Movie Reviews

One of my favorite times of the week are late Friday afternoons when Susan and I rush off to the Century theater and pay the "cheap price" for tickets to a film. The last two movies we saw there were definite winners.

First, "The End of the Spear." Beautifully photographed. Tremendously moving and inspiring story of the five men who took their families to Quito, Ecuador in the 1950's. Their goal was to reach the Auca Indians who were so bent on killing each other that their existence was close to extinction. As I watched the early scenes of the Aucas spearing each other, exacting revenge back and forth, I thought, "Mankind is bent towards evil. Our fallen nature is so deep. No wonder we all so desperately need Jesus!" And Jesus was the message these men and their families brought to these tribes -- at a tremendous cost.

I read this story years ago when I was in graduate school. A stirring book called Through Gates of Splendor, written by Elizabeth Elliott, the wife of Jim Elliott who was one of the men who died while sharing Christ with these people. If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you see this film -- and then read Elliott's book. Another suggestion -- read Shadow of the Almighty, also by Elliott. It is a compilation of Jim's journals. This man was deeply consecrated to Christ, and penned the famous words: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep...to gain what he cannot lose."

Film # 2 -- "Glory Road."

I was a bit hesitant to go see this one, but Susan insisted. I thought it might be a somewhat corny story about underdogs fighting back. But how wrong I was! Set in the early and mid-60's, it is a very well written and nicely acted film that tells the painful story of racism in our country. And how one courageous coach resisted this trend and recruited several African-American players to play for an obscure school in El Paso. Josh Lucas, who plays the coach, is excellent.

And be sure to sit through the credits of both these films -- you'll see and hear some wonderful interviews of those on whom these movies were based on.

Related to the theme of the film, Glory Road, I recommend that you read Mike Cope's blog today (mikecope.blogspot.com). Great interview with Dr. Jerry Taylor, an African-American brother in Christ who is the associate preaching minister at our church. Jerry is an outstanding preacher, is humble of heart and truly loves the Lord.

Jim