FilmJerk Favorites

A group of unique directors and the essential works that you've got to see.

||| John Ford |||
John Ford

One of the art form's grand masters of all time, Ford is responsible for influencing the seminal directors of generation after generation. Strongly associated with the impressive body of work created over a lifetime with collaborator John Wayne, it is nearly impossible to choose just three… but here it goes.

This powerful winner of the Best Picture Academy Award is set in Wales at the turn of the 19th century, and tells the story of a family of miners, whose lives are filled with danger and repression. The film is beautifully crafted, lovingly depicting the gut wrenching sacrifices and light-hearted moments that are elemental to family life, making this film a true representation of the craft that is unmistakably John Ford.

This film is told in flashback as James Stewart, after a long absence, returns home for the funeral of a friend who saved his life from a sadistic outlaw. This classic covers every essential element required to qualify as a western epic from unlikely friends to the girl who comes between them, to the enemy they both despise, but handle with extremely different approaches, to Fords signature cast of supporting characters, all combine to make this a staple for every fan of this uniquely American genre.

This romantic comedy seen through the eyes of John Ford has John Wayne ( an American-raised boxer) go to Ireland to the village of his birth, fall for feisty Maureen O'Hara, and fight with town ruffian Victor McLaglen in one of the all time classic screen brawls. This is an exceptionally fine romantic movie that with Ford’s capable bravado manages to be a film that any man’s man can openly enjoy.

Recommended by CarrieSpecht

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For the Bible Tells Me So

By BrianOrndorf

November 2nd, 2007

The Bible is such a powerful tool. It can lift spirits and encourage hope just as easily as it can incite hatred and destroy lives. "For the Bible Tells Me So" studies the chilling effect misinterpreted Bible verses have brought on the gay and lesbian community, singling out special stories of emotional unrest to explore the changing perspectives of Christianity.

For the Bible Tells Me So

“For the Bible” is a bold documentary that recognizes the vitriolic nature of the argument at hand. Directed by Daniel Karslake, the film steps tentatively, knowing full well what it hopes to communicate is going to upset a horde of believers. Instead of a bracing judgmental attitude, the documentary lunges for the heart, cracking open numerous tales of religious and sexual identity adversity intended to underline the theme of growing tolerance and tangled biblical logic.

The two noteworthy tales come from high-profile sources. The first is politician Richard Gephardt and his daughter Chrissy, a lesbian who spent most of her formative years in heterosexual relationships due to her own sexual confusion and deep-seated fear of public embarrassment. Their tale is one of straightforward acceptance, a rare find, with even Chrissy amazed at how well Richard and his wife took the news, even encouraging help from their daughter during his presidential run in 2004.

Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson and his struggles with faith and sexual preference are also addressed, with the religious leader remarkably open and honest about his life-threatening ordeal. The film also tracks his rise to spiritual leadership and the controversy that rained down on him during the approval process.

Stories aside, “For the Bible” is primarily interested in raising questions about scripture interpretation, isolating common passages from the Bible used to single out homosexuals, revealing, with the help of scholars and religious leaders, the multiple interpretations of these crucial passages, or simply debunking the words outright (welcome is a clarification of the whole Sodom and Gomorrah yarn). It’s a persuasive argument, especially when Karslake presents footage of preachers foaming at the mouth, exploiting these blurry holes in the scripture to line their own pockets.

Following this train of thought, a chunk of time is set aside for James Dobson and his “Focus on the Family” crusade against homosexuality. What was once a small-time Evangelical guide has turned into an industry, with Dobson reaping the financial rewards while furthering a message of hate that has reverberated across the country.

While cyclical at times, “For the Bible” is an informative, heartbreaking documentary about intolerance and manipulation, sadly and assuredly never to be seen by the people who need this info the most.

My rating: B+