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Movies/Scenes
Representing Judgment
- Lord
of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- I found Gandalf’s reply to Samwise Gamgee (I think, or is
it Frodo?) concerning the vile Golum very applicable to our own
judgmentalism within Christianity of other believers. Golum had irritated
Samwise to a murderous level and Sam was venting to Gandalf. Gandalf
explained that it wouldn’t be right to kill Golum for he had his own purpose
in the great scheme of things. Gandalf said, “Even the wise cannot see the
end of all things.” As it turns out Golum is the one who ultimately destroys
the Ring. So our Lord states in the parables of
the Tares and the Fish. For all our knowledge we cannot see the end of all
things and so final judgment is reserved for the One who can.
(Steven D. Hopping, Southwest Central
Church of Christ, Houston, TX)
- Legally
Blonde (2001)
- (About 20.19 on DVD)
As California sorority girl Elle Woods arrives at
Harvard, she clearly doesn't fit the picture of a Harvard Law
Student--and she is treated like it, in this and
subsequent themes. (F.
Elizabeth Givens, Associate Pastor, Reveille UMC,
Richmond, VA)
-
"Though we might question the validity of such a
message in real life, the truth is that every person is far more than the
superficial categories in which our first-impression stereotypes place them."
(Cinema in Focus, review
by Hal Conklin and Denny Wayman)
- Amelie (2001)
- Although Amelie is busy doing good, she responds to the
cruel green grocer with retribution for the insensitive way he treats
his helper. She gets into his apartment and sets up several pranks to
make his life as miserable as the way he acts.
(Darrel Manson, Artesia, CA)
- Shrek (2001)
- Using the final scene of Shrek (the Princess is sad
because she 'only wants oo be beautiful', and
Shrek is confused because to him she 'is beautiful') -
a link can be made to judging by appearances etc (cf Matt 23:25-28
and Gal 2:6 etc). Especially useful with
children/young people. (Sharon Copestake,
Kent, UK)
- The Confession (1999)
- Fertig knows that he is guilty under God's law whether
man's law finds him guilty of not.
- Sling
Blade
(1996)
- Karl brings judgment to Doyle for his cruelty and violence
toward Frank and his mother.
- Breaking the Waves
(1996)
- Father
Andrew M Greeley's "Homily" for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
(March 9, 1997) draws from Lars Von Triers Cannes prize winning film
"Breaking the Waves" in connection with John 3:14-21. He
quotes Roger Ebert's comment on the film: "God not only knows
everything, but he understands a lot better than we give him credit
for." (submitted by R.J. Stohler)
- Dead Man Walking (1995)
- Natural Born Killers
(1994)
- Mickey and Mallory always leave one person behind
"to tell the tale." Scene in diner where they (as the amoral
messengers of fate) choose which one not to kill - Mallory cheats
because she doesn't like the waitress. (Lots of folks' concept of God is
not too different from this!)
- Cape Fear (1991)
- I suppose there are many ways to look at what Cape Fear
represents, but I think it is a chilling reminder of the danger of
humans taking atonement into their own hands or strictly interpreting
atonement from a juridical point of view--as if in a courtroom. DeNiro's
twisted character in the movie (can't remember his name now) has studied
the Bible and tattooed his chest with Scripture quotes about justice. He
becomes increasingly deranged as he tries to enact his form of atoning,
becoming an unforgiving and vengeful judge. It is interesting that the
crisis is resolved in a storm at sea, in what might be loosely seen as
baptismal imagery. (submitted by Marcia Wakeland)
- Apocalypse Now (1979)
- Kurtz: "I've seen the horrors, horrors that you've
seen. But you have no right to call me a murderer. You have a right to
kill me, you have a right to do that, but you have no right to judge
me."
Index of Movie Titles
Index of Movie Themes
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