Rating: 
Summary: I should have "left" this "behind" at the video store!
Review: Okay, my review title isn't really accurate; I just wanted to make that bad pun. I am a big fan of the Left Behind novels, and when I saw the trailers for this film, I thought it looked great and pre-ordered it. I've never seen a Christian film before, and so I wasn't sure what to expect, although I realized it probably wouldn't be as good as a "normal" film.This movie reminded me a lot of a USA or TNT made-for-TV film. It obviously didn't have a large budget, but despite the lack of expensive special effects and big name actors, it is mildly entertaining. I just wish I had rented it instead of buying it. First off, I had some problems with the casting. Kirk Cameron did not envision my idea of Buck, and Chloe was WAY off. When I was reading the book I never imagined that she'd be some Goth punk with a nose ring. This type of character is never even hinted at in the novels and I think they probably took some creative license to give their film a little more "edge." I tried to forget about the novels to enjoy the film, but I still couldn't believe in the actors as my favorite characters from the books. And Gordon Currie as Carpathia was an AWFUL choice. The guy just isn't tough enough to be the anti-Christ. He seems whiny and weak, not anything like the Carpathia portrayed in the books. Despite all of these problems, "Left Behind" isn't a completely horrible film, especially not if you're judging it based against other Christian films. But as a stand-alone movie, it has a lot of problems, most notably poor acting, a weak novelized screenplay, and a dissatisfying ending. After reading the novel, I was disappointed with the film. As far as the DVD goes, the video transfer can be a bit grainy and shaky at times, although instances of this are few and shouldn't bother you too much. Sound quality is not really taken advantage of for a movie that had a theatrical release, and almost all audio is presented from your front speakers, so it doesn't matter if you have surround sound. Basically, it looks like you're watching a television movie instead of a feature film. DVD extras include a 30-minute "making of" special, cast and crew interviews, music videos, and previews of upcoming films. No commentary on this one. Overall, if you're a big fan of the book, I'd recommend checking out the film, but advise against purchasing it. It's not something I'm likely to watch again.
Rating: 
Summary: Eggghhh, where to begin?
Review: I caught "Left Behind" on tv the other night, and somehow sat through the whole thing. I found it amusing later on, when Roman Polanski's "The Ninth Gate", a film about the devil and satanism told from a more objective point of view, turned out to be a far better film as far as style and storytelling went (not that that was news to me: I saw "The Ninth Gate" for the first time four years ago, bought it three years ago, and have watched it regularly since. It just happened to be on the other night, and I was glad to have an opportunity to see it again). In spite of the good intentions of the filmmakers, the movie still does not become watchable. Bringing to mind memories of watching Steven King's "The Langoliers" on tv around a decade or so ago, the crux of the movie's action is based on an event that we see occur in an airplane, which has also occured everywhere else around the world. Lots and lots of people vanish away, leaving a selected few behind (or is it the other way around as far as selection goes?). The filmmakers at least DID do something right by having the clothes remain when the people were taken (unlike "The Langoliers" ... where only metal objects like wristwatches and braces for teeth inexplicably stayed behind, but that's not enough to merit this film more than a half an extra star). Also, there was more blood than I expected considering the wholesome demographic I know the makers were aiming for, but that isn't really a positive or negative remark so much as a semi-interesting observation. First off as far as my complaints go, this movie looks cheap. That isn't necesarily a bad thing; I know that great things can be done with a limited budget (my own favorite "Doctor Who" for one), but if they aren't done properly than the thing won't have a chance to even begin doing its job: that is, entertain. "Left Behind" fails at this; it looks amateurish, feels amateurish, and is therefore no fun to watch, like a bad TV movie (which is all it really is, in spite of its theatrical release). Second, the acting is atrocious. I wasn't convinced by a single character (well, halfway by the Israeli scientist at the beginning, but I've got a fondness for those "elderly wiseman" types of characters), and therefore had no emotion or care invested into who they were or what happened to them. The dialogue they were forced to say was either unconvincingly phony or sitcom-stupid, or at best somewhere in between (say, bland). Finally, there was the story, besides the characters themselves. Okay, my religious views just don't fall in line with those presented in this movie, so I suppose it is here fair to say that the problem is to a point on my end in this regard. But the thing is, I would have enjoyed seeing some other reactions to the supernatural occurances in the film besides those of complete unbelievers and evangelical Christians, such as Hindus, Muslims, or those of my own faith, Roman Catholics, as they attempted to deal with and understand the problem. Also, the fact stands that the prophesies of the Bible more than likely could have more than one interpretation, or could in fact prophesy events which occured in the future for the writer but in the past for us (The Book of Daniel predicting the coming of Alexander the Great, for example, or Revelation's Antichrist being none other than Nero Caesar). The writers limited their possibilities, and the narrow scope of the movie's story really works against it. I will finish up by saying that "Left Behind" was a real waste of time for me, and I honestly wish I had now done something else with my free evening. Contrasting it with a really great movie like "The Ninth Gate" really worked against it too. Even if you are an evengelical Christian and buy into this whole Rapture thing, I still wouldn't give this piece of crud my time or money ... I'd just move along and do something, anything else. Carry on Carry on, MN
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Best Christian Movie
Review: This movie is very touching film, especially if u know well about the bible (revelation) even non believer will get head shake are some scne, this movie is perfect for a group to watch ! not to sure about the dvd, but the movie is very good !
Rating:
Summary: tomorrow's news today
Review: Perhaps this film will only be fully appreciated by believers like myself, who are fascinatated by the unfolding of Bible prophesy; I found this film to be enormously entertaining and thought-provoking, and one that becomes clearer and more focused with each successive viewing.
There are scenes that are quite compelling, and true of human nature, as in the episode where some repeat, and even start to believe, the anti-christ's lie, either for self-interest or what is considered to be "the common good". The cast is excellent, with Kirk Cameron as the story-hungry and later truth-hungry reporter, and Brad Johnson as the pilot who loses a few passengers at 35,000 feet. There are also small parts that are very interesting and well done, like Pastor Bruce Barnes (Clarence Gilyard Jr.), the only one in his church who is "left behind", and Dirk Burton (Jack Lanedijk), whose ideas are often dismissed as "conspiracy theories".
Gordon Currie is perfect as Nicolae Carpathia, the anti-christ; he is the kind of man that would become an overnight media star, with his half-truths and lies gobbled up as The New Gospel.
As Pastor Barnes says, "knowing and believing are two different things". This film will help you figure out what you know and what you believe. With fast-paced direction by Vic Sarin, a tight and often witty script based on the Lahaye / Jenkins bestseller, good cinematography (George Jiri Tirl) and effects, and a most enjoyable score by James Covell, watching this movie is time well spent, something I find quite rare these days.
This is a low-buget movie that deserves 5 stars, not because it is a masterpiece, but because in its unpretentious way, it delivers, and on many levels; it will feed your brain, feed your soul, and at the same time, be fun to watch. Total running time is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Very good movie!
Review: This movie is a really good movie. Nicolae is the bad guy, just to let you know. This stuff really will happen. God will come back for his true followers, and the unbelievers will be left behind. All kids will rapture. I think it will be kids 10 & under who rapture, and the believers in Christ. The rest of the people will be left behind, as is portrayed in this movie. My favorite character is Rayford Steele. In one catacylsmic moment, millions around the globe disappear, leaving millions behind. Who will the people choose? Nicolae Carpathia, the antichrist (definitely worthy of a lower a), or God? Watch this movie to find out more about what will happen in the future!
Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious!
Review: Was it wrong for me to have been rooting for Nicolai Carpathia?
Rating: 
Summary: it's not that bad
Review: I enjoyed this movie, and I've seen it quite a few times. Won't win any awards but compared to the filth hollywood spews out it's good clean entertainment with a powerful message. Make sure your not left behind, get right with God now, please.
Rating:
Summary: Embarrassing movie for Christians
Review: This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It was an embarrassing production. Let's compare it to "The Passion of the Christ" and it is like comparing a high school play to a Hollywood blockbuster production.
Rating:
Summary: It's coming
Review: Being a full believing Christian, when I was ten, I saw this film. I wondered where the heck they had gotten all this information about people disappearing into thin air, and going to heaven. I flipped through my bible but couldn't find anything that matched the discription. That's when I decided to read the book. It soon all came clear to me what will soon happen, and fast. I don't want to be left behind and I think that's the point the authors of the book wanted to make. They don't want anyone else to be left behind either.
In the movie, Captain Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson) and newscaster Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron) are on a 747 bound for London when out of nowhere, passengers on the plane just disappear! It doesn't stop there though. When the plane lands, it is clear they're not the only one with this problem. All over the world, people have disappeared without a trace leaving their clothes, and belongings behind. Rayford comes home to find his wife and son gone, but his daughter (Janaya Stephens) still alive. Buck finds his friends still alive, but not for long, fpr each one of them is being exterminated one by one. As he desperately tries to find all the answers with his only other friend left, Rayford has already found them, in one single book that led him to what he now knows happened. It seems the ones still on earth are the lucky ones, but it is they who are Left Behind to world that will only get worse.
Watching this film really opened my eyes to the truth. This is the real world. This is how it's going to be. It'll only get worse too. What the characters in the books and the movies experienced is hardly anything of what the real people will discover. The original film, A Theif in the Night, was a great source to people in the 70's, but if only more people would've paid attention to it like they did left behind, they would realize it's all around them. If they don't change their attitude towards the truth, they will be Left Behind.
Rating:
Summary: If You Love This DVD, You'll Love This Book
Review: As a minister, I am always enthusiastic when I recommend (from the pulpit or anywhere else) the wonderful series of "Left Behind" books, videos and DVD's, which of course focus on the last book of the Bible, Revelation as its text. For all of us who appreciate these books, I recommend an excellent book about the first book of the Old Testament.
Dennis Shulman's "Genius of Genesis" is a reverent and beautifully-written description of the glory of the Book of Genesis; and an excellent text for our church's spring book discussion circle.
If you want to truly understand the Bible, from its last words to its first, read the "Left Behind" books and "The Genius of Genesis."
|
