I need suggestions for how to do a movie review w/ teens

[KCT]

My daughter’s 8th grade Challenge club is getting together next week to watch and discuss the movie ‘Miracle’. I’m supposed to be coming up with discussion questions . . . some to go over and be looking for while we watch the movie and a few to be saved for after the movie.

I already have questions like: What virtues are displayed? Why did the characters need those virtues? Are marriage and family portrayed in a positive way?

What other questions would you ask 8th graders about a movie? The goal is to be able to discern the moral quality and value of a movie.(not necessarily the cinematic details)

Thanks for any suggestions. --KCT

 

[Princess_Abby]

I would ask questions like,

“When is a time in your life that you have given a lot of hard-work and self-sacrifice in order to meet a goal?”

“How does this film make you feel about your country? Does it inspire more patriotism?”

“How is a hockey team similar to a family dynamic?”

“What does Herb Brooks mean when he says, ‘I’m not looking for the best players, I’m looking for the right players.’? What do you think this says about God’s expectations for our own lives?”

“Think about the time spent that Herb Brooks dedicated to his coaching. Do you think Herb was able to keep a healthy balance betwee family and work? How can we be sure to keep a healthy balance in our own lives?”

“Some of the players pray before the big game. Do any of you ask for God’s intervention before a big test, game or life event? Besides petitions, what other types of prayer are important to have in our lives?”

Hope this helps. I used to teach CCD and we would do movie reviews sometimes.

 

[carol_marie]

KCT:

My daughter’s 8th grade Challenge club is getting together next week to watch and discuss the movie ‘Miracle’. I’m supposed to be coming up with discussion questions . . . some to go over and be looking for while we watch the movie and a few to be saved for after the movie.

I already have questions like: What virtues are displayed? Why did the characters need those virtues? Are marriage and family portrayed in a positive way?

What other questions would you ask 8th graders about a movie? The goal is to be able to discern the moral quality and value of a movie.(not necessarily the cinematic details)

Thanks for any suggestions. --KCT

In the movie, St. Peter tells the young boy that the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 didn’t actually happen. He said that rather than the fish & loaves being multiplied - people shared what they had with each other. Perhaps the 8 th grades could discuss how that version differs from the Biblical perspective? Or, if the question is asked prior to the movie you could tell them to look for difference between the movie & the Biblical account.

In the movie when the mom who died comes back to visit the boy the first thing she tells him after being gone is “make sure you use conditioner on you hair - it will look much better.” You could discuss if you think that is realistic - would a real mom actually have that on her mind or would she want to tell him something of greater importance?

How did the brothers’ spiritual lives differ? What other Biblical brothers are similar?

What is their take on the ending? Was the money really spent for a good cause (water for the village) or was that just his “dream” ending?

One of the Saints is a smoker. That really bugged my 13 year old - he didn’t think there would be smoking in heaven. You could ask if they agree?

Which Saints would they want to appear to them?

What would they do with the money? Be honest - would they be more like the older brother - wanting to spending it on himself or like the younger brother - wanting to give it to the poor?

 

[cathyt]

I’ve never seen the movie, but recommend checking out what the USCCB has to say about it. That might give you some ideas. I love checking out the movies portion of their site. Best of luck!

 

[KCT]

Thanks for the replies. I can use some of the questions that are specifically about Miracle, but I’d also like some general questions one could use to evaluate any movie. Thoughts?

–KCT