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Joshua

Joshua

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $15.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: An Addiction to Mediocrity.
Review: I first read the book JOSHUA about ten years ago. I always knew that if the right person was behind the project, it would make a great movie. I was really excited about the film, but because of the limited release was unable to see it in theatres. However, after having viewed the film at home, I'm kind of glad that I didn't see the movie in a theatre.

I give the filmmakers credit because they have tried to make a solid movie. The acting is well done, the cinematography is better than average, and the action of the film is accompanied by a charming soundtrack. However, in their attempt not to be just another Christian movie and to make a movie that would appeal to a wider audience, the filmmakers have fallen to one of the most familiar sins of the world: mediocrity.

The book JOSHUA is a great book, full of deep and and probing questions. Granted it's premise is not Biblical because when Jesus said he would come again, the whole world would know. That is a caution all should keep in mind when reading the book or watching the movie. Nevertheless, the premise is intriguing to think about, causing one to reflect upon the way one lives one's life; in a similar vein as the What Would Jesus Do phenomena that swept the Church several years ago did.

However, the movie lacks this probing. Instead, it takes the central message of the story; that God loves us so much that he died for us; and waters it down to the point that it is almost unrecognizable. In an attempt to be cool and relevant and appeal to an unchurched audience, the filmmakers have done the opposite of what many Christian filmmakers have done in the past: they have forsaken the story for solid filmmaking.

Overall, the movie isn't all that bad. It's actually a fairly good movie, better than over half of the films churned out in Hollywood and many people will enjoy it. It tends to leave people feeling kind of warm and fuzzy inside, much like the effect that some have after watching an Oprah show. However, that is not what the Gospel is all about, nor is it what the book JOSHUA was about either. Therefore, though I applaud the filmmakers' attempt, I cannot give them any higher praise. It's rather a shame, but that's what happens when society becomes addicted to mediocrity.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What everyone needs to know
Review: The story is a modern parable of an ancient story that has more power to impact your life than you can imagine. It's the story of the love and compassion everyone longs for, deep in the soul. Unlike most movies with religious or spiritual themes, this one brings the viewer to a point of decision. You will not be the same once you have seen it. You will not be satisfied just watching it once.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Worth watching again and again
Review: When I first watched Joshua I rewound it and watched it again. Whatver it's minor flaws, it is one of those "small movies" that lingers in the soul. Tony Goldwyn's portrayal of Joshua is extremely moving and perfectly in tune with the character. I have read three of the Joshua books and although I appreciate their ecumenical and loving theme very much, I have always been uncomfortable with the awkward writing style. Joshua the movie overcomes nearly all of that awkwardness. I highly recommend this movie to all Christians, both Catholic and Protestant and to anyone who really doesn't know what Christ is really all about. It is a healing and loving movie. Joshua is someone all of us would want as a visitor in our home.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It touched my heart!
Review: I stumbled across "Joshua" on cable one weekend and was hooked! If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will enjoy this movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Good Movie
Review: I have not read the book and didn't know it was based on a book till I read a few reviews. However, I thought the movie was a very good Christian movie. It was one that the whole family could watch without cussing and foul language and at the same time was interesting. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a good clean movie that is nurturing to the Christian faith.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You still don't get the message
Review: If I could have given the movie 6 stars, I would have - it was that good. For all those critizing the movie, you still didn't get the message. And if Jesus should appear in your neighborhood today, you wouldn't recognize Him either. Stop trying to critize the writing and every detail and open your ears to hear the message God wanted us to hear and the message the movie portrayed beautifully. The reason He sent Jesus was to tell us He loves us and that we should love one another. He became human so we could understand His message easily and to show us how we could love Him and others. For those of you that still didn't get the message, I fear you may never. You're just too busy looking at the forest to see the trees!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not Really Very Good
Review: Let's face it, if you've read and enjoyed any of the Joshua series, you've also thought that they would translate well to the big screen. Given the relatively short novel that the film is adapted from, it should have been easy to present the story without oversimplification. Not so, I thought this movie was really pretty bad. They have really watered down the message of the book and have made Joshua a "Christians Only" hero. They have completely removed the Hebrew element from the book. I also agree with an earlier review that they made Father Pat look like a boob. Complex characters were given sitcom-like personas on film and ulitmately, I feel, the message is buried.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Joshua
Review: Pretty decent movie, for a Christian based movie. When I first saw it, I was kind of confussed what the story line will be like. After a while, I notice that everything will be symbolic. very good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: We loved it!
Review: We had never read the book, let alone heard of Epiphany Films when my wife brought home Joshua from the video store. As a Christian, I am always a little skeptical of Christian films - too many seem under-funded and over-acted. We were pleasantly surprised, however, as we found Joshua to be creative, light, and intriguing. In short, we loved it! After inviting friends to a second showing, we found the response to be overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The film was showed in two parts, and one couple went and rented the film in the meantime because they couldn't stand the suspense! The beginning seems subdued, like Little House on the Prairie, but soon moves into a new realm that is both fresh and inspiring. It left us feeling great, although we did feel we had to forgive a basic theological premise which suggests Jesus might show up on the streets of hometown USA today.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Let's admit it....
Review: ...we're all looking for a movie that we feel safe letting our kids watch. But if Christians are so desperate for accepting family viewing that we are willing to compromise biblical teaching, then our kids are not safe at all. This was NOT an allegory. It was not a story imagining what would happen if Jesus had shown up in our time. That would be more interesting (Godspell tried it). But this was clearly depicting a story AFTER Christ's death, resurrection and ascension (Joshua speaks of having died for us; of the pope praying to him as a young boy). And in this light, we're looking at a story wherein Joshua/Jesus pops back into the world quietly and draws people to himself. But Matthew 24 and many other scriptures tell us that Christ's next coming will be anything but quiet! And if someone tells us they've found him, in the wilderness, in a back room, here, there, wherever....don't believe it! It's no wonder that God tells us that even many of the elect will be misled: look how many believers think this is a nice movie, when it opposes Jesus' direct instructions to His disciples. I'd much rather watch a secular film that tells the truth, than a so-called Christian movie that spreads a lie.


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