Can God be found in “secular” films?  Yes.  Really?  Yes.  Can film encourage Christians in their faith?  Sure.  Can “secular” films spur questions of God?  Absolutely.  That was fun and easy.  But what are some practical examples where these questions ring true?

There are two films that were released fairly frequently that I believe provide great parallels to this discussion.  Both of these films are also ironically being discussed for awards (if the Writer’s Guild strike ever ends and we’re able to enjoy award season).

No Country For Old Men is the latest installment for the Coen brothers.  The co-directors have become known for providing a unique blend of intense violence and awkward humor.  No Country supports this trend, and may elevate this distinctive theme.  The Coens are also known for being extremely quiet, avoiding interviews, and refusing to reveal their interpretation of the film.  This backseat approach allows the viewer to dig into the many layers laced into the art.

*This paragraph may contain spoiler material.  The overarching theme can be summed up with: fait, changing times, or dominating evil.  All of which would be correct.  It is clear in the book No Country for Old Men, by Cormac McCarthy, that Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) represents personified evil.  His presence on screen exists only to give a face to uncontainable evil.  In one scene, Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) returns to a hotel room.  As the scene builds develops it is clear Chigurh is inside and the tension is building.  Sheriff Bell opens the door searches the room and discovers the room is empty.  Chigurh did not escape, he did not hide, he was never there, and yet he was.  Confusing?  He is a personified figure of evil.

Sheriff Bell later shares a dream that eludes to the peace associated with death.  This world is fallen and full of evil, but there is everlasting peace in heaven.  Sound familiar?

Paul Thomas Anderson directs the film There Will Be Blood.  The film follows the journey of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) from a simple miner to a powerful oil mogul at the turn of the century.  This is a portrait piece of art, an interesting view into one man’s life.  Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a powerful performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  In the end, Plainview gains the world but loses his soul.  This film tracks this demise in a believably slow and prevailing arch.  I can see myself within this character, attempting to tackle something with positive motives but in the end I’ve lost my position.

What is our role within “secular” film?  I feel we need to engage this art form.  Fuller Seminary is located in the most film-centered location on the globe.  Film is a part of our surroundings.  You probably buy coffee behind actors, producers, and directors without even knowing it.  If films like No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood are asking these questions and tackling these issues, there may be more in Hollywood to engage that we think.  Film provides a medium for people to explore and connect with various issues, concerns, and ideas.  Christians can and should be encouraged within this popular culture.  Film is asking the questions that we all need to ask

How does Hollywood deal with social injustice? Currently, there are many films attempting to expose these dark areas (i.e. Trade, The Kingdom, Syriana, Rendition). Chris Sikorowski and myself had the opportunity to produce an interview with Gavin Hood, the director of Rendition. The film powerfully examines the difficult and horrific topic of rendition. For me, I was completely ignorant of the word’s meaning, let-alone the implications in society.

Rendition is the illegal practice of abducting foreign nationals for detention and interrogation in secret overseas prisons.

I’m not attempting to take a political stance on the situation. Some of you may argue that it doesn’t exist, and still others may march on Capital Hill for the issue. Gavin Hood is an extremely intelligent, well-educated man, who is much more down to earth than I expected an Oscar Award Winning director to be (Tsotsi 2005). He is emotionally invested in the true lives and stories of rendition victims. He is simply attempting to expose the unexposed, and its hard not to hear the passion in his voice.

Check out the video at ACLU.org (Interview: Gavin Hood), and check out the film when it is released later this month.

Wes Anderson has provided audiences with a unique portrait of dark comedy. The Anderson-type film may reinforce the auteur theory of filmmaking. His latest installment, The Darjeeling Limited, is an amazing story of family. There is dimension of honesty that reveals itself in this film. Pain and grief can be extremely difficult for anyone to endure. We all have our own ways of coping, for some humor awkwardly forces itself to the surface.

The Darjeeling Limited follows three brothers as they attempt to process the death of their father. There are many laughs and adventures along the way, but the arc of each character provides an incredible sense of peace and hope though such a gloomy time. The film is wonderfully layered with meaning and symbolism. Each prop, location, and interaction plays a significant role within the film. Anderson captures the grieving process in his own unique dark-comedy way. The film is well worth the price of admission. The Darjeeling Limited [R]

After a dismal summer of feature films, the fall lineup is beginning to unfold. There are many movies waiting in que to be seen. Eastern Promises happened to fall at the top of the list. This marks David Cronenberg’s return to the silver screen after a brief hiatus following A History of Violence. Eastern Promises is also the second film pairing of Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen.

The plot sequence of EP is nothing all too unfamiliar. One character on the outside becomes caught up with a family of organized crime and consequences ensue. What separates EP from others is the respect Cronenberg gives his audience. Too many movies beat the theme or points into the audience repetitively. The subtle and graceful storytelling of EP adds to the mystery and in the end, the payoff.

The film takes place in London, and follows a nurse, played by the ever beautiful and talented Naomi Watts, as she tirelessly searches for answers. When her path crosses the Russian Mafia the story tightens. Holding to theme, the film dances between English and Russian, only subtitling half of the foreign dialog.

I would encourage a visit to the local art house to experience the film, but under certain conditions. The film is rated R (male nudity, language, graphic violence), so be warned. But Cronenberg delivers a knockout piece of cinema! And living in the City of Angels, its never too early to speculate Oscar nominations. Look for Viggo Mortensen to acquire a Best Actor nomination later this year.

There is the old saying that food is the way to a man’s heart, while this may be true, sports is a close second.  Over the last decade professional athletics have been tainted by steroids, greed, and criminals.  College coverage has increased and and possibility for upsets eminently run wild (i.e. Appalachian State vs. Michigan).  However, in many parts of the country high school sports dominate another dimension of spectators attention.

Southern California is home to some of the best high school football in the nation.  Teams consistently send off seniors to competitive D-1 universities (i.e. Jimmy Clausen will start as a true freshman for Notre Dame later today, after dominating for Oak Christian Academy last year).  The Canyon Cowboys visited the Notre Dame Knights last night, and the game promised to be exciting.  Five Division-1 recruits (University of Notre Dame, University of Southern California, Brigham Young University, and Utah State University) were on the field.  The game ended with a Notre Dame High School victory, 17-7.

It was frustrating to hear that California is not set up to crown a state champion.  In many mid-west states the season concludes with the state playoffs and 1 state champ.  California has multiple sections, a bevy of leagues, and still other conferences that do not participate.  At the end of the it is only a guess what team reigns supreme.  While the talent and teams run wild in the state, the lack of organization is unacceptable.  The state needs to rally the troops and assemble something to satisfy the players, schools, and more importantly the fans.