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Post by morningstar on Feb 24, 2014 2:28:16 GMT
Hollywood may be making biblical films this year, but if they are going to be anything like "Noah" which I understand is a little on the dark side according to some Christian reviews, then I might be a little leery as to what they will come up with next. I am looking forward to the "Son of God" though, the reviews have been good so far. We shall see.
The Post & Courier
Hollywood gets religion: Christian audiences happy to see 2014 become year of the faith-based movie/
Goodbye, vampire and zombie flicks. Hollywood will spend 2014 mining a more ancient set of supernatural dramas: those found in the Bible.
Sure, decades ago viewers flocked to epics such as "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments," and semi-recently they turned out for "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004 and the "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in 2005.
But let's be honest. Hollywood and America's Christian masses haven't exactly been on the same moral journey of late.
Which is why the list of overtly faith-based films coming out makes some wonder: Has Hollywood found its religion?
Click here for full article:
Faith-based movies opening soon
In February and March, three faith-based movies will be opening in theaters.
"Son of God," Feb. 27:
20th Century Fox is first out of the gate this year with "Son of God," garnered from the History Channel's hit 2013 miniseries "The Bible." (A sequel titled "A.D." is set to air next year on NBC.) The miniseries averaged 11.4 million viewers and became America's most watched cable show of 2013. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus.
"God's Not Dead," March 21:
College freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton, played by Shane Harper, finds his faith challenged on day one of philosophy class by atheist Professor Radisson, played by Kevin Sorbo. Radisson begins class by informing students that they must disavow God or face a failing grade. The cast features Willie and Korie Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" fame.
"Noah," March 28:
Audiences will get their first look at the much-publicized, $150 million epic retelling of the world's most famous ship builder. Russell Crowe stars as Noah, joining an all-star cast that includes Emma Watson as Noah's adopted daughter, Jennifer Connelly as his wife, and Sir Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah.
With at least a half-dozen major Christian movies set for release this year, Hollywood is embracing the views - or at least the wallets - of Christian audiences.
Fair use for Discussion & Educational Purposes.
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Post by LS on Feb 24, 2014 4:01:05 GMT
I'd say it's more like a foxhole conversion. The movie industry has seen some major flops costing the studios hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years. Last June, Steven Spielberg addressed this issue suggesting the industry would likely undergo some major changes in the future. Steven Spielberg Predicts 'Implosion' of Film Industry My guess is they were looking for movies that would appeal to the widest demographics and faith-based movies fit the bill. |
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 24, 2014 12:09:10 GMT
Really good point, Jim. There is nothing particularly altruistic about movie studios.
Guess what the movie industry needs lots of. Yep. It's Watchers! Movies are flops without lots of watchers. Doesn't that put us watchers in the driver's seat, so to speak? A guaranteed implosion after the Rapture because we just left the house?! On the other hand, didn't Hitler and the US produce patriotic flicks? Okay, the movie industry has maybe another five or six years left. Flicks from FP [false prophet] Communications Corp promoting the AC should abound for a short time...
I wonder what Steven Spielberg would predict about the post-tribulation movie industry.
Forgetting what Spielberg may think just for a moment. What do you suspect about the development of a latent Millennial movie industry? Consider the "Swords into Plowshares" prediction in Isaiah as a background for thought. I'd bet actual spiritual movies about "Truth, Justice, and the Messianic Way" (year 2150 versions of inspirational Son of God or Noah movies for example) may actually serve a function as lessons during or after Sabbath services. I remember back in the 80s showing my youth group the movie A Thief in the Night. Different then? You bet!! God more relevant to the general population in the Millenium? You bet!! I wonder if as rulers with Christ in the Millennium we'll also have any input, direction, or even suggestions about content or presentation. We might get to be stars, or at least describe or maybe consult with Millennial movie makers about how things used to be.
Or maybe life will be so good that there's no point in making "films" about anything but family, for example showing great great great grandpa last summer sitting out back under dad's and mom's vine and fig tree... On the other hand, what would be so special about that? He comes by every month, for Peter's sake.
Fun to think about, no?
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Post by shelayne on Feb 24, 2014 13:50:18 GMT
Speaking of "God's Not Dead"-
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Post by LS on Feb 24, 2014 19:42:17 GMT
StillGuessing, first I'd like to say that I enjoy reading your posts, as they get me thinking of things I'd never considered before; such as, movies in the Millenium  You made the statement, "There is nothing particularly altruistic about movie studios.", which brought to mind an article I read a few months back by my favorite blogger, who happens to be a Hollywood screenwriter. It's a fun, enlightening, easy read that brings an insider's perspective of Hollywood to this thread. Confessions of a Shomer Shabbos Hollywood Screenwriter |
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Post by shiloh on Feb 25, 2014 1:20:51 GMT
I'm probably the most skeptical person when it comes to Hollywood and the motives that drive the film industry. I still think when it all comes down to it, it all boils down to the profits. "How much money can we make?" kind of motivation.
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Becka
Numbers' Donkey
Spurgeon Addict
Posts: 169 
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Post by Becka on Feb 25, 2014 1:38:27 GMT
I'm going to see Son of God this weekend with my (one) Christian friend. The trailer actually looked decent as far as Scripture goes, perhaps a bit "modernized" with Jesus "lounging" in the boat with Simon Peter, but I like the natural feel of it - as if Jesus didn't "lounge" in the first century.  Isn't that what they did for dinner?  Anyway, I'll let you guys know how it is. I liked Passion of the Christ, but the Catholic undertones bothered me. I'm excited for another Jesus movie ala "The Gospel According to Matthew". In fact, Bruce Marchiano is working on a film based on the Gospel of John - I gave what I could to help fund it - he's been scouting locations and has found some great ones IN Israel - exciting!! ~~Becka |
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 25, 2014 4:56:13 GMT
I'd be thrilled, Becka, if we all simultaneously went to see The Son of God this weekend! We'd promise not to crowd out or overpower you and your friend in the possible rush for front row seats. :-) If not all of us show up, we'll look forward to reading your reviews...
Shiloh, I suppose film producers that produce false profits for studios similarly suffer a kind of rock throwing...
ybiC,
SG aka MWS aka Dan
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Post by shiloh on Feb 25, 2014 6:39:12 GMT
Yeah. I know what you're saying and I do believe God will use this film to call others to Himself as He did with the Passion of the Christ. I'm not trying to throw rocks, I'm just wondering what the motive is, that's all. Not to mention the couple that made the film said if they hadn't been involved in popular films,etc that Hollywood would never have even touched them with a 10 foot pole.
Becka, lol...your "one Christian friend"...talk about the Lonliness of the Christian, right? I am personally looking forward to seeing this film and as I recall, I read somewhere that that's how they ate. They laid on their side. It's also medically good for your digestive system. Don't laugh. I saw that on a special I watched too.
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jasperdale
Numbers' Donkey
not even slightly dead
Posts: 136 
Favourite Verse: John 4:14
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Post by jasperdale on Feb 25, 2014 12:31:56 GMT
shiloh, i suppose eating Thai food in bed while watching movies is actually healthy! i will have to remind my wife that when we are lounging in bed with our Curry Chicken, we are eating like Jesus and the disciples. |
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 25, 2014 14:34:37 GMT
Shiloh, "false profits" was a poor attempt at a pun. I'm so sorry. I can't usually resist the urge to blurt out a pun when it occurs to me. In ancient Israel they were instructed to stone false prophets.
I'd hate to have to eat reclined on the floor, even though it would be easier not to drop food onto my shirt as I eat. Can you imagine what the guests at your next dinner party would do / say? Their shocked reaction would probably be worth taking a picture of. I can't get up from a reclining position nearly as easily as I did years ago. Beds are easy, jasperdale, but on the floor lying down three times a day to eat? Plus between meal snacks... Maybe they invented tables centuries ago for the benefit of seniors.
I noticed while in Israel in 1994 that wood is not a plentiful commodity as a building material. At Megiddo we even saw mangers (that animals eat from) made of good sized carved out stone. Having stone tables would discourage changing your decor by rearranging furniture... Wooden tables can't last for centuries, and ones preserving the wood by being overlaid with gold would be tempting for dinner guests to scrape some off and sell the scrapings later.
Off topic alert!!!! Off topic! Forgive me again.
Back on -> reclining movie theater seats might or might not be a good idea...
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Post by LS on Feb 25, 2014 17:03:10 GMT
From the article linked above (screenwriter's conversation with a studio exec): The same Hollywood in which that conversation took place, is now bringing you faith-based movies. |
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Post by elizabeth on Feb 25, 2014 17:22:06 GMT
Wow Jim, that's very telling. And their agenda was probably worked out well in advance. You make a real interesting point, that these are the same people bringing you these faith movies.
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Shelayne who couldn't sign in
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Post by Shelayne who couldn't sign in on Feb 27, 2014 4:47:00 GMT
I don't know, guys. The fact that Roma Downey and Mark Burnett are the producers of this draw some serious red flags for me due to their New Age beliefs. In watching the Bible miniseries, I could see flashes of it, and most definitely a diminishing of God's righteousness and our separation from Him due to our sin. If they don't include WHY Jesus came to die for us and WHY we need His forgiveness or we won't see Heaven, then they are not presenting the Gospel. Any movie about Christ that doesn't project this is questionable to me. I know that Christians are very excited about this movie thinking that it will be the Gospel shared to millions, but... what gospel will be promoted? I suspect it will be the "social gospel" that many churches are now pushing, which has nothing to do with repentance and surrendering to Christ, otherwise we are dead in our sins, but is all about spreading the wealth around and making everyone "equal". And with that is the "understanding" that everyone is a child of God (not according to Jesus!) and that anyone that is basically "good", is good to go. I don't like to see my Jesus portrayed as some 60s hippie who is all about peace and love and whoalookattheprettyrainbow and does not show who He really is or WHY He came to die. Dancing around it is not good enough for me.
I was thinking I wanted to see it, but now, I just don't know... :/
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Post by shiloh on Feb 27, 2014 5:13:18 GMT
LOL, SG and Shelayne. That cracked me up "Shelayne who couldn't sign in". And SG, since our kids are on their own now, we find ourselves eating in the living room and I often find myself eating just standing over the sink while watching the cardinals outside, man. lolol..I eat while I'm walking around half the time. And thanks a lot for making me hungry for Curry chicken! You're gonna pay for that, ya know..lol.
Now, I'm not sure what to think. This couple has been on many shows and interviews lately but I didn't know they had New Age beliefs. They struck me as Christians but how much can you get out of a 5 minute interview, ya know? I don't know very much about them and I'll see the movie to see if it sticks to Scripture.
Now, maybe I'll go make some delicious filet of hyena...that's an old joke within my family circle and too long to explain.
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 27, 2014 23:26:16 GMT
Okay, how about this slant... The powers that be are well aware that there is a messiah coming. It's hard to hide, particularly from Jews, some Christians, and many Islamics. It's part of the fabric in their studies. Don't get me wrong, here, but if certain seeds are planted and cerrtain expectations about a messiah, particularly to those who may have never heard of one, it may help millions of folks with their suspension of disbelief.
"Yeah, I heard something about a messiah. This may be / looks like / the terrible times in the world that I always heard about. Maybe it's that guy over there! You know, that peaceful really bright guy so many have been talking about! He does miracles they say.
Sort of like all kinds of space alien and Star Wars and Star Trek flicks and so forth are suspending our disbelief, and they have been for decades.
Lots of humanity want to believe and hope, particularly as things get tougher. Counterfeits to untrained eyes are hard to distinguish.
We lovers of Jesus see a movie entitled Son of God and we are already madly in love with Him. We might even overlook having missed critical elements like emphasizing His divinity because we already have staked our eternity on it. Others see a movie entitled Son of God and tuck the memories away in their stack of data points for later consideration, and then when the time is right, VOILA! THERE HE IS! WALKING AROUND IN ISRAEL! SOLVING GLOBAL PROBLEMS NOW! IT'S GOTTA' BE!
Just sayin'.
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Post by LS on Feb 28, 2014 0:22:17 GMT
Great post, SG, I never considered that. Things seems to be speeding up (for the worse) everywhere; culturally, spiritually, in the political realm, in entertainment, etc. I think you're on to something.
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Post by morningstar on Feb 28, 2014 0:47:01 GMT
SG, I'm with you all the way on that. There was criticism about Mel Gibson and his Beliefs on the Passion of Christ, it did have catholic undertones, but if we know our scripture and have our discernment I don't think were in danger of being misled. It's up to each individual to make up their own minds if they want to see the movie or not I think. I for one Love Christian movies about Jesus, I loved the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" the producer was Catholic I understand, also, the Ten Commandments (no Shiloh don't you dare put up that picture of Charleston Heston)...there are some I won't see because they are way off the beam. But even if one individual comes to know Christ because of it the Lord has turned it for good.
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Post by shelayne on Feb 28, 2014 2:34:59 GMT
We lovers of Jesus see a movie entitled Son of God and we are already madly in love with Him. We might even overlook having missed critical elements like emphasizing His divinity because we already have staked our eternity on it. Others see a movie entitled Son of God and tuck the memories away in their stack of data points for later consideration, and then when the time is right, VOILA! THERE HE IS! WALKING AROUND IN ISRAEL! SOLVING GLOBAL PROBLEMS NOW! IT'S GOTTA' BE! Just sayin'. That's what I'm sayin', too. It is not Christians that I worry about... Yet, I also know that our Lord knows who is His and will pull him or her to Himself in His perfect timing. None will somehow escape His grasp. ~~Shelayne who figured out what she was doing wrong with the logging-in feature.  |
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Post by morningstar on Feb 28, 2014 3:09:12 GMT
Shelayne...LOL!!!....I liked your comment on your Guest Avatar...had me really chuckling.
And I like what you said here because one way or another He will draw them to Himself, and it will be their choice if they follow or not.
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 28, 2014 6:10:15 GMT
Oh, Lord God, please open the hearts and minds of millions who may see the movie, and even if its production was in part motivated by wrong or even evil reasons, we know, our Lord, that your Spirit can reach through the most artistically spun falsehoods and counterfeits and draw many of these viewers to Yourself, saving all those who are moved to ask for your Grace. We are grateful to you, Lord God, for our possession of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Please draw other untolled millions into your Kingdom through your inexhaustible supply of Grace. And for those of us who love you and actually see the movie, please bless us with a deeper joy in Him.
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Post by LS on Feb 28, 2014 18:28:00 GMT
The author of the article linked below has some good insights on the new "Son Of God" movie and on it's creators, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey I liked your prayer, SG, and I hope God will use the "correct" parts of this movie to speak to the hearts of unbelieving viewers. Unfortunately, after reading the article, I think I'll take a pass on viewing it myself. The “Son of God” Movie Is NOT What We Think–Do You Know The Voice of Your Master |
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Feb 28, 2014 18:38:28 GMT
Becka is planning to see it, I think. We can wait for her take on it before making further plans, Jim.
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Post by LS on Mar 1, 2014 6:18:13 GMT
Sounds like a good idea, SG |
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Post by shiloh on Mar 1, 2014 15:54:59 GMT
Well, I copied and was going to quote your last paragraph, Dan. But Shelayne beat me to it. I have to agree with that. I'm still looking forward to seeing this. I'm not a movie goer much anymore. I'd rather watch it on our big screen at home but I hope I don't get picky but I'm in complete agreement with what you said. I'm just one of those people that sometimes goes, "Well, THAT'S not scriptural!" but often it depends on the movie. I often just toss those parts out.
I agree that it can touch many and I believe God's plan will be accomplished. "Through God all things are possible...". I think I'll have more of the reaction that you described in your last paragraph that Shelayne quoted you on.
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Post by LS on Mar 1, 2014 16:21:37 GMT
I guess it comes down to whether or not a believer wants to support Burnett and Downey's perspective of Christianity. At least that's the way I'm looking at it now.
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Mar 2, 2014 7:44:28 GMT
Shiloh, is that sweet little kitty watching a DVD player or something, maybe looking so intensely at a Tom & Jerry episode?
Wouldn't it be nice once again to see a flick and not have to guard our minds against evil subliminal attacks, or even blatantly evil messages? That kitty is lucky.
Jim, I suppose it may be good, whether or not anyone supports such producers or directors, to practice discernment and find the movie's counterfeited falsehoods first hand. There are a lot of reasons to engage in dialogue with seekers, which some of the Son of God movie goers might well be. We ourselves might hate it, nevertheless a discussion at a higher more redeeming level than a Bible student would find satisfying, it might not be the best strategy to pan the movie. Movies are usually more disappointing than the book was anyway.
Maybe as in martial arts, with the Spirit's help in a discussion, we might use the seeker's own momentum for the good if we are familiar with the film they just watched in order to augment any truth. A grumpy, aloof, or obviously cloistered discussion would likely help win no souls. Among we finders, we can be more candid about our dislikes, with far less at risk from sharing the dislikes. On the other hand, maybe after seeing it we might not have opportunity to discuss it with anyone who is not reading this forum...
I made a personal policy decision last year not to bother watching the Bible series, primarily because it was from the History Channel that in my opinion existed to cast doubt on what the Bible claims, and secondarily I didn't think I could spare that much time. I still strongly suspect the History Channel's destructive highbrow doubt-casting tendency, but since one of my daughters enjoyed watching the series and had questions, I myself watched almost all the episodes. Although I didn't like the necessary lack of detail and a faithful coherence to the Bible was missing, I'll admit having learned one or two things.
I am in love with Jesus, so I wept and thrilled with a few scenes. And now I can say to we finders, with conviction, that although I wasn't totally thrilled, I was partially and quite valuably thrilled with parts of it.
I have an idea. Let's each pray about what God would have us do in this instance.
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Post by shiloh on Mar 2, 2014 14:59:48 GMT
SG, I didn't watch the Bible series either. My daughter made a comment to me before it came out and she said, "Trust me. If it's on the History channel you can be assured it will be inaccurate." Well, I can't say because I never watched it. Who knows if this will lead anyone to Christ and get them interested in reading the Word? Who knows if anyone asks Jesus into their heart while they watch that film? We just don't know and I agree - pray about it.
SG, lol..that little kitty is on her computer. You can't tell from the avatar but the bigger picture of it shows that it's a computer.
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Post by MyWhiteStone on Mar 2, 2014 18:50:22 GMT
Thanks for clarifying about the kitty. It also occurred to me that it may be a really tiny kitty admiring herself in a woman's mirrored compact.
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Isn't that what they did for dinner? 
Anyway, I'll let you guys know how it is. I liked Passion of the Christ, but the Catholic undertones bothered me. I'm excited for another Jesus movie ala "The Gospel According to Matthew". 
