fundamentalist evangelical, it very much leaves you with the challenge of accountably, especially to children and young adults. This documentary makes you feel sick on the inside, wondering how did it "come to this", and forces you to be far more careful when it comes to your simple Sunday School lesson.

Deliver Us from Evil — I have only watched it once, but I don't think I could take watching it a second time. I am still not sure how to feel about this film. It leaves me feeling weak and helpless, and even at times ashamed to be a Christian. Either way, it is a powerful film. If you want to be 'real' about the Church in the 21st century, it is one you have to watch and grapple with. Worth watching but not for the faint of heart.

For the Bible Tells Me So – Of all the films I have previously mentioned, this is the most breath-taking, tear-jerking, heart-breaking, and awe-inspiring documentary I have ever witnessed. It is about the issue of homosexuality within the Church and gives details into the lives of several homosexual Christians, most notably the Chrissy Dephdart, daughter of Dick and Jane Dephardt (former House Majority Leader) and Bishop Gene Robinson. It is not just a film that explores the attitudes of the Bible towards homosexuality, nor is it simply an account of the lives of homosexual people — above all this, it is an honest witness. This is the film that sealed the deal for my current understanding and approval of homosexuality, not because of the film's arguments (while they did help), but because of its honesty and its heart. It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, it makes me angry, it makes me hopeful, and it makes me proud to be a Christian.

Notable other (films that Push, Ponder, and Preach): Priest The Nines The Magdalene Sisters Orgamo Bedazzled The Omen Rosemary's Baby The Exorcist

And the greatest film: It that shall not be named...

However, whenever speaking of religious films there is one that is always on people's mind ... The big one ... the film 'that goes there'. I am of course talking about Martin Scoresese's The Last Temptation of Christ. This film has been hailed as the greatest Jesus film ever made, and condemned as the most blasphemous film ever made. The content of this film is controversial. The Jesus who changes his mind about his mission and purpose, the Jesus who isn't sure of who he is, the Jesus who uses Judas as the instrument of his arrest, the Jesus who comes down from the cross and abandon's his sacrificial death, the Jesus who marries and makes love to Mary Magdalene and later Mary and Martha (the sisters of Lazarus) — all of them are in this film. Yet, for all its heresy, I love this film and hail it as the greatest religious film ever made.

Why?

First of all, it's just simply brilliantly made. The acting is spot on, the music is great, the sets look fantastic, and the mood it creates captures you from start to finish. Theologically? I strongly disagree, yet, that does not stop me from studying it, analysing it, and drawing wisdom from it. The two greatest characters in this film are Jesus and God and the tension between them is the genius of this film. God is never seen and never heard from — every character tries to interrupt the character, the nature, and the will of God. Jesus is challenged by all these views, he accepts some, and challenges others. He changes his mind, and his understanding of God grows and grows, until he finally understands the will of God — despite all his own short comings. This film is not so much about the life of Jesus, but more the journey of faith. The Jesus of the Last Temptation is flesh and blood, like us. He struggles, he questions, he doubts, he believes, like us and our faith. He gets angry at God, he delights in God, he tries to figure out God, and he tries to do the will of God, sometimes succeeding, but more often than not, getting it wrong, like us and our faith. He tries to go his way, do what he wants, and please his desires, until he realizes it is not about him, and his will, but about God, and the will of the Father. The Last Temptation challenges us, and our temptations, it makes us question our will over and against the will of God, and dares to ask if they align with one another.

Daniel Gullotta

IMAGE CREDITS:
The image of the Panavision camera used in the headline graphic was sourced from www.latimes.com. Clicking on the other images will take you to the original source.

©2009 Daniel Gullotta

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