.
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with comments by David Bruce

LISTENING TO SERPENTS
Subject: Fifth element & truth
Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000
From: Mary

Eve was misled by a pretty talking serpent who told her what she wanted to hear about God. I do not want to be misled by a talking picture with imagery that has relation to the truth. It is best to get truth from the Bible and the witness of the Holy Spirit by humbly asking God for wisdom and revelation and to avoid listening to serpents in different disguises telling me what may tickle my ears and please my imagination. Mary

Response: I understand what you are trying to say. But, I think you are comparing apples with oranges. I do not remember being tempted or led astray by Fifth Element in any way. Were you? -David

LOVED IT
Subject: I Loved It Too. Keeping the Faith
Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000
From: Kate

Like the rest of the contributors, I really enjoyed Keeping the Faith. As a gen-Xer and a Christian it was great to see a movie that didn't portray all Gen-Xers as atheists, completely devoid of any spirituality. I also appreciated the fact that it didn't trivialise the faith of either of the two main male characters, but used the relationships between all three main characters as a vehicle to explore spirituality. It would be good to see more movies like it.
Kate
PS. Love the Hollywood Jesus site. It's one of my most regularly visited sites.
PPS Please don't post my email address with this contribution. Thanks.

ANIME RVIEWS?
Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2000
From: Curt

Hi. I didn't notice any anime reviews on your site. I know you're doing a lot, and I hate to add to your burden, but given the growing popularity of anime as well as the depth of treatment of spiritual issues, you might want to consider adding some anime reviews to your list over time. Some good ones to start with: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments Lain, Ghost in the Shell, X.
Thanks, and good luck! curt

NOT A VAMPIRE, BUT A VIRGIN QUEEN
Subject: Not a vampire, but a Virgin Queen!
Phantom_Menace
Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
From: "Joe A."

To: _E-mail Referring to the messages some others have left about whether Queen Amidala looks like a vampire; not so. Actually, I hadn't made this connection previously, but I had just visited your site on the Cate Blanchett movie "Elizabeth" and saw the striking pictures of Blanchett-as-Elizabeth in her pale white makeup with reddened lips standing out startlingly from the middle of her face. I suspect that if you hold up a picture of Natalie Portman as Amidala next to a picture of Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth, you'll be floored by the resemblance. Moreover, just as Elizabeth united the English people to repel the Spanish, Amidala united the people of Naboo and the Gungans to repel the Trade Federation. I have a feeling that George Lucas must have been reading up on some good biographies of Elizabeth while working on the portions of the movie about Amidala...
-Joe-

WHAT RODAN ACTUALLY REPRESENTS
Subject: What Rodan actually represents... Rodan
Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
From: "Joe A."

...is, IMO, the B-29's that firebombed the cities of Japan to ashes in 1944-45, _before_ the atom bomb. I seem to remember that in one of the biggest incendiary raids of the campaign, the attack on Tokyo in March 1945, the fires were whipped up by high winds (which, in turn, were lifted to new levels of intensity by the atmospheric conditions the fires caused.) Also, you may be aware of the special place the concept of the "kamikaze" (divine wind) has in Japanese culture and history; I suggest that, in Rodan, we might be looking at an anti-kamikaze, if I can coin a phrase.
-Joe-

MORE LIKE HJ?
Subject: Message from Karla
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000
From: karla hudson

Dear David, I'm new on the computer, I do like your web site. I wish there were more Christian sites like yours. If you know of any let me know.
Thanks Karla

Response: Check the links page

THE STAND
Subject: Green_Mile
Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
From: "Joe A."

Erik Nelson's comments about Stephen King's work were quite insightful, and in that context, I'd like to call your attention to the 1978 novel (get the "author's cut" version that was put out around 1986), "The Stand", and the 1994 miniseries based on it. For those who haven't seen the miniseries, the Christian symbolism and overtones in it are very, very obvious - more so, in fact, than in the original novel. David, have you ever seen the miniseries or read the book? It'd be yet another great subject for a Hollywood Jesus review.
-Joe-

VERY BIBLICAL
Subject: An important point near the end of "Ghost" Ghost
Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
From: "Joe A."

When the person responsible for Sam's murder is himself killed at the end of the movie, he first looks down in shock at his dead body, then in astonishment at Sam, then in terror at the demons that appear to drag him off to his eternal punishment. Now, one would logically suppose that Sam would feel a sense of satisfaction, of being avenged, at the comeuppance of his killer, right? Wrong-o, dude. Sam looks at the other guy with one of the saddest expressions of pity and sorrow I have ever seen on anyone's face and says softly, "I'm sorry...". I submit that this is a very biblical moment, and is an accurate reflection of God's actual attitude towards sinners. Scripture tells us, after all, that He takes no pleasure in the death of sinners and doesn't want anyone to die - what he wants, and what he rejoices in, is people turning from their sins toward a new life.
-Joe-

ON CHURCH AND ENTERTAINMENT
Subject: Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000
From: Rev S S J

Yes, I agree that some churches are no longer focused on God, but have become centered on "family values" rather than "faith values." But do you know which churches have full parking lots? The ones which entertain people--with upbeat loud music and a message that tells people that they are okay--that everyone else is messed up. Isn't that what movies do also? People go to the movies to be entertained, not to have their spiritual life improved.

HOPE FOR NO ANTI ASIAN BIAS
Subject: I hope that Pearl Harbor does not lapse into anti-asian bias
Pearl Harbor
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000
From: "Chris Suh"

I sincerely hope that Pearl Harbor does not lapse into anti-Asian bias. My family is from Hawaii, and actually lived there when the Japanese bombed the fleet. Like the majority of the people who live in the state of Hawaii both then and now, they were Asian-American in background, and had lived in America for many generations. They also enlisted in the United States Army in huge numbers afterwards, despite the internment of a number of Japanese-Americans in concentration camps. Their 442nd division is the most decorated American military unit in history. I hope that the makers of Pearl Harbor do not fail to convey the reality of the brave Americans in Hawaii, who brought honor to both their country and their Asian-American heritage in WWII, choosing instead to at best gloss it over and at worst stir up increased anti-Asian bias. Please feel free to post these comments. - Christopher S.

IT'S FICTION
Subject: "Left Behind" comment:
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000
From: "N.M.B. & J.L.T."

I have read modern thrillers, classic and contemporary sci-fi, and survival sagas, and the Left Behind series runs head to head with the best of them as a page turner. It is well written fiction, with the emphasis on FICTION. Unfortunately, many evangelical readers seem to have missed that point. Since it jives with one of the more popular exegetical interpretations, tens of thousands of Christians are accepting it as the God-given gospel of the end times. Their conclusion, and the prophetic value they are placing on this work, is simply not warranted. That fact, I am positive, would be confirmed by the authors. My warning to the church of today is; don't accept anything but God's holy word to be inspired by him, even such well researched fiction as the Left Behind series. As a ministry tool that presents the gospel of Jesus in God's words, it is unsurpassed in its appeal. I pray that the church will see it is that and exploit it to the max, then get ready to meet the Lord in the air!

TREKKIES
Subject: Another source for you to consult Galaxy_Quest
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

First, I haven't seen "Galaxy Quest" yet, but after reading your review, I intend to hie me down to Hollywood Video and grab me a copy. Just one little detail (which you and half the other visitors to this site have probably already noticed): the uniforms worn by NSEA Protector's crew are obviously derived from those worn by Enterprise-D's crew in ST:TNG. Anyway, the other source I wanted to recommend is a book called _The Making of the Trek Conventions_ (I *think* that's the title) by Joan Winston. Since you mentioned the documentary "Trekkies", I thought you would be interested in this book (while long out of print, you should be able to find it through a good used-book search service such as Bibliofind.com). The relevance here is that the Star Trek conventions, IMO, started the whole modern fandom subculture - although science-fiction fans had had, for many years beforehand, their World Science Fiction Conventions, and still do - and this book is a fascinating (sorry about stealing the word, Spock) look at the first such conventions in the early-to-mid-1970's. I think you'd really enjoy reading it if you could find it and it'd give you some grist for your article mill. (I'd offer to send you my own copy, but I'd insist on having it back when you're done. :) )
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

EVERY NEW FAD IS EVIL
Subject: Commenting on the "Pokemon is evil" furor raised by some readers...
Pokemon
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

I have only one thing to say. If some Christians rant about every new fad - and I mean EVERY NEW FAD - in pop culture being occultic, evil, a harbinger of the Antichrist, etc., etc., etc., ad infinitium ad nauseam... How, I ask you, are they going to recognize the REAL Antichrist when he finally shows up? -Joe-

BEDAZZLED BY BEDAZZLED
Subject: "Bedazzled" remake
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

Hello David - In view of your comments on the way that Satan appeared to Jesus as a gorgeous fashion-model type in the temptation scene in the "Jesus" miniseries, I really hope you'll be able to write something up on the "Bedazzled" remake that's being released next weekend. As you probably know, Elizabeth Hurley (insert wolf whistle here :) ) is playing the devil, tempting a luckless young fellow with the seven deadly sins. Considering that the Bible tells us that Satan can appear as an angel of light if that will serve his purposes, it seems only logical to suppose that he might assume the form of the most beautiful woman in the world if that would also serve his purposes. Indeed, Elizabeth Hurley appearing on my doorstep and promising me ANYTHING if I would only do seven little things (said in that sexy English accent) would be a great temptation indeed! (Incidentially, if you check the Entertainment Tonight website, there's a very interesting interview with Ms. Hurley about her "Bedazzled" role in which she comments at one point - I forget the exact quote - that she tries her best to keep the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.) To make a longwinded post short, I think this movie would be an outstanding subject for one of your reviews.
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

ACCURATE PORTRAYAL
Subject: On "You've Got Mail"
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

I thought this film was one of the first to really give an accurate portrayal of the way in which the Internet has so powerfully affected the lives of people. I - and I think many other people, nowadays - know people who have had romances and even gotten married because of relationships they formed online. It's just a pity they used AOL instead of a REAL ISP, though; as someone who gets new drink coasters (i.e., AOL CD's) in the mail every few months, I thought the cartoon at the bottom of the review was a gas! -
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

P.S.
LLL was right. This would have made a GREAT Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie (I'm sure you've seen "Pillow Talk"!) Meg Ryan comes closer than any actress today, IMHO, to capturing the air of Doris Day in her classic late-'50's/early '60's period.
-Joe-

SHEOL AND HADES
Subject: In reference to your earlier speculation on Hades...
What Dreams May Come
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe

...if I recall rightly, the Hebrews of Old Testament times believed that the dead all went to Sheol, the underworld, located under the earth. Hal Lindsey (now I know, based on "The Omega Code", that he isn't the most accurate of sources! :) ) reports that Sheol was divided into two parts, "Paradise" (or sometimes, "the bosom of Abraham"), for the righteous dead, and "Torments", for the unrighteous dead. Apparently it's this Paradise that Jesus was talking about when he reassured the thief upon the cross. It's further recorded that Jesus descended into the underworld (some renditions have it "Hell"), after his death, and preached to the righteous and unrighteous dead there. Dante, in "The Divine Comedy", refers to this event. Speaking of Dante raises a very interesting question; what happens with the righteous dead who didn't have an opportunity to hear the Gospel? Dante solves this problem by introducing "Limbo", which is, while in the underworld, not really part of Hell but rather is intended as an abode for said shades. Limbo is, by comparison with the rest of Hell, quite a pleasant place - the only penalty these departed face is that they will never have the opportunity to see God (except at the Last Judgment). This place, as you will recall, is Virgil's home. In fact, I hope you'll write sometime about "The Divine Comedy".
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

INTERESTING BOOK
Subject: A book you might want to look at, if only to have a horselaugh about
X Files Movie
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

I haven't seen the "X-Files" movie, but your mention of the book about the global conspiracy made me think of a rather ridiculous book that I've recently read (if you'll pardon the alliteration), "Rule By Secrecy" by Jim Marrs. (If you're familiar with Mr. Marrs - no relation, as far as I am aware, to Texe Marrs - you'll know that he's a proponent of JFK-conspiracy theories and alien-visitation theories.) In this book, he basically recycles all the "1970's conspiracy theories" about the Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the Illuminati, etc., etc., etc., ad infinitium ad nauseam, and then ties it all up with a really cockamamie connection to ancient alien visitors that would make Mulder and Scully turn pure pea-soup-green with envy.

I think it could be a very interesting complement to your excellent "Superman" review (for that matter, you should also review "Superman II", in which the "Unholy Trinity" come into full play as they go mano-a-mano with the Man of Steel). It's sometimes been said that Batman is more popular than Superman, and I think you could get a really good article out of the 1989 movie (plus which, Jack Nicholson's Joker is one of the most delicious villians ever!)
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

EL TOPO AND DUNE
Subject: "El Topo" and Superman
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

In reference to Matt Burgener's message of February 24, the director of "El Topo" is Alexander Jodorowsky. You can find a very good analysis of this unusual (heck - bizarre!) movie in Danny Peary's 1981 book "Cult Movies". The thing about "El Topo" is that there's also a lot of religious imagery in it; maybe someday if you find a copy on video you can do a review of it. (Incidentially, Jodorowsky at one point helmed the "Dune" project but bowed out - "Dune" might well be another movie well worth it for you to analyze; in fact, Frank Herbert gets very heavily into the Messianic symbolism in his Dune novels.)
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

AND ABOUT OKINAWA
Subject: And about Okinawa... Original_Godzilla
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe

I lived there between 1974-1977 (my stepdad was in the Army), and I was able to amass quite a collection of monster and anime toys (the mid-1970's, in case you didn't know, was the era of Space Cruiser Yamato - what is called Star Blazers over here - and the classic giant-fighting-mecha anime shows, which I could never get enough of!) And I also was able to see one of the Ultraman series in the original Japanese. Japanese TV, in fact, is worth a whole site...what I could tell you about the things I saw that made my eyes pop out, stuff that you would NEVER have seen on American TV in that era...but I digress... Anyway, your correspondent was quite right, IMO, about Godzilla and his monstrous fellows being a metaphor for the American occupation of Japan.

When I arrived on Okinawa in 1974, it had only been two years since the island had been returned to Japanese governance, and American occupation road signs were still standing on some of the highways. For that matter, on Okinawa, unlike in the rest of Japan, people drove on the *righthand* side of the road. And the island, especially the central portion, was literally crammed with American bases. I could ride my bike from installation to installation (we lived on Camp Kuwae, just about a mile south of the big Kadena Air Base) almost without leaving territory controlled by the US military. Naturally, all this was (and is) resented by quite a few Okinawans. Here's something that you will find really funny; although the US had occupied Okinawa for almost thirty years, when I arrived on the island, there still wasn't one single solitary McDonald's on the island. I kid you not. Mickey D's didn't arrive until, I think, late 1975 or early 1976; the first stand on the island opened up next to the local Episcopal church which we attended (for the historical record, I'm a communicant of the Japanese Episcopal Church, not the US Episcopal Church, as I was confirmed on Okinawa) and, naturally, became an immediate lodestone for the American community. They *did* have a Shakey's Pizza Parlor on-island before that, though.
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

LOOK AT FDR'S LEGS
Subject: You may or may not have noticed this Original_Godzilla
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

In that WWII Japanese cartoon you republished (and kudos to you, by the way, for finding that particular connection which I never knew about before) look closely at the demon-FDR's legs. Don't they look awfully like the gams of the Big G? (Amusingly enough, pre-war, a lot of Americans - especially Republicans!!! - might have agreed with that depiction of Roosevelt. He was reviled more than any president before Clinton.)
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

A PERFECT REFLECTION
Subject: Drop_Dead_Gorgeous
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

...of a particular kind of shallow obsession with a particular kind of on-the-surface physical beauty, and moreover, obsession with any kind of fame and fortune, no matter how picayune or fleeting it is. Sadly, there _are_ people in real life like Gladys and Rebecca Leeman who will do just about anything to win something like a third-rate beauty pageant because it'll give them their moment, however brief, in the sun. A very well-done film, and often very funny. (That "Soylent Green" girl still lays me out on the floor!)
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

BETWEEN THEM AND GOD
Subject: On Palmer and Ellie... Contact
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

So Palmer and Ellie might have slept together during the course of their love affair. What I have to say to that is, so what? It's between them and God. What matters more is that when Ellie, the woman of science, needed someone the most to stand in her corner and say forthrightly, "I believe her", it was Palmer, the man of faith, who did that for her. Personally, I hope they got back together and stayed together for good this time.
-Joe- (jadmire@monumental.com)

AN ISLAMIC VIEW OF THE NINTH GATE
Subject: On the Ninth Gate
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Kamal

You made a couple of factual errors. But first just a bit of horn blowing. So far I'm reading a few of your reviews, and they better quality than the standard "christian film review" fare. Your reviews are not particularly preachy or self righteous or morally squeamish. I believe in right and wrong, morality and immorality, but frankly if I wanted to hear an adult man whine about the inevitable moral decrepitude inherent in ALL cinema (from the very beginnings too, old pre censor days movies from the early 20th century were often quite racy, even by today's standards) I'd turn on the 700 club, if I want to read an intelligent film review from someone with a coherent moral position, however, hopefully I'll turn to your site.

You maintain a religious edge to most of your reviews but it is not overburdenly so, this allows those of us who are not Christans to enjoy your reviews a bit more. So kudos.

Now on to the movie itself Emmanuelle Seigner's character, the female demon of sorts, she was actually the "great whore" not the character "Liana Telfer", which you indicate. As if the last few scenes of the movie when she seduces Depp's character (literally) did not give it away, the astute viewer will note that the final page, the real 9th page, that Curso finds in the brother's shop at the end of the movie, the harlot sitting on top of the beast has Emmanuelle Seigner's face on it... Which disappointed me a bit because my original hope was that she would turn out to be some sort of good guy, oh well... So if she was the harlot riding the beast in the engraving, and keep in mind that each engraving had a direct correspondence to some aspect of the plot, though veiled in symbol and allegory, the question rises to one, well just who was she "riding" a couple of scenes earlier on the grass outside the castle.

Not to be crude or anything, but I think that Polanski left some aspects of the story up in the air but the story as a whole is like a tapestry when one fits everything together. I found it interesting, though a bit crude.

There was a definite humor to the movie, it had a sort of dark comedy edge to it. The evil of Corso's character is of a profoundly different nature than that of any of the other characters. He is simply just bankrupt and empty. But again the harlot rides the beast in the engraving, in the "real life" of the movie she "rides" Depp's character (again, not trying to be crude here at all). Perhaps this is implying that Depp himself is or will be the 'beast' in a sense, in this movie's world ?

One effective thing was to keep matters from becoming as blatantly supernatural as possible, most of the movie's events can be explained away by people in the matrix of the movie itself, the viewer has a privileged position and can see openings of the supernatural, such as the blond girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) appearing to fly or float, or to shape shift. It happens so fast and in so ambiguous of a way that the viewer does not quite know what is going on, which is effective. Perhaps it is not Polanski's best work, but it does provide some food for thought.

I see that you have viewpoints from Catholics and one pseudo-"satanist" on the site, so perhaps I would be remiss if I did not give an alternative perspective as well, an Islamic one. Like Christianity, Zorasterianism, and Judaism, Islam is deeply concerned about the problem of evil and the entity know in the bible, and in our scriptures, as "shaitan" the accursed. One of the frequent concerns of Muslims is that, from our perspective, it appears that Christians elevate this being to an almost divine status, making him the "god of the world" or the "god of darkness". To a Muslim this is blasphemy since the foundation of Islam is complete monotheism, not on a superficial level but more profoundly that the ONLY power, and might, and force, that exists is God (Allah in arabic, Eloh in Aramaic, the spoken language of Jesus).

In the Islamic view shaitan is a slave of Allah's, free to rebel against Allah but ultimately the devil can not do anything unless God wills to allow it to occur. The Muslim view is closely mirrored in the book of Job (interestingly enough, as a piece of trivia, the hebrew in the book of Job is a particularly archaic form, and contains a lot of Older Arabic words, the names of some of Job's companions are also arabic). The devil apes God, the devil imitates God but truly has no power whatsoever.

To Muslims the emphasis placed on the devil in Western cultures is very strange and disturbing, beyond just movies and pop songs, even preachers in some Churches talk over and over again about the devil. This causes the people to fear the devil which in Islam can sometimes be almost equivalent to non belief or infidelity since if a person fears the devil then logically they must believe that the devil has power to affect them somehow, to harm them, when only God has any power and only God, Allah, should be feared.

The devil can influence mislead, yes seduce, and misguide, and some of shaitan's agents can produce physical effects in this World, but it is all only through Allah's permission just as I can will to blow out a candle but in reality it was not I inhaling wind and my loungs pushing it out in the direction of the candle that allows the candle to be blown out, rather it is that Allah allowed me to blow out the candle, if he had so willed I could have been prevented from blowing out the candle. So to the devil is not strong, his strength is in illusion, in smoke, veiled reality, suggestion, making the unimportant and trivial seem important. In reality most of humanity is so divorced from God and God's will that the willingly do the "devil's work" with very little prompting whatsoever, without even realizing it.

If one trains and conditions a man's mind to do certain things and accept certain ways as good that person will eventually need very little reinforcement. So we see that we live in perhaps the most wretched society on the earth, with murder endemic to our condition, our comfort sustained by the consuming and payment of usury (prohibited by the bible until Calvin allowed it), with legions of the poor in debt selling their bodies and souls for money, in which abortion is used as a matter of convenience, and in which nowadays even 11 year olds whore themselves out, a society of wealth (much like Rome, or indeed Babylon) that maintains comfort but is gotten from the conquest and exploitation of others.

In spite of massive structural flaws we still have the illusion that our society is the greatest that has ever been. We are given much but when you peel up the veneer and look beneath the surface you see that underneath the gilding there is rot, and that rot is indeed ancient. In spite of this we fail to see our own conditions. This is due to a wonderful sort of magic and illusion, very strong but inshallah (God willing) not too hard to break. The point is that it is all illusion, and Islam sees this as being most important, that the devil, and its tricks and effects are illusion, and illusions can be broken.

So the point is not to FEAR freddy kruger, or Jason, or any of the current architypes in which the devil may pop up in the mind and heart of contemporary man because to fear a thing is to lend it power in one's heart that it does not even have. Shaitan is weak, its just that too often we are often weaker still in our will and resolve. Shaitan to the Muslims is nothing more than Mankind's sworn enemy and a test of man's attachment and devotion to Allah. Shaitan's hatred of man leads him to try to tempt and misguide man but his "powers" are in reality only but illusion.

As to the gentleman who was formerly involved in the occult, yes books like the fictional one in the movie do exist, the so-called "Keys of Solomon", the galderbook, the Magus, etc., etc. In general they are probably about 80% gobbly gook and nonsense. If there is anything dangerous in them it is leading a person's fantasies astray away from the path of truth and in inciting his or her greed for power. The occult can seem to produce some effects through the actions of various agents and "powers", but this is mostly just illusion. Where there is serious harm coming from magic and the like one should avoid involvement in such matters and seek refuge from God in prayer. The "powers" that do seem to come from the occult may have a strange way of returning to the person foolhardy enough to seek them...

The hidden demonic powers (ifreets) that some occultists either knowingly or unknowingly try to tap are contemptuous of man and desire nothing other than man's ruin. Most of what is passed off as the occult is probably just smoke and mirrors, and God knows best. But there is danger even in this, in that in uttering garbage one may willingly turn his or her back on God. So even what appears to be harmless is not so. In some parts of the world magicians are able to produce wondrous effects, they are able to stab themselves with real swords, the "darb shish" and skewer themselves without harm to themselves, they can lift heavy objects such as stones, a friend of mine actually saw such with his own eyes in Indonesia. Of course God's chosen can on occasion display certain miraculous effects as well through Allah's power.

Even things such as being penetrated with an iron blade. The difference being that the miraculous deeds of an infidel or a magicians will misguide one, but God may choose to let one of his elect display a miracle for the benefit of the people, perhaps to demonstrate to a non believer that God's power extends beyond his understanding, for example. The modern world has perhaps the most profoundly disturbing and effective magic ever known to man ! It is called the Cinema, and TV. Through it one can make a person believe whatever one wants, clothe truth in falsehood and falsehood in truth. Make wars seem just, paint the oppressed as oppressors, and the oppressors as the oppressed. It is quite a strange set of instruments, do you not agree :-)

In any case I hope that someone finds this perspective thought provoking or useful, the Muslims have a prayer that is simple "God show us truth as truth and grant us to follow it, show us illusion and falsehood as illusion and falsehood and grant us to avoid it" perhaps a prayer such as this might be useful to those caught up in the grand illusions of the cinema, or of everyday life.
Sincerely Kamal.

Response: I can not thank you enough for the Islamic insight. May I invite you to present your views on other films as well. May God less you Kamal.

NOT SO MYSTERIOUS
Subject: Comments on newsletter
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Nick

Hello. Allow me to play Devil's simpleton. The reason why "Scary Movie" has been so successful is because the previews show it being funny, and word-of-mouth says that there's more raucus bits behind the previews. The fact that Scary Movie parodies horror films (what you term spiritual) is incidental.

The reason why "What Lies Beneath" has been so successful is the Hitchcockian premise with big budget stars and a good director, in a field with no other thrillers of this sort resides. The preview was also effective and eerie, and Michelle Pfieffer drew a big women's market. This film has a spiritual undertone, but plays it for chills. Like the former has a spiritual undertone, but plays it for gross-out humor. (Response: Actually the two big stars did not do well in their previous movies and this is why the movie posters for What Lies Beaneth did not feature their pictures. The studio played to the mysterious -David).

Suppose a church goes through its service plan but plays it for chills. Or gross-out humor. It goes without saying that it just wouldn't work (remember I'm playing simpleton here). Further, and this is the real point, people go to the film, but don't expect to greet the strangers around them, aren't expected to be challenged, aren't expected to participate in some foreign way. People can be intimidated by churches with a structure that can different from their upbringing. But with cinema, you pay for your ticket, you have the option of popcorn and soda, and you sit and watch.

You say people are flocking to the movies because of the lure of mystery. I couldn't disagree more. (Response: Actually my point is the explotation of "spirituality" by Hollywood and the lack of it in many churches -David). There's nothing mysterious about that routine. There's something far more mysterious in the goings on in church, like at a baptism, or at communion, or at an altar call, than at a multiplex. (Response: You are right about this!) Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Therefore let us keep the mystery in church, and not reduce it to the entertainment level of a thriller or comedy. THEREFORE, let us somehow use cinema to draw attention to the deeper mysteries. As you at HollywoodJesus have done so well.
Nick.

DID BONHOEFFER MISS IT?
Subject: study group Bonhoeffer
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000
From: "Owen Tew"

David, I'm having a discussion group watch "Bonhoeffer" to discuss the moral choices he made -- especially deciding that assassinating Hitler was the morally right thing to do. I figure most people in the group will have no problem with killing Hitler, so I'm looking for arguments for the other side that will provoke discussion. I plan to use David's refusal to kill King Saul because he didn't want to lay a hand on the Lord's annointed. Of course, King Saul won't be as lowly regarded as Hitler, so this case will go only so far. Another thought is the fact that God obviously didn't allow the plot to succeed, so is that evidence that it was not yet God's time to take Hitler off the scene? And if so, did Bonhoeffer miss God's will when he decided to join the effort?
Thanks, Owen Tew owentew@hotmail.com (OK to publish)

Response: I think God interacts with history. I do not think God controls it. Example: Hitler's evil against humanity was never a plan from God. However, God interacted with history to end Hitler's evil.

ALL IN ALL I LIKED IT.
Subject: I've seen it now....Here's what I think... JesusMiniSeries
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000
From: Velvia Wylie

David, I'm sure you don't remember my (Velvia Wylie) letter, but you did post it....It's entitled "Missed It But..." I didn't get to see it when it aired on television, but I rented it last week from BlockBuster...and I must say that, like I imagined I would, I thought it was mostly wonderful. I'm only disappointed in a couple of things....I wish there would have been mentioned or showned Mary's other children. Although, if there was, some would have been angry about that--because you know Mary was a virgin for the rest of her life. Joseph NEVER touched her--even the Gospels mention his brothers, and sisters. (I'm being sarcastic.)

The two things I disagree with are
(1) John asking Jesus to confess his sins, and
(2) Jesus saying "Now I know that my message is for Gentiles, as well." It is my contention that John KNEW that Jesus was sinless, and it is also my contention that Jesus KNEW his message was for the world, not just the Jews.

Other things that people complained about on this board makes me wonder if I saw the same movie they did. Especially those claiming the movie is "evil" and "completely wrong" and "made of Satan." Anyway, ALL IN ALL, I thought it was pretty well done. The Devil, Mary Magdalene (which prompts me to say that she was barely nude at all--from the way people on this board describe it, I thought I was going to see her butt naked for 15 minutes) the love between Jesus and Mary (Lazarus' sister), the bird incident, Jesus asking God to raise Joseph ("I can't do all that You ask alone!") --I loved it all! I even liked the intimation that Joseph wanted Jesus to be a more physical leader of the people, rather than just a spiritual one. I'm sad that the ending where Jesus is in modern times was not included, or the scene with Joan of Arc. I thought those were very well done (I saw them on this site) and think that they would have added tremendously to the film.

DOGMA TRUE TO HUMAN NATURE
Subject: Dogma
Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000
From: Teresa

I recently saw Dogma on video. I loved it. Now don't misunderstand me. Jay had a filthy mouth, but so did I when I first came to Christ. Which prophet had to have God put a coal on his mouth to cleanse it before he could prophesy to israel? David was a murderer and an adulterer, but God used him. Hosea married a whore because God told him to!!!!! The point is, God will use who He will, whenever He will, and we always benefit from it! God has a way of interrupting our lives in the most spectacular way, that you often only realize in hindsight. Dogma is God's way of saying "How can you wrap your man-sized mind around my God sized omnipotence? How can you cram all of who I am into one religion?" I have been raised in the church, but have only been saved the last 11 years of my life. Was God at work in my life before I was saved? You bet he was, because He has a purpose and a plan for everyone born on this earth. Whether or not you accept the plan is up to you, but God loves you no less because of your decision. This movie spoke so much truth about how fallible we are as humans, but yet we still try to dictate the relationship that God has with others. My relationship with Him is just that, and is not contingent upon anyone else. If I know the truth, and have allowed that truth to transform my life, then I'm living according to the will of God. I'm sorry, I've gotten on the soap box. Dogma calls us to examine our own lives and the things we believe in. God wants us to be sure that we are following Him because we love Him, not because the Pope or any Bishop or any pastor or anyone else has told us to. He desires relationship, and you can find out how to have a relationship with Him by attending church, but church does not define who you are or your relationship with The Almighty God. Did I mention I liked the movie?
Teresa Bourn

ASTONISHED BY POPULARITY
Subject: Marketing at its best Left_Behind
Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000
From: The Butson Family

I've read every one of the LB series except The Indwelling (I'm waiting for it to be available at our local library) and am pretty astounded at how popular this series is. Frankly, I don't get it. I like to read a lot, and not just Christian books. But I'm frustrated by the choppy narrative and the "pulp fiction" feel of the series. ("Attention span of a gnat" is the phrase that comes to mind despite the talents and integrity of both authors, who I respect greatly.)

With the popularity of this series, almost all of the believers I know who have read the books, and sing its praises, forget that there's a whole lot of solid believers who believe in a literal interpretation of Revelation (and Daniel) who don't follow the LB plan. Many believers are developing their theology on FICTION, many without serious study of the Word itself. This happened with Frank Peretti's books as well in regards to spiritual warfare. (Believers got into seeing demons everywhere after This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness)

Now it's THE current "in" thing to get everything related to LB and if you don't agree with this interpretation of the future, well, just how sincere are you? Sorry, that's what I've run into. There's nothing wrong with writing or reading this stuff. It's just that with all the marketing that's gone on (get your CD's and Bibles of the same theme, folks) it's incomprehensible that these books are taken SO seriously as good fiction, much less Christian fiction. At the start, I thought these would make some good movies, and maybe that will be more enjoyable. But if this series is the best we can do in terms of quality literature, I don't think that's good news. The saving grace is if there are those who DO take Jesus' claims seriously and come to faith as a result, then I'm glad. But that's about all I can put into the Left Behind series. (Yes, I'm a Christian and take the Bible literally. . .: ))

STORMY SCRIPTURES
Subject: Storms in Scripture The_Perfect_Storm
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000
From: John Madvig

Here are a few examples of storms and their functions in the Bible:

1. Storms are God's creation. They can cause people to realize their own weakness and their need to rely upon and pray to God, who is able to deliver them. Psalm 107:23-32: Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

2. Storms can serve more than one function. In the case of Jonah, not only does the storm cause Jonah to reconsider his call to bring God's message to Ninevah, but the events also served to demonstrate God's power to a group of unbelieving sailors, whose reaction was to recognize and worship the one true God. Jonah 1:1-17: Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, "Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had lain down, and was fast asleep. The captain came and said to him, "What are you doing sound asleep? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps the god will spare us a thought so that we do not perish." The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, "Tell us why this calamity has come upon us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" "I am a Hebrew," he replied. "I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." Then the men were even more afraid, and said to him, "What is this that you have done!" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them so. Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea was growing more and more tempestuous. He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you." Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them. Then they cried out to the Lord, "Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man's life. Do not make us guilty of innocent blood; for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you." So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

3. In the midst of the storm, we find Jesus, the all-powerful God himself, and he is right there in the boat with us. Mark 4:35-41: On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

HOW TELEVISION VIEWS JESUS
Subject: TV and Jesus
Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2000
From: Mike Craig

Hi David, Love the page even though my thoughts may be more conservative than most. However, Jesus' heart is big enough for all of us. It's just great to have so many brothers and sisters out there loving Him. Recently I viewed a show on TLC or TDC on TV entitled "The Real Jesus." Now I have to admit that this program hit me badly because they made the same mistake conservative Christians are so often accused of doing - taking scripture and stretching it beyond context and inserting their own ideas without basis in fact, i.e. pure conjecture.

That aside, I am greatly concerned that such programs which present other aspects of Jesus not historically documented are providing a misleading picture of His character and divinity. Recent controversies surrounding the Jesus mini-series; "Mary, Mother of Jesus", and others seem focused on this issue. So the question becomes does conjecture about what Jesus might have been provide a false picture of what He was historically and what He is today?

I suppose The Last Temptation of Christ" was the opening shot in all this. I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but "The Real Jesus" presentation stated that to the people who really knew Jesus (Jews in the Jerusalem church lead by James) He was just an ordinary person born under normal means in a place called Nazareth. What seems to be happening here is to make Him just an ordinary human, and I fear titles such as "The Real Jesus" are very misleading in cases such as this one. This emphasis on the human side of Jesus as opposed to past emphasis on His divinity seems to be a natural progression in some respects, but I sense there is a distortion of Biblical accounts.

Keep up the good work. I enjoy the comments of others and admit that many of those concerning the Jesus mini-series helped me to view it in a different and more positive light. Your citations of the many passages removed by CBS make me feel somewhat negatively toward the network but more favorably toward the producers.
Mike Craig Snohomish, WA

HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY RELIGION
Subject:
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000
From: "Bill Hutto"

Old Boy, How dare you call my religion intolerant. This is in reference to your reply to my letter. I still say that Jesus is above and beyond anything you can possibly conceive. When did you get so intelligent?

Anything that in any way depicts Jesus as being something other than what he is, I would term intolerant. This is in response to your response to my original message. Just what or who are you labeling intolerant? You don't respect my religion, why should I respect your views? Bill Hutto

Response: You sound like a Christian. So am I. Therefore, I would not insult "your" religion. I may have felt your position on some matter was intolerant. But, I am sorry, but I do not know where your letter is in Hollywood Jesus. I have no frame of reference to respond. If you tell where your letter is I will be able to respond. Thanks -David

RELIGIOUS CONNECTION TO BLADE RUNNER
Subject: Blade Runner
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000
From: Dan

I stumbled across your site while doing research for a book on Christians and art, and among the older comments I found a request for reviews on Blade Runner that explore its religious content. You can find one I wrote a few years ago at http://artisticwhispers.homestead.com/files/bladerun.html If you for some reason would like to reply, you can get me at lokmer@bigfoot.com -Dan

EMBODIMENT OF GOD AND SATAN
Subject: Who put the "GOD" in the zilla? Original_Godzilla
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000
From: Brendan

Now listen here, its that the element of the Monster zilla is also a representation of the dominator god that we Christians FEAR so. The wrath of hellfire etc. The concept of zilla is that the conceptions of the west in their God fearing ways provoke Satan, the total denial of corruption and evil is the embodiment of Satan, We give Satan all our power this way We did blow them to hell after all. Godzilla is the embodiment of God and Satan/ a byproduct of the efforts of domination. Power out of control in a effort to survive, everyone's fear trying to kill him when he's just cruzing the local strip looking for some grub.To read good and evil into the essence of the zilla is fit, just like each and everyone of us he lives, fear the dominator God or be responsible for our actions, we aint 400 feet tall and we have to answer to ourselves and ultimately GOD.

GOD DOES NOT LIKE CERTAIN FILMS
Subject: Dear David..
Devil's Advocate or American Beauty
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Matt

Hi David, I want to start out by saying I really admire your website. It's a blessing to be able to look into visual movie reviews before seeing them to actually get an understanding of the themes and symbolism hidden inside. A few movies here and there I didn't really agree with but some movie reviews were so right and so true.

I still don't honestly feel that God would want us to watch such movies as Devil's Advocate or American Beauty, because despite it's true meaning and message, it comes across very graphic and God would not want us to fill our minds with something that can be a stumbling block in our christian walk. God really wouldn't want us to watch movies with profane language, sexual content and graphic nudity. It doesn't build our relationship with God and it's important to sit down God next to us while watching the movie and think would God like that movie.

Don't get me wrong though, there are many R rated films that have been portrayed in a graphic way that I feel God would be pleased with. Films like Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, or Glory are some examples because in order to portray a movie on war you must show it's brutal nature. Anyways, I still agree with what you believe in and I'm pleased to see that God is using this site to benefit many others. Take care David and I hope the Lord continues to be a blessing in your life.
Sincerely, Matt

Response: For me, I found deep cultural significance in both American Beauty and Devil's Advocate. If you feel that these types of films are dangerous for your spiritual walk with God -then stay away, for sure. I think, however, your vision is somewhat narrow and focused more on the carnal aspects of a film rather that the spiritual. Thank you for your kind thoughts. -David

SECULAR MOVIES TO REVIVE A FLESHY CHURCH
Subject: Re: What Lies Beneath and Scary Movie.
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Gabriel A Justus

Hey David! Man, what you said about lack of spirituality in the Church is right on! Don't worry about me cancelling!! That kind of hard ball review is what a flesh filled and religion entangled church needs to hear! What ever happened to the relationship with a supernatural God? I think we've replaced it with an organized series of ethical and moral behaviors and caged our perception of God from omnipotent "I AM" to a mediocre "I wish I were". Nobody has it all together in their walk with God, but it doesn't take a doctor of theology to see these things. We say we believe that God can do anything, but I wonder if we really expect Him to back it up by revolutionizing our lives? I wouldn't put it past our God to use secular movie media to revive a fleshy Church. He certainly could if it was what He willed! Stay Strong! Gabriel Justus (16)

I WOULD NOT BE A CHRISTIAN IF IT WEREN'T FOR JESUS
Subject: Mission Impossible 2
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Amy

Just read your comments/responses for MI2 and What Lies Beneath. WOW! All I've got to say is PREACH IT BROTHER! The question has been raised, "Why are our churches emptying as our movie houses (cultural centers) are filling?" (see Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #14) Because our churches are losing touch with the reality of our world. We need to find out what our culture is doing and take the message to them instead of the typical church reaction - batton down the hatches and clutch our comfort zone close to our chest....and if anyone threatens what is comfortable then well, they're just plain wrong and we'll prove it by throwing scripture at it, while the organ plays all 975 verses of Just As I Am. I would suggest that after everyone looks up fidelity and monogamy, they spend some time reading the gospels and see just how Jesus did it. He didn't sit in a building and wait for society to figure out it needed him.... he took his show on the road. Leonard Sweet also writes of a young man who states "I wouldn't be a christian if it weren't for Jesus." A rather sad statement on his local church. Keep up the good work!
Amy St. Louis, MO (Please don't publish my e-mail address - thank you)

WANTS PHOTO
Subject: Love the Movie City of Angels
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Donna

Hi my name is Donna i'm from Georgia.The movie City Of Angels is my favorite movie, to me this is the Perfect Movie! I love Nicholas Cage he is wonderfull i would love to have a signed photo of him.

Thanks Donna

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