Movies That Matter: Reading Film Through the Lens of Faith

From Publishers Weekly
Are movies just mind candy or can they be vehicles for theological inquiry? Jesuit film critic and writer Leonard clearly believes the latter. He examines 50 films and extracts their theological themes with a direct and engaging prose style. Some of the film selections might surprise readers—Leonard is not afraid to tackle gloomy and often graphically violent films, such as The Exorcist, Unforgiven and The Godfather. He is quick to point out that, while some movies contain lurid content, this should not detract from their critical messages about God, human nature and relationships. Leonard also includes more lighthearted fare, such as Groundhog Day and Chocolat, thus illustrating that no film genre is completely devoid of theological possibilities. The central point for readers who are followers of Jesus is found in the essay on Billy Elliot: "Christianity, rooted in the Incarnation, must be embodied." Leonard's insights about films being opportunities for theological reflection are refreshing, and his questions at the end of each essay are excellent resources for teachers, retreat directors and religious educators who desire to use film in their ministry. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review
Richard Leonard has made a brilliant contribution to the growing genre in Christian literature about film with Movies that Matter: Reading Film through the Lens of Faith. He takes on a journey through of fifty mostly contemporary films of various genres that mean a lot to him and shares his insights in reverent, practical, and pastoral tones. Religious educators for all grades will profit from this book because it provides new ways of seeing for the teacher first of all. Each chapter opens by noting three "teachable moments" or themes to look for; the essay that follows combines the story with profound yet accessible commentary from the perspectives of faith and values; the chapter ends with three questions for personal or group reflection and dialogue. Best of all, this book is enriched by an introduction that makes the book 'teachable' and "preachable" and offers realistic advice on such topics as the cinema community, sex, violence, ratings and how to be a critical consumer - and a most helpful index at the end.
Movies that Matter: Reading Film through the Lens of Faith is a book every person in pastoral ministry will want to use as he or she seeks to be relevant and faithful in a media world. --Rose Pacatte, FSP. Co-author of Lights, Camera....Faith!

Tremendously useful, wonderfully provocative, and delightfully well written, Movies That Matter reminds us that the cinema can be a powerful way to experience God. Richard Leonard SJ, who is uniquely qualified for the task, expertly guides readers through some of the most popular recent films and shows us how even the most unlikely movies can encourage us to pray and draw closer to the divine. This fascinating, lively, and often witty book will prove an invaluable resource to religious educators, college professors and high school teachers, pastors, parents, and anyone who watches movies, in other words, everyone. --James Martin, S.J. author of My Life With the Saints