Second Tuesdays – Past the Popcorn

I love movies.  I rarely go to the theater, but I do watch them at home on DVD.  My favorites are quirky independents and thought-provoking dramas, as well as intelligent thrillers or movies with witty dialogue.  So, when I learned about Past the Popcorn, I decided to feature it.  This ministry offers movie reviews for the newest theater and video store releases; several of the contributers have theology degrees or have been contributors with Hollywood Jesus.  But Past the Popcorn looks to review movies from an artistic perspective as well as – if possible – a faith perspective.  From its website:

Who needs another website devoted to reviews and analysis of new film releases?

The basic premise behind our approach is the idea that the artist’s intent matters. By contrast, the so-called “fallacy” of authorial intent, one of the byproducts of twentieth-century formalism, claims that the critic or the viewer is the sole arbiter of meaning—that the filmmaker’s intent is ultimately irrelevant.

Yet at the same time, art of any form is still communication. Film, in particular, is an attempt by an artist or group of artists to express certain ideas about beauty, meaning, or truth. To the extent that a critic overemphasizes a subjective impression of a film at the expense of what a film actually says—or what can be known of a filmmaker’s intent through interviews, the filmmaker’s body of work, or the film itself—communication has not only failed, it has been willfully disregarded. Sadly, the vast majority of film criticism, while still making valuable contributions to the understanding of any given film or culture in general, tends to undervalue the communicative power of film.

I, personally, don’t think all Christian media is good simply because it’s labeled Christian.  Nor do I think secular books, music, and movies have nothing to teach us about faith, especially when watched through the eyes of Christ.  I like that Past the Popcorn “will attempt a serious analysis of a film’s meaning, both from the audience’s point of view and from the filmmakers’, as much as is critically possible. Recognizing that all films still exist (in part) as entertainment, films will also be subjectively reviewed for “nutritainment value” and audience-appropriateness.”  

Other movie review ministries:

Plugged In Online: This site has been one of my favorite tools in regard to what I allow my son to watch.  The reviews are presented only from a conservative Christian worldview – artist value is not considered – looking at all positive and negative elements, listing anything someone may find inappropriate.  I appreciate the thoroughness, and like that I can be certain there will be no surprises if I let Jacob see a particular movie.

Hollywood Jesus: A great site that explores pop culture from a spiritual point of view.  Everything from books to movies to comic books to toys and games are reviewed.  Some rather thought-provoking questions are asked, too.