Ginger Ciminello > Art

Reflection

October 10, 2011 by 4 Comments

Movies are a part of our culture and life.  There’s no denying it.  And just like everything else in current world, you have limitless choices when it comes to the films that you watch.  I’ll be honest, I don’t choose movies based on the rating letter.  I’m more apt to choose based on critical reviews.

Regardless of what causes you to make a decision, I wanted to provide some reflection questions that can help us evaluate in light of the quote I mentioned a few weeks ago.  “There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation.” (Madeleine L’Engle)

1. Repeatability
-Can the film be viewed multiple times with profit or enjoyment?
-Usually character-driven movies score higher on this than plot-driven movies.

2. Significance
-Does the film treat an important subject in a substantial way?

3. Impact
-Mind: Does the film change the way you think or the way you understand something?
-Emotion: Does the film affect you viscerally?
-Behavior: Does the film change the way you live?

4.  Longevity
-Will people still be watching this film in years to come?

Viewed through this particular way of thinking, what are some movies that have influenced your faith?  What are some of the films that keep you thinking even after the credits stop rolling?  Here’s my list, and I don’t think any of them were from a Christian production company.

Top 10 influential movies – films that still keep me thinking.

10.  Hotel Rwanda
9.  Dead Poet’s Society
8.  The Spitfire Grill
7.  Shine
6.  Babette’s Feast
5.  Life is Beautiful
4.  Chariots of Fire
3.  Schindler’s List
2.  The Shawshank Redemption
1.  To Kill A Mockingbird
 
What movies challenge you?  Which of those would make your top five or top ten list?  How do you select the movies that you watch?  
 
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Ginger
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Art and Faith

September 26, 2011 by 7 Comments

I’m thrilled to be back in Texas this week meeting with a motivated group of students. We are exploring relevance, faith, culture, and art.  (Get excited.)  When I started explaining the topic to my husband he was less than enthusiastic- at first!  But rather than spend five hours talking about specific works of art, my desire is to raise questions about our response to culture.

Here’s the quote that got the ball rolling:

“There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation.” - Madeleine L’Engle

I don’t have time to turn this into a lengthy series, but I wanted to direct some questions your way.  Feel free to respond in the comment section or to just answer for yourself.  I think our responses to this question DO matter.  So…

What was your first reaction to L’Engle’s quote?  Do you agree with her statement?

sec·u·lar/ˈsekyələr/

Noun: A secular priest.
Adjective: Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

sa·cred Adjective/ˈsākrid/

1. Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration: “sacred rites”.
2. Religious rather than secular.

in·car·na·tionNoun/ˌinkärˈnāSHən/

1. A person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality: “Rama was Vishnu’s incarnation on earth”.
2. (in Christian theology) The embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ. 
Happy Pondering. :)
Following,
Ginger
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