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Meaning at the Movies: Becoming a Discerning Viewer
Hollywood produces, packages, and sells hundreds of movies every year. Many of these movies propagate a distorted sense of morality and ethics. Under the surface of immoral behavior and unlawfulness, however, there can be deeper problems in Hollywood's messages. What are these stories telling the viewer about life, relationships, and God? What worldviews and ideas do they espouse? If Christians are to tread carefully at the theater complex, they need resources to help them. This book is just such a resource. By exploring the relationship between Christianity and art, the theology of biblical discernment, and a brief history of filmmaking, as well as through analysis of popular films, Meaning at the Movies equips readers for careful discernment in the cinema. The book does not simply list criteria for judging film art; instead it encourages Christians to develop biblical and critical discernment in regard to not only film, but all aspects of culture.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
8 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Grant Horner
9 books14 followersGrant Horner is a full-time Associate Professor at The Masters College in Santa Clarita, CA. He specializes in literary and cultural studies, especially Renaissance and Reformation studies, philosophy, theology, art history, and film studies. He teaches a Medieval/Renaissance survey course, and upper division courses on Milton, Shakespeare, Poetry and Poetics, Epic, Dramatic Literature, Critical Theory (Pre-Socratics through Derrida), Art History, Film Studies, Classical Christian Humanism, Classical Latin, & Comedy. He also teaches Art History in Germany and Italy for AMBEX. Some of the languages he speak includes Koine Greek, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, Middle French, and Medieval Latin. Dr. Horner has been an invited lecturer at Caltech on "Western Representations of Consciousness in Art, Literature and Philosophy," to Berkeley students on "Art, Philosophy and Christianity" and numerous conferences in the United States on theology, the Renaissance and Reformation, philosophy, and the Arts. In Fall 2011, he was honored to lecture in New College Lecture Hall at the University of Oxford on "Islam, Christianity and Western Liberal Enlightenment."
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April 20, 2020
From a young age I've always been the odd-man-out in my family for wanting to analyze the films and television that we consume. We finish a movie and immediately I want to start talking about the director's choice of camera angles, or the influence of a different work on this particular film, or the adaptation choices from book to screen. When I walk out of the theater, I actually want to have a long-form discussion about the plot, dialogue, and character motivation in the latest Star Wars film script, or when I'm sitting on the couch on Christmas Day I want to talk about the film noir influences on It's a Wonderful Life, or the amazing talent and history behind the singing and dancing in White Christmas.
But I end up being the nerdy person rambling to herself. I don't understand why nobody else has a desire to analyze the piece of culture we just watched. They're immediately onto the next thing we can put on the screen -- to blindly consume the next bit of media that our culture throws at us, without putting it through any sort of lens. Or perhaps they simply can't speak in the same language? I've no training in film whatsoever, and my first love is always books, but even I can use a very basic vocabulary to talk through some analysis -- like the influence of a genre or a director's technique. I gobble up long-form video essays on my Youtube feed about films and music almost every day.
While standing alone on my island of media-analysis I was drawn to this book. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, and I was excited and surprised by the quality of Horner's writing. He maintains a fair academic stance in his analysis of film, while at the same time being open about his Christian beliefs. He respects his reader's intelligence, and he's extremely perceptive. I really liked his structure for the book, and I'd be curious to get my hands on any kind of sequel, or second analysis, that Horner writes for other forms of media. Like Alistair McGrath's voice, Horner strikes that even tone between high expectations for his reader's intelligence, while still remaining relatable and accessible, and I loved it. I'd really enjoy watching a live stream webinar of his classes.
The table of contents consists of:
Introduction: Movies, Truth, and the Origins of Culture
Part I: Practical Considerations
1. Thinking about Looking: The Lost Art of Discernment
2. Welcome to the Real World: The Many Ways of Misunderstanding Basically Everything
3. How to Interrogate a Movie
Part 2: Analysis
4. A Time to Laugh: A Theological Approach to Comedy
5. Exorcising the Psycho: The Invention of Fear for Pleasure
6. Hollywood Invents Romance: Of All the Gin Joints, in All the Towns, in All the World, She Walks into Mine
7. Film Noir: The Dark Side, or Solomon Goes to Hollywood
8. The End of the Matter: Movies and Meaning, Memory, and Man
Horner first takes a step back, considering the place of the Christian in the consumption of media. He strikes a balance here, saying that Christians should not consume all media, and at the same time should not isolate themselves by completely disengaging from the surrounding culture. We should use discernment to filter our consumption of culture through our worldview lens, while at the same time being aware of that lens, and those of others' too. It is not our job to “redeem” everything around us, or to create our own “Christian” subculture. We must hold the tension between the two. Inevitably Christians are going to engage, and should engage, with their culture. He says that “... having a conversant familiarity with your culture is a critical point of intersection with the living, breathing individuals who also inhabit your cultural system.” Yes and more yes!
Then later in the book, he writes about different film genres -- such as comedy: "...laughter, like everything else, must be understood with discernment. It has to be placed properly on a continuum of value, and on that continuum, sorrow has more actual eternal value. Laughter is not valueless, but its value becomes truly functional only for those who have experienced sorrow."
Do yourself a favor and read this book. A fantastic five stars. Would recommend.
Similar books also on my list include:
How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films
The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies
The Stories We Tell: How TV and Movies Long for and Echo the Truth
Also see this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
But I end up being the nerdy person rambling to herself. I don't understand why nobody else has a desire to analyze the piece of culture we just watched. They're immediately onto the next thing we can put on the screen -- to blindly consume the next bit of media that our culture throws at us, without putting it through any sort of lens. Or perhaps they simply can't speak in the same language? I've no training in film whatsoever, and my first love is always books, but even I can use a very basic vocabulary to talk through some analysis -- like the influence of a genre or a director's technique. I gobble up long-form video essays on my Youtube feed about films and music almost every day.
While standing alone on my island of media-analysis I was drawn to this book. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, and I was excited and surprised by the quality of Horner's writing. He maintains a fair academic stance in his analysis of film, while at the same time being open about his Christian beliefs. He respects his reader's intelligence, and he's extremely perceptive. I really liked his structure for the book, and I'd be curious to get my hands on any kind of sequel, or second analysis, that Horner writes for other forms of media. Like Alistair McGrath's voice, Horner strikes that even tone between high expectations for his reader's intelligence, while still remaining relatable and accessible, and I loved it. I'd really enjoy watching a live stream webinar of his classes.
The table of contents consists of:
Introduction: Movies, Truth, and the Origins of Culture
Part I: Practical Considerations
1. Thinking about Looking: The Lost Art of Discernment
2. Welcome to the Real World: The Many Ways of Misunderstanding Basically Everything
3. How to Interrogate a Movie
Part 2: Analysis
4. A Time to Laugh: A Theological Approach to Comedy
5. Exorcising the Psycho: The Invention of Fear for Pleasure
6. Hollywood Invents Romance: Of All the Gin Joints, in All the Towns, in All the World, She Walks into Mine
7. Film Noir: The Dark Side, or Solomon Goes to Hollywood
8. The End of the Matter: Movies and Meaning, Memory, and Man
Horner first takes a step back, considering the place of the Christian in the consumption of media. He strikes a balance here, saying that Christians should not consume all media, and at the same time should not isolate themselves by completely disengaging from the surrounding culture. We should use discernment to filter our consumption of culture through our worldview lens, while at the same time being aware of that lens, and those of others' too. It is not our job to “redeem” everything around us, or to create our own “Christian” subculture. We must hold the tension between the two. Inevitably Christians are going to engage, and should engage, with their culture. He says that “... having a conversant familiarity with your culture is a critical point of intersection with the living, breathing individuals who also inhabit your cultural system.” Yes and more yes!
Then later in the book, he writes about different film genres -- such as comedy: "...laughter, like everything else, must be understood with discernment. It has to be placed properly on a continuum of value, and on that continuum, sorrow has more actual eternal value. Laughter is not valueless, but its value becomes truly functional only for those who have experienced sorrow."
Do yourself a favor and read this book. A fantastic five stars. Would recommend.
Similar books also on my list include:
How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films
The Big Screen: The Story of the Movies
The Stories We Tell: How TV and Movies Long for and Echo the Truth
Also see this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 7, 2019
Though labeled and marketed as a book about the movies, this book is much, much more. This is actually one of the best culture and worldview books you'll encounter. The book is more a series of lessons on Christian discernment, worldview, and culture with movies as the primary metaphor and source material.
Horner's method, rather than simply talking about movies, teaches his reader how to use Christian discernment in evaluating culture and philosophy. His lessons are primarily drawn from Romans 1 and the unbeliever's suppression of truth and the inescapability of truth being revealed despite the attempts at suppression.
Horner defines "Christian discernment" as "thinking as God thinks." (p. 58) Those familiar with Van Til will recognize this mantra, and the book expounds Van Til's idea of antithesis and epistemology. None of it is explicit, nor is Van Til quoted--rather, it is all Scriptural--coming from a faithful study of Romans. Horner argues that all men know about God, they choose to suppress it in unrighteousness, rather than face the truth of their condition.
The first portion of the book discusses discernment and worldview, even dedicating a chapter to defining the predominant worldviews. He then begins applying his basic principles to film. But again, to reduce the book to movies alone is to minimize the scope of the book.
Horner argues that film is our new philosophy. He elaborates by demonstrating the significance of film in our cultural consciousness. Film is the primary vehicle for the communication of philosophy and worldview. He challenges Christians to a new awareness of what is being communicated in movies. But again, this awareness is much more than simply understanding movies. The very same thing can be said for understanding any cultural artifact--advertising, books, sermons, TV news, sitcoms, political rallies, etc. The call is to discernment, not just discernment in the cinema.
This is an outstanding book and should be read widely, even if you have no interest in movies. I highly recommend it.
Horner's method, rather than simply talking about movies, teaches his reader how to use Christian discernment in evaluating culture and philosophy. His lessons are primarily drawn from Romans 1 and the unbeliever's suppression of truth and the inescapability of truth being revealed despite the attempts at suppression.
Horner defines "Christian discernment" as "thinking as God thinks." (p. 58) Those familiar with Van Til will recognize this mantra, and the book expounds Van Til's idea of antithesis and epistemology. None of it is explicit, nor is Van Til quoted--rather, it is all Scriptural--coming from a faithful study of Romans. Horner argues that all men know about God, they choose to suppress it in unrighteousness, rather than face the truth of their condition.
The first portion of the book discusses discernment and worldview, even dedicating a chapter to defining the predominant worldviews. He then begins applying his basic principles to film. But again, to reduce the book to movies alone is to minimize the scope of the book.
Horner argues that film is our new philosophy. He elaborates by demonstrating the significance of film in our cultural consciousness. Film is the primary vehicle for the communication of philosophy and worldview. He challenges Christians to a new awareness of what is being communicated in movies. But again, this awareness is much more than simply understanding movies. The very same thing can be said for understanding any cultural artifact--advertising, books, sermons, TV news, sitcoms, political rallies, etc. The call is to discernment, not just discernment in the cinema.
This is an outstanding book and should be read widely, even if you have no interest in movies. I highly recommend it.
January 19, 2016
This was a decent book, although I think that if you want to get specific worldview tools for detecting philosophy in art, you're better off with Nancy Pearcey's Saving Leonardo
I was bemused that Horner defines culture generally as a Romans-1-style attempt to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness". While this definition might work well as a descriptor for specifically unbelieving cultural works as opposed to the cultural works of Christendom, I was fascinated to note that Horner never clarified this point. This shows the outworking of a comment early on that "God does not call us to redeem culture per se and somehow create a 'Christian' culture. True belief is always an exile, not a kingdom on earth." I could not possibly disagree with this more strongly than I do. Not only is it a misinterpretation of Scripture, it's also at root a radically anti-cultural position: if all Christians are called to recognise the truth about God, and if all culture is devoted to suppressing the truth about God, then Christians can view culture only as their enemy: a highly sophisticated enemy ploy to deceive and misdirect. And forget about actually trying to produce your own cultural works.
Fortunately, Horner spends more time in the book describing how examples of unbelieving culture act out a Romans 1 suppression of truth, rather than fully elaborating on his retreatist theory of culture. And he's certainly onto something with the Romans 1 rubric. This is a particularly valuable artistic insight because it accounts quite neatly for the unquestionable ambiguity of art. We've all seen films or read stories which depressed us while enunciating a stark materialist or existentialist worldview. I'm reminded of the worst novel I ever read, a revolting tale of dissipation in Restoration London. The main character schemes, murders, and sleeps her way through a world in which virtue is only either naivete to be exploited or hypocrisy to be exposed. And she has a miserable time doing it. By the end, I had a knee-jerkingly passionate desire to be really good. Is a story like this an apology for vice or for virtue? Nothing was more evident than the main character's desperate need for redemption.
This would be a good example of Horner's thesis, which is that unbelievers suppress the truth in unrighteousness ("Embrace your inner promiscuous lying killer!"), but cannot suppress it fully and are constantly dogged by its triumphant re-emergence ("--and enjoy a lonely, futile, embittered life in which everyone hates you"). Because the truth has a way of slithering out and re-asserting itself, even unbelieving culture can be experienced as a source of truth--if we experience it mindfully, critically, and using the tools of discernment given in Scripture.
I did think Horner's anti-culture definition did trip him up occasionally. He calls our attention to Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility adaptation in the chapter on romance, saying that the climactic scene in which Elinor reacts to Edward Ferrars's declaration of love in a sudden, uncharacteristic moment of pure emotion is a picture of how we should react--the same shock, the same euphoria--to God's love for us as humans. Horner doesn't spell it out in this passage, but taken in context, this of course means that a) the story is a work of culture (originally conceived by a woman whom I firmly believe to be a pre-eminent crafter of Christian cultural works); b) as a work of culture, whatever truth it may display comes as the result of an attempt to suppress the truth; and c) its particular suppression of truth is an attempt to place ultimate human meaning in romantic love (which is how he specifically characterises a similar moment in a previous chapter in a Charlie Chaplin movie).
But of course Austen meant no such thing in Sense and Sensibility. Yikes, in her original novel she even has a character swear to let her romantic affections be "regulated by religion"! The truth is not in her story by way of suppression--it's in there by faithful God-honouring design. Horner's critique is like a parent banning CS Lewis's Narnia books from the house on the grounds that Aslan is a false god. By refusing to recognise the legitimacy of faithful Christian culture as expressed through symbolism, metaphor, and story, Horner blinds himself to how storytelling can intentionally point us beyond to greater truths.
So to conclude, this book was part good and part bad. It provides a great way to read works of unfaithful culture, a way that allows for reflections of truth and profound ambiguities and ironies within works of fiction. But when it comes to evaluating and appreciating Christian culture, it's pretty lacking.
I was bemused that Horner defines culture generally as a Romans-1-style attempt to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness". While this definition might work well as a descriptor for specifically unbelieving cultural works as opposed to the cultural works of Christendom, I was fascinated to note that Horner never clarified this point. This shows the outworking of a comment early on that "God does not call us to redeem culture per se and somehow create a 'Christian' culture. True belief is always an exile, not a kingdom on earth." I could not possibly disagree with this more strongly than I do. Not only is it a misinterpretation of Scripture, it's also at root a radically anti-cultural position: if all Christians are called to recognise the truth about God, and if all culture is devoted to suppressing the truth about God, then Christians can view culture only as their enemy: a highly sophisticated enemy ploy to deceive and misdirect. And forget about actually trying to produce your own cultural works.
Fortunately, Horner spends more time in the book describing how examples of unbelieving culture act out a Romans 1 suppression of truth, rather than fully elaborating on his retreatist theory of culture. And he's certainly onto something with the Romans 1 rubric. This is a particularly valuable artistic insight because it accounts quite neatly for the unquestionable ambiguity of art. We've all seen films or read stories which depressed us while enunciating a stark materialist or existentialist worldview. I'm reminded of the worst novel I ever read, a revolting tale of dissipation in Restoration London. The main character schemes, murders, and sleeps her way through a world in which virtue is only either naivete to be exploited or hypocrisy to be exposed. And she has a miserable time doing it. By the end, I had a knee-jerkingly passionate desire to be really good. Is a story like this an apology for vice or for virtue? Nothing was more evident than the main character's desperate need for redemption.
This would be a good example of Horner's thesis, which is that unbelievers suppress the truth in unrighteousness ("Embrace your inner promiscuous lying killer!"), but cannot suppress it fully and are constantly dogged by its triumphant re-emergence ("--and enjoy a lonely, futile, embittered life in which everyone hates you"). Because the truth has a way of slithering out and re-asserting itself, even unbelieving culture can be experienced as a source of truth--if we experience it mindfully, critically, and using the tools of discernment given in Scripture.
I did think Horner's anti-culture definition did trip him up occasionally. He calls our attention to Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility adaptation in the chapter on romance, saying that the climactic scene in which Elinor reacts to Edward Ferrars's declaration of love in a sudden, uncharacteristic moment of pure emotion is a picture of how we should react--the same shock, the same euphoria--to God's love for us as humans. Horner doesn't spell it out in this passage, but taken in context, this of course means that a) the story is a work of culture (originally conceived by a woman whom I firmly believe to be a pre-eminent crafter of Christian cultural works); b) as a work of culture, whatever truth it may display comes as the result of an attempt to suppress the truth; and c) its particular suppression of truth is an attempt to place ultimate human meaning in romantic love (which is how he specifically characterises a similar moment in a previous chapter in a Charlie Chaplin movie).
But of course Austen meant no such thing in Sense and Sensibility. Yikes, in her original novel she even has a character swear to let her romantic affections be "regulated by religion"! The truth is not in her story by way of suppression--it's in there by faithful God-honouring design. Horner's critique is like a parent banning CS Lewis's Narnia books from the house on the grounds that Aslan is a false god. By refusing to recognise the legitimacy of faithful Christian culture as expressed through symbolism, metaphor, and story, Horner blinds himself to how storytelling can intentionally point us beyond to greater truths.
So to conclude, this book was part good and part bad. It provides a great way to read works of unfaithful culture, a way that allows for reflections of truth and profound ambiguities and ironies within works of fiction. But when it comes to evaluating and appreciating Christian culture, it's pretty lacking.
May 7, 2012
This is tremendous volume that made me feel as if I took a class with Professor Horner. He recommends watching specific films before reading certain chapters describing particular genres. This is the best way to read the book and is easy with Netflix. His chapter on the history and development of philosophy that shapes the artwork of making films today is excellent. This book is not for the light reader. Horner makes you work through films and understand the philosophical perspective of the director. A number of times I had to consider rewatching a movie after reading his critique because he saw much more than I did. I will be reading other books on media criticism for a class I am teaching, but this book written from a strong biblical perspective and academic background is a wonderful resource.
December 30, 2013
Christians should be discerning viewers of movies. But we a lot of the time, we get caught in the battle between those who only watch G rated movies, and those who think anything goes. That's a false dichotomy.
Some G rated rated movies are much more dangerous, in the idea and philosophies they exhibit, than many R rated movies. Likewise, the presence of violence or profanity is not an automatic disqualifier. What message is really being preached, for every movie has one. Those who would dismiss anything rated R would miss out, for example, on the modern western Unforgiven, which is a shame.
Horner analyzes many movies to help get to the worldview they are trying to preach, and tries to help us do the same. Worth the read, especially if you appreciate older movies.
I do wish he had gotten a little more practical. His "practical" chapter on how to analyze a movie didn't seem very practical. I also wish he analyzed some more modern movies. If he had a movie review blog, I would read it.
Some G rated rated movies are much more dangerous, in the idea and philosophies they exhibit, than many R rated movies. Likewise, the presence of violence or profanity is not an automatic disqualifier. What message is really being preached, for every movie has one. Those who would dismiss anything rated R would miss out, for example, on the modern western Unforgiven, which is a shame.
Horner analyzes many movies to help get to the worldview they are trying to preach, and tries to help us do the same. Worth the read, especially if you appreciate older movies.
I do wish he had gotten a little more practical. His "practical" chapter on how to analyze a movie didn't seem very practical. I also wish he analyzed some more modern movies. If he had a movie review blog, I would read it.
August 6, 2010
This book is fantastic. It will not give you any formulas, tips or tricks about what films to watch as Christians. Instead, it helps you to be able to discern the ideas in films and how they can affect your life. If you haven't seen the films listed in the book, you can watch them, but it is not necessary to read the book. They are discussed enough for any reader to be able to understand what is needed to comprehend the author's point.
July 13, 2011
A good reminder to think about the culture we consume and some thoughts on how to do that.
Want to read
November 6, 2013Horner teaches at MacArthur's The Master's College and knows Phil Donnelly and Andrew Selby.
February 26, 2018
This was an okay book on the art of film. A little too simplistic and somewhat wordy, even though it is not a long book. There are better books on the topic.
June 22, 2017
I read this book alongside a similar book, Mike Cosper's The Stories We Tell: How TV and Movies Long for and Echo the Truth. Both books compare and contrast movies with themes from the Bible, arguing that every human being, whether they realize it or not, has an inborn yearning for God, who is best known through the Christian gospel. Cosper focuses on similarities, while Horner focuses on differences (one of Horner's major arguments is that although we know the truth about God deep down, we consciously or subconsciously suppress it, and that this is evident in the stories we fashion). Both books were enjoyable to read side-by-side.
November 7, 2018
This was a helpful read for my 10th grader and I. It may be better suited for an 11th or 12th grader depending on their maturity. The author speaks of many films I have never watched and have no intentions of watching, but recognizing the various world views that are often displayed in any movie made this book worthwhile.
October 15, 2019
I've read maybe 5 books on the subject (and they are hard to find), but this is by far the best entry. I do wish Horner would expand the worldview/philosophy section and had an altogether more comprehensive approach, but in the end this is the best volume out there for evangelicals who want to intelligently engage culture in a manner that loves the Lord with all their mind.
September 27, 2021
In looking at the art of movie-making, the author really has us looking deeply at the art of story-telling, and why it is so important and interesting. His dives into the importance of memory, discernment, repression, fear, etc. are all great food for thought. A very helpful guide to getting more out of the movies you already enjoy, as well as those you don't.
March 30, 2018
I expected more of an actual how-to as opposed to
Horner's reflections on various films and how they tie
in to biblical doctrines. But if that's what it was supposed to
be, then it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed most of it. Wish he had
explained more about why The Matrix is not a Christian film.
Horner's reflections on various films and how they tie
in to biblical doctrines. But if that's what it was supposed to
be, then it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed most of it. Wish he had
explained more about why The Matrix is not a Christian film.
October 10, 2025
Thoughtful, fresh, most helpful piece is his introductory chapters on culture as it relates to Romans 1.
November 29, 2012
Excellent book on a Christian worldview when it comes to viewing movies, and probably the best book of its kind. It stresses that Christians must bring the Word of God to bear concerning what they are seeing. The best question that a Christian can ask in evaluating any film is what does it say about the nature of man. Does the movie promote an anthropology that is contrary to that of Scripture or does it confirm it? The author makes the point that even if what it teaches about man is contrary to what our systematic theology tells us about man, yet it still speaks truth--that man would try to supress the truth of God in righteousness. I love how he brings Romans 1 to bear in the topic of evaluating culture, in which film is an artifact of culture. The point he makes about Romans 1 goes beyond just movie watching but an analysis of other aspects and creative outflow of society in general. After an opening chapter on discernment and how to interrogate a movie which lays the ground work for the rest of the book, the author Grant Horner launches into analysis of several kinds of genre of films. If you have ever had an English literature class in which the professor is able to open your eyes and see a book you are reading at a deeper level of things you never noticed previously, you would enjoy experiencing the same epiphanies with this part of the book (it does help that Horner is an English professor at The Master's College). His chapter on comedy discusses about the Christian view of irony--and how irony is the result of a fallen world in which the world is not the way it ought to be. Prior to this book I never thought about irony in these terms before. Horner does the same kind of analysis with scary movies as well, with a great discussion of how scary movies in light of Romans 1 is our way of managing fear that we can control--and how that helps us cope with our suppression that God is frightening for sinners. Scary movies then is our way out in order to release the valve so to speak. The author also devote a chapter on romance and most interestingly film noir. The author does not take you down a path of smut but was able to point out illustrations of Christian principles as well, and movies with bad ideology that viewers might not readily pick up. His last chapter on man and meaning of life and memory is a fitting end, in which he argues that man is trying to suppress the knowledge of God by also suppressing the memory of that suppression. As I said earlier I believe this is the best book of it's kind. It's filled with many observations of movies and also biblical discernment. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone.
December 31, 2010
"All the world's a screen" – at least that's how Prof Horner sees it, and I'm starting to agree with him.
Prof Horner's work here revels both his love for film and for God's Word and how to balance the two. As an English professor, film guru, and a student of theology, Prof Horner is the right man to speak to this very important Christian question of what do we do with film?
This book will challenge any film lover, parent, student, and Christian to actually use discernment when watching movies, and not just view them for entertainment only. His purpose is not to tell you what movies to watch, but show you how to watch them. Additionally, his goal is teach us how to see ourselves in movies, and then compare that with how God designed us to live as revealed in the Bible.
For Christians, Meaning At The Movies should be added to your "to-read" list and pushed to the top of the list. It will create a conversation in your home, work, or church that will surely help us all use our time to the glory of God, even when we're holding a bag of popcorn and enjoying a movie together.
Prof Horner's work here revels both his love for film and for God's Word and how to balance the two. As an English professor, film guru, and a student of theology, Prof Horner is the right man to speak to this very important Christian question of what do we do with film?
This book will challenge any film lover, parent, student, and Christian to actually use discernment when watching movies, and not just view them for entertainment only. His purpose is not to tell you what movies to watch, but show you how to watch them. Additionally, his goal is teach us how to see ourselves in movies, and then compare that with how God designed us to live as revealed in the Bible.
For Christians, Meaning At The Movies should be added to your "to-read" list and pushed to the top of the list. It will create a conversation in your home, work, or church that will surely help us all use our time to the glory of God, even when we're holding a bag of popcorn and enjoying a movie together.
March 11, 2014
Dr. Horner thoughtfully and carefully examines the cultural origins in regards to movies/cultural productions/art. He then goes on to examine the various genres with depth and serious reflection. This book I believe to be helpful in interacting with the culture as the old saying goes,"art imitates life." I highly recommend this for any age group and would recommend parents have their children read it either as part of their curriculum if homeschooled or as an added resource while attending public school.
August 8, 2016
Read this book because it has been highly recommended. Horner does an excellent job of discussing the presuppositions that go into the movies, as well as analyzing film genres (what makes them tick, what is their theology, etc.). The first part of the book is especially good as it reminds the reader that one must not "turn of their mind" when they watch a movie. Either you will observe thoughtfully, or you will be implicitly shaped by the movie you watch.
October 23, 2013
I didn't make it all the way through, but this is the best resource I have discovered for studying film and worldview from a sound Christian perspective. My only fault with it would be I haven't seen many of the films he discusses, so I missed some of the context. That said, Horner effectively 'sets the scene,' so even if you haven't seen the films, you can still learn from the example.
February 23, 2017
This book provides a helpful framework for how to the about movies and the themes presented in them. Many of his observations about what drives particular genres we're particularly insightful. My only reservation would be that some of his summaries of movies were overly simplistic, but of course that should be expected in a book of this length.
July 12, 2012
Its a good book, looking at the philosophy of Hollywood and comparing it back to the Scriptural truths found specifically in Romans 1. A ton of movie analysis though which gets a little old after a while. Pretty heavy reading
May 28, 2014
Excellent. A must read for anyone who watches movies. Not just a good book on the subject of Christians and cinema, but probably one of the best Christian living books I've ever read. I will be reading it again.
January 12, 2014
Horner has some good points, but he isn't as insightful or cogent as Brian Godawa. If you have time for only one book detailing which movies you should hate or love (and why), stick with Hollywood Worldviews.
December 4, 2014
I enjoyed this book at first, and it was helpful, but I think that Horner read meaning into some of these movies and I wish that he would have discussed more modern movies. It was ok for a school book.
February 28, 2014
While I do not agree with the central, organizing principle (all culture is man's attempt to suppress the truth), I still found this to be an insightful way to consider movies. I look forward to hearing Dr. Horner speak next week!
July 9, 2015
This book isn't about what movies a Christian should watch so much as how he should watch them. It was quite informative and forced me to watch good movies I wouldn't have otherwise shown any interest in.
August 30, 2011
Helpful.
May 13, 2013
Very well written. Fun to read. Helpful use of inclusio. Recommended.
August 31, 2013
Despite the cheesy title, this is one of the better I have read all summer. A great unpacking of Romans 1 by Horner.
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