Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century

by Craig Detweiler, William Dyrness, Robert Johnston

Overview

In this book, Craig Detweiler examines forty-five films from the twenty-first century that resonate theologically—from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to Little Miss Sunshine—offering groundbreaking insight into their scriptural connections and theological applications.

Detweiler writes with the eye of a filmmaker, leads Hollywood and religion initiatives at Fuller Seminary, and even came to faith through cinema. In this book, he unpacks the "theology of everyday life," exploring the Spirit of God in creation, redemption, and "general revelation" through sometimes unlikely filmmakers. It's the first authoritative book that dissects up-to-date movies selected by the popular Internet Movie Database.

This book is recommended for teachers, students, pastors, film fans, and those interested in the intersection of Christianity and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801035920
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2008
Series:	Cultural Exegesis
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Craig Detweiler (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of communication at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He previously served as codirector of the Reel Spirituality Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary. Detweiler has written scripts for numerous Hollywood films, and his social documentary, Purple State of Mind (www.purplestateofmind.com), debuted in 2008. He has been featured in the New York Times, on CNN, and on NPR and is the coauthor of A Matrix of Meanings.

Table of Contents

Preface: A Hornet's Nest
1. Methodology: Into the Darko
Part 1: Identity
2. Memento: Duped in Film Noir
3. Eternal Sunshine: The Risky Rewards of Romance
Part 2: Community
4. Crashing into the Ensemble Drama: Communities in Crisis
5. Talk to Her (and Him and Us): Everyday Ethics
Part 3: History
6. Finding Neverland: Nostalgia and Imagination in History
7. Spirited Away by Fantasy: Tending the Garden
8. Conclusion: Mnemonic Devices
Appendix A: Top 250 Movies as Voted by the Internet Movie Database Users
Appendix B: The IMDb's Top Films of the 21st Century (Jan. 1, 2007)
Appendix C: The IMDb's Top Films of the 21st Century (Jan. 1, 2008)