I’m celebrating this week’s movie freebie by reminiscing about my time at L’Abri, a Christian hospitality ministry. I was at their location in England for three months earlier this year. Every week, on Wednesday evening, our study room was transformed into a theater. One of the staff members would pick a film and we would watch it while eating cinnamon-sugar popcorn. When the movie ended, we’d spend half an hour or so discussing it.
The movies that were chosen were usually the kind that make you think. I got to see several fantastic titles (some of which I’ve included in my list) and lots of foreign films. I love watching movies that engage you on a deeper level than mere entertainment.
So, I’ve chosen a list of movies that I would show at L’Abri if I had the chance.
- Midnight in Paris (2011): One of my all-time favorites, this movie has a lot to say about nostalgia and the dangers of Golden-Age thinking.
- The Imitation Game (2014): I watched this one on an airplane and had to stop it multiple times just to think about what was going on. In addition to being a great historical piece, the messages about homosexuality is an important one.
- Les Miserables (2012): Although I prefer the stage version, the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece raises great questions about grace, forgiveness, and redemption.
- Inside Out (2015): I watched this one while at L’Abri. Pixar movies do such a great job at creating movies that are both entertaining and enlightening. Inside Out is no exception with messages about the complexity of emotions. It can also be seen as a critique of American uber-positivity.
- Lars and the Real Girl (2007): Here’s another one I was introduced to at L’Abri. The premise is odd and uncomfortable at times, but it’s really a beautiful message about community.
- About Time (2013): Again, one of my favorite movies and one of the few to make me cry. You think it’s going to be a happy romantic comedy, but then it turns out to be a beautiful story about family and what makes life worthwhile.
- Her (2013): This movie is super weird and uncomfortable at points. I include it on my list because, when we watched it at L’Abri, it raised so many question and thoughts that we were still talking about it for a week and a half later.
- The Truman Show (1998): This movie raises so many ethical questions, especially since it predates the rise of reality television, and I’d love to have a discussion about it.
What movies make you think? What ones would you like to have an intellectual group discussion about?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted at The Broke and the Bookish
For more of my bookish adventures, add me on Goodreads!
Great list! Most adaptations of Les Misérables are amazing! The Truman Show is fantastic as well!
Thanks, Lynn! And I agree–most of the Les Mis adaptations are incredible!
Some great choices on here – I particularly enjoyed midnight in Paris.
Lynn 😀
Thanks, Lynn! It really is one of my favorite movies. 🙂
Your list is really interesting. Inside Out remains one of my favourite Pixar films too. The fighting emotions were depicted really well and I appreciate your interpretation of the film.
Thank you!! I’m always so impressed with Pixar films. They’re so much better than other animated movies from both an artistic and narrative standpoint.
love your list!
check out mine too
😀 😀
https://nmlifeinwords.wordpress.com/2016/11/16/ttt-movies/