Growing numbers of church leaders are discovering that many films are able to impact viewers with gospel truths almost as well as a good sermon. Ed McNulty, a former pastor and longtime reviewer of films, offers this guide to help church leaders enter into dialogue with contemporary films. McNulty carefully crafts a theology of movies and then provides practical suggestions for creating and leading movie discussions with groups. In addition, he provides people from all across the theological spectrum with a framework to understand whether the overall message of a film outweighs concerns over profanity, violence, or sex in the film. He concludes by introducing twenty-seven films and including provocative questions about each that will prepare leaders to assemble and facilitate a group.

Popular films explored include "The Color Purple"; "Crash"; "Hotel Rwanda"; "The Matrix"; "Million Dollar Baby"; "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and "The Shawshank Redemption."

Praying the Movies II brings together the ancient tradition of praise and prayer with the contemporary passion for the movies. The reader will see that God is encountered not only in the sanctuary, but also in the theatre and before the monitor and video recorder as well. Movies are one of the few common denominators in the Western world. People of all economic levels, all races and religions and all political persuasions, go to the movies. They may not all see the dame films and they may not agree on their merits, but they love to talk about them and what they mean. connect movies with the spiritual life of moviegoers. Movies discussed include American Beauty, Chocolat, The Fisher King, Fried Green Tomatoes, Gandhi, The Horse Whisperer, It's a Wonderful Life, On the Waterfront and To Kill a Mocking Bird.

This work seeks to integrate Christian thought and devotion with the viewing of those few films that actually explore the real pain and joys of being human, that look deeply into ethical issues and dilemmas, and that at times enter into worlds far different than our own. In a culture where there are more young adults gathered in the Friday and Saturday night cinema congregation than in church on Sunday morning, Christains must dare to engage the classics of the screen with a Christian mind - indeed, to pray the movies, believing that through them God can speak a word of grace to us and to the world.