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Religious Music and Entertainment

2024-04-09T19:35:07-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Little Mermaid and Faith

Last updated on: April 9, 2024 at 7:35 pm By Zachary Miller

I don’t know about any of you, but growing up I often heard my local church leaders going on about the sinfulness of Disney’s 1989 film, The Little Mermaid. I mean going on and on about that movie, especially that whiney Ariel girl. Maybe you’re familiar with a lot of these talking points: Ariel teaches little girls that they should disobey their parents, or that a little deal with the devil never hurt anybody. And what’s she doing dressed like a... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:58:32-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Black Swan and Purity

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:58 pm By Zachary Miller

I grew up in a household that did not watch R-rated films. This practice, while not an explicit decree, did stem in large part from the expectations of our faith. Part of keeping one’s self pure meant not intaking media that offended the holy spirit. For many of my faith (though I dare not estimate exactly how many), an R-rating signals a film unacceptable. I adhered to this guideline all the way through my early years of college. I came... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:57:11-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Woodsman and the Depths of The Atonement

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:57 pm By Zachary Miller

Given the thorny nature of the film’s subject material, I debated for some time about whether or not I was ever going to spotlight this film. I admittedly don’t recommend it for all viewers, but I maintain that for the agreeable viewer, even a film as dark as this offers a glimpse of something truly heavenly. Anyway … Based on the play by Steven Fletcher, “The Woodsman” follows a former child molester, Walter (played by Kevin Bacon), who tries to rebuild... Read more

General Christian

2025-02-03T22:27:59-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Charade and Discerning Truth

Last updated on: February 3, 2025 at 10:27 pm By Zachary Miller

If you’re not familiar with Stanley Donen’s film, Charade, know that it stars Hollywood icons Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in some of their best roles. The film itself reads like a rom-com married to a spy-thriller, and the results are quite rewarding. Spoilers don’t ruin this film quite as much as they do a film like Arrival. Just so, read at your own risk. The film follows the newly widowed Regina Lampert who learns that her late husband helped... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:55:47-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Guardians of the Galaxy and Discipleship

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:55 pm By Zachary Miller

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say–I never intend to be demeaning or step on anyone’s toes, and I definitely don’t like to deal in controversy. Just so … Guardians of the Galaxy is kinda the best superhero movie ever made. The movie famously follows a handful of outlaws living on the edges of the universe. Outcasts in their galaxy, and desperate to get their lottery ticket out, the five of them strike up an alliance to deliver an... Read more

General Christian

2022-12-20T16:34:51-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Chicago and Sin

Last updated on: December 20, 2022 at 4:34 pm By Zachary Miller

My recent trip to see “In the Heights” in theaters really renewed my appetite for another musical to take home the Best Picture Oscar. The last time this happened was at the 2003 ceremony with Rob Marshall’s premier film, Chicago. Adapted from the 1970s stage show, this musical film offers a satirical look at the intersection between celebrityhood, crime, and the public’s appetite for drama. The film also presents a sort of prodigal son parable of both the allure and... Read more

General Christian

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Sin

2023-02-28T19:00:02-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Arrival as a Glimpse into Godhood

Last updated on: February 28, 2023 at 7:00 pm By Zachary Miller

[If you haven’t seen the film Denis Villeneuve’s 2016 film, Arrival, be forewarned that the following article contains spoilers. Know also that Arrival is the last film on earth that should be spoiled. The author strongly recommends you experience the film for yourself, then return to this piece. If you have seen the film but need a refresher, fear not.] The film opens with our protagonist reminiscing on her time with her late daughter who was lost to leukemia. The... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:50:46-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Perfect World and The Lamb and the Lion

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:50 pm By Zachary Miller

The icon of “the lamb and the lion” originates from the book of Isaiah and is often discussed in the context of Christ’s return. The image of something powerful lying by something gentle captures our imagination. Both creatures involved are beautiful to behold, but we know instinctively that these two don’t belong together. One is clearly a predator, and the other is clearly its prey. How could something so fierce by design sit next to something so defenseless? This disruption... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:49:47-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Question of Goodness

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:49 pm By Zachary Miller

On the day Disney+ went live, my sister and her husband selected Walt Disney Animation’s very first film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” as their inaugural viewing. (I think mine was the “Lady and the Tramp” remake?) Apparently my brother-in-law hadn’t seen the film since early childhood, and he didn’t remember the details of the ending. His reaction to seeing Snow White and the Prince approach the Castle in the clouds was something like “So … she’s dead?” The... Read more

General Christian

2022-08-16T13:48:43-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Terminator and Mother Mary

Last updated on: August 16, 2022 at 1:48 pm By Zachary Miller

The term “Madonna” has been used to designate art depicting Mary, the mother of Christ. One of the most central modes of religious art, Madonna statues and paintings have appeared throughout the centuries depicting Mother Mary usually with her infant son. Some of the most famous Madonna works of art have come from Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Filippo Lippi. One of the more fascinating representations came in 1984 from James Cameron. Though not a literal reinterpretation of Mary’s story,... Read more

General Christian

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