As a continuation from last week’s Family Feature Friday, this weeks movie is "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (2002). it is rated PG-13 and runs 2hr and 59 min. It can be rented or purchased HERE.

1. How long do elves live? What does the movie say about how orcs came into existence? (A: Orcs came from corrupted and tortured elves). So, if the eternal elves can be understood as angels, what are the orcs? Who do we know that constantly prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls here on earth?

2. Every time there is a battle in this movie, you can imagine all the orcs are the forces of evil. And so, every fight can be understood as a human, fighting off demons and sin (the orcs). How successful were the humans throughout the movie in doing this? At the deciding battle for the existence of men (our souls); were humans able to take on the Orcs and Uruk-Hai by themselves? What would have happened to mankind if the Elves were not there to assist the humans? What would have happened if Gandalf had not appeared in the East on the 5th day?

3. There is a significant Christian parallel about what Gandalf does to save all humans. He tells them to hold off until the 5th day and look to the East. One of the Titles of Jesus that we praise (especially during Advent) is "O Oriens". This is translated as "O Dayspring". What is the significance of this? In what direction does the sun rise? When the world is full of darkness (night), where do we look to see the light that we know will eventually come? What then, does Gandalf's triumphant return represent? What can we do to hold out hope that morning will come when all other hope seems lost? How can we give our all against the forces of evil?

4. Grima Wormtounge poisons the mind of the King, what was the deadly sin that Grima used to make the King of Rohan an ineffective leader? (A: Sloth/Apathy). What happened to the kingdom of Rohan because the King refused to act? How are we sometimes tempted into inaction? What is evil allowed to do when we do the same thing that The King Theoden did?

5. Does evil ever rest in Middle Earth? What happens when the humans forget about evil or stop preparing to fight evil? How can we constantly keep or weapons sharp for when evil inevitably comes? (A: Virtues).

6. What are we fighting for Sam? "That there is some good in this world, and it is worth fighting for". What theological virtue does Sam try to reinforce in his speech to Frodo? (A: Hope). How can Hope be one of the most powerful forces on this earth? What happens to humans when they lose hope? Would any of the victories in this movie have been possible without hope? Would humans have made it to daybreak if they gave up hope before then? What areas of our life are we tempted to give up hope?

7. Pray this prayer:

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen