Do movies matter? Some say they’re mere entertainment; others say they’re “low brow” compared to classical music, theater or books.

Here’s one measure of what matters: 41.3 million people watched the Academy Awards ceremony. Here’s another: the film “Avatar” has grossed over $2 billion thus far. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, movies are one of the most influential forces in American culture today. People see them, talk about them, enjoy them and absorb them deep into their memories and minds. Consequently, Midrash has moved into the film world, believing that movies can provide fascinating glimpses of what people are like in this day and time; and can also provide surprisingly accurate depictions of one or more elements of the meta-narrative of Scripture that we’ve been studying as a church: creation, fall, redemption and restoration.

This week Midrash is hosting not one, but two seriously good events focused on film. On Wednesday night, March 17, we had a good discussion at the endlessly popular forum we call Theology at the Bottleworks. Our topic is “What the ‘Best Pictures’ Say About Us,” discussing this year’s Oscar nominees and their significance in reflecting or making culture. Are we making movies or are movies making us?” You’ll get a chance to listen to how people of all kinds view and are influenced by film, and have a chance to speak about the effect of film on your own worldview and faith. Join us at our next TATB on Wednesday, April 21 at 7 PM at the Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood. It should be a rollicking good time.

On Friday, March 19, Midrash is not just talking about film, we’re watching it. Last fall Midrash jumped into the local film world in a big way by sponsoring the Midrash St. Louis Film Award at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Our jury gave a cash award to a St. Louis-related film of honesty and artistry that we deemed best at portraying the need or hope for reconciliation or redemption in some manner. We’ve now made friends in the film world and have a chance to extend our vision of “Commentary on Culture” for spiritual purposes more deeply into film than ever before. We’re hosting a screening of our award winner, Game of the Year . The movie was made right here in town by a local director, and is a smart and quirky mockumentary that follows St. Louis gamers who enter a high stakes tournament. Intrigue, arguments and challenges of all kinds arise as the team members find themselves facing their most powerful enemy yet. The film’s sly humor, creative storyline and true-to-life characters make Game of the Year an unexpectedly funny and engrossing experience. A discussion of the film will follow, including Q&A with director Chris Grega. If you enjoy film, want to support local film, or just want to engage in a discussion with an audience of people both inside and outside of the church, then you should attend the “Game of the Year” screening this Friday, March 19, 7 PM at The Luminary Center for the Arts. Admission is $3 at the door.

Midrash actively seeks ways to become part of the fabric of activities and conversations that constitute St. Louis culture and to point out the spiritual dimensions of the secular culture that surrounds us. As writer David Dark says in his book, Everyday Apocalypse, “For the apocalyptic mind, there is not a secular molecule in the universe, no matter outside the scope of the coming kingdom, no nook or cranny exempt from the redemption it announces.” So get out of that stifling comfort zone you’re in, and come have some conversations that matter this week with people way outside of your ordinary world. See what God does in that, why don’t you?