Movie GroupMovie Group News
Next showing...Showing of The Lord of The Rings Trilogy begins February 21 Over three Sundays in February and March, there will be a special showing of the three movies that make up The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The movies are closely based on the books written by British author and scholar, JRR Tolkien (link to author's Wikipedia entry). Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, was written under the shadow of WWII, and in a time of spiritual upheaval in the author's life, as he was making the transition from a secular understanding of the world to one informed by Christan faith. In discussing the films, we will explore the shape of the moral universe in "Middle Earth," and look for parallels in our own world and lives. The movies will be shown in the church center, beginning at 3 PM and will be followed by a soup and bread supper. The first film, "The Fellowship of The Ring," will be shown on February 21, the second film, "The Two Towers," will be shown on March 7, and the third film, "The Return of the King," will be shown on March 14. Adults, college students, and middle to high schoolers are encouraged to attend. LINKS:
"Garry and Harry" View Steven Madeja's (Tammy and Jim Madeja's son's) excellent film, "Garry and Harry," at: http://netny.net/faithfilmfestival/video-clip/episode-4/ as part of the Faith Film Festival. It is a must-see portrait of brotherly love.
Previous Film Viewings:On Maundy Thursday, March 20, 2007 the film “The Last Supper” was shown at 5:30 p.m. On Good Friday, March 21, the film "Victory at Jerusalem" will be shown at 1:30 p.m., prior to the service of contemplation at 3:00 in the church sanctuary. This documentary was filmed on location in the Holy Land.
Movie: The Narrow Path, Walking Toward Peace and Nonviolence. (Part Two)Potsdam Presbyterian Church hosted a continuing conversation about peacemaking in 21st century America on Sunday afternoon, February 17 at 3 p.m. The church youth group and adults watched and discussed the second part of the DVD The Narrow Path, Walking Toward Peace and Nonviolence. The film's narrator is John Dear, a Jesuit priest and peace activist of over 20 years. He tells the story of his faith journey, following the non violent Jesus. Mr. Dear explores what it means stand for nonviolence to solve social problems. A discussion will follow the film. Part 1 of The Narrow Path, Walking Toward Peace and Nonviolence, was shown on January 21, Martin Luther King Day and again just before the viewing of Part Two (on February 17, 2008). This is a bold and challenging film. The narrator, John Dear, a Jesuit priest and peace activist, tells his story as a faith journey Mr. Dear was inspired by Dr. King's faith in the power of creative nonviolence to transform lives and societies. Dr. King was a Baptist minister who lived his Christian faith through action and speaking truth to power. His actions on behalf of the oppressed in our great and wealthy country were guided by the peacemaking path Jesus walked. Martin Luther King Day was Monday, January 21. This is a different kind of holiday. "Make it a day on, not a day off" is the slogan of the day. Throughout the country people gathered to study, discuss, and do projects that help solve social problems, such as poverty, racism, and violence.
Movies about the Passion of Christ shown during Easter Week, 2007
"Bonhoeffer" On Sunday, February 12, 2006 we saw the movie "Bonhoeffer". It is a moving portrait of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, famed German Theologian, who dared to stand up to Hitler, is being shown in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of his birth on February 4, 1906. "We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds...will our inward power of resistance be strong enough for us to find our way back?" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Martin Doblmeir’s critically acclaimed documentary Bonhoeffer will be shown in its entirety (93 minutes) at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, February 12th in the Community Center. (A 60-minute version of this documentary will be aired on Monday, February 6th at 10 p.m. on WPBS--the Watertown PBS station.) The film tells the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the young German theologian who offered one of the first clear voices of resistance to Adolf Hitler and the rise of the Nazis. Bonhoeffer challenged his church to stand with the Jews in their time of need; Bonhoeffer himself eventually became part of the resistance movement and the plots to kill Hitler. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis for his role in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler only weeks before the end of World War II, at the age of 39. During his short life, Bonhoeffer wrote many books on theology and ethics, including Life Together, The Cost of Discipleship, Letters and Papers from Prison, and Ethics. The documentary "Bonhoeffer" is a production of Journey Films of Alexandria, Virginia, with major funding provided by The Lilly Endowment and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation.. "Bonhoeffer" is produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Martin Doblmeir. Doblmeir, who has produced more than twenty public television films on faith and spirituality said, "In the world of religion and spirituality, Bonhoeffer is clearly one of the most inspiring writers of the 20th Century. But Bonhoeffer’s words of faith and ethics - while provocative and stirring - take on lasting meaning in light of his willingness to risk his own life for what he believed." The Session is sponsoring this showing and invites everyone to attend. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to discuss the film and the implications of Bonhoeffer’s life and work for people in 21st Century America. Links to "Bonhoeffer" documentary:
Links to information about Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." On Saturday, Dec. 10, the Movie Group went to the matinee in Potsdam to see this movie. Links to "Narnia..." movie:
Links to C. S. Lewis:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks." On Sunday, Decedmber 4, the film "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks," saw a short (42 min.) documentary, directed by Robert Houston, after worship in Room 2. Nominated in 2002 for an Academy Award in the best documentary short subject category, this powerful film examines the Montgomery bus boycott and its integral people and events.
Links to information on Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights movement
"Luther.". This film was shown October 30th, in commemoration of Reformation Sunday. The 2003 MGM film, “Luther,” tells of the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation in Germany and puts it into the social and political context of the time. October 31st is the 488th anniversary of the day Martin Luther posted his “95 theses” on the church door, wanting to encourage discussion about some of the religious practices of the time. It’s a well-made movie that stars Joseph Fiennes as Martin Luther; others in the movie include Alfred Molina and Sir Peter Ustinov. "Luther" does a gripping job of bringing a major historical upheaval to life. This movie is also rated PG-13. Background: On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, the 16th century equivalent of a message board or chat room, with the idea of stimulating discussion about practices which greatly disturbed him and which were then prevalent in the Catholic Church. While Luther didn’t start out to cause great trouble, such a tumult this monk began, political as well as religious, and bloody. When it was made very clear that he was to cease and disavow his criticisms of the Church, he made his well-known statement, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” He didn’t plan to start a new church, much less such a revolution, but neither did he shrink from it. This film tells the story of a strong character in Christian history and traces the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation from which our Presbyterian Reformed Tradition descends. One of our former members related a story about a conversation with a Catholic priest who told him, “Not long after Luther, the Catholic Church decided Luther was right and the Counter Reformation followed.” Martin Luther had truly affected all of western Christianity. LINKS to some of the movie reviews of "Luther"
"Hotel Rwanda." This film was shown Sunday, October 2nd. This very highly acclaimed 2004 movie based on true events. Amid the fear and carnage, a man finds ways to keep over 1200 Tutsis alive hour by hour and day by day during the 1994 Rwanda slaughter / ethnic cleansing. The film is both very disturbing and very hopeful. Richard Roeper called it “One of the most inspirational films I’ve ever seen.” It will get you thinking about justice and current events in other parts of the world. It is rated PG-13. LINKS to some of the movie reviews of "Hotel Rwanda"
Some links to the history of the conflict:
"The Mission" is about a Jesuit missionary in the mid-18th century who starts a Mission in the jungle of Paraguay, near Brazil and Argentina, and about a reformed mercenary who formerly captured local people for slave traders. The latter has killed his brother in a fit of rage and is working with the priest on how to reconcile himself to God and atone for his sins. The mission thrives until politics enter. Church superiors decide to close the missions on the continent so that Jesuits will not be forced to leave Portugal. This may leave the local people to possible slavery by the Portuguese, who now control Brazil. The priest and the former mercenary must wrestle with what they are called to do. "The Mission" is recommended by Presbyterians Today as one of the movies with a peacemaking theme. It is a film you will remember and want to talk about. LINKS to some of the movie reviews of "The Mission"
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First Presbyterian Church of Potsdam, New York
A community gathering in Christ and ministering as God leads
This production was filmed at authentic locations in the Holy Land and Middle East. It emphasizes both Christian traditions and Jewish roots, and explores the recipes of the exotic Biblical courses served at the supper: bread, salads, herbs olive dish, lamb, wine, fruit and others.
On Good Friday, April 6th, at 1 p.m., The Passion of Jesus from the International Bible Society and Pathway Media’s production of "Matthew" will be presented. (NOTE: Only chapters from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion will be shown.) Visible Bible: "Matthew" is the only dramatization that uses the actual scriptures, word for word from the New International Version of the Bible. Starring Richard Kiley as Matthew (narrator) and Bruce Marchiano as Jesus, "Matthew" was filmed on location in Tunisia, Morocco and South Africa and features a cast of thousands, historically accurate costumes and award-winning directing. ( 
Links to information on the Documentary on Rosa Parks:
"The Mission" was shown, on Sunday, July 24th, 7pm in the Center. This film stars Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt ("A Man for all Seasons"). The excellent, memorable music is by Ennio Morricone.