52 Weeks, 52 Religious Films

I was excited, but a little nervous going into George Stevens’ The Greatest Story Ever Told. I was excited because it was directed by Stevens, who directed A Place in the Sun, a film I absolutely adore. But I was nervous because this is a 3:20 behemoth of a film, structured like the roadshow American epics of the 50’s and 60’s, with an overture and an intermission. And like those epics, it’s an absolute stunning feat in cinematography and costume/set design. It really leans into the fact it’s something to be seen in theaters, the performances from Max von Sydow, Charlton Heston and Jose Ferrer show that.

I hate to say this about a film about the life of Jesus, but there’s really not a lot of be engaged with. This is a boring film about a powerful story. The first film of this series I saw was Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St. Matthew**. And like that film, this is faithful to the gospels, but more painfully than powerful like Pasolini’s film.

But one thing I will say I like about this film, is that I think it does a good job at representing why the people of Israel were upset with Jesus, and how they weren’t painted as the villains. I say that because I think if someone came out and said they were the Messiah, we would be skeptical. What I disliked about Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ was that it painted the people out to be disgusting human beings. Although they went to the extent of crucifying Jesus, it was prophesied. And they are representations of ourselves today. Although we all sin, it doesn’t make us disgusting human beings. Which is why while I believe that believing in Him is necessary, I do hate that Christian nationalists are quick to hate against homosexuality, and honestly anyone with opposing political beliefs. They’ve forgotten that the point is to love your neighbor as yourself. I don’t try to force my beliefs on people, but I do want to spread love because that’s what I feel I’ve been called to do.
So spread love, not hate. God bless.

52 Weeks, 52 Religious Films

I was excited, but a little nervous going into George Stevens’ The Greatest Story Ever Told. I was excited because it was directed by Stevens, who directed A Place in the Sun, a film I absolutely adore. But I was nervous because this is a 3:20 behemoth of a film, structured like the roadshow American epics of the 50’s and 60’s, with an overture and an intermission. And like those epics, it’s an absolute stunning feat in cinematography and costume/set design. It really leans into the fact it’s something to be seen in theaters, the performances from Max von Sydow, Charlton Heston and Jose Ferrer show that.

I hate to say this about a film about the life of Jesus, but there’s really not a lot of be engaged with. This is a boring film about a powerful story. The first film of this series I saw was Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St. Matthew**. And like that film, this is faithful to the gospels, but more painfully than powerful like Pasolini’s film.

But one thing I will say I like about this film, is that I think it does a good job at representing why the people of Israel were upset with Jesus, and how they weren’t painted as the villains. I say that because I think if someone came out and said they were the Messiah, we would be skeptical. What I disliked about Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ was that it painted the people out to be disgusting human beings. Although they went to the extent of crucifying Jesus, it was prophesied. And they are representations of ourselves today. Although we all sin, it doesn’t make us disgusting human beings. Which is why while I believe that believing in Him is necessary, I do hate that Christian nationalists are quick to hate against homosexuality, and honestly anyone with opposing political beliefs. They’ve forgotten that the point is to love your neighbor as yourself. I don’t try to force my beliefs on people, but I do want to spread love because that’s what I feel I’ve been called to do.
So spread love, not hate. God bless.

Watched this in the theater with director guillermo del toro thank you for saying that this was a mexican easter experience

Watched this in the theater with director guillermo del toro thank you for saying that this was a mexican easter experience

Handel’s The Messiah was distracting as was Jesus’ lord farquaad haircut

Handel’s The Messiah was distracting as was Jesus’ lord farquaad haircut

2 ⭐️ movie but an extra 1/2 ⭐️ for Charlton Heston as John the Baptist - “Repent!!”….. you damn dirty apes and John Wayne as the “cowboy” Roman Centurion.

2 ⭐️ movie but an extra 1/2 ⭐️ for Charlton Heston as John the Baptist - “Repent!!”….. you damn dirty apes and John Wayne as the “cowboy” Roman Centurion.