Downtime

Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy

This sobering documentary reveals the tactics deployed by giant corporations to entice you into buying way more stuff than you could ever need. It also explains why your tech keeps breaking. Thirteen million phones are thrown away daily, and that’s partly because the manufacturers prefer you buy a new one, rather than fixing your existing handset (that’s why they make it impossible for you to get inside the phone to replace the battery). Depressed yet? It gets worse…Only ten per cent of recyclable plastic actually gets recycled. And if you think H&M’s production of 25,000 items a year seems a bit excessive, wait until you discover how many garments SHEIN produce in the same time period (spoiler: the figure is more than 1 million). While the film is weak on suggestions as to how you or I might fix these monumental problems, as an awareness-raising tool, it’s top class.

Streaming now on Netflix 

Gladiator II 

It may be violent and gory, but apart from being a very worthy follow up to one of the most iconic films ever made, this epic blockbuster is a very good reminder of exactly what Christianity did for the Romans – and the world. A great piece of apologetics without ever meaning to be, Gladiator II shows us what human beings are like when left to their own devices. It’s a reminder of how the later influence of Christianity changed an entire society for the better. The acting is superb, but Denzel Washington’s is-he-isn’t-he baddie steals the show.

In cinemas now

Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! Phil Wickham

Still feeling festive? Nobody does Christmas albums quite like Phil Wickham. The Californian worship leader has a gift for reworking the classic carols in a way which both honours the spirit and sound of the original, while also pushing contemporary and creative boundaries. Bravo, Phil! 

Available on all music streaming platforms  

Sound of Freedom (Amazon Prime Video)

You will cry, and then…you will probably cry some more. This film recounts the heroic true story Tim Ballard, a former US government agent who left his post, embarking on an independent mission to rescue hundreds of children from traffickers. Both emotional and eye-opening, this depiction of Tim’s endeavour to combat the evils of child exploitation leaves a mark on your mind that is as necessary as it is profound. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video