Faith and Film at the Palace
This is a list of movies we will examine in the class along with some key questions the films raise.
(Note: Movies are subject to change if circumstances warrant.)
Sunday, October 8
- An Oscar-worthy movie hailed by critics
- An overlooked gem
- A beloved cinematic classic
- A movie greatly influencing young people
The Notebook (2004)
From IMDb: “A poor yet passionate young man falls in love with a rich young woman, giving her a sense of freedom. However, social differences soon get in the way..”
Respondent: Angie Goeke
Angie Goeke is an influential writer, musician, and speaker living in Katy, Texas. She previously served as the co-founder and executive director of Not In Our City, a network of moms fighting human trafficking. Her not-for-profit provides preventive education for students in middle school through high school. Her husband, Paul, is the pastor of Crosspoint Community Church in Katy, Texas. Angie authored A Girl and Her Warhorse: Reveal False Hope. Restore True Balance, which is available on Amazon.
Questions this film raises:
- What is your definition of commitment? Can one have a partial commitment?
- Metaphorically or literally, what stories from your younger days have you begun to forget?
- What forms of dementia does our society suffer from today? What have we forgotten?
- What is your (metaphorical or literal) notebook? What power do the words have?
- What would it mean to have someone to write you love letters and notes every day?
- Who is your protagonist in this film?
- What would you change if you were the director? What would make this film more satisfying?
Sunday, October 15
- An Oscar-worthy movie hailed by critics
- An overlooked gem
- A beloved cinematic classic
- A movie greatly influencing young people
Vengeance (2022)*
From IMDb: “A writer from New York City attempts to solve the murder of a girl he hooked up with and travels down south to investigate the circumstances of her death and discover what happened to her.”
Respondent: Dr. Jacob Youmans
Youmans is a professor of ministry at Concordia University Texas. He was a co-founder and regular respondent for the film series Cinema and Religion, which ran for seven years at The Moviehouse & Eatery in Austin. He has authored five books, including Talking Pictures, a manual for using film as a way to connect viewers to the Gospel message. His blood runs Dodger blue.
Questions this film raises:
- What cultural conflicts are evident in this film?
- In what ways are the main characters transitional? What change of values are depicted?
- What does the depth of Ben’s relationship with Abby represent?
- Consider the symbolism of the cracked mirror and the music playlist.
- One character claims that life is nothing more than a series of regrets. How true is this statement?
- What statement does the filmmaker make about taking vengeance into one’s own hands? In pop culture today, how often is vengeance an acceptable response to grief or offense?
- What statement does the filmmaker make about the state of journalism and truth in our world today? How different is this story from other journalist-as-hero stories?
- Who is your favorite character, and why?
- What would you change if you were the director? What would make this film more satisfying?
*Another movie with a familiar Texas setting.
Sunday, October 22
- An Oscar-worthy movie hailed by critics
- An overlooked gem
- A beloved cinematic classic
- A movie greatly influencing young people
Jesus Christ Superstar (1974)**
From IMDb: “Film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ’s life told in an anachronistic manner.“
Respondent: Dr. Jacky Dumas
Dumas is the Associate Dean of the School of Humanities at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where he teaches courses in literature, rhetoric, and composition. He is a regular presenter at the Pop Cultural Association’s annual national conference. Dumas is also a vocalist and actor. In his early career, he played Judas in a stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Questions this film raises:
- Is it reasonable to expect a play or movie about a Biblical character or story to be accurate? How much literary license is acceptable?
- What differences can be noted between the Gospel’s depiction of the events of Holy Week and the movie’s?
- Why does the filmmaker have Jesus feeling overwhelmed by the crowds who come for healing? Similarly, His relationship with his disciples is strained. He is admittedly in the dark about the purpose his impending death will serve. Are the filmmaker’s assumptions plausible?
- Likewise, Mary Magdaline is depicted as being confused by her vague romantic feelings for Jesus, whom she calls “just a man.” What perspective might her attraction serve to promote in the movie?
- Considering the filmmaker as an artist, how is the Last Supper framed or staged?
- How do you interpret the last scene in the movie? Does it simply end with Jesus’ death?
- What spiritual impact did this musical have on you when you first heard it?
- What would you change if you were the director? What would make this film more satisfying?
**We expect this screening will be a fun singalong.
Sunday, October 29
- An Oscar-worthy movie hailed by critics
- An overlooked gem
- A beloved cinematic classic
- A movie greatly influencing young people
From IMDb: “A pair of teenagers with cystic fibrosis meet in a hospital and fall in love, though their disease means they must avoid close physical contact.”
Respondent: Rev. Ted Doering
Doering is the pastor at Narrative Church of Round Rock. He and his wife Chelsey are new parents of adopted siblings. Together, they co-wrote the book Myth of the Millennial: Connecting Generations in the Church.
Questions this film raises:
- The teen protagonists in this movie are victims of cystic fibrosis. If you were to substitute COVID, how especially relevant would this film become, especially with the knowledge it was made a year before the recent pandemic?
- Consider how separation is like a disease.
- What significance does the movie’s title have?
- What would you risk to connect or stay connected to the ones you love?
- How important is human touch to the human condition?
- Many young people today are struggling with their mental health. In this movie, can one find hope? What is the source of that hope?
- Who is your favorite character, and why?
- What would you change if you were the director? What would make this film more satisfying?
Series Curator
The Faith and Film Series is led by Dr. Philip J. Hohle, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas State University, and a Ph.D. from Regent University in Virginia Beach in Communication Studies. A member of the Society for the Cognitive Study of the Moving Image, he has presented in the U.S., Finland, and Spain on how audiences interpret the movies they watch. He has also published two books and several articles on viewer response theory. Currently, he teaches at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
