NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

Monday, January 05, 2009

You've Got Mail is one of my favorite movies. A chick flick? Probably.

I love Dirty Harry movies. A male macho thing? Maybe.

I rarely, if ever, recommend a movie. Why? Well mainly because of the "It's all in the eye of the beholder thing." You know--we don't all like the same thing. I'm a coward. I don't like to be criticized.

And then, there's that preacher thing. Some members of the church hear every nasty word and see every naked butt and then translate that into my approval of naughty things.

Once upon a time our church staff was viewing Chariots of Fire, which I think is one of the best movies of all time, and our bus minister got up and walked out because they were drinking beer and said, "damn."

I wish people didn't drink anything intoxicating, say bad words, or show their behinds. However, me wishing this doesn't keep it from happening--in movies or in life. And some people see the bad side of everything. They are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.

We need to be balanced. In my opinion, most of what Hollywood turns out is trash. However, occasionally a movie comes along that teaches some good lessons. I'm not going to let a few nasty words and the glimpse of a naked body keep me out of the theater.

I thought The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a good movie. I'm not recommending it-- although my preaching colleague and theologian Ben Witherington does.

Try getting on his case and see how you do.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I really appreciated your blog today. I have heard wonderful things about you from your nephew, Wayne. I appreciate your thoughts of balance and have come to realize that life, as God gave it, must maintain balance. If we strive for too much vertical relationship, then we miss the whole reason we have been left on this earth after Jesus came to redeem man. Jesus said that the father sent Him to bring mankind to God. One the Other hand, too much horizontal relationship and we miss the whole reason we even have relationships to begin with. To assist one another in our trek back to him. Jesus said, “As the Father send Me, so send I you!”

Thank you for a calm, rational view of living in the world but not of the world. As Christians, we sometimes act so pious that we appear to be unapproachable by the average person. We make our own mission and ministry more difficult by reflecting an attitude that causes those outside of Christ to believe that we would be the last persons in the world to understand their struggle.

In Him,

Steve

Kelly said...

Someone else told me that the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button" is good. I look forward to seeing it, but will probably have to wait until it is available on DVD.

Down on the Farm said...

I think I love you Cliff. DON'T TELL CHARLOTTE!!! You are the most down to earth ex-preacher I have ever known. A real person. If you would come push the dust off my furniture I believe I might even be tempted to worship you.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I agree completely.

There is such a difference between a little language and such and a movie that is absolutely defiling.

You've Got Mail is one of our all time favorite movies.

bp said...

I've heard people talking about that movie. I love You've Got Mail.

I saw the post about Same Kind of Different as Me. What book did you request for your next one? Hope it arrives soon! I requested a Max Lucado one.

Ms.Daisy said...

I will look forward to "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" when it comes out on DVD. I just saw "Australia" and I would say it is just average and waaay too long!
(but that is just me! :)