tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post3452782002987626432..comments2024-02-18T08:45:16.295-08:00Comments on The Film Connoisseur: Religion Bashing Films (Part I)Franco Macabrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-13550909505293916052012-03-07T10:08:59.186-08:002012-03-07T10:08:59.186-08:00Oh yeah, I cant wait to see Anderson's "...Oh yeah, I cant wait to see Anderson's "The Master", if PT Andersons other films are any indication, we should be in for a powerful film. Again, Anderson's been having production woes to make this one, I'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact that it criticizes religion, I hear it indirectly comments on Scientology, which is one of the best examples of how anyone can make anything up and surely enough, if you know how to do it, you'll end up with a bunch of zombies believing every word you say. I mean, how crazy are the beliefs of scientologists? Too crazy thats what! <br /><br />But I applaud Anderson for doing his film none the less, and fearlessly! I love it when a good director decides to comment on meaningful themes such as he did with There Will Be Blood. <br /><br />I truly loved that one because it aimed its guns at two of the greatest evils on this planet: GREED and RELIGION.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-86909404966811207302012-03-07T01:29:01.439-08:002012-03-07T01:29:01.439-08:00Religion certainly is a fascinating subject. After...Religion certainly is a fascinating subject. After I finished film school, I started reading up on it 24/7. Now I'm trying to go to university so I can study it for a living<br /><br />Oh yeah, just to clarify- I didn't change career goals bacause I hated film school or anything. It's fun as hell. So long as the program doesn't have too many film theory courses. Dunno why, but I always found film theory classes like high school english classes, where it was more about telling the teacher what they wanted to hear than what you actually thought.<br /><br />Oh yeah, speaking of unpopular films on religion, there's one based off a cormac mccarthy book. Dont remember it's name, but it had samual L Jackson and Tommy lee Jones. Wansn't as good as the ones on this list tho<br /><br />BTW, better do a post on "The Master" when it comes out. Definatley will be a good addition to the list.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360897119962486447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-48371066797383840362012-03-06T04:23:02.483-08:002012-03-06T04:23:02.483-08:00Absolutely right about the cult thing in AKIRA, I ...Absolutely right about the cult thing in AKIRA, I remember them walking around the city in a procession of sorts, worshipping their God in the middle of all the chaos, as if an invisible being they've never seen or heard was going to help them. <br /><br />I guess that was part of showing the confussion in society, the chaotic downward spiral that humanity can and has traveled through at various points in our history. <br /><br />It never stops amazing me, but religion actually adds a whole other level of insanity to any given situation, especially when it concerns the masses. <br /><br />Funny you should mention filmschool, Im gearing up to go soon! I'm really looking forward to the experience! Filmschool probably functions the same way that studios function: religion is a moot subject. Producers just dont like to risk loosing audience members, which is understandable when we take in consideration just how expensive films can be. <br /><br />But I'm a fan of those films that do venture out into this often times uncharted theme. Those are the brave and the few! I recently saw one that blew me away, it's calld "Higher Ground"; it stars Vera Fermiga, who by the way, also directed the film! Highly recommend it, it explores religion, and that time that sometimes comes in peoples lives when they question their beliefs.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-21406283346111103322012-03-06T01:39:13.756-08:002012-03-06T01:39:13.756-08:00Agreed. I remember when I attended film school, th...Agreed. I remember when I attended film school, the topic of religion in film never popped up. Humorously enough, a few students openly admitted to being young earth creationists and intelligent design advocates. Felt kinda unfair<br /><br />BTW, I always found it curious that Akira featured a cult that worshipped a dead God... sort of Nietzschean if you ask me :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360897119962486447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-2472465225249019312012-03-05T06:33:00.501-08:002012-03-05T06:33:00.501-08:00Interesting take on Akira! I always saw it as a st...Interesting take on Akira! I always saw it as a story about the abuse of power, but I see your point of view, he does reach God hood...and there is a part of the film where the characters get extremely existential. I will be rewatching AKIRA and reviewing it soon! <br /><br />When filmmakers address the issue of the existense of God in films, they have to play it safe. Producers get nervous about making films like these because it's such a touchy subject. A film can and probably will get boycotted by christians if the film sends out an anti-religious or atheist message. <br /><br />This is probably why most of the films that do adress this subject manner are extremely low budget affairs. I think the most expensive anti-religious film ever made was The Golden Compass, and that one went under fire as soon as it was released. It got a lot of heat from christian groups. <br /><br />On a positive note The Golden Compass did manage to make its money back, so I guess theres a lot of people out there who arent religious after all, which is a positive thing in my book.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-20470741388654231842012-03-03T23:30:17.313-08:002012-03-03T23:30:17.313-08:00very entertaining stuff. It's a shame that so ...very entertaining stuff. It's a shame that so many filmakers these days will say "I dont agree with religion, but I still believe in God".<br /><br />I think akira could be considered an atheist film, with the idea that man can transcend his current limitations and acheive Godhood, and that every human is born with that potential... but its just speculation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360897119962486447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-89004606005928717202012-02-16T09:23:22.210-08:002012-02-16T09:23:22.210-08:00Venom: Well rounded comment Brian, you made a grea...Venom: Well rounded comment Brian, you made a great assesment of how we all should think when it comes to religion. It can be a positive thing, when used in the right way, when not, it can be disastrous. Glad you enjoyed the articles my friend!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-84148612400246428162012-02-15T11:20:14.222-08:002012-02-15T11:20:14.222-08:00I'm not religious in any way, but do understan...I'm not religious in any way, but do understand that there are a good many weak minded people who need that extra something to get them through rough times. For this purpose--to make ones life better--I think religion is a good thing. <br /><br />Sadly, both politics and religion are dangerous topics that are twisted and mutated into subjects that often bring about violent consequences. Both have great potential for good, but far too often get lost in the muck of personal ambition, greed and a good amount of jealousy that sometimes leads to violence and death.<br /><br />It's important for us all to think for ourselves, even for those of faith. But it's how we apply this knowledge that counts. It's a shame, though, that some questionably off kilter individuals can easily brainwash the impressionable turning something that should be beautiful and make it into something noticeably profane.<br /><br />I really enjoyed this article, Fran. Good job, my friend!venoms5https://www.blogger.com/profile/13655919099947763891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-70928121219340334452012-01-23T04:12:23.184-08:002012-01-23T04:12:23.184-08:00@Son of Celluloid: Interesting to hear your story ...@Son of Celluloid: Interesting to hear your story man! I personally lived through a similar one, my family was extremely religious, and the same thing happened to me, I simply wasnt agreeing with anything they were teaching anymore, so I started my research on religion, and it's origins. College helped a lot too, when I started to read all these old philosophers...it helped me to realize that there are so many ways of seeing life...and boxing myself in one way of seeing things didn't seem realistic anymore. The world was far too complex and diverse to see things one way. <br /><br />I hear ya about Jesus Camp, the samething happened to me! I was even more devastated though by Jonestown: Life and Death of the Peoples Temple....such a detailed account of what happened, so sad to see so many lives, taken by a mad man! Highly recommend searching that documentary out man, it is by far the most shocking testament to how out of control and downright evil religion can become. <br /><br />The Mist IS on part two, along with many more films and documentaries, come back later today, it should be posted at some point. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your story! <br /><br />@Direct to Video Connoisseur: Oh yeah, I got the same reactions while watching it with some of my friends, most of us where digging it while others found it offensive, and said it shouldnt have been as funny. Me? I think the funny is what makes it even more watchable. Religion and some of it's silliness can be hilarious on it's own anyways, without Mahers hilarious attitude. I mean, how's about that dude who had a religion that revolved around weed facilitating his connection with God? Ha! Hilarious! <br /><br />@Matthew Coniam: Well yeah, I combined The Inquisition with the "Holy" Crusades, and voila! Catholicism was the first one to pop to mind. There's others to be sure. Islam is a close second for sure! The way they mix religion with politics (Islam does it in a more direct way than Christianity) is one potent/violent/deadly mix! <br /><br />Thanks for commenting everyone!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-70635174764849468722012-01-21T09:40:27.286-08:002012-01-21T09:40:27.286-08:00I'm an atheist, but when you wrote "peopl...I'm an atheist, but when you wrote "people have killed, and continue killing to this day because another doesn’t have their same religious beliefs" was Catholicism <i>really</i> the first religion that came into your head?Matthew Coniamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00302989527514886503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-42168944342731555562012-01-21T06:26:51.916-08:002012-01-21T06:26:51.916-08:00This is a great list, and I can't wait to see ...This is a great list, and I can't wait to see what's on part 2. Of the ones I've seen, I think Religioulous really stood out for me. I watched that with my buddy and his wife, and his wife is kind of religious (Catholic). While we were enjoying ourselves, she was a little uncomfortable, and I think it was that we were enjoying ourselves that made it worse for her, that we were identifying so much with what he was saying.Direct to Video Connoisseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02310858965138247572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-83725905201792688162012-01-20T22:50:49.971-08:002012-01-20T22:50:49.971-08:00Jesus Camp is indeed terrifying. I'm a preach...Jesus Camp is indeed terrifying. I'm a preachers kid and grew up in a family of traveling evangelists. I went to similar camps on many occasions. I began to realize that a lot of what was going on was just old school brainwashing techniques, and watching that flick was quite a powerful experience for me. I guess it would be like someone who survived a plane crash watching footage of a similar plane crashing. I loved Saved too, the skewering of religious youth culture was SPOT ON. I hope The Mist will be in part 2.SonOfCelluloidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02765342506491257830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-49044562434887827392012-01-20T10:26:15.806-08:002012-01-20T10:26:15.806-08:00Jesus Camp is scary in a very real way, it's a...Jesus Camp is scary in a very real way, it's also very sad to see these kids being brainwashed and manipulated emotionally psychologically. <br /><br />Highly recommend Saved! it is a very underrated film! Very underrated! <br /><br />Thanks for commenting Jen, Im putting the finishing touches on part 2! Expect it next monday.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-86614122370770143682012-01-20T10:18:12.609-08:002012-01-20T10:18:12.609-08:00Thank you for this really great article. I am look...Thank you for this really great article. I am looking forward to part 2. Reading this I realized that many of these films are my favorites, from Martyrs to The Meaning of Life. I have to see Saved and Jesus Camp. The latter seems like it will be very scary!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15029054484146348678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-56560968930295963662012-01-20T04:48:45.888-08:002012-01-20T04:48:45.888-08:00Yeah, that final scene exposes the films themes qu...Yeah, that final scene exposes the films themes quite clearly. Right before Conan chops his head off, Thulsa Doom tries hypnotizing him first, a clear comment on how religious leaders can lure people into their ideas. Thulsa Doom even declares himself Conan's father, which reveals (as many of these films do) what many religious leaders suffer from: 'The God Complex'.<br /><br />Without the leader, the followers simply fade away, so symbolic! <br /><br />Thanks for commenting Jack!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-78470620125877340462012-01-19T13:58:47.196-08:002012-01-19T13:58:47.196-08:00Really interesting article. I've only seen abo...Really interesting article. I've only seen about half the films on this list - good mix. I like that you included Conan. Milius and Stone were definitely targeting organized religion with that. I love the shot at the end with all the cult followers extinguishing their torches in the water and walking away.Jack Thursbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03101157160144955486noreply@blogger.com