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The Best Christmas Movies Ever

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Do you want THE definitive list of The Best Christmas Movies Ever? Want to know why they matter deeply? Look no further…

In this final Your Sunday Drive podcast episode of 2020, we reminisce and riff on some of our favorites, unpacking plenty presents along the way: What makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie and why does Die Hard count as one? What things do these stories have in common? Why do we build such strong traditions around them? Why does flying kites suck so bad? What role does magic and belief play in these movies?

Most importantly: How do these favorite seasonal stories connect to the actual Christmas story and the gospel itself?

Come along for Your Sunday Drive – quick conversation about current events, politics, pop culture and more, from the perspective of a couple of guys trying to follow Jesus.

Hosts: Matt Hill and Nate Polzin. Presented by the Church in Drive of Saginaw, MI, as often as possible. Please visit churchindrive.com and facebook.com/thechurchindrive

Onward: The Magic is Within

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“Long ago, the world was full of wonder. It was adventurous, exciting and best of all, there was magic. And that magic helped all in need. But it wasn’t easy to master. And so the world found a simpler way to get by. Over time, magic faded away….”

Disney/Pixar’s Onward is set in this world that used to be so full of wonder, adventure, magic. But technology made it easier to get by without the magic, so things settled into a ho-hum suburban lifestyle. The world is still filled with magical creatures—elves, pixies, unicorns, mermaids, cyclopes, centaurs, fauns, manticores, dragons—but because they haven’t been in touch with the magical nature of the world, all those gifts have become dormant.

It is in this fantasy world that elf Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) is turning 16. Ian is shy, but wishes he could be bold. He feels a bit empty because he never knew his father. His older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) has three memories of their father and though they are rather banal, because of their rarity, both brothers venerate those memories. Barley is as boisterous and outgoing as Ian is reserved and quiet.

Because it’s Ian’s birthday, their mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives the two boys a gift from their father meant for when they are both over 16. It is a magical staff with a note that includes a spell to allow him to come back for one day so he can see how they’ve grown up. Barley can’t make it work. But when Ian picks up the staff, it is obvious that he is the one with the magical gifts. When the spell goes awry part way through, leaving Dad materialized only up to his waist, the boys must set out on a quest to find another magical crystal so they can complete the spell before the day is over.

The odd-couple nature of the brothers is the engine that drives the story. Ian is quiet and timid. He has no idea of what magic is or how to make it work. Barley has no fear (even when he should). But he is a veteran Dungeons and Dragons player who believes that the game reflects the real history of the world. He knows spells, but he must encourage Ian to use them when needed. As they try to complete the quest, the brothers learn about each other and themselves. They find a way through their common grief. They also begin to show that the world is full of magic, if only the world will connect with it.

As I look back at previous Pixar films, I think of films that rely on stories that touch the viewers. Onward touches us, but not to the same extent of other Pixar films. That may be due to the frenetic pace of the brothers’ journey. It feels more like an action movie than some of the more thoughtful nature of past films. Because of the pace, there is little time to appreciate the comedy involved. There are some funny spots, but they blow by way too fast.

In the end, we may see this as a film about faith. Barley is a man who believes and trusts in the magic of the world. Even though others don’t see that magic, for Barley it is waiting to be rediscovered. Through the brothers’ journey, that forgotten nature of the world becomes visible yet again, changing not only Ian and Barley, but everyone who sees what they have done—and come to believe as well.

Onward casts its spell in theatres on Friday, March 6th, 2020.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

GIVEAWAY! THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS in 4K!

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Ten-year-old Lewis goes to live with his oddball uncle in a creaky old house that contains a mysterious `tick tock’ noise. He soon learns that Uncle Jonathan and his feisty neighbour, Mrs Zimmerman, are powerful practitioners of the magic arts. When Lewis accidentally awakens the dead, the town’s sleepy facade suddenly springs to life, revealing a secret and dangerous world of witches, warlocks and deadly curses. 

The winner will receive a copy of the The House With A Clock In Its Walls 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo Edition and a commemorative book.

To enter, simply like or share our post on Facebook and answer the following question in the comment section: What is your favourite Jack Black film? Why?

For a bonus entry, like or share the post on Twitter and Instagram.

All entries must be completed by 11:59pm on Monday, December 17th, 2018.

 

A House With A Clock In Its Walls will be released on Blu-Ray on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018

Magic is just a passing fez: Lewis (Owen Vaccaro), Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) and Mrs. Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett) in The House with a Clock in its Walls.

teenFish#2 – Counting THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD

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Have you ever really wanted to know what goes on in the mind of today’s teens? Not just ‘what are they thinking?’ but how they feel about life’s issues? About truth? About where God is in the world today? At long last, ScreenFish is proud to announce teenFish, a new podcast series that lets teenagers speak about media that matters to them in their own voice. Hosted by Daniel Collins (Infinity Warm-Up), teenFish will be air the first Sunday of every month and invite local youth to engage the truth and lies of the shows and films that excite them.

The Wizarding World expands again with the release of the next chapter in the FANTASTIC BEASTS saga! In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. This month, Daniel welcomes Riley and Mackenzie to count THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD as they talk about all things from the world of Harry Potter, the lies we tell and what makes the villain evil.

You can stream the episode above, on podomatic or on Spotify! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or more!

3.6 Where to Find FANTASTIC BEASTS

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ScreenFish’s ‘month of magic’ concludes with a look at J.K. Rowling’s FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM! This week, Steve is joined by returnee Allen Forrest to talk about magic, truth and fear of the unknown.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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A very special thanks to Allen Forrest for joining us this week!

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Fantastic Beasts, Fantastic Giveaway!

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Are you excited about Warner Bros. magical movie, Fantastic Beasts (and Where to Find Them)?  So are we!

To help get you ready to journey with Newt Scamander and friends, we have a great giveaway opportunity for you!  (And YES, this one is open to BOTH residents of Canada and the US…)  This prize pack includes a t-shirt, posters, stickers and a bookmark.

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To enter, like or share this contest and then comment on this Facebook post, answering the following two questions:

  1. If you could have any magic power, what would it be?
  2. What would you do with it?

Comments MUST be received by 11:59pm on Saturday, November 19th, 2016 EST.  The winner will be announced via. ScreenFish’s Facebook page and contacted via messenger for delivery details.

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3.5 Calling DR. STRANGE

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This week, Steve and ScreenFish comic guru Arnaldo Reyes take a step into Marvel’s mystical multiverse to discuss DR. STRANGE. Directed by Scott Derrickson, this film features eye-popping special effects but also reveals a spiritual conscience that surprises. Only on ScreenFish.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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A special thanks to Arnaldo Reyes for joining us!

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Dr. Strange(r Things)

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“You’ve spent your whole life looking through a key hole.” – The Ancient One

When Robert Downey Jr. first brought Tony Stark to life in 2008’s Iron Man, none of us had any idea that we would be this far down the proverbial Marvel ‘rabbit hole’ at this point. A mere eight years later, we have seen everything from shrinking ex-cons to hammer-wielding demi-gods to talking raccoons do battle on the big screen and, over that time, I had become fairly convinced that Marvel Studios simply had no surprises left.

Dr. Strange has proven me wrong.

Dr. Strange enters another hero (are there any left?) into the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant—but arrogant—surgeon. When a tragic car accident leaves him unable to practice medicine, he becomes emotionally lost and searches for answers amongst the mystics of the East. Learning from his otherworldly mentor, The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), Strange’s eyes are opened to the spiritual realities around him. Then, when a former student of the Ancient One threatens Earth’s balance of power, Strange is forced into a battle that he never sought out but of which he finds himself in the middle.

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Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil), Dr. Strange gives the veteran director the daunting task of creating a visual atmosphere that is both terrifying and beautiful at the same time. Largely known for his horror films, Derrickson was clearly given the keys to the Kingdom regarding his special effects budget yet he manages to create this CGI wonderland in (sorcerer) supreme fashion. While the film’s visuals will undoubtedly be compared to other sci-fi entries such as Inception, The Matrix and even 2001: A Space Odyssey, Derrickson’s spin on the film is nonetheless both dazzling and unique.

The film has drawn several comparisons to Iron Man for its tale of the redemption of the powerful—and that’s not inaccurate. (In fact, given the quality of some of the other Marvel entries, it’s actually a high compliment.) As Stephen Strange, Cumberbatch delivers a solid and charaismatic performance (though they don’t give him much to work with in terms of the character’s depth).

Still, the real surprise of the film for me was its unabashed conversation about spirituality.

While it seems obvious that a film that includes magic and Eastern philosophy would contain some discussion of faith and believe, what really struck me was how enthusiastic about it. As the film opens, Strange himself has a very strict scientific mindset, believing only in his own abilities as a surgeon. When that worldview is threatened by the mysticism of the Ancient One, he exclaims, “There is no such thing as spirit. There is only matter!” His is a heart hardened by knowledge and self-amazement.

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However, after The Ancient One opens up his eyes—ever so briefly—to the world beyond his own understanding, Strange is completely transformed. For the first time, he recognizes that he is not the most powerful force in the universe.

And he is completely awestruck by it.

In the story he tells, director Scott Derrickson doesn’t just dip his toe into the idea of a larger spiritual reality, he dives in headfirst. In Dr. Strange, he demonstrates the supernatural to be something that actually has a vested interest in protecting the lives of the people, even if they continue about their lives blissfully unaware. (After all, like Strange himself, they too have ‘spent [their] whole lives looking through a key hole.’]

As a pastor, this depiction of belief strikes as a cinematic representation of ‘he who has an ear, let him hear’, as all are called but few are interested in seeing beyond their own world. Like Strange, we too can often become so wrapped up in ourselves that we miss the calling to experience the Kingdom beyond us.

Like Strange, we too need to be humbled and shaken from ourselves.

If we are, maybe we’ll be able to see beyond the key hole for the first time.

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Dr. Strange – It’s Not About you

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doctorstrangeThe Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) expands once again with the addition of Dr. Stephen Strange.

Dr. Strange brings us to a world of magic within the MCU that has been hinted at but never actually seen. Although we’ve heard his name before (Captain America: Winter Soldier), Stephen Strange had never been featured onscreen and now, finally, he makes his debut. In the comics, he is known as the Sorceror Supreme and carries a heavy burden of keeping our world and reality safe from the threats that others like the Avengers cannot see. However, Dr. Strange wasn’t always a believer of the spiritual and the mystical and that’s where this film begins.

Dr. Strange is an origin story that carries a similar feel to it as the film that started it all, Iron Man. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a man at the top of his profession who only thinks of himself. What a personal tragedy changes the way he sees the world, he begins a journey to find the true purpose of life.

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Dr. Strange features amazing Inception-like visuals that takes us into uncharted territory for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A number of different supernatural elements have been introduced throughout the Marvel films in recent years. In Thor, we first heard of the 9 realms. The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy introduced the idea of aliens and space. The series has also introduced us to the idea of the all-powerful Infinity Stones, eventually leading us to 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War (and Thanos, biggest of the bass). In Dr. Strange, we get to explore the ‘multiverse’, or the manner in which different dimensions intertwine with (and even on top of) each other. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Marvel film with out the adventure, a bad guy trying to destroy the world and a sense of humor that seems to hit at just the right moments.

With all that said, I believe that Dr. Strange is a good film–but not a great film. Visually, it’s stunning (except I felt that the climax was a let down). Story-wise, I felt it was average given that we’ve seen this before (and, frankly, done much better). I feel like they rushed his mystical progress and I would’ve preferred to see Strange “earn” it just a little more. (In fact, several years back, there was an animated film that, despite it’s faults, actually told the story of his journey to master the mystic arts more effectively than this film.) Personally, I feel that, by going big on the visuals, they took a little bit off on the storytelling, making the overall film just good and not great–and it could have been great. Benedict Cumberbatch did an amazing job as Dr. Stephen Strange. At any given moment, he was both charismatic and funny, compelling and arrogant and, in the end, embodied the character very well. However, the rest of the cast were mostly mediocre, leaving few memorable moments. In addition, the villain  really fell short to my expectations (almost to the level of Galactus in the second Fantastic Four film).

ancient one astral punch“Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all… It’s not about you” -The Ancient One

In many ways, Strange’s journey is similar to many of ours as so much from this story applies to real life. Most of the time, our pride, our fears, our knowledge (or lack thereof) drive us and guide us. The reality is, there is so much more that we can tap into spiritually if we just surrender ourselves. There is a perfect plan and perfect path laid out for us but we just have to open our eyes and open our hearts. Jesus says in Matthew 16:24-25 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” It’s not an easy thing to do, and its something we have to do daily. Still, when we finally realize that our lives are not about us, we can freely open our hearts to Jesus and find that what we thought was the perfect life was actually far from it.

Dr. Strange is a film that I wish would have challenged the main character a little bit more in order to reach his inevitable potential. However, the visuals and overall film are good enough and therefore watchable.

Just maybe not at premium price.

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3.4 Learning THE CRAFT

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Hallowe’en is here! In a spooktacular episode, Steve invites Allen Forrest on the show to talk power and identity in 1996’s cult classic, THE CRAFT.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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A special thanks to our Allen Forrest for joining us!

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