Through a Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth and Evil in the Movies

About 20 years ago, I gave myself a gift while I was in a Protestant seminary: during my last semester, I took a course entitled "Celluloid Theology" which was offered at a nearby Roman Catholic seminary which brought me to new understandings of faith and cinematic arts. Since then, I have dabbled in movies and theology, offering a movie discussion here and there in my ministry setting. Since that time long ago, I have kept in mind the lens of theology as I view movies even if I wasn't actively using the lessons I learned during that time with Father Tom Kane. This book, though, has brought a whole new perspective to that journey. Jeffrey Overstreet has written a very readable, and often times moving, book about the intersection of Christianity (our culture's most apparent religious expression) and film (our most noticeable artistic expression these days). I especially appreciated the way that he modeled the use of movies in discussing how they reflect faith and sometimes expose us to divine truths. I realize that the author and I probably come from somewhat different theological perspectives and I have to let go of my only frustration with the book. I feel that he spent too much of his writing explaining away why he appreciates and endorses movies that may be too over the edge for some Christians. I do understand and appreciate the fact that he gets way too much email criticizing him for pointing out the good of a particular movie that has too much violence/sex/foul language/you-name-it for the email writer. But I did grow a little tired of the repeated justifications that began to sound like apologies. I especially commend the second chapter, "Viewer Discretion Advised," for the best essay I have ever read about the intersection of faith and the arts, and not just cinematic arts. His viewpoint is clearly written and can be applied to how we might look at any art form as a window into a bit of understanding about God. I am rejuvenated in my interest in movies by this book and highly recommend it.

As a filmmaker and a Christian I am always striving to find an articulate voice able to handle the spiritual as well as the cinematic. With Jeffery Overstreet's Through a Screen Darkly I have found a strong one. The book traces Overstreet's own experience with cinema as an artist, a Christian and a human being. The book serves to open readers' eyes not only to their own experiences, but to the larger questions of artistic as well as moral excellence. Highly recommended.

Jeffrey Overstreet expertly guides readers on a cinematic journey, thoughtfully raising questions and broaching issues to help Christians and non-Christians alike challenge their traditional views on art, faith, culture and cinema. Overstreet demonstrates remarkable skill in providing a comprehensive and thoughtful reflection on a wide variety of films. He discusses them in fresh ways, displaying cultural relevance in his interpretation while also dramatically illustrating the spiritual principles and biblical truths that surface in the themes of each film. Overstreet's masterful work will offer you a fresh look at beauty, truth, evil and redemption in the movies. A must-have for any film lover!

Have you ever wondered how some people can just soak in movies? They go to the threater and its like they just made a new friend with the film they just saw. While you go and enjoyment some entertainment. Both ways of viewing are good but hey, we all could use a new friend. Jeffery Overstreet helps us bridge the gap between just watching another movie and connecting to another perspective and deeper meaning through viewing movies as art. Overstreet writes a very accessable and enjoyable journey in film through the book Through a Screen Darkly. He is not a film snob in belittling popular movies. He actually helps the reader see some great themes in mainstrean movies that he or she may have overlooked. But he also is ready to challenge the reader with films that a "normal" person may not have come across. The greatest part of the book is that he doesn't just suggest movies that one should experience. He instead walks you through his personal journey in movie appreciation and helps the reader to learn what can be gathered in extraordinary movies.

I really enjoyed this book, and how Jeffrey showed how to expand a Christian view of film in two ways: by looking beyond simple moralizing to take a deep look at how film can convey the spiritual longings and journeys taken by film characters, and by looking beyond Hollywood to explore the finest works from world cinema. I have had the chance to view a few of the films Jeffrey mentions in this book, but this book has helped me want to revisit these films to study them again using the artistic and filmic languages that were unfamiliar to me. I also have gained a list of films I want to add to my Netflix account. Seeing the best of world cinema, and learning how to view these films, nourishes the soul and expands my view of how God moves both in the human heart, and throughout the entire world.