In an age where Film and Media is the dominant language of the times, we need able, clear, Christian, and insightful voices to offer guidance for those seeking to live well. I heartily recommend this book as a vital resource for an informed Christian journey.
Stuart McAllister, International Director, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Students of film or mere enthusiasts will find great value in Tony Watkins’s Focus: the Art and Soul of Cinema. Here is a fine book by an engaging cultural critic who is enthusiastic that Christians use film analysis as a tool to influence the culture for Christ. Watkins offers a helpful interpretive grid through which we in our ‘movie-made culture’ can find the essential questions: what is a film saying about the world in which we live, about the nature of man, about ethics, about the means to happiness and salvation? He is concise and coherent, even when introducing complex philosophical and aesthetic concepts, which he skillfully illustrates through a wide range of classic and contemporary films.
Peter Fraser, author (with Vernon Edwin Neal) of ReViewing the Movies: A Christian Response to Contemporary Film (Crossway, 2000)
I still vividly remember, though it was 20 years ago, watching a film with a group of students and then leading a discussion on what it was trying to communicate. My opening questions were greeted with blank stares. After some awkward silence brave souls started to contribute their embryonic thoughts. The problem? They were watching the film in ‘entertainment mode’ rather than thoughtfully engaging with its message. I am delighted that Tony Watkins has written the book that those students needed 20 years ago! For all of us who enjoy films this book will help us think more deeply about how to watch thoughtfully and critique using Biblical principles. Tony knows the Bible and he knows the world of film. This is a great book!
Elaine Duncan, Chief Executive, Scottish Bible Society
Focus is a breath of fresh air – an enthusiastic, thorough and profoundly practical exploration of the relationship between films and worldviews. Anyone who wants to engage with films from a Christian perspective will be helped immeasurably in this careful, comprehensive and insightful book.
Lars Dahle, Principal, Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication, Norway
The medium of film has increasing power in the postmodern world. In this highly readable and accessible book, Tony Watkins rightly urges us to respond to our ‘movie-made culture’ with a God-directed wisdom.
Jeremy Begbie, former vice-principal, Ridley Theological College, Cambridge
Film is a powerful influence in modern life. This intelligent book helps us understand the world of film better. More, it gives us useable tools to relate creatively and critically to what is going on before our very eyes. Tony Watkins is deeply rooted in Christian thinking and up to date in the world of film. An important book!
Stefan Gustavsson, Director of Credo Academy, Stockholm, and General Secretary, Swedish Evangelical Alliance
All of us know the influence of film in contemporary society but we often lack the necessary equipment to both understand and engage with the medium. With no reliable compass, Christians can often stray into the territories of Irrational Avoidance, Dangerous Assimilation or Embarrassing ‘Christianizing’. Tony Watkins knows about films and film making, but more importantly he has developed an all-encompassing Christian worldview through which he can faithfully analyse the medium. In this book, he gives us a map of biblical reality that will enable Christians to penetrate deeply into the Art and Soul of Cinema. For our own holiness, for those we seek to evangelise, and for Christ’s Lordship over all of culture (including film) this book is a welcome help and guide.
Daniel Strange, Lecturer in Culture, Religion and Public Theology, Oak Hill Theological College, London
This is an extremely insightful guide to the movies. It will help anyone engage thoughtfully with what films are trying to say in our contemporary culture. Covering a wide range of film, classic and modern, Tony Watkins demonstrates the importance of understanding the worldviews that have influenced them. I highly recommend reading this book before your next trip to the multiplex!
Chris Sinkinson, Pastor and lecturer in apologetics, Moorlands College
Nothing shapes the imagination of this generation more than the movies. There is no better channel for engaging with the ideas of the culture nor a more pressing area for Christian discernment. Tony Watkins has produced an excellent introduction to the whole subject – comprehensive, balanced, readable and immanently useful. Focus: the Art and Soul of Cinema will help orient you to both the opportunities and the challenges of our media-saturated culture
Jock McGregor, L’Abri Fellowship, Rochester, Massachusetts
You’ve seen the films – now read the book. Focus: the Art and Soul of Cinema is an engaging, thoughtful and challenging study but be warned, after reading this you may never watch a movie in the same way again!
Chris Stoddard, Reaching the Unchurched Network
Best book on film that I have read in years. This is a masterful book that communicates the author’s experience both enjoying and thinking about film. What I loved about this book was that it was utterly unpretentious. Most books on film make you feel like an idiot, because you aren’t as “well watched” as the writer. Watkin’s is a welcome relief from all of that, and is clearly able to do justice to the films as well as some of the themes that he tackles. This book has given me a superb list of great films to see, and has also helped me to appreciate what I have already watched. I absolutely loved this book. Highly recommended.
Trg Price “bethinking” review on Amazon.co.uk
An excellent resource for getting to the heart of films. This book explores both the art and the soul of cinema (hence the subtitle). Some of the mechanics of film making are looked at with the emphasis on how this adds to the message of the film. The heart of this book examines how films communicate, how they are profoundly meaningful and worthy of serious thought and critical engagement. Overall, an excellent resource, full of helpful examples to make going to the cinema, or thinking about film, a more fruitful and enjoyable experience. Essential for anyone studying film and media as well as for anyone who wants to go beyond the superficial and think about how films are fundamentally spiritual.
J. Murkett review on Amazon.co.uk
An excellent guide for all who love film. Having been studying Media With Cultural studies at university, this book has been a great follow on to apply my Christian faith to my knowledge of film and culture. Any one with an interest in watching or studying film, and is looking at how christians in contemporary society can engage with film, should read this book. Tony has a great way of mixing examples of films, bible references, and his own knowledge of both to create a brilliant and easy to understand read. The book really helps you to look deeper into how culture is created, and how we should be engaging with it. An excellent book.
A. Coleman “media student” review on Amazon.co.uk
