Through A Screen Darkly

There have been a few books on "Finding Jesus in the Movies" and such... but to my knowledge (and you can all tell me I'm wrong), none if any have been written by someone like Jeffrey Overstreet, someone who makes a living from his love of film.

Overstreet has written a book called Through a Screen Darkly, a combination memoir of his love of film and how it began, his journey along the way, and deep insight into what films tell us about ourselves, our world and perhaps even God.

Eugene Peterson wrote a blurb for the back:

"While visiting the dark caves of movie theaters, Jeffrey gives articulate witness to what I too often miss in those caves- the countours of God's creation and the language of Christ's salvation. In these theaters, assumed by many to be unholy temples in a wasteland of secularism, he writes what he sees and hears. I find him a delightful and most percipient companion."

Also from the back cover:

"Jeffrey Overstreet, film enthusiast and movie reviewer, takes readers on a journey that spans the globe. From a desert scene in Mongolia to a galaxy far, far away, you'll explore the power of cinematic journeys to introduce life-changing new insights. While visiting the angels of Wings of Desire and the inquisitive British newcomers of The New World, he'll show you how different characters, different worldviews and different experiences offer pieces of a larger truth. Examining methods and styles employed by Martin Scorsese, Tony Scott, Paul Thomas Anderson, Akira Kurosawa and Krzysztof Kieslowski, he highlights the ways in which art and entertainment can both harm and heal. You'll find excerpts from his conversations with directors Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose), Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire) and Patrice Leconte (The Widow of St. Pierre), and producer Ralph Winter (the X-Men series). What makes some films timeless rather than merely popular has everything to do with the way these artists--whether they know it or not--have captured reflections of God in their work.

Through a Screen Darkly also includes a collection of recommendations for movie discussion groups, links to frequently updated resources for moviegoers, and meditations on how different films echo the ways in which Christ captured the attention and imagination of culture. You may be surprised by Overstreet's revealing encounters with moviegoers and critics in both mainstream and religious circles. He challenges traditional Christian ideas about art, and coaxes the curious toward bold, rewarding engagement with contemporary cinema. "

If you are at all interested in film, or want to explore doing movie groups as a way to build friendships, but the "discussion" part intimidates you, this looks to be a great resource...