Hope is the greatest weapon of all, as many audience members have learned from watching the movie, "Machine Gun Preacher" directed by Marc Forster based on the story by Sam Childers. Sam Childers was part of a biker gang who later turned into a preacher and went on a mission trip. By going on that one mission trip Childers learned about the orphans in Africa and became so overwhelmed that he created his own orphanage in Africa to provide a safe house for these children of war, with the help of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Through the power of Christianity, and Childers constant faith in God, the viewers watch as one man go above and beyond with extensive efforts to save children that are not his own, nor his color. Gerard Butler …show more content…
The LRA is “a rebel group led by Joseph Kony. Kony for the last twenty four years has led a terrifying regime targeting attacks on innocent civilians, kidnapping children and forcing them to fight in his rebel forces” (War Child 2014). The movie at first introduces a dark scene of a village under attack by the LRA, a child is forced to kill his mother and the scene is very intense. This scene foreshadows to the severity of what many children in Uganda and Sudan must deal with on a daily basis. The filmmakers decision to maintain the graphic, dark, explicit content was a good choice because it impacts the audience to comprehend that life outside of their regular lives are much more austere, it provided a wake-up call for the protagonist Sam Childers. “Instead of showing faith with a tidy, safe sheen, Childers’s Christianity is shown as the mysterious, dynamic, and intricate force that it is” (Christianity Today 2011). The typical imagination of an individual finding faith is that it’s clean cut, and once an individual chooses a faith their life is problem free, but Childers path to faith is quite the opposite. While Childers continues his trips to Africa, his wife, best friend, and daughter are back home. Childers’ comes across the news of his best friend Donnie overdosing, which causes Childers to go on an aggressive vehemence on his missions. This goes into the climax of the movie because Childers becomes so obsessed with his work that he isolates himself from his family and friends. One of the orphaned children provide a solution to get Childers out of the hole he dug himself in by saying, “If we allow ourselves to become full of hate then they’re won. We must not let them take out hearts. This is the most important thing” (William, IMSDb). Childers turns another corner and gets out of the pit, he learns to treat his family and his
The American West. Full of opportunity and danger. Out on the prairie there was always a need for those that were willing to "serve and protect". No ordinary lawman would do though. The needs and demands that were placed on those in authority during that time called for someone extraordinary. The people in the few scattered cities here and there depended on marshals and their ability to uphold the law. Dodge City was no exception, in fact it was the rule. Many ruffians came and went through Dodge and therefore the City needed a lawman like no other. What they had was Marshal Matt Dillon. Marshal Dillon embodied everything that was asked for in the typical "old west" lawman. He did his job and did it well. There are many characteristics that are required of such a man, in such a position as he was in. Marshal Dillon was indeed so like the typical lawman that he was fictional in and of himself. However he is very real in the minds and hearts of all those who have ever experienced the thrill of hearing the words, "there is only one way to tame... (the west). With a six shooter, and the smell of Gunsmoke."(Radio Spirits). Anyone who has ever heard, watched, or read about Gunsmoke understands the vital role that the character of Matt Dillon plays to the unfolding of almost every episode and tale. Dillon is the portrayal of all that was valued, respected, envied, and romanticized in the stereotypical old west lawman. Marshal Dillon has several characteristics about him that require scrutiny however to do so properly would require a virtual novel of research, as can be seen by the myriad of different traits observed by an Andrews University Lit. class on the American West (www.andrews.edu/~closserb link to Gunsmoke summaries). Therefore examining a few traits that seem to be most frequently observed in a broad way is more reasonable.
Not only was Billy Bob Thornton the leading role in Sling Blade (1996), he also wrote and directed the film. While the story line is rather predictable, nothing is taken away from the depth of this film. It is quickly discovered that the childhood of Karl Childers was unfortunate. The movie continues on to show that people, no matter the circumstances, all can relate to one another. The theme, and purpose, of this film is redemption. Individually differing while all sharing qualities creates a bond between the characters that makes this film memorable. Not to mention Billy Bob Thornton’s authentic performance.
Ishmael Beah’s memoir, A Long Way Gone, narrates the story of Ishmael’s life as a child soldier in the Sierra Leonean civil war. Ishmael chronicles his journey from a scared, adrift child who lost his family in the war to a brutal child soldier who mercilessly killed many individuals to a guilt stricken rehabilitated teen who slowly learns to overcome his remorse from his past actions. Ishmael’s life as a child soldier first started when the Sierra Leonean army took him and his friends with them to the village, Yele, occupied by army officials and seemingly safe from the rebels. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of their stay, the rebels attacked Yele, and Ishmael and his friends decided to make the choice of becoming a child soldier in order to sustain their slim chances of staying alive. Ishmael’s interaction with violence was very different as a child soldier compared to as a civilian: while he witnessed violent actions before, as a child soldier he was committing them. As his life as a soldier demanded more violence from him, Ishmael sank deeper into the process of dehumanization with his main driving point being the revenge that he sought from the rebels for the deaths of his family and friends. After a few months as a child soldier, Ishmael was brought to the Benin home by UNICEF officials who hoped to rehabilitate the completely dehumanized child soldiers. With the help of Esther, a compassionate nurse, and other staff members in the center, Ishmael was able to ultimately reverse the effects of the war on him. By forgiving himself and the rebels who took away his close ones from him, Ishmael was able to restore his emotion of empathy and become rehabilitated.
Sling Blade’s main theme is the redemption of Karl’s lost childhood. Karl Childer’s overly religious parents believed he was a punishment from God. They severely abused him, treated him like an animal, and forced him to live in a shed in solitude. Everyone in town picked on him and called him names. He was seen as a “retard” or slower than others. He had little to call his own. His only possessions were a Bible and several books on Christmas and carpentry. Karl was taught the Bible as a child, but it wasn’t really the Bible. The stories they told him were not in the Bible. His parents had made up their own stories and had led him astray on the rights and wrongs of life.
This demonstrates to us that no matter how much your legal or moral laws are violated, what matters is how you as an individual react to the situation, justly or unjustly. This movie is centered around the notion that if you are a person of ethnic background, that alone is reason for others to forsake your rights, although in the long run justice will prevail
There is a scene in this movie where the coach takes the team on a long run in the middle of the night. They end up at the break of dawn at a cemetery. The coach tells the young men of the battle that was fought on that ground. He told of the blood shed on those grounds that turned the whole area red. This can help many people that want to make a difference in this world.
“The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” This quote is the first thing that flashes across the screen as viewers begin their journey into The Hurt Locker, a critically acclaimed war movie written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt). The quote was written by former New York Times war correspondent, Chris Hedges and it perfectly sets the stage for a story that depicts just how potent and addicting war can be (Corliss). The 2008 movie won six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role (“Nominees & Winners”). The Hurt Locker is an exceptional movie that contains everything one would expect from an award-winning film: an intriguing plot, heart-wrenching tragedy, breathtaking visuals, top-notch acting, believability, and even a bit of controversy.
She locks the door behind her and waits for several seconds starring in the darkness trying to hear any movements. Kelsey walks across the room with her pistol ready, finger on the trigger. Just as she gazes out the window watching flames arise on the horizon, spot light's beam the building causing the room to shine bright. Kelsey turns around and glimpses the Nazi Leader pointing a handgun at the pimple between her eyebrows. Kelsey lowers her pistol to the ground and holds her hands to the sky. The Nazi Leader speaks in some form of German which becomes inaudible for Kelsey to understand. Then a water droplet falls from Kelsey’s face and she begins to say a prayer. She speaks aloud to cause the leader to lose his focus on what he should be doing, killing her. Conversation comes up through the question of Kelsey asking the leader why he has started this movement once again. The leader replies “I chose to eliminate the weaker humans in our society. With those people gone, our community and world can develop to the next level.” Kelsey decides to yell at the leader while tears running down her face that the leader is wrong to think like that. She believes that everyone was put on this planet for a reason to contribute to society. And that the purpose of the jews might not be prevalent right now, but they will find their spot in society soon. As soon as the argument ceases and tension in the room intensifies, the family Kelsey saved in the woods barges through the door and open fires on the Nazi Leader. Multiple bullets slice through the leader’s body like tissue paper. His body collapses to the ground with a bang and silence strikes the room. Everyone looks around and checks themselves for unnoticeable bullet wounds that might not have stricken them. After all body parts are clean of bullet scratches, they all surround one another with tears of joy knowing
Child soldier is a worldwide issue, but it became most critical in the Africa. Child soldiers are any children under the age of 18 who are recruited by some rebel groups and used as fighters, cooks, messengers, human shields and suicide bombers, some of them even under the aged 10 when they are forced to serve. Physically vulnerable and easily intimidated, children typically make obedient soldiers. Most of them are abducted or recruited by force, and often compelled to follow orders under threat of death. As society breaks down during conflict, leaving children no access to school, driving them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children feel that rebel groups become their best chance for survival. Others seek escape from poverty or join military forces to avenge family members who have been killed by the war. Sometimes they even forced to commit atrocities against their own family (britjob p 4 ). The horrible and tragic fate of many unfortunate children is set on path of war murders and suffering, more nations should help to prevent these tragedies and to help stop the suffering of these poor, unfortunate an innocent children.
In “A Long Way Gone”, we follow a twelve-year-old African boy, Ishmael Beah, who was in the midst, let alone survived a civil war in Sierra Leone, that turned his world upside down. Ishmael was a kind and innocent boy, who lived in a village where everybody knew each other and happiness was clearly vibrant amongst all the villagers. Throughout the novel, he describes the horrific scenes he encounters that would seem unreal and traumatizing to any reader. The main key to his survival is family, who swap out from being related to becoming non-blood related people who he journeys with and meets along his journey by chance.
Miller, Sarah Rose. “Child Soldiers.” Humanist 1 July 2002: 1-4. eLibrary. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
In her book, Immaculée Ilibagiza shares the power of faith in God through her moving experience of the Rwandan genocide. God saved her life for a reason. “He left me to tell my story to others and show as many people as possible the leading power of his Love and Forgiveness” (208-09). Her book proves that “with God all things are possible”. Her objective is not to give a historical account of Rwanda and/or of the genocide. She gives her own story. She attests that through God’s help, forgiveness is possible – even to those who killed her parents. Her book is meant to help people to let go of the chains of hatred and anger, and be able to truly live in God who is love. Left to Tell is a breathtaking book that proves the fact that “the love of a single heart can make a world of difference” (210). The book is divided into three parts, and each part into eight chapters. The author recounts how God saved her from the shadows of death and helped her discover who He really Is.
This source is the most trustworthy source to find information. This source is great for the project because it gave a great amount of detailed information about the genocide in Darfur. The information was published by World without Genocide (www.worldwithoutgenocide.org) which is an organization to end genocide. Although the website is paid for by an organization, it does not mean it is one hundred percent reliable. Sometimes .org URLS can be biased and can give personal opinions on the topic. The pur...
“We fight each other for territory; we kill each other over race, pride, and respect. We fight for what is ours. They think they’re winning by jumping me now, but soon they’re all going down, war has been declared.” Abuse, Pain, Violence, Racism and Hate fill the streets of Long Beach, California. Asians, Blacks, Whites and Hispanics filled Wilson High School; these students from different ethnic backgrounds faced gang problems from day to night. This movie contains five messages: people shouldn’t be judgmental because being open-minded allows people to know others, having compassion for a person can help people change their views in life, being a racist can only create hate, having the power of the human will/goodness to benefit humanity will cause a person to succeed at any cost and becoming educated helps bring out the intelligence of people.
The movie Courageous discusses important issues we face in society today. This movie shows the importance of family, the danger of drugs, and the major importance of Christian values. Courageous causes me to consider how I treat others around me and how I can become a better Christian. I learned that living a life looking out only for myself and pursuing worldly pleasures not only consists of superficial and temporary happiness, but also consists of pain, suffering, emptiness and a longing for something more than what we have.