Story of Stories

Here's a copy of my first assignment for Theology in Hollywood - we were supposed to do some research and reflection on what we've been taught about film and how our experiences have shaped our "critical eye" as we approach film.  It was different to have to explain my ideas in contrast to what I've been taught.  I was glad for the time I've spent at Geneva.  I'm not afraid of a challenge, though - let me know what you think.

I grew up watching old musicals like "Singin' in the Rain," "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "State Fair."  The first movie I remember seeing in theaters was "The Quest for Camelot."  At Christmas, my dad's idea of a good family time is a Bourne marathon or anything with Harrison Ford killing people.  My mother quoted "The Princess Bride" during every life lesson she ever taught my sisters and I, and I will buy any movie that looks reasonably entertaining and is priced below $10.  My younger sister laments that I have no taste in movies, and, after looking at my DVD collection, you might agree*. 

     My grandparents, and my parents in their youth, really had no discrimination when it came to movies.  The funny thing is, my parents chose a homeschool program that took an intensely restrictive approach to the world of film – although we never completely rejected mainstream culture (including movies), I would say that my family’s approach to film, particularly with questionable material, was conservative.  Although my church does not teach much on the topic either, I would say that they see film as conservative. I have had to take the step, on my own for the most part, to educate myself about what film really is and what its value is beyond pure, mindless entertainment.  Fortunately for me, my professors at college
have greatly influenced me to step out of my comfort zones and away from my family’s values (now that I’m an adult) to evaluate movies and form an opinion.  What follows is my own opinion, after weighing all of these influences… and a bit of explanation for my being here. 

     I love stories.  I love that when God decided to tell us about Himself, He did it with stories acted out and recounted by horribly flawed human beings.  Even the story of His Incarnation is told through the pens of four men with radically different purposes for their accounts.  I take a less traditional, more Eastern approach to stories: I believe that there is always a moral or lesson in the
story, but it either should or does not need to be stated.  A truly powerful story allows the audience – the listeners, the watchers – to take away a lesson that is unique to them and their experience.  A didactic statement likewise requires interpretation and application. 

     It is my fascination with stories that allows me to approach movies that my family might censure or that everyone else thinks are stupid. I am willing to watch/listen to ‘questionable’ scenes, language or poorly made movies* because I want to be part of the story that the writers/directors/actors spent so much time putting together for the big screen. On Johnston’s scale I would say that I fall at both extremes of the spectrum at one time or another, but most often I hover around “dialogue.”  If you suspend your belief, disbelief, or judgment long enough to actually experience the movie and ‘learn’ the lesson inherent in the story, then you will have the right to an opinion if you wish to critique or discuss the elements that make up the story.

~ I will add that I dislike movies that make me feel very uncomfortable (I actually walked out of “It’s Complicated”) or that have (what I think is) unnecessary sex or language.  I am also willing to admit that this dislike still falls in the realm of preference rather than moral judgment. ~ 

*to clarify, an example "poor taste" and "poorly made" might be... Planet of the Apes (2001).  Or The Scorpion King (2002).  Or Merlin's Apprentice.  Just for reference ;)