Religion in American Film Essay -- Essays Papers

Religion in American FilmAmericans nation-wide did a disbelieving double take when they were heard that Jim Carrey was going to be contend the role of God in Universal Pictures summer 2001 movie Bruce Almighty. Millions of Americans have found themselves near-obsessed with the engrossing epic Lord of the Rings, Dogma has been welcomed into the fury Films Hall of Fame, and Mel Gibsons The Passion stirred an overwhelming amount of religious, cultural, and ethnic criticism. When looking at the recent array of films that either present or decl ar religious themes whether it be allegorically, evangelically, or satirically we find ourselves asking the question why like a shot? Is the reason for this upsurge sociological, psychological, philosophical, or historical? Is there perhaps a political or economic reason as to why Americans today are so eagerly consuming films that are looking at the timeless battle between good & evil, questioning organized belief systems, or presenting re ligion in new and contemporary ship canal? From critical analysis and research done on this subject, as well as much pondering and theorizing, it could be said that the question of why now is more philosophical, and value oriented, than anything else. The religious content that is present in modern American films is indicative of a more general discussion & questioning of determine and resonates with the post-modern, religiously pluralistic mindset that Americans have come to embody. It is a common mis-conception that films are merely entertainment, and serve no other mean than to provide for the viewer a two-hour escape from reality. This is a serious under-estimation of the power, purpose, and potential of film, because film, upon reflection, revea... ...garet R. Seeing and Believing Religion and Values in the Movies. Boston Beacon Press, 1996. Johnston, Robert K. sag Spirituality Theology and Film in Dialogue. Grand Rapids Baker Academic, 2000.Stone, Bryan P. Faith and Film T heological Themes at the Cinema. St.Louis Chalice Press, 2000.Valenti, F. Miguel. More Than a Movie ethical motive in Entertainment. Colorado Westview Press, 2000Detweiler, Craig, and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings Finding God in Pop Culture. Grand Rapids Baker Academic, 2003.Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York Simon & Schuster, 2000http//www.hollywoodjesus.com/bruce_almighty.htmFor the purposes of this study, it is helpful to look specifically at the way in which Christ and Christianity are being presented, through the various methods, in contemporary film.