Babble Belt

Our top 5 movies with spiritual significance.

Johnny’s

1. The Matrix- There are some pretty obvious christian parallels in this movie.
2. Passion of the Christ- Duh.
3. Saved- As Christians, sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. This movie pokes fun at all the stereotypes people love and hate.
4. The Green mile
5. Narnia- I felt this movie fell short at the end, but it still was enjoyable.

Jeff’s

1. Magnolia – This is one of my favorite movies, period. I especially love how the movie shows mans fallen nature and how our actions affect others.
2. Fight Club – Another one of my favorites. I love how this movie shows the pointlessness of modern life with no purpose.  How man is drained of his identity and his search for something real.
3. Changing Lanes – This movie is a great example of man’s greed, self-absorption and lack of his ability to change or take responsibility for himself and his actions. Best line? Ben Affleck standing in a church with a cross behind him and exclaiming, “What other example do I have?” (On how to live life.)
4. The Passion of the Christ – Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the death of Jesus. Religious beliefs aside, this is a great story of love, forgiveness and salvation.
5. Saving Private Ryan – No other movie I can think of, except for The Passion of the Christ,  shows the value of the life of one man and what we would risk to save it.

Scott’s

• Chariots of Fire [1981] – The story of Olympic champion Eric Liddell. He ran for God, King, and Country. His great gift of speed was tempered by his greater love of his God.
• The Navigator: A Mediaeval Odyssey [1988] – A young man must lead a quest to save his village from the black death.
• The Shawshank Redemption [1994] – Andy Dufresne remains untouched by his oppressive environment. This movie speak to me of joy and the ability you have to be a blessing to the people around you.
• The Game [1997] – A man obsessed by material gain loses everything he has and is completely humbled by a series of events over which he has no control.
• Magnificent Obsession [1954] – It’s been a while since I’ve seen this one, but what comes to mind now is the theme of redemption and atonement for one’s actions.

Tony’s

1. Saving Private Ryan- I loves the idea of a teacher, traveling with his men, risking life and limb, all for one man. It was a great picture of what Jesus would go through to save us, even to the point of death.
2. Magnolia- A sobering picture of our loneliness and depravity. We are our own worst enemy and sometimes it takes an unexplainable miracle for change to occur.
3. Glory- This movie really depicted the spiritual battle we fight. It’s feels like a cold, long war with many casualties. All we have are our brothers and a cause for freedom. Are we willing to die for a cause worth living for?
4. Crash- Another powerful and convicting story of how deep our hatred for is for people unlike ourselves. Barriers of relationships are all around and even those with good intentions can easily make the worst assumptions. Loving your neighbor will always be hard.
5. 21 Grams- Named for the myth stating that the human soul weighs 21 grams, this movie is about death, dying grieving, and atonement. The life we have is a gift, no matter how short it is.

Bear’s

1. The Razor’s Edge – it’s not about us or things
2. LOTR:FOTR – our weakness is His strength
3. Dark Knight – he becomes evil to defeat evil
4. Cool Hand Luke – He is there and He is not silent
5. Groundhog Day – trails until we are selfless