The Love & Hate with Bible Movies

After the initial screening, the film Noah created various feedbacks and reactions. Both good and the not so-good. Russell Crowe, an Academy-winning actor, admittedly at first that it won't be a 'Sunday-school story version.'

'Noah' is centred on the Biblical story of the The Great Flood with the most iconic Ark of Salvation, which in itself was found challenged and questioned by various thinkers and opinion-makers. I'd rather not give spoilers, but basically it was banned in some countries, both Islamic and Christian nations, for it was found to be 'offensive', 'blasphemous', and 'inaccurate.'

Personally, I found the plot and the story very surprising, since I was biased into thinking of what I knew. Then again, it was stated right in the introduction, it will be quite far off from the Bible story. The actors' depiction of the film's characters, not the Bible's, were spot on. Russell's Noah went from a hero to a psychopath.


Lots of CGIs were involved, although not on the same level, but think of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The film deliberately took the road no one else traveled. It was on an entirely different universe. Ergo the debates and the hate, and the negative feedbacks. Off-beat and unorthodox. I am a Catholic, but I was not offended. I didn't forget I was watching a film.

photo from here.

If the director's purpose was to challenge people to react and think, he succeeded already. It made me question and re-affirm my faith. But on this day and age, it won't suit everybody's taste and liking. For the film alone, I'd give it a generous 3/5. Mainly for the bold and unique challenging ideas, which can be both the strength and weakness of the film.

p.s. Does anybody remember Bruce Almighty, or Evan Almighty in particular? I'll get back to that question later.

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The last biblical film that I watched was Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ. It was intense, it was brilliantly done. It showed Jesus Christ's torture, suffering and death in a less child-friendly manner. As if you could almost taste and feel the blood splatters and the whips of chains and spikes. I felt I was wearing His crown of thorns. I think I had a slight headache after watching from all the thoughts and emotions it gave me. 

Photo from here.

But surprise, surprise. It did not get away from any controversy. No film that would involve a major religious name would escape from any 'inaccurate issue.' It was labeled with 'anti-Semitism.' 

It would be difficult to just 'wash your hands' away from this matter.

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Where will I start with one of my favorite dark-comedies of all time: Dogma? 
Dogma's definition is: 'a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.' 

Then the director probably decided, 'Okay, let's stir people up and do this!'

(This is not the official trailer, but kudos to the maker of this clip.)

So what do we have here in this 1999 film?

- The infamous 'Buddy Christ'
- 2 angels banished out of Heaven, seeking revenge and re-enter heaven.
- 1 angel preferring the 'New Testament' version of God rather than the 'angry' 'Old Testament' version.
- Jesus had brothers and sisters
- Jesus was black.
- There was a 13th apostle (and more)
- God was portrayed not by a man, not by Morgan Freeman, but by Alanis Morissette. (Yes, the 'Ironic' singer)

What I liked about it? Aside from a great cast of actors, it was the wit and plot of the story. It would be difficult to explain unless one has seen it, and actually finished it without throwing fits and tantrums.

I like how they attacked and tackled the characters and the whole faith in general. Who was it that proposed that Jesus is NOT black? Is it not right to think God in the image and likeness of a woman too? 

Okay, you do not have to answer that and stop your tantrums now.  

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When I was a kid, I love watching cartoons on tv. Aside from the animes, sentai shows, superhero programs, I will not forget this one show: Flying House.

It sounds pretty simple: 3 kids and a robot stumble upon a scientist's house. After discovering it was none of an ordinary house, it was not just flying, but it is a teleportation device to go back in Biblical times. The protagonists would be meeting the major Bible characters, like the apostles and even Jesus Himself. The house and the robot did fine during those episodes. They did not disrupt the space and time continuum as the modern era remained intact despite the disturbance. (Or is it?)

I understood that as a kid that it did not affect the storytelling, nor the story itself. I chose whether it would be cool that there were robots during those times, or it was just a vessel of effective storytelling for a target audience.

Don't be surprised to see a 'Jesus & my Robot' film in the future.

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Does anybody remember Bruce Almighty and especially Evan Almighty? Yes, it was clear and direct to the point, it was just inspired by the Bible, and applied into modern times. Did Bruce mock God after acquiring his 'powers'? Like flipping up a lady's skirt on the street? Or parting of the red soup in a bowl? Was anyone offended by Morgan Freeman portraying God?

Well, Morgan Freeman is a god, yes we all know that. But it was okay. Was it because he was black, so it softens the criticism so as not to be labeled racist?

I am not looking for a debate. But, I am sharing you this definition of faith: 

'strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.'

So, anybody wants to hear my 'Jesus & my Robot' story?