13 Patriotic Movie Favorites, 13 Colonies!
As we approach Independence Day, we should reflect on the price that’s been paid for our liberty. From our founding fathers, who lead a ragtag group of farmers to freedom against the most powerful force in the world, to the men and women in uniform protecting us today, I’m thankful for their sacrifices. They provide us the freedom to pray, worship and live without fear of persecution or oppression. I was raised to love our flag and love our country, and to those who help keep us free, I say, “Thank you. Thank you to our soldiers and to your families, who have also sacrificed so much.”
Celebrating the 4th usually centers on picnics and fireworks, but I also love movies. Most “Best Movie” lists come in the “Top 10” or “Top 100” variety, but we’re celebrating a day of American history, so we’re going to do the “Top THIRTEEN Films for Independence Day;” one for each of the original colonies, listed in the order in which they became a state. Here are my top 13 patriotic movie picks for this Fourth of July:
13. FIELD OF DREAMS (1989)
(In honor of Rhode Island, May 29, 1790)
You can’t really have a list of movies celebrating America without having a movie about Baseball. As James Earl Jones says in the film, “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.” Field of Dreams is a modern American classic. It has a great message about the importance of family, following your calling, and the triumph of faith over skepticism.
12. TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD (1962)
(In honor of North Carolina, November 21, 1789)
At first glance, To Kill a Mocking Bird may not seem like an Independence Day movie. I would argue, however, that it’s a perfect movie to celebrate America. In addition to being a classic American film with Gregory Peck, it represents everything America stands for; freedom and justice will always prevail over hatred and oppression; despite politics, justice is ultimately blind; and sometimes the greatest change comes from one man standing up for what’s right. What’s more American than that?
11. AIRFORCE ONE (1997)
(In honor of New York, July 26, 1788)
Harrison Ford plays a take charge kind of president in this action flick. No more “pass the buck” politicians; this president has a “we do not negotiate with terrorists” attitude and deals with them very directly. Do you think Harrison Ford would run in 2012? He’s played the President and his wife has played a presidential campaign manager on Brothers & Sisters. I think they could do it. Before you vote, watch Airforce One.
10. THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963)
(In honor of Virginia, June 25, 1788)
“Put a wall in front of these men…and they’ll climb it,” says the tagline of this film. It’s all about freedom! The Great Escape is based on the true story of World War II prisoners of war who mount the largest POW camp escape in history. The thirst these men have for regaining their freedom is unparalleled, and that’s a passion the Nazis simply couldn’t break.
09. GETTYSBURG (1993)
(In honor of New Hampshire, June 21, 1788)
If you’re familiar with Gettysburg, I know what you’re thinking and you’re probably right. Four hours is a pretty big commitment on a picnic day. This movie may be long, but it’s a very well made movie about the deadliest battle for freedom on American soil. While this film was originally filmed for television, it has excellent production value and captures one of the most defining moments in U.S. history.
08. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
(In honor of South Carolina, May 23, 1788)
Also based on a true story, this movie not only illustrates the honor and integrity of our military, but is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by both our soldiers and their families. This Academy Award winning film focuses on eight soldiers who are sent behind enemy lines to save Private James Ryan after the US Army Chief of Staff discovers all three of Ryan’s brothers have been killed in action and that their mother is expected to receive all three telegrams on the same day. Check out Saving Private Ryan.
07. PATTON (1970)
(In honor of Maryland, April 28, 1788)
Have you noticed a trend? Most of these films are based on real events. That’s because the backbone of American pride is in the stories of our real-life heroes. There’s no need for propaganda, because America is built on the shoulders of those who stood up and made a difference. One of our more controversial military heroes was General George Patton. Brilliantly portrayed by George C. Scott, this movie illustrates both the WWII General’s strengths and his weaknesses. Watch and decide for yourself; but whatever you think of Patton himself, the movie is amazing. The film nearly swept the Academy Awards winning 7 of its 10 nominations, including Best Picture (kind of like Titanic, but with a real script, legitimate characters and good acting).
06. MIRACLE (2004)
(In honor of Massachusetts, February 6, 1788)
Now, I don’t really have anything against Russia and I’m not a huge fan of hockey, but given the fact that we arrested eleven Russian spies this week, this film seems particularly fitting. Miracle tells the story of how an underdog US hockey team defeated the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics during the Cold War. This is a great feel-good film.
05. INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996)
(In honor of Connecticut, January 9, 1788)
This movie may not evoke the same national pride as Miracle or have the historical significance of Patton, but it does speak to our natural desire to fight oppression and protect freedom whatever the cost. Plus, it’s fun to watch aliens get their tails kicked back to where they came from (I’m talking about outer-space aliens… this is not a political statement). Despite the Sci-Fi backdrop, Bill Pullman gives a surprising emotional speech about the meaning of Independence Day, and the American spirit is well represented in the characters played by Will Smith and Randy Quaid. This is a fun movie, but it’s also appropriate for the season.
04. LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION 6 (1940s)
(In honor of Georgia, January 2, 1788)
It could be argued that the greatest social commentator in American History has been Bugs Bunny. Disk two of this collection, Patriotic Pals, features fifteen of Looney Tune’s best World War II era cartoons. Many of them had previously been released as “Bugs and Daffy: Wartime Cartoons,” and are great examples of American history and patriotism. You can’t go wrong with Bugs Bunny.
03. THE PATRIOT (2000)
(In honor of New Jersey, December 18, 1787)
Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger star in this movie about a father and son serving in the American Revolution. Not only does the film celebrate American patriotism, but it also addresses the real cost of war, and our victory over oppression and racism. The movie’s great script and characters moves The Patriot into the top 3 spot, not its title.
02. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
(In honor of Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787)
By far, my favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart and this is one of his best performances. If you’re as sick of insincere politicians as I am (on both sides of the aisle,) this is the movie for you. An unwilling Boy Rangers leader finds himself appointed to the senate and makes a choice to stand up for what’s right instead of becoming part of the corrupt system. This movie will remind you what the legislative branch is suppose to be like. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a true classic.
01. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)
(In honor of Delaware, December 7, 1787)
If there’s a movie that embodies American patriotism, this is it. Yankee Doodle Dandy not only tops my list of Independence Day films, it’s one of my all-time favorite movies (along with It’s a Wonderful Life and Singin’ in the Rain). James Cagney (usually known for his gangster roles) plays song and dance man, George M. Cohan, the real-life composer of nearly every patriotic song to come out of World War II. While it didn’t make our list, it’s worth noting that the Tom & Jerry cartoon, Yankee Doodle Mouse, uses many of the same Cohan tunes. Cagney is brilliant in this film and the American pride that emanates from this true story is inspiring. Click here to see a clip.
Well, that’s the list. Okay… stop yelling at me. I know what you’re thinking; ‘You didn’t list MY favorite movie.’ Well, this is my list! Don’t try to hijack my list… that’s un-American! Make your own… or just tell me what you think is missing. That’s what the comment box is for… but you’d better not write Pearl Harbor. If you think that movie belongs on any “best movie” list, I’m not really interested in your picks. Keep your first amendment rights to yourself.
There’s another group of you who feel betrayed because I left Vermont off the list. Well, it’s not my fault Vermont was the 14th state. If I remember my history correctly, it was Bernie Sanders who held things up. There were certain parts of the constitution he didn’t care for (Oh, come on… that was funny). Okay, fine. I’m not above bowing to peer pressure; here’s a bonus movie in honor of Vermont.
Bonus Movie: DAVE (1993)
(In honor of Vermont, March 4, 1791, the 14th state)
Definitely NOT a true story… but cute. Dave (luckily for the plot) looks exactly like the President of the United States and is asked to step in as a double when the real president finds himself in a coma after suffering a stroke while “entertaining” one of his aids. Dave is supposed to be seen and not heard, but when this “regular joe” decides to take on the corrupt politicians, anything goes. This is a great feel-good movie with a hint of romance. Check it out.
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NOTE: Each of these films are available HERE on DVD from the Kingdom Knight Shoppe (powered by Amazon). Some are also available in Blu-Ray by using the search function in the store.
Upcoming Sermon Schedule
Hello Blog Readers.
I've not forgotten about you. I have only two workbook lessons and four doctrinal position papers to write before completing my four year journey through the C&MA Ministerial Study Program. I will return to my weekly blogs once that's completed. In the meantime, I have several guest speaker engagments this summer. Please let me know if you have any questions.
June 13, 2010 North Avenue Alliance, Burlington VT
June 20, 2010 North Avenue Alliance, Burlington VT
July 11, 2010 TBA
July 25, 2010 Grace Church, Northfield VT
Un updated schedule and sermon samples are available at http://www.joshuajmasters.com/ministry.html
The Real Sacrifice of Christ
Today is Good Friday, the day when Christians of all denominations remember that day of victory and suffering on the cross, so I thought I’d join the throngs of preachers and bloggers who’ll be addressing the subject of Christ’s sacrifice this weekend.
Ask any Sunday School kid, “What was Jesus’ sacrifice?” and they’ll quickly reply, “He died on the cross for our sins.” Come to think of it, that’s what most people would say and while it’s true, that answer doesn’t really cover the depth of His sacrifice does it? Was His sacrifice really a physical one? His death on the cross certainly fulfilled the requirements of the Law for redemption, but Christ’s sacrifice went even deeper than what He endured on the cross.
Did you see Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ? If you haven’t seen it yet, let me warn you… [SPOILER ALERT] I wouldn’t rate it among the top ten date movies. You’d be better off with The Notebook or even Terminator II. Gibson’s goal in The Passion was to offend your senses. The film was so violent and so graphic that it’s difficult to imagine anyone going through that much suffering for anyone else. I literally thought I’d throw-up during the flogging scene and found myself surprisingly glad when Jesus finally died so His suffering would stop. It was horrific. Gibson undoubtedly accomplished his goal, but by concentrating on those few terrible moments the movie completely missed the real sacrifice of Christ. After all, others had been crucified and still more suffered other terrible deaths to bring God’s glory to the people. Bartholomew was skinned alive. Christ, of course, was the only one worthy to act as a physical sacrifice for us, but His real sacrifice—the one Gibson’s movie missed—was His emotional sacrifice.
BEFORE THE BEGINNNG:
Christ’s sacrifice didn’t begin with His emotional prayer at Gethsemane or with His arrest in the garden. His sacrifice started before the beginning of time when He and the Father made a single remarkable choice. Jesus’ story doesn’t begin in a manger. Scripture tells us all of creation is created for and by the Son. It was Christ at the burning bush… it was Christ who loved us in the moments man was being created.
He had two choices as he breathed into Adam’s lungs. He could create a slave-like race of followers (a perfect world but without the possibility of love) or He could give us free-will. Love cannot exists without choice and God so intensely wanted a relationship with us that He put all of creation at risk to give us the opportunity to love Him back. This is where Christ’s sacrifice began. Imagine that moment when God breathed life into Adam. The world was perfect and Adam loved his Lord with everything that he was. But God knew the cost of what he had given man from the beginning. Those He loved would only repay Him with hate, and would worship the creation they themselves had brought imperfection to above their Father.
He watched as humanity took His gift of perfection and love… and rejected it.
He watched, knowing that the cross would now be waiting for him to reclaim us.
He watched, knowing most would still reject him even after the cross and
He watched as the highest of Angels, who He loved, made it his eternal mission to destroy us.
All this for Love. This is where Christ’s sacrifice began.
GIVING UP EVERTHING:
What do you do when your child is lost? You find them… no matter the cost and you never give up the hope of finding them. You will give up everything and go anywhere to find them. That’s what Christ did next. We can’t imagine the perfection of Heaven or the glory of God’s thrown, but we know it’s greater than our own comprehension and we know Christ left it to come find us. Our Christmas displays often portray a quaint if not beautiful display of the manger, but there was nothing quaint about it. The Creator of humanity came into the darkest and most lowly of positions to find us exactly where we were lost. But even if Jesus had come into the world as a child in a palace of gold, it still would have paled in comparison to what he gave up in His Heavenly home. Those who hated Him were no longer at a distance but would have direct access to him. He would be surrounded by the corruption of those who rejected Him, but still he pressed on to find His lost children. Still he was willing to sacrifice more for them. Imagine leaving your home and going to the darkest most dangerous city in the middle of the night to find your lost children… the stench, hate, and fear on every street corner… but if you knew you could get them back… or that there was a chance you could get them back, you would go. And so His emotional sacrifice for love continued on Earth for 33 years.
THE REAL SACRIFICE OF THE CROSS:
Now we come to it… The part of the story so well covered by the media of God’s church; the cross. Christ’s physical death is a fulfillment of the Law and His resurrection the guarantee of eternal life. It was the moment when death was defeated and the eventual destruction of evil revealed. I do not mean to downplay the importance of Christ’s physical sacrifice or suggest that His pain was not more than I can imagine. It was, but Christ suffered an even greater sacrifice on that cross… a pain greater than what any man was capable of inflicting on Him. There are hundreds of songs and scriptures describing how Christ took our place; how He took the punishment for our sin. We think of that sacrifice as the pain of the cross. We think of that sacrifice as the nails in His hands… but there was a bigger price to be paid. As Christ, the creator of the world, hung from that cross bleeding and beaten to fulfill His Word, He took our sins and placed them on His own shoulders. In that moment, he took on the real sacrifice for our sin. The Son who had lived His existence to please the Father from the beginning of time now found Himself completely alone. For the first time, Christ found He could not call Him “Father,” and Jesus called out “My God, my God! Why have you abandoned me?!” (NLT) The Father could not look at the sin on Jesus…he turned away from His son… Jesus was completely separated from God. He was alone.
My dad is one of my heroes and even with all my imperfections, I can not imagine the pain of seeing him turn away from me in disgust. I can not imagine the inconsolable pain and darkness I would feel. I can’t imagine him saying we were no longer family.
Jesus took our place, but it wasn’t the cross He saved us from. The cost of sin is not a physical death but an eternal one. The cost of unrighteousness is being forever separated from God with the knowledge of His glory. The price is being completely alone and without hope for ever. That’s what Christ was willing to take on for us. That’s the price that needed to be paid.
We’re called to tell the Good News by the way we live our lives. Do we live our lives like we’ve been delivered from this darkness or do we get mired down by the annoyances of every day life? Do we see the emptiness we’ve been spared? I am so thankful… and to be honest, so ashamed of the way I sometimes present myself. Do non-believers see a freedom in our lives—even in times of trouble? They should, because we have been freed from more than the cross… we’ve been freed from hopelessness and fear. We are the lost children who have been rescued.
Editor's Note: This post was originally written in 2009 by Joshua J Masters and has been reposted.
Upcoming Sermons
Hello friends,
I know it's been a few months since I've posted to my blog, but it's been very busy. I promise I'll start writing on a regular basis as soon as I can. In the meantime, I'm very happy to announce some upcoming speaking engagements. I've been invited to guest preach at three churches in the next few months and I thought you'd like to know about it.
Grace Church, Northfield VT: 02.28.10
North Ave. Alliance, Burlington VT: 03.28.10
Cornerstone Alliance, Ticonderoga NY: 05.16.10
I hope some of you will be able to come see me.
Romans 7:7-25, “Confessions of a Rockstar”
A Discussion of ROMANS: Part IX
Romans 7:7-25
As Paul continues to develop his argument for inherited righteousness through faith, this passage is designed to refute anyone who might still believe they can attain righteousness by their own merit. The Jewish religion had become a legalistic culture in which the adherence to rules superseded the heart of the law. It was easy for them to believe that a righteous life could come through the adherence of God’s law and the rules of the church, but Paul makes it clear that this is impossible.
Romans 6:1-7:6, “A Slavery That Breaks the Shackles”
A Discussion of ROMANS: Part VIII
Romans 6:1-7:6
Mary Etta’s Diary: Going to the Grange
The 1965 Junior Grange Members
I recently wrote a post about Nana’s diary. Within its pages I find a portal to a world I once knew. So many of her memories (and the memories penned in her mother’s diary) reflect a familiar place I once played... a familiar place, but not a familiar time. My childhood on the family farm seems like a shadow of their youth. Our early lives, though separated by time, evolved in the same house, on the same property near the same fields. They remember a new barn while my memory finds it in disrepair. They recall the planting of trees while I remember climbing in them. It is my greatest regret that any children I may have will never fall under that same shadow of family familiarity. They will never play on the roof of the chicken coop my great-great-grandfather built (The one the woodchuck lived under) and they will never relate to the farm discussed in these pages with the same echoed memories I have.
The diaries have a mild musty smell now and the penciled scrawling have begun to ware, but I sometimes enjoy opening the yellowed pages and reading what Nana (my great-grandmother) and her mother recorded on that day decades ago. Today I reflect on an entry by my great-great-grandmother, Mary Etta Stiles written on this day in 1940:
Romans 5:12-21, “Brownies and Original Sin”
A Discussion of ROMANS: Part VII
Romans 5:12-21
I know this entry is a few days late and I aplogize for that. I know there's at least four people chomping at their bits to read the next installment of this commentary, but we got a new puppy last week. Franklin doesn't care much for theology but he loves Peanut-butter.
Since I'm already off subject... I might as well address something else. I've been told by some people they love the ongoing Romans discussions, but it has given other people pause. Some have noted that the entries about Romans are not as funny as my sermons, as colorful as my creative writing, or as personal as my family heritage entries. Well... your probably right, but Romans is a pretty heavy book. I'll try to be funnier in the future... or perhaps when we're done with Romans I can choose a more amusing book like Habakkuk. In the meantime, Romans will just get heavier... so you may want to check out some of my other entries. 
Ah well, back to Romans...
Romans 5:12-21:
The comparison Paul makes between Adam and Christ can be made very complicated when we allow theology or doctrine to enter the discussion. While these theological issues are important, the basic truth of this comparison is simple. Christ is the answer to the problem created by Adam.
Critics of the Bible often use the concept of “original sin” to discredit God, accusing Him of being unfair. They say, “Why should I be held accountable for something that someone else did?” It’s a fair question but a weak argument. Romans 5:18-19 eliminate the validity of that stance.
I Knew Dom DeLuise When He was a Priest: A Eulogy
News broke today that the world lost one of America’s classic comedians. Dom DeLuise passed away quietly in his sleep at a Los Angeles hospital last night at the age of 75.
From his role as a film agent in “The Muppet Movie” to his multiple collaborations with Mel Brooks, Dom was an incurable goofball. There’s bound to be a number of filmographies listed for Dom on various websites and blogs today, but I doubt any of them will mention “My X-Girlfriend’s Wedding Reception.”
In a moment I felt would most certainly launch my young career into cinematic fame, I met Dom in the lobby of a South Burlington hotel where we were about to start shooting a film together. It was the first… and worst movie I ever worked on. (Yes… a thousand times worse than the film I did with Billy Ray Cyrus called “Radical Jack.”) Dom played a priest in the movie (no I’m not kidding you… and if you think that’s weird, Senator Bernie Sanders had a cameo in the film as a rabbi.) I was a set decorator which is pretty much the worst job you can have in a movie that takes place at a wedding reception. You carry around Polaroid’s (that’s kind of like a digital camera with a built in printer for all the kids out there) and make sure everyone’s Champaign glass has the same level of sparkling apple juice at the beginning of each take it had the last time you did it. After all, with such a fine film you wouldn’t want any continuity issues showing up in post production. “X-Girlfriend” also represented my first on-camera appearance. Want to guess what my one line was? Go ahead… guess. That’s right, I stumbled up to the wedding band and yelled, “Play Freebird! Play it now!”
Romans 5:1-11, “A Sacrifice for His Enemies”
A Discussion of ROMANS: Part VI
Romans 5:1-11
These eleven verses can be broken down into three distinct statements:
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