One of the wonderful things about Church history is learning the numerous occasions where wise Holy Mother Church addressed pagan practices by substituting something good for something evil. Saints and the poor souls in purgatory take the place of goblins, ghouls, and evil spirits. The winter solstice is replaced with the celebration of Christmas, etc. Praising the good is always a wise practice for parents as well. Rewarding the good often multiplies good behavior. I think it was St. Francis de Sales who said you can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel full of vinegar.
And that's the principle behind the Movieguide Awards Gala that recognizes inspiring and faith-affirming film projects. Secretariat, The King's Speech, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader are among this year's awardees (I saw and recommend all three), but less famous films are also on the list. Take a look and praise God for filmmakers who are offering audiences alternatives to the violence, filth, and nihilism of so much Hollywood fare. Movies aren't going away any time soon, so let's support the good ones!
2011 Movieguide Awards - Best Mature Films Red Carpet
Showing posts with label inspiring films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiring films. Show all posts
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Heart for the Race
My husband and I saw Secretariat last night. What a film! What a horse! His Triple Crown performance has never been equalled, but the story behind the horse shows the power of love, courage, and determination. Penny Chenery Tweedy had to fight and risk everything to keep and race Secretariat.
After her parents died she faced $6 million in death taxes. If you want to know why so many family farms are sold for taxes, this movie illustrates it. Penny Tweedy was able to sell breeding rights in Secretariat to raise the money, but there was a clause in the contract that required performance. If Secretariat lost two races, the contract was void. She had the determination to risk everything because she believed in the horse and the film shows the special relationship between the animal and his owner.
And he did lose. The first race at Aqueduct in New York. But, as history shows, he went on not only to win but break records that stand today. His performance at the Belmont Stakes made him a legend.
I don't know how much of the film's story is true and how much artistic license, but the relationships among the characters makes the film. And it's interesting to look at news coverage of the time. The film even copied the clothing worn by the major characters on race day. Penny Tweedy has a cameo during one of the race scenes; see if you can pick her out before they show her photo at the end. It's a great production and we plan to go again with some of our grandchildren. It's a great metaphor for St. Paul's statement about running the race. Do it like Secretariat - with all your heart!
After her parents died she faced $6 million in death taxes. If you want to know why so many family farms are sold for taxes, this movie illustrates it. Penny Tweedy was able to sell breeding rights in Secretariat to raise the money, but there was a clause in the contract that required performance. If Secretariat lost two races, the contract was void. She had the determination to risk everything because she believed in the horse and the film shows the special relationship between the animal and his owner.
And he did lose. The first race at Aqueduct in New York. But, as history shows, he went on not only to win but break records that stand today. His performance at the Belmont Stakes made him a legend.
I don't know how much of the film's story is true and how much artistic license, but the relationships among the characters makes the film. And it's interesting to look at news coverage of the time. The film even copied the clothing worn by the major characters on race day. Penny Tweedy has a cameo during one of the race scenes; see if you can pick her out before they show her photo at the end. It's a great production and we plan to go again with some of our grandchildren. It's a great metaphor for St. Paul's statement about running the race. Do it like Secretariat - with all your heart!
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