[Closed] Recent Viewing Part II

What's so bad about Jesus Christ? I celebrate most of the pivotal events of his life by eating chocolate. If only he'd got married there'd have been another large chocolate-based festival to enjoy. Actually, it's very annoying he didn't get married. Yes, Bregt - I agree - what a dreadful man.

Indeed.

I'm rapidly going off watching it.

What's wrong with the scene? Ok, it's cheesy but aren't there allowed to exist people with such amounts of faith? I sure know some examples in real life, although i don't feel the same and i don't think the scene was necessary, still they're many people who in their toughest times turn to God or Christ in great intensities. Plus, in the condition he was in and for the amount of time, it'd not be too odd to assume he started having illusions.

So, even though the film focused primarily on two people - not necessarily "people from all kinds of faiths" - you believe these two individuals should have been shown to be anything but Christian? Why? And, remember, this is a true story. What if the two real-life individuals are Christians? Should they be portrayed as otherwise, just because it is an already-well-known fact that all kinds of people were affected?

Demetris, Wiliam, nobody's saying that people with 'such amounts of faith' aren't allowed to be represented in a film like this. What I dislike about it is the unsubtle blatancy of it! It's clearly biased towards Christianity and neglects to represent other faiths and even those who aren't religious (which is a surprisingly larger number than films like this would lead you to believe).

You could argue that it simply reflects the faith of the characters, and that it was merely an emotional device for us to connect with what many of those firefighters must have gone through and were feeling at the time, in which sense I agree that some sort of representation of Christianity was needed. But to literally show the image of Jesus was far too blatant and horribly unsubtle! Can you imagine the uproar from the majority of American audiences if they had chosen to represent a different religion? Say, an image of Krishna? How would that change your opinion of this film, William? Thing is, it conveniently agrees with your faith.

That's what I don't like about it; it's partly a propaganda piece.
A decently made film, sure, but... biased.

Oliver Stone

Neither does anyone here, William. It was the way it was shown we have a problem with.

Steven, I see what you're saying, and I'll admit: yeah, the image of Christ holding out a water bottle was a bit cheesy. But then again, Steven, right after having had the vision, Will spoke of it as if it was hilarious, a stupid joke, rather than an awe-inspiring, reverent encounter. So in my opinion, it doesn't really try to make Christ out to be all Christians think He is.

I'd not mind if they were of other beliefs. They are numerous examples of other films portraying strong sacred moments of people from other beliefs and i don't mind. What bothers you is the impression you got that this is a Good white Christian Jesus loving Americans vs the infidels, i think, but I am sure this is not what someone like Oliver Stone would have wanted to pass along.

Could only be cheeseir if Jesus said:

"Hey, how about a nice refreshing bottle of Zephyrhills water? Bottled from the underground Florida springs," cut to him having the label face the camera.




(or, alternatively, "Jesus chirst this is great water!!!")

I am not sure if you're in full irony mode here and i don't understand if your point is general and has nothing to do with me or the contrary, but knowing you, i am inclined to think you actually are.

Well, you would if you were me and i had you on the opposite side I Just needed to realize you weren't on the opposite side actually Your point is true. Those oooh maii gaawwd Jebus Christttt save us from the Us-heeiting terrrrrstsssssss are indeed a very problematic part of population, and these are just a small percentage of the international radical / fundamental / extreme (Whatever one might call them) Christians. Having faith is one thing but being over-the-top religious is very dangerous.

Tonight's viewing went from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

It was never going to capture the brilliance of the book, and it didn't, but I can't imagine there are many people who wouldn't be moved by it. The finale is very powerful and underscored by one of James Horner's very strongest moments as a film composer.

Soldier

I have enjoyed Joel McNeely's score for many years without having a clue what the film's about. Now I've seen it, I still don't really know what it's about. All seems strangely pointless.