Movies About Pastors

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama film based on Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in the Shawshank State Prison. While incarcerated, Andy befriends a fellow prisoner, Ellis "Red" Redding, and finds a way to cope with prison life. With the help of Red, Andy gains access to the prison library and begins to educate himself. He also becomes instrumental in making improvements to the prison and helps to bring hope to his fellow inmates. After 19 years of imprisonment, Andy stages a daring escape and is finally able to prove his innocence. The film ends with Andy reuniting with Red and starting a new life outside of prison.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is an American crime drama film released in 1972 directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by Mario Puzo. The film chronicles the events of the fictional Corleone crime family and tells the story of their powerful patriarch Vito Corleone, and his youngest son Michael, as they take control of the family business. The film follows Michael's journey from an unwilling participant in the family business to becoming the most powerful Don in the country. The movie also focuses on themes of loyalty, family legacy, and power. It features an all-star cast, including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and Talia Shire. The Godfather was a commercial and critical success and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir mystery film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. It follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con man, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Verbal is interviewed by Customs Agent Dave Kujan and tells a convoluted story about events leading up to the massacre, involving a mysterious crime lord known as Keyser Söze. As Kujan eventually comes to realize, Verbal's story is taken from a combination of facts and fiction, and the truth behind the events is revealed only at the very end of the film. The film stars Kevin Spacey as Verbal, Gabriel Byrne as Dean Keaton, Chazz Palminteri as Dave Kujan, Stephen Baldwin as Michael McManus, Kevin Pollak as Todd Hockney, and Benicio del Toro as Fred Fenster.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin
Rated R

Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 war film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, and Vincent D'Onofro. The film follows a group of United States Marines through their boot camp training, followed by their experiences in the Vietnam War. The story opens in 1968 with a group of Marines in boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Led by the strict Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, the recruits endure a grueling training regimen designed to weed out the weak and instill a sense of military discipline and loyalty. The movie then moves to Vietnam, where the Marines are assigned to an infantry unit. The film focuses on the psychological and physical devastation of the war, culminating with a bloody battle in the ruined city of Hue. Full Metal Jacket explores themes of war, death, and dehumanization, as well as the harsh realities of military life. It also examines the lasting effects of war on those who fight it, and the lack of recognition they receive upon their return. The film was critically acclaimed and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest war films of all time.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 crime drama directed by Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. It follows the lives of professional thief Neil McCauley (De Niro) and Lt. Vincent Hanna (Pacino), an obsessed cop trying to catch him. The two men become locked in a battle of wills, as Hanna is determined to bring McCauley to justice, while McCauley is determined to carry out one final heist. As their lives become more intertwined, the two men are forced to confront their own personal demons and choices. Along the way, the film follows an ensemble of characters, both criminals and cops alike, as they struggle to make their way in the underbelly of Los Angeles. In the end, Heat is an intense exploration of the fine line between justice and crime, showing the complexities of both sides of the law.

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller/horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan and released in 1999. The film stars Bruce Willis as child psychologist, Malcolm Crowe and Haley Joel Osment as a troubled young boy named Cole Sear. The film follows Malcolm as he attempts to help Cole, who is troubled by his ability to see and interact with ghosts. Malcolm soon discovers that the boy is in fact able to communicate with the dead and must help him find a way to cope with this ability. In the end, Cole is able to forgive his mother for her suicide and move on from his past trauma. The film received critical acclaim and won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It is considered to be one of the best ghost stories of all time and has gained a cult following over the years.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris
Rated R

Unforgiven is a 1992 western film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Morgan Freeman. The film follows aging, retired gunslinger William Munny, who is coaxed out of retirement to help two bounty hunters collect a reward for killing two cowboys who have disfigured a prostitute. Along the way, Munny recruits his old partner, Ned Logan, and the two men face off against the corrupt Sheriff Little Bill Daggett and his hired guns. In the end, Munny discovers that violence only begets more violence, and he ultimately chooses to turn away from the bloodshed and return to his life of farming. The film is a stark examination of the changing nature of the Wild West, and it has since become widely acclaimed as one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. Set in 1970s Las Vegas, the film follows Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambling expert who is sent by the mob to manage the Tangiers Casino. The film chronicles the story of Ace and his friend, Nicky Santoro (Pesci), as they become involved in the city's underworld. The film highlights the inner workings of the casino industry, its connections to organized crime, and the effects of power and greed on those involved. The film also follows the story of Ginger McKenna (Stone), Ace's love interest and a hustler, as she attempts to stay in the game and come out ahead. The film is a dark exploration of the precariousness of life in the casino business, and how all the characters are affected by its high-stakes environment. It is a classic Scorsese film, with memorable performances and moments of violence, humor, and emotion.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Edgar Ramírez, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Ultimatum is the third and final installment in the action-packed Bourne film series. Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin on the run from the agency, who is determined to discover his true identity. With the help of a journalist, he must uncover the secrets of his past and bring down the agency for good. As Bourne moves closer to the truth, he finds himself in the sights of a relentless CIA team, led by a ruthless killer. In a pulse-pounding race against time, Bourne must use his skills to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and finally find out who he really is.

From Doug Liman, starring Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Identity is an action-packed spy thriller based on Robert Ludlum's novel of the same name. In the film, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is a man who wakes up in the Mediterranean Sea with a case full of money and two gunshot wounds. He has no memory of who he is or how he got there. As he recovers, he discovers he is an expertly-trained assassin and is being pursued by a relentless CIA operative (Chris Cooper). With the help of a German woman (Franka Potente), he embarks on a journey to find out who he is and why he is being hunted. Along the way, he must save his allies, outwit his enemies, and uncover the secrets of his past.

From Edward Zwick, starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

Glory is a 1989 American drama war film directed by Edward Zwick about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African-American regiment to fight in the American Civil War. The film stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman. It tells the story of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the white commanding officer, and his experiences leading the regiment. The film depicts the hardships of training and battle the regiment faced, and highlights the courage and tenacity of the men who fought in one of the most important battles of the war, the assault on Fort Wagner. Despite the odds against them, Shaw and the regiment prevail, and the film ends with their triumph. Glory is an inspirational, uplifting story of the power of courage and determination in the face of impossible odds.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

Taken is a 2008 action thriller film directed by Pierre Morel and starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, and Leland Orser. The plot revolves around Bryan Mills (Neeson), a retired CIA agent who sets out to rescue his daughter Kim (Grace), who has been kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring in Paris. With the help of an unconventional friend, Bryan takes on the traffickers, using his special skills to take them down one by one. As the clock ticks down, Bryan must use any means necessary to get his daughter back in time before it's too late.

From Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
Rated PG-13

The Bourne Supremacy follows Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), an amnesiac former CIA assassin, as he attempts to clear his name of the murder of two CIA agents. After being framed for the murder of an undercover CIA operative, Bourne must now outrun the agents and assassins sent to kill him as he pieces together the mystery of his past. With the help of his loyal allies, Marie (Franka Potente) and Ward Abbott (Brian Cox), Bourne sets out to find the real killer and uncover his own identity. However, Bourne soon finds himself in a high stakes game of cat and mouse with former mentor, CIA Deputy Director Pamela Landy (Joan Allen), as both fight to gain control of the situation and stay one step ahead of their enemies.

From Robert Clouse, starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri
Rated R

Enter the Dragon is a classic martial arts film released in 1973 and directed by Robert Clouse. It stars martial arts icon Bruce Lee as the main protagonist, Lee. The plot follows Lee as he is invited to a tournament on a secret island run by the criminal mastermind Han. Lee is tasked with infiltrating the tournament to help the British Intelligence Service by uncovering evidence of Han's various criminal activities. Along the way, Lee must face off against the tournament's formidable opponents, including Han's bodyguard O'Hara. Through numerous martial arts fights, Lee eventually defeats Han and the other enemies and saves the day. In the end, Lee is triumphant and is able to bring justice to Han and his criminal empire.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones
Rated R

The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 legal thriller directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, and Charlize Theron. The film follows the story of young lawyer Kevin Lomax (Reeves), who, after achieving a seemingly perfect record defending seemingly impossible cases, is recruited by a high-profile New York-based law firm to help defend an accused murderer. After accepting the job, however, Kevin soon discovers that the law firm is not what it appears to be and is actually owned by a mysterious figure who calls himself John Milton (Pacino). As Kevin uncovers the truth about Milton and the firm, he slowly begins to realize that he may have made a deal with the Devil himself. With his marriage and relationships strained by the new job, Kevin must ultimately choose between his career ambitions and his own morality.

From Tony Gilroy, starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Scott Glenn
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh, starring Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sanchez, Nestor Serrano, Rorke Denver
Rated R

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren
Rated R

From Olivier Megaton, starring Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

From Spike Lee, starring Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell, Kyme
Rated R

From Robert Towne, starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Raul Julia
Rated R