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Critics in the religious media were, for the most part, unsatisfied. "It's too bad Texas Rangers fails to live up to the enormous potential found in its noble themes," says Lindy Beam (Focus on the Family). "Recent events have underscored the need to discern the difference between revenge and justice. This film could have been a timely discussion starter on this subject. Except that it's so … mediocre."

The USCC's review calls it terrible: "In between the many hangings, foolish dialogue and muddled machinations of the rambling plot, director Steve Miner feebly squeezes in the message that might does not make right."

John Adair (Preview) argues that without the foul language, Texas Rangers would be acceptable.

Douglas Downs (Christian Spotlight on the Movies) strongly recommends the film. "Director Steve Miner shows expert direction and vision," he writes, arguing that "the film is much better than Out Cold and Black Knight. There is practically no sex and almost no profanity."

If brainless action and gaudy "bodice-rippers" don't appeal to you, there's a dose of heavy reality waiting in a highly acclaimed foreign film. Kandahar is a film about an Afghan girl whose family has fled Afghanistan under the brutality of the Taliban. It is playing in limited release around the U.S. and opens in Canada later this month. At this year's Cannes Film Festival, it was honored with the Ecumenical Jury Prize.

At B.C. Christian News, Victoria Goodman gives the film high praise. Iranian director/producer/writer Mohsen Makhmalbaf "depicts the day-to-day life of Afghan refugees, people who transcend the most unimaginable suffering with courage, grace, dignity, and even humor. With millions of refugees now fleeing the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan, facing likely starvation and a harsh winter, Kandahar's message is all too timely. The film is a cry of desperation; but it is also hopeful, portraying people who have not given up, and who faithfully pray that God will help them."

The New Yorker 's David Denby calls it powerful: "What [Makhmalbaf ] has done is turn the desolation of Afghanistan into scenes of iconic power."

There are more and more moviegoer discussion groups popping up in churches and Christian communities everywhere. I appreciate hearing from readers who are participating and discovering new insight from looking closer at the culture's big-screen stories.

If you are involved in such a group, or thinking about beginning one, you will find a treasure trove of study guides at Damaris CultureWatch Resources. For example, a study guide for the current Coen Brothers arthouse hit The Man Who Wasn't There offers good questions about the plot: "Did you find Ed Crane a sympathetic character? How does he come to question his own existence? Was Ed Crane a guilty of any crimes? Did he get what he deserved in the end?" Further, the studies draw questions raised by the film that will be challenging if we apply them to our lives. In reference to a scene in which Ed Crane tries to help a young pianist, the guide writes, "So often we long to stop younger people making the same mistakes we made. Can we? Or is experience the only teacher?"

Next week: Oceans 11—Is safecracking as glamorous as it's cracked up to be?

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More review roundups are available in the Film Forum archives.

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December (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45