2003 Movie Recommendations From Chuck Colson and the Wilberforce Forum
December 1, 2003
Following is a list of films, new and classic for young and old, that the Wilberforce Forum staff who work with Chuck Colson to produce “BreakPoint” have recommended over the years. Also see “Colson’s List of Fifty Insightful Films.”
Martha Anderson, Director of Administration, Wilberforce Forum:
I Want to Live! (NR, 1958), starring Susan Hayward as Barbara Graham. Based on the real-life story of Barbara Graham, sentenced to die in California’s gas chamber in the late fifties for dubious charges, Susan Hayward’s gut-wrenching portrayal of a woman as much a victim as a victimizer challenges your beliefs about the death penalty and the workings of our criminal justice system.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images): The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King (in theaters December 2003). Classic fantasy adventure based on the book by J. R. R. Tolkien; mythical kingdoms wage fight for good and evil.
12 Angry Men (NR, 1957). Directed by Sidney Lumet; starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E. G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Jack Klugman, Ed Binns, Joseph Sweeney, George Voskovec, and Robert Webber. 12 Angry Men focuses on the lonely one-man battles of a protagonist whose ethics alienate him from the rest of jaded society. As the film opens, the seemingly open-and-shut trial of a young Puerto Rican accused of murdering his father with a knife has just concluded and the twelve-man jury retires to their microscopic, sweltering quarters to decide the verdict. When the votes are counted, eleven men rule guilty, while one—played by Henry Fonda, again typecast as another liberal, truth-seeking hero—doubts the obvious. Stressing the idea of “reasonable doubt,” Fonda slowly chips away at the jury, who represent a microcosm of white, male society—exposing the prejudices and preconceptions that directly influence the other jurors’ snap judgments.
84 Charing Cross Road (PG, 1986). Directed by David Hugh Jones; starring Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins. Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) and Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins) are lifelong friends who never meet in this unique comedy-drama based on a true story. Hanff and Doel are separated by three thousand miles of ocean and joined by a passion for old books. Their relationship begins when New Yorker Hanff orders a copy (“unabridged, please!”) of Pepys’s diary. Doel, as polite and soft-spoken as Hanff is loud and overbearing, fields the request from his book shop in London. For the next two decades they correspond without ever actually sitting down for tea and crumpets. If you love books and love movies, you’ll doubly love 84 Charing Cross Road.
Mariam Bell, National Director of Public Policy, Wilberforce Forum:
The Count of Monte Cristo (PG-13, 2002). This film captures all the wonderful elements of a good story—love and fidelity, betrayal, exploitation and evil, adventure, mystery and intrigue, revenge, and redemption. I especially like the fact that the actor, James Caviezel, who played the main character refused to participate in a more tawdry “love” scene because of his personal faith. As a result, the movie lacks the traditional gratuitous sex scene.
Nigel Cameron, Dean, Wilberforce Forum/Director, Council for Biotechnology Policy:
Gattaca (PG-13 for brief violent images, language, and some sexuality). This film stands above others that also address bioethics, approaching Frankenstein and Brave New World. It’s a masterpiece. And, like them, while it tells a great story, it is written to get across a message. It’s about genetic information—how it can be used, and may very well soon be used, to enable us to treat people according to their genes. Those with weak, defective genes are assigned to menial tasks. Those with “good” genes get the big breaks.
Luther (PG-13 for disturbing images of violence). This film captures the historical significance of the life of Martin Luther. It was produced by the same company that brought Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace.
Gina Dalfonzo, Staff Writer, BreakPoint Radio:
Notorious (NR, 1946). One of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest movies, and certainly his most romantic. Ingrid Bergman is a Nazi’s daughter, recruited to infiltrate a group of her father’s friends who are up to no good; Cary Grant is her mysterious contact. A powerful study in pride, jealousy, moral compromise, sacrifice, and the desire for redemption, with one of the best endings I’ve ever seen in any movie.
My Fair Lady(G, 1964). Strong, complex characters; a witty and literate script; gorgeous costumes; and some of the best songs ever written. Even the sets are great! (I’ve always wanted to live in Professor Higgins’s house, with all those floors full of bookshelves.) This story of a self-centered misogynist who learns a thing or two from his spirited female student is must viewing for all ages.
Catherina Hurlburt, Associate Editor, “BreakPoint” Radio/Managing Editor BreakPoint WorldView:
Spartacus (PG, 1960). If you haven’t seen this yet, you must (especially if you have seen this year’s It Runs in the Family, what may well be Kirk Douglas’s last film—you’ve got to see him in his prime). Russell Crowe and Gladiator? Please.
October Sky (PG, 1999). This is just simply a great movie for a family film night. Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, and Chris Cooper gave great performances. Homer (Gyllenhaal) is a coal-miner’s (Cooper) son who, inspired by Sputnik and spurred on by his teacher (Dern), takes up rocket science and enters a national science fair. And what an inspiration to get your kids to study: a true story of one young man’s journey from a national science fair to NASA today. It’s based on Homer Hickam’s book Rocket Boys, to which he has written two follow-up books, The Coalwood Way (Dell, 2000) and Sky of Stone: A Memoir (Delacorte, 2001). After watching this with your kids, visit Hickam’s website.
Rope (PG, 1948). This Hitchcock movie was filmed on one set, and each shot ran continuously for up to ten minutes without interruption. But aside from the cinematography, the storyline, one of three films based on the 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder case, opens up so many points for discussion about human dignity. Pay particular attention to the words of Rupert Cadell (Jimmy Stewart) near the film’s end.
Doctor Dolittle (G, 1967). This classic musical will entertain the children without provoking them to imitate the bathroom humor of the modern-day versions with Eddie Murphy.
The Elephant Man (PG). This film, based on the true story of John Merrick (played by John Hurt), a nineteenth-century Englishman who had an extreme physical deformity, has an amazing message about human dignity and worth. This is possibly one of Anthony Hopkins’s (who plays Dr. Frederick Treves) best performances.
Remember the Titans (PG for thematic elements and some language). Here’s a film every high school student should watch: a struggle to bridge the racial divide and make men from boys. In 1971, T.C. Williams High Schoolin Virginia was integrated. A black football coach (played by Denzel Washington) tries to smooth the transition and help his players take the lead.
Radio (PG for mild language and thematic elements). Some critics called this film syrupy, and that may be true, but with all the cruelty that goes on in middle and high school, this film’s worth watching with the kids. Again based on a true story, a high school coach begins mentoring a mentally disabled man who goes by the nickname “Radio.” In the process, a town reconsiders what really matters, and one football player in particular changes his ways, from being a tormentor to becoming a friend.
I love war movies that are patriotic. Two I recommend are U-571 (PG-13 for war violence), about a crew of American submariners who during World War II take heroic measures to capture the German Enigma machine to break the code—particularly sobering when, at the end of the film, the names of real American submariners go across the screen. The other is We Were Soldiers (R for sustained sequences of graphic war violence, and for language), the only film appreciative of Vietnam war soldiers that I’ve ever seen. A great performance by Mel Gibson, who plays Lt. Colonel Hal Moore, showing what it meansto be a great leader: humility and sacrifice.
Holes (PG for violence, mild language and some thematic elements). This is a fun film to watch, to try to piece together the storylines and the relationships of the characters. It includes messages of redemption, truth, and esteeming others more than oneself. Though more appealing perhaps to boys, even my daughter (who also joins Stephen McGarvey—see below—in praising Finding Nemo) loved this film.
The Rookie (G). There is something about baseball movies—The Natural, Field of Dreams—that seems to make for a good story. This one’s based on a true story as well, about a high school coach who realizes his childhood dream: playing major-league baseball. And he learns that, as great as that is, it doesn’t fulfill him the way his family and community do.
Frequency (PG-13 for intense violence and disturbing images). This film is about a cop who, through a radio link, reconnects with his father—across thirty years.
Drumline (PG-13 for innuendo and language). Here’s one for the band kids. Seriously, not only was this fun to watch, it spoke of the need to maintain integrity and the importance of education to better oneself.
Stephen McGarvey, Interactive Media Editor, Wilberforce Forum:
2003 has been a disappointing year for me as a regular movie-goer. This, I guess, makes the year’s exceptions to the usual blasé Hollywood fare all the more notable. My comments about these films are directed toward adults. As with anything, parents should always be cautious when it comes to deciding which movies to allow their children to view.
Bruce Almighty (PG-13 for language, sexual content and some crude humor) was an excellent comedy about a guy who thinks God has messed up his life. So God appears to him and asks Bruce if he wants to give the job of Supreme Being a try. Bruce, of course, granted all of God’s power, thinks he could do a better job of running his life. The results are predictable yet hilarious. At first Bruce seems to get everything he wants, but the chain reactions from his powers soon start to get him, and the rest of the world, in trouble. And God doesn’t allow him to mess with anyone’s free will. So the one thing he wants most, the love of his girlfriend, he is powerless to obtain. The final lesson that Bruce learns is something you don’t often see in films today. I won’t ruin it for you here but, an article on Boundless.org by Marshall Allen gave this aspect of the movie a great review if you want more information.
Another unique and funny movie this year was Pixar’s Finding Nemo (G). You have to hand it to the folks at Pixar. Although they have pioneered some amazing technology in the area of computer animation, they haven’t forgotten the importance of a great story and interesting characters, a lesson that George Lucas and the Wachowski brothers seem to have forgotten. Both touching and funny, Nemo tells the story of a little fish who is taken away from his ocean home to be added to a dentist’s aquarium. Nemo’s nervous father sets out to find him and bring him back.
Largely overlooked was last year’s Nicholas Nickleby (PG for thematic material involving some violent action and a childbirth scene) based on a Charles Dickens novel. A great story, top-notch acting, and colorful characters make this film, set in nineteenth-century England, well worth viewing. After his father’s death Nicholas, the title character, sets off to find his way in the world while at the same time providing for his mother and sister.
This year’s best movie to date, however, is Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language). Based on the seafaring adventure novels of Patrick O’Brian, Master and Commander, joins Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Dr. Steven Maturin on one of their many adventures. Although some might find this film a bit too “artistic,” and the subtleties involved may not play well to the masses, this movie is filmmaking at its finest. Director Peter Weir captures the spirit of O’Brian’s larger-than-life characters while avoiding the many pitfalls of converting a book into a movie.
Anne Morse, Senior Writer, BreakPoint Radio:
Goodnight, Mister Tom (NR, 1998). This is about an evacuee in London being sent to live with a crusty old man in the countryside during World War II. Think Heidi with a boy. (Yes, someone tries to take the child away). With a fairly happy ending, the film explores death, loss, love, sense of community.
Pat Nolan, President of Justice Fellowship:
Lilies of the Field (NR, 1963). Sidney Poitier received an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Homer Smith, an itinerant Baptist handyman who stops for water at a convent in the Arizona desert. There he meets five Catholic nuns who have come all the way from East Germany, escaping from the communists, to settle where they feel God has called them. The Sister Superior, Mother Maria (Lilia Skala, also nominated for an Oscar), is certain that God has sent Homer to them to build a chapel in the wilderness. Homer just wants water, but after many tests of wills, and of faith, he ends up building a house of worship for the Lord. This is a heartwarming film and not a bit saccharine. My family and I love to watch it.
To Kill a Mockingbird (PG, 1962). An endearing portrayal of the passage from childhood innocence of a young girl in the Deep South as she sees good confront evil in her little home town. She witnesses the ugliness of racial prejudice and violence evidenced by the behavior of some in her community, as well as the dignified courage of both an African-American man falsely accused of rape and of her father, lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends the young man. Gregory Peck earned an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Finch. Watch closely for Robert Duvall’s film debut as Boo Radley, their reclusive neighbor.
The Reivers (PG, 1969). This film adaptation of a Pulitzer winning Faulkner novel of the same name is set in rural Mississippi. Grandfather Lucius Priest, AKA “Boss,” (Will Geer) leaves for a funeral. He entrusts his new Winton Flyer (the only automobile in town) to his caretaker, Boon Hogganbeck (Steve McQueen) with instructions to keep the car in the garage. Boon convinces Boss’s eleven-year-old grandson to take a joyride with him to Memphis. Unbeknownst to them, the family’s black coachman stows away in the back of the car, and they embark on a series of adventures that involve a horse race, a visit to Miss Reba’s brothel, and a night in jail. The photography is beautiful, particularly the slow-motion final heat of the horse race, with beautiful narration by Burgess Meredith describing the thrill of a young boy atop a thoroughbred at a full run. When Boss confronts them with their misdeeds, his grandson’s shame and remorse are palpable. Boss doesn’t whip him but gives him a wonderful lesson in manhood: “A gentleman always accepts responsibility for his actions, even if he didn’t instigate them, but only acquiesced in them, didn’t say ‘no,’ though he knew he should.”
Rat Race (PG-13, 2001). I laughed so loudly during this hilarious comedy that my daughter slid down in her seat out of embarrassment. Directed by Jerry Zucker who also brought us Airplane and Naked Gun 2 1/2, this film has wild chase scenes, slapstick comedy, sight gags, impossible situations, and zany characters played by Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Lovitz, Rowan Atkinson, Paul Rodriguez, and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Casino owner John Cleese informs them that they are invited to participate in a race: The first to reach Silver City, New Mexico, will receive the $2 million cash prize. To make things interesting, there are no rules, which leads to the commandeering of a bus of Lucille Ball imitators, a run-in with neoNazis, a jeep climbing a radar tower, and a cow dangling from a hot air balloon. But this is all a cover for the real game: An eclectic group of high rollers are betting on which of them will win the cash.
Kim Robbins, Wilberforce Forum Research Associate:
Double Indemnity (NR, 1944). This late Billy Wilder classic film noir is filled with wonderful repartee, while it explores one man’s descent into crime. The film also highlights the strength of friendship despite wrongdoing. Starring Fred MacMurray, E. G. Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, and Porter Hall.
The Lion in Winter (PG, 1968). For those interested in seeing a great movie that will enhance your knowledge about Western civilization, rent this witty drama about Eleanor of Acquitaine and King Henry II. The family is filled with all sorts of intrigues as Henry decides which son to succeed him to the throne. This is one family in which you wouldn’t want to belong. Starring Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, and Timothy Dalton.
King Lear (NR, 1984), the version starring Laurence Olivier. This is William Shakespeare’s tale of folly of parental favoritism, greed, and lust for power. It’s a timeless classic.
Guys and Dolls (NR, 1955) is a rousing musical where the gamblers (degenerates) meet reformers (Salvation Army-esque). Yes, the characters break out into song and dance, but there is some redemption thrown in amongst the dancing and dice. Starring Marlon Brando, Vivian Blaine, Frank Sinatra, and Jean Simmons.
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It's a good list.
Some of his synopses are a little odd.
Very interesting thread. Thanks for posting, am bookmarking.
Shadowlands is my favorite film of all time.
I'd personally add Hotel Rwanda to a more recent list. It is quite analogous to Schindler's List, and also shows the true story of a person who decided to do all he could to save lives in the face of great injustice.
Shrek -- one individual can shrug off the yoke of totalitarian oppression.
The Iron Giant -- missile defense can save small-town America from destruction.
The key scene to me was when Nemo was in the fish tank, and the pelican was telling about his father's exploits while searching for him, and Nemo said, "My dad took on a shark?", and the pelican replied, "I heard he took on three."
Actually, I really do like Robinson Crusoe on Mars--it's one of the few science fiction films that acknowledges--reverently--the existence of God, and it's just a lot of dang fun, semi-cheesy effects and all.
bump
Not a single mention of even ONE Police Academy movies..................
Rating "Chariots of Fire" over "A Man For All Seasons"? Please!
Ever argue with a liberal who keeps comparing impeachment-era Clinton to Sir Thomas More in "A Man for All Seasons?" That's a whole lot of fun, lemmetellya!
Sergeant York: There's a mess of Religious Lefties who could use a screening...
Dead Man Walking: whoda thunk Susan Sarandon and sean penn would star in one of Colson's recommended movies?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Send a copy to Bill Frist so he knows what a fillibuster is supposed to look like.
Casablanca: "Unlike the characters in 'The English Patient,' Rick and Ilsa sacrifice personal happiness for honor." Yep, because they knew they'd regret it, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow...
The Man Who Knew Too Much: I also recommend "The Man Who Knew Too little." Good chuckles.
War of the Worlds: "The antidote to 1996's Independence Day." Why would we need an antidote? "Independence Day" rocks, even with the gooshy "one world" crap at the end. How could you not like a movie where the fighter pilot President of the United States (a little foreshadowing there, eh?) leads a bunch of Flying Leathernecks to the big win and the surprise hero is a Vietnam Vet Rhino driver?
In the Heat of the Night: Love this movie. "They call me MISTER Tibbs!
Stand and Deliver: Avert your eyes if you haven't seen this movie: The scene where the teacher gets the calculus problem wrong and every single student gets it right, and that Lou Diamond Phillips bit where he "confesses" to having stolen the test results from the mailman: "I stuck his body in my locker!" Classic!
Star Wars: It may be "an introduction to New Age monism," but it sure kicks butt! The originally trilogy are still the best science fiction films made in the last 30 years.
Gandhi: A great film.
Jurassic Park: "We spared no expense." Chuckle! Contact: Good Lord, what is this movie doing on any list other than "The big list of crappy movies." First, they ruined the book, and did as thorough a ruining as I've seen in any movie other than Starship Troopers. And although the anti-Christian crap is annoying (and I don't remember any of that in the book...a book by Carl Sagan!) the real horro comes in when Jodie Foster does more overacting in this film than the Star Trek cast did in the whole original series. I don't know how her face survived it. BTW...AVERT YOUR EYES, BOOK SPOILER...I recommend the book, and the best part is at the end the Jodie Foster character finds scientific proof that God exists.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Read the books! And as for the movie, I haven't seen the 1989 version, but the old animated version was faithful IIRC, and I think that the new version coming out at Christmas will be wonderful.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Can't say enough good stuff about these movies. They just couldn't have been better.
The Count of Monte Cristo: Definitely going to rent this one someday soon. The Richard Chamberlain version was great.
The Elephant Man: I saw this on cable when I was a kid, and it still sticks with me. An outstanding job, and the "I am not an animal" scene is one of the most powerful ever.
Remember the Titans: You know, this is a great movie, and I just want to say how much I loved it when the white player (I think he's the quarterback, I haven't seen RTT since it came out) points across the field in the rain at the coach who called Denzel Washington a monkey. That finger and that look on his face...like he's telling the guy, "You're next, Sheets!"
U-571: Haven't seen it, but here's a shout out to Paul Schratz, commander of USS Pickerel. Pick up his book "Submarine Commander," it's a little tech-minded and nothing like a submarine novel or the novel-styled stuff that some of the nonfiction writers put out, but it is well worth the read.
We Were Soldiers: What a great film. Mel Gibson and Sam Elliott do such a great job, and so does Madeline Stowe.
Holes: One of the best family movies ever. Outstanding.
Frequency: If you haven't seen this movie, go rent it right now. Don't even finish reading my post, go right now.
Finding Nemo: I was expecting a very good movie, but it exceeded my expectations in every way.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Anybody seen this? My wife is hugely uninterested, so I haven't seen it yet.
Lilies of the Field: Haven't seen this one, but Poitier rocks. Have loved his stuff, he even deserved an Oscar for Shoot to Kill and Sneakers.
Rat Race: Anyone have input on which is better, this or It's a Mad, Mad, [snip!] Mad World?
Yes, Yes, and what about "Blazing Saddles", "Brain Donors", "Search For the Holy Grail" and who can forget "Revenge of the Pink Panther". This thread needs to elevate its artistic taste, it is becoming stagnant and predictable.
(see the bottom of my profile page for some of the greatest "courtroom dialogue" you'll see on the Big Screen)
The most heart-warming and humane movie that I've ever seen, and my personal favorite, is "My Life as a Dog." It doesn't have an overtly Christian theme, but it's an uplifting movie that tackles the mystery of suffering, particularly the suffering of innocents.
Where is La Dolce Vita? That film is the ultimate critique of a Godless society, in the case of LDV, Rome in the 1960s.
Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson...the best!
Bump.