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Frank reflects over the role of religion in family in his latest blog post: “Why does my cousin go to a Catholic school? What does that cross mean?” These are questions worth asking. Like most smart middle class people who are trying to live in reali…

The Passion is a powerful movie but in the end I believe all the shock value of the movie is unnecessary.

The Rapture was a pretty interesting religiously-themed movie, albeit weird. Not sure I’d say it aspires to greatness, but it was different enough to hold my attention.

Blacklake on April 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM

Thank you! If anything, it showed how empty and sad narcisstic people are.

INC on April 12, 2009 at 8:19 PM

Thanks! I’ve been to the hiding place but I have never seen the movie. I will order it from NetFlix.

Hollywood has a hard time making religious theme movies because it’s a topic they know so little about. It’s like most of the military movies they make. They ALWAYS get it wrong because they simply don’t know the subject matter.

Hollywood is in business to make movies that hopefully will make them a buck, not to promote or demote religion. Hollywood has made a ton of good religion flicks in the past just as they have made a ton of good military based movies.

Did anyone else notice this?

maryo on April 13, 2009 at 10:36 AM

These companies are in business to broadcast movies that increase ratings, not decrease ratings.

How about “The Exorcist”? Dispirited priest takes on Satan himself? Yeah, it’s yucky at times.

Hollywood has a hard time making religious theme movies because it’s a topic they know so little about. It’s like most of the military movies they make. They ALWAYS get it wrong because they simply don’t know the subject matter.

I just finished reading all 13 books of the “Left Behind” series. It’s too bad a big budget CGI type movie hasn’t been done with that material as it’s very thought provoking. (I know they’ve done the two budget versions.) Hollywood probably doesn’t want to touch it ’cause it actually explains the Bible rather than distorts it.

Luther was also very good, but TBH I don’t see all that many people having watched it unless they’re, well, Lutheran. I would recommend it to anyone though.

The Rapture was a pretty interesting religiously-themed movie, albeit weird. Not sure I’d say it aspires to greatness, but it was different enough to hold my attention.

What ever happened to Quo Vadis? That was always on right after The Robe and Demetrius and the Gladiator.

What happened to the Easter movie line-up that was always on when I was a kid? And I’m talking late 80s/early 90s. I’m not that old. Times haven’t changed that much, have they?

patriette on April 13, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Quo Vadis definitely belongs on the list. Peter Ustinov as Nero was classic!

What happened to the Easter movie line-up that was always on when I was a kid? And I’m talking late 80s/early 90s. I’m not that old. Times haven’t changed that much, have they?

If Clint Eastwood were to make such a new Nativity production, it would be in minimalist form in contrast to the Gibson presentation of The Passion.

Complementary substance.

My take in casting:

Jesus played by Robert Downing, Jr. or Antonio Banderas.

Disciples include Johnny Depp as John the Beloved, Mel Gibson or Christian Slater as Peter.

Robert Duvalle and Clint Eastwood should fit somewhere in the mix. I’d love to see Michael Caine as the Pharisee with a conscience (Nicodemus) and Sean Connery as Pilot (those two fellas can really steal the show given the chance).

The Sanhedrin would be comprised of those who really do emulate evil; de Niro, Pacino, Nicholson (a long list available).

Matt Damon might make a Roman soldier, but couldn’t hold water against the major cast members. For me, Damon projects S&M whether he means to or not, most particularly when he is supposed to look the good guy.

Ben Affleck projects the character flaw I’d expect from Judas.

I’d omit Leonardo diCapprio and Brad Pitt from major spots as fame has lost them the essential substance behind the eyes, seeing only their vane reflection in every circumstance now. Too bad. They would make great rabble rousing mob leaders in the streets.

Cast Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks as thieves hung to die on crosses beside Jesus. As good guys, those two are lacking in the gist of the matter. Cruise suffers conflicts with his ability to absolutely connect in most of his movies. Hanks’ talent is so overrated, like Bill Murray’s; that’s their crime. Those SNL dudes have their connections, but cute doesn’t make their work GREAT.

Just for nostalgia, when I was growing up, during Easter week ABC ran a full lineup of religious movies on its 4.p.m. afternoon movie, including King of Kings. And who can forget Barrabas?

Different era.

BigD on April 13, 2009 at 8:38 AM

Oversaturating the audience with the televised 10 Commandments has the musical parallel on Classical radio broadcasting Handel’s Messiah every Christmas and every Easter, AS IF THERE WERE NO OTHER CHRISTIAN MASTER WORKS FOR CELEBRATION!

Network programmers, why show the 10 Commandments on Christmas morning, since the Passover isn’t in December?
1. Christmas nativity stories are verboten just as Jesus’ resurrection is verboten.
2. The only supernatural phenomena tolerated by today’s nitwits is evil in nature, mummies returning from the dead, The Alien from outer space, and what not.
3. Cheap shot retread single selection monotony in order to detract from any possible inspiration.

Yes King of Kings, watched it with my cousins (Family was all together) on Easter.

Looks like someone else remembers too.

Dr Evil on April 13, 2009 at 8:02 AM

Ha! I though of King of Kings (star Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus) yesterday after I was offline.

Just for nostalgia, when I was growing up, during Easter week ABC ran a full lineup of religious movies on its 4.p.m. afternoon movie, including King of Kings. And who can forget Barrabas?

Different era.

Looks like someone else remembers too.

http://www.czerniec.com/2009/04/05/easter-king-of-kings.html