Hour 21: A Film and Interactive Media Blog

  The Chosen, season 5 “What have you done?” “It would have been enough." “But none of that's the point. The point is that you would have said yes to the world’s no.” -The Chosen, season 5 As of yet, I do not think the depths of human doubt and misunderstanding have been as eloquently and heart-wrenchingly explored as they are in the fifth season of The Chosen. It is extraordinary how this show about the life of Christ is able to revitalize our appreciation for the greatest sacrifice of all time. Most remarkable of all, by focusing mainly on human weakness and mistrust The Chosen situates its fifth season in the liminal space between belief and faith in that which we cannot and do not fully comprehend. This season is a marker, a demonstration of what separates the Chosen from its cinematic biblical siblings. It is a show that is willing to dwell in and on the difficulties of life and human frailty. Honing in on the necessity of human growth in times of struggle, rather...

  Risen “Have you come far?” “All that for peace, Is there no other way? “You look for something you'll never find Tribune. You look for the wrong thing.” -Risen There is something surprising about a single moment. In these instances where our life changes course, a single moment becomes the culmination of all our experiences up until that striking clarity of vision. Risen captures that uniquely human reality with a simplistic complexity that enriches the proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, in an intriguingly compelling way. Built on the unknown, Risen is effectively the story of The Resurrection as seen through the eyes of a criminal investigator. It is a murder mystery told in reverse. The film eloquently conveys the power of the moment to forever alter our perspective. Taking this idea of powerful change and applying it over time Risen demonstrates the true nature of change, that of a continual journey throughout life. The power of a moment is not housed ...

  Jesus of Nazareth, 1977 “This is the king of Israel who will take away the sin of the world.” “A stable, I thought my brothers were mistaken. But now I see the justice of it, there could be no other place.” “Before kingdoms change, men must change." “This is your hour Judas, the hour of shadows." “Now it begins, it all begins.” -Jesus of Nazareth, 1977 The most impressive aspect of Jesus of Nazareth is not its scale. This 1977 miniseries is remarkable because of its simplicity. It is a simplicity born out of a grand idea to be sure. Though, whether it be coincidental or intentional, this six hour journey through the life of Christ is the quintessential example of a medium reflecting the inner reality of its primary subject. The smallest of places, housing the mightiest of kings. The television does not deprive us of spectacle in this instance. It eloquently calls to mind the true sacrifice that was made to save us from our sins Jesus came to earth to set all free. T...