tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post23662089902917114..comments2024-03-01T21:01:15.174-06:00Comments on Biblical Christianity: "Knowing" — movie reviewDJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-638312057144686912012-11-30T12:34:06.359-06:002012-11-30T12:34:06.359-06:00Good review and I respect your comments but this m...Good review and I respect your comments but this movie was just not good. The CG was obvious (but I'm going by 2012 standards not 2009 and I'm a graphics nerd). I wanted it to be good, I really did. And it started out with an interesting premise but went downhill not even halfway in. Yes, I knew there would be aliens in this film, and I figured that out during the opening credits--the space shot of the earth was just a bit of a tip off, hello? I agree about Cage's character being one-dimensional and that didn't lead me to care about him or believe that he'd had any kind of real "awakening" in the end. Hard not to notice that he's selfish when he tells his son, "I'm not saying there isn't Heaven or anything like that. [Just because I've given up on everything beyond this life or even having purpose while I am here doesn't mean you have to]. You go ahead and believe in [Heaven] if you want to, Caleb." Gee, Dad, kinda hard for a kid that young to make that kind of choice or even have a baseline to form anything from when you aren't setting any example. <br /><br />Somber is the perfect word for the tone throughout--it never picks up at any point with any of the characters, period. <br /><br />Oh, and the ending was just completely disappointing and reminded me too much of the end of Indy Jones IV Kingdome of Crystal Skulls...just horrid. <br /><br />From a Christian perspective, there is nothing here to invest in. It's just more Hollywood fluff layered under CG explosions, very dark sets (those were okay), a story that lost it's way quickly, weak acting and an alien twist.Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05422297886141045673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-29267495048187685902010-03-23T20:44:06.487-05:002010-03-23T20:44:06.487-05:00It's just not surprising to read an ignorant c...It's just not surprising to read an ignorant comment and see the words <b>Profile Not Available</b>.<br /><br />I thought it was an excellent review btw.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-13252918147055971332010-03-23T19:15:17.283-05:002010-03-23T19:15:17.283-05:00An 830-word review, plus an interview with the scr...An 830-word review, <i>plus</i> an interview with the screenwriter... and you don't think I gave the movie enough thought? Wow.<br /><br />You should see the other article that says I was too easy on the movie.<br /><br />And giving it three out of four stars is saying it's a bad movie?<br /><br />I think you didn't read the review very carefully.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-28029358238293177202010-03-23T18:42:05.896-05:002010-03-23T18:42:05.896-05:00I wish DJP had really taken the time to reflect on...I wish DJP had really taken the time to reflect on the movie and it's meaning before saying that the movie was bad based on the personality of one of it's characters. The guy was depressed because his wife had passed. But regardless, I'm disappointed that such a small distraction completely took away your ability to ponder the movie's meaning. And it does have a great meaning when you take the time to think about it.Michael Leopoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02690648650389383985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-39821608527374500122009-09-05T01:18:33.108-05:002009-09-05T01:18:33.108-05:00Just saw this movie tonight with my hubby and it w...Just saw this movie tonight with my hubby and it was intense! They really made him a tragic character, sort of acquainted with sorrow? The whispers are really bothersome. <br />Now I gotta go back and re-read the book of Ezekiel - I usually stay away from that scary stuff. I was a bit put off by the whisper men since they seemed other wordly but the end tied it up well. The effects are amazing. They are definitely doing a sequel with that ending. And I do think that was the tree of life implied.Relationship Educationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982137813467334256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-27573345045401480002009-04-16T14:18:00.001-05:002009-04-16T14:18:00.001-05:00Mm; good point.
oooooEEEEEEEoooooooooo....Mm; good point.<br /><br />oooooEEEEEEEoooooooooo....DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-92217174077325525572009-04-16T14:18:00.000-05:002009-04-16T14:18:00.000-05:00"I thought for sure they would be Vorlons" - Trogd..."I thought for sure they would be Vorlons" - Trogdor<br /><br />Are you suggesting they WEREN'T???Cinemagoguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02059759800862543208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-5947984603320188692009-04-09T08:17:00.000-05:002009-04-09T08:17:00.000-05:00The one thing I appreciated, despite some bad acti...The one thing I appreciated, despite some bad acting, bad science & craft flaws, was that the movie did not flinch at the end. So many "apocalyptic" films from Hollywood either want to get rid of any Christian interpretations, or flat out go for some goody-two-shoes-ending that betrays everything done in the first 2/3rds of a film. Listening to Beethoven's Allegro as Cage drives past the chaos of a dying world was absolutely brilliant. Finally, only after there is nowhere else to turn, Cage's character, the "nowhere" man himself, finally let's go of his hate, his shame, his loss and embraces his family one last time. And then, a new beginning... how refreshing!Azimuth5https://www.blogger.com/profile/00414956142653272319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-78932395392970402702009-04-04T19:27:00.000-05:002009-04-04T19:27:00.000-05:00Hey I just watched the film and loved it. I looke...Hey I just watched the film and loved it. I looked at a few other reviews and was not surprised that a few called it a mockery to bible prophecy. It amazes me that fellow Christians can say in one instance that nothing is to hard for God and in the next rule out that he could build a ship to carry angels around. I'm not saying that this movie is an accurate visual (no man knows the time nor season) but it does open one up to understanding God is capable of all things. God became Man. He sent Angels. He picked up Prophets in Chariots. So... If he comes on a ship with Jesus riding shotgun so be it. Thats a ship i am trying to be on.<BR/><BR/>Good movie. Not the bible as mentioned in previous comments but a mind opener for sure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-53711079494894162572009-04-03T08:20:00.000-05:002009-04-03T08:20:00.000-05:00DJP said in response to Joyce L:"At what it set ou...DJP said in response to Joyce L:<BR/>"At what it set out to do, however, I think it was pretty effective. And, as I developed in the companion article, a Christian could use it as a taking-off point to communicate the truth of God's Word and Gospel." <BR/><BR/>Could not have said it better myself. Last night I saw the movie for a <B>second time</B>. I loved it. It is exactly the kind of movie that should make people think. Believe it or not, I had the opportunity to witness to TWO people, right after the movie (one in the movie theater!) who were new to the church experience and had accepting CHRIST on their minds. One was a young man ( he was there on his own) who said he knew he had to change because he was getting into trouble too much, the other a friend of my daugher's who came with us to see the show. One has accepted CHRIST (daughter's friend), the other (the young man, I did not know him) is even closer to accepting CHRIST as LORD now. <BR/><BR/>Certainly this movie is not the Bible. However, it is a great taking off point about CHRIST. Introducing JESUS to someone after seeing the movie seems to catch them by surprise. They see the connection immediately after one explains the angels (kinda guessed that because of the handing out of the rocks, which seemed very symbolic of JESUS the ROCK of our salvation), the rapture escape from earth for those who "heard the call" and believed/responded affirmatively, and how it all ties into the sacrifice that JESUS made for all, showing us the real LOVE OF GOD. The use of Ezekiel 1 was fantastic - "wheel of fire" and "wheel in a wheel" was presented very well. Who knew the Bible could be used to make a scifi movie better? Over all, I loved the whole story. No sex,no nudity, only a tiny bit of swearing (no F-bombs at all). The disasters were shockingly real and intense but necessary. Great show!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04427177248263501794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-29206576759133550852009-03-30T12:43:00.000-05:002009-03-30T12:43:00.000-05:00Jeff — in the Bible, most times instead of saying ...<B>Jeff</B> — in the Bible, most times instead of saying "Hi," angels say "Fear not." So I take it that that was the usual effect of seeing an angel.<BR/><BR/><B>Joyce L</B> — thanks for sharing your opinion. I don't have the impression that you read either my review nor interview with the screenwriter; and so you criticize the movie as being bad at doing what it isn't trying to do. So yes, it is a very bad Bible lesson. It is also a very bad car repair manual, cookbook, travel guide to the Eastern Sierra, and fly fishing manual.<BR/><BR/>At what it set out to do, however, I think it was pretty effective. And, as I developed in the companion article, a Christian could use it as a taking-off point to communicate the truth of God's Word and Gospel.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-40607791662689267842009-03-30T12:35:00.000-05:002009-03-30T12:35:00.000-05:00One should never mix God's word with the human int...One should never mix God's word with the human interpretation, especially sci-fi. It's call adulterating the Word of God<BR/><BR/>This movie provokes me. I don't like it.<BR/><BR/>http://joycescapade.blogspot.com/2009/03/knowing-movie.htmlJoyce Rachel Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03437543149131181327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-87366261409187744252009-03-27T22:12:00.000-05:002009-03-27T22:12:00.000-05:00Saw the movie last weekend. Loved the special eff...Saw the movie last weekend. Loved the special effects. Was puzzled by the space ship. Why did the aliens/angels look so scary? Just for effect?Roscoe Washingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796027152639870863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-43125152679600848742009-03-27T11:28:00.000-05:002009-03-27T11:28:00.000-05:00Thanks for the review.I like Cage also. A lot of p...Thanks for the review.<BR/><BR/>I like Cage also. A lot of people seem to think he can't act, but I like him. The Family Man is where he shined I thought.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-85660909192430900502009-03-24T14:01:00.000-05:002009-03-24T14:01:00.000-05:00Yes, that dark line 'way over there on the horizon...Yes, that dark line 'way over there on the horizon... that's the track we used to be on, until the second comment.<BR/><BR/>So anyway, Michael, fwiw, <A HREF="http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2009/03/the_watchmen_li.html" REL="nofollow">this</A> is the article that made me say "Oh, crud."DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-37945973374774856372009-03-24T13:58:00.000-05:002009-03-24T13:58:00.000-05:00@JTW - I'm thankful you at least said so in a cari...@JTW - I'm thankful you at least said so in a caring manner. Me and my wife have taken it upon ourselves to really change our movie watching habit. But that extends to just movie that are happy moreso.<BR/><BR/>My take on this was that this movie is not any worse than other movies produced by Hollywood. In that if you have a problem with this specific movie you should have a problem with a lot of other movies. Ergo we shouldn't single this movie out for any particular reason -- and out of the movies that come out of Hollywood this was I believe tried to at least be intellictually interesting.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. I am not suggesting any one go see this <I>persay</I> but merely that I found it to be a good movie. <BR/><BR/>We've wrecked the comment train a long while back...Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467912706087706375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-31731762109747313672009-03-24T12:19:00.000-05:002009-03-24T12:19:00.000-05:00Michael, with all due respect, perhaps you should ...Michael, with all due respect, perhaps you should prayerfully reconsider what you are setting before your eyes (Psalms 101:3).<BR/> <BR/>I say this as a former movie addict. When I look back at the films that I have sat through (and even recommended) without even a tinge of conscience, I shudder. I had become far too comfortable with the culture.<BR/> <BR/>When recommending a movie I might say something like, “If you just overlook the swearing, the brief nudity, and the gratuitous violence it was a pretty good movie that’ll make you think” or “Well that scene was necessary to the story and for character development …blah, blah, blah.”<BR/> <BR/>Such nonsense. The entertainment industry is pumping raw sewage into our minds and culture. More than ever we need to be discerning about what we will spend our time and money watching.<BR/><BR/>Sorry Dan, I hope I didn’t derail the thread. I will now climb down from my soapbox.Joe W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03591135884255357946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-981640166757522422009-03-24T09:55:00.000-05:002009-03-24T09:55:00.000-05:00I'm confused what is so objectionable in this movi...I'm confused what is so objectionable in this movie? I would say it's probably the full male nudity. Which in the context of the movie 1) makes sense or has a purpose 2) isn't any worse than Michaelangelo's David CGI'd and walking around... <BR/><BR/>Violence (while graphic in places) is not worse (probably less) that plenty of movies.<BR/><BR/>Sexual content, while I don't like it, I've seen plenty of movies with stuff that shouldn't pass for R -- Eyes Wide Shut comes to mind... not my choice btw in seeing. <BR/><BR/>All in all I'm not sure of why this movie would have <B>MORE</B> objections to it because at least it had the honesty to be rated R where Dark Knight <I>SHOULD</I> been because of the nature of the movie and how young kids shouldn't go see it just because it's Batman.<BR/><BR/>I'm not really an apologist for the movie by any standard -- if it was never made the world would still be the place it is. I just don't think it's remotely close to as bad as a majority of movies Hollywood tosses out.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467912706087706375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-39146672368102279512009-03-24T09:42:00.000-05:002009-03-24T09:42:00.000-05:00From what I read, it's not for anyone under 85.From what I read, it's not for anyone under 85.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-65718273404624427992009-03-24T09:41:00.000-05:002009-03-24T09:41:00.000-05:00I thought Watchmen was fantastic. Though I will ne...I thought Watchmen was fantastic. Though I will never watch it again. I also though it was better than the Dark Knight as far as a closure and character development goes. The ending scene with Rorsach is particularlly moving (IMO).<BR/><BR/>Minus some really unnecessary graphic violence I thought it was a well done and thoughtful movie.<BR/><BR/>It is not a movie for anyone under 20! Because of it's content and the fact that teen adolescent males may be bored to tears with dialogue.<BR/><BR/>Though yes, the movie contents everything we should probably avoid in movies -- but it does give interesting moral dilema and answers them consitently in the framework of the movie. <B>IF</B> you go see it be prepared for what it is. <BR/><BR/>My wife liked it too (FYI).<BR/><BR/>Sorry to hijack comment treads :DMichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467912706087706375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-74411726688747832352009-03-24T02:38:00.000-05:002009-03-24T02:38:00.000-05:00Haven't seen it, although I want to. Don't know i...Haven't seen it, although I want to. Don't know if it will make it to Honduras, but here's to hoping it will! As to his character, it seems very similar to his character in Next. I did, however, like the movie very much, so sounds like it has definite possibilities!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01244043108924274434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-91357630533431891132009-03-24T01:42:00.000-05:002009-03-24T01:42:00.000-05:00Our local movie rental chain here exhaustively lis...Our local movie rental chain here exhaustively lists the number of occurrences of profane words, suggestive scenes, depictions of use of intoxicating substances, etc. Perhaps they get that info from one of the abovementioned websites.<BR/><BR/>Blu-ray? That umpteenth example of a technology vendor attempting to force us to upgrade on new hardware?Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-41784804024006829312009-03-24T00:16:00.000-05:002009-03-24T00:16:00.000-05:00Focus on the Family also has very detailed reviews...Focus on the Family also has very detailed reviews at <A HREF="http://www.pluggedinonline.com/" REL="nofollow">Plugged In.</A><BR/><BR/>I didn't see Watchmen. I was traumatized by just reading Debbie Shlussel's review. I might need therapy.Joe W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03591135884255357946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-29441231236457889342009-03-23T19:41:00.000-05:002009-03-23T19:41:00.000-05:00Yep. Screenit.Yep. <A HREF="http://www.screenit.com/" REL="nofollow">Screenit</A>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-19689301108405300952009-03-23T19:35:00.000-05:002009-03-23T19:35:00.000-05:00I strongly recommend using a site that rates conte...I strongly recommend using a site that rates content before going to see a movie, and even before renting it (so you have an idea when you may need to fast forward). Here's <A HREF="http://www.kids-in-mind.com/" REL="nofollow">one I've used</A> before that gets pretty detailed; you can just look at the numerical ratings if you want to be spoiler-free. It's not perfect, but it works. For example, I considered maybe seeing Watchmen, then I checked out <A HREF="http://www.kids-in-mind.com/w/watchmen.htm" REL="nofollow">their rating</A>, and decided I'd pass. Sounds like I have no reason to regret that choice. Any other recommended content advisory sites?trogdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452996348717802065noreply@blogger.com