The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's

Over at my home site Good News Film Reviews I have posted the list of the Top 50 Movies of the 2000's. Unlike similar lists you may find online, this one is actually correct.

Click the image below to see said list

Name 20 films that portray Christianity in a positive light.

That's the challenge that Steven Greydanus answers and that Jeffrey Overstreet tells us about. I'm delighted to share Jeffrey's post as a guest blogger at Catholic Media Review (yes, I'm a fan). I see that the movies that instantly sprang to my mind are included ... Serenity, World Trade Center, The Count of Monte Cristo, Signs, Return to Me. Enjoy, and make your own additions in the comments box. I'm mulling this one over ...

I frequently receive mail from readers who argue that we should ignore “Hollywood’s output” because of the ways in which Christians are negatively portrayed.

But I know many Christians who are devoting their lives to developing meaningful movies in Hollywood. I frequently participate in fruitful, enlightening discussions about films that explore issues of faith. And I frequently see movies that present Christianity, Christians, and truths fundamental to Christian faith in a positive light — not just from Hollywood, but from all over the world. So I have a hard time taking such complaints seriously. Of course we should be discerning. But just boycott or condemn the whole endeavor? Might as well boycott grocery stores. Or public libraries. Or public schools. Grocery stores stock products owned by organizations that are unfriendly toward Christianity. Public libraries are full of books that portray Christianity in a negative light. Public schools often employ teachers who are hostile toward Christianity.

I was delighted to discover a useful list to keep on hand when I receive such complaints. My friend and colleague Steven D. Greydanus, who publishes reviews at Decent Films and at Christianity Today Movies was challenged, at artsandfaith.com, to “name twenty Hollywood movies made since the turn of the millennium that present Christianity in a positive light.”

He took a stab at it, and came up with this list:

1. Amazing Grace
2. America’s Heart and Soul
3. Because of Winn-Dixie
4. Bridge to Terabithia
5. Charlotte’s Web
6. Cinderella Man
7. Count of Monte Cristo, The
8. Daredevil
9. Exorcism of Emily Rose, The
10. Ladder 49
11. Lars and the Real Girl
12. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
13. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
14. Nativity Story, The
15. New World, The
16. Patriot, The
17. Return to Me
18. Rookie, The
19. Serenity
20. Signs
21. 6th Day, The
22. Spider-Man
23. Tears of the Sun
24. Walk to Remember, A
25. We Are Marshall
26. World Trade Center
27. X2: X-Men United

Thank you, Steven!

Now, I don’t think Greydanus is claiming that these films qualify as profound spiritual explorations. But they do stand in stark contrast to the claim that “Hollywood” (as if that was just one company, united under Satan) is operating under a mandate to slander and destroy Christianity.

Can you think of other titles that qualify? Name them! (Remember, they need to qualify as “Hollywood movies.” In other words, from a major American studio. If we were to expand this list to include independents and international film, the list would expand significantly.)

Blogging Around

LOOKING CLOSER'S TOP 25 FAVORITE MOVIES
Jeffrey Overstreet has his favorite 25 movies of last year, as well as some thoughtful comments about criteria to make the list. I also have been mulling over such criteria and may be putting a list of my own ... all I need is time! In the meantime, check out Jeffrey's list which is more complete and thoughtful than any of mine would be.

ONE OF THE BEST FRAKKING SHOWS EVER ... SO SAYS BARBARA NICOLOSI

I choke this out as a life-long, confirmed despiser of all shows in which people have dogfights in space ships, wear vinyl clothing and do the ER style fast dialogue only about anti-matter hyper drives instead of IV pushes. I hate sci-fi. But I love this show.

What Exec Producer Ron Moore has done with Battlestar Galactica is craft a truly wonderful drama, that just happens to be set in, you know, spaceships and occasionally vinyl flight suits. The shows are all about the issues we are facing as a society today, although without the hallmark left-sided agenda that one normally expects. And it isn't transparently talking about today's issues. It just feels like the themes arise naturally out of the dilemmas faced by the last surviving 49,763 humans (or is it 48,765 today?) who are desperately fleeing across the universe trying to get away from their own creations - Cylons - who are out to kill them - and "have a plan" (sorry, I had to say it). I can't even figure out where the writers stand most of the time on particular issues because the writing is so balanced - although on the big universal questions, the show always gets it right.

I've been in Nicolosi's shoes, never say never. She and I have such different takes on movies that I rarely happen to agree with her reviews (no blame to either of us, just different sensibilities) but I've gotta agree with her on this one. I am not as caught up on the series as she is. We got halfway through season two and then couldn't find the time to watch the DVDs fast enough to rent them. Perhaps this summer we'll have a marathon. However, Nicolosi doesn't spoil the series. She just writes a frakkin' good review. Go read the whole thing.