movies for easter 2015

1. The Jesus Film (1979) - "Jesus of Nazareth,the son of God raised by a Jewish carpenter. Based on the gospel of Luke in the New Testament,here is the life of Jesus from the miraculous virgin birth to the calling of his disciples, public miracles and ministry, ending with his death by crucifixion at the hands of the Roman empire and resurrection on the third day." - film summary 

Apart from its 70's charm, this film has been passed around for decades the world over. It was shot in the holy land and retains a beautiful simplicity to it. It's natural to compare this movie to many modern counterparts, the most recent being Passion of the Christ from 2004. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to Passion, but The Jesus Film has a light touch missing in many films about Jesus. It's fantastic for everyone, including families, on Easter.



2. Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Gorgeous colors and ambitious artistry adorn this legendary and charming Disney classic. According to the "behind-the-scenes" features of the blu ray, Mr. Walt Disney was working hard to follow up the smashing success of the 1950 hit Cinderella. As a result, he pushed the animators and designers to new levels and set the bar at unprecedented highs. He wanted each and every frame to look like it could hang in an art gallery. I think what everyone achieved is a beautiful and amazing classic. Beautiful to look at, heartwarming, and replete with a breathtaking dragon battle in the climactic scene, Sleeping Beauty welcomes spring with bright colors and ignites the imagination with dreams.   



3. Saving Mr. Banks (2013) - Speaking of Walt Disney, if you haven't seen Saving Mr. Banks, I beg you to make it your next watch. This is the true story of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) trying to convince P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), author of Mary Poppins, to sell the rights of her book series to Disney studios to be made into a musical movie. Obviously, history proves he was successful. However, the journey to gaining the rights of this movie from the bitter and stubborn P.L. Travers was unexpectedly moving to me when I saw it. Who knew the story behind Mary Poppins was so rich and personal? Somehow, this movie is rated PG-13.

4. UP (2009) - Another bright and colorful Disney creation with lots of fun, animated action, and a meaningful story about the depth and love of family. It's a perfect message for Easter. 

5. The Sound of Music (1965) - An elegant classic full of life, beauty, and rings in a new spring with joy.