The Ten Most Redeeming Films of 2007

Christianity Today ^ | Jan. 29 ,2008

[SeekAndFind]

What do monks, kites, unwanted pregnancies, a 19th century abolitionist, and a young man with a life-sized inflatable doll have in common? They're all in movies that we've deemed the ten most redeeming films of 2007. posted 01/29/08

First off, what do we mean by "redeeming" films? They're all stories of redemption—sometimes blatantly, sometimes less so. Several of them literally have a character that represents a redeemer; all of them have characters who experience redemption to some degree—some quite clearly, some more subtly. Some are "feel-good" movies that leave a smile on your face; some are a bit more uncomfortable to watch. But the redemptive element is there in all of these films.

It's interesting to note that six of our ten choices are all based on true stories. Maybe that just goes to show that some of the best redemptive stories—at least the ones that move us the most—are those that are really true. And so, our list:

[icwhatudo]

Golden Compass.

It was sooooo redeeming to see it crash and burn in the US.

[SeekAndFind]

Here’s the top 10 (Click on the above link for a description of each ) :

1. Into Great Silence
directed by Philip Gröning

2. Lars and the Real Girl
directed by Craig Gillespie

3. Juno
directed by Jason Reitman

4. Amazing Grace
directed by Michael Apte

5. Bella
directed by Alejandro Monteverde

6. Into the Wild
directed by Sean Penn

7. The Kite Runner
directed by Marc Forster

8. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
directed by Julian Schnabel

9. Ratatouille
directed by Brad Bird

10. Freedom Writers
directed by Richard LaGravenese

[goodnesswins]

bump for later

[SeekAndFind]

Christianity today also had honorable mentions. Here they are :

The Ones That Got Away. We asked each of our voters to choose one movie they wish had made our list of 10 most redeeming films :

The Bucket List

Dan in Real Life

The Devil Came on Horseback

Eve and the Fire Horse

Gone Baby Gone

Once

The Painted Veil

Rescue Dawn

The Savages

Spider-Man 3

CLICK ON ABOVE LINK FOR A DESCRIPTION OF EACH OF THE ABOVE...

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

1. Into Great Silence
directed by Philip Gröning
Be still, and know that I am God. If ever the words of Psalm 46:10 could be applied to a movie, this is certainly the one. German filmmaker Philip Gröning spent six months living with Carthusian monks at France’s Grande Chartreuse Monastery, documenting the tranquil, contemplative everyday lives of the extraordinary men who live there. It adds up to three hours of nearly silent meditation that is simultaneously slow moving and spellbinding—a film to be experienced more so than merely watched. The film caused several of us to ask ourselves, “If these men can spend entire days—indeed, their very lives—in devotion and service to God, why is it so hard for me to spend 10 minutes a day doing the same?” A remarkable piece of filmmaking that gives rich new meaning to the term, “quiet time.”

Rather than redemptive, this film sounds dangerous - inviting folks to practice occultism. Read more here:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cp.htm

[Old Sarge]

I’ll give you one.

“300”.

And I’ll explain why.

That movie told the story of valor, of the nobility of a vow kept true. The Spartans laid down their lives so that others might come to know how precious their own lives are.

What virtue does this resemble?

[iowamark]

8. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly directed by Julian Schnabel

"Come on -- get to it!"

[Richard Kimball]

I don't think they're crying. With a production budget of 180 million and domestic gross of 68 million, I thought it was a bust. I was reading an article that referred to it as a blockbuster. When I checked the numbers, it turned 256 million internationally for a total gross of around 325 million.

The US market, while still important, is no longer the only arbiter of success. The international market is actually more important for many movies. The number that blew me away was that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" darned near broke ONE BILLION DOLLARS worldwide in ticket sales alone, with $938 million.

The Lion King was the first movie to break a billion, but that was with 780 million in ticket sales. The billion was broken after adding in VHS and DVD sales, soundtracks, toys and related merchandise.

[slapshot]

rataouille features Jean Garofolo. That precludes spending any money to see it. Also why would anything directed by sean Penn be considered?

[SeekAndFind]

Sometimes crazy liberals can come to their senses and direct redeeming films. Here's Christianity Today's Description of Sean Penn's directed film :

Into the Wild

directed by Sean Penn

The true story of Chris McCandless, a young man who gives his life savings to charity and hitchhikes across America to escape society and get back to nature—all while his parents have no clue where he is and are worried sick. Chris makes it to Alaska and moves into an abandoned bus, where his short but fascinating life ultimately meets a tragic end. This idealistic young man was running away from the right problems, but he ultimately ran right past the meaning of life—and those mistakes cost him his life. But the beauty and wisdom he encounters along the way have much to offer us all.

I didn't see the film so I don't know what sort of "beauty" and "wisdom" the film offers.

[joebuck]

I reallly wanted to like “Amazing Grace” but couldn’t stay awake through it. Tried twice with the DVD and fell asleep both times.

[SeekAndFind]

Hey whaddya know and who woulda thunk ? Hollywood actually comes out with a pro-life film and even nominates it for Oscars. This is the short review of JUNO from the article...

3. Juno

directed by Jason Reitman

Exhibit A (or is it B or C or …) in what was a year of films with pro-life themes is a charming, quirky, and witty look into the life of a whip-smart 16-year-old girl (played brilliantly by Ellen Page) who gets pregnant after a one-night stand with her boyfriend. At first, she plans to abort, but after running into a teen pro-life activist outside the clinic, she realizes the fetus she's carrying is actually a living, growing baby. She changes her mind, decides to carry the baby to term, and begins a quest for "the perfect parents" to adopt the child. There's some rough language and teen sex talk, but the storylines are mostly redemptive—in addition to Juno's choice to have the baby (which her stepmom calls "a miracle from Jesus"), her parents are portrayed as loving and supportive (instead of the dolts we often see in teen comedies), and there's a nice exploration into the topic of unconditional love.

[Martins kid]

Amazing Grace was a beautiful movie. Wonderful performances by all. Inspiring. I particularly like the costuming - accurately depicted a dificult transistion time in clothing.

[SeekAndFind]

I reallly wanted to like “Amazing Grace” but couldn’t stay awake through it. Tried twice with the DVD and fell asleep both times.

How about watching it with someone who shares the same values ?

[TADSLOS]

I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade

Leonidas would be proud.

[SeekAndFind]

Since you are probably going to sleep watching it again, might as well give you a short review of the film ( in case you miss it again ):

4. Amazing Grace

directed by Michael Apted

Can one person change the world? You bet, and no film indicates that notion more than this one, a biopic about the life of William Wilberforce, a devout Christian politician who almost single-handedly was responsible for the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

Ioan Gruffudd brings both gravitas and a dose of humanity to the role, portraying the 19th Century Parliamentarian as a man on a mission, driven by his love for God and love for all mankind. En route, he meets former slave trader John Newton (played by the terrific Albert Finney), the writer of the hymn "Amazing Grace" who motivates Wilberforce to persist in his quest. It's a "history film" without being dull, and a "religious film" without being preachy. But perhaps most of all, it's a movie that will convince any viewer that he or she can also make a difference in a sin-sick world desperately in need of social justice, mercy and compassion.

[Sender]

What? “How She Move” is not even on the list?

[joebuck]

Oh, I’m familar with the story already. It was too much dialogue and talking. Cinema is a visual medium and should be more than set piece scenes most of which could have been done on a stage. History doesn’t have to be dull.

[LordBridey]

Rather than redemptive, this film sounds dangerous - inviting folks to practice occultism.

I haven't seen the movie, but I don't see how monasticism can be described as practicing anything occult.