Hey all,
I just wrote a bit on how I think films are a great tool to help me develop my sense of composition, and storytelling. So, I thought I'd ask- Got any films to recommend?
I'm talking about films that you think are great in both story and visuals. They don't have to be Christian films (not much to choose from anyway), but just top notch stuff.
Here are a few I would suggest-
- Casablanca
- O Brother, Where Art Thou?
- The Mission (w/ DeNiro)
- Seven Samurai
- Treasure Of The Sierra Madre
- Citizen Kane
- The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
- Close Encounters
- The Fox And The Child (Kids film. Very beautiful.)
Yeah, they're not Christian (except possibly for The Mission), but if they are not gratuitously offensive, it never bothered me.
Replies
@Crespo all those things you listed were interactions you've had with people, you can't(not saying that you do, just in general) base that on Christianity. I know that's what we go through, see the hypocrisy, but we gotta focus more on the interactions we have w/ our personal Jesus. Focus: or more remember; put that(God bestowing in our life) to memory, forgive & forget, right?... I'm sure there's a lot that don't realize it's supposed to be a relationship with Him and He working through me, instead of a relationship w/ them and Him working between three.. see what i did there... idk.. i wouldn't worry about christians, our only goal in life should be to know HaMashiach(firefox is giving me a spellcheck w/ the replacement -mariachi for this word XD).
another flick??.. how bout something more recent.
Ip Man
It's not as robust as the other suggestions but it's a good movie and the blocking for the fight choreography is spacious enough to see the action. which is what we want in our comics fast-pace action!
In the late 90's, when I was just saved, I remember looking through the music section of a Christian bookstore. I was the long-haired, leather jacket type, and I remember some guy coming up to me telling me that rock music was evil, and the even Christian rock music was evil. If I wanted to grow as a Christian I had to repent, and reject all things rock and roll.
Later on, after being very involved in my church for a few years, I had a brother come over to my home for a bit of fellowship. I thought he fell asleep on my couch, but later came to find that he was praying for my soul. Why? Because he found out that I drew comics for a living, and told me the imagination was an evil thing. As he told me, "There is only one super man, Steve."
After my first e-mail with Alec- asking him for his opinion on my strips- he had decided I was not spirit-filled, because I drew a comic strip about struggling with looking on suggestively dressed women. After all, if I were spirit filled, I would be able to look on them and not feel/think a thing.
Later, he decided I was an immature Christian because I retold a story I found to be quite harmless, and yet he found to be two steps short of blaspheming the Holy Spirit judging from his reaction.
In the last correspondence he even found time to criticize my taste in music from a thread where I just made a few comments off the cuff.
I don't know why some people feel that the Holy Spirit is inadequate in the job of correcting and guiding the lives of God's people. To me it smacks of pride, to feel you are in a place to judge a person's entire Christian walk from just a few short sentences.
But, I have discovered that there will always be such people- those who feel called to condemn. And it had dawned upon me that when I launch my strip officially, and publish them for all to see, there will be many more people cut from that particular cloth laying all sorts of accusations on me.
That is a shame, but that is part of the Christian walk, I guess. I thank God that I am comfortable in my own skin, and I believe the Lord will correct me when I step out of line. I am totally open to correction from brothers and sisters- and have submitted to that correction in the past- but if I do not see the face and character of Christ in the correction, in the way it is delivered, I am quick to shrug it aside.
And it has been my experience that those who lob those holy hand grenades at you in life, often disappear in anger and condescension when their bombs have no effect. In short... I don't see any evidence of love.
So, when Alec says "it's troubling to think of a genuine seeker looking for Christ in our midst---he won't find Him here", I disagree.
Not all of us are on the same stretch of road in our walks with God. Some are ahead, some are behind, and some are beside. We ought to debate with a mind to find the truth, but if for one reason or another one is unwilling or unable to recognize that truth, we are called to love them regardless.
The love of God is long-suffering, and I am grateful he does not abandon me when I don't hear what He is saying to me.
Peace, guys.
Gotta agree w/ this guy but c'mon man it's not that big a deal, well it is a big deal, but it's just movies. Them watching what they wilt can't sink my ship. and i agree on that other thread, mod really showed his lack of Christ on that one, but crespo was doin a good job presenting Christ guidelines to them. I think the more witnesses we have on here the better! tell them what's what, not the other way around. goodness this seems like a private convo, oh yeah and great this is a recommend film thread now i gotta think of a good film...?
uh.. hmm... oh go see:
Hero
Yeah i know it's a confucius convolution of sorts but remember the china olympics? ur right i don't care bout the olympics either but the coordinated director of the china olympic's opening and closing directed this movie as well. it's a spectacle u won't forget easily, very good for composition.
Try running your "cute" story from a sanctified pulpit, and watch the horrified looks from godly pastors, elders, and congregants. We're supposed to be kings and priests to the Lord, and salt and light to the world. This CCAS website has become a moral cesspool. You know you're in trouble when even the moderator starts a thread comparing pornography to evangelistic films. It's troubling to think of a genuine seeker looking for Christ in our midst---he won't find Him here. Even when screen captures of satanic films were posted front and center, there were no words of "I repent" from any who take pleasure in such. Jesus said the Laodicean church would be lukewarm, and He would vomit such from His mouth, since they were neither warm nor cool (but a mixture of worldliness and religious form).
I didn't realize that capital letters relegated words to being a "rough, heavy handed approach." My first message went unheeded, so I tried to 'speak up' in the second, even putting you face to face with relevant scriptures. A third attempt won't be bothered with. I've read your posts, and I've seen the kind of "rough, heavy handed" music that you espouse (though such is absolutely contrary to the character of Christ---by the way, my old band used to be regular performers at CBGB and the like twenty years ago, so I know firsthand what I'm talking about---and have repented of). The whole 'transgender' thread has elicited so many mindbogglingly warped responses that I won't even bother to go there.
This is my last post in this forum.
Well, what you see as crass and surly, I see as a harmless and funny. The standard is rather subjective.
But it is interesting to see how you take the rough, heavy handed approach, rather than the gentle loving route- hoping to win over a brother to what you see as so offensive.
So, I suppose when Paul tells us to let our "gentle spirit" be known to all, he meant to everyone except fellow Christians, right?
Peace to you, Alec.
Steve, my reaction wasn't to Hitchcock's films as much as to your CRASS, SURLY STORY THAT ANY MATURE BELIEVER KNOWS BETTER THAN TO PUT OUT THERE ON A CHRISTIAN WEBSITE.
"Avoid profane and vain babbling." 1 Timothy 6:20
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may administer grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:20
Forgive me. I thought humor had a place in life.
Let me ask you... as Christians, are we not to recognize greatness in those who serve the Lord and those who don't alike? Or are we to live in our Christian bubbles and sneer at the world?
If the Lord saw fit to bless Alfred Hitchcock with his unique vision and gift KNOWING before Hitchcock ever came into existence that he would not ever come to salvation (I don't know that for certainty), who am I to look down on this man, or disregard his talent?
God loved Hitchcock more than you love anyone, and He blessed him with tremendous talent. I do not think myself so high that I cannot look upon him, and admire that talent.
Yes, you led me to this site, and I am sorry I have sullied it in your eyes... but what you have written is the very reason why the church is the way it is in the world of the arts. Christians so holy as to appear stoic and condescending to all those fellow Christians who do not reach their standard of holiness (where is Christ's grace in that?), as well as those who place barriers between the church and the world--- barriers that divide and make the church seem a dry, lifeless, joyless place of judgment and scorn.
I have been walking with the Lord long enough to know who and what I am in Christ. I don't need you or anyone to tell me this. The same Lord who speaks to you, speaks to me, so you'll forgive me if I listen for His voice in my life, not others.
It may be Mel Brooks, but it's not Christlike, and it's nothing for a believer to rejoice over.
Hitch was a great director, but where is he now? "What does it matter if a man gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" ALL of these gifts were given by God to man for the glory of God, but few men glorify Him. The man who buried his talent in the earth, and returned it to Christ with no increase is a man who invested what God gave him for the furtherance of the Gospel, and he instead invested it in worldly pursuits---which were of ZERO spiritual value.
I have to say that a lot of these various threads lately have been so appalling that it's tempting to write this board off and to leave---and ironically I told you about this site, Steve. But a place for edification, for Godly fellowship and pursuits it doesn't seem to be at all. What a sad (lack of) testimony. That's not what the CCAS site should be about at all. I know I'm not alone in this line of thought. Many, many others who used to post here do not anymore---and won't.
Shalom in Christ,
Alec
Hitchcock's composition is perfect. Man... he was great.
This reminds me of a funny story I heard Mel Brooks tell about Hitch. It was before the shooting of "High Anxiety", Brooks' homage to Hitchcock... Brooks was to meet Hitchcock for the first time for dinner to talk about the project, but he was so nervous that when they actually met Brooks found himself a bit tongue-tied. So, as they were ascending the stairs to the restaurant, Brooks felt he had to do something to break the ice or this meeting was going to be a disaster... so, as Hitchcock walked in front of him, Brooks reached out and goosed him.
Hitchcock turned, and after a brief moment of shock, he burst out laughing. Brooks said it was a great meeting after that.
I love that story. It's so Mel Brooks.
Crespo watch the second vid.. can't believe christians are defending disney now.. I don't have passion for this, it was a youtube search first results, i didn't make the video's. If you wanna watch disney movie's i'm not gonna stop you -do what you want, but it is good to know where your allegiance lies..
Recommended films for composition and great visuals check out
Sunshine
(ye i know it's illum. and i'm talking outta both sides but whatev it's watchable.)
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