Film Ministry is "Fireproof"

(from the April 2009 newsletter)

P.Y. reports:

The purpose of St. Timothy’s Film Ministry is to help people engage with God through the medium of film. Even though the story of Jesus Christ and his people may not even be in the mind of the director, writer or producer they cannot help but tell the stories of temptation and sin, death and new life, love and joy, grace and forgiveness, salvation and redemption. The ministry desires to make use of popular, wide release (Hollywood) films to help people encounter these ideas and truths in a way in which they did not expect but also in a way, which is safe and accessible.

New films:
The Bucket List: This film staring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson strikes a nice balance between comedy and drama, favouring humour and poignant conversations over weepy developments. Morgan Freeman is a car mechanic and a loving family man with a penchant for trivia. Jack Nicholson is a billionaire with an appreciation for the finer things, but with an unsympathetic, boorish attitude (a character that is perfect for Jack Nicholson!) In spite of their obvious differences, the two men share something important in common, both are terminally ill with the prognosis of mere months to live. As they endure chemotherapy treatments together, Carter and Edward forge a friendship and begin talking about life and death. Recalling an assignment from his college philosophy class, Carter begins to write a "bucket list" of things he'd like to experience before he kicks said bucket. Staring at mortality, their deadlines looming, wealthy Edward makes some additions of his own and proposes that the two begin fulfilling their checklist, a journey that takes them around the world despite the protests of Carter's wife Virginia. From there it's pretty obvious where this movie is headed. There are laughs to be had as the men live out some of their childish fantasies. Tears are shed, lives are changed. One man learns that in spite of what little he's experienced in his life, he's always had all he ever wanted. The other has everything, only to discover he has nothing. Predictable? Perhaps, but if nothing else, this movie reminds us of the importance of the journey.

The Express: If you enjoy “sports films” you will enjoy this film which is based on the incredible true story, of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Raised in poverty in the Southern Tier of New York State, Davis overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become an unstoppable running back for the Syracuse Orangemen. Under the guidance of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder - a hard-nosed surrogate father with an obsession for winning a national championship - Davis would develop from an impressive high-school athlete into a legend. While everyone agreed Ernie Davis was a miracle player, few thought this quiet young man would become an icon for the burgeoning civil rights movement dividing America in the early 1960's. Refusing to play by the unspoken racist rules of the day, Davis broke through one barrier after another to alter the way fans looked at men of his color. Though struck a terrible blow in the prime of his life, his spirit soared when most would crumble. Forcing his bull-headed coach to re-examine a life lived in color-based privilege, Davis would join the ranks of black pioneers who inspired a movement that smashed barriers on and off the playing field.

Fireproof: Although I don’t normally include what might be called, “Christian films” in this collection, I have decided to include, “Fireproof” because I believe that this film will provoke some very interesting discussion. This film, which is entirely directed, written and acted by members of a Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia is in many ways similar to their other film, “Facing the Giants” – which is also in our collection of films. Even if the marginal acting and the predictable ending “put you off” it is worth watching this film. Post-film discussion could focus on whether or not films like these have a positive or negative impact on sharing the gospel. In fact this film and “Facing the Giants” provoked outrage from Christians when the films received PG ratings, not because of any profanities or violence, but because of its spiritual content! Also it might be worth talking about why some Christians praised the film for its positive, family-friendly values, while others condemned it as bad art, a bad story badly told that would only encourage the worst artistic instincts of the evangelicals who saw it.

The story this time concerns a firefighter whose wife of seven years wants a divorce. He is ready to give up on the marriage altogether, but his father gives him a book called The Love Dare and challenges him to follow its steps before throwing in the towel. Since Fireproof has been endorsed by a plethora of marriage ministries, you can pretty much guess how things will turn out. But the directors earn their resolution this time; instead of dropping miracles and messages from God on their characters, they keep the story focused on the Holts and driven by the choices that the Holts make. Put simply, it no longer feels like the filmmakers are "cheating."