Over the last few years there seems to be an increase in the Christian film/movie making industry. Our family has enjoyed several of these family movies (not that all of them are family friendly). We have enjoyed the stories themselves and we have enjoyed the effort and skill shown by new enterprises.

We have heard though people who aren’t too impressed by these products and compare them (unfavourably) with Hollywood productions. I think this is unfair and unfortunate. We take the perspective that it is exciting to see Christian messages in the visual arts, that we should support them as much as we can and as their support grows so too will their experience and expertise which will result in better movies.

As we have talked about this in our family one of the thoughts that I’ve had is – What do we want from a Movie? – Do we want to find wisdom or do we want to be entertained?

If we want to be entertained, with all the senses delighted, then Hollywood is very experienced at that. Children who are used to watching these movies, even the wholesome ones, get used to a high level of adrenaline and nothing else satisfies.

But if we want to find wisdom then we need to look at the storyline and I’m not saying that Hollywood movies don’t have the storyline, because some of them do – and to be honest some Christian storylines are pretty weak. So my thoughts aren’t secular versus Christian but rather wisdom versus entertainment.

What do you look for in a movie?

(Disclaimer: This is not to say that we don’t watch some movies that simply entertain – we do. But if it is at the expense of a storyline, or values then we don’t.)