Christianity Today: The 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2004
Saviors were everywhere at the multiplex last year, with everything from superheroes to the Savior himself—all with a story of redemption to share with the world.
Spider-Man 2
directed by Sam Raimi
In some ways, this film is The Passion redux in its allegorical imagery. Peter Parker goes through his own Gethsemane: Does he really want to go through all the suffering to be a savior? There's even a "demon" (a doctor dressed in white) who tempts Peter to give it up and just be a regular guy, and a "ministering angel" (Luke 22:43) who shows up as gawky girl next door with milk and chocolate cake. But the most stunning allegorical image comes when Spidey saves a runaway train, arms outstretched in a crucified position, holes in his wrists and a wound in his side. When the train stops, Spidey's head drops, chin to chest, lifeless. Witnesses carry his prone body over their heads, into the train (a tomb?), and place him gently on the floor. "Is he dead?" someone asks. Then Peter wakes up—"resurrected"—with more lives to save and an 8-legged demon (aka Doctor Octopus) to defeat.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/tenredeemingfilmsof2004.htmlIncidentally, I really want to see "The Story of the Weeping Camel" now, thanks to this list.