Related articles and links |  1 of 5

Editor's note: After almost a decade, this is the final edition of Film Forum. The weekly column began long before CT Movies launched, and for years was CT's only regular coverage of current films. But now that CT Movies is three years old and going strong, Film Forum has run its course and crossed the finish line. Jeffrey Overstreet, who will continue to write reviews and other features for us, will move Film Forum to his own personal website (see details below). We could say much about Jeffrey's excellent work on FF over the last six years, but we'll close it with the same word the Italians use at the end of their films: Fine. The end. And a "fine" run it has indeed. Thanks, Jeffrey.

As I sat watching the Oscars and writing this, the last installment of Film Forum, I was inspired by all of the winners' thank-you speeches. So I want to start with a few thanks myself.

Film Forum was created by Steve Lansingh and Ted Olsen in November 1999 (even before Rotten Tomatoes started doing their thing). I would like to thank them for their vision and courage in establishing FF, and for inviting me to carry it forward. It has been a privilege.

Thanks to Mark Moring for being so supportive and working so hard at CT Movies. I greatly admire his courage, conviction, and enthusiasm, and I'm thankful for his thoughtful editing week after week.

And thanks to the critics from so many publications and websites, who are doing such inspiring work. You've changed my understanding of what a "Christian movie review" can be, and given me hope that we can carry Christian engagement with film to deeper, more rewarding levels.

Finally, thanks to the readers who have corresponded with me over the years. You've challenged me, corrected me, given me new ideas, and introduced me to great films I might otherwise have missed.

And of course, in the spirit of Jennifer Hudson, I'd like to thank God.

But this isn't the end of Film Forum. I like the idea of compiling a "roundtable" of what other Christians are writing about movies, so I'll keep doing FF (in a slightly altered format) at my website, LookingCloser.org. So, please come on over for a visit!

Before we get to this week's roundup, I want to leave you with a quote from Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark that should remind us to pay close attention to the films of people from all perspectives, from all corners of the world:

"If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in."

That explains why I value the wide variety of insightful interpretations I've encountered in Film Forum—and that's why the Forum will continue elsewhere. Stay tuned. We're just getting started.

Michael Apted's new film about William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace, celebrates the value of valiant political action without misleading us about the hardship and suffering that fall upon those who determine to do the right thing.

Wilberforce (1759-1833) suffered on several fronts as he stood like David to the Goliath of British Parliament, seeking to change their minds and hearts on the issues of slavery. The cross he bore—that is the focus of the film. But while Wilberforce may not have lived long enough to come out from under the shadow of such persecution to bask in the joy of his victories, it is clear that he is strove with one eye fixed upon heaven. His treasure lay there, his heart set upon pleasing God.

next page... |  1 of 5

share this page

March (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51