Faith and Film at Film Alley

Here is the list of movies we will examine in the class, along with some key questions the films raise.

(Note: Movies are subject to change if circumstances warrant.)

The tentative schedule for Fall 2025:

• • Sept. 7 (A Timely Movie) Mass with Dr. Jacob Youmans
  • Oct. 5 (A Historic Movie) Reagan with former Cedar Park mayor Matt Powell
  • Nov. 2 (A Classic Movie) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with Rev. Dr. David Kluth
  • Dec. 7 (A Seasonal Movie) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with (Pixie Linebrink)

Legally, we cannot publish the titles to the public, but you can share the list with your friends.

Participants should be aware that some of the movies to be examined contain violence, sexual situations, and rough language. Be it further known that the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, governing board, or patrons of the Film Alley Theater.

Sept. 7 (a Timely movie) Mass with Dr. Jacob Youmans

Dr. Jacob Youmans has served as the Director of the DCE (Director of Christian Education) program at Concordia University Texas, since 2009. Prior to that, has served as a Youth and Family Minister in Hawaii and California. He has authored four books, including Talking Pictures, which demonstrates how one can use movies to teach the faith to teenagers. He also was a contributor to Movies From the Mountaintop, an anthology on faith and films that also featured insights from Rob Lowe and Mark Wahlberg.

Discussion Questions for Mass

1. 1. Why do you think this movie is named Mass?
   2. This movie invites some strong emotions, including empathy in people. For those who are parents of older teens and young adults, how might this be a cautionary tale?
   3. What role does the church play in this drama? What deeper metaphors can be taken from that portrayal?
   4. How do the roles of wrongdoer and victim evolve throughout the course of the film?
   5. If you were one of the characters, what might you have said (or left unsaid) to help bring healing? What truth about God might be sorely missing in their encounter?
   6. Imagine a sequel. How successful are each set of parents in moving forward after their meeting?

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned. —Romans 5:14a (NKJV)

And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. —Isaiah 6:1-4 (NKJV)

For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. —Romans 5-16b (NKJV)

Oct. 5 (A Historic Movie) Reagan with former Cedar Park mayor Matt Powell

Matthew (Matt) Powell has a recognized and distinguished record of improving businesses and cities through strategic planning, economic development, and quality of life improvements. As an elected official in Cedar Park, he guided the city in added tens of millions of dollars in new revenues and added quality of life amenities while maintaining its character in the face of explosive population growth. As municipal consultant, Matt also led multiple successful efforts in fast-growth cities, including Leander and Pflugerville. While in college, Matt interned at the Reagan Library and became friends with Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

Discussion Questions for Reagan

• 1. Besides the Lens of Accuracy, what other lenses are useful in interpreting and enjoying this movie?
  2. Many of our Faith and Film participants well remember the Reagan years. If so, did your impression of the president change over the years?
  3. One could argue that Reagan was the first celebrity President. A WWF star was once the governor of Minnesota (Jessie Ventura), and a comedian won election as a US Senator in the state (Al Franken). Like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump was a television star before entering politics. What might all this say about the evolution of politics?
  4. Reagan identified as a “born again” Christian. What evidence is there of how this faith played out during his presidency? What were the flaws painted by Reagan opponents? What were the strengths painted by his supporters?
  5. Recall your impression of Nancy Reagan. What was her strength? Did she have a weakness or flaw?
  6. As they saying goes, “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies those He calls.” Do you see this axiom played out in Reagan’s life?

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. —2 Timothy 2:4-5

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ]sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. —2 Timothy 2: 20-21

Nov. 2 (a Classic movie) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with Rev. Dr. David Kluth

Rev. Dr. David Kluth will be responding for the fourth consecutive season. Previously, he helped unpack Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and Leap of Faith. Dr. Kluth has a degree in Communication and has been a professor and administrator at several universities. Currently, he is known as a popular Bible class leader at Zion Lutheran. 

Discussion Questions for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

1. 1. You may have heard of a mid-life crisis. What late-life crises are evident in the aging characters in film? Are they common among people in our area today? How easily does cautious wisdom turn into negativity? 
   2. India is a land and culture quite different from ours. What adjustments might be necessary by a person from the West for them to endure or enjoy a stay in this Asian country?
   3. Movies featuring conflicts between people from different races and different shades of skin color is often an overwrought conceit in today’s movie storylines. However, far more realistic for today are story conflicts based on divisions of class, culture, sex and age. Consider the conflicts between characters in this story. What divides them? How are they overcome?
   4. In the publicity, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sounds like heaven. When have you set your hope high but then experienced disappointment when reality set in? Why do we let our expectations become so raised from time to time? What are your expectations of heaven itself?
   5. Many of us can identify with Sonny, who finds himself at once trying to keep everyone happy. In an unexpectedly heroic way, he mostly succeeds. How would you describe his beliefs, values, and actions that make a difference?

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. —Psalm 71:18

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you. —Isaiah 46:4

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Cor. 5:17

Dec. 7 (A Seasonal movie) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with (Pixie Linebrink) 

Discussion Questions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

1. 1. Some may remember the novel or the original movie. What changes in our culture or churches make this remake timely?
   2. One can argue that on any given principle, that diversity and unity are polar opposites. For example, a uniform in the military represents unity. An art studio celebrates diversity of creativity. Where should a church practice unity, and where should it allow diversity?
   3. The Herdman kids represent the polar opposite of the outcomes we wish for our kids as well as the kids in our community. They appear to be abandoned by their parents, the community, and even the church. If a church actually practices an open door approach, how inevitable is it that such children will ultimately challenge the status quo? (Not to mention the adults who come through the door.) How open is the door to your church? What boundaries must be preserved?
   4. In the movie, the community nativity story pageant had become stale. How does that happen? What ended up refreshing the story? Did the traditional nativity story have to change to accommodate the beliefs, values, and behaviors of the diverse participants?
   5. It is those transitional characters who make movie scripts interesting. Who changed the most in this story?

The [Samaritan] woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?” —John 4:25-27

Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? . . .  “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”—Matt. 15:1-3, 11

The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, governing board, or patrons of Film Alley.

Series Curator

The Faith and Film Series is led by Dr. Philip J. Hohle, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas State University, and a Ph.D. from Regent University in Communication Studies. A member of the Society for the Cognitive Study of the Moving Image, he has presented how audiences interpret the movies they watch in the U.S., Finland, and Spain. He has also published two books and several articles on viewer response theory. Currently, he teaches at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Southeastern University.