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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
4.5 stars!
I love Josh Larsen’s podcast, Filmspotting, and this book seemed to combine a lot of things I’m interested in, so I figured I’d like it. And I did - a lot - but for slightly different reasons than I expected.
As Larsen acknowledges in the intro, many church people hold a snobbish distaste for “Hollywood,” and many Hollywood people hold a snobbish distaste for the church. As a Christian and a film critic, Josh is at the middle of that Venn diagram, and he has nothing but respect for both circles. More than respect, really - his specific positioning within each world makes him uniquely angled to see how the two might overlap more than either would be initially comfortable admitting. In bringing his worlds together here, he finds both insightful, ingenious readings of beloved films and insightful, eye-opening readings of prayer and theology. And yet for all the simplicity of that description, the book defies easy categorization: it has way more to say about God than any other book about movies, and way more to say about movies than any other book about God.
The key is that none of it feels forced. When I say it’s not quite what I was expecting, I mean I expected insight and theologically-inspired interpretations of movies - but even knowing Josh’s considerable intellect, most of the attempts I’d read at such spiritual think-piecing (faith-piecing?) said more about the writer’s faith than the filmmaker’s intention. The difference here is that Josh isn’t retrofitting movies and their creators into his own theories on the act of moviemaking as prayer - he’s operating under the belief that everyone on earth (faithful or not) is communicating (knowingly or not) via every ounce of their action and art with a greater entity (God if they believe, the universe or some else if they don’t). Believing this, Josh then analyzes (and by now, experiences) these films as expressions of their creators’ wants, needs, laments, jubilations, etc, etc. It’s a generous practice because it views even “simpler” or “rougher” or “more commercial” films as something worthy of hearing out and sitting with and sifting through, and it offers rich new ways of engaging with even thoroughly-analyzed movies - and thus also with their makers and characters and admirers.
And so the movie theater becomes a chapel, and the movies become voiceless longings, and the viewer becomes closer to both the creator and the Creator by being brought so close to the true yearnings of another, and by seeing their own human aches reflected on the screen. It’s a beautiful way to think about art, and in teaching us about it and offering us new ways to converse with the movies and with God, Larsen has created beautiful art of his own.
I love Josh Larsen’s podcast, Filmspotting, and this book seemed to combine a lot of things I’m interested in, so I figured I’d like it. And I did - a lot - but for slightly different reasons than I expected.
As Larsen acknowledges in the intro, many church people hold a snobbish distaste for “Hollywood,” and many Hollywood people hold a snobbish distaste for the church. As a Christian and a film critic, Josh is at the middle of that Venn diagram, and he has nothing but respect for both circles. More than respect, really - his specific positioning within each world makes him uniquely angled to see how the two might overlap more than either would be initially comfortable admitting. In bringing his worlds together here, he finds both insightful, ingenious readings of beloved films and insightful, eye-opening readings of prayer and theology. And yet for all the simplicity of that description, the book defies easy categorization: it has way more to say about God than any other book about movies, and way more to say about movies than any other book about God.
The key is that none of it feels forced. When I say it’s not quite what I was expecting, I mean I expected insight and theologically-inspired interpretations of movies - but even knowing Josh’s considerable intellect, most of the attempts I’d read at such spiritual think-piecing (faith-piecing?) said more about the writer’s faith than the filmmaker’s intention. The difference here is that Josh isn’t retrofitting movies and their creators into his own theories on the act of moviemaking as prayer - he’s operating under the belief that everyone on earth (faithful or not) is communicating (knowingly or not) via every ounce of their action and art with a greater entity (God if they believe, the universe or some else if they don’t). Believing this, Josh then analyzes (and by now, experiences) these films as expressions of their creators’ wants, needs, laments, jubilations, etc, etc. It’s a generous practice because it views even “simpler” or “rougher” or “more commercial” films as something worthy of hearing out and sitting with and sifting through, and it offers rich new ways of engaging with even thoroughly-analyzed movies - and thus also with their makers and characters and admirers.
And so the movie theater becomes a chapel, and the movies become voiceless longings, and the viewer becomes closer to both the creator and the Creator by being brought so close to the true yearnings of another, and by seeing their own human aches reflected on the screen. It’s a beautiful way to think about art, and in teaching us about it and offering us new ways to converse with the movies and with God, Larsen has created beautiful art of his own.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
"movies, at their most potent, are not diversions or products or even works of art, but prayerful gestures received by God...we best honor movies when we allow them this potential, rather than treat them like ways to pass the time or purchases to be made or unwashed items to be dissected according to an arbitrary moral code; and that no matter what our response, God still watches them with a heart that is both righteous and merciful.
As we watch films, then, let's enter the theater as we would a sanctuary where a prayer is about to be offered. Let's listen to the prayer graciously before we add our own words. Let's be a congregation, not a censor board. Let's be open to the possibility that as movie watchers, we're privileged eavesdroppers on a dialogue between God and the creative beings he made."
Would highly recommend this book to everybody. Larsen's central concept, that movies can function as all kinds of prayers - prayers of anger or joy, praise or longing, all of them together - articulates so much of why I have loved movies virtually my entire life. As a kid movies felt like prayers of wonder and innocence and play. The imagination of movies like "Toy Story," "My Neighbor Totoro," and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" were liberating and joyous. I liked overtly religious movies too, but as I grew and experienced more of the world as everybody does, I found that often times the vague and "safe" prayers and content I encountered in many Christian circles did not channel the forlorn sense of alienation that grew in my heart as I recognized the widening rift between sanitized ideals of WASP culture and the undeniable, maddening realities of the world. I say that not in a spirit of contempt but of pain. Like Larsen, I found movies to be prayers that prayed things about the world I didn't hear many people around me praying.
I needed the hidden vulnerability, the unconventional relationship of trust, and the melodic relief of "Late Spring." I needed the earnestly seeking doubt and dread of "Stalker." I needed the weeping confusion of "Shiva Baby" and the cutting bewilderment of "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." I needed the possibility of new creation in "The New World" and the repressed suffering and longing for a better one in "Annihilation." I needed the anger of "The Battle of Algiers" and "Apocalypse Now!" I needed the longing and pained freedom of "The Piano." I needed the confession and repentance of "Groundhog Day." I needed the grief and loneliness of "Three Colors: Blue." I needed the tender touch for trauma in "Leave No Trace." I needed the childhood creativity and the imperative to grow up in "Rushmore." I needed the humble, concrete love in "Babette's Feast." I needed all the madness and love to somehow exist alongside each other. Like the psalms, movies share the power to do that. Maybe the medium has the ability to be more vulnerable than we can be with others directly. It has the means to express the diversity and complexity of our deepest longings about the broken wonder of our world.
Had I known this language and understood movies by this paradigm earlier in my life, I might have been more merciful on myself in exploring God's world - even when it didn't really seem like God's. Instead of feeling like life was torturously divided into holy and profane content, as if those were the only two options when approaching complex works, complex culture, complex people. We can be so quick to binary judgment and self-righteous fear that we lose our ability to pay attention, to offer understanding and mercy to our neighbors and really to ourselves.
Movies are often called empathy machines, and I believe that's true (always to an extent, of course). In my own journey through cinema I've felt that time and time again. Larsen encourages us to dive ever deeper into that practice and shows us how it can cohere with Christian perspectives if we do the work of paying attention. That even when a film includes no obvious religious promotion, and perhaps even deeply anti-religious sentiments, we can still pay attention to their prayers, their longings, their anger, their lament, their hope and their disappointment. And we don't ever have to be afraid of how that might change us, because God always hears our prayers. God will never abandon us. God is merciful and abounding in steadfast love.
If you've read this far I'm curious to know: what are some movies that really made an impact on you and why? That struck you as prayers which channeled something you really resonated with and felt while watching it or realized afterwards?
As we watch films, then, let's enter the theater as we would a sanctuary where a prayer is about to be offered. Let's listen to the prayer graciously before we add our own words. Let's be a congregation, not a censor board. Let's be open to the possibility that as movie watchers, we're privileged eavesdroppers on a dialogue between God and the creative beings he made."
Would highly recommend this book to everybody. Larsen's central concept, that movies can function as all kinds of prayers - prayers of anger or joy, praise or longing, all of them together - articulates so much of why I have loved movies virtually my entire life. As a kid movies felt like prayers of wonder and innocence and play. The imagination of movies like "Toy Story," "My Neighbor Totoro," and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" were liberating and joyous. I liked overtly religious movies too, but as I grew and experienced more of the world as everybody does, I found that often times the vague and "safe" prayers and content I encountered in many Christian circles did not channel the forlorn sense of alienation that grew in my heart as I recognized the widening rift between sanitized ideals of WASP culture and the undeniable, maddening realities of the world. I say that not in a spirit of contempt but of pain. Like Larsen, I found movies to be prayers that prayed things about the world I didn't hear many people around me praying.
I needed the hidden vulnerability, the unconventional relationship of trust, and the melodic relief of "Late Spring." I needed the earnestly seeking doubt and dread of "Stalker." I needed the weeping confusion of "Shiva Baby" and the cutting bewilderment of "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." I needed the possibility of new creation in "The New World" and the repressed suffering and longing for a better one in "Annihilation." I needed the anger of "The Battle of Algiers" and "Apocalypse Now!" I needed the longing and pained freedom of "The Piano." I needed the confession and repentance of "Groundhog Day." I needed the grief and loneliness of "Three Colors: Blue." I needed the tender touch for trauma in "Leave No Trace." I needed the childhood creativity and the imperative to grow up in "Rushmore." I needed the humble, concrete love in "Babette's Feast." I needed all the madness and love to somehow exist alongside each other. Like the psalms, movies share the power to do that. Maybe the medium has the ability to be more vulnerable than we can be with others directly. It has the means to express the diversity and complexity of our deepest longings about the broken wonder of our world.
Had I known this language and understood movies by this paradigm earlier in my life, I might have been more merciful on myself in exploring God's world - even when it didn't really seem like God's. Instead of feeling like life was torturously divided into holy and profane content, as if those were the only two options when approaching complex works, complex culture, complex people. We can be so quick to binary judgment and self-righteous fear that we lose our ability to pay attention, to offer understanding and mercy to our neighbors and really to ourselves.
Movies are often called empathy machines, and I believe that's true (always to an extent, of course). In my own journey through cinema I've felt that time and time again. Larsen encourages us to dive ever deeper into that practice and shows us how it can cohere with Christian perspectives if we do the work of paying attention. That even when a film includes no obvious religious promotion, and perhaps even deeply anti-religious sentiments, we can still pay attention to their prayers, their longings, their anger, their lament, their hope and their disappointment. And we don't ever have to be afraid of how that might change us, because God always hears our prayers. God will never abandon us. God is merciful and abounding in steadfast love.
If you've read this far I'm curious to know: what are some movies that really made an impact on you and why? That struck you as prayers which channeled something you really resonated with and felt while watching it or realized afterwards?
A really compelling argument for the prayers that are presented through cinema, including a range of types of prayers and corresponding Scripture. I found every chapter as interesting as the last even when I wasn’t familiar with the movie discussed, and it confirmed the clarity of my own lens through which I see God’s story in film and TV
Having had the privilege of working for a short time with and for Josh and his team at Think Christian magazine (helping edit, write and post articles mostly about movies, music, TV and trends under the motto of “no such thing as secular”), I was super excited to read this book. I’ve always been an admirer of his writing style and voice, and was keen to read more in depth about what he believes about the intersection of faith and film. As someone new to the art and love of movies and film culture, I have yet to view most of the titles listed, but as a student of Literature and Theology, I could read and understand the way he proved his “thesis” through his variety of scripture references and quotes from important theologians, liturgists, and ancient church fathers and mothers.
I’m a fan. And I have a lot of movies to watch in the next couple months.
I’m a fan. And I have a lot of movies to watch in the next couple months.
I wish I had liked this more. The author, Josh Larsen, is a cohost on my favorite podcast, Filmspotting, so when he wrote a book, I figured I should support the show by buying and reading it. Even though I pretty much consider myself agnostic/atheist, I was curious to see how he'd interpret various films as different types of Christian prayer.
Unfortunately, although I have seen about 80% of the movies he describes in the book, I was not drawn in. Perhaps this is because a decent section of each chapter goes into explaining the different types of prayer and quoting biblical scholars/religious leaders. This actually doesn't seem like it would be that boring to me, but I didn't feel like a lot of the quotes and references were especially insightful or eye-opening. The movies described also seemed to only be addressed at a superficial, less-than-thought-provoking way.
The only sections that I really enjoyed were the description of one of my favorite scenes from Totoro (used as an example of joyful prayer), and the interesting argument in the book's last chapter that Max Fisher from Rushmore goes through all the phases of prayer "within God's cosmic story" in order: starting with praise, through lament, anger, confession, reconciliation, meditation, and ending with joy. Now that's an interesting theory to ponder. It makes me want to watch the movie again. I wish I had felt that more during the descriptions of the other films in the book.
Unfortunately, although I have seen about 80% of the movies he describes in the book, I was not drawn in. Perhaps this is because a decent section of each chapter goes into explaining the different types of prayer and quoting biblical scholars/religious leaders. This actually doesn't seem like it would be that boring to me, but I didn't feel like a lot of the quotes and references were especially insightful or eye-opening. The movies described also seemed to only be addressed at a superficial, less-than-thought-provoking way.
The only sections that I really enjoyed were the description of one of my favorite scenes from Totoro (used as an example of joyful prayer), and the interesting argument in the book's last chapter that Max Fisher from Rushmore goes through all the phases of prayer "within God's cosmic story" in order: starting with praise, through lament, anger, confession, reconciliation, meditation, and ending with joy. Now that's an interesting theory to ponder. It makes me want to watch the movie again. I wish I had felt that more during the descriptions of the other films in the book.
Filmspotting is one the highlights of my week, giving an extra punch to my fridays, with it's thoughtful and engaging look at cinema. No small part of this is due to Josh Larsen, who is very much the opposite of everything i'm hardwired to find in a critic. He is neither opinionated, bulbous, braggadocious, and knows how to disagree as a gentleman.
So it's no surprise to me that his personal project "Movies are Prayers" was as welcomed as poolside iced idea on a bold summer day. Josh's easy-going narration is hospitable, and he approaches this faith based work with confidence and humility. Summarizing with "let's be open to the possibility that as movie watchers, we're privileges eavesdroppers on a dialogue between God and the creative beings he made." (p.180), Larsen's work brings together personal stories, christian dogma and a full spectrum of movies endeared to him. Oh and there are some great personal antedotes here too. Romantic night with his girlfriend to go see "Silence of the Lambs"; luckily they survived and now married. Of he shares his love for muppets - who knew! - well thats why we love Josh.
When it comes to the movie choices, I think Josh and I line up on 75% of his choices. I too would spend a signficiant chunk of movie discussion on a shared favorite "Rushmore". It's hard to think of many other comedies that give so many rewards with repeated viewings. Another favorite we share is "Chinatown", and his analysis as a movie of lament rings true. "After the supremely tragic climax, Gittes's partner famously tells him to brush off the pain and forget what has happened, to go back to his hardened, hopeless shell. Chinatown doesn't end. It gives up. (p.58). Excellent summary of the Coen's work, and a strong defense of their 2010 work "True Grit" There are also the choices that are uniquely Josh's....like Leviathan. Maybe i'll rewatch..one day.
Imagining movies as prayers, exhales of life from directors that reflection a creator, is the central
tenant of Josh's book here. Even when the films themselves are secular, can they not also be ways for God to connect with us? With a firm foundation in protestant Christanity, he confidently shares his truth how God has worked in his life, and how he find's Jesus's message in cinema and everyday life."For me, gathering with God's people to hear his Word and sing his praise is a reorienting experience, as if i've been wandering in a wilderness and am suddenly handed a compass" (p.10). In one of my favorite passages Josh addresses his faith, and how his yearning, even admist existential doubt, is his truest testimony (p.35). Reflecting on a broad selection of foreign films, art-horse flicks, documentaries, mainstream comedies, and musicials, a large net unfurled. And through the prism of faith, like in the Biblical verse John 17:6-19, Josh retains critical authority and faith based integrity.
Final prayer: may we all be so fortunate to find meaningful work and personal projects of growth, may Josh and Adam continue the Filmspotting podcast for decades to come, and will Josh one day acknowledge that Boyhood is the best movie of 2014...not that damn building block movie.
So it's no surprise to me that his personal project "Movies are Prayers" was as welcomed as poolside iced idea on a bold summer day. Josh's easy-going narration is hospitable, and he approaches this faith based work with confidence and humility. Summarizing with "let's be open to the possibility that as movie watchers, we're privileges eavesdroppers on a dialogue between God and the creative beings he made." (p.180), Larsen's work brings together personal stories, christian dogma and a full spectrum of movies endeared to him. Oh and there are some great personal antedotes here too. Romantic night with his girlfriend to go see "Silence of the Lambs"; luckily they survived and now married. Of he shares his love for muppets - who knew! - well thats why we love Josh.
When it comes to the movie choices, I think Josh and I line up on 75% of his choices. I too would spend a signficiant chunk of movie discussion on a shared favorite "Rushmore". It's hard to think of many other comedies that give so many rewards with repeated viewings. Another favorite we share is "Chinatown", and his analysis as a movie of lament rings true. "After the supremely tragic climax, Gittes's partner famously tells him to brush off the pain and forget what has happened, to go back to his hardened, hopeless shell. Chinatown doesn't end. It gives up. (p.58). Excellent summary of the Coen's work, and a strong defense of their 2010 work "True Grit" There are also the choices that are uniquely Josh's....like Leviathan. Maybe i'll rewatch..one day.
Imagining movies as prayers, exhales of life from directors that reflection a creator, is the central
tenant of Josh's book here. Even when the films themselves are secular, can they not also be ways for God to connect with us? With a firm foundation in protestant Christanity, he confidently shares his truth how God has worked in his life, and how he find's Jesus's message in cinema and everyday life."For me, gathering with God's people to hear his Word and sing his praise is a reorienting experience, as if i've been wandering in a wilderness and am suddenly handed a compass" (p.10). In one of my favorite passages Josh addresses his faith, and how his yearning, even admist existential doubt, is his truest testimony (p.35). Reflecting on a broad selection of foreign films, art-horse flicks, documentaries, mainstream comedies, and musicials, a large net unfurled. And through the prism of faith, like in the Biblical verse John 17:6-19, Josh retains critical authority and faith based integrity.
Final prayer: may we all be so fortunate to find meaningful work and personal projects of growth, may Josh and Adam continue the Filmspotting podcast for decades to come, and will Josh one day acknowledge that Boyhood is the best movie of 2014...not that damn building block movie.
I've been a fan of Filmspotting since before Josh was even part of the podcast, but I've only grown to love the show more as he's been co-host. His takes are always original and insightful, even when we don't agree (which is often).
In Movies Are Prayers Josh crafts a framework that describes what I've long struggled to explain or express - that the movies have often provided some of my deepest religious experiences. I'm deeply grateful for how the book spoke to me. I've been waiting for something like this for a long time.
Not that you need to be religious to enjoy the book, but if you are and love the movies I think it's a must-read.
This small companion is packed with examples of movies as prayer. I was able to look at many movies afresh, but also expand upon what it even means to pray.
Added a lot of movies to my watchlist too!
In Movies Are Prayers Josh crafts a framework that describes what I've long struggled to explain or express - that the movies have often provided some of my deepest religious experiences. I'm deeply grateful for how the book spoke to me. I've been waiting for something like this for a long time.
Not that you need to be religious to enjoy the book, but if you are and love the movies I think it's a must-read.
This small companion is packed with examples of movies as prayer. I was able to look at many movies afresh, but also expand upon what it even means to pray.
Added a lot of movies to my watchlist too!
For me, a stout introduction to film criticism conveyed through a framework of theological longing.
As a long-time-fan of Larsen's podcast Filmspotting and as someone curious about his reconciliations of faith and film, this book only increased my admiration for his astute and delicate work.
This book met me where I was at and took my understanding and curiosity further--anyone hoping to break further into film while better understanding our faith's place in it should seriously pick this up.
As a long-time-fan of Larsen's podcast Filmspotting and as someone curious about his reconciliations of faith and film, this book only increased my admiration for his astute and delicate work.
This book met me where I was at and took my understanding and curiosity further--anyone hoping to break further into film while better understanding our faith's place in it should seriously pick this up.
A beautifully simple book about prayer and film. I think Larsen teaches me why I’ve always loved movies so much, but couldn’t articulate.