More Than One Lesson

In this episode, Tyler is joined by filmmaker Josh Long to discuss being a film fan in the Christian community.

JOSH LONG is an actor and filmmaker from central North Carolina, currently living in Los Angeles. He studied theatre at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, and attended the Los Angeles Film Studies Center in 2004. A true culture junkie, he invests most of his time in movies, music and literature. He is currently a contributing writer for More Than One Lesson.

UP IN THE AIR (2009)
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Written by: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
Starring: George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga

Jason Reitman is the real thing. Though comparisons to the family patriarch may never go away, he has managed to effortlessly establish himself as his own entity. At 32 years old, he is one of the best filmmakers working today. More impressive than his age, he’s done it in just three films, all comedies. His latest, Up in the Air, is also his best. […]

In this episode, Tyler discusses Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air and what we as Christians can learn from it.

IT’S COMPLICATED (2009)
Written and Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Starring: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin

Maybe it’s out of a sense of obligation that Nancy Meyers feels she needs to make comedies. Perhaps she thinks that it’s what people expect of her and she doesn’t want to disappoint them. Whatever the reason, Nancy Meyers should stop. […]

GLADIATOR (2000)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris

Ancient Rome is a subject that has captured the imagination of the cinema for years. The pomp and circumstance, the epic war stories, the myths and legends of the Caesars have given us many of cinema’s great films. While they remained popular into the 70s, American movies tended to shy away from Rome for much of the 80s and 90s. But Ridley Scott brought us back to the Coliseum with 2000’s Best Picture winner Gladiator. […]

A BLOODY MESS (2009)
Written and Directed by: Ryan O’Leary
Starring: Sean Caldwell, Robert Clohessy, Vanessa Cuccia

Several years ago, I was told that I had a kidney stone. A couple of them, in fact. This wasn’t declared immediately, of course. The doctor had to perform some tests to make sure. One of them was a routine prostate exam, a test that most men don’t experience until they’re around 50 or so. […]

In this episode, Tyler discusses Paul Schrader’s Adam Resurrected and what we as Christians can learn from it.

ANTICHRIST (2009)
Written and Directed by: Lars Von Trier
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg

It is a firmly held belief of mine that I would rather see a well-made movie I disagree with than a poorly made film that plays it safe. In some cosmic or telepathic way, Lars von Trier has become aware of this and has made a film that challenges anyone and everyone who holds a similar belief. It is Antichrist, and was made in the full spirit of its title.

[…]

I recently ran across an interesting quote from famed theologian John Calvin. I thought you might enjoy it.

Therefore in reading profane authors, the admirable light of truth displayed in them should remind us that the human mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable gifts from its Creator. If we reflect that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we will be careful, as we would avoid offering insults to Him, not to reject or condemn truth wherever it appears. In despising the gifts we insult the giver.

An important thought from a man who was not exactly a champion of the arts. God can use anything to get across His truth. Something to keep in mind.