Best of '24: Formative Bits
Documentaries
Like you, I have been doing many retrospectives of 2024—tis the season, right? Part of what I have looked back on was the media I consumed that in some way shaped my preaching, teaching, and spiritual direction. One reason I write this substack is to reflect on ways of “holy communication” during our time of increasing “secularity,” and decline in religious observance (at least institutional observance). So, it is important for me to find things that influence me, directly and indirectly, so that my communication remains fresh, insightful, and reflective of an ever-widening world. What follows is just a list of things I have found helpful in shaping my imagination, ideas, style of communication, personal habits, thought processes, critiques, and so on. Therefore, the connection between me and the artefact may not be obvious, but if it is listed it most definitely caught my imagination this year. Also, these are not only things that just appeared in 2024—some are older, but the influence they had upon me took shape this year. This post will concern some of the most noteworthy documentaries I remember watching. These and more shaped the way I think about stories, the mystery of human nature, and more.
Documentaries:
-Taylor Swift V. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood- These two documentaries made and presented side by side as companion pieces are meant to show two sides of an argument. Each argument is presented in a clear and compelling way. In fact, it is easy to take the perspective of each documentary thinking you agree with its conclusions completely, only to flip flop opinions when you watch its twin. This new artefact of the Taylor Swift Industrial Complex is a helpful exercise in thinking through how we engage arguments and points of view and just how easily swayed we may be. It is also an interesting insight into the current state of the music industry and the tip top reaches of global fame!
-Remembering Gene Wilder- This guy was as good a person as he was an entertainer. I was heartened by his journey and by his deep friendships.
-Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story- Tears. So many tears. This film moved me, challenged me, and forced me into news paradigms of thinking about disability. Plus there is so much there about his friendship with Robin Williams (his death actually got to me in a way I could not have anticipated), and it is all so brilliant.
-Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy- This and other such pieces are much needed for our contemporary conversation about faith, politics, and public witness. Pair this with another really great read from my 2024 reading, Baptizing America: How Mainline Christianity Helped Build Nationalism by Beau Underwood and Brian Kaylor. No, Christian Nationalism does not only belong to Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism, or any other version of center-right Christianity!
-Greatest Night in Pop- We are the World, remember that one? Quincy Jones was a champ for wrangling all those egos! #Leadership! #Checkyouregoatthedoor
-Will and Harper- I cannot explain this one well enough to justify words. It strengthened my empathy muscle, and made me simply bear witness to another’s journey.
-Martha- Martha Stewart behind the scenes, behind the icon, behind it all! So interesting.
-Call Me Ted- I did not know I needed this docu series on Ted Turner, but I did. I needed to see an icon who I always imagine as “On TOP” going through his life and betting, losing, and risking everything along the way!
-Limitless- Chris Hemsworth focusing on how to age well—hmmm, well maybe. Chris Hemsworth working with doctors, “experts” on aging/vitality, and pop-science information to help us thinking about vitality—yea, maybe tomorrow. Chris Hemsworth putting these ideas together in extreme challenges that inspire, and oh yes, it is filmed by the great Darren Aronofsky (The Whale, Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain to name a few…)—YES PLEASE! When I was recovering from my liver transplant, this docu series inspired me and pushed me to push harder and in better ways for overall health. Yes, Peter Attia is involved and that means there is some possible critique with health/longevity claims and cost for care….but there’s some really great stuff in there too!
**There are more, no doubt. But as I sit in my study on the final nights of Christmastide, these are the ones that rise to the top—watch at your discretion, but in all things be open to letting stories broaden your ability to understand humanity, tell better stories, and expand your world.