Let’s face it: Christian movies have a bad reputation. From cringy dialogue to shallow characters, even fellow believers roll their …
34 COMMENTS
The list of movies I ranked later in this video was not comprehensive, but I hope it gives you an idea of what we need to be aiming for as Christian artists. By the way, all resources I used for this video are linked in the description.
Btw, if you are not aware of how to make a timestamp this is how. (I found them to be very helpful for the viewer when making longform videos.)
Put "Christian Movies Review – 49:44" into the description of the video. You can put as many as you like to segment the video even more. What this does for the viewer is on the video bar there will be segments each separated with a line break so you can easily click on either the line break, the number in the description or on the chapter section automatically placed at the bottom of the description once you create the timestamp.
I tried explaining this as easily as I could, I hope it makes sense!
God's not Dead is actually a rather good idea. It's a good premise and the movie has narrative potential. If it wasn't so up it's own a about being self righteous it could've been a great philosophical exercise and debate.
My favorite Christian Media? Devil May Cry series, Tokyo Ghoul, Vinland Saga, The Legend Of Zelda series Death Stranding and Final Fantasy 15 And yes, they are Christian media. Subtext doesnt need to be explicitly stated. Actual good secular media gives credence to Christianity in many ways if you look hard enough.
Bad Lieutenant (1992) is one of the most uncompromisingly Christian movies I've ever seen. It's also rated NC-17 for its depiction of drug use and sexual violence.
Yeah, I agree with most of what you said (I don't remember disagreeing at any point but maybe I missed out some stuff). I actually have to write plays/ films for church and some friends. I tried writing in a way that tells a proper story with structure, with a mix of good and bad characteristics for characters. All I got was comments like the "message" isn't clear enough. Would've been constructive criticism if they were talking about my storytelling but nope, I had to do stuff like shoehorning Bible verse quotes every few sentences. I felt so cringed up imagining myself as a non-believer (was one once) sitting through these things. After having to do that several times, I retired from it and decided to go solo making video games. Now I have full control of the narrative and presentation.
Sorry, just realized it turned into a rant, I had nobody to talk to about this 'cause none of my friends are artists in the storytelling field. Your video made my day though, so thank you very much!
I am curious about your standards. You say that evil should always be shown as bad and harmful. Do you have an issue with the Hobbit novel/films, since in both Bilbo using the One Ring, thus wielding Sauron’s power (however inexpertly) is necessary for the good guys to win and presented as a good thing for him to be doing by Tolkien/the filmmakers?
Love the closing quote. This is my first video of yours and you did an excellent job, but I have one small request. I listen, rather than watch most videos and it would be helpful if you could start each movie critique with stating the title and making it clear when you transition to the next, but overall you did excellent.
Have you watched the comedy Mom's Night Out with Sean Astin and Trace Adkins? Low budget but pretty funny without being preachy. Another great example of a secular wholesome movie is Instant Family with Mark Wahlberg.
To give my favorite: Man of God is a very recent film centering on the (later) life of St. Nektarios, a modern Orthodox saint. I won't spoil the movie, but Nektarios' long-suffering and faith in the face of persecution, false accusation, poverty, and horrible pain really struck me, and through all that, he still did everything he could to help others, even going against the hierarchs of the Church. My favorite line in the movie is when Nektarios was asked why he would risk so much to protect others when he does so little to protect himself, and he replies (I'm paraphrasing): "When a man is threatened, he should turn the other cheek, but when his children are threatened, he must fight for them, no matter the cost."
The main drawbacks to the movie are the fact that it is an explicitly Orthodox film, and there's not really any action in it. It's a more personal look at the life of a Godly man, and I get that might not be for everyone, and I also understand that some Protestants might not want to watch a movie about an Orthodox Saint. If you can get past those things, however, I can't recommend Man of God enough. It's currently available for free on Youtube if you'd like to check it out!
I'm almost finished with the first draft of my first novel and it (hopefully) falls exactly in line with what you're saying. I find that, as a lifelong Christian, I have an incredibly difficult time enjoying Christian novels because they're usually preachy and boring and rely too much on Christian stereotypes. My aim is to be a new voice in the Christian novels sphere that brings some grounding and beauty to the genre. I'm hoping to write many more novels, all of them dealing with actual real life issues but through the lens of God's Truth that I've had my whole life.
I also think Christians need to be more comfortable with confronting ideas and concepts that make them uncomfortable. That's not to say Christians should consume art that goes against their conscious, but at the same time, if they're never challenged and don't experience any art at all that's made by people who don't align with their worldview, then they can never grow. I know someone that works at a movie theater that had people demanding refunds for the recently released "Conclave" after the movie was over, simply because of the film's twist ending. And instead of just getting angry at the film and the people that made it, I think it would've been more beneficial for those people to actually think about the twist and how it tied into the film's themes of raising questions as to whether or not the discarding of tradition is ultimately inevitable in religion. They don't have to agree with the conclusion the film ultimately comes to, but it would be good for them to try to understand the film, and therefore the motives of the people that made it instead of just dismissing the entire thing as just garbage. After all, you can't counter something if you don't even try to understand it, and you can't have a dialogue if you're not even willing to engage with art that you may disagree with.
Have you checked out some of the recent movies that came out from Angel Studios? Movies like Sound of Freedom, Cabrini, Sound of Hope, and the Bonhoeffer movie, which is currently still playing in theaters? I think those movies are actually very good, both at portraying faith themes while also being of respectable cinematic quality.
Matrix and Green Mile are great films with distinctly Christian themes but I don’t know whether they are considered Christian films. Martin Scorsese has also made many Christian films I heard but I haven’t checked them out yet. The film Ben-Hur is a masterpiece of cinema. I especially love Christ is never shown in the film or says any dialogue. Really creates a divine presence around him. Idon’tthink they are doing that bad. There are many great Christian films in my language because most of us from that area are Christians as well. Keep in mind I am not Christian so I can’t really say what real Christians think but I think there are plenty of classic films about the religion so I wouldn’t really worry.
I am one of the filmmakers that’s going to rock the Christian film industry to its core. Hollywood is a death trap and a distraction to real artists. Dead things rot. The future is independent artistry. I have a lot to say to Christian media. And I’m going to say it. And they aren’t going to like it. They’ll say I’m the son of Satan, just like they did Jesus. Either that, or they’ll try to copy me the second they see my team and I’s success, and fail. I will bring the good people together and push the bad people out. This is my God given purpose. I don’t care about fame. I care about my work being seen and touching lives. Art is an offering to God, not shareholders.
If the film is trying to tell a direct Biblical story it should focus on telling the story and not interpreting the story.
If the film wishes to explore a theme(s) it should create a realistic fictional scenario that showcases the theme like the example you gave of the Count of Monte Christo.
As a Christian and a film buff, I feel this way about many Christian movies too.
My favorite is The Apostle, which Robert Duvall starred in as well as wrote, directed, and executive produced.
It's about a Pentecostal preacher who, in a fit of rage, kills a man who took his church from him. He then goes on the run and starts a new church and changes the heart of a racist.
The movie has a ton of preaching in it, but the movie isn't meant to convert the non-believer. It just shows the life of the preacher, who, well, preaches a lot.
The preacher isn't a perfect man- he swears sometimes, he's violent, he drinks, and he can't control his anger. But he still loves Jesus and does what he can to share Him with others.
Marlon Brando (aka The Godfather) was an atheist, and he handwrote a letter to Duvall telling him that he found the movie to be very inspirational. Roger Ebert, a lapsed Catholic, gave the movie 4/4 stars.
It has preaching, but it's not ABOUT preaching, but telling the story of a flawed preacher- note THE PREACHER is flawed, not just the racist. And that's a big reason why the movie has "HOLY GHOST POWER."
The list of movies I ranked later in this video was not comprehensive, but I hope it gives you an idea of what we need to be aiming for as Christian artists. By the way, all resources I used for this video are linked in the description.
If you want to support my work, you can become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN-DGJpb0iyPVdK_qto0qsw/join
I'm so excited we get to be a part of this together. Your encouragement and feedback means so much to me. Thank you for your support!
Hello,
D.J. Trump is the antichrist and the pope is the false prophet from Revelation 13:11!
Now “soon” millions of people worldwide will disappear “in a blink of an eye”=rapture!
2031 is the year when Jesus Chris come back.
Maranatha
Hacksaw ridge isn't a Christian movie. Desmond Doss was an Adventist which is a heretical cult.
Btw, if you are not aware of how to make a timestamp this is how. (I found them to be very helpful for the viewer when making longform videos.)
Put "Christian Movies Review – 49:44" into the description of the video. You can put as many as you like to segment the video even more. What this does for the viewer is on the video bar there will be segments each separated with a line break so you can easily click on either the line break, the number in the description or on the chapter section automatically placed at the bottom of the description once you create the timestamp.
I tried explaining this as easily as I could, I hope it makes sense!
God's not Dead is actually a rather good idea. It's a good premise and the movie has narrative potential. If it wasn't so up it's own a about being self righteous it could've been a great philosophical exercise and debate.
My favorite Christian Media?
Devil May Cry series, Tokyo Ghoul, Vinland Saga, The Legend Of Zelda series
Death Stranding and Final Fantasy 15
And yes, they are Christian media.
Subtext doesnt need to be explicitly stated. Actual good secular media gives credence to Christianity in many ways if you look hard enough.
The goat of Christian representation: Nacho Libre
Bad Lieutenant (1992) is one of the most uncompromisingly Christian movies I've ever seen. It's also rated NC-17 for its depiction of drug use and sexual violence.
Yeah, I agree with most of what you said (I don't remember disagreeing at any point but maybe I missed out some stuff). I actually have to write plays/ films for church and some friends. I tried writing in a way that tells a proper story with structure, with a mix of good and bad characteristics for characters. All I got was comments like the "message" isn't clear enough. Would've been constructive criticism if they were talking about my storytelling but nope, I had to do stuff like shoehorning Bible verse quotes every few sentences. I felt so cringed up imagining myself as a non-believer (was one once) sitting through these things. After having to do that several times, I retired from it and decided to go solo making video games. Now I have full control of the narrative and presentation.
Sorry, just realized it turned into a rant, I had nobody to talk to about this 'cause none of my friends are artists in the storytelling field. Your video made my day though, so thank you very much!
My favorite way to describe The Count of Monte Cristo is "the most wholesome revenge story ever".
I'm with you, but I wish you wouldn't synonymize wokeism with liberal or LGBT ideology.
Protestant Christian movies
Andrei Rublev is the greatest Christian film ever made. The Ninth Configuration is also amazing
I am curious about your standards.
You say that evil should always be shown as bad and harmful.
Do you have an issue with the Hobbit novel/films, since in both Bilbo using the One Ring, thus wielding Sauron’s power (however inexpertly) is necessary for the good guys to win and presented as a good thing for him to be doing by Tolkien/the filmmakers?
What gets me every time is that slomo falling car scene… 🤣
Love the closing quote. This is my first video of yours and you did an excellent job, but I have one small request. I listen, rather than watch most videos and it would be helpful if you could start each movie critique with stating the title and making it clear when you transition to the next, but overall you did excellent.
Have you watched the comedy Mom's Night Out with Sean Astin and Trace Adkins? Low budget but pretty funny without being preachy.
Another great example of a secular wholesome movie is Instant Family with Mark Wahlberg.
1:19:18 I'm so concerned about Netflix's Narnia films coming out from the director of Barbie. I want justice for Narnia! – Luke
To give my favorite: Man of God is a very recent film centering on the (later) life of St. Nektarios, a modern Orthodox saint. I won't spoil the movie, but Nektarios' long-suffering and faith in the face of persecution, false accusation, poverty, and horrible pain really struck me, and through all that, he still did everything he could to help others, even going against the hierarchs of the Church. My favorite line in the movie is when Nektarios was asked why he would risk so much to protect others when he does so little to protect himself, and he replies (I'm paraphrasing): "When a man is threatened, he should turn the other cheek, but when his children are threatened, he must fight for them, no matter the cost."
The main drawbacks to the movie are the fact that it is an explicitly Orthodox film, and there's not really any action in it. It's a more personal look at the life of a Godly man, and I get that might not be for everyone, and I also understand that some Protestants might not want to watch a movie about an Orthodox Saint. If you can get past those things, however, I can't recommend Man of God enough. It's currently available for free on Youtube if you'd like to check it out!
I'm almost finished with the first draft of my first novel and it (hopefully) falls exactly in line with what you're saying. I find that, as a lifelong Christian, I have an incredibly difficult time enjoying Christian novels because they're usually preachy and boring and rely too much on Christian stereotypes. My aim is to be a new voice in the Christian novels sphere that brings some grounding and beauty to the genre. I'm hoping to write many more novels, all of them dealing with actual real life issues but through the lens of God's Truth that I've had my whole life.
I also think Christians need to be more comfortable with confronting ideas and concepts that make them uncomfortable. That's not to say Christians should consume art that goes against their conscious, but at the same time, if they're never challenged and don't experience any art at all that's made by people who don't align with their worldview, then they can never grow. I know someone that works at a movie theater that had people demanding refunds for the recently released "Conclave" after the movie was over, simply because of the film's twist ending. And instead of just getting angry at the film and the people that made it, I think it would've been more beneficial for those people to actually think about the twist and how it tied into the film's themes of raising questions as to whether or not the discarding of tradition is ultimately inevitable in religion. They don't have to agree with the conclusion the film ultimately comes to, but it would be good for them to try to understand the film, and therefore the motives of the people that made it instead of just dismissing the entire thing as just garbage. After all, you can't counter something if you don't even try to understand it, and you can't have a dialogue if you're not even willing to engage with art that you may disagree with.
I'm really curious what your thoughts are on the case for Christ movie. and The Jesus revolution.
Great video and essay
Have you checked out some of the recent movies that came out from Angel Studios? Movies like Sound of Freedom, Cabrini, Sound of Hope, and the Bonhoeffer movie, which is currently still playing in theaters? I think those movies are actually very good, both at portraying faith themes while also being of respectable cinematic quality.
Matrix and Green Mile are great films with distinctly Christian themes but I don’t know whether they are considered Christian films. Martin Scorsese has also made many Christian films I heard but I haven’t checked them out yet. The film Ben-Hur is a masterpiece of cinema. I especially love Christ is never shown in the film or says any dialogue. Really creates a divine presence around him. Idon’tthink they are doing that bad. There are many great Christian films in my language because most of us from that area are Christians as well. Keep in mind I am not Christian so I can’t really say what real Christians think but I think there are plenty of classic films about the religion so I wouldn’t really worry.
🤓☝️:There are seventytwo genders
Me:….. who thinks like that?
Only 10k views? You definitely need more than that, especially subscribers!
I am one of the filmmakers that’s going to rock the Christian film industry to its core. Hollywood is a death trap and a distraction to real artists. Dead things rot. The future is independent artistry. I have a lot to say to Christian media. And I’m going to say it. And they aren’t going to like it. They’ll say I’m the son of Satan, just like they did Jesus. Either that, or they’ll try to copy me the second they see my team and I’s success, and fail. I will bring the good people together and push the bad people out. This is my God given purpose. I don’t care about fame. I care about my work being seen and touching lives. Art is an offering to God, not shareholders.
Wow! Wasn't expecting to be mentioned here! Thank you Ryder!
21:51 Agree the Bible if a filmed as a documentary would be rated R
56:15 excellent point. Most churches have this "jellyfish Theology".
What makes a good Christian film?
If the film is trying to tell a direct Biblical story it should focus on telling the story and not interpreting the story.
If the film wishes to explore a theme(s) it should create a realistic fictional scenario that showcases the theme like the example you gave of the Count of Monte Christo.
This video and it's message are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Keep it up brother!
1:22:35 *Ephesians 2:10, not 9:10.
That's adding to the Bible, Ephesians has only 6 chapters. LOL! 🙂
As a Christian and a film buff, I feel this way about many Christian movies too.
My favorite is The Apostle, which Robert Duvall starred in as well as wrote, directed, and executive produced.
It's about a Pentecostal preacher who, in a fit of rage, kills a man who took his church from him. He then goes on the run and starts a new church and changes the heart of a racist.
The movie has a ton of preaching in it, but the movie isn't meant to convert the non-believer. It just shows the life of the preacher, who, well, preaches a lot.
The preacher isn't a perfect man- he swears sometimes, he's violent, he drinks, and he can't control his anger. But he still loves Jesus and does what he can to share Him with others.
Marlon Brando (aka The Godfather) was an atheist, and he handwrote a letter to Duvall telling him that he found the movie to be very inspirational. Roger Ebert, a lapsed Catholic, gave the movie 4/4 stars.
It has preaching, but it's not ABOUT preaching, but telling the story of a flawed preacher- note THE PREACHER is flawed, not just the racist. And that's a big reason why the movie has "HOLY GHOST POWER."