Movies Worth the Time

We recently enjoyed an independent film with a rather unusual title “Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School.” It is a movie that I thought demonstrated the power of devotion, forgiveness, and moving on to embrace life after loss in a very offbeat and entertaining way.

Smile is a surprise winner and one that touched our hearts. It tells the story of the Doctor’s Gift program, where doctors go to other countries to do surgery on people with facial deformities – giving them a new identity and outlook on life in the process.

Another movie with a somewhat misleading title is Seducing Dr. Lewis. This is one of the funniest movies I have seen in years. A small town wants a factory to locate there, but the factory won’t come unless there is a doctor there. What the townspeople go through to get a doctor to locate there is great fun and amusing deception!

If you like classical music and having to think through several layers of a story, check out Taking Sides. It draws the viewer into the life of the great German conductor, Wilhelm Furtwangler and the questions that swirled around whether or not he was a Nazi sympathizer. Does art transcend politics? Very entertaining with no Hollywood ending!

Another surprise is the movie Something the Lord Made – the true story of the unlikely pairing of two medical pioneers who worked on a medical breakthrough in heart surgery. Very well done and one that can be viewed with the family as well – helps to educate about past racial history and break down barriers. Outstanding movie.

Lest you think that I have been viewing movies a lot lately – the movies above were viewed over the course of this past year! One movie we did watch on vacation this summer was also very entertaining and illustrated a life of great resolve and character. We were very pleasantly surprised by The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio – a true story of how a 1950’s stay at home mom (didn’t they all then?) kept her family afloat financially and spiritually by entering and winning contests. My wife and I also found it fascinating from a historical/cultural context as we remembered many of the toys, commercials, furnishings, etc. that are used in the movie.

So - any good movies to recommend?

A New Challenge

I have recently begun consulting work for Christian Schools International, while maintaining my current work on a half-time basis for Holland Christian. I am excited about this new opportunity to serve in a consulting/developing/networking role with other schools in CSI (Christian Schools International, not the TV show!)

Among other things, I hope to begin another blog soon related to faith nurture wearing my new CSI hat and will activate this link to it when I have it up and running. On this blog I hope to share books, movies and reflections on our culture on a more informal basis.