Religion and Film 2024

Apocalypse Now is a masterpiece of film that explores the depths of human nature and the evil side of war. The movie reflects Rudolf Otto's idea of the Holy, which inspires wonder and interest in people. It follows Vietnam War idealist Lieutenant Willard as he kills Colonel Kurtz, echoing Block's Squire's search for purpose in a plague-ridden society. The movie takes a religious approach to the Vietnam War, using symbols to represent humanity's loss, the fight against evil, and the quest for salvation. Mirroring the journey of its protagonist Captain Willard, the movie depicts the war as a plunge into anarchy. The movie explores themes of sin and guilt through the lens of religion, which also serves as a reminder that moral principles must be upheld and people should always seek for redemption, even in the face of conflict. The decorated military commander Colonel Kurtz's descent into lunacy during his time in Vietnam serves as a reflection of the moral uncertainty

 "Seventh Seal" is a film that explores philosophical concerns, focusing on the conflict between faith and skepticism. The protagonist, Antonius Block, plays chess with Death, seeking answers to his life's purpose. The film highlights the inevitability of death and its influence on human life, with the presence of Death as a reminder of our finite time on Earth. The film employs symbols to evoke intrigue and deepen understanding, such as the chess game and the dance of death, which symbolize the eternal struggle between life and death. The film features two groups of characters, one in the dance of death and the other continuing with their lives, symbolizing the human condition and our response to mortality. The film's slow pace and cryptic symbolism initially confuse the viewer, but as it progressed, the philosophical conversations between Antonius Block and Death became captivating, forcing them to contemplate life's meaning and mortality.

Hello,  My name is Beverley Arbogast and I am writing about the films Groundhog Day and Cold Fever. The films "Cold Fever" and "Groundhog Day" both examine the idea of holy time and its transcendent significance. In the movie "Groundhog Day," Phil Connors is caught in a time loop where he keeps experiencing the same day again and over. When he finally realizes that his efforts to break free from the cycle are pointless, he gives up. Phil gains knowledge about transcendence and spirituality as a result, which helps him develop as a person and move him closer to a more contented life. Phil's journey highlights his transition from a self-centered, selfish attitude to a self-improvement phase and, finally, into a joyful, caring self. The movie also shows how rituals may be constrictive and reassuring, making Phil have to repeat the same ones over and over. This is a wonderful example of how choosing to take intentional activities leads to actual fulfillmen

Welcome to the Religion and Film blog for 2024. Make sure to start the blog with your name and the subject of the entry (Just as I have done with this post). Blog entries will be considered informal writing assignments and as such will be graded more in relation to content than style. Blog entries will contain questions and answers to questions, as well as reflections which relate to daily classroom discussions, completion of exercises, and reading assignments. Any questions the student has when reading or completing assignments should be written in their blog. Reflections may relate to connections the student makes between discussions in this class and those in other classes, between arguments raised in the readings in this class and those raised in other classes or in informal conversations. Students are encouraged to apply the ideas learned in this class to activities that take place outside of the class. These applications make great reflections. The student should bring quest