People are always asking me for film recommendations.   Unfortunately, my favorite movies are often tough to find.    I see so many amazing films at festivals that rarely (if ever) get the attention they deserve.   They may win the Audience Award at South by Southwest (like THAT EVENING SUN) or screen at Sundance before slipping into obscurity (like LOURDES).   The best of world cinema may play in theaters in Los Angeles and New York for a week, then quickly vanish (like SERAPHINE).   When (and if) they’re released on DVD, it won’t be at Best Buy (like GOODBYE SOLO).  So how can discerning filmgoers find these hidden gems?

While some may question whether a national prayer breakfast blurs the line between church and state, it is one of the rare non-partisan events that has attracted presidents from both parties. It dates back to the days of Dwight Eisenhower. While the organizers might be specific in their religious convictions, the event itself celebrates America’s civil religion. How appropriate that President Obama would call for a renewed civility. He suggested we can challenging each others’ policies without questioning people’s motives. “Surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith or for that matter, my citizenship.”

The cynic may consider that a political ploy designed to rescue plunging poll numbers. Yet, the depth of our national problems requires some setting aside of partisanship. We can agree on the need to alter our political discourse, to move forward in economic recovery, to get out of the nightmarish wars abroad.

A man with no name wanders across a barren desert. He forages for food and supplies. He doesn’t pick fights, but he certainly settles them. We’ve seen these vistas before, but not with as much punch or panache. The Book of Eli is stylish and smart, a post-apocalyptic western perfectly suited for our era of economic reassessment. It offers a heroic version of Christian faith in action, defending a rare and endangered Word of God. The Book of Eli rocks, rolls and delivers a whopping dose of soul.

Denzel Washington offers a laconic and athletic performance as Eli. He is a man of few words. He tries to avoid conflict. But when threatened, he responds with considerable force. Those who push him too far may suddenly find themselves missing a limb. Denzel joins a long line of iconic cinematic cowboys like Toshiro Mifune’s samurai in Yojimbo, Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack, and Clint Eastwood’s Outlaw Josey Wales.

While no one can predict the outcome of the Prop 8 trial, the unlikely pairing of conservative lawyer Theodore Olson with his former liberal foe, David Boies, is making plenty of headlines.   They faced off in the famous Bush vs. Gore Supreme Court battle.  Together, they are now arguing against the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 which outlawed gay marriage.   

Newsweek features a fascinating first person account from Ted Olson.  Rather than discussing how and when he reversed his position, the former solicitor general for George W. Bush maintains that conservatives should inherently affirm individual liberty and any legislation that promotes marriage, stability and family.     It is also intriguing that liberal lion David Boies relishes the opportunity to put the Obama's administration's equivocating on the issue on trial.    He told Newsweek, "The current administration has been decidedly halfway on this issue," he says, "and I think the specter of having George Bush's lawyer out in front of a Democratic president is something that, shall we say, might stimulate people to rethink their positions."  Conservative scion Edwin Meese offered an editorial protesting the particulars of the trial (including its San Francisco venue) in the famed venue of the left, The New York Times.   

Anticipation is building for the December 18th arrival of James Cameron’s first feature in 12 years, AVATAR. Reports about the budget rising above $300 million have resulted in striking similarities to the fear and trembling in Hollywood that preceded Titanic. Cameron is one of the only directors who can secure so much financial backing on an original script. The studios don’t mind risking so much money on a known quantity like a superhero film (Spiderman) or a sequel (Transformers). But with Avatar, Cameron has brought an entirely new world of the Na’bi in eyepopping 3D technology. The New Yorker chronicled his chutzpah in remarkable detail.

Forget swine flu.  The most intense virus sweeping teens is Twilight.   Feverish anticipation for the second part of The Twilight Saga:  New Moon has been brewing for months.    The most dedicated fans, “Twi-hards,” have taken to the streets of Los Angeles, camping out for days before the second installment of the teen vampire saga opened.  Despite blistering reviews from film critics, Thursday's midnight screening set a sales record.  It is enroute to being one of the biggest opening weekends in cinema history.

Those who’ve read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series are predisposed to swoon for the tortured teen vampire, Edward Cullen.   His radiant appearance, sparkling in the sunlight, echoes David Bowie’s androgynous “Diamond Dogs.”   Edward defends Bella Swan with such ferocity, taming his own blood-lust to protect her life.   Robert Pattinson brought minimal screen experience (he plays Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter series) to the role.   But Edward’s pale skin and private suffering suited the London-born actor.  Pattinson even contributed a couple of songs (‘Never Think’ and ‘Let Me Sign’) to the Twilight soundtrack.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard Christians express a hunger to see their faith portrayed in a forthright manner onscreen.   Nobody wants to see something preachy.  They simply long to find a film that shows how beliefs are translated into tangible actions.   Surely, daily discipleship decisions can be translated into cinematic terms.

Prayers have been answered with a remarkably entertaining film, THE BLIND SIDE.   This real life story of football player Michael Oher comes from the acclaimed pen of Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball and The New New Thing).   But The Blind Side is a much more than a football story.   It is a tribute to families, to the power of adoption, to the practical difference one family can make.   At a time when we desperately need heroic actions, The Blind Side delivers refreshing role models.

Precious is the most basic, extraordinary and humane film of 2009.  After a summer of silliness, Precious arrives as a bracing alternative, powered by jolting performances from Mo’Nique and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe.   It takes viewers inside the tragic life of a teen mother.   It puts a face on poverty, abuse, and perseverance.   Precious offers hard-earned hope amidst overwhelming odds.

I had the privilege of seeing Precious on the night it won the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.  Director Lee Daniel was delighted to discover that ‘white folk’ liked his unapologetically ‘black’ film.   Initially, it was called Push:  Based upon the Novel by Sapphire.  It arrived at Sundance with little fanfare, but got way under audiences' skin.   Now, the star (and theme) of the film has been pushed to the forefront—everything revolves around Precious.   Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey have added their endorsement.   Viewers have responded by breaking box office records in both upscale art-houses and down-home black theaters.   Just as pundits declared independent film dead, Precious redefines what's possible.

How do we pay for our crimes?   Is an apology enough?   How contrite do we need to be for it to qualify?   Kanye West seemed to get it right on the fourth or fifth confession.  It took Jay Leno asking Kanye how his deceased mother would feel about his rudeness towards Taylor Swift.  Republican Representative Joe Wilson’s outburst during the President’s address to Congress also raised the issue.   Wilson considered one apology enough.   Now, Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson has offended Republicans by claiming their “very simple” healthcare plan encourages sick people to die quickly.   Grayson insists that he will not apologize for his poster board presentation to the House of Representatives.

Here at Conversant, we explore how faith connects to everyday life.  But what happens when our personal beliefs crossover to the public square? Jesus warned us not to display our faith for others’ affirmation or praise. So should faith remain a private matter? Jesus also took his teachings into the public arena, from the Sermon on the Mount to the marketplaces of his ancient Judea.  We must examine our motives, examining why we air our faith.

Perhaps the question should be, “Can we discuss our values with those we disagree with in a civil way?”  At Conversant, we hold a public conversation about our personal beliefs.  We must be free to our convictions without fear. Yet, we must do so in a humble and respectful manner—as active listeners.

On a recent tour of Australia, my friend, Geoff Broughton, introduced me to the Center for Public Christianity. We crossed over the dramatic bridge to north Sydney for an afternoon of conversation at the nexus of faith and culture. I was pleased to meet like-minded colleagues Greg Clarke, Simon Smart, and Hugh Clark. They interviewed me during a memorable afternoon. They’ve produced a podcast and a videoblog from our conversations that you can find on Vimeo here.