The 22nd Best Films

Pre-1973 

The African Queen (1951) 
In addition to being a great adventure story and romance, this film has one of my favorite openings of all time. The camera approaches a mission in the heart of Africa and we hear a terrible din coming from the church. As we get closer, we realize it is a traditional, western hymn. But the locals are having a terrible time trying to sing it. It would be so much better if the people were allowed to praise the Lord in their own, amazing style. As it is, trying to force a culture along with the truth of the Gospel is just making a mess. It is a great illustration of the need for contextualization.
As the film carries on, the opening is a fitting start to the story that follows. Rose is used to teaching and preaching without ever really getting to know people. We get the impression she probably never really connected with any of the people she was trying to reach with the love of God. Mostly, because she only ever knew a religion of rules and never had a relationship involving selfless love.



1973-1998 

Blade Runner (1982) 
This moody, dark, puzzle of a story is even more enigmatic having been repackaged and tweaked 4 or 5 times. Any way you look at it, though, it is a superb piece of filmmaking. The question dominating the whole thing is, how can the creature function outside of a relationship with the creator? Where is meaning found outside of created purpose?



Post-1998 

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Wererabbit (2005) 
A Matter of Loaf and Death (2009) A Close Shave (1995) The Wrong Trousers (1993) A Grand Day Out (1989) All the Aardman films are a delight. Wallace and Gromit are endearing characters.