Category Archives: Movies

Noah, the Film: A Rant, a Review, and a Recommendation

Posted on March 31, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

Justice and mercy. Those are the big themes of the new Darren Aronofsky version of Noah that opened to huge ticket sales and significant controversy this weekend. In the midst of big-budget CGI effects – supposedly the most complex ever produced … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Movies | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2014 – Part Two

Posted on March 1, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

Here’s the conclusion of my ranking of the nine Best Picture nominees for Sunday’s Academy Awards.  Part One, with films #9-5, is HERE. I had lots of trouble ranking these top four films.  Any of them would be a worthy … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2014, Part One

Posted on February 28, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

With the Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday evening, today we interrupt the series of posts about my Israel trip  for Part One of my annual Best Picture Countdown. Part Two will be posted tomorrow. (The Israel posts so far are HERE, HERE, and HERE and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Philomena” – A Film Review and Reflection on What it Means to Be a Christian

Posted on December 3, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

“Your pain is penance for your sin.” That’s what the nuns said to Philomena as she screamed in agony.  Her newborn was breech; death was a real possibility for both Philomena and the baby.  But the nuns refused to call … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Fishing for Salmon . . . and Faith . . . In the Yemen

Posted on April 9, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is the new movie from director Lasse Hallstrom.  He’s made some excellent movies – “Chocolat,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” and “The Cider House Rules” are some of my favorites.  He also made “Dear John.”  Nobody’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christianity, Movies | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

“The Hunger Games” at Midnight

Posted on March 23, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

All I asked of “The Hunger Games” was that it keep me awake.  I’ve not read any of the books and probably would have waited for the DVD if my daughter hadn’t so wanted to be among the first to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Christianity, Movies | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Unexpected Pastor’s Oscar Countdown

Posted on February 25, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I’m usually only posting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but today I saw the last of the 9 films nominated for Best Picture this year and I wanted to get this up before the Oscars Sunday night.   These are not … Continue reading →

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“The Tree of Life,” Lutheran Theology, The Meaning of Art, and Even Dinosaurs, All in One Blog Post

Posted on February 2, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth.  When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? — Job 38:47,  shown at the opening of “The Tree of Life” Mother, brother – … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, film, Movies | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments