Movies That Changed My Life

Christianity Today film reviewer Jeffrey Overstreet's new book "Through a Screen Darkly" seeks to answer the question "Can movies change your life?" You can read Jeffrey's self-commentary here. This got me to thinking about movies that have brought about changes in my thinking. Some of those movies would have to include:
  • The Hiding Place: Helped me to get a glimpse of true faith and forgiveness in the face of Nazi brutality and tyranny.
  • Joni: Inspired me by showing me how faith can help someone overcome a lifechanging tragedy and bring beauty for ashes from it.
  • Dances With Wolves: Changed the way that I viewed Westward Expansion and Native American ancestors.
  • Schindlers List: Blew me away and helped me to better understand the atrocities of the holocaust.
  • Rainman: Educated me about autism and gave me hope for people like Charlie Babbit who over time fell in love with his older brother and wanted to be a part of his life.
  • Antoine Fisher: Helped me see the challenges of urban youth and how early wounds can cripple us.
  • Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan and Glory: These movies all helped me to understand how brutal war can be and how the bravery of one man can make a difference.
  • Malcolm X: Helped me to better understand civil rights history and how religion can shape a man's life.

I know that there are others. Maybe I'll update this post when I think of them. How about you? Have you ever had a movie bring about change in your life?

5 comments:

  1. Wow, KB, great list. I have seen all those movies except Malcom X and that one is on my list to watch. I need to think about this and get back here with my answer later. Great question.

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  2. Hotel Rwanda showed me how deeply depraved and violent we as a people can be. Very sobering. I do recommend it.

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  3. The Passion of the Christ changed forever how I approach Easter and the price He paid as a man for us, easing nothing for Himself as both God and man.

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  4. I don't go to the movies all that often I tend to think that they are just the Hollywood view point. So I tend to let life shape the way I look at life.

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  5. I'll add A Beautiful Mind to the discussion. It showed how a man can destroy his life reacting to things that are not there. Devastating.

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