​Please note: The following text contains spoilers. Viewer discretion is also advised – this film contains Holocaust references, very mild bad language and sex references.
 
La vita è bella (or Life Is Beautiful) is a vastly impressive tightrope act of filmmaking – one seldom seen in contemporary cinema. Despite the controversies surrounding his Oscar-winning film, director, co-writer and star Roberto Benigni (Italy’s Charles Chaplin, no contest) beautifully orchestrates a cinematic feat of balancing humour and naturalistic emotion, in a film which sensitively addresses the atrocities of the Holocaust. Naturally, the pairing of humour and the horrors of a historical tragedy are not typically best suited to one another, but somehow, Benigni crafts an emotional portrayal of fatherhood which not only works, but contains striking similarities to the Father’s love for His creation and His desire to protect us from darkness.

​Initially set in 1930s Italy, La vita è bella introduces us to the playful, good-natured Jewish bookkeeper, Guido (Benigni), who after successfully sweeping a beautiful woman named Dora off her feet, begins a family and leads a truly idyllic life. Upon the outbreak of war, however, Italy falls under occupation by German forces, the family are seized and subsequently find themselves interned within a Nazi concentration camp. In order to protect his son Giosuè from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido employs his rich imagination to create a game in which Giosuè must complete challenges to earn points – a process which, unbeknownst to him, shields him from death itself.
 
For a film which addresses such difficult subject matter, Benigni handles even the most troubling content with sensitivity, revealing various plot developments through implication, rather than outright revealing bloody violence or injury detail, on screen. We do learn, however, that many atrocities are committed throughout the scenes set within the camp, which dramatically alters the tone of the film in its final third. And whilst the shift in tone invites deep sadness and even righteous anger at the injustices depicted on screen, such a development really allows the film’s overarching motifs to be made known.

​​Most notably, Benigni homes in upon the biblical themes of sacrificial love, protection from darkness, salvation and restoration. In shielding his son from violence and almost certain death at the hands of the Nazi’s, Guido embodies the Father’s resolute desire to protect humanity from evil and the destructive powers of sin, at all costs. For we know it is God’s will that each and every one of us are saved and set apart from the darkness of this world, coming to Him alone for protection and ultimately salvation. The Bible even teaches that for those who draw close to Him, “He has rescued…from the power of darkness and transferred” them “into the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13, NRSV). Rather than leave us to the mercy of such darkness in our lives and world, God chose to send His one and only Son as a sacrifice who would not only shield us from the evils of sin, but destroy its power forever, in making a way for us to be saved from the evils of sin.

​Please note: The following text contains spoilers. Viewer discretion is also advised – this film contains intense, graphic sequences of war violence.
 
“De Oppresso Liber”, “Free the Oppressed”
 
I must confess, Christian films aren’t my idea of a good time. Whilst I never stand in direct opposition to the ever-growing behemoth that is the Christian film industry, I just can’t sit through or subject others to sit through, bad Christian films. And sadly, the bad more than often outnumber the good. So, when Free Burma Rangers was recommended to me by a friend, I almost immediately cast it aside. That is, until I saw the trailer, complete with its pulse-pounding score, explosive archival footage and a distinctly Gospel-centric message of hope: “We’re not going to leave you - because you count”.

I sat back in shock, unlocked my phone and searched for where it was available to rent, only to discover it was listed solely on Amazon, for £20. But even with a hefty price tag such as this, don’t let it dissuade you from watching this film – not only is it an essential tool for evangelism, but this true story of the Eubank family is guaranteed to encourage you to pray for personal growth in compassion, unlike any other film before it.

In essence, Free Burma Rangers is a documentary, comprised of interviews and videoed first-hand accounts of activities from within war zones, in which Christian missionaries Dave & Karen Eubank (and their three young children), seek to display their faith in action, by tending to the plight of the helpless, who are caught up in conflict. With the majority of its footage taken from the charity’s own archive, Free Burma Rangers gives audiences unprecedented access to view moments of searing loss, but also the lifesaving and life-changing care and attention, given to those who have been treated as the least.  

Whilst the Eubank’s ministry is described as “a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement”, their roots are firmly established in biblical teachings and live by six, key principles:
​
- Love One Another
- Unite for Freedom, Justice, and Peace
- Forgive and do not hate each other
- Pray with faith
- Act with Courage
- Never Surrender

In this way, the work displayed throughout FBR embodies all of these principles and more. Even in the aftermath of a brutal attack upon defenceless women, at the hands of the Burma army, we watch as Dave forgives them, despite openly acknowledging that he wishes to seek vengeance, and wrestles with his decision. But it’s in knowing that he is called to “forgive one another, as God has forgiven” him “through Christ” (Ephesians 4:32, GNT), that Dave presses on in the work that he was originally called to do – for “vengeance is mine”, says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35, NRSV). Such heart-rending vulnerability not only gives us an indication of the hardships that FBR face on a regular basis, but it furthers one of the film’s many points: that despite knowing God personally, we will face many hardships, but He is more than able to see us through each and every one.

The film’s central message, however, is perhaps wrapped up in the motto of the United States Army Special Forces (in which David formerly served), later adopted by the ministry, which comes closest to making a biblical comparison: “De Oppresso Liber”, “Free the Oppressed”. Whilst some argue that the motto most resembles a quote from St. Augustine, I feel that it links much more closely with the writings of the prophet Isaiah:

​“…learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”
(Isaiah 1:17, NRSV)

​From the footage we see, rescuing the oppressed is FBR’s sole concern. Regardless of the large-scale, heavily armed threats that they face, Dave and Karen press on in the face of danger towards the sounds of guns, and the cries of the oppressed. Their courage and determination to bring healing – physically, emotionally and spiritually – whilst under fire, is a powerful testament to their faith, and willingness to truly implement biblical teachings in their life. Of course, the couple could have chosen a life of comfortability in the United States, over the harder path of the missionary lifestyle, in Burma, but they chose to obey and pursue the call of God on their lives. And God, in His care and faithfulness, has even led them to play a key role in the liberation of Mosul (Iraq) in 2017, through which many lives who were previously left for dead due to the sheer onslaught of enemy forces, were miraculously saved.
 
And in a sense, Jesus was sent just as the Eubanks were – called to go into a place of brokenness and hopelessness, to rescue the oppressed. How do we know this? Well, whilst in Nazareth, Luke’s Gospel account informs us that Jesus visited the synagogue, and read from the book of Isaiah, in which He states the following:

​“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…”
(Luke 4:18, NRSV)

​In this moment, Jesus isn’t simply reading and referencing a passage from Isaiah 61, but He’s making a declaration: God has called Him to do this work described within the scripture. Despite being the Son of God, this is His calling and mission for which He was sent to earth to complete. Much like the Eubank family, Jesus was instructed by His Father to abandon comfortability, in order to save those who could not save themselves. But Jesus went further than the Eubank’s ever could, when He denied himself of His heavenly throne, of which He is worthy to inherit. He was even beaten, tortured and crucified upon a cross, in order to save humanity from oppression unlike anything in the physical. And yet, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice, because humanity was oppressed by the weight and grip of our sins upon our lives and needed to be freed.
 
For the Bible teaches that “everyone has sinned” (Romans 3:23, NLT) and ultimately done wrong in God’s sight. Every one of us “fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23) and therefore deserve to receive the “payment for sin (which) is death” (Romans 6:23, ICB), in accordance with God’s law. We deserve nothing more than to receive eternal death in Hell for our sin – for no matter what we do, we cannot free ourselves of our mistakes and their effects on our lives. But God, in His great love for the world is merciful, and “gives…the free gift of life forever” (Romans 6:23, ICB) to those who ask for forgiveness from their sin, turn away from their old lives and come to faith in God. For He loves us and wants for us to live with Him for all eternity, which is why it is written that He “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT). God actually chose to make a way for us to be granted mercy, forgiveness and freedom from our sin, through Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son who was given as the “…offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT).
​

​FBR therefore serves a dual purpose: whilst it encourages Christians to tend to the immediate needs of the oppressed, I believe it also helps to better understand and visualise something of Jesus’ commitment to saving all who were oppressed by an affliction of the soul - regardless of the personal cost. FBR therefore embodies that self-same mercy and compassion, so it is my prayer that many Christians would not only see that but receive it and point people to their need for liberation from an oppression of the soul.
 
Challenge:
 
Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Free Burma Rangers for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
 
If you feel able to, ask them what they think about Dave and Karen’s commitment to sharing the Gospel and freeing the oppressed, despite facing such dangers? What do they think about God wanting to liberate us, by sending His Son into our broken world, despite knowing the cost, in order for us to be saved? Later, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.
 
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
 
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen.
 
Free Burma Rangers is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video
​

Please note: The following text contains spoilers​
​
,remmus eht fo tneve erutcip noitom eht sa dedlareH .ereh yllanif s’tI… Oh, I do beg your pardon. In my eagerness to write about Tenet, I hadn’t realised that I was still inverted and was therefore moving backwards in time. Silly me. I had to quickly jump into a mysterious machine, which un-inverted me and… Confused? You’re not alone. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, prophesied as the ‘saviour of cinema’ in this uncertain COVID-19 world, has now been released to many international markets. And already, this unique, time-altering thriller has fuelled passionate articles, claiming to be able to explain the film’s heady sense of logic, and what exactly was going on in those ‘whoa’-inducing action set pieces. Alas, if you’re searching for answers here, you won’t find any (in part because I’m not qualified to provide them). Instead, heed the wise words of Clémence Poésy’s Barbara, who advises the following to our protagonist: “Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.” In lieu of answers then, the following is my attempt to explore Tenet’s biblical connections, in this impressively ambitious film which rages against the dying of the light.

First however, I will do my best to try and summarise the plot, whilst placing an emphasis on try… Having tackled the themes of identity, memory and time running out, Tenet sees Christopher Nolan explore time travel, of sorts - in particular, the notion that entropy (which is the forward flow of thermodynamic energy) can be reversed, meaning that the future can communicate and collide directly with the past, through the use of a turnstile-like machine. Now, in the present, an unnamed CIA operative known only as the Protagonist, is tasked with investigating a strange object, with the help of a covert organisation known only as “Tenet”. But the object is but one in a set, tenaciously pursued by Russian oligarch Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh), who through precognitive abilities, is hellbent on wielding them to catastrophically invert the entire world. He will reverse the effects of global warming but kill millions in the process. So, in order to level the playing field, the Protagonist and his team set out to use Andrei’s machine to invert time and prevent the dark future from ever taking place.

As it turns out, key names from within Tenet are in fact five-word Latin palindromes - the most notable of which is “Tenet”. Curiously, Nolan also chose to use one of these for the surname of his antagonist, “Sator”, which roughly translates as “planter, founder, progenitor (usually divine)” or “originator”. Sator is none of these things, for he didn’t create the world. But in owning and choosing to use this weapon of mass destruction, he wields a god-like might – he has the power to do only wat a god could do. He himself even references this when he succumbs to his delusions of grandeur, in proposing that he might in fact be a god. And yet, if Andrei Sator is a god, he’s certainly a manipulative, dispassionate and murderous one. His plan to end the world as a result of his communication with people from the future, is down to the fact that they need to restart our world which will eventually be destroyed by global warming.

So, Sator uses his technology to weave in and out of the fabric of time, manipulating circumstances for his dastardly plans. But it was in these moments, that I couldn’t help but think of God our Father and how He is the all-powerful, righteous antithesis to Sator’s pure evil. For we read in scripture that God himself is not and has never been, bound by the fabric of time and space. Instead of God weaving in and out of time, He lives outside of time as we know it and can view it all at once, in all its splendour: “I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place” (Isaiah 57:15, GNT). The nature of God’s home in Heaven is so ‘other’, that we couldn’t possibly comprehend its ways in the here and now. But in seeing the future whilst using his technology, Sator ultimately learns of how mankind will end up destroying itself. God also saw how we, the human race, would inevitably turn away from Him, His ways and towards sin - how we would seek to destroy ourselves through engaging in warfare and abuse the environment for our own selfish gain. And yet, despite such foreknowledge, He chooses not to wipe out humanity and start again.

​​​What great mercy! We see evidence of this in Genesis 9, when God promised the following to Noah: “Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God has kept His word ever since, despite knowing, like Sator, that humanity will betray Him time and time again. But why? God has chosen not to restart humanity because of His great love for us, and our destiny that God has wanted us to walk into from the beginning of time itself: a relationship with the God of the universe. Unlike Sator, God has not only chosen to let us live, but granted us mercy to the extent that He actually provides a solution for the problem of sin, darkness and eternal death for the entirety of humanity.
 
For the Bible teaches that “everyone has sinned” (Romans 3:23, NLT) and ultimately done wrong in God’s sight. Every one of us “fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23) and thereby deserve to receive the “payment for sin (which) is death” (Romans 6:23, ICB), in accordance with God’s law. We actually deserve eternal death for our sin and there is nothing we can do, in our own strength, to free ourselves of our mistakes and their effects. But God, in His great love for the world is merciful, and “gives…the free gift of life forever” (Romans 6:23, ICB) to those who ask for forgiveness from their sin, turn away from their old lives and come to faith in God. For God loves us and wants for us to live with Him for all eternity, which is why it is written that He “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT). God made a way for us to be granted mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son who was given as the “…offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT) when He died on the Cross and rose again three days later. Like the protagonist of Tenet, God sent us the protagonist, His Son, who could see that whilst we didn’t deserve mercy, forgiveness or saving, we are worth so much that He would willingly go to death itself, in order to save us. If that isn’t radical, earth-shattering love, what is?

​Please note: The following text contains spoilers
 
Faria: God said, “Vengeance is mine”.
Edmond: I don’t believe in God.
Faria: It doesn’t matter. God believes in you.
 
In September 2017, I witnessed a narrow victory in a poll which was
supposed to help decide what to screen at a faith & film discussion group.
For the record, The Count of Monte Cristo won fair and square - and yet,
there was a revolt. The youth of my church demanded a re-vote, but I
wouldn’t budge, and they vowed not to turn up on the night of the film.
For some reason, they not only turned up, but came in their droves –
albeit resentfully, which they kindly informed me of. What followed was
the unruliest film screening I’ve ever attended. And yet, I couldn’t help but
grin from ear to ear, as each of the young people were audibly reacting,
in earnest, to the shocking twists and turns of this modern classic.
Their unexpected love for the film led to a rich Bible-based discussion –
my recent recollection of which has prompted me to highlight and
recommend this underappreciated film, once more.

​Adapted from the classic adventure book by Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
follows the trials and tribulations of Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel), a French sailor who is falsely accused of treason by his best friend Fernand Mondego (Guy Pearce), in a ploy to take everything from Edmond for himself – including his beautiful fiancée Mercedes (Dagmara Dominczyk). Tragically, Edmond is subsequently sentenced to imprisonment within the island prison of Château d'If, and despite initially placing his hope and trust in God to sustain him throughout his imprisonment, Edmond’s faith crumbles. By chance, however, Edmond befriends a fellow inmate – Faria (Richard Harris), who is not only a Christian, but pledges to help Edmond rekindle his relationship with God and escape the island, with a view to leading him to buried treasure through which he will have the means to reinvent himself, as the Count of Monte Cristo. Burning with anger in his heart and desperate for justice (or is it just bitter revenge?), Edmond sets out to see Fernand and others, receive their just deserts.
 
There’s something undeniably cathartic about watching such a thrilling tale, in which an innocent man sets out to right a terrible wrong and succeeds in doing so. In a world as broken as ours, in which justice doesn’t always seem to prevail, or come when we need it to most, seeing Edmond force those who wronged him to face the consequences for their actions, is hard not to root for. Without question, Edmond is correct to seek justice as a result of his wrongful imprisonment, and for the subsequent pain and anguish he experienced throughout that time. And yet, this representation of the pursuit of justice is arguably problematic. For upon Edmond’s return to Marseille, he wastes no time in using his newfound wealth to deceptively create the character of "The Count of Monte Cristo", thereby establishing himself within the Parisian high society. From there, he furiously plots and schemes to ensure that those who conspired against him, will be caught in the act of their many ongoing sins and receive their downfall. All of this is achieved coldly, in that Edmond specifically tries to ensnare his enemies, rather than use the legal system of his day to receive satisfaction, for example. A once warm, loving and caring individual comes close to being someone he’s not, as his anger and desire for revenge at any cost, threatens to overtake his passion for true justice.
​

​For a picture of justice in its purest form, we must turn to the Bible in which God outlines His perfect plan to restore everything to ‘the way it should be’. Edmond’s plan, whilst initially noble, is one which even he, with all of his wealth, struggles to bring to completion. It’s lengthy, messy and almost morally corruptive. At one point, his friend Faria tells him that “God said, “Vengeance is mine”, in order to persuade Edmond from being led down a dark path. For whilst Edmond originally seeks justice, his pursuit becomes that of vengeance, ultimately seeking to personally punish those who punished him. Faria’s word of caution to Edmond is wise, for justice in its correct, and purest of forms can only be achieved by God Himself.
 
How do we know this? Well, to do wrong in God’s eyes is to actively sin against Him and choose to side with evil, over the goodness that comes as a result of His holiness. When we choose to do what God doesn’t want us to do, we distance ourself from God and offend Him. But the Bible actually teaches that “everyone has sinned” at some point in their life and has done wrong in God’s sight. “We (have) all fall(en) short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23, NLT) and have committed offences against God, for which we must pay restitution. God demands justice for those offences, but the “payment for sin is death” (Romans 6:23, ICB) for all eternity, in accordance with God’s law. Living a sinful life on earth, therefore, means that we will live in separation from God, in Hell, which is the ultimate penalty. ​But there is Good News – whilst we have done wrong in God’s sight, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, to pay that penalty for us when He died on the Cross and rose again three days later:

Despite all that we had done to Him, God made salvation available to anyone who would choose to follow and believe in Him, regardless of what came before. For “…to all who believed Him and accepted Him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, NLT). Such mercy and grace weren’t and couldn’t ever be earnt by us but was given freely because of God’s inherent sense of justice, embodied in the Cross: “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us” (1 Thessalonians 5:9, NLT). Whilst our sin must have angered God, He did not and “does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT). Edmond, however, initially seeks the total downfall of his enemies and it’s for this reason, that Faria warned him not to harden his heart. But in the moments where Edmond actively chooses to spare the lives of his enemies, he embodies that which God did so beautifully for us, when He spared our lives from eternal death and draws us to think upon God’s great mercies that remain available for us to access, even today.
 
Challenge:
 
Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch The Count of Monte Cristo for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
 
If you feel able to, ask them what they think about Edmond’s difficult decision not to take lives in his pursuit of justice and grant his enemies mercy? What do they think about God wanting to do the same, in choosing not to leave us to die for all eternity as a result of our offences, but sending His One and only Son as a sacrifice, so that we might be saved? Later, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.
 
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
 
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen.
 
The Count of Monte Cristo is available to rent through Amazon Prime Video and YouTube
​

​Please note: The following text contains spoilers
 
“I've learned that each of us is more than the worst thing that we've ever
done; that the opposite of poverty isn't wealth, the opposite of poverty is
justice; that the character of our nation isn't reflected on how we treat the
rich and the privileged, but how we treat the poor, the disfavoured,
and condemned.”
 
In January, an article from The Gospel Coalition recommended 
that Christians should sit up and take notice of three films, as a result
of “their moral clarity and courage”: Just Mercy, Dark Waters and A
Hidden Life. Much to my shame as a so-called ‘film fan’, I ignored all of
them, making the excuse that they were ‘too serious’ to watch in such
a dour time as this. That is, until now, as I recently felt prompted to
watch and engage with Just Mercy (based on a true story), which is
powered and propelled forward by its righteous anger in the face of
pure evil, which is, tragically, all too prominent in today’s society:
systemic inequality which derives from racism. It’s for this reason that
the film naturally possesses serious emotional heft, moving me to tears as
​it neared its conclusion. In highlighting and speaking out against evil, therefore, Just Mercy is essential viewing. However, it’s the distinctly Christian response to the subject of mercy, deeply engrained within the film’s DNA, which is certainly worth exploring for evangelistic purposes. 

Adapted from his memoir, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, this legal drama follows the Harvard-educated lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), as he travels to Alabama with the goal of defending those who are wrongly condemned and receive unjust sentencing from the American justice system. In perhaps what has become the most prominent case of his now-legendary career, Stevenson seeks to defend Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), an African American man who, despite proving his innocence, was convicted of the 1986 murder of Ronda Morrison, a white woman. In the face of great trials and tribulations, it’s the historic bond between these two men and Bryan’s decision to grant mercy and compassion towards Walter, which speaks powerfully to the saving character of Christ.
 
For example, through establishing early on that Bryan is a Harvard law graduate and has specifically chosen not to pursue a career in a prestigious law firm, but establish the non-profit Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan is noted to be fixated upon the plight of the needy and not those of greater social standing, or his own personal gain. Like Jesus, Bryan is compassionate, which prompts Him to act with merciful love and do his utmost to rescue these broken individuals. In every situation, Bryan grants such tender mercies to whoever needs it – of which there are many. Even when we first meet Bryan, director Destin Daniel Cretton donates an entire scene to watching him reminisce with a prison inmate who, much like him, grew up going to church. And for albeit a brief moment, this emotionally tortured inmate’s emotional burdens are lifted from him and he experiences joy. Many oppressed individuals cry out to be saved throughout Just Mercy and are almost always met at their greatest need by the ever-present Bryan, which reminded me of Matthew 20, when two blind men hear that Jesus is coming by and call out to Him:

​Early on throughout the film, Bryan also hosts a series of interviews with prospective clients who are on death row and require legal aid – he listens to their stories intently, makes notes and shares in their grief by expressing his genuine sadness and care for their plight. We watch as Bryan visits Walter’s family, in order to not only gather further evidence and secure testimonies for use in court, but to console them in their time of distress. In meeting these individuals who require his help, Bryan’s understanding of this systemic issue deepens, and he comes to realise that these people are totally helpless in their plight and rely solely upon the mercy of others in order to save their lives. Whilst many of these inmates are established as innocent, the Bible teaches that we are in fact, much like guilty inmates on death row. For “everyone has sinned” and done wrong in God’s sight, “we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23, NLT) and thereby deserve to receive the “payment for sin (which) is death” (Romans 6:23, ICB), in accordance with God’s law. There is nothing we can do, in our own strength, to rid ourselves of sin and its effects – it stains and binds us in its grip. But God, in His great love for the world is merciful, and “gives…the free gift of life forever” (Romans 6:23, ICB) to those who ask for forgiveness from their sin, turn away from their old lives and come to faith in God. 
​

Regardless of whether the inmates are ‘good people’ or not, Bryan doesn’t allow that to influence his overall decision of whether to represent them. At one point, Walter is embarrassed to reveal that he previously committed adultery, but this does nothing to dissuade Bryan from continuing on in the task he’s set out to complete – for the good of Walter and his family. “Whatever you did, your life is still meaningful and I’m gonna do everything to stop them from taking it”, he says to one inmate. This reminded me of God’s view towards us in 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT), in which it is written that God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” and give their lives to Him. For whilst we are all guilty of sin in the eyes of the Father, God made a way for us to be granted mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son who was given as the “…offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT) when He died on the Cross and rose again three days later. At the midway point of the film, an inmate whom Bryan represents, tells the young lawyer: “You the only one who cared enough to fight for me”. This is also true of Jesus, the One who never wanted us to die in our sin but gave up His life so that we would live in freedom and relationship with Him – today and in eternity.  
 
Challenge:
 
Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Just Mercy for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
If you feel able to, ask them what they think about God fighting for us and not being content with us perishing in our sin? What do they think about God wanting to grant them mercy, despite having done wrong against Him? You could then ask them what they think about how God loves them so much, that He still considers them valuable despite the way in which they’ve lived their life, in ignorance of Him. Later, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.
 
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
​
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen. ​
 
Just Mercy is now available to purchase on DVD/Blu-Ray or rent on digital platforms
​

​Please note: The following text contains spoilers
 
“We’ve become bored with watching actors give us phony emotions. We’re tired
of pyrotechnics and special effects. While the world he inhabits is in some
respects counterfeit, there’s nothing fake about Truman himself. No Scripts. No
cue cards. It isn’t always Shakespeare, but it’s genuine. It’s a life.” 
 
Nominated for three Oscars and ranked #172 on the IMDb Top 250, The
Truman Show is a high-concept tale which remains just as poignant now
than when it debuted in 1998. For in true Simpsons fashion, even a film
as fantastical as this, appears to have predicted the future – from
​presenting reality as televised entertainment, to fuelling paranoia
surrounding widespread digital surveillance. But aside from being
shockingly prescient, The Truman Show is a rarely inventive story which
leads us to ask poignant questions about our place in the world, and God’s
attitudes towards us, His creation – all within a brisk 103-minute run-time. 

​Inspired by an episode of The Twilight Zone, The Truman Show runs with an outlandish premise, and drops the ever-excitable Jim Carrey into the mix for good measure as the eponymous Truman - a blissfully naïve insurance salesman who, unbeknownst to him, is currently living out his day-to-day on the set of a 24/7 television show, focussed solely upon his life. Overseen by the megalomaniacal director Christof (Ed Harris), this unprecedented production is (save for Truman) completely fake – from the job he holds down, even to his relationships with friends and his wife. Not content with manipulating the world in which Truman inhabits down to the last detail, Christof forcibly manipulates every situation in order to prevent Truman from leaving and experiencing life to the full. But it’s only when production issues arise (E.g. a spotlight falls from the sky) that Truman actually begins to question the true nature of his reality, and begins to wonder if he is in fact being watched, slowly realising that something is seriously rotten in Denmark…
 
The Truman Show’s concept is certainly mind-blowing, but this is also a rich tale which requires repeat viewings in order to spot little clues which not only allude to the reality of Truman’s world, but also help us to appreciate the less ‘flashier’ aspects of the film - namely, Ed Harris’ portrayal of Christof. As the driven, obsessive creator of Truman’s show, Christof wields complete creative control over the production and ultimately, Truman’s life. In one telling scene, He even refers to himself as “the creator”, which invites us to think of him as a god-like individual, especially when we learn that he can also control the weather over Seahaven.
​

​In a sense, Christof is a visionary artist, yet his god-like ways are completely antithetical to that of the one true God. Whilst Christof has, in a sense, cared for Truman from the day he was born, he doubts Truman’s full capabilities and exploits him for financial gain. To him, humanity simply “accept(s) the reality of the world” that is presented to us, and Truman is apparently no different. Instead of offering the now-adult Truman the opportunity to venture out into the real world, Christof goes to extreme lengths to keep him within his prison. In one of the film’s most problematic moments, the extra who portrayed Truman’s father up until his on-screen ‘death’ in the narrative, breaks onto the set and is recognised by Truman. To prevent Truman from realising the truth about his existence, however, Christof orders the cast and crew to remove his ‘father’ and throws a variety of distractions in his path to stop their meeting. All throughout the film, Christof’s actions are deceitful and for that reason, he has far more in common with Satan than Father God:

At every turn, Christof works tirelessly to keep Truman enslaved to the powers of the television network. It’s not only exhausting for him to be subjected to such abuse, but it’s also exhausting for us to watch too - especially when he comes so close to discovering the truth and then is forcefully redirected towards yet another artificial, alluring construct. But, just like Christof, Satan works to specifically prevent people from discovering the truth of the Good News – the antidote for spiritual, eternal death. We know this because Paul the Apostle informs us that our “minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world”, who prevents us from “seeing the light…that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4, GNT).
 
The truth of this verse comes across most strongly, throughout Truman’s spirited attempt to escape Seahaven, which sees him commandeering a boat and literally sailing it to the edge of his world, crashing into the side of the dome which he calls home. Realising that his world is counterfeit and he is living within one gigantic lie, Truman decides that he will break free from his enslavement and enter into the real world. The fist-pumping moment is iconic, serving as a powerful reminder of the freedom that comes when God bursts the bubble on sin’s binding grip, upon our lives. But prior to this moment, however, Christof sends a man-made lightning storm to try to capsize the boat and prevent Truman from realising the truth. Exerting such dominance over Truman’s life is another cruel tactic of the enemy, who will do everything within his limited power to prevent us from following the Way. And whilst Truman finally leaves the dome with relative ease and defeats the enemy (so to speak), humanity is ultimately not strong enough to defeat Satan on its own. Rather, the Bible teaches that we have all fallen prey to the works of the enemy, when we make conscious decisions to align ourselves with darkness, thereby sinning against God:

​“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NRSV)

In choosing to sin against God, we have ultimately followed a path of darkness which robs us of a relationship with God the Father now, and in eternity with Him. In our sinful state, we are “spiritually dead” because of our “disobedience” against God (Ephesians 2:1, GNT) and there is nothing we can do to correct our eternal trajectory. But, praise God, Satan was exposed as a liar and a thief when “the Son of God appeared…to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8, ESV), by dying in our place, and rising again three days later,
having defeated the power of darkness forever.

Today, we can be forgiven and liberated from sin’s grip on
our lives, when we turn from our sins, trust in Jesus’ promise
of salvation and enter into a relationship with God, which gives
us the gift of eternal life. Christ alone is the One who exposes
the darkness and leads us into new life – one that’s never
marked by deceiving us or limiting the life we have, but
always promising that we will have life in all its fulness with Him.

Challenge:

• Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch The Truman Show for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.
• If you feel able to, ask them what they think about the notion of God, brought up by The Truman Show – do they think that God’s character would be more in line with that of Christof’s (i.e. Satan) or, would he be different perhaps? You could then ask them what they think about God sending Jesus to be their Saviour – the One who fought for us so that we would be able to hear and accept the truth of the Gospel for ourselves. If they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.

Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
​
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen. ​
 
The Truman Show is now available to stream on Netflix (UK), or purchase on DVD & Blu-Ray
​

Please note: The following text contains spoilers

“Acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.”
​
Without question, Tom Hanks is our movie dad. From Big to Forrest Gump, Hanks
has always been there for us as the epitome of the affable everyman - one
who carries with him a sense of warmth that just makes you feel safe, whenever
he’s onscreen. Even if the situations in which his characters find themselves are
dire, he’s the one who ushers in peace, with his softly spoken voice and
thoughtful musings. He’s also just about the only actor whose presence can elevate
a film’s quality, and such is the case with his flawed WWII naval epic, Greyhound.
It’s seaworthy, but Hanks himself is the component which really keeps the
engine running, in his role as a ship’s captain, but also a committed Christian –
an unexpected, but welcome surprise.

Narratively speaking, Greyhound is almost as simplistic a war film as one
could imagine: Commander Ernest Krause (Hanks) of the United States Navy,
is tasked with spearheading a convoy of 37 Allied ships, as they sail for Liverpool (UK). It’s all about getting from point A, to point B without incident. However, in-between both points, lies the “Black Pit”, the Mid-Atlantic gap in which air support is no longer available to the Allies, and German U-boats prowl the ice-cold seas, like a pack of wolves. Against all odds, Krause must strive to protect every soul who serves under him – despite this being his first wartime command and the constant threats coming from some sinister radio transmissions…

Placing an emphasis on detailed procedure over character development, Greyhound thrills us with evasive manoeuvres and cacophonic barrages of artillery fire. But unlike Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers, however, the violence of Greyhound is largely displayed without injury detail. Instead, mournful attention is paid to the tragic loss of life, following each deadly attack. For example, when a Nazi U-boat is sunk after a dangerous game of cat and mouse, those aboard Krause’s ship rejoice over defeating their enemy: “Congratulations sir! Fifty less krauts”, remarks a young lieutenant. Krause looks over towards the sinking enemy ship, and says with genuine sorrow, “Yes, fifty souls”. It’s a small moment, but one which reinforced for me the notion of the sanctity of life, and ultimately God’s heart for humanity, in that “He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT).
​

​This aforementioned scene is made all the more poignant, when we consider that the cold, desolate location in which these men perished, is named ‘The Pit’, which draws comparisons to Hell. For example, Jesus describes Hell as a place of “darkness” (Matthew 22:13, NLT), which evokes a sense of solitude and confinement. And these men, despite being the enemy, are now tragically lost in the depths forever. Krause’s lament (albeit brief), embodied for me a glimpse of what I imagine to be the sorrow that Jesus experiences, when those who do not know Him, are eternally separated from Him – despite the Good News of the Gospel being made available to all.
 
But curiously, these same villains which pursue Krause’s ships are led by a slippery, menacing U-boat, with a wolf symbol, painted onto its hull. It stalks the convoy, appearing and attacking when they least expect it, or when the allied group shows a sign of weakness. This wolfpack tactic reminded me of the schemes of the devil, who the Bible teaches is a cunning enemy:

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around
like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT)

​This prowling adversary manages to confuse, distract and eliminate a number of ships from within Krause’s convoy at an alarming rate – but Hanks’ character, being a man of genuine faith, draws upon Scripture for practical guidance, when he reminds himself to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16, NRSV). He also prays for protection, before rising, eating and sleeping – E.g. “Dear Lord, let Your angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.” But despite every hurdle he faces, Krause powers on with selfless faith, doing everything in his power to save lives and complete his overall mission, even at a physical cost to himself – witnessed in his feet bleeding heavily, experiencing exhaustion and going without food. He even risks the overall success of the mission, when he chooses to save survivors from a sinking vessel, leaving the rest of the convoy vulnerable. In this way, Hanks’ character embraces the attitudes of Christ, as noted in Philippians 2:3-8 (NLT):

​Krause, despite holding such a position of seniority, ultimately chooses sacrifice over comfortability and compromise, not allowing his rank to interfere with what matters most. Only when the battle is won, does he finally go down to his quarters to sleep. And it’s because of his modest heroism and dedication to living out his faith, that the convoy ultimately succeeds in reaching its destination. He would not rest until the task was completed, just as Christ himself would not choose to leave all of us perishing in our sin, but came to this world, “not…to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV) who were in need of His life-saving forgiveness. For “everyone has sinned” and fallen “short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23, NLT) for the way in which we should live our lives. In fact, the Bible teaches that we have actively chosen to do wrong in God’s sight. But He was unwilling to see us perish in our sin, for all eternity.
​

So, God sent His one and only Son Jesus to be the One who could deal with the problem of our sin, by dying in our place, and rising again three days later, having defeated the power of darkness, so that we could be forgiven. When we turn from our sins, therefore, trusting in Jesus’ promise of salvation, we are restored to a relationship with Him and given the gift of eternal life. By the film’s end, Krause emerges as more of a Christ figure, reminding us of the Father tirelessly fighting for us in His masterplan of salvation. And whilst Jesus now resides in Heaven (his quarters, if you will), we can experience relationship with Him, today and for all eternity – we only need acknowledge Him as our King, Saviour, Commander.
 
Challenge:

• Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Greyhound for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject.

• If you feel able to, ask them what they think they are worth to God – do they think that they’re important to Him, and if yes/no, why? You could then ask them what they think about God sending Jesus to be their Saviour who was resolute in His task to save and draw us to relationship with Him. If they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them.

 
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences:
​
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen. ​
 
Greyhound is now available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+
​

Please note: The following text contains spoilers
 
“Let me ask you guys a question. What if there were no tomorrow?”
 
Time loops. Time vortexes. Time warps… We’re obsessed with the manner
in which time, as a way to measure our existence, functions, malfunctions
or can be manipulated - especially for the purposes of Sci-Fi. Take About Time
for example, a romantic comedy which is primarily concerned with utilising
time travel, to write the (sometimes very embarrassing) wrongs of our lives.
Or The Terminator, in which a cyborg is tasked with changing the future,
by literally killing the past. In either case, each film leads with a what-if
scenario explored to its full, mind-bending potential. Groundhog Day
(the godfather of time-loop movies) is no different in that regard, but it
also manages to transcend the perceived limits of the comedy genre,
in providing us with thought-provoking questions about the very purpose
​of humanity’s existence - all within a brisk, 100-minute window.

​In essence, this is a redemption story in which the self-centred, cynical weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray, at his deadpan comic best), is inexplicably forced to relive the film’s titular, mind-numbing day, over and over, when he’s caught in a never-ending time loop. For Phil, this is (initially) a fate worse than death - especially since he can’t stand being trapped with the small-town “hicks” of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Despite being incarcerated, however, Phil realises that there are benefits to even a dire situation such as this. Namely, he discovers that if there isn’t a tomorrow, there are no consequences for his actions, and he can do whatever he pleases. Naturally, Phil does it all - from robbing a bank, to binge-eating, to pursuing countless one-night stands... And yet, these delights leave him feeling empty, dissatisfied with his existence, and driven to suicide - the latter of which hilariously does nothing to break the time loop, regardless of the countless, ridiculous methods he employs. Instead, his state of brokenness reveals that every indulgence is in fact worthless and a complete waste of the time given to him. The Bible also regards such activities as being pointless, most notably when the writer of Ecclesiastes remarks upon life’s indulgences: 

​“Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure. I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward. Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn't mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind — of no use at all…”
​(Ecclesiastes 2:10-12, GNT) 

Without knowing it, Phil comes to understand the biblical concept that to live a self-centred life is completely meaningless and ultimately unsatisfying. So, he decides to try something other than living for himself, in attempting to care for and treat fairly, those around him. It doesn’t necessarily come easy for Phil - people are forever ungrateful or blissfully unaware of his ‘good deeds’. And yet, his determinedly ‘good’ behaviour reflects a desire to live righteously, especially when he embodies many principles of the Kingdom of God - in choosing selflessness over selfishness, for instance. Without knowing it, Phil does indeed seek the attributes of the “Kingdom of God above all else” (Matthew 6:33, NLT), when he chooses to dedicate his time loop to no longer “chasing the wind”.

​And yet for Phil, he still seems lost. He carries out every good deed on his time-loop checklist, but still wanders aimlessly through the streets. Is he carrying out these good deeds from a sense of duty? Or because he knows it’s the right thing to do now? It certainly seems that way. For whilst Phil knows exactly what he should do with his life, there is still no driving force behind it. He has no reason to continue doing good, because tomorrow is exactly the same. However, he begins to develop feelings for his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell), who notices that Phil has undergone a transformation, of sorts, when they begin spending time really getting to know each other. Phil’s attraction to Rita soon becomes sincere and he seeks to honour her as best he can, rather than be his cold, cynical self. In truly getting to know Rita, seeing her as a valuable person who has worth, Phil chooses to undergo a transformation of the heart. He no longer does anything out of a sense of duty but serves others because he genuinely has love for them. And that is what ultimately breaks the time loop, sending him back into reality as a changed man. 
​ 

​​The Bible teaches that for all of our good works, we can’t do anything to erase the problem of sin in our life and, just like Phil, the dissatisfaction that comes with even dedicating our entire lives to ‘goodness’. No matter what we do, “everyone has (still) sinned and is far away from God's saving presence” (Romans 3:23, GNT). The only way to be truly freed from a place of brokenness then, is to find purpose for our lives and be saved from eternal death. But in order to do that, we have to recognise what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross and rising again, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour - the only One who can save us. For ‘doing good’ on its own is never a solution for the problem of sin (those deliberate choices to ignore God and do wrong in His sight). God doesn’t call us to be ‘good people’, He calls us to be His own - a people who then out of their love for Him, choose to walk in goodness and righteousness as a result of experiencing His love for us, which we will then want to share with others. In turning from our sins and trusting in Jesus’ promise of salvation, we are no longer left chasing after the wind. Rather, we will be liberated from our dark ways of living (set free from our own loop, if you will), and brought into new life with God here, but also in eternal life with Him when we die. For with God, there is always a brighter tomorrow.    

​Challenge: 

• Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Groundhog Day for themselves? Use the film’s themes to ask them what they thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject. 

• If you feel able to, ask them if they’ve ever yearned for something more in life and where they might find true fulfilment. You could then ask them what they think about God’s response to ‘having it all’ would be, and if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them. 

Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, take a moment to pray that God would speak to you through the film. If you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over all of your future, film-watching experiences: 
​
Dear Lord, As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen. ​ 
 
Groundhog Day is now available to stream on Netflix (UK), or purchase on DVD & Blu-Ray
​

Please note: The following text contains spoilers

“…that's what the present is. It's a little unsatisfying
because life's a little unsatisfying.”

If you happen to be an Owen Wilson devotee, you most likely will have
noticed that his characters’ favourite word in the English language, appears to 
be “wow”. Spoken over one hundred times throughout his filmography, 
there have been many moments deserving of the ‘wow’ treatment, but none
seem more fitting than those within Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris -
the writer/director’s 41st film. For Paris is a rare, perceptive comedy, one
which primarily deals in the recurring themes of Allen’s earlier, critically
lauded work, but adds something unexpected, fresh and invigorating into
the artist’s seasoned mix: time travel (of sorts).

The story follows the Parisian-set travels of Gil (Wilson) and Inez
(Rachel McAdams), a successful Hollywood-based couple who are teetering on
the edge of romantic trouble, within their idyllic paradise. For in attempting to write his first novel, Gil falls madly in love with the city, wanting nothing more than to walk the streets that were once populated by his artistic idols of the 1920s. Inez couldn’t think of anything more tedious and actively chooses not to embrace Gil’s love affair with Paris. One night, however, when Gil is forced to take a midnight stroll without Inez, a stunning 1920s vehicle pulls up alongside him, and its passengers invite him to join them at a party. Bemused, but delighted, Gil eagerly climbs aboard and – unbeknownst to him – is transported back in time to Paris, of the roaring twenties…

On the surface, this is another of Allen’s more fanciful films, complete with a gripping premise and his trademark sophisticated wit. But as we probe deeper into the film and its message, we find that it isn’t just content with experimenting in the realm of low-fi, Sci-Fi. Rather, Midnight in Paris is more concerned with the pleasing allure, but
very real danger of nostalgia, and how we as humans sometimes yearn for a rose-tinted view of a ‘golden age’. Take Gil, for example - he looks upon 1920s Paris as being his idea of a ‘golden age’, and is swept up in the seemingly never-ending parties and intellectual discussions with Ernest Hemmingway et al. But there comes a point in which Gil realises that this life he so yearns for (including a relationship with the beguiling Adriana, played by Marion Cotillard), is completely unattainable.
​
When Adriana reveals that she in fact longs for the 1890s and not her present (the 1920s), Gil finally understands that people, by and large, will always desire a ‘better time’ if they are not able to be content with their present. Sometimes, to experience feelings of satisfaction once more, people will often become drawn to their past. So, whilst Gil might be unsatisfied with his experience of the present, this sudden epiphany however, shakes him free from a trance-like state. It releases him to understand that he should try to find satisfaction in his present life, not a by-gone era, as well as looking forward to the future.
​
Looking back on the film, Gil’s realisation could be interpreted as a simplistic ‘live-for-today’ ideal, but I would argue that the film’s overall message has stronger ties to that of the Bible’s view of nostalgia, than immediately apparent. For example, the film ultimately believes that to yearn after another time is foolish, just as it says in Ecclesiastes, where the author warns against allowing nostalgia to alter your mindset: 

“Don’t ask, “Why was life better in the ‘good old days’?”
It is not wise to ask such questions.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:10, ICB)

​The film understands clearly, then, that by looking favourably upon the past and yearning for it, we are blinded and unable to see the many issues and constraints of not only that specific time period, but also those that come with our past selves. For the Bible teaches that for all of the perceived ‘good’ that we did or experienced in the past, we must acknowledge that we were and are not, perfect people. Rather, “everyone has sinned” (Romans 3:23, NLT) and we ourselves have not lived a life that reflects God’s standards. However, the Bible also encourages us to draw close to God, for He alone has made a way for us to experience fulness of life in the present, with Him. It was through His Son Jesus, who destroyed the power of all our mistakes when He died on the cross, and was resurrected three days later, who made a way for us to live in relationship with God, today and forever. He himself even declared, "I have come in order that you might have life — life in all its fullness" (John 10:10, GNT).

For Christians, therefore, the past is not a time we should yearn
for, or attempt to return to/replicate. Rather, it is only by living
in the present with God at the centre of our lives, that we are
able to be saved from the consequences of our sin (both now
and eternally) and experience true fulness of life, in
relationship with God. If we choose to acknowledge what Christ
has done for humanity in dying on the Cross to save you and
me, we need to actively turn from our past mistakes
and towards God’s Way. Then we won’t ever need to look back
at our past or yearn for another time. For when we commit
our lives to Him, trusting His promise to save, we need only look forward - towards His goodness that is available to us all, this day, and our eternal salvation.  For the future with God is bright and it will give
us everything we need to be fulfilled, whilst living in the past will rob us of fulness of life here, and in eternity. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Challenge: Why not prayerfully invite a friend or family member who doesn’t yet know Jesus, to watch Midnight in Paris for themselves. Then, using the themes discussed above, be bold and ask them what they might have thought of the film, if they spotted any links to Christianity and what they might think of the Gospel’s response to this subject. Why not ask them what things could be stopping them and us from experiencing fulness of life in the present? You could then ask them if they knew of God’s response to this and, if they're open to hearing it, take an opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel message with them. 
 
Prior to watching the film for yourself, however, why not pray for God to speak to you throughout the film and if you feel comfortable, pray this prayer over this and all of your future, film-watching experiences:
 
Dear Lord,
As I watch this film, I ask that you would be present here with me. Highlight to me anything within it that is honourable, anything that can be used in conversation for your Kingdom purposes. Amen. ​
 
Midnight in Paris is now available to stream on Netflix (UK)