Subject: religion

Published: February 13, 2025

Freud’s Last Session

London, September 3, 1939. Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins), known as the father of psychoanalysis, invites writer and theologian C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode) to his home. Freud and his family had fled Hitler’s forces from Vienna the previous year. On an autumn day, these two of the past century’s most brilliant minds engage in a profound and intimate session, discussing topics such as the future of humanity, the existence of God, and human relationships. (Source: Scanbox)

Published: January 16, 2025

Ordinary Angels

Based on true events, Ordinary Angels is a story of compassion and the desire to help others. The Schmitt family has endured many hardships: mother Theresa passed away from a terminal illness, and now their youngest child, Michelle, is battling a severe liver disease. Father Ed struggles with financial problems and cannot keep up with the mounting bills. Sharon, a hairdresser, enjoys partying in bars and, as the life of the party, doesn’t understand her colleague’s concerns—even when she wakes up feeling unwell and covered in bruises. However, Sharon’s stubbornness proves to be a strength when she stumbles across a local news story about the Schmitt family’s struggles. She forces her way into the life of recently widowed Ed and sets out not only to sort out his finances, which have been devastated by their misfortunes, but also to find treatment for Michelle.

Note: Not available on DVD or Blu-ray.

Published: December 27, 2024

Letters to Father Jacob

A story about Leila, a pardoned life-sentence prisoner, who is sent to assist a blind priest, Jacob, living in a remote area. Leila’s task is to read prayer request letters that arrive for Jacob. The hardened Leila considers this pointless, but for Jacob, it is the essence of his life. When the letters stop coming, Jacob’s world falls apart, and the dynamics shift.

Published: December 23, 2024

Luciferin viimeinen elämä

Humanity’s greatest demon wants to become human and learn the language of love. For guidance, he chooses theater director Misha, who has a problem: he cannot find the right actor for a play about the life of early 20th-century Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Lucifer helps Misha find the perfect actor for the role. Along the way, through the art of the German medieval church painter Mathias Grünewald and Rilke’s poetry—both in France and Spain—the duo is followed by the ghost of Misha’s late close friend, writer Pasha. After becoming human, the demon encounters a woman who reminds him of Rilke’s muse, the Russian-born psychoanalyst-writer Lou Andreas-Salomé.

Published: October 14, 2024

Calvary

Irish drama film directed and written by John Michael McDonagh. The film is known for its profound themes, dark humor, and strong performances. Calvary explores deep subjects such as faith, forgiveness, guilt, and the meaning of life. The title refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the place where Jesus was crucified, which emphasizes its symbolism of sacrifice and suffering.

The film also addresses scandals within the Catholic Church and their impact on communities, particularly cases of clerical abuse. These themes, however, are handled subtly, and the story focuses more on personal soul-searching and the complexities of human relationships.

Calvary tells the story of Father James Lavelle, a Catholic priest working in a small Irish village. One day in the confessional, someone threatens to kill him in a week’s time. This person does not want revenge for James’s sins but for the past wrongdoings of the Catholic Church. Under the shadow of this death threat, Father James tries to carry on with his life and help the villagers, though his own faith and purpose are put to the test. The film focuses on Father James’s journey toward his potential fate and the moral choices he faces along the way.

Published: September 24, 2024

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah (original title in Finnish Simson ja Delila) is a historical adventure film released in 1949, directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film is based on the Old Testament story of Samson, a Jewish warrior, and Delilah, the woman who betrayed him to the Philistines.

The story of the film revolves around Samson, who possesses supernatural strength, with his long hair being the source of his power. Samson battles the enemies of Israel, the Philistines. Delilah, who serves the Philistines, seduces Samson and makes him reveal the secret of his strength. When Delilah cuts Samson’s hair, he loses his strength and is captured. In the end, Samson prays to God to restore his strength, and he succeeds in destroying the Philistine temple at the moment of his own death.

In the film, Samson is portrayed by Victor Mature and Delilah by Hedy Lamarr. Samson and Delilah was a major success in its time and won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The film is especially known for its epic scenes, colorful costumes, and impressive sets, which were typical of Cecil B. DeMille’s grand cinematic style.

The film is a classic example of the “biblical epic” genre that was popular in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s.

Published: September 23, 2024

Moms’ night out

Mom’s Night Out is a 2014 comedy about three mothers’ chaotic and hilarious night out as they try to spend some time without their kids. The main character, Allyson (played by Sarah Drew), is a mother who longs for a break from the hectic life of being a stay-at-home mom. She plans an evening out in the city for her friends, Izzy (Andrea Logan White) and pastor’s wife, Sondra (Patricia Heaton).

The plan is to have a calm and relaxing night, but things start to go wrong right from the beginning. The evening quickly turns into chaos, with misunderstandings, lost phones, and a series of disasters following one after the other. Meanwhile, their husbands stay home to take care of the kids, leading to their own comedic mishaps.

The movie is a lighthearted and humorous portrayal of the challenges of parenthood, the pressures of motherhood, and the importance of taking time for oneself. Mom’s Night Out approaches the messiness of family life with warmth and positivity, highlighting the importance of community, friendship, and self-compassion.

Published: September 23, 2024

Where hope grows

Where Hope Grows is an inspiring story about Calvin Campbell (Kristoffer Polaha), a former professional baseball player whose career ended prematurely due to panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, life threw difficult challenges his way. Nowadays, Calvin drifts through his days and struggles to raise his teenage daughter (McKaley Miller). As Calvin’s life spirals downward, it is unexpectedly revitalized by a young man named Produce (David DeSanctis), who has Down syndrome and works at the local grocery store.

Gradually, Calvin begins to let go of his bitterness and starts to see the world through Produce’s eyes. As their friendship deepens, Calvin’s life regains purpose and meaning. This unlikely duo becomes intertwined in a way that gives Calvin a new perspective on the future. However, their friendship is tested when an unexpected tragedy strikes, rooted in a decision from Calvin’s past. Where Hope Grows is a film about finding redemption through faith, hope, and love.

Published: September 23, 2024

All Saints

A movie based on an inspiring true story about salesman Michael Spurlock, who changed careers and became a pastor. When he is assigned to close his small church, where he shelters refugees from Southeast Asia, they come together and put everything on the line to create a better future.

Published: September 20, 2024

The Robe

The Roman centurion Marcellus Gallio, played by Richard Burton, oversees the crucifixion of Jesus and wins his robe in a dice game at the foot of the cross. Marcellus, who has never been a man of faith, begins to experience disturbing visions and feels guilty for his actions when his slave Demetrius flees with the robe. Convinced that destroying the robe will free him from his torment, Marcellus sets out to find Demetrius – and in the process, discovers his Christian faith. This biblical epic, one of the greatest on the silver screen, was nominated for five Academy Awards in 1953, including Best Picture and Richard Burton’s nomination for Best Actor. The film went on to win two Oscars.