Rating: 
Summary: Eerily prescient
Review: In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks some of the imagery in this film is haunting in ways the director couldn't possibly have imagined: looking up and feeling threatened by a jet that's flying too closely overhead, the ending on the Staten Island ferry with a vista that suggests the twin towers have reclaimed the soul of the city itself.I have to add that as a major PJ Harvey fan I was disturbed to see her looking so anorexic. At some points when she's walking around in tights she looks positively skeletal.
Rating: 
Summary: The Book Of Life - funny and thought-provoking
Review: It is the rare indie film that a)is funny in a droll way b)is thought provoking c)is especially interesting for biblical scholars d)that is both directed by Hal Hartley and is short and e)manages to squeeze in a Yo La Tengo cameo. Such, however, is Book Of Life, a film that posits a kinder, gentler, Armaggedon. Jesus Christ arrives at the airport December 31, 1999. He's expected to open the 4th-7th seals on the Book of Life, thereby unleashing Armageddon. He begins to have second thoughts, however, as he looks around and examines humanity. This causes trouble with God's lawyers. Besides the uniformly excellent writing, this movie also recalls Michael Almereyda's Hamlet, in that both movies hold special delights for those well-acquainted with the source material. The movie, shot on a digital camera, doesn't suffer for it. For Hartley fans, well worth the investment.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting but Not Hartley's Best
Review: It's no Henry Fool, but I'm a fan of Hartley and I'll give anything by him a chance. The premise about Jesus arriving to deliver the final judgment then becoming reluctant to do so is interesting enough, but the story doesn't dig anywhere near deeply enough into its subject matter. It's greatest sin, though, is that it's not that funny despite Thomas Jay Ryan's best efforts. There are some amusing "postmodern" touches, like the director leaving microphones visible in certain scenes. Blair Witch haters will likewise hate the endless camera movements and edits. DVD picture quality and packaging are great. Note that this film is part of a series about the end of the millenium and you may also enjoy others in the series, especially The Wall.
Rating: 
Summary: beyond belief
Review: Living in England, I doubted I would ever get to see this short, let along actually own it. This is a multiregional release, so us Limeys can purchase the DVD as well as you darned Yankees. The film itself is only an hour or so, but succeeds on every level - there's not an ounce of fat on it. A freewheeling take on millenial apocalypse, it stars Hartley veteran (and all round object of desire) as, appropiately, God versus Thomas Jay Ryan's delicious Satan. A superb supporting cast including PJ Harvey (a revelation) and Hartley's better half Miho Nikado help bolster this humorous and theologically inventive piece into the realms of pure cinematic joy. Thomas Jay Ryan's Satanic deliveries to camera are superb. His best film? Quite possibly. Go on, shoot me. Reccomended without hesitation to all.
Rating:
Summary: typical Hal Hartley
Review: Martin Donovan (Trust) plays Jesus and Thomas Jay Ryan (Henry Fool) is the Devil as the clock ticks down on the last day of the world in Manhattan. Jesus agonizes over unlocking the seven seals of the apocalypse on his Apple laptop, verbally battles the Devil, and walks around NYC with Magdalene (PJ Harvey) on this most eventful of days. This is a typical Hal Hartley film -- incredible premise, great actors, and creative but cheap production. I enjoyed the film even though the glaring lights and jerky camera got old -- at just over 60 minutes you don't have time to get too annoyed :-) Extras are minimal -- credits and filmographies for Hartley and Donovan. A worthwhile addition to Hartley's ouevre but as often happens with this talented director, one feels that the potential was greater than the execution.
Rating:
Summary: typical Hal Hartley
Review: Martin Donovan (Trust) plays Jesus and Thomas Jay Ryan (Henry Fool) is the Devil as the clock ticks down on the last day of the world in Manhattan. Jesus agonizes over unlocking the seven seals of the apocalypse on his Apple laptop, verbally battles the Devil, and walks around NYC with Magdalene (PJ Harvey) on this most eventful of days. This is a typical Hal Hartley film -- incredible premise, great actors, and creative but cheap production. I enjoyed the film even though the glaring lights and jerky camera got old -- at just over 60 minutes you don't have time to get too annoyed :-) Extras are minimal -- credits and filmographies for Hartley and Donovan. A worthwhile addition to Hartley's ouevre but as often happens with this talented director, one feels that the potential was greater than the execution.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking Meditation From Hal Hartley
Review: One of the many speculations about Y2K was that the world was going to end at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1999. In "The Book Of Life," writer/director Hal Hartley takes a look at the possible ramifications of a new millennium Armageddon, beginning with the return of Jesus to Earth on New Year's Eve, '99. The story examines the task of the Son of God, who must open the remaining three of the seven seals contained in the Book of Life (now contained in a Mac laptop computer), in which there is also the names of the one-hundred and forty-four thousand good souls who will be spared on the last day. Jesus (Martin Donovan), along with Magdalena (P.J Harvey), arrives in New York City to make the preparations necessary for carrying out his Father's will, but he begins to have second thoughts; must he judge the living and the dead? Do they deserve what must befall them? It is a cup He would prefer not to embrace at this particular moment, which gives encouragement to Satan (Thomas Jay Ryan) who fears that the fruit of all his hard labor is about to be washed away at midnight, for he can only continue his work so long as there are people around who cling to their pitiful hopes and dreams. An artistically rendered, high concept film, Hartley presents the story in an intelligent, thought provoking manner, taking great care in dealing with the sensitive subject matter so as to make it inoffensive even to the most ardent fundamentalist. The dialogue between Jesus and Satan is intriguing and stimulating, as is the effect of their presence upon those they encounter during their corporeal stay in the city. It's an engrossing meditation on the spiritual side of Man's fragile existence and a contemplation of that which has been prophesied in the Revelations of St. John in the Apocalypse, the last Book of the New Testament. And there is logic in Hartley's approach to the Second Coming; he maintains the aesthetic of the contemporary setting while employing altered film speeds which visually give the film an ethereal quality. Christ inconspicuously wears a suit and tie, effectively blending in with the populace, while Satan's attire is a bit more casual, his appearance somewhat scruffy; he sports a bruise above his left eye. Donovan is well cast as Jesus, lending a benevolent mien and a sense of restrained urgency to his character that is very effective. It is, of course, a unique portrayal of The Saviour, and possibly the best since Max von Sydow's in "The Greatest Story Ever Told." He successfully conveys a feeling of inner peace and tranquility, of serenity, that is the essence at the very core of the character. And Ryan is thoroughly engaging in his role of the Prince of Darkness; he has a distinct manner of speech and a resonant quality to his voice that make him absolutely mesmerizing to watch. His eyes are darkly penetrating, a trait he uses effectively with furtive glances and captivating stares. He's the guy who could sell you anything in exchange for your soul before you ever knew what hit you. It's a memorable performance that contrasts so well with Donovan's portrayal of Jesus. The supporting cast includes Martin Pfeffercorn (Martyr), Miho Nikaido (Edie), Dave Simonds (Dave), D.J. Mendel (Lawyer), James Urbaniak (True Believer), Katreen Hardt (Lawyer's Assistant) and Anna Kohler (Hotel Clerk). In his own, inimitable style, with "The Book Of Life," Hartley has crafted a perspective of the last days that is interesting, entertaining and truly unique. He has a way of capturing life as it is just off center, a method which works especially well with a film like this. Comparatively short for a feature film (running time of 63 minutes), it nevertheless is one of Hartley's best, and more than worth the price of admission. It's a film that will stay with you and perhaps make you think about some things you may have tucked away in a corner of your mind for later. And that is part of the attraction of this film; it makes you realize that "later" most likely is now.
Rating:
Summary: new sheriff
Review: rarely before and hardley ever since does a film do what this film did. mundanely ethereal. run do not walk here. Jesus as you have never seen the guy. splendid.
Rating:
Summary: new sheriff
Review: rarely before and hardley ever since does a film do what this film did. mundanely ethereal. run do not walk here. Jesus as you have never seen the guy. splendid.
Rating:
Summary: We need more Hal Hartley movies on DVD
Review: This DVD was very hard to find, and i truly enjoy it the picture quality is top-notch, but the Dolby Digital Surround Stereo, does not do very well, this film it's a very human story, we definetly need more Hal Hartley movies on DVD, but thanks to Miramax and Anchor Bay Entertainment, "The Unbeliveable Truth" is coming out on DVD in March 13, 2001, WOW!, and i Sure hope that Fox Lorber Films and Winstar Cinema realese "Surviving Desire" on DVD,and that Turner realeses "Simple Men" on DVD, and that Sony realeses "Henry Fool", "AMATEUR", "Flirt" and "TrUsT" on DVD, that will be great!
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