Movies That Moved Me
I thought it would be a nice change of pace this week to do a little something fun with the column. I compiled a list of ten movies that have really moved me. Last week’s column about “The Book of Eli” sort of got me thinking about other movies that really had an influence on my life. Plus, last Wednesday night I was able to see Michael Oher and the Tuohys at my church (the real life people the movie “The Blindside” was based upon), so it got the juices flowing. Hope you enjoy, and don’t be shy to hit up our message board with some of your favorite movies that have moved you.
“The Book Of Eli” – The most recent addition to my list. I just really enjoyed the spiritual journey that this movie illustrated. It was about a man learning how to walk by faith and not by sight. He faces many trials along the way but his trust in the mission he was sent on allows him to fight the good fight and finish the race.
“The Blindside” – What a powerful movie. I teared up more than a few times. Sandra Bullock was amazing and deserved the best actress award she won at the Oscars. It’s a story about a wealthy white couple adopting a poor black teenager. After being rejected by everyone in his life, this family took him in and showed him love. It was just a powerful example of how God takes us all in as orphans and calls us sons and daughters.
“Life Is Beautiful” – I had no desire to see this movie when it came out. It was a foreign film and had subtitles so I didn’t think I would like it, but then a couple friends in college started telling me what it was about and it made me excited to go see it. The movie is about a Jewish man named Guido who marries a school teacher named Dora and they have a child named Giosue. During World War II they get shipped off to a concentration camp and Guido uses his imagination to convince his son that his family is playing a game, and in order to win first prize (a tank), they have to follow all the rules. The love for his son keeps Guido going in the midst of horrible circumstances and it gives him the strength to work hard for the Nazi’s, yet keep a positive attitude about life.
“The Apostle” – I had my resolves about this film when it first came out. I thought it was just going to ridicule evangelists like previous Hollywood movies have done in the past. Instead, it does a great job at portraying the downfall and redemption of a Southern Pentecostal preacher. After his wife cheats on him and he commits murder out of rage, Sonny leaves Texas and takes up preaching in a small Louisiana town. It’s there where he brings a community together and realizes his past mistakes.
“The Shawshank Redemption” – When I saw this movie years ago it really moved me. What I got out of it was that no matter where we are in life, there is always hope. It’s about a man named Andy who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife and then is sentenced to two life sentences in prison. While others rot away in their jail cells, Andy plots his escape. Though he spent 19 years in prison, he finally finds his freedom.
“The Dark Knight” – Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in the last Batman movie was brilliant. Looking at this movie from a spiritual context, I love the whole concept of good versus evil. Yes, the obvious is Joker versus Batman, but more importantly is the battle within. We see that in both Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent in the movie. Wayne is conflicted about continuing to do good or to stop caring at all. That battle between the flesh and the spirit is what we all face as Christians, and in Dent’s case, he sees both sides of the coin.
“The Prince of Egypt” – Though it was an animated film, this movie really struck a nerve in me. I’ve read and heard the story a million times, but to see it come alive was truly awe-inspiring. God performed miracle after miracle to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The Burning Bush and the parting of the Red Sea are two that jump out. Though the movie wasn’t 100% accurate, the underlying message shines through.
“The Sixth Sense” – The surprise ending shocked pretty much everyone when the movie first came out. I was blown away and had to go back and watch it again to see how I could have missed it. I didn’t know if I wanted to include it on my list for this column because I don’t believe the dead can communicate with the living, but I do believe that there is a spiritual realm where we battle the enemy.
“The Chronicles of Narnia” – This movie was a great interpretation of the novel by C.S. Lewis. It made the book jump out from the pages. The parallels between Aslan and Christ is what makes this a great story. I read the book way before the movie came out, and Aslan’s sacrifice of himself for Narnia shows us the great love that Christ has for us.
And lastly, “The Passion Of The Christ” – I can still remember walking out of the theater after watching it. There was an eerie silence not usually heard in a movie theater. Most people would agree with me that this depiction of Christ’s suffering for our sins is the greatest ever made. It brought the Bible to life and made me more grateful for what Jesus did on that cross over 2,000 years ago.
Those are a few of my favorite movies. Hope you enjoyed. Have a great week and continue to “Put Him First” in all you do!!!
- geno
www.PutHimFirst.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO MY BROTHER GABE AND HIS NEW WIFE AUNDRIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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