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The Book of Eli - 1/14/2010 10:22:47 PM
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ManimalX
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I am going to see this tomorrow, and am excited. It sounds like a great story and I love Denzel Washington. It is always nice to see a successful "A-list" actor who is a Christian, and "Eli" sounds like it will be putting that faith on full display.
Paul Asay over at Focus on the Family's Plugged In Online wrote,
quote:
The Book of Eli is, perhaps, the most explicitly Christian film I've seen come out of the secular film industry since The Passion of the Christ. Indeed, it's something of a Sunday sermon wrapped in a Mad Max adventure.
http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/bookofeli.aspx
It is amusing: the complaints I read about the film from Christian sources complain about the violence but praise the message, while the reviews from secular sources praise the action and complain about the Christian theme.
Then, I guess there are those Christians like me who understand that violence isn't necessarily an evil thing, that it is something that has and will be used by God and isn't something to be scared of.
Slight spoiler
I think a post-apocalyptic story about the last existing Bible and the man who protects it on faith while being divinely protected himself, obeying God's command of him for 31 years even without knowing any of the details is an awesome story idea.
_____________________________
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalms 14:1
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/16/2010 11:51:18 AM
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GodandGuns
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saw it last night. started a lil slow at first but took off. amazing storyline. all those critics who scream seeing same old scenes well i call them out. only saw one real city and i think i saw same scene once before maybe,.but this well, a unique story. it is a story of a man on a mission from God to get something done.he will kill anyone who gets in his way. question it, i call you to watch it.
one semi rape scene. it doesnt show anything. in fact see more nudity on a beach than in this movie. a few curse words here and there but again, you hear same amount or way more just walking down a street. a HUGELY surprising twist to it. not saying what but lets just say, it will bring a grin or as was in our theater, a lot of cheers. i went to watch it with a professed atheist and he surprised me by saying God got gary oldman in the end.
go watch. will be surprised. so glad to see God in works in a great movie and not the "christian" movies.
overall. 3.75/5
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/22/2010 10:17:54 PM
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tsnody2001
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I just got done watching The Book of Eli. I have to admit I was a little bit skeptical going in, because of the utterly sinful movies Denzel Washington has made in the past. Because of his professed faith in Jesus Christ, those movies always disappointed me, because I knew he could do better. Well, this movie brought a HUGE smile to my face. I just had the privilege of hearing the testimony of a young boy (16-20) describe the experience he had when he asked the Lord to come into his life and save him from his sin. He had never been to church before and had happened to hear a particular person's messages about Jesus on YouTube. And so one night while he was laying in bed he decided that if Jesus was real he wanted to know Him. So he prayed to Jesus, asked Him to come into his life, save him from his sin... be the Lord of his life. And the smile on his face got SOO BIG as he began to describe the feelings he got... peace beyond any description of words, and such joy, oh such joy that he couldn't handle it. "My smile muscles were locked," he said.
While nothing compares to the joy that the Holy Spirit gives us, such as the young man tried to describe, what he said about his smile muscles being locked was sort of how I felt coming out from this movie. While this is a movie made out of Hollywood, it is not the typical Hollywood movie. This movie does a GREAT job showing what the world can or would be like without the Word of God to be our Standard. This movie paints a story of what is means to walk by faith and not by sight. To trust God and take Him at His word. This is a very powerful movie.
Of course there was a small thing here or there that I wanted to nit-pick because it didn't line of with the Bible, mainly within the first twenty minute to half an hour, but I resisted doing so. But overall, I give it four out of five stars, and definitely recommend others going to see it. I don't recommend taking your kids to see it, mainly because of the violence.
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/22/2010 11:53:09 PM
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GodandGuns
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TS am glad you enjoyed it.this probly best movie seen in a while.
and taking a lot of steps of faith in this movie. want to see what it is like to literally put your life in a faith you cant see but read, watch this movie
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/23/2010 12:40:19 AM
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tsnody2001
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I'm sorry, God_n_Guns,
But I'm having a hard time making heads or tales out of what you wrote. Your posts are usually pretty choppy. I hope I did not offend you by saying this. It is not my intent at all.
Jesus bless you!
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/23/2010 1:00:45 AM
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GodandGuns
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offend. sigh. i am glad you liked it.
now to other part. going to start writing 10 paragraph posts to say two sentences.
lets break it down for the ones who need some intepretation.
best movie seen in a while. avatar was graphics only. story was 2 bit trash at best
Denzel Washington took lots of steps of faith in that movie.
He literally put his life in a faith he could not see but readin the Bible. or did you fail to notice the story at the end about the Bible and other part.
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/24/2010 2:45:39 PM
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BelleWeather
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Kevin Costner had "Waterworld."
John Travolta hasn't lived down "Battlefield Earth."
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had his share.
Mel Gibson cut his teeth on them.
Will Smith is on a roll with them.
And Denzel Washington is on the march west in another soldier of misfortune movie with "The Book of Eli"--which could be a Chicago area Yellow Pages, in this hypocritically violent kitch-a-pa-loosa.
The Hughes prove they have no original ideas--slo-mo striding away from explosions, combat scene choreography stolen from Park Chan Wook's superior "Old Boy," comic book styling, "Fahrenheit 451" manoeuvrings, the landscape resembles the video game "Fallout" to a striking degree, awful casting choices (Mila Kunis), Denzel Washington's pretentious recitations, and the character Eli's empty insight and moral authority not in evidence--I could go on, but why bother?
_____________________________
Jessica Rabbit: You don't know how hard it is being a woman looking the way I do.
Eddie Valiant: You don't know how hard it is being a man looking at a woman looking the way you do.
Jessica Rabbit: I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/24/2010 5:28:10 PM
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MyLastTime
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It was an awe inspiring movie, to say the least. I've seen it twice already (I don't recommend, lol). But the first time was truly amazing.
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/25/2010 5:01:42 PM
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jazzact13
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One thing I guess I didn't catch in the movie was the reasons for the shaking hands being a bad sign. One place seemed to hint at it being a sign of those who had started eating human flesh, but I'm not aware of that having been a sign of cannibalism among, well, cannibals. Did anyone else catch the reason for it?
_____________________________
The ACORN doesn't fall far from the "O"ak
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/25/2010 5:36:53 PM
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tsnody2001
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Maybe it was a reference to the Masonic handshake, or that of the Illuminati. I don't know. I don't remember that part of the movie.
But one thing I do remember, that I didn't understand, is how when he went to get water at the bar and when he was at the trading post, how the people checked his fingers. Is that what you are referring to?
I've thought about going to see it again, so that I can pay closer attention to some of the things I didn't quite understand.
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/26/2010 4:00:38 AM
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ManimalX
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Oh my!
This is easily one of the best movies of the 2nd millennium. What an absolutely fantastic treat. It electrified my faith and set off explosions in my imagination.
God bless Denzel for this movie. It was a testament to the medium of film and its ability to tell a good story.
I'll try to provide a more detailed review soon, but until then, go see this gem of a movie.
_____________________________
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalms 14:1
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/26/2010 4:23:53 PM
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GodandGuns
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the shakes is why they asked. if noticed being exposed to something...didnt catch it mentioned... made you shake slightly
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/26/2010 8:34:06 PM
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tsnody2001
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I have been sitting here remembering some parts of the movie. And I think that there is a down side to the movie as well as an upside. I think I already gave my upside above. Without giving away any of the details of the movie, I think one can possibly think that this movie is criticizing Christianity, and Faith in general. One might even get the impression that the Book that Eli is protecting (The Bible) is in some way to blame for the chaos and widespread destruction seen throughout the movie. For example, the main villain is in pursuit of the Book because he thinks that if he has the Book he will have the power to control the masses. There are some others, but I don't want to give away too much of the movie.
This review doesn't have anything nice to say about it, and gives the movie a C- and 2 out of 5 stars. I do have to say that I widely disagree with this review, but there are one or two things in it that I do agree with.
Here is another review that I agree with much more.
< Message edited by tsnody2001 -- 1/26/2010 8:40:52 PM >
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/27/2010 11:24:23 AM
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ManimalX
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Tsnody: I understand what you are saying, but I think the film is a criticism of the dangers of "religiousity" and legalism while still upholding the truth and goodness of Christianity. Carnegie wanted the Bible in order to manipulate people and to secure his position of power. I think we can all admit that many people can and have done this in the name of God and Christianity!
_____________________________
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalms 14:1
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/27/2010 11:46:17 AM
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GodandGuns
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belle, i have to ask. who would be better suited for the role? mila kunis is leaving the 70's show mess beh9ind and coming into her own. she rocked in max payne and also in this one.
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/27/2010 1:00:51 PM
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tsnody2001
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I agree Manimal.
I wasn't necessarily saying that the movie is criticizing Christianity (if I did, that's not exactly what I meant). I just felt that there were some things in the movie that could possibly give "outsiders" a bad perception of Christianity, and religion in general. But I think the overall message of the movie speaks against that.
Regarding Kunis... I thought she was kind of a drag on the overall flow of the movie.
One thing I didn't like about this movie is that there seemed to be a general lack of plot development and character development. But it was definitely worth watching. I really like when he (Denzel's character) says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 1:33:03 AM
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ManimalX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tsnody2001
I agree Manimal.
I wasn't necessarily saying that the movie is criticizing Christianity (if I did, that's not exactly what I meant). I just felt that there were some things in the movie that could possibly give "outsiders" a bad perception of Christianity, and religion in general. But I think the overall message of the movie speaks against that.
I get ya. But, I think that if "outsiders" are going to see this movie as an indictment against Christianity, they are already convinced of it in the first place.
But the movie speaks against Christianity being the "bad guy", for sure. It delivers equal love, justice, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, joy, peace, etc...
quote:
Regarding Kunis... I thought she was kind of a drag on the overall flow of the movie.
I didn't mind her so much. I think the tension of having the daughter of the main squeeze of the villain being placed in the position she was added some good drama.
quote:
One thing I didn't like about this movie is that there seemed to be a general lack of plot development and character development. But it was definitely worth watching. I really like when he (Denzel's character) says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Well, we don't get a lot of screen time with anyone except Denzel, and I saw a lot of development. He went from a singular focus on his 31-year-old mission, ignoring a murder and rape because it "is no concern" of his, to understanding that carrying out what Scripture taught was just as if not more important than simply carrying Scripture.
Spoiler
One of my favorite lines among many (besides the one you quoted which I loved) comes at the end, when the monk asks Eli about the Bible he carried, not realizing that Eli carried it in his head and heart, and didn't have the actual physical book anymore:
"May I ask what condition it is in?"
"It's beat up... but it will do the job"
_____________________________
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalms 14:1
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 1:33:43 PM
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tsnody2001
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quote:
"May I ask what condition it is in?"
"It's beat up... but it will do the job"
Yeah, that was pretty cool. I wasn't quite positive his Bible would end up being what it was (I don't want to give it away), but I had an idea it would when he said that coupled with the fact that the copy that the enemy got ended up being what it was.
One question: Was Denzel's character at one point blind? Did God heal him. I don't want to ask any more because I don't want to give away the movie.
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 3:00:48 PM
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GodandGuns
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will whisper the answer TS
_____________________________
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.
The Medic, the unsung hero on every battlefield. It is impossible to imagine the mental/emotional trauma inside a Medic, and there is no triage for that.
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 4:58:59 PM
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Tarox
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
I get ya. But, I think that if "outsiders" are going to see this movie as an indictment against Christianity, they are already convinced of it in the first place.
So why can't the same be said for movies like Avatar or Legion? Maybe movies don't have the power to sway people's religious beliefs that we give them credit for.
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 5:13:54 PM
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jazzact13
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I think the girl did add a good bit to the story. When she's sent to Eli the first time, obviously for sexual reasons, and he rejects her advances, it impresses her. And then his prayer over their meal does even more, such that she does it with her mother. She sees that his way is better than that of her mother's lover or master, and so she decides to follow it and him.
_____________________________
The ACORN doesn't fall far from the "O"ak
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RE: 5 out of 5 stars, 100% - 1/28/2010 7:33:03 PM
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ManimalX
Posts: 2308
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quote:
ORIGINAL: tsnody2001
quote:
"May I ask what condition it is in?"
"It's beat up... but it will do the job"
Yeah, that was pretty cool. I wasn't quite positive his Bible would end up being what it was (I don't want to give it away), but I had an idea it would when he said that coupled with the fact that the copy that the enemy got ended up being what it was.
One question: Was Denzel's character at one point blind? Did God heal him. I don't want to ask any more because I don't want to give away the movie.
SPOILER
He was blind the whole movie. He hints that he lost his vision along with many others in "the flash" 31 years ago. God has been guiding him and protecting him ever since. That's why his statement of "I walk by faith, not by sight" ends up being so awesome!
If you go see the movie again, watch closely. You will see him occasionally run into a corner of a wall, or a dresser, or accidentally kick a can in front of him, or a rock. He is acutely aware of sound. He reacts to feeling the sun on his skin and face, and at one point looks directly up into the sun without squinting. There are lots of clues that he is blind, but they are very subtle. I may not even have noticed some of them except I had read a review that didn't warn me of spoilers and it mentioned that he was blind. So, I was looking for clues throughout the film and found them.
This was a great movie!
_____________________________
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" - Psalms 14:1
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
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RE: The Book of Eli - 1/28/2010 10:35:55 PM
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relady
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quote:
One thing I guess I didn't catch in the movie was the reasons for the shaking hands being a bad sign. One place seemed to hint at it being a sign of those who had started eating human flesh, but I'm not aware of that having been a sign of cannibalism among, well, cannibals. Did anyone else catch the reason for it? It is a sign of cannibalism. Haven't checked out the veracity of that on my own but have been told that someone who consistently is a cannibal would develop that as a "symptom". Like I said, don't know if that's true or not.
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