| On this page I post your e-mail and my response. A running dialogue about spirituality and popular culture. | ||||
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LOTS OF PATCH ADAMS COMMENTS
"PATCH ADAMS" IN MONTREAL "THE DOCTOR" COMPARES TO "PATCH ADAMS" A LOVING, CARING MOVIE WONDERFUL STORYLINE MOVIE IS A LESSON PLEASANTLY SURPRISED |
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| FREEWAY CONVERSION Jan 21, 1999. Have you seen the movie "Freeway"? I was wondering what you thought of the conversion scene. It was quite surprising to me, in a movie of that type. Miss Poppy. MY RESPONSE: That's interesting, and no I have not seen the movie. Do you think I could review it? |
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| CLOSET MOVIE LOVER LIKES BLADE RUNNER Jan 21, 1999. Just a note to say I appreciate the site and the work that you put into it. Movies are certainly a part of our culture and they are not going away. I tend to become frustrated with the view that Christians shouldn't go to movies because movies are somehow inherently bad. If more Christians exercised their voice at the box office more "decent" movies would be made. I know of a lot of people who refused to see Prince of Egypt because it's a movie. Oh well. I appreciate the insight you provide. I think sometimes the comments may be a bit of a stretch, but that's fine. And it's just my opinion. Finding a site like this is a lot of fun especially since I recently mustered up the nerve to proclaim to the world that "I Love Movies". I love the concept, the stories, the whole ball of wax! A "coming out" of a completely different kind ;-) A little while ago I ran across someone's paper on Christian allegory in Blade Runner. It tried to draw parallels between Deckard, Batty, and Jesus. Again a reach, but there were moments in that movie that really make you think. Any plans for a look at that great flick on your site? Anyway, thanks again. -R MY BULLETIN BOARD Thanks for the good words. I appreciate that. Blade Runner? Yes I do want to do that film. Do you still have the paper? If so send it on, I might post it. Sound interesting! |
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| I DID A WILD THING ...NOW WANT THE MOVIE Jan 20, 1999. One afternoon, while all my children were at school, I did a wild thing; I went to a movie by myself. I chose "Simon Birch", and for my efforts I was rewarded with an experience that fills me to this day. Many months later, I find that this film has that rare ability to stay with me in the most positive of ways. Christmas came and I wanted to rent this movie to share with my kids and sadly I can not find it anywhere. Can anyone help me? kimlynette@aol.com MY COMMENT: It's not out yet. |
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| A MILLION MORE HITS Jan 16, 1999. Keep on doing what your doing. We need a voice. We need a posting of what is good and what isn't. May you have another million or two hits before the year 2000. GOD BLESS YOU |
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| POE AND SANDRA BULLOCK To Whom it may concern, It was so nice to take my grandchild to a decent movie (Prince Of Egypt), until a movie preview with Sandra Bullock . I was appalled, that my grandchild was expose to such trash!!!! The theater informed us they had to show all the package. When there is a G movie being shown the same rated attractions should be the only ones shown. The devil really knows how to slip in! Please contact the person responsible or movie going and back to renting videos without bad previews will occur. -Disgusted Grandma |
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| EVERY MOVIE IS A THEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE Jan 15, 1999. I'm a Christian university student that loves watching movies and doing what your website does-- analyze them from a Christian perspective. Too many Christians just see movies as mindless entertainment and treat them that way in their reviews. Some movies are just mindless entertainment, but many have complex things to say, and I'm glad someone else has noticed this and taken action to educate! In my studies I am working on a music degree, but I also have a love of film and am fascinated by the relationship between it and music. Watching movies to me is an exercise in theological discourse. Almost every movie talks about the relationship between God and humanity in some way, and I am determined to figure out how! Shalom & Koinonia, -Peter My response: Amen! And amen! |
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| MESSAGE FROM SATAN Jan 12, 1999. I would appreciate it if you wouldnt spread false messages of my defeat. I am actually concidering defeating those like you and taking my world back for those that appreciate what I have given them. Also, I warn all christians, stop your ignorance and bigotry or I will destroy you. Don't make me use my destructive power and influence. My response: Next time don't be so afraid and cowardly, give your e-mail address! |
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| FAVORITE LIST Jan 9, 1999. Just put your www site on my favorite list. I looked around for 2 hours!!!!! Great. I am going to give it out at church tomorrow. Thank you for providing a great place for fellow Christians to find information at. Bless ya, Eve |
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| SEX AND VIOLENCE CAN BE OKAY Jan 6, 1999. Hi! David. My name is Wendy. I'm a 27 year old Christian from Australia. I am also a movie lover. Have a variety of movies in my laser disc collection This is also the first time I have come across your site. I really like the fact that you seem to have an open mind when it comes to movies. I think I remember reading a comment from someone saying they were tired of other christians telling him what to watch and what not to watch. I hope you don't mind a long email, but I thought I would give my thoughts on watching movies as a Christian. Well to the best of my abilities, because it's 11pm at night and my brain is at that 'I can't think' state. Violence, Sex and Language in Movies Most Christians that I know of are offened by violence, sex (nudity) and bad language in movies. And I of course I respect that. Some would even go as far as blaming violent movies in particular for the increase violence in our society. My thoughts differ a little on that subject. But before I wrote my thoughts on that subject, I will share my thoughts on how I feel about certian material in movies, such as those mentioned. I have always had an open mind towards violence, sex, nudity and bad language in movies. If these certain elements fit into the storyline, than I have no problem with it. I also have no problem with these kind of elements in 'R' movies (which would be 'M' rated in Australia), because it would be naive of me to go to an R rated movie and not expect any violence, sex, nudity or bad language. It's like someone going to see a horror and then complaining that it was violent and gory. Well what do they expect when they see a horror, some big musical number. I don't necessarily like all movies that have violence, nudity or bad language. If they are nothing but violence and sex, with no interesting characters or storylines, than I'm not interested. |
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| FAVORS REINCARNATION David, I have enjoyed looking over your website and like your positive approach. I am surprised by your response to Scott under What Dreams May Comes. They were: And reincarnation? Let's see. Hmmm. There are more people alive today than has ever lived. Hence, if there is reincarnation it is reserved for only a select few, unless, of course, we were cud chewing cows or something like that in the past. Not appealing to me, and it certainly wouldn't have worked in the film. Most of my friends who strongly believe in reincarnation believe that they have had several lifetimes and where always persons of note -like queens, kings, or other famous personalities of the past. None of these friends have ever mentioned being a reincarnated peasant or cow. The potential danger in reincarnation is to live life looking backwards. Resting in what one was, rather than advancing into all the wonderful potential of who we are." Well, what if there were 1000 souls created to begin with and at any one time there were 35 or so souls on earth and right now there are 42? It doesn't mean that reincarnation is restricted to the chosen few. Far from that. Also, I have read a lot about hypnotic regression into previous lives and was regressed once myself. My experience and that of many regressionists are that most people lived very ordinary lives. Your idea that most people get off on that they were kings or queens is a myth. I would welcome your comments. Donna Anderson My response: Thank you for your kind remarks about Hollywood Jesus. Your point is right when you say, "...if there were a 1000 souls..." However,  my point concurs with yours, most would not be reincarnated, just a chosen few, 35 or so, out of 1000. However, when you write that "most people get off on that they were kings or queens is a myth" -I must tell you that my experience is otherwise. I was married once to a wonderful woman, who developed a medical problem. After several unsuccessful attempts by various doctors she finally went to a doctor who practiced hypnotic regression. Under hypnosis it was determined that she had several past lives. She had been a princess in Atlantis and that he (the doctor) had sacrificed her for the sins of the people, hence the pain in his side. In another session it was determined that they had been alive and lovers at the time of Christ. In another, they had been famous brain surgeons in Germany, before Hitler. In still another, they had built the great pyramids by levitating the great stones in place. They also contacted the "Great White Light Brotherhood" (Buddha, Jesus, et al.) and determined that they had lived on several of the planets, Venus, Neptune, etc. I knew nothing of all this. I thought she was just going in for medical treatment. One day I came across the transcriptions of their recorded sessions and was stunned. I also found love letters in which they wrote of being cosmic "soul mates" and that they needed to resume their sexual life together. The doctor was married at the time to a pregnant wife. Nothing I could do or say could save my marriage to my first wife. She left me and and married the doctor. They set up a practice and "helped" others discover their past lives too. Their marriage didn't last, so much for cosmic soul mates that build pyramids together. My other experience comes from my old writer friend who joined a famous reincarnation cult in Hollywood. He introduced me to several "important people" of the past, reincarnated types. After a while, it turned him off toward to the idea of reincarnation. I like the Bible. It's more useful to me than what I have experienced in reincarnation. Please write back. This is a very interesting discourse.Warmly, David Bruce. |
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| PRINCE OF EGYPT MAIL IS POURING IN.
BREAKTHROUGHS AT THE EMOTIONAL/AFFECTIVE LEVEL "NO NAME" HATES POE PRINCE OF EGYPT HELPS MINISTER OVERCOME DEPRESSION MAKE MORE BIBLE FILMS CHRISTIANS AND JEWS CAN FEEL GOOD STUNNED BY SYMBOLS |
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| APPALLED BY CONTACT I was appalled by the movie Contact. Where we watching the same movie. I am writing this 2 years after seeing the movie, but I still use my observations when discussing the contempt the movie industry has toward Christians. Arroway and Joss don't have a brief love affair, they engaged in premarital intercourse. Joss is a universalistic, God is a mountain, searcher for subjective truth, sage of New Age goobly- gook. I am offended at your liberal categorizing of this man as a "Christian" The Christian I most resemble is the one portrayed as a provincial, bigoted, anti-technological, scripture misquoting idiot played by Rob Lowe-- wonder if that casting choice was a coincidence? Also, since you seem so enamored by telling us the deeper meaning of names remind your readers what Lowe's characters name was--Richard Rank, AKA, smelly (another name for the male private parts). Beautiful, your recommending to your fans they subject themselves to a movie that will glorify the priest who can't remain celibate and the Christian character whose very name reveals the hatred the writers of this movie have toward orthodox Christianity. Who exactly are you again? -Phil My response: Who am I? I am like Joss, defective, yet I have faith. You seem to identify with the self righteous Rank. He does not represent orthodox Christianity, rather its 'rank' extreme. By your own criteria you  should avoid reading the Bible as Moses and St. Paul, are both murderers, King David slept around, Peter denied Christ ...in fact, all the biblical heroes of faith are defective. Rank represents faith that is divorced from science. Arroway represents science divorced from faith. The film is about the necessity of faith and science coming together. The film makes a powerful statement, and especially when you consider its connection to writer Carl Sagan. Powerful!Reply to My Response: What you apparently overlooked in your viewing of Contact is that it reeks of New Age philosophy. I hope and pray your faith is nothing like that of Joss, because if it is it is at the very least exceptionally misguided and at the worse dangerously absent. You missed my point entirely when you respond to the Rob Lowe character. Of course he is an anti-technological, provincial, bigoted idiot, because this is the way orthodox Christianity is perceived in mainstream culture. And the writers of this movie name him something people call their most hated enemy. Also, attempt to deal with arguments made, rather than generalizing for effect. It is bad technique and tends to reveal flawed rational or lack of confidence in one's ability to make a substantive point. My Response: Yes, yes Josh is a little "New Age." Point remains, Joss = faith, Arroway = scientific extreme, Rank = religious extreme, Kitz = self seeking status quo. And, again, the astonishing aspect of the film is that it was based on a novel by Carl Sagan. The film was not written by Christian theologians. Nor was it written as an endorsement of any particular religious faith, new age or otherwise. Rather, it was written by those seeking a friendly middle ground between extremes where dialogue can taking place between faith and science. Not a bad idea. We should seek friendly dialogue, not hostile alienation. |
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| POTTY HUMOR Rugrats was sweet and sentimental at certain points, but I thought the potty humor was too much. For those who want a good family film (albeit not for especially young children) go see "Babe: Pig in the City." I'm not saying that potty humor can't be funny, but I think that the "Rugrats Movie" marked a cinematic first with its urine rainbow. -Nick Rogers |
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| REMINISCENT OF ALFRED HITCHCOCK I thought Enemy of the State was reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock type thriller, with Will Smith playing a type of Jimmy Stewart role, one not adverse to the situation he finds himself in, and who makes mistates (the dreaded telephone call!!) but in the end, one who uses his ingenuity to turn the impossible situation around. Gene Hackman is vintage Gene Hackman. What more needs to be said? Will Smith is becoming a superstar. Suspenseful until the very end! I will probably buy this when it comes out on video. |
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| MOVIE AND MUSIC PERFECT MATCH I wasn't expecting much -- wasn't expecting a bad movie, had a vague idea of what it was about, sat down to watch Gattaca just out of curiosity. If I wouldn't have been so entranced I'd have been floored. A high quality speaker system brought the film's score to me almost before I realized what was happening, and after that it was simply a ride to the end. I don't know which I like more - the music or the movie, but when I reflect I don't think you can separate the two. I don't believe I have ever seen a movie and its score so perfectly melded. The soundtrack filled in every bit of the emotion absent from the people of an engineered world, and drew emotions from me which I haven't felt in ages. Simply a must see. The movie takes it spot in my top ten, and the score occupies my favorite spot. |
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| WE WERE TRANSFIXED My son and I watched Les Miserables as if transfixed. The power of the story and the incredible juxtaposition of the saintly Valjean against Javert, the symbol of the past he cannot escape, totally engrossed us. It was fascinating to read a Christian take on it. |
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| STUNNED BY DEJA VU When I first saw TRUMAN I was stunned by the deja vu of a state of mind I wrestled with in my late teens, that there was some sort of vast cosmic secret that some around me knew and some did not. I even went so far as making lists of persons I was sure knew the secret, even though I had no idea what that secret was about. I suppose I eventually got past it, because when I saw this film it all came rushing back to me after many years. It really shook me up. I thought the film to be extremely profound, examining not only questions of the meaning of life, happiness, and knowledge, but even studying a couple of very strange father-son relationships. |
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| 'PRINCE OF EGYPT' MAIL IS POURING IN! HERE IS ARE ARE SOME SAMPLES FINALLY! HEADED FOR ACADEMY AWARDS GOING TO BE BIG EVERYONE GO SEE IT DIZZY FROM CHARIOT RACE FROM POE WEBMASTER: SUPPORT POE FOR PRESCHOOLERS? BIBLICALLY ACCURATE? POE IS FICTION! |
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| JACOB'S LADDER: This comment came to me in the private session. I respect the writer's identification. The comments are so profound that I felt they needed to be shared. -David I would refer you to Kierkegaard, specifically "The Sickness Unto Death"; where he spends a lot of time talking about the self coming into relation with God, despair, and the moment of faith. To quote: "The formula that describes the state of the self when despair is completely rooted out is this: in relating itself to itself and in willing to be itself, the self rests transparently in the power that established it" You may find that "Jacob's Ladder" resonates much more powerfully when it is taken in a philosophical/spiritual context rather than simply watching it and understanding it in terms of what is presented on the screen and what can be most easily interpolated, i.e., that the movie is in some ways a parable. It might also be interesting for you to know that my understanding of the film is that Jacob is drugged, stabbed, and dies in Vietnam. The rest of the movie is Jacob's Hell and subsequent ascension to Heaven...which makes Hell exist entirely for the dying man in the moment before death, rather than being the afterlife into which one emerges. In a sense, then, this movie is Jacob Singer's final accounting, the exorcism of all of his demons. (see also "The Game" starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn) |
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| ABOUT SUPERMAN'S SEXUALITY Here are my comments. You have much biblical support for your theories and you draw many many parallels between Christ and Superman. However, you don't address Superman's sexuality. Throughout the first 2 Superman movies, there is a definate sexual attraction between the Man of Steel and Lois Lane. How does this fit in? From what I can remember from elementary school, Jesus had no sexuality or sex drive. Lois Lane is obviously a love interest. How do you account for this attraction between the two of them? choochers@aol.com My Response: Sexually, there is no connection! Superman is a savior/hero with some connections to the life of Christ. Superman does not = Jesus. |
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| SKINHEADS IN THE THEATER CHEERED Nov. 13, 1998. From Private: I saw the film American History X this evening, and while I agree it is an important film, I cannot support it as an anti-hate movie. I had the "pleasure" of sharing the theatre with a group of ten or so "skinheads." When they entered, I groaned to my husband, "great, now we get to hear them boo and hiss through this whole thing." However, what occurred was quite the opposite. Rather, these hate-filled young people took great delight in every racist piece of dialogue. They cheered when the skinheads won the basketball game. They took sick and noisy delight in the viciously brutal murder of the black man against the pavement. In fact, this form of murder must be standard in the skinhead community, because these kids began "yeah"-ing immediately after Derek said "put your teeth on the pavement." It made me sick to my stomach. If a movie can bring such pleasure to individuals that hate others so vehemently, how can it be anti-hate? These kids didn't leave the theatre provoked to change. It left them saying "see what he got for leaving the movement? Now he's hated by both blacks and whites." Not exactly a message that will inspire these children to change. Perhaps if I had not been privy to the skinhead reaction to this film, I would feel differently, but nonetheless, I feel American History X glorifies the skinhead movement. I am sure that is not what the filmmakers intended but it was at least the case with the group in my theater. It makes me deeply saddened and scared for the future victims of these skinheads. I will pray for both the victims and the perpetrators, and that this cancer of racism will be cured. A "10" MOVIE WITH POWER OF UPPERCUT Nov. 11, 1998. American History X has the power of an uppercut, the force of a documentary and the violence of rhetoric militantism. You come out of the theater groggy and knocked down. Not only does this movie raise very controversial issues, while trying to deal with the concept of hate, it especially makes you think. A great exercise of style enhanced by a terrific cinematography. As a French citizen, I truly hope it's gonna be released there too. I give it a 10. |
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| LIFETIME FRIEND DIED: Two months ago my very best lifetime friend died very suddenly. We had shared a 42 year friendship. I traveled to his funeral, and there found enormous comfort from those with whom we had also shared our youth. One of our mutual friends suggested that I read the book-WHAT DREAMS MAY COME. Upon my return home, I did read it-and was profusely intrigued, and at the same time, I had real questions about some things, that I felt had been left out of the book. I am, by nature, an extremely 'visual' person, and so, I longed to see the film, for I was certain that it would be, for me, an experience rich in "Personal-Spiritual" content. Now, having 'experienced' this beautiful mosaic of love- the LOVE that I am certain comes to each of us from our God, I know, with absolute certainty, that when it is my time, your time, and the 'time' that God chooses for each of us, that we shall "see" those who have gone before us, and, God willing, we will be in a realm as spiritually peaceful, as that created by the producer, director, and cinematic genius, that created this visual masterpiece. With that said-ponder this: Who, but God Almighty, could "create" a mind such as the one responsible for the beautiful visual adaptation of the magnificent book-WHAT DREAMS MAY COME? Perhaps God, mine,and yours, thought it timely. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Tarnished Halo |
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| PLEASANTVILLE -UNINTENTIONAL IRONY Nov. 13, 1998. There is an unintentional irony at the end of the film that I'm sure the producers did not intend. They leave us with the image that everyone in Pleasentville is truly happy. They don't take the story further to explore the pain and suffering the characters will experience now that sin has entered their lives. David goes back to the 90's and finds his heartbroken mother in terrible pain because she can't find herself. This is exactly where some of the people in Pleasantville will end up now that they are"free." Their lives won't be total unbounded joy, as the producers would have us think. They will never be as happy as they were before David and his sister arrived. It is disturbing that this movie portrays perfect innocence as dull, insipid, routine, and somewhat moronic. The fall from grace is portrayed as lively, joyful, enlightening, liberating, carefree. In reality, it is the other way around. In a life of sin we are trapped in a limited world, burdened by our actions and choices. Once we accept Christ as our saviour, we are free and filled with joy. Our burden of sin is lifted and life has new meaning. To me, this movie has purposely skewed the reality of life to present a message that glorifies sin and denegrates righteousness. |
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| ENJOYED SIMON BIRCH Nov. 10, 1998. I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Birch. Having read John Irving's novel, I was anticipant of certain scenes that couldn't be included in a 2 hour screenplay. Leaving the theater, I was glad that I didn't see what I had anticipated. And I was all the more impressed with the idea of taking the idea from a novel and translating completely into a new story through film. Kudos to the screenwriters for creating a tale that stands on its own aside from Irving's novel. Simon Birch proved that good characters can be inspired by different media and communicated through a different story that fits that medium. -Eric Nentrup enentrup@indwes.edu |
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| ANGELS IN BLACK I am troubled (?) by the use of angels dresses in black (in City Of Angels), when most of us have visualized them in white. I read in the comments (in the review) that they are black in order to look like shadows - does this mean that angels are like the shadows that surround us every day? Like shadows they are all around us? Also, from a comment made above, we know that Christ died for our sins - he died so that we could live. Does this analogy pick up with Seth when he dies (in angel form) so that Maggie could truly live and truly know what love is like? RC MY RESPONSE: In the original film, Wings of Desire, the angels were in black, it was a black and white film, so the angels tended to look somewhat invisible as they blended with dark backgrounds. This is lost in the color remake, but same idea. Yes, the descent of Seth into human incarnation can be viewed as Christ like which has love as the motivation. |
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| LOTS OF PLEASANTVILLE COMMENTS From "private":Here are my comments. It would have been a hit in my high school film study class.... loaded with symbolism. While I was also painfully aware of the biblical comparisons, I would venture to say spending very much time analyzing the symbols in this fantasy isn't a productive use of valuable time. Too many questions??? Good lesson 1: After the intelligent dialogue (Hey, Hey, Hey) Bud's sister has little to return to with Bud. Was interesting that the great awakening seemed to first come from sexual experiences... pretty shallow. In summary, just a different film, one of those that I wonder why I stayed for the whole thing as I left the theater, but certainly not an academy award nominee.... From Bud Ruggia: I found the movie both fascinating and thought provoking. The basic message I heard was in the value of a passionate, rather than a dispassionate life. The enlightenment of the young sister came when she realized that passion and sexuality are not synonymous. She was sexually promiscuous, but still grey, but when she read D.H. Lawrence and encountered his passion for life (including sensuality), she came alive. That's an insight we seldom find in today's hyper-sexual world. -Bud Ruggia Ruggia@swbell.net From "private": I responded this past Tuesday, concluding that the main point of the movie was relativism...no absolutes. As I've been mulling it over in my mind, I'm wondering if the message isn't more" "pointed" Do the "black and white" people of Pleasantville really represent the church? The world views the church as always seeing everything in black and white...very self-righteous and narrow. Every Christian symbol in the film is turned upside down. In the Bible, the first rain is the flood... God's judgment... something to be feared. In the film, Bud says, "Don't be afraid... it's only rain" The burning bush in Scripture is God's Presence...in the film it goes up in flames when the mom has her first sexual experience... sex has indeed become a "god" in our society. Shame and guilt were the result of eating the fruit in the Garden... here it was symbolic of "enlightenment" And the rainbow... symbol of "new life" but what kind of new "life???" In the courtroom scene the "colored people" are sitting upstairs (where the black people in our history used to have to sit...the persecuted). In the movie the "colored people" are depicted as being persecuted by the black and whites (the church). When the last person holding out (the mayor/judge) shows his "true colors" victory is won! The church is completely destroyed and the world bursts into living color! The church is what "stands in the way" of TRUE LIFE! If I'm right, then the message is really disturbing, but I think we need to be ready to dialogue with others about it. |
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| THE SPIRITUAL IMPACT OF FILM 1- The Omen Before I got saved, we didn't read the Bible in Catholic School and was amazed at all the scriptures contained in this movie. The revelation that prophecies made thousands of years ago had and were coming true was revealed to me the day I saw this film. I started reading the Bible that same day and got saved a few years later. 2-Ben Hur My wife saw this movie in Thailand as a little girl. As an adult, I brought her to Angelus Temple in L.A. The pastor gave the invitation and she ran to receive Christ because she never forgot the information she got in this film.  I know the power of film as a witness and have written a screenplay that can be a witness to movie audiences and is as exciting as any Hollywood blockbuster films. My film is 'Most Favored Nation', I'm claiming 200 million souls. Please pray for the doors to open wide for it to reach the lost and hurting. -Robert Betancourt. Oct. 29, 1998 Rb1harpo@aol.com |
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| CITY OF ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL The City of the Angels Film Festival is an annual retrospective exploring spiritual themes in great films. Sponsors include Fuller Seminary, Catholics In Media, Inter-Mission, Family Theater Prods., Premise and other Christian film organizations in L.A. This year the festival theme is: "Chasing the Sacred: The Cinema of Spirituality," with panelists including writer/directors Randall Wallace (Braveheart, The Man In the Iron Mask) and Ron Maxwell (Gettysburg, Joan of Arc). Check us out, and feel free to contact us for more information. http://www.caff.swm.fuller.edu Many thanks,  Todd Coleman Business Development, Entertainment and Media HyperLOCK Technologies, Inc. 422 Ashland Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405 NOTE: FESTIVAL WAS NOV 5-8, 1998. Plan now for next year. |
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| APOCALYPSE II: REVELATION Oct. 27, 1998. Though not mainstream Hollywood releases, you may find these films to portray truth as discussed in the Bible. Maybe you might find some time to review these films. I believe Jeff Fahey (The Lawnmower Man) will be starring in the sequel "APOCALYPSE II: REVELATION", being released January 2nd. Information from www.jvim.com As post-production continues on our new prophecy movie "Apocalypse II: Revelation," preparations are being made for pre-release webpages to be added to our website so you can learn more about the exciting sequel to "Apocalypse: Caught in the Eye of the Storm." In the first "Apocalypse" movie, TV jounalists Helen Hanna and Bronson Pearl discovered too late that the Christian teaching of the Rapture was TRUE--and they had been left behind! They managed to get this message out, interrupting the antichrist's worldwide television broadcast to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus...but now they are the earth's "most wanted" with the forces of evil hunting for them even as they try to unite those who have come to Christ during the Tribulation. Follow their further adventures as they struggle for survival and risk their lives. "APOCALYPSE II: REVELATION" will be released on video exclusively through Jack Van Impe Ministries starting January 2. Thanks for listening Tom |
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| BRUCHKO Oct. 24, 1998. Such dedication and devotion is rarely if ever seen today in America. If only the everyday citizen could see that God has called us all to go to the "unlovely", "unclean", and "scum of the earth", perhaps our world would be a better place. I mean our AMERICA!! Thank the Lord for Bruce Olson's commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, and making a difference for the kingdom of God. |
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| DAVID, YOU ARE READING MORE INTO THESE MOVIES. From Mark Hutchins: Here are my comments. But I suspect you've seen this type of comment before, but I'll add mine to the list just in case. Your reviews are well written, and have some good insights. But I'm afraid you're reading more into these movies than is really there, if you're looking for something that matches up with a Biblical Christian message. I would grant that some things that you mention parallel the Christian salvation themes. However, I believe you're often grasping for straws. While it's true that we can spot ingredients in films that might correlate to theological concepts in the Bible, I think it's a stretch to posit them as "Christian", when their really ideas that many religions share (good vs. evil, life after death, etc.). Plus, many philosophies agree with many religious views -- i.e. ethical concerns -- without having a belief in spiritual beings or places. So a humanist, for example, can look at those parts of films, and see them as mythological components. He or she doesn't put them down, but sees them as having dramatic weight, by portraying certain themes symbolically. You might be right when it comes to several ingredients a given director is incorporating in a film, especially if that person is deeply religious to begin with. But I would just offer some caution, when you review a film, and seeing spiritual significance, when none might even be there. Dramatic entertainment is more likely the motivation behind the stories, and the way they're told cinematically, than a Christian rationale. Generally speaking, though, I concur with your analysis, though I'm not a Christian myself. MY RESPONSES: Thank you for your generous remarks. I totally agree with you. My insights are mine and are not those of the screenwriter or director, to be sure. I do not intend to suggest anything more than that. And yes, myths and religious ideas have a lot in common with each other. I present a Christian point of view, which is one of many. |
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| RATINGS. ANTZ. FOUL LANGUAGE. oCT 27, 1998. David- I understand that your site is not a parental guide, or moral standard - but that side of movies cannot be ignored. I believe that Jesus and morals go hand-in-hand. You cannot have Jesus without morals and likewise what are morals without Jesus? There must be some standard on which to base morals, or else what is the purpose for having morals? My suggestion is that you include a symbol or other method of indicating that a movie includes objectionable material so that those people concerned may do more research. You do not need to discuss, or list, the objectionable material - but just indicate that the movie may need to be looked it to farther. This would not be to "discourage" people from viewing these films, but merely for awareness purposes. The movie rating system is designed for such a purpose - but oftentimes I feel a film is not rated harsh enough. I recently saw "Antz" a PG, animated film that contained so much fowl language I could not believe my ears (other than that it was an excellent movie and contained a good moral base). My suggestion is not to say that I don't appreciate the job you are doing on your site. Movies are so widely viewed it is an easy topic to bring up with anyone and can lead right into witnessing. Your reviews help point out ways to discuss movies in that light - and are also a reminder that God is everywhere around us and we can always find evidence of him. God doesn't necessarily use Christians for his work. He is capable of using anyone, and can even work through us when we are not where we should be. |
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| CHRISTIAN SCREENWRITERS Hi David, Oct. 26, 1998. My name is Mark. I am 41, single, an I've been walking with Jesus since I was 16. What a joy to find your webpage. I found it by mis-spelling Ingmar Bergman, looking for the script to Cries and Whispers. For years I thought God wanted me in the ministry but there was always a check in my spirit when I'd lead a Bible study. Now I'm writing movie scripts and feel the thrill of God's hand leading me in a way I've never experienced. My love of research and writing and Jesus have melded together and I'm having A BLAST! As Dr. Linda Seger says, I'm enjoying the process. I'm still a fledgling, and the papers today ran an article on ageism among Hollywood writers but "if God be for us, who can be against us?" This last weekend I went to the Lloyd C. Douglass Spiritual Quest weekend and enjoyed hearing about the pastor-writer who produced "The Robe" and "Magnificent Obsession". I also got to chat AT LENGTH with Charles Champlin, former film Critic for the LA Times. I'm in two writers groups, one online and one here in Orange County (Where is Patterson? The Bay area?). Scriptwriters I've met are very distrustful, like the treasure hunters in The Treasure of Sierra Madre. That or I'm just being naive. Again, thanks for your website. Pray for the Christian screenwriters, for courage and to walk in the Spirit. Thanks. Mark Mobley |
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| GOT INFO ON ROBINSON CRUSOE? Oct. 19, 1998. I was wondering if you would be able to help me. I am currently studying the classic novel Robinson Crusoe and as part of my study am addressing the religious themes within the novel. In particular I am considering the 'myth' of Robinson Crusoe (ie. stranded on a desert island etc), and am examining recent manifestations of the myth, Lost in Space being one of these and am comparing the themes of the classic novel with that of the film. If you have any information which may be of use to me please email me. Thank you, Sarah Moore 10040134@mail.ehche.ac.uk MY RESPONSE |
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| HOLY MAN -ONE OF THE WORST Oct. 19,1998. I honestly thought that "Holy Man" was one of the worst films of the year. I enjoy a good satire when it comes along and I thought the movie set up two really great targets for satire - new age guru religion and home shopping. Being Disney, they skirted around the religious satire entirely and left the home shopping satire to silly cameos that featured Betty White from "The Golden Girls" having an orgasm. This was supposed to be funny? I felt the film was extremely manipulative. It wanted you to care about the characters even though they were cardboard - I didn't like that at all. As for Eddie Murphy, he looked like he would rather perform elective surgery on himself with a fork than be in this movie. That's just my opinion. -Nick Rogers |
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| "PULP FICTION" AND "THE APOSTLE" Oct. 19 1998. After seeing The Apostle twice on video recently I read some reviews and stumbled upon your web page. It was mainly to get a sense of what Christians are saying about it... and I was pleasantly surprised. You brought up many excellent points none of the other critics/reviewers mentioned. Since this movie, to me, seemed to be about redemption... I couldn't help but to make comparisons with another movie with a completely different approach to the subject of redemption... "Pulp Fiction" I was wondering if you ever saw it... or chose not to because of the explicit violence it was famous for? Samual L. Jackson plays a gangster who would regularly "spout" supposed Bible passages just before making a "hit"... but when he miraculously escapes death... he realizes there was meaning to those words... where before... they were just for the effect of terrorizing his victims. The changes he undergoes have an effect on others around him... at one point deciding to spare a life where before he would have thought nothing of pulling the trigger. Pulp Fiction is also famous for the many unanswered mysteries such as "what's in the briefcase", the bandage on the back of a man's neck (covering up the mark of the beast?)... many of them have religious overtones (though Tarantino denies it). I found so many, equally tantilizing mysteries in the "Apostle" that I have yet to hear anyone bring up. At one point Sonny picks up an old photo portrait of two boys... obviously twins (implying that he is one of them). He mentions that his brother is (or was) a race car driver (who taught him to repair engines). The mystery is... we see Sonny as a boy taken to church by a black woman... (where was his brother and mother?) he doesn't seem happy to be there... Right after that we see them leaving the church. However, the two are the only ones leaving... why? His brother ended up in the 'fast lane'? While Sonny ended up in a life of seeking spiritual growth? I think Duvall wanted to make this subtle hint. That Duvall makes them twins... is what makes it more interesting. A duality in blood, split on life's paths to opposite extremes? My parents always had my sister and myself participate together in every activity concerning church right up to our teen years... so this, for me, is the biggest mystery. (Did did father move out and take his brother with him?) That Sonny makes such a big deal about hiding his real name in "E.F." brings up more about his mysterious mind and childhood history. He even tells the police not to say the names too loudly. (Even the name "Sonny" has interesting posibilities.) It's these almost-hidden details that help make films like this so interesting... beyond the obviously wonderful acting... or was it really acting?! I'm really not sure! Walt |
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with one individual's sexual orientation as a criteria for rating the value of a film. It's sad. The writer has strong opinion and little humanity, or at least little love for those different from himself. I must remind this fellow human that both Moses and Jesus were Jewish. To be anti-Jew is to be anti-Jesus.
Bible stories (e.g. Jacob and Esau) than are the fictional aspects of The Ten Commandments. Your statement, "The films used only those elements of the Biblical story which the writers felt would advance the tales they wished to tell" goes to far. I believe the starting point for POE was the biblical story and the truth it contains and that the film uses creative and fictional elements to fill in areas where the Bible is silent. The film is also effected by considerations of cinematic flow and animated retelling for a broad audience, hence, liberties were taken with the biblical text. But, never the less, a brilliant film, few preachers could have recaptured this story as well.