Film Review: Sherlock Holmes & Super 8

It is time for another for another blog post about the films I have been watching. This time it is 'Super 8' and 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.'

Super 8 (2011)

Super 8 seems to be loved by some, whilst leaving others completely cold. I for one loved it just as much watching it the second time, as I did the first. The film tells the story of six children engaged in making a zombie film, set against the backdrop of a town under attack by some kind of monster. I love the combination of the silly banter between the children, and the overblown action scenes. There is a particularly ridiculous scene, where tanks and grenades are going off spontaneously in an abandoned town, which feels like it could have been dreamt up by one of the children.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' is very much an old fashioned adventure, rather than a dark mystery for Sherlock's impressive intellect to grapple with. Sherlock and Watson spend much of the film running from the bad guys (including some conveniently German guards) and like 'Super 8' there are lots of explosions. However, interestingly, at the heart of the film is the Watson's frustrating friendship with Sherlock which provides lots of laughs and a measure of tenderness.

Friendship and Adventure

The joy of each of these films is that they successfully draw the audience into the friendships of the main characters, therefore allowing us to vicariously enjoy their adventures. We get drawn into their lives, their banter, their arguments and their reconciliations...and we love it. We want them to win!

When watching films I often try to ask the question, "What God-given desires does this film draw on?" and "What does this show us about humanity?" After some reflection I think that in this case, these films may reflect God's design for us to be in his family, the church. We are built not for solitude, but to 'do life' alongside each other, at a deep level of relationship with our brothers and sisters. Prompted by these reflections I found myself thinking about what these relationships should look like:

All the phrases in italics are from the New Testament.

Engage your heart
"Love one another"  
"Be devoted to one another" 

Hold the other person in higher esteem
"Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another"
"Honour one another above yourselves"
"Consider others better than yourselves" 
"Submit to one another" 
"Look to the interests of one another"
"Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another"

Be united in generous love
"Live in harmony with one another"
"Be likeminded towards one another" 
"Accept one another"
"Forgive one another" 
"Be patient with one another" 
"Bear with one another"

Be concerned with their spiritual growth
"Stir up one another to love and good works"
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs"
"Teach one another"
"Exhort one another" 
"Admonish one another" 
"Build up one another" 
"Speak the truth in love"
"Encourage one another"

Be practical in your love
"Greet one another"
"Care for one another" 
"Serve one another"
"Bear one another's burdens" 
"Be kind and compassionate to one another" 
"Comfort one another"
"Show hospitality to one another" 

Bring them before the Lord
"Pray for one another"

Be real with each other
"Confess your faults to one another"

What a stunning picture of what it means to be church! May God help us to really grasp this and live it out in joyful obedience.