Finding God In The Movies: 33 Films Of Reel Faith

The book 'Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films Of Reel Faith', published in August 2004, was a tremendous resource for those seeking light inside the cinema. The authors of this book are Catherine M. Barsotti and Robert K. Johnston, both of whom are Evangelical Protestant Christians. More than just a guide to great films, this book is a window into how to engage them; and find on the other side, a deeper understanding of the Lord.

This is not by any means a definitive guide or a parental-guidance for the religious or spiritual community. It was meant to provoke discussion on the depth, meaning or interpretation of 33 movies which were supposed to combine the love of God and the love of reel. It will be pointless to question why your favorite movies were not listed or why on earth some were. I guess the selections were made randomly as I don't expect both Catherine and Robert to have watched more movies than Roger Ebert, the famous movie critic.

So, which is your favorite movie in this list of 33? Did you find God in that movie? I'm not sure anyone can agree or disagree with your choice since a person's notion of spirituality or religion comes from within that person. It's a moving experience that's suppose to awaken the seed of our soul, a sudden realisation of higher consciousness or even a sudden impulse to embrace certain religion. Pun intended, probably that's the reason why movies are also called moving pictures.

If I have to choose from the list of 33, my pick would be Patch Adams [1998], starring Robin Williams. Can we love and give unconditionally? Are we all blind to the beauty of this world because we are permanently engaged in our own perception of the world? The movie did an incredible job of conveying the compassion and power held within the story. Well, the movie may not rock your world, but it did mine. My two cents recommendation to watch the movie.

Below are the 33 movies discussed in detail in Finding God in the Movies, along with the categorization from the book.

1. Life Is Beautiful [1997], directed by Roberto Benigni - Affirming Our Humanity
2. Amistad [1997], directed by Steven Spielberg - Affirming Our Humanity
3. No Man's Land [2001], directed by Danis Tanovic - Affirming Our Humanity
4. We Were Soldiers [2002], directed by Randall Wallace - Affirming Our Humanity
5. Spirited Away [2002], directed by Hayao Miyazaki - Beauty, Imagination & Creativity
6. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [2000], directed by Ang Lee - Beauty, Imagination & Creativity
7. Big Night [1996], directed by Campbell Scott & Stanley Tucci - Choosing Life
8. Fearless [1993], directed by Peter Weir - Choosing Life
9. The Rookie [2002], directed by John Lee Hancock -Embracing Our Vocation
10. Billy Elliot [2000], directed by Stephen Daldry - Embracing Our Vocation
11. The Apostle [1997], directed by Robert Duvall - Embracing Our Vocation
12. The Straight Stoy [1999], David Lynch - Reconciliation Within Families
13. Ulee's Gold (1997), directed by Victor Nunez - Reconciliation Within Families
14. Fly Away Home (1996), directed by Carroll Ballard - Reconciliation Within Families
15. Save the Last Dance (2001), directed by Thomas Carter - Racial Reconciliation
16. Remember the Titans (2000), directed by Boaz Yakin - Racial Reconciliation
17. X-Men (2000), directed by Bryan Singer - Racial Reconciliation
18. The Hurricane (1999), directed by Norman Jewison - Racial Reconciliation
19. Smoke Signals (1998), directed by Chris Eyre - Forgiveness
20. Antwone Fisher (2002), directed by Denzel Washington - Forgiveness
21. About a Boy (2002), directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz - Community & Friendship
22. Italian for Beginners (2001), directed by Lone Scherfig - Community & Friendship
23. Simon Birch (1998), directed by Mark Steven Johnson - Faith
24. Tender Mercies (1983), directed by Bruce Beresford - Faith
25. The Third Miracle (1999), directed by Agnieszka Holland - Faith & Doubt
26. Signs (2002), directed by M. Night Shyamalan - Faith & Doubt
27. K-PAX (2001), directed by Iain Softley - Faith & Doubt
28. The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), directed by Peter Weir - Living Our Faith
29. Patch Adams (1998), directed by Tom Shadyac - Living Our Faith
30. The Spitfire Grill (1996), directed by Lee David Zlotoff - Images Of The Savior
31. The Iron Giant (1999), directed by Brad Bird - Images Of The Savior
32. Sister Act (1992), directed by Emile Ardolino - Renewing The Church
33. Chocolat (2000), directed by Lasse Hallstrom - Renewing The Church