Where the Wild Things Are
 Keywords: relationships,power of imagination
Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in Where the Wild Things Are, a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in.
The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and
escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange
creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions.
The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When
Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though,
that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he
originally thought.
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Moon
 Keywords: Selfhood, identity, isolation
In the near future, the energy crisis has been solved with a clean fuel called Helium 3, which is mined on the far side of the moon by Lunar Industries. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is an astronaut working at the lunar base on a three-year contract. On his own, save for the base’s eerily intelligent computer Gerty (Kevin Spacey) and bereft of all contact with earth except for pre-recorded video messages from his employers and his wife (Dominique McElligott) and daughter, Sam is counting the days until he can go home. But something isn’t right. Haunted by hallucinations of a teenage girl (Kaya Scodelario), Sam has an accident which leads him to a terrible discovery about what is really happening on the base.
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Gran Torino
 Keywords: Racism, respect, peace, revenge, friendship
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a Korean war veteran and the proud owner of a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. He shows great affection for this classic car, but little for any people. He is indifferent towards his family, openly racist towards his Hmong neighbours and offensive towards the priest (Christopher Carley) who tries to befriend him after the death of his wife.
The son of Walt’s neighbour, Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang), is cajoled by a gang into trying to steal the Gran Torino. Walt catches him in the act and Thao’s mother insists that the boy does chores for Walt to make amends. Slowly Walt gets to know the Lors and they become more of a family to him than his blood relatives. Walt takes it upon himself to teach Thao how to stand up for himself in their dangerous neighbourhood.
Father Janovich (Carley) has promised Walt’s late wife that he will try to get Walt to confession. Walt is sceptical of religion and believes the priest to be utterly unqualified to give advice about life, death and forgiveness. The priest has a series of conversations with Walt, but it is only when Walt gets a glimpse of Janovich’s weaknesses that he begins to listen to his message.
As the film progresses, Walt’s cold heart thaws. He begins to value relationships and put others before himself. By the end of the film, Walt is committed to protecting the Lor family, even at the risk of his own life.
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The Soloist
 Keywords: redemption, transcendence, giftedness, mental illness
In “The Soloist,” an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez (Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man nd his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. “The Soloist” is directed by Joe Wright (Golden Globe winner for Best Drama and Oscar® nominee for Best Picture “Atonement”).
“The Soloist” takes you on an emotional journey of friendship and human spirit and does so against the backdrop of the healing power of music. The story illustrates how one person can positively change another person’s life in a significant way and makes us consider the question, what if the life you tried to change, changed you?
Download the Truly Moving Pictures discussion guide here.
Henry Poole is Here
 Keywords: Belief, Faith, Doubt, Community
Henry Poole is Here tells the funny, poignant and uplifting story of a disillusioned man who attempts to hide from life in a rundown suburban tract home only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope. Hope comes in the form of a nosey next door neighbour, a local shop assistant and a young girl who hasn't spoken due to tragedy.
When his next door neighbour believes the face of Jesus may have formed on his newly stuccoed wall, she calls the local preist who questions Henry's belief and his need for solitude.
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Public Enemies
 Keywords: Criminality, future, determination, hedonism, authority
Do you plan for your future? John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), America's first Public Enemy Number One, lived his life fast, frenetic – and short. He had a brief criminal career, just fourteen months long. He could rob a bank in 1 minute 40 seconds, as he would admit quite openly. His robberies were audacious, and for this he attracted the admiration of the public. He was a public celebrity, and he lived like one.
His accomplishments also made him an enemy of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup), who would become the first director of the FBI. Hoover tasks Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) with apprehending Dillinger and his gang, and assigns him to head up the field office in Chicago. Michael Mann, well-known for squaring two strong male leads against each other, engages Purvis and Dillinger in a deadly battle of wits.
Hoover urged his agents to 'take off the white gloves', to interrogate relatives as they hunted down Dillinger, to create informants at any cost. The nascent FBI risked appearing more ruthless than the criminals themselves. In contrast, Dillinger's popular appeal only grew. Who were the real public enemies?
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Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
As Harry Potter and his friends grow up, the popular series of stories about them becomes darker, more mature, and more complex along with them. In this sixth installment, Harry comes to see the more vulnerable sides of both his wise headmaster Dumbledore as well as his longtime nemesis Draco Malfoy, as the Dark Lord Voldemort sets in motion a plan that will enable him to conquer the wizarding world. This guide will help to discuss some of the questions raised by the film. What is the nature of love, and how does it differ from infatuation? What does it mean to make a promise and how should we regard the soul, its immortality and death?
Some themes the discussion guide contains:
•
Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
• Making and Keeping Vows and Promises (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Matthew 5:33-37)
• The Importance of the Soul (Matthew 16:24-28; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57)
Download the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince discussion guide from Christianity Today for US$5.95 (allows you to photocopy up to 1000 times). |
discussion guide archives 
Hidden tunnels. Cryptic instructions. Monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows. Escape is the only option …
WALL•E
The Kite Runner 
Penelope
The Bucket List
Journey To the Centre of the Earth
Becoming Jane
Gracie
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Prince Caspian
The Nativity Story 
Iron Man
Lars and the Real Girl
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Juno 
Cloverfield
As It Is In Heaven 
Michael Clayton
Amazing Grace
The Golden Compass
Sunshine 
The Namesake 
Freedom 
Bridge to Terabithia 
Children of Men
Spiderman 3 
Rent 
Flightplan
Superheroes 
Super Size Me
