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The Last Word on The Golden Compass?
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Everybody's been talking about The Golden Compass, but we liked what New York Times critic Manohla Dargis wrote:
"The movies have never been a particularly good pulpit for any gods other than those of cinema’s own creation."
That means Narnia films won't lead to widespread Christian revival, while films like The Golden Compass and the Harry Potter movies won't create the widespread pandemonium their critics claim.
It also means that showing film clips is no substitute for good teaching. If you want your kids to get a message, deliver it yourself instead of relying on stars and special effects.
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Movies Not to Miss
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Meanwhile, there are some other movies out there that shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle. For example:
Juno
This is a riveting drama about an increasingly common scenario: An unmarried teenager gets pregnant. Youth workers may not agree with everything in this film, but most will applaud its candor and its life affirming resolution.
The film is particularly relevant because recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the teenage birth rate is rising in America for the first time since 1991.
The Great Debaters
Oprah and Denzel (they're such big stars we don't need last names!) pooled their resources to produce this film about the acclaimed debate team from the all-black Wiley College, which stunned some whites in racially segregated 1935.
The movie's production (filming took place at the school) and ensuing publicity have even helped the financially challenged school have a new lease on life.
Superbad
This raunchy yet touching film about teen sex is out on DVD. You can get info on Superbad, The Golden Compass, and other films and DVDs from YouthWorker Journal columnist Walt Mueller's ministry web site (cpyu.org).
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The January/February issue of YouthWorker Journal on "Money" is at the printer right now. The issue features of dozens of new books, videos, and CDs. PLUS it features our reviewers RAVES from 2007. PLUS it features this review of Rob Bell’s latest DVD (which some of you saw at the NYWCs).
The conflict between evolution and a Creator-made world takes center stage in Rob Bell's Everything Is Spiritual. The non-Nooma video premiered to more than 100 youth workers at the National Youth Workers Convention in St. Louis.
In it Bell unpacks a semester of physical science and theology, and repacks it into a 78-minute presentation, taking viewers on a journey through time and space using the creation account in Genesis. Bell's captivating humorous look at the physical world and at human existence as body and spirit will help you start engaging the churched and unchurched, high school students and beyond, who have serious questions or interest in how science co-exists with spirituality.
Reviewer Aaron Jones is a Fuller Theological Institute of Youth Ministry student.
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Making a List
Yes, we are! But it's not for Santa. It's for you!
We asked our reviewers to select their RAVES. These are the books, CDs and curricula that knocked them out in 2007. We’re wrapping up the list for our January/February issue. [To subscribe in 2008 for only $39.95, click here]
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The YouthWorker eJournal Survey: What's Ahead in 2008?
What are your goals for the coming year? Choose the answer below that fits you best and we will tell you what everyone else said in the next issue.
Next year, I want to have more time for family and friends.
Next year, I want to have a deeper spiritual life than I have right now.
Next year, I want to be a better youth worker.
Next year, I want to win the lottery or star in a TV reality show.
Go to youthworker.com to participate in this issue's survey.
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The YouthWorker eJournal Survey Results: How'd you do in 2007?
Last time we asked you about 2007. Were you happy about what you accomplished this year, or do you still wish you had a few extra months to get things done? Here's what you told us:
I had a great year. Goals were met, and I am already making plans for 2008. 22%
I had a so-so year. Things didn’t move as well as planned. 28%
Unanticipated challenges or crises sabotaged some of our wonderful plans. 48%
What? It's November already? 2%
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[To subscribe to Youth WorkerJournal, click here]
Thanks for joining us for this issue of the YouthWorker eJournal. See you next time.
Sincerely, Steve Rabey, YouthWorker Journal editor, and our entire crew
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