Joshua

Rating:
Summary: For all of the negative reviews - you have missed the point!
Review: This movie protrays Joshua as a christ - like man, who walks among us in this day and time! Not having read the book -I can not vouch for continuity between the two, but I can tell you this the Secular responses written here by those "claiming" the true Gospel and that this movie does not exemplify the "true teachings" of the Bible they have severely missed the point of this movie! Joshua is about what could be a better place if we learn to accept our neighbors as they are - whether they be Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, Methodist, or any other religious faction in this world that believes in a one God! That we need to look to our neighboirs to find ourselves and our hearts! Love begins at home and home is where we live at - Home - town - Church - school! This where we live at not in the past of the written pages of the Bible - the world has changed but the basic principles of the Bible are to love one another for who we are - we are human beings derived from the image of God! We are not without fault and neither was Jesus - Jesus was a Human Man - being like the rest of us - He was born and He died like us - with one exception his Father was God - but if you read the bible
then you will know that God is our father too! So I am saying that this movie simply projects the basic premise of the Bible and leaves it up to you to seek your own Truth from the written word - of God! For all that seem to proclaim this as Blasphemous are themselves Blasphemers for God said do not Judge others for in Judging others you Judge yourself!! So did I like this Movie yes - I did, were there problems with the movie of course - but what you know do we know about Christ in his private times with the Disciples? not much - did he joke with them, or cry with them, was he always serious with them about his father? We don't know these answer do we? What if he was like us - just an everyday "Joe / Joshua" would we recognize him? Would we fear him? How many of us would say "hello brother"? Hmmmmm I wonder if we would even notice someone doing good deeds for the sake of good! Smile one more thought on Joshua - is he was here among us why would he not be one to talk to all of US - Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindi etc.... for all of come from Him and all of are His children, so why wouldn't the next Twelve be of all faiths creeds and colors - for Christ was born of a Gentile and a Jew - So christ is from and part of all of us!!!! I have let my sons watch this movie and the liked it very much!!! My family is of mixed doctrines - I am catholic, my wife is baptist as is her mother and father - her Grandfather was a Methodist minister - he is now with the Father !!!! this I am sure of! My sons go to the same church as their Grandparents - they get a full view of the world and for their own part are very plain speaking young men! So they have their own views of the world and religion as we all should for God is an Individual's belief of self and his god! Ok enough preaching for I am not preacher nor a prophet! Just some one who has seen this movie and the Simple yet strong message it sent - " God loves you" whomever you may be!!!
Peace be to all and may these words be of value to you -

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully thought provoking film
Review: This evening, we screened this movie for our church's youth group. It was amazing to see how this movie touched those kids. I, likewise, was very moved by the film. We had a wonderful discussion about what our reaction would be if Jesus came to our town. We also discussed the parallels between Father Tordone and Doubting Thomas.

I highly recommend this film as an excelent starter for discussions about faith, community, and God's love for us all. The film is very well done, a nice balance of sending a clear message without sacrificing good storytelling (of course, they had pretty good material to work with. ;)

Rating:
Summary: A touching reminder of Christ's Goodness
Review: I was certain that I wasn't going to like this movie, most Christian movies are not well made. This movie touched me from the moment I began watching. It is a great story of how Christ moves in and with us and how sometimes we refuse to believe. Joshua seemed to be just an everyday guy, quiet and reserved, but he taught a community to look past their differences and look toward their common bond as brothers and sisters. It represents how we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget what our true purpose on this earth is. It explores the possiblity that God accepts your worship and praise, no matter how you do it, no matter your faith. It is a happy, sad and joyful journey that you do not want to miss. It's conclusion is tearful and warming and it will truly touch your heart. This is a great movie for believers but especially for non-believers.

Rating:
Summary: Wholesome, refreshing Family Entertainment
Review: While Joshua turns out to be a somewhat predictable story, it is well worth watching for the entire family from baby on up to Grandma and Grandpa. It shows what this country could have been had we stuck to the values of the mid twentieth century when four letter words were not a part of the vernacular and we didn't lock our doors at night. It doesn't proselatize or preach. It is just a wonderful experience and a refreshing look at hometown America. F. Murray Abraham comes across strong and the newcomer Tony Goldwyn is a sweet, guy next door who brings a town together into community. Giancarlo Giannini is surprising as the Pope and takes on a different role than one is accustomed to seeing him in. Beautiful scenery, well photographed, and the music adds to the freedom of the story.

Rating:
Summary: If you read my review after 80+ reviews, a true miracle!
Review: I want to make some comments based on other reviews that have been written--both negative and positive.

First of all, I want to tell any readers of this review that the book by Girzone--especially the first book--is one of the most powerful stories I have ever read. It is written as a parable for modern times. It is kind of similar to the "What Would Jesus Do?" idea that swept Christendom during the 90's. This book made me sensitive to people around me, especially those who don't feel or want any connection to Jesus or the Christian message. It also presented a Christ who loved children (the children were automatically drawn to Him), Who uses his gifts to glorify God (whatever gifts they have in life), and Who unites people by the power of love. When I finished this book, I wanted to be LIKE JOSHUA...more like JESUS in my daily life.

I am a born-again believer and protestant.

This movie was not without flaws. There are times during the movie that it struggles to escape its own mediocrity. Mostly, I am referring to some performances that do not shine quite as intensely as the lead actor, Tony Goldwyn.

The Good News: This is not a story about doctrinal truths; it truly is a parable about what if Jesus walked among us. How would He view our churches, our religiousness, the divisions between brothers and sisters in Christ. Truly, there are factions of His remnant in all areas of Christendom...

There are moments in this film that inspire me. Examples: the healing of the blind girl along with the quiet rebuke of the preacher who uses "stunts" instead of relying on genuine faith; one of the final scenes where Joshua and the priest clash--but healing comes; the final scene where Joshua sits with the Pope. I may not adhere to the Pope or his message or his importance in the preaching of the Gospel, but in this scene, it was as if I was the Pope...hearing the message of Christ...that He honors the prayers and devotion we pray/have ... that we should never forget that Christ died for the world...that the world MUST know of His love, that we MUST get the Good News message out there...starting with people around us.

JOSHUA will bless you.

A parable for all of us in a world that doesn't know Him, doesn't know His love, doesn't have His hope.

I hope this helps someone decide whether to buy it.

Yours truly,
SEAN

Rating:
Summary: Joshua
Review: I found this film extremely disappointing; it did not compare to the novel. The novel had a sense of mystery; the film did not convey this. It was obvious what was intended but unfortunately the film lacked that magical something. Maybe, it is all in our imagination and novels should not be made into films as they lack so much and after all, it is all a matter of interpretation.

Rating:
Summary: An inspiring film
Review: Joshua may not have been a cinematic blockbuster, and the film definitely strayed from Fr. Girzone's original text to appeal to a more mainstream group, but the actors, the producers and the directors of this film definitely got the message across. Tony Goldwyn was exceptional as Joshua. He brought out the humanity that Jesus had to have in order to reach the people He set out to save. He understood that preachy evangalistic and overly religious zealots, more often than not, turned people away. Hence, his ability to "come down from the pedastal" to talk WITH the people and not AT them. THAT is what endears Him. THAT is what will ultimately continue to bring people to Him. And I think Joshua captures that wonderfully. A simple message given in a wonderfully simple, but beautiful film. You can break down the mechanics of the film all you want. You can criticize the fundamentals of cinematography, and production and all the underlying basics that, supposedly, make films great. But you cannot escape the fact that the film's intention was to touch people and maybe, just maybe, for some, give hope a name. And it did.

Rating:
Summary: God loves Us
Review: Joshua is a movie for everyone who doubts that there is a God. He teaches us what it is that God asks of us which is to love one another with unconditional LOVE. We need to put aside petty jugdmental attitudes that destroy rather than build up God's Kingdom. Joshua shows us how to do that and why we should be more loving as our God is. I loved this movie even before I saw the end which will blow you away. Joshua is beautifully presented
and I wish everyone could see it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Buy it you won't be disappointed!
Review: I am Catholic and even though I knew this was written by a retired Catholic priest, I was worried that this would be slanted against the Church. I was particularily worried when I saw from the opening credits that a character was going to play the Pope. My fears were groundless. I had a pang at one point when a character named Fr. Pat threw his collar to the ground...but what an outcome! This movie (and book btw) captures the spirit of the Gospel. It's fair to all faiths. The outcome is extremely touching and healing. It earns not just 5 stars but 5 WOWS!

Rating:
Summary: The best ever
Review: Simply one of the best movies I have ever seen. The book, which I've read, is too simply written...it's hard to read because the words and thoughts are so elementary. It's not great writing. The acting in the movie is fantastic and convincing. Absolutely perfect.