Directed by: Steven Brill
Written by: Tim Herlihy
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Adam Sandler, Winona Ryder, John Turturro
Rated: PG-13
About the film:
Longfellow Deeds is a simple man from a small New England town who not only inherits a fortune but also controlling interest in a huge multi-media conglomerate. He travels to the big city where his small town ways make him easy pickings for the ruthless, unethical and self-serving people that he encounters there.
Movie Quote:
"It's hard to soar with the eagles when you're surrounded by turkeys."
Mr. Deeds (Adam Sandler) in Mr. Deeds (2002)
Bible Quote:
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
Commentary:
Deeds may be a simple man but simple men often have a way of seeing things most clearly. Deed’s quoted comment is not only amusing but ultimately rings true. Like it or not, we are affected by those with whom we choose to associate. Hanging around with a bunch of flightless “turkeys” can easily keep us from realizing our true potential as eagles.
We are, from an early age, exhorted to “choose our friends wisely.” As we mature, we come to realize the wisdom of that advice. There has been many a man (or woman) with a once promising life that was ruined due to their falling in with the wrong crowd. Most of the worst decisions we make are a result of the peer pressure being applied upon us from unwise companions.
Fortunately, the converse is also true. When we choose to fellowship with those who demonstrate positive or admirable traits - this association tends to rub off on us as well. We can learn from and can be guided by their example; we can be encouraged by their successes; and we can be inspired by their character. We can soar in this life… with a little help from our friends.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Who in the Bible erred as a result of the company he or she kept?
2. What are the benefits of fellowshipping with like-minded believers? How is this reflected in the film?
Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label fellowship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fellowship. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
TOMBSTONE (1993)
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
Written by: Kevin Jarre
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton
Rated: R
About the film:
Wyatt Earp moves to Tombstone Arizona with his brothers and his old friend Doc Holliday. His plans for a peaceful retirement from law enforcement are interrupted by a group of outlaws who call themselves The Cowboys.
Movie Quote:
“Look at all the stars. You look up and you think, ‘God made all this and He remembered to make a little speck like me.’ It’s kind of flattering, really.”
Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) in Tombstone (1993)
Bible Quote:
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”
Psalms 8:3-4 (NIV)
Commentary:
As we can see from the scriptures, Morgan Earp wasn’t the first one to look at the creation of God with awe and wonder. How much more “flattered” might he have been to know that we were not just one of God’s afterthoughts but the reason behind creation itself?
At the center of God’s heart has always been the desire to have a family. He wants to enjoy fellowship and to love and be loved in return. We are the recipients of that love. All that was made by him was made with us in mind.
The heavens were positioned precisely so that human life could be sustained on this planet. The earth was created so that it could nutritionally support life and aesthetically please and bless us. No other planet in the universe provides us with all our needs the way the earth does. God designed it for us.
The psalmist asks a question that, at the time he wrote it, wasn’t able to be answered fully. It is now, because of what the sacrifice of Jesus Christ made available. What is man, that God is mindful of him? For those who believe, the answer is obvious: We are His kids.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Compare and contrast the motivations of the various characters – notably Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Curly Bill and Johnny Ringo.
2. Why did Virgil Earp decide to accept the sheriff’s badge? What is our obligation when we find ourselves confronted with injustice?
Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com
Written by: Kevin Jarre
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton
Rated: R
About the film:
Wyatt Earp moves to Tombstone Arizona with his brothers and his old friend Doc Holliday. His plans for a peaceful retirement from law enforcement are interrupted by a group of outlaws who call themselves The Cowboys.
Movie Quote:
“Look at all the stars. You look up and you think, ‘God made all this and He remembered to make a little speck like me.’ It’s kind of flattering, really.”
Morgan Earp (Bill Paxton) in Tombstone (1993)
Bible Quote:
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”
Psalms 8:3-4 (NIV)
Commentary:
As we can see from the scriptures, Morgan Earp wasn’t the first one to look at the creation of God with awe and wonder. How much more “flattered” might he have been to know that we were not just one of God’s afterthoughts but the reason behind creation itself?
At the center of God’s heart has always been the desire to have a family. He wants to enjoy fellowship and to love and be loved in return. We are the recipients of that love. All that was made by him was made with us in mind.
The heavens were positioned precisely so that human life could be sustained on this planet. The earth was created so that it could nutritionally support life and aesthetically please and bless us. No other planet in the universe provides us with all our needs the way the earth does. God designed it for us.
The psalmist asks a question that, at the time he wrote it, wasn’t able to be answered fully. It is now, because of what the sacrifice of Jesus Christ made available. What is man, that God is mindful of him? For those who believe, the answer is obvious: We are His kids.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Compare and contrast the motivations of the various characters – notably Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Curly Bill and Johnny Ringo.
2. Why did Virgil Earp decide to accept the sheriff’s badge? What is our obligation when we find ourselves confronted with injustice?
Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
LADYHAWKE (1985)
Directed by: Richard Donner
Written by: Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Warner Brothers
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rated: PG-13
About the film:
A young thief is befriended by a Captain and his lady love who have been cursed by a jealous bishop. She is a hawk by day and he turns into a wolf by night. Thus they can never be together as man and wife. The thief, Phillipe, joins them as they travel to confront the bishop and exact their revenge.
Movie Quote:
“I know I promised Lord… never again. But I also know that YOU know what a weak-willed person I am.”
Phillipe (Matthew Broderick) in Ladyhawke (1985)
Bible Quote:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalms 103:13-14 (NIV)
Commentary:
Phillipe’s relationship with God is both amusing and touching. He speaks to Him as he would speak to a close friend. Perhaps if more of us would follow Phillipe’s lead in his manner of conversing with the Almighty, we might receive more answers to our prayers. Of course, we wouldn’t want to emulate Phillipe in the weaknesses he demonstrates.
God hears us when we pray and when we call out to Him in despair. And He does hold us accountable for our words. After all, God will never break a promise that He has made to us. Why shouldn’t He ask that we do the same?
Of course, He knows that we will occasionally fall short in our believing and in our actions. Instead of condemning ourselves when we do, the proper course of action would be to thank God for His forgiveness and correct our behavior so that we might return to a harmonious connection with God’s Will.
Through our continual efforts to be our best for God, we may reduce the amount of time we find ourselves out of fellowship with Him. By thinking before we speak, meaning what we say, and backing up what we say with believing action, we can grow to be the type of men and women in whom God takes great pleasure.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Phillipe had an unusual personal relationship with God. What biblical personages had similar relationships?
2. Phillipe’s quote was delivered while he was in the act of doing something he promised God he would not do. Does his reliance on God’s understanding and forgiveness excuse his behavior? Why or why not?
Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com
Written by: Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Warner Brothers
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rated: PG-13
About the film:
A young thief is befriended by a Captain and his lady love who have been cursed by a jealous bishop. She is a hawk by day and he turns into a wolf by night. Thus they can never be together as man and wife. The thief, Phillipe, joins them as they travel to confront the bishop and exact their revenge.
Movie Quote:
“I know I promised Lord… never again. But I also know that YOU know what a weak-willed person I am.”
Phillipe (Matthew Broderick) in Ladyhawke (1985)
Bible Quote:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalms 103:13-14 (NIV)
Commentary:
Phillipe’s relationship with God is both amusing and touching. He speaks to Him as he would speak to a close friend. Perhaps if more of us would follow Phillipe’s lead in his manner of conversing with the Almighty, we might receive more answers to our prayers. Of course, we wouldn’t want to emulate Phillipe in the weaknesses he demonstrates.
God hears us when we pray and when we call out to Him in despair. And He does hold us accountable for our words. After all, God will never break a promise that He has made to us. Why shouldn’t He ask that we do the same?
Of course, He knows that we will occasionally fall short in our believing and in our actions. Instead of condemning ourselves when we do, the proper course of action would be to thank God for His forgiveness and correct our behavior so that we might return to a harmonious connection with God’s Will.
Through our continual efforts to be our best for God, we may reduce the amount of time we find ourselves out of fellowship with Him. By thinking before we speak, meaning what we say, and backing up what we say with believing action, we can grow to be the type of men and women in whom God takes great pleasure.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Phillipe had an unusual personal relationship with God. What biblical personages had similar relationships?
2. Phillipe’s quote was delivered while he was in the act of doing something he promised God he would not do. Does his reliance on God’s understanding and forgiveness excuse his behavior? Why or why not?
Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com
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