Rating: Summary: Wonderful dynamic. Review: George Burns and John Denver bounce off each other artfully in this film, creating a deeply interesting dynamic. Denver excells as the hapless work-a-day man suddenly visited by the Almighty. His performance is strong and crisp.
Rating: Summary: Thanks to John Denver, Oh, God! is oh so funny! Review: Hi. I'm Frank, and I'll be spellin' for Zaggy today while he watches today's local football matchups on the big-screen TV at the pizza parlor next door. For this review I've decided to go over one of my all-time fave movies, "Oh, God!" It features my all-time fave singer John Denver as he's helped out by God (George Burns, who even at 80-somethin' years old still has it!). Hey, didja know that John Denver's real name is Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.? And he was born in Roswell, N.M. about four years before that alleged UFO crash! Coincidence, or conspiracy? I don't know myself...Whoops, where was I...? Oh yeah, I really like this flick 'cuz it's got John Denver in it and stuff. He's supposed to become a new prophet for the almighty in the modern world, and with the help of the Main Man, somehow manages to do so, although in a reluctant and somewhat blundering manner. Boy, who knew ol' John had so many talents! I mean, first he puts out those hard-hittin' tunes, then he does a few skits with the Muppets, and now he's gotta spread the Good Word with him wherever he goes! It's kinduva a shame his aircraft-flying talent wasn't equal to all his other capabilities, though. I guess he's hangin' with God for real now! Aw willya look at me, I'm getting' all misty just thinkin' 'bout it... ...Okay, I'm all right now. Baby, I'm all right now. I've also checked out the other two "Oh, God!" flicks, but without John Denver and his extraordinary thespian prowess, "Book 2" and "You Devil" are merely pale imitations of the original. Whoops, Ro'y is yellin' at me to get back to work-- I gotta bag 'n' board last week's comic books! Wish me luck! G'Bye
Rating: Summary: Hard to Believe this was once controversial Review: I remember when this movie came out in the mid 70s. I was in my early teens and there was a lot of controversy in my Bible-belt hometown about this film being "blasphemous" and the like. Today, we all know better. There is a lot of truth in this film (delivered with gentle humor and not-heavy-handed preaching) about standing up for what you beleive in, spirituality as opposed to affected piety, and fake preachers (mind you, this came aout a year before Jim Jones). Good message, particularly in the last scene. Watch it with your kids and have a discussion about it.
Rating: Summary: Classic 70's cinema -- weak DVD features Review: If you're reading this, you've probably already seen it and know it's a great movie. The DVD features are minimal (trailers, a list of awards, and George Burns' movies). Some deleted scenes or outtakes would have been really interesting, but there are none offered. The commentary track reveals a few interesting things about the movie, but also rambles about non-related things. They admitted they hadn't seen the movie in a long time, so their commentary could have been better had they prepared. Another weird problem: the music on the main menu is so distorted it sounds like it's being played through a cheap hand radio. But the sound on the movie is good. If I could rate the DVD features separately, I would give them two stars.
Rating: Summary: A great movie Review: In this movie God (played by George Burns) chooses a supermarket assistant manager called Jerry Landers (the late John Denver) to try and persuade a town of non-believers that He is alive and kicking, and spread the Gospel. Jerry has a tough time convincing people that he really has seen the Almighty (even he thinks he is having a joke played on him at first) which spawn some nice comic situations, like trying to tell the audience of a TV chat show what he has seen. I really enjoyed this movie because while it is undeniably funny with some good lines provided by Burns and great chemistry between him and John Denver on screen - it is also very thought provoking. It makes some good points about religion and how we can perceive God - He can be whatever we want Him to be. ("I`m coming at you in a way you can understand" says Burns to Denver). I think anyone would enjoy this movie. It has great comic performances, and John Denver proves his talents weren`t just confined to singing. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: A great movie Review: In this movie, God (played by George Burns) chooses a supermarket assistant-manager called Jerry Landers (the late John Denver) to try and persuade a town of non-believers that He is alive and kicking, and spread the Gospel. Jerry has a tough time convincing people that he really has seen the Almighty (even he thinks he is having a joke played on him at first) which spawns some nice comic situations, like trying to tell the audience of a TV chat show what he has seen. I really enjoyed this movie because while it is undeniably funny with some good lines provided by Burns and great chemistry between him and John Denver on screen - it is also very thought provoking. It makes some good points about religion and how we can perceive God - He can be whatever we want Him to be. ("I`m coming at you in a way you can understand" says Burns to Denver). I think anyone would enjoy this movie. It has some great comic performances, and John Denver proves his talents weren`t just confined to singing. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Great combination Review: Maybe it is because I am a big John Denver fan, but I can watch this movie over and over again and still love it. It is very entertaining, funny, and the story is great. The ending is great. In some way it resembles "My Cousin Vinny", but with a better story line and even a better ending that is very emotional. But then again, remember, I am a John Denver fan.
Rating: Summary: A wonderfully, uplifting, enjoyable film. Review: No one was better suited for the role of GOD in this film than George Burns. John Denver's movie debute proved exceptional. This film approached the seriousness of the state of our world with the light heartedness of director Carl Reiner and of cours of the author.
Rating: Summary: PAUL SORVINO Review: Sure, George is the sweet centerpiece to this charming film , but it's Paul Sorvino that steals the show! Previous reviews label his performance as "overacting" ... hmmm... while playing a southern televangelist, eh ? GET REAL : he was spot on. There can be no "overacting" in a part like that. Sure, his character was rude and annoying - sounds like just about every evangelist you'll ever experience ...
Rating: Summary: Better than any Biblical Epic Review: The opening shot says it all. A sea of white. But not some ethereal, esoteric realm of goodness and purity, as the camera pulls back to reveal... an egg. So don't look for God on the highest mountain peaks. Much too far away. On the other hand, at the same time, the title makes another important point: God is not a figure of speech, or an icon, or the empty symbol used and abused most frequently by those who claim to be the greatest believers. In God's own words... "Not what you expected." A God of simplicity and tolerance and humility. A God who isn't above admitting to a few mistakes. Let's face it, our world hardly seems to be the work of an infallible Creator. Whether it's the too-big pit of the avocado, or the silly ostrich. Or placing the world in the hands of an irresponsible humanity. And here, of course, is the most important point. The world is ours, to cherish or destroy. We can love each other or kill each other. It doesn't matter which deity we believe in. Just as long as we believe in ourselves. Who but God could put it so simply?
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