The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is a 2007 drama film directed by Marc Forster based on the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of Afghan refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the Taliban regime.


In chapter 8, we get a very strong sense of Baba's conviction of what's right and his call to stand for it.  It also foreshadows his feelings for Hassan and the longing he feels for Amir.  It's Baba's feelings of morality that drive who he is and the relationships that he maintains.  While birthed in a good place, it's Baba's sensibilities that tend to marginalize and push away the one's he loves.

Matthew 5:19-22

^19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

 ^21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.


In chapter 12 Amir travels to Pakistan upon request of old family friend Rahim Kahn to discover 'a way to become good again.'  Once there Rahim Kahn tells Amir of his failing health and denies Amir's request for him to come back to America with him, stating that Amir has been 'infused with America's sense of optimism.'  Without us knowing any better, what role does our being American play in our own Christianity?

Galatians 1:10-12

^10-12Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.


In chapter 16 Amir finally decides to stand up for his since dead half-brother Hassan by defending his nephew Sohrab from his father-in-law General Taheri's inquiries regarding the perception of the family in the community.  In doing so he breaks the cycle of generational sin, prejudice and pride.  We often see ourselves in light of ourselves, but often need to draw back and take our measure in light of our families with a eye towards where we see our families headed in the future.  

Nehemiah 4:13-14

^13-14 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."

Who doesn't love them some John C. Riley...?

Super 8

J.J. Abrams taps into his inner Steven Spielberg and delivers the film of the summer.

Just in case you missed it...

This video was posted here a while ago, but in light of our past class, I thought some could give it a second look and others will be seeing it for the 1st time.  Either way, it's worth checking out...

Saved!

Saved! is a 2004 United Artists teen comedy-drama film involving elements of religious satire. It was directed by Brian Dannelly and written by Dannelly and Michael Urban. It stars Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Eva Amurri, Martin Donovan, and Mary-Louise Parker. The film touches the issues of religion, ostracism, homophobia, teen pregnancy, divorce, and disabilities.


In chapter 5, Kickin' it, Jesus style we're introduced to Pastor Skip who through his piety and striving to remain 'cool' has seem to lose all sense of credibility.  I often wonder if we, like Pastor Skip have lost ourselves along the way towards a style of worship that is either sacrificed on the altar of coolness or relevance.  What begins innocently enough becomes something hardly recognizable, unless we take the time to look critically at what we've become and where we came from.

Genesis 4:25-26

 ^25-26 Adam slept with his wife again. She had a son whom she named Seth. She said, "God has given me another child in place of Abel whom Cain killed." And then Seth had a son whom he named Enosh.

   That's when men and women began praying and worshiping in the name of God.

In chapter 10, The Girlie Exorcists we're front and center for a Hilary Faye led spiritual charge to intervene for Mary's own good whether she wants it or not.  While in need of comfort and sympathy, Mary is met with contempt and judgement.  While played way over the top, I wonder if our own best intentions may as well be received in like kind.  

Galatians 6:1-3

^1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

In chapter 20, As Planned we see the story come to a close and are left with the internalization of the tale and if we can find it of some value in reflection or not.  It is not the goal to solve all the problems of the film and it's characters by the time the credits roll, but hopefully to show us life in all it's messiness and maybe a place to begin in the role that acceptance plays in our loving embrace of the very people that God has placed in front of us.  We all want change, in ourselves and in others for the better, but maybe acceptance is a beginning step in that elusive desire.  

Luke 9:45-48

 ⁴⁵They didn't get what he was saying. It was like he was speaking a foreign language and they couldn't make heads or tails of it. But they were embarrassed to ask him what he meant.
 ^46-48They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."

Watch the trailer for Blue Like Jazz

We loved Donald Miller’s book Blue Like Jazz enough to declare it one of the 20 Best Books of the Decade. Thanks to a “Kickstarter campaign” and musician-turned-filmmaker Steve Taylor, it’s now a movie.

“Subtitled ‘Non-religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality,’ Blue Like Jazz reads like a memoir in which Christian thinker Donald Miller invites us along on his own weird spiritual journey,” said Paste’s Kate Kiefer. “Peppering the pages with hip musical references and funny stories about his friends, Miller admits that Christianity involves quite a few paradoxes but argues that the faith is still relevant in a post-modern world. Spiritual leanings aside, his tone is instantly likeable, and there’s comfort in the realization that he’s really not trying to evangelize.”

Coming next friday...Saved!

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Gary Sinise. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, an Alabama simpleton who travels across the world, meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing firsthand some of the historic events of the late 20th century.

The film differs substantially from Winston Groom's novel on which it was based. Filming took place in late 1993, mainly in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Extensive visual effects were used to incorporate the protagonist into archived footage and to develop other scenes. An extensive soundtrack was featured in the film, and its commercial release made it one of the top selling albums of all time. It sold 4.42 million copies.

Released in the United States on July 6, 1994, Forrest Gump was well received by critics and became a commercial success as the top grossing film in North America released that year. The film earned over $677 million worldwide during its theatrical run. The film garnered multiple awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, People's Choice Awards, and Young Artist Awards, among others. Since the film's release, varying interpretations have been made of the film's protagonist and its political symbolism. In 1996, a themed restaurant opened based on the film, and has since expanded to multiple locations worldwide. The scene of Gump running across the country is often referred to when real life people attempt the feat.

In chapter 7, My Best Good Friend,  we catch up with Forrest on patrol with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam.  In this scene we see a good summation of our protagonist as the unassuming hero that he is throughout the film.  He never hesitates, but simply does the right thing regardless of the consequences.  

Matthew 16:24-26

 ^24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

In chapter 14, Momma's Trip to Heaven, we are privy to theology 101 taught by Mother Gump.  On her death bed she explains to Forrest his role in this world is providentially decided ahead of time, but he still has a very distinct and important role to play within it.  Doing the best with what God gives certainly doesn't resign us to fatalism, but should inspire us to fullness in our relationship with our Creator, Father God.  

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), ^[a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

In chapter 18, Beloved Mother, Wife and Friend, Forrest shares with Jenny his conclusions as to much thought on free will versus predestination.  The visual serves as a very useful illustration to such providential questions.  Seemingly random acts begin to take form retrospect-fully to all called according to His design and purpose.  

Romans 8:28-30

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
 ^29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.