Missional Students

Intersect Culture

A big part of my student ministry is helping my parents and students engage the culture they live in with the gospel of Christ and make wise choices about what they listen to, read, watch, etc. This January is Intersect Culture month, and in honor of this occasion, I have started a blog where I will be engaging them on the movies, music, television, etc. that they are into (according to surveys they filled out). It should be interesting, if I get some involvement (unlike the failed Baptist Catechism Project, which went over like a lead balloon).

Check out the Intersect Culture blog.

Movie Review: Chocolat

So it's an old school movie, but I was thinking about it today and I thought I would mention it because it really applies. Plus, I can write about whatever I want. Chocolat is a film with a missional twist.

Plot: Vianne is a wandering gypsy type woman who travels from town to town wherever the wind may blow. She, with her daughter, set up a chocolate shop in a small French village. The village is dominated by strict laws and a fundamentalist church. Vianne tries to help the citizens diagnosing their issues and giving them the right kind of chocolate. The church and the mayor aren't big fans. When Roux, played by Johnny Depp, and his water gypsy's come into town, they bring trouble, and romance, with them.

High Points: The reason this movie is good is because it shows the difference between stifling religion that is cold and oppressive, and the way people respond to freedom and love. The reason the townspeople respond so well to Vianne is because she makes her place among them. She listens to them, she shares their problems. She ministers to their needs. The mayor simply places demands on the villagers and acts like he is perfect, but he too is eventually brought to his knees by his own inner demons. The plot is very original and the story and acting are excellent.

Low Points: Vianne is ministering to people with cayenne pepper chocolate and her friendship and love. That's nice and all, but it looks like chocolate and hippie gypsy love is the best thing to free us from oppressive religion. Jesus is really the best thing that can free us from the bonds of religion. Oh, and there is some sensuality, but this is a pretty clean movie. It can be a little slow at times.

Student Conversation Starter: Why is Vianne's Chocolate shop much more appealing to the townspeople than the church? How can you be like Vianne in the way you share Jesus with the people within your sphere of influence?

Final Grade: 4 out of 5

 

Movie Review: In the Land of Women

So against my better judgment (I thought it was going to be a simple chick flick), my Wife talked me into going to see Jon Kasden's In the Land of Women. I was actually pleasantly surprised. So I decided to do a few movie reviews now and again for films that can spark conversation.

Plot: It's going to sound weird, but this writer from LA, Carter Webb, gets dumped by his girlfriend. He thinks if he flies to suburban Michigan to take care of his "dying" grandmother he will be able to figure out what his life is missing and finish writing that book he always meant to write. He ends up making out with Sarah Hardwicke, a woman struggling with breast cancer across the street played by Meg Ryan, and with Lucy Hardwicke, Sarah's typical angst ridden teenage daughter, complicating their friendly relationships and sending things spinning out of control.

High Points: Sarah Hardwicke is facing the possibility of death. Realizing that she has taken many things for granted she looks for meaning and strives to savor life. Carter loves and helps both Hardwicke's and his grandmother while they simultaneously help and love him. Shows clearly that we as humans need real relationships, honesty and support. It has some really funny dark humor and some great moments between Carter and his grandmother. 

Low Points: Carter makes his living as a writer of soft core porn. Plus, its weird seeing him make out with a mom and a daughter, even though it never goes farther than kissing. Plus, it can be pretty cheesy and contrived at times. The ending was less than great.

Student Conversation Starter: Every character in this movie was looking for meaning and a purpose for their lives. They had all failed to find meaning in previous relationships. Can life meaning be found in another person? Where does our life meaning and value come from?

Final Grade: 3 out of 5