Of Pilgrims and Fire: When God Shows Up at the Movies
Your average moviegoer probably doesn’t equate movie night with a holy pilgrimage, but in this thought-provoking guide, Anker does exactly that. From American Beauty to Superman, Anker posits that man’s most basic needs, to find light and share stories, can both be met by watching movies. The films he chooses to discuss—many of which are unexpected choices—are particularly inspirational in their depictions of a character’s encounter with God after a search for light and meaning. Anker breaks the book down into different interactions with the divine, from witnessing the glorious to wrestling with demons, and then provides the reader with several films that exemplify the type. Each entry has a filmography, a brief discussion of what the movie is about, and a list of major themes and symbols. Post-viewing commentary, questions, and critical comments allow Anker to expand on the film’s religious references and give the reader a jumping-off point for further discussions. Throughout it all, Anker manages to sidestep any urges to sermonize and instead presents a solid field guide to the spiritual side of movie watching. --Taina Lagodzinski