Amazing Grace, the movie

Last night I had the privilege - and I say privilege - of watching "Amazing Grace" on it's opening night in Australia cinemas.

This reviewer said it best :

It's very rare to find a historic movie long on accuracy and short on titillation, yet still beautiful to watch. We always do research after seeing such a movie, and this one stands out for its accuracy. One reviewer described it as dull, but in a way that makes it all the more appealing, as the work done by people like Wilberforce is, in real life, not dramatically enhanced by orchestration or noble recognition. It makes his effort through long years of perseverance an example of what it's really like to campaign for justice in a fallen world.

I was especially impressed that the director did not overplay Wilberforce's romantic relationship with his wife. They actually did marry two weeks after meeting, and I've no doubt that their relationship gave him a great deal of encouragement to continue with what had to be an extremely discouraging campaign.

I expected to cry at this movie, but the director did not stoop to portraying horrify re-enactments of slaves being tortured and killed. We got the message in the same way the British people got it - through the testimony of people who had seen or experienced it. Imagine trying to convince the world of atrocities without CNN!

- fayrho223 on Yahoo Movies

And whilst it was a great movie and I shall almost certainly watch it again, I also find myself agreeing with at least one of the nay-sayers :

I do not recommend this movie. Yes, it was a wonderfully done historical movie, and William Wilberforce's story is an excellent one to study and to be an inspiration to us of living our convictions. And that is the very reason I cannot recommend this movie. I felt like we were morally violated, especially our boys. There were extended periods in which the audience was staring into an extremely low-cut busty female from above; basically, you saw most of her breasts for several fairly lengthy periods as she and Wilberforce conversed.

This was not a situation like a mall where Christians can look away from immodest images. It was a movie where you are a captive audience and you are there for the sole purpose of staring at the screen for entertainment. I walked out of the movie, but there were many Christians at that showing who chose to do the very thing that Wilberforce so passionately believed was wrong -- staying and accepting whatever the culture tolerates, whether or not it is biblical.

I realize that some Christians would say that this is tame compared to all the other stuff that's out there. But, we don't hold 'other stuff' as our standard of comparison because all that does is constantly lower the bar of morality. For that same reason, we don't accept sexual content in the name of 'historical or cultural accuracy.' Watching historically accurate sexual images doesn't suddenly make it 'pure .... of good repute ... worthy of praise.' (Phil. 4:8)

- Barb on ChristianAnswers.net

To state it bluntly, the lead actress was very sexy. The problem is, she's not my wife, so why should I need to be exposed to her sexiness? And whilst I won't say "don't watch this movie" on that basis alone, I must urge caution, and I am reconsidering whether I will buy a copy for my own library. (Before watching it, I had assumed I definitely would.)

And be warned : some complain about the swearing in the movie. Rightly or wrongly, I didn't have an issue with it. That's another topic. But if you have zero tolerance for swearing, that's another reason to consider giving the movie the flick.

Overall? I loved the movie and was inspired to see how "ordinary people" can make extraordinary changes for the better. But I must recommend it with a modicum of caution.

(And yes, my full report on Hillsong is a-comin', just it's takin' a while. Thanks for your patience. :o) )

Hillsong 2007, Tuesday arvo

Hillsong 2007, Tuesday arvo

What an awesome conference this has been so far! And it's only just begun!

I came uncertain and marginally skeptical, but so far I've been blown away.

Gary Skinner was the opening speaker on Monday night, with a stirring presentation on effective community outreach, as demonstrated in the Waitoto community in Uganda. The key to community transformation is simply to start somewhere and let it grow.

John Bevere spoke this morning, with the best and clearest challenge to humility I've heard in years. The Spirit of God was powerfully in the room, convicting people to change their ways and live in humility, and intimacy with Christ through humility.

Brian Houston gave the second morning talk, and I was amazed as he shared his heart to see a new generation of Christian leaders raised up across this nation. His talk was practical and also filled with simple principles we can take home and apply around us as those of us in the new generation seek to learn from the wisdom of those who have gone before, and those who have gone before help to release us into the fullness of what God has prepared for us.

In the Community Transformation elective, Gary Skinner spoke again, and once again, all I can say is WOW!!! This man has a deep understanding of community transformation through the power of Christ. He listed seven primary spheres of influence. The first four we hear all the time - family, church/religion, government, business/work, and to these he added education, arts/entertainment and the media (newspaper etc). It was AWESOME, as was his initial session last night. If you get a chance to hear him, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

And the other elective I attended - a panel of folk involved in reaching out to the world around them - was stimulating and inspiring too.

Bring earplugs. :-)

OK, here we go - it's 4:30pm and the second night's sessions are starting now. I'll catch you 'round!

(P.S. In case I never get around to blogging it, you might like to ask me a) why I decided to go to this controversial conference; and b) my position specifically regarding Hillsong music.)