A thriller faith

A South Carolina newspaper has an interesting take on the upcoming film THR3E, about which I am very excited.

The movie is an adaptation of Ted Dekker's novel by the same name. Ralph Winter, producer of the X-Men series, Fantastic Four and several Star Trek movies, is one of the co-producers.

"None of us are proselytizing or trying to convert people with movies or be overt," Winter said. "We're trying to tell good stories about redemption, about heroes, about values that are important to us as human beings but also important as children of the Kingdom."

While some have called it a rip-off of the Saw series or Se7en, those uninformed web critics apparently have no idea what they are talking about. THR3E was written before the first Saw was released (I have not seen any of the movies, so I couldn't comment on any similarities) and the book has nothing in common with Se7en except a play on the spelling using the number.

I haven't seen the film yet (I will be going Saturday) and it may not come across on the screen like it did in the novel, but it is only the uneducated critic who can make those claims. If the thrills and twists come of half as well as it did in the book, it still be better than most second-rate Hollywood "thrillers" that have more to do with gore and shock than being an actual thriller.

If you would like to see the film, you can go to the theater finder to see where it is playing near you.

Comments

[seeker]

Man, I haven't had time to finish the book, which was engaging. I may wait for video.

[Aaron]

As much as I hate to tell anyone to not watch the movie, you have to finish the book before you watch the movie. They may have changed some of the plot elements, but the biggests twists have to be in the movie. It would be like finding out the twist before watching Sixth Sense - it gives it a whole different experience.

[seeker]

If they do the movie right, I don't have to read the book ;)

[Cineaste]

One of the funniest Christian films I have ever seen. Spiders On Drugs 1:49 seconds long.

In the 1960s, Dr. Peter Witt gave drugs to spiders and observed their effects on web building. From
First Church Of Christ, Filmmaker.

[Aaron]

Cineaste, that was one of the funniest yet most distrubing things I have ever seen and I have no idea how that can be connected to a church.

[Cineaste]

Hey Aaron, you might like this joke too...

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

[Aaron]

Yeah, I had heard that before, but it is still funny.

[Daddypundit]

I just finished the book. Anyone who wants to see the movie really should read the book first. Don't worry, it's a quick read. Once you start it you won't be able to put it down. I hope they'll remain faithful to the plot of the book.

[seeker]

I don't get it, why is reading the book first essential? If the movie does a good job, I don't need to read the book - and I've got nearly 50 books to read on my shelf, and more on my amazon list.

[seeker]

Looks like the critics are seriously panning this movie - I've never seen a lower score (7%) at rotten tomatoes. Even Doom got a better score (19%).

My wife and I will be going to see Rocky Balboa tonight (79%). And I'd recommend skipping Apocalypto (65%), I thought it was boring, and had little to say.

[Cineaste]

The two movies I have on my list are Pan's Labyrinth (99%) and Children of Men (93%)

[Louis]

Yes, I intend to see Pan's Labyrinth tomorrow. Children of Men looks kind of gloomy right now.

[seeker]

I saw Children of Men tonight, I was underwhelmed, for a few reasons:
- if you've seen the previews, you've seen the movie
- the worldwide dystopia just seemed a little too comlete and unbelievable
- the immigrant mobs were too well armed (debatable)
- it had few/no interesting twists
- there was no real science or attempts at explaining the infertility - acceptable to some, but it made the story almost completely polemic and not really intellectually interesting

But that's me. I think Rocky would have been more my style. Obvious, predictable, but relational and inspiring, more emotionally rewarding and not consistently dark and dreary like COM.

[Cineaste]

Obvious, predictable, but relational and inspiring.

That's it in a nutshell. I saw it. Chants: Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!

[Louis]

I can say with pride that I have never seen even one Rockhead film.

[Cineaste]

How was Pan's Labyrinth Louis?

[seeker]

Louis, then you are being a rock head and missing out on some really good films. It is easy to ridicule things that are popular or pop culture, or that star someone we think is not that bright, or whatever reason you might, for example, dislike Stallone.

The Rocky movies (except Rocky V, which really sucked) explored some interesting human themes, including being hindered by low self esteem, overconfidence, male friendship, getting your fight back after a crushing loss, wanting your loved one's to share your triumphs, the dangers of riches to one's passion, how having a family can affect how you approach your vocation, and vice-versa, and in the recent film, how men feel about themselves as they age.

Sure, you have to suspend belief a little, but they don't ask too much for this type of film. Plus, you get the satisfaction of success after sacrifice and hard work motivated by faith.

[Louis]

First, I really hate boxing films. Sorry. And nothing about these films in particular attracted me. I have nothing against Stallone - I really liked him in "First Blood." They just looked really dumb.

As to not liking "popular" or "pop" films - untrue. For example, I adored "Titanic." In fact, I get a lot of flack from of my more snooty friends about my film choices: the "Spiderman" & "X-Men" series, the "Lord of the Rings" etc.

I guess we all have our irrational dislikes. "Rocky" is one for me; another is any and all "reality" shows. I also despise the popular genre of "rap" music (although this is entirely rational). It's a matter of taste.

[Lawanda]

Children of Men was definitely gloomy. I was a bit ticked, because after the girl had her baby, they showed everyone eating and laughing, but they not once showed the girl breastfeeding her baby. No problem showing off her breasts when she revealed that she was pregnant, but don't even give a thought on showing her feeding the poor baby? Come on. Would that not be a natural response to "How am I gonna keep this baby alive?"

At any rate, I wasnt that impressed with it either. Too much doom and gloom, way too much cussing, not a very real situation either.

I want to see Eragon now. It looks way more promising. :) Louis - Spiderman, Xmen, and LOTR are some of my faves. Titanic, not so much...but I did love it the first time I saw it.

[Louis]

!SPOILER ALERT! (don't read if you haven't seen the film)

My buddy talked me into seeing "Children of Men" rather than Pan. I have to say I was a bit surprised as it wasn't really a totally negative film at all. Sure, there's the dystopian future replete with chaos, authoritarianism, violence, and despair, but there's also tiny whisperings of hope and joy (which people here seem to have missed). Yes, they didn't explain the infertility epidemic, but that's just a given to the story. What was important was what could happen in the event of such a catastrophe (or a similar situation).

The arc of the story was, I argue, hopeful and positive. Clive Owen's character goes from a despondent and impassive man to one committed and active in the pursuit of saving this girl and her baby. Though the ending was tragic, it definitely left one with a new sense of hope, a the sense that his death was a sacrifice for good. The ship that picks her up was named "Tomorrow," which was a good indication of the final verdict here.

And I'm surprised the xians here didn't pick up on the strong xian vibes at work. The forces of gov't and terror pursuing the pregnant Kee; her birth scene in the run-down room and on a dirty mattress; the flight from danger; the vision of Kee and her baby as Madonna and Child - it is unavoidable, especially in the scene where Theo leads her out of the building and all the fighting stopped and the people, soldiers and immigrants both, were transfixed with awe and wonder. I found that scene one of the most moving and transcendent I have ever seen in film: I was mesmerized. Here, a child brings new hope to the world. How xian can you get? (a good spirituality without dogma or judgment or hate - hope and goodness and innocence and transcendence in the midst of horror and squalor and violence and despair and death)

Lawanda's criticisms are trivial. She missed the point entirely. A shame. And, no, the previews don't reveal everything. They miss the essential humanistic affirmation and spiritual vision presented in the film. I found the movie a virtuistic piece, worthy of any and all award consideration. It's rare that a film forces us to look unblinkingly at the worst of humanity while still giving us hope. In that sense, it was a deeply spiritual (even xian) film.

[seeker]

Sorry, I made an invalid assumption about why you disliked Rocky - I work with a guy who only likes indie and alternative things - he has that immature "anything that's popular sucks" thing going. He only enjoys movies that are dark or twisted - you know, like Pi, Cube, Donnie Darko. Some of those movies are ok, but to not watch others because they are more mainstream is silly.

I understand if you hate boxing films. I hate sports films in general, since I think spectator sports is kind of brainless, and inspirational sports movies are so cookie cutter. Even if they are 'based on a true story', so what? I mean, you've seen one Hoosiers, you've seen them all (Coach Carter, Marshall, Remember the Titans, whatever). For that reason, I haven't even seen Carter, or Miracle. But I think I was also poisoned by Brian's Song, one of the most depressing films ever.

However, I also admit that action movies can be cookie cutter too - I guess every genre has it's formulaic movies.

However, among sports stories, I do like Rocky, I think it stands out at unique and enjoyable on many levels. Tin Cup was pretty decent, and I also enjoyed A League of Their Own.

[Lawanda]

Lawanda's criticisms are trivial. She missed the point entirely. A shame. And, no, the previews don't reveal everything. They miss the essential humanistic affirmation and spiritual vision presented in the film. I found the movie a virtuistic piece...

Actually I got the point, I just do not think the director delivered the point very well in this film.

I guess our views of the essential humanistic affirmations presented were different. To me, a very nice affirmation of human love/existance/character would have been showing the girl nourishing the new life as she was perfectly capable of doing.

I will say that I loved the end of the film, and was crying when everyone stopped fighting in awe of the baby.

My favorite character in the film was Jasper.

[Cineaste]

I loved the end of the film, and was crying when everyone stopped fighting in awe of the baby.

Ummm.. Crap! I was going to see it.

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[Lawanda]

Well, Louis did a spoiler alert! I guess I should have done another one. Sorry, I always forget to consider that :)

[Louis]

Cineaste,
Lawanda's slip doesn't mar the end of the film as that scene was not the end.