Dear Lord and Father of Mankind has been my favourite hymn for a long time. 25 years ago, my wife and I chose to sing it at our wedding. At the time, my Mum did question whether singing the words 'forgive our foolish ways' immediately after saying our vows was a good idea, but we… Continue reading ‘The silence of eternity, interpreted by love’: reflections on my favourite hymn
Category: Films & music
Protecting Lampwood: a Narnian parable
The village of Lampwood had a library full of ancient stories which was run by a kind librarian. These stories told of amazing adventures: one of how the village was once freed from a cruel tyrant, and another how a brave rebellion overthrew an occupying army. One story even told of how the land itself… Continue reading Protecting Lampwood: a Narnian parable
Narnia Nerds: Hold your Nerve
In February, my favourite Narnia book finally reaches the cinema. Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will be the first ever screen version of the 'creation story' of Narnia, where Aslan sings a new world into being. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDJ-ini7fF0 As a self-confessed Narnia nerd, I am excited. But many hardcore Narnia fans are not happy. To… Continue reading Narnia Nerds: Hold your Nerve
Corruption, lies & the power of truth: ‘Mr Smith goes to Washington’ is a film for our times – by Stephen Kuhrt
Senators Joseph Paine (Claude Raines) & Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart). Click to watch trailer. As Christmas approaches, many will repeat the annual ritual of watching It’s a Wonderful Life. A lesser-known film with an equally powerful and important message is Mr Smith goes to Washington. Produced seven years earlier in 1939, it has the same… Continue reading Corruption, lies & the power of truth: ‘Mr Smith goes to Washington’ is a film for our times – by Stephen Kuhrt
Sex, power & cheap grace: a short film everyone should watch
"We wake up tomorrow in a Christian nation...will women have the vote tomorrow if we could wave that magic Christian wand?" "No" For Our Daughters is a short film about sexual abuse of women in the US evangelical church and how church culture perpetuated these injustices and covered it up. It contains powerful testimonies of… Continue reading Sex, power & cheap grace: a short film everyone should watch
Navigating narratives: from the ‘Brat Pack’ to today’s misinformation
The 'Brat Pack’ were a group of young American actors who defined the cinema of my early teenage years. It was a play on the 1950s/60s group of Hollywood actors and entertainers known as ‘the Rat Pack’. Films like The Outsiders, St Elmo’s Fire and The Breakfast Club portrayed the struggles of young people in… Continue reading Navigating narratives: from the ‘Brat Pack’ to today’s misinformation
Dramatic impact & something bigger than justice
In 1966, the BBC play Cathy Come Home was a key moment in public perceptions about the reality of homelessness. This week, we have seen the ITV drama Mr Bates v The Post Office have a similarly seismic public impact. Its a moving and inspiring 'David v Goliath' story of a group of ordinary people’s… Continue reading Dramatic impact & something bigger than justice
What we can all learn from ‘The Great Escaper’ – by Jeremy Sharpe
‘The Great Escaper’, starring Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson, tells the true story of Bernie Jordan who ‘escapes’ from his seaside care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France. Its a film that gives a fascinating insight into the lives of many older people, both positive and negative.… Continue reading What we can all learn from ‘The Great Escaper’ – by Jeremy Sharpe
Dear Greta Gerwig: how your Netflix Narnia can be a roaring success
Dear Greta, Congratulations on being appointed Screenwriter & Director for Netflix's The Chronicles of Narnia. I really enjoyed your films Ladybird and Little Women and I am seeing Barbie this week. It's great to see a writer/director of your standing getting this crucial job. I know you feel daunted to take on this job and I… Continue reading Dear Greta Gerwig: how your Netflix Narnia can be a roaring success
Why you should watch ‘The Chosen’
In recent weeks I have loved watching the series The Chosen, a brilliantly produced series about Jesus and his core group of followers. Depth and quality I have always found dramatic adaptations of the Bible helpful. The gospel narratives are very lean and allow for plenty of imaginative speculation about people's back stories, motivations and… Continue reading Why you should watch ‘The Chosen’
