How Movies Helped Saved My Soul

If you've ever emerged awed and blinking from a film with a feeling that life is not quite the same as when you went in, you'll love this book. In a hyperactive world, argues Belfast-based writer Gareth Higgins, going to the flicks is one of the few contemplative rituals we have left.Contrary to a couple of somewhat clenched reviews on this site, it makes no claim to be a definitive guide to the spiritual content to films. This is not "God's Favourite Movies: Ten Vetted Film Nuggets to Save You From Doubt". Instead Higgins offers us his own subjective and bracingly candid meander through themes such as death, community, fear, conspiracy, power and love, drawing on diverse cinematic offerings ranging from "Amores Perros" to "The Wizard of Oz".Written in witty, conversational style but without sacrificing intellectual rigour, it also has a beguiling vulnerability. Higgins shares his life as well as his love of movies, and the result is often as moving as it is illuminating.Evidently a man who has been bruised as much as blessed by his Christian religious heritage and unafraid to say so, he refuses to be thrown off the scent of the great Director at work in the universe. The result is part filmography, part memoir, part meditation - an engaging and uplifting meander through one man's love affair with life both on and off the silver screen.Borrowing a habit from Woody Allen in "Manhattan", Higgins ends the book with a list of the everyday miracles that make him grateful to be alive: Randalstown forest on a crisp morning; coffee with friends; tigers; Singin' in the Rain; the inside of Krakow Cathedral; and the feeling when the lights go down in the cinema...You're left with the same brimming fullness you experience after a stunningly good movie: a sense of life's luminous beauty and pain, a renewed vision of the good, or God, that so often goes unnoticed... and of course a determination to see more films.More than a cinematic guide, this is a spontaneous act of generosity. Enjoy.

If all I received from "How Movies Helped Save My Soul" was a few good recommendations on what movies to rent next, I would have been somewhat satisfied. The author mentioned many great ones that I had never heard of, which made the lengthy list posted on my fridge entitled "movies to rent" worth this read to me. But fortunately, it went much deeper than that. Higgins was very open and exposed himself very plainly through his reviews, revealing his mind and heart to all readers. I didn't feel like I was in a lecture hall, I felt like I was listening to a friend share his thoughts and observations with me. I am also a fan of books that are broken into sections, so that I can skip around. The format served well for this subject. I think some of the reviews are best after seeing the movie yourself. So when I see one of these movies at a later time, I can read just that section again and rediscover his opinions and compare them to my own. He brought up some very solid points and really challenged Christians to be what they claim: followers of Jesus Christ. Although I agree with Higgins that there needs to be a major reformation in the church, I think he could have given some grace. Many churches are taking great strides to fulfill the vision of community, service, depth in teaching and worship, and love for God and people that Christ had for the church. I hope that he challenges and encourages many churches to do the same, but it is hard to be encouraged when you are simply being put down. It's good to be real, but show some hope, man. In this book Higgins seems very passionate about the importance of Christians keeping their eyes open to the world and the culture surrounding them, using everything they can to further their understanding of God's word and people. After all, one of the most forward messages of the Bible is to love the people around you...all of them. Good book with one of the best conclusions I have ever read. Shows you how to get even more out of films. They aren't just entertainment. They are meant to challenge, to enlighten, and to make you feel, then act on those feelings. Higgins, you grasped that knowledge and threw it in our faces. Thanks.

Reading How Movies Helped Save My Soul first made me realize that I need to see more movies, and that I would enjoy having meaningful discussions about such things as movies. Pure entertainment; the author would strongly disagree when talking about movies. In his book, Gareth Higgins helps to prepare your mind for an enlightening and possibly life-changing experience when seeing a movie. It is an insightful book that is meant to challenge Christians to really look at the significance of movies. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their intellect and stimulate their minds when seeing a movie. The author likes to have a ten minute block of silence once a movie is over with to allow the movie to process in his head. I think that is a good idea, for we all too often will jump to the conclusion that a movie is good or bad. Without going any further, we fail to appreciate all the time and work put into this piece of art. It is entertainment, but can be much more meaningful and significant. I enjoyed this book, and will enjoy it again, once I see more of the movies the author discusses. This is a book you can enjoy over and over again and actually put to good use.

Gareth Higgins has written a delightfully irreverent, insightful, and immanently readable guide to exploring the spiritual significance of movies. His voice is conversational, conspiratorial, witty and extremely opinionated. He never fails to let you know what he really thinks, pulling absolutely no punches. That is as it should be. I know if I wrote a guide to movies I think are important and laden with spiritual significance, it would be just as opinionated. That being said, he has left out some of my favorite films. However, there are a plethora of movies to delve into here. What's more, this book is not just about the movies; I came away feeling like I knew Mr. Higgins, and what matters to him in life. There is a lot of down-to-earth philosophy here, just the way I appreciate philosophical thought being rendered. It is always accessible. It feels like a conversation with a new friend that you have the eerie feeling you've known all your life. It never falls victim to the arid quality of so much critical theory when it comes to academic offerings on film or literature. No, this is a celebration. It is also a blueprint for a life of significance. There are winning sections on community, and persuasive thoughts about how we have lost our sense of connectedness in Western culture, and more importantly, how to get it back! The wonderful thing about the structure of the book is that Higgins has parceled out the films he discusses thematically, with chapters on weighty matters such as "God," "Fear "Quest," "Outsiders," "Brokenness," and more. This gives him the opportunity to speak on these themes themselves, woven throughout life itself, and within the movies, and then back out, connected to life again. The result of this wondrous book is a feeling of embracing life, and becoming more fully human. In the conclusion to his decidedly personal collection of thoughts, Higgins leaves off with an exploration of things he is grateful for, and some words to the wise for us all. By this last page, I feel I have made a new friend; someone who is engaging, imperfect, and deeply thoughtful. I appreciated this journey in the company of Dr. Higgins and his Rosetta Stone.

Contrary to the review on this book that questioned whether or not this book was even "Christian," (which makes me laugh---if that person thinks it's not "Christian," and is judging books on the "Christian" and "Non-Christian" books than that's fine---it's just an inconsistent way to live called "living in legalism," that's all)....anyway, this book is wonderful and personal and yes, some times he may make you a little upset or make you scratch your head and wonder, but the more he did this, the more I began to question what I believed in my own life. Although people in the Christian community would call me a movie fanatic, I had not seen many of the movies Gareth discussed (but it was okay, it made me want to go out and buy them all---or wait, is that a good thing?:). It doesn't matter though, because this guy feels like my long-lost movie-buff friend and after the book is over, if you make it that far (because I sense many Christians who are not as passionate and serious and glorious in their love for Jesus that will simply close the book a few pages into it), he will be yours too. Gareth talks a lot about Christian community (and it's all really good stuff here too) and God, and love, and life...but he never comes across as being too preachy or too political. He's humble and converstational-like in his approach, which makes it easier for me to take in all that he has to say. My two passions in life are the Church (people coming to know God interpersonally and in true Christian community) and Movies. Gareth combines these two so brilliantly, it's like he's writing my dream book. Every serious "Emerging Church" or "Postmodern pilgrim" seminary student should read this book not because it will give them "new methods and ways to save the world," but because it will rock your faith, give you a deeper hunger for God and force you to live in the moment, from day-to-day, constantly aiming to become more Christ-like. Pastors, Church-goers, college students, movie-loving/Jesus-toting brothers and sisters...get this book, now!