How do you spend quality time with your loved ones at Easter? After the festive meal, a well-chosen movie can become the simplest and most effective excuse for relaxation.
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Ben-Hur
Watch Ben-Hur on an Easter afternoon and you know exactly what you're getting into: almost four hours of classic cinema. William Wyler's 11-Oscar-winning film stars Charlton Heston and tells a sweeping story set in the New Testament period.
It's not necessarily the kind of movie that will keep the kids glued to the screen until the end, but for the rest of the family – especially those who appreciate old productions – it's a safe choice.
The race scene remains, even today, one of the most spectacular in the history of cinema, made without special effects, with hundreds of extras and a level of detail that is hard to match.
The Ten Commandments
Charlton Heston plays Moses, the Egyptian prince who discovers his origins and ends up leading the Jewish people to freedom. The story is well known, but the film stages it in a spectacular way.
The production still impresses today: thousands of extras, huge sets and filming including in Egypt. The relationship between Moses and the pharaoh played by Yul Brynner gives tension to the entire film, and the scene of the parting of the Red Sea has remained one of the most famous moments in the history of cinema.
It doesn't hold a job, but it sure holds more than one.
Prince of Egypt
The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses – the child raised in the Pharaoh's court, who discovers that he is part of the Jewish people and ends up fighting to free them from slavery.
Animation is not just for children. It has a powerful soundtrack – the song “When You Believe” won the Oscar for Best Original Song – and some spectacular visual moments, including the disaster-stricken Egypt scenes (the famous “wounds” from the biblical story).
The Passion of Christ
The Passion of the Christ is perhaps the most talked about religious film of the past few decades—and the most successful at the same time, grossing over $600 million worldwide on a budget of around $30 million.
The film follows the last hours of Jesus' life, before the crucifixion, and it does so without fuss. Mel Gibson, from the position of director, went for a more realistic version, including the use of Aramaic and Latin languages. The film doesn't shy away from tough moments and can be difficult to watch because of the explicit violence.
Jim Caviezel takes the role to the end in an intense performance, especially physically, and the film remained for many a powerful, even uncomfortable experience.
It's not for everyone, but that's what made it so talked about.
The Ascension Mystery
The mystery of the Ascension starts from a clear question: what happened after the crucifixion? Instead of following the story of Jesus, the film centers on a Roman officer, Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), sent to find out what happened to the Savior's missing body and stop rumors of the Resurrection.
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Constructed as an investigation, the film follows his attempt to understand a situation that has no obvious explanation. It is precisely this perspective – of a man who does not believe – that sets it apart from most biblical productions.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Four children accidentally discover a world hidden behind a closet door. Narnia is a place trapped in an endless winter, under the rule of a witch. From here the adventure begins, with battles, difficult choices and a showdown that changes everything.
It can easily be watched in the family. It has enough adventure and magic to keep the attention of the little ones, but also a story that piques the interest of the adults.
Tilda Swinton turns heads as the White Witch, and the film was a big hit in theaters, grossing nearly $750 million worldwide.
The film is easy to catch at any age. The little ones see a story with talking animals and magic, and the adults can read behind it and a deeper meaning without the movie insisting on it.
Tilda Swinton gives a memorable role, and the film was a huge success in theaters, grossing nearly $750 million worldwide.
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Rabbit
Wallace is a likable but somewhat clumsy inventor, and Gromit, his dog, is the one who gets him out of trouble every time. The two end up solving a serious problem: a small town invaded by rabbits right before a vegetable competition.
The situation quickly spirals out of control, and the problem turns out to be more complicated than it seems. The humor comes from absurd situations and subtle references to classic films.
It won the Oscar for the best animated film and is considered one of the most successful projects of the Aardman studio.
Chocolate with love
In a village in France, a woman and her daughter open a chocolate shop just before Easter. The idea is not well received in an ordinary community with strict rules, especially during Lent.
Easter, from tradition to commercial holiday. “Before there was no show, he coagulated the faith of the community around him”
Her presence begins to change the atmosphere in the village, and the reactions do not take long to appear. The film follows exactly this clash between customs and the desire to live more freely, without becoming moralizing.
“Chocolate with Love” was nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Jesus Christ Superstar
The story of Jesus is presented in the form of a rock musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Filming took place in Israel.
Ted Neeley plays Jesus, and Carl Anderson gives weight to the role of Judas, presented here as a conflicted character, not just the traitor in the story.
The film departs from the pattern of classic productions on this theme and can be easily watched even by those who are not used to musicals.
Five legendary heroes
The Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Snow Fairy and Jack Frost end up fighting Pitch Black, a character who is trying to spread fear and destroy the world of children.
The animation is built as an adventure with clear stakes, well done. Hugh Jackman voices an unexpectedly tough Easter Bunny with good lines.
It's not directly related to religion, but it has a story that says more than meets the eye.
