Cinemagogue: Reclaiming Entertainment and Navigating Narrative for the Myths and Mirrors they were Meant to Be

by James Harleman

RECLAIM ENTERTAINMENT AND NAVIGATE NARRATIVE FOR THE MYTHS AND MIRRORS THEY WERE MEANT TO BE!Do you like movies? Are you a cinephile? Do your friends consult YOU instead of IMDB? Were you raised on television? Spend hours talking cinema? This book is definitely for you. If you're a casual consumer who thinks Hollywood exists for occasional diversion, this book may change your life.“I am a Junior film and Television student... your interpretations of the films have helped formed the kind of filmmaker I am becoming, and also the way I experience films.”Humans crave narrative and usually don't stop to question why. Are we perhaps created to consume story, to create story, because we're image bearers of a Master Storyteller? In this book, movies meet God at the multiplex as the author challenges readers to redefine entertainment, understand the story they're in, and experience a new integrated level of spirituality and entertainment.“You actually look at the film aspects and see how the artist’s worldview really comes through.”What can we learn about God from Doctor Who and Han Solo? What are people like Jon Stewart and even Michael Bay helping us understand about story, good and bad? Peppered with movie quotes and metaphors, journey through the incredible changes film and storytelling have had on 21st century culture. Instead of an overly-academic offering on film and faith, Cinemagogue weaves a narrative from the author's own pop culture saturated life to the Greatest Story Ever Told, from Superman to Citizen Kane, Bertrand Russell to John Frame, Kurt Vonnegut to the apostle Paul, from our favorite narrative to our shared meganarrative. “…I grew up on television in the 80s and relate to the context you grew up in…. I thank God for you and your ability to glorify him in everything, no matter what.”Classic notions of story structure, “monomyth” and universally shared themes in both popular and classic tales are examined in light of ancient scripture. From there, readers can see the genesis of creativity and worldview distortions from which conversation can bring us back to the future. After a dirty dozen examples of popular film in chapter five (with questions for discussion) the book tackles common objections with genre and horror movies, foul language, violence, sexuality, magic and more… and how many traditional objections are overshadowed by incredible opportunities for those brave enough to overcome fear and wade into the culture stream, secure in their faith.“Your talk was one of the final confirmations of our move to Los Angeles to re-engage the film business by getting upstream in culture and trying to influence from the top down. Worked as an assistant on a TV series for a year, and now I’m working at a digital marketing agency that does a ton of film/TV work, as well as writing/producing my own projects.”The book ends with a call and commission to those who consider themselves spiritual and religious to get their heads out of the sand, to start realizing and utilizing the power of narrative.“…really convicted me in both the movie and gaming arena to analyze what I am watching/playing and why. I had almost zero discernment before stumbling onto your series…”A requested resource by movie-goers, movie-makers, pastors and teachers, Cinemagogue is an extension of a website and podcast, providing a "how-to" for those who want to experience the transforming power inherent in all story.“Listening to your podcasts… opened my eyes to examine what I watch even closer.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2012

About the author

James Harleman has hosted events and taught for over a decade in Seattle at one of the fastest growing churches in America where he started their "Film and Theology" program. He manages the website cinemagogue.com and just published his first book.

As an ordained minister, James travels and lectures on cinema and spirituality, as well as speaking on a wide variety of cultural and theological topics. He's contributed articles and reviews to The Resurgence and Hollywood Jesus websites, written for Collide Magazine and also made the Kessel Run in less than eleven parsecs.

James enjoys watching movies with his geek wife Kathryn who shares his passion for cosplay, sci-fi, horror movies, and comic books. They're presently working to publish several short stories and a series of novels. He is also part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor. Take him away.

Reviews

[Johann Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my view on storytelling forever!

As a screenwriter-in-training (which I think all screenwriters are until their dying day), and a recently enlightened Christian, this book has just become another pebble in my road to following our God. Thank you for taking the time and putting your thoughts together so that it can light up a new way for the likes of me. I do, however, want to give a tip to people who want to read this book: Know your Bible well. If you get a question or read a statement that doesn't make sense to you, research it. It's important to engage with the book, and at the same time this is just the tip of the iceberg in the Bigger Picture.
I enjoyed the writing style. The subject matter threatened to give me sleepless nights because of too much pondering. There are some things I don't agree 100% with regards to the theory about visuals but that's because my brain is wired directly to my heart.
Overall I loved reading it. Couldn't put it down even if I wanted to. If that makes any sense 😅
I am grateful and thankful for it.
Yolanda Lindeque-Strauss