Through a Screen Darkly (Paperback)

by Jeffrey Overstreet (Author)
Key Phrases: screen darkly, red wheelbarrow, New York, Don't Come Knocking, Star Wars (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. If viewing a film is to be a spiritual exercise, one must be open to conversion. Overstreet, cultural commentator and film critic for Christianity Today, leads readers through his own cinematic conversion in this compelling volume. Overstreet's greatest gift is the masterful way he brings a spirit of discernment to the world of film. For example, determining when sex and violence is artfully employed or when it is just plain gratuitous is not always an easy task. Overstreet uses inspiring anecdotes from his life to show how the process of discerning the content and meaning of films takes patience, prayer and humility. He exhibits all of these traits through his movie commentaries and invites the reader to set aside biases about what is "properly" Christian and look deeper toward how cinema as an art form affects one's soul. This, according to Overstreet, is the work of God. At times, the author's stories distract from his main point, but his primary goal is one to be celebrated: "I have a strange compulsion to sit down between Christian culture and secular society, trying to help them understand each other—and ultimately, God—better through a shared experience of art." Two thumbs up! (Feb. 8)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
He writes beautifully in Through a Screen Darkly...routinely finding redemptive insights in unusual places. -- Youthworker Journal, May/June 2007

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 351 pages
• Publisher: Regal Books (February 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830743154
• ISBN-13: 978-0830743155
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #63,129 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #87 in

  Books > Entertainment > Movies > History & Criticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look at faith and film, March 1, 2007

By	J. Sanders (St. Louis, MO, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book, and how Jeffrey showed how to expand a Christian view of film in two ways: by looking beyond simple moralizing to take a deep look at how film can convey the spiritual longings and journeys taken by film characters, and by looking beyond Hollywood to explore the finest works from world cinema. I have had the chance to view a few of the films Jeffrey mentions in this book, but this book has helped me want to revisit these films to study them again using the artistic and filmic languages that were unfamiliar to me. I also have gained a list of films I want to add to my Netflix account. Seeing the best of world cinema, and learning how to view these films, nourishes the soul and expands my view of how God moves both in the human heart, and throughout the entire world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Bridging of Faith and Culture , April 10, 2007

By	Marla Alupoaicei (Frisco, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Jeffrey Overstreet expertly guides readers on a cinematic journey, thoughtfully raising questions and broaching issues to help Christians and non-Christians alike challenge their traditional views on art, faith, culture and cinema.

Overstreet demonstrates remarkable skill in providing a comprehensive and thoughtful reflection on a wide variety of films. He discusses them in fresh ways, displaying cultural relevance in his interpretation while also dramatically illustrating the spiritual principles and biblical truths that surface in the themes of each film.

Overstreet's masterful work will offer you a fresh look at beauty, truth, evil and redemption in the movies. A must-have for any film lover!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Film for all Folks, March 10, 2007

By	Nace Y. Lanier (Wash DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Have you ever wondered how some people can just soak in movies? They go to the threater and its like they just made a new friend with the film they just saw. While you go and enjoyment some entertainment. Both ways of viewing are good but hey, we all could use a new friend. Jeffery Overstreet helps us bridge the gap between just watching another movie and connecting to another perspective and deeper meaning through viewing movies as art.

Overstreet writes a very accessable and enjoyable journey in film through the book Through a Screen Darkly. He is not a film snob in belittling popular movies. He actually helps the reader see some great themes in mainstrean movies that he or she may have overlooked. But he also is ready to challenge the reader with films that a "normal" person may not have come across. The greatest part of the book is that he doesn't just suggest movies that one should experience. He instead walks you through his personal journey in movie appreciation and helps the reader to learn what can be gathered in extraordinary movies.