Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films With Wisdom and Discernment: Amazon.ca: Brian Godawa: Books

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Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Intervarsity Press (September 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0830823212
ISBN-13: 978-0830823215
Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14 x 1.8 cm
Shipping Weight: 227 g

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #271,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

An award-winning Christian Hollywood scriptwriter offers this rather uneven book on how to watch movies discerningly as a faithful Christian. Godawa's purpose is not to help readers decide which films are worth seeing (for that he refers them to Christian Web sites), but rather how to "read" a film for its messages as opposed to absorbing it only as entertainment. One of his main arguments is that Christians should engage the world of popular culture in order to reform it. Unfortunately, it is not always clear who he expects his audience to be. Sometimes he writes very simplistically; he ends his definition of "worldview" with the phrase "it is our view of the world" and details elements of stories and myths that many high school graduates would be familiar with. But other sections use very academic prose about complex philosophies like existentialism and postmodernism. He reveals a clearly defined, even narrow, view of Christianity by asserting the "correct" way one should live or interpret the Bible. "Rare is the movie that paints an accurate portrait of heaven and hell," he tells us. (Just what, exactly, would an "accurate" portrayal look like?) The fact that each chapter ends with assignments and discussion questions gives it a strong pedantic twist. Despite these flaws, in the hands of the right audience conservative Christians willing to approach it as a textbook and who don't mind having a few movie plots betrayed this guide will encourage more thoughtful film consumption without killing the fun of moviegoing.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

Do you watch movies with your eyes open?You buy your tickets and concessions, and you walk into the theater. Celluloid images flash at twenty-four frames per second, and the hypnotic sequence of moving pictures coaxes you to suspend disbelief and be entertained by the implausible.Unfortunately, many often suspend their beliefs as well, succumbing to subtle lessons in how to behave, think and even perceive reality. Do you find yourself hoping that a sister will succeed in seducing her sibling's husband, that a thief will get away with his crime, that a serial killer will escape judgment? Do you, too, laugh at the bumbling priest and seethe at the intolerant and abusive evangelist? Do you embrace worldviews that infect your faith and wonder, after your head is clear, whether your faith can survive the infection?Brian Godawa guides you through the place of redemption in film, the tricks screenwriters use to communicate their messages, and the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching movies. Hollywood Worldviews helps you enter a dialogue with Hollywood that leads to a happier ending, one that keeps you aware of your culture and awake to your faith.

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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Challenge the Way You Watch Movies May 31 2004

By D.P.

Format:Paperback

This is a wonderful book examining the way we watch movies. Godawa argues that we can't totally neglect movies (Two-Kingdom concept) and that we cant immerse ourselves in them, either. Godawa is a Kuyperian, so he believes that Christ is LORD over all of life, not just the sacred.

Godawa does an excellent job on pointing out the various worldviews which movies express. I used to watch movies blindely just for the sheer entertainment value in and of the movie itself. However, this can be very dangerous as he shows. Movies go off of popular worldviews to get the masses to go and see them.

I was very interested by his analysis of the particular movies. Most of the things he pointed out I had no clue were even there (i.e. Cast Away with Fate, etc.). This was quiet a shock to me. He tackles the questions of many philosophies and worldviews, and cogently points out the strengths and weaknesses therein.

I really liked his director take promotions for his website. You can find some excellent reviews there for the engagement of the culture and movies. This book is a tremendous introduction to the various worldviews behind movies.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A terrific resource for church-group or personal study. Mar 28 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Lately I've been scanning almost all the literature I can get my hands dealing with the church and movies.

Sadly, the vast majority of the books say nothing about how to actually understand and appreciate film. Most of them are "how to reach your teen" or rather anemic apologia for pop culture.

Godawa's book is much meatier. He starts by giving a basic treatment on the idea of story and myth, including discussions of redemption.

Part two discusses various worldviews, mainly the existenialism and post-modernism, using films as examples.

He then takes on spirituality at the cinema, and concludes with a broader view of how to watch films as a Christian.

While I think the book has weaknesses (ie post-modernity as a worldview rather than sociological phenomenon, and an over-reliance on narrative [thank you PTC]), this is probably one of the best mass-appeal books I've seen from an evangelical writer on the subject of film. It would be appropriate for a church group study or personal study.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A Great articulation Jan 4 2004

By A. Battista

Format:Paperback

Godawa's Hollywood Worldviews offers a great articulation of a belief system many Christians need to consider more often; that of being aware of secular art and pop culture and its reciprical relationship with society at large. Godawa profiles some of the dominant trends in movie storylines today by presenting a string of mini-readings of familiar movies.
Though the writing get a little rough at some points, Godawa is wonderfully clear in making his point. Numerous times he used the very movies and scriptures I expected as supporting examples to his discussion.
Godawa's command of fundamental aspects of philosophy is usually good, and his summary of key thinkers is enlightening. My one complaint is his unfair treatment of the movie The Scarlet Letter, in which Godawa seems to be missing the larger theme.
No one will suffer from reading this book.

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