Toy Story - Overcoming Pride
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
At the start of Toy Story, Woody loves being Andy's favorite toy and feels threatened by Buzz, the new toy in the room. When Woody and Buzz both wind up lost out in the world, they have to overcome their issues and work together to make it back home.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - The Battle Against Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
The Lord of the Rings was originally a story broken into three books and written by Christian author JRR Tolkein. It tells the epic journey of Frodo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit who must carry an evil ring of power to Mordor and destroy it on order to ultimately defeat the evil Lord Sauron. The ring posseses magical properties and draws whoever possesses it into madness, a challenge Frodo must constantly resist while on his journey to save Middle Earth.
The Breakfast Club - Looking Beneath the Surface
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
Perhaps John Hughes' most iconic film, and certainly one that defined a generation, The Breakfast Club tells the story of five high school students facing a Saturday in detention. The students come in with the universally accepted social labels of "a brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel, and a recluse," but they soon discover that they have much more in common than they and their peers would have ever suspected.
Casablanca - True Love Requires Sacrifice
John 15:12-14
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Released in 1942, Casablanca is a timeless American romance movie. It tells the story of Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner, whose world is turned upside down when Ilsa, a woman he has long been in love with but who disappeared without notice years back, returns to his cafe with her husband Victor Laszlo. When an already strained romantic relationship is further complicated by political strife, Rick must choose between being with Ilsa or doing what is best for her.
Inception - Ideas and Thoughts Determine Our Lives
Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Inception is a sci-fi thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a thief named Dominick Cobb. Cobb isn't no traditional thief; his line of work is extracting information from top government officials by using new technology to enter their dreams. In the movie, he takes on a mission that requires him to create an idea in someone's mind, rather than simply steal it. Central to the premise of Inception is the concept of how significant our thoughts and ideas truly are in determining how we engage the world and live our lives.
Mary Poppins - Laughter is the Best Medicine
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Mary Poppins, another classic movie adapted from a novel, features Julie Andrews as the magical nanny who brings joy to the lives of the Banks family. The award-winning (best actress, best film editing, original music score, best song, and best visual effects) musical is filled with cheerful songs and reminds us all to lighten up and enjoy the time we have with those closest to us.
Forrest Gump - Love God, Love Others
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Forrest Gump, the award winning film from 1994 based on the book of the same name, teaches us what's msot important in life. It tells the story of Forrest Gump, a simple-minded southern boy whose IQ is reportedly lower than 75. Despite, or perhaps because of his handicap, Forrest leads a life free of the inhibitions or insecurities we all face and is focused exclusively on seeing the good in people and in life as a whole. He loves God and he loves his momma, and his profound impact on significant historical events as wall as the people around him is a clear result of his ability to live in a such a pure, loving way.