Nicholas Cage stars as John, a scientist who discovers an old piece of paper with the dates of catastrophes written on it. This includes disasters that have yet to happen. In the end of the film (please note I am about to ruin the movie), John figures out that the world is coming to an end. Angel-like aliens arrive to carry away his son and a little girl so they can start human life anew on some distant planet. This essentially makes the young couple a recasting of Adam and Eve.

I have seen numerous reviews, such as this one from MovieGuide, that point out the many Christian references and elements in the film. The problem with have such overt and numerous such references is that the more you have the more it demands the film close the loop and discuss Christ directly. It is obviously fine to have elements and passing references as touchstones in a production without working in specific references to Jesus. There is a line that is eventually crossed when the film is just using Christian symbolism instead of applying them.

This New Age Rapture tale can easily be mistaken as an allegory for Christian concepts. It is not. It is a pile of malarkey dressed up in spiritual clothes—the film intentionally carries Christian elements: John is the wayward son of a pastor and has lost his faith. The Bible is shown numerous times in the film and the discussion of prophecy and end-times inherently has Biblical tones. In addition, the aliens are presented as creepy angelic figures who act to bring about a greater cosmic design. Missing from the proceedings are Christ and the redemption found in Him.

In the end, Christians are just as unsaved as everyone else. John’s pastor-father has an easier time reconciling himself to his fate but is otherwise just as disposable. No one is saved except the children the aliens deem worthy.





Related Reviews:
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The Family Man (2000)
8mm (1999)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Biblical Christianity Movie Review
J&C's Movie Review




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Labels: apocalypse, film, movie review, Nicholas Cage

Short Review: The reeking.


Hilary Swank portrays Katherine, an ex-Christian missionary, who spends her time debunking claims of miracles with scientific explanations. Katherine is called to a small southern town that is being inundated with what appears to be replicas of the 10 plagues from Exodus. Sure, there’s lice instead of gnats and the plagues occur in the wrong order but the point is made. Katherine, who has left her faith, is forced to confront her disbelief as each plague ticks off one by one.

Yawn.

The thing about the plot is that it relies on the the stupidity (or arrogance) of its main character. Katherine is shown to be an intellectually aggressive woman with a sharp mind. She travels around the world and is capable of exposing miracles as bunk with ease. All this and she’s still incapable of the intellectual jump that although if she can explain the scientific reasons for the ten plagues that these reasons don't deny the existence of God. Just because you can explain how something happened doesn't mean you've excluded the hand of the Almighty. If she were a missionary, given to the faith she claims to have had, this logical connection would have already been made.

Unfortunately, it is not remarkable to report that a mainstream film places theological concerns on the back burner in order to promote a sophomoric plot. It also isn't shocking that this film doesn't have a deep regard for its Christian characters or the its Biblical source material. Most Christians in the film are shown to be cruel southern booger eaters who spit out condemnations every time they speak. They even go so far as to have the Christian leader be a sweaty, pig-faced Boss Hogg type (complete with all white suit). They’re all thoughtless, impulsive, gun-toting morons who will believe anything – they also don’t pray, mention Jesus or show any reverence towards God at all. Since I’m on the subject of the townsfolk, I’ll also mention they’re all white. You know, just like the real south. It’s nothing but a bunch of angry white Christians sweating on their shotguns waiting to string someone up.

What’s interesting is that this film begins with a depiction of the city of Concepcion in Chile. The city is shown to be a horrid third-world toilet which is being poisoned by an evil corporation. This depiction has nothing to do with the real Concepcion which is modern, clean and apparently free of toxic waste. Did the filmmakers bother to investigate any of the peoples or locations they decided to show in this film?

At least they spread their ineptness equally.

This film also abuses Biblical text for cheap thrills. The plagues don't have a Biblical foundation, and Exodus isn't even quoted. This nonsensical flick offers no connection between the original plagues and the mess this film prattles on about. I’m not against the use of the plagues, but if you’re going to pull from the Bible you better have some context that makes sense IN LIGHT OF YOUR SOURCE MATERIAL. Some of us take this is the word of God after all.

Even forgiving the rather offensive disregard the filmmakers have for the Bible, this film is still an unmitigated disaster. The clunky script doesn’t provide any suspense or mystery. The dialog is functional but doesn’t have any depth or interest. The plagues themselves aren’t visually arresting and aren’t handled to their maximum effect. We’re looking at Biblical plagues and its boring – they actually make them boring.

It’s my recommendation that you skip this film. It doesn’t have the intellectual weight that it should and since it also doesn’t offer any guttural thrills, it can only waste your time.


Related Reviews:
Another Hilary Swank movie
The Gift (2000)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Cinema de Merde
Reel.com

Labels: AnnaSophia Robb, anti-Christian, apocalypse, Christians, film, Friday Rewind, Hilary Swank, movie review, Stephen Rea

Michael Tolkin (The Player) takes New Age sensibilities and mixes it with Christian apocalyptic concepts and comes up with a confused, illogical tale about a former sexual deviant who converts and then has her faith challenged by the end of the world. Tolkin's version of Christianity is a mash of random spiritual gunk that will flummox most people who have actually read the Bible. While the film offers some concepts a Christian would embrace, these good points drown in a sea of theological nonsense.

As a film this is oddly paced and trips over itself. By the time the final act comes along the film has stumbled so many times it has lost any momentum. In addition, Mimi Rogers is an uncharismatic lead and gives a wooden performance. Her silted line readings flattens her scenes and makes this movie seem a lot longer than it actually is.

Don't let the title fool you, this is not a Christian film. For all of you who could care less if it is a Christian film I also advise that you should avoid this because it just a poorly made film.


Related Reviews:
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Stigmata (1999)
The Reaping (2007)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Film Freak Central
eFilmCritic

Labels: apocalypse, David Duchovny, film, Mimi Rogers, movie review, Will Patton

A great piece of science fiction and probably the best example of a Christ figure put to film. Robert Wise's (The Sound of Music) movie about an alien who arrives at Earth to deliver the ultimatum from the rest of the universe "stop the international bickering or we will destroy you all" has aged well. Sure, there are some elements that feel a tad dated but as a whole the story still works and will most likely satisfy most audiences, provided they can work their way past the moral equivalence the film makes between Communist Russia and the United States.


Related Reviews:
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Gattaca (1997)
Sunshine (2007)

Other Critic's Reviews:
Reel Movie Critic
Reel.com

Labels: apocalypse, classic, film, movie review, science fiction

Short Review: The reeking.


Hilary Swank portrays Katherine, an ex-Christian missionary, who spends her time debunking claims of miracles with scientific explanations. Katherine is called to a small southern town that is being inundated with what appears to be replicas of the 10 plagues from Exodus. Sure, there’s lice instead of gnats and the plagues occur in the wrong order but the point is made. Katherine, who has left her faith, is forced to confront her disbelief as each plague ticks off one by one.

Yawn.

The thing about the plot is that it relies on the the stupidity (or arrogance) of its main character. Katherine is shown to be an intellectually aggressive woman with a sharp mind. She travels around the world and is capable of exposing miracles as bunk with ease. All this and she’s still incapable of the intellectual jump that although if she can explain the scientific reasons for the ten plagues that these reasons don't deny the existence of God. Just because you can explain how something happened doesn't mean you've excluded the hand of the Almighty. If she were a missionary, given to the faith she claims to have had, this logical connection would have already been made.

Unfortunately, it is not remarkable to report that a mainstream film places theological concerns on the back burner in order to promote a sophomoric plot. It also isn't shocking that this film doesn't have a deep regard for its Christian characters or the its Biblical source material. Most Christians in the film are shown to be cruel southern booger eaters who spit out condemnations every time they speak. They even go so far as to have the Christian leader be a sweaty, pig-faced Boss Hogg type (complete with all white suit). They’re all thoughtless, impulsive, gun-toting morons who will believe anything – they also don’t pray, mention Jesus or show any reverence towards God at all. Since I’m on the subject of the townsfolk, I’ll also mention they’re all white. You know, just like the real south. It’s nothing but a bunch of angry white Christians sweating on their shotguns waiting to string someone up.

What’s interesting is that this film begins with a depiction of the city of Concepcion in Chile. The city is shown to be a horrid third-world toilet which is being poisoned by an evil corporation. This depiction has nothing to do with the real Concepcion which is modern, clean and apparently free of toxic waste. Did the filmmakers bother to investigate any of the peoples or locations they decided to show in this film?

At least they spread their ineptness equally.

This film also abuses Biblical text for cheap thrills. The plagues don't have a Biblical foundation, and Exodus isn't even quoted. This nonsensical flick offers no connection between the original plagues and the mess this film prattles on about. I’m not against the use of the plagues, but if you’re going to pull from the Bible you better have some context that makes sense IN LIGHT OF YOUR SOURCE MATERIAL. Some of us take this is the word of God after all.

Even forgiving the rather offensive disregard the filmmakers have for the Bible, this film is still an unmitigated disaster. The clunky script doesn’t provide any suspense or mystery. The dialog is functional but doesn’t have any depth or interest. The plagues themselves aren’t visually arresting and aren’t handled to their maximum effect. We’re looking at Biblical plagues and its boring – they actually make them boring.

It’s my recommendation that you skip this film. It doesn’t have the intellectual weight that it should and since it also doesn’t offer any guttural thrills, it can only waste your time.


Related Reviews:
Another Hilary Swank movie
The Gift (2000)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Cinema de Merde
Reel.com

Labels: AnnaSophia Robb, anti-Christian, apocalypse, Christians, film, Hilary Swank, movie review, Stephen Rea

Based on Richard Matheson's novel, this movie tells the story of Robert Neville, a scientist who creates a superbug that nearly wipes out mankind. The survivors of the virus have been turned into violent, psychotic creatures that cannot stand the daylight. Neville (Charlton Heston) struggles to survive the onslaught of attacks from the zombies. If this all sounds familiar, this movie comes from the same source material as the Will Smith movie I Am Legend.

This piece is laughable in many areas, not necessarily for faulty film making but because it hasn't dated well. Heston's belligerent style does work well when he's shooting zombies. When things slow down, his bigger than life persona is mismatched and the scenes get clunky.

The "zombies" Neville is threatened by are merely people dressed in black robes and sunglasses. Instead of inciting fear, they are invite snickers, the dated look and their insipid dialog is distracting and pushes the film from being a classic to being kitsch. The zombies believe they have been cursed with their disease as punishment for mankind's reliance on technology. This leads them to see Neville as the final living symbol of the sinful modern civilization. Over and over they bemoan our need to use technology and speak with religious fervor of the coming time where "things of the wheel" will go away. It never dawns on them that they're all wearing sunglasses, a part of sinful modern technology.

Putting this up against Smith's version, I'd recommend watching I Am Legend instead of sitting through this dated movie. It may have been quite something in its day, but now its just...well, silly.


Related Reviews:
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28 Weeks Later (2007)
Dawn of the Dead (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Roger Ebert
Sci-fi Movie Page

Labels: apocalypse, Charlton Heston, science fiction, zombie