Rating: Summary: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Review: "End Times" or "What if Jesus Lived Today" - These seem to be the only 2 ideas that some modern christian writers and producers can come up with. This is the worst movie I think I've ever seen - poor dialogue, cheesy effects, bad music and worse editing (check out the sweat stain on the police officer's armpit as he takes a swing at Peter). It should be an embarrassment to any follower of Christ serious about having a rational dialogue with the world they live in. The only redeeming value in this movie were the laughs I had (there's a strange sort of humor that exists only in things that aren't supposed to be funny). But if you're looking for that kind of humor, better go with "American Movie."
Rating: Summary: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Review: "End Times" or "What if Jesus Lived Today" - These seem to be the only 2 ideas that some modern christian writers and producers can come up with. This is the worst movie I think I've ever seen - poor dialogue, cheesy effects, bad music and worse editing (check out the sweat stain on the police officer's armpit as he takes a swing at Peter). It should be an embarrassment to any follower of Christ serious about having a rational dialogue with the world they live in. The only redeeming value in this movie were the laughs I had (there's a strange sort of humor that exists only in things that aren't supposed to be funny). But if you're looking for that kind of humor, better go with "American Movie."
Rating: Summary: Terible Review: Chances are good that most of us in our 40s and 50s have unpleasant memories of Sunday School. Of all my own distasteful memories, the very worst are the hokey illustrations in the kids Bible we used to read. Remember them? The kind of drawings that still appear in Jehovah's Witness literature that depict Jesus and Joseph and Mary as clean-cut suburban types dressed in bathrobes? That stylized 1950s look, in which Jesus and his disciples look like cleancut college boys, turned me off of religion for years. Even now, I cringe when I come across examples of it.That's why I cringed when I watched "The Judas Project." A good concept--a twentieth-century Christ--but an unspeakably bad presentation. The music is horrible pop evangelism, banged out on a piano, with insipid lyrics. The dialogue is wooden, with contemporary cool talk mashed together with quotations from the King James that make little sense. The acting is one-dimensional and stereotypical; even veteran character actor Jeff Corey, who plays the twentieth-century version of Caiaphas, is atrocious, looking as if he's been drugged and then dragged to the set. The camera work is amateurish; in one scene, where Judas and Jesse (the Christ figure) are in an animated conversation at a cafe table (with a rather stupid Peter wordlessly looking on), the camera lights are so close and so hot that the faces of the two speakers become beaded with sweat. The Mount Tabor transfiguration scene is pure kitsch masquerading as piety. In short, the movie started out bad, and just got worse and worse. As a piece of art, it's embarrassing. As an apologetic, it's off-putting--just like being in Sunday School again! This isn't to say the film is a total failure. It does have moments when it almost rises to the occasion. The central dilemma introduced in the film--the way of love and powerlessness represented by the Christ figure, and the way of worldly domination and power represented by the Judas figure--is important and timely. But it's barely scratched, and even then seems like a leftover from the Judas-Jesus conflict in "Jesus Christ Superstar" (an infinitely better movie, by the way). The crucifixion scene, which takes place in an abandoned barn, has great cinemagraphic potential. But the camera person blows it again, failing to take advantage of the possibilities. St. Paul says that when we grow up, it's time to put away the things of childhood. Too true. So let me encourage readers of this review to skip this Sunday School caricature and go straight to some adult cinematic explorations of Christ. Denys Arcand's "Jesus of Montreal" or even Mel Gibson's recent and controversial "The Passion of the Christ" would be good places to start.
Rating: Summary: Everything that was bad about Sunday School Review: Chances are good that most of us in our 40s and 50s have unpleasant memories of Sunday School. Of all my own distasteful memories, the very worst are the hokey illustrations in the kids Bible we used to read. Remember them? The kind of drawings that still appear in Jehovah's Witness literature that depict Jesus and Joseph and Mary as clean-cut suburban types dressed in bathrobes? That stylized 1950s look, in which Jesus and his disciples look like cleancut college boys, turned me off of religion for years. Even now, I cringe when I come across examples of it. That's why I cringed when I watched "The Judas Project." A good concept--a twentieth-century Christ--but an unspeakably bad presentation. The music is horrible pop evangelism, banged out on a piano, with insipid lyrics. The dialogue is wooden, with contemporary cool talk mashed together with quotations from the King James that make little sense. The acting is one-dimensional and stereotypical; even veteran character actor Jeff Corey, who plays the twentieth-century version of Caiaphas, is atrocious, looking as if he's been drugged and then dragged to the set. The camera work is amateurish; in one scene, where Judas and Jesse (the Christ figure) are in an animated conversation at a cafe table (with a rather stupid Peter wordlessly looking on), the camera lights are so close and so hot that the faces of the two speakers become beaded with sweat. The Mount Tabor transfiguration scene is pure kitsch masquerading as piety. In short, the movie started out bad, and just got worse and worse. As a piece of art, it's embarrassing. As an apologetic, it's off-putting--just like being in Sunday School again! This isn't to say the film is a total failure. It does have moments when it almost rises to the occasion. The central dilemma introduced in the film--the way of love and powerlessness represented by the Christ figure, and the way of worldly domination and power represented by the Judas figure--is important and timely. But it's barely scratched, and even then seems like a leftover from the Judas-Jesus conflict in "Jesus Christ Superstar" (an infinitely better movie, by the way). The crucifixion scene, which takes place in an abandoned barn, has great cinemagraphic potential. But the camera person blows it again, failing to take advantage of the possibilities. St. Paul says that when we grow up, it's time to put away the things of childhood. Too true. So let me encourage readers of this review to skip this Sunday School caricature and go straight to some adult cinematic explorations of Christ. Denys Arcand's "Jesus of Montreal" or even Mel Gibson's recent and controversial "The Passion of the Christ" would be good places to start.
Rating: Summary: PAINFULLY HORRIBLE Review: I wish I could find something positive to say about this film, but it would be sinful not to warn others about it. I watched this film with some friends and felt compelled to apologize to them afterword. It's difficult to find the right words to describe how unbelievably bad it is. The acting is atrocious, the photography is horrible, the script is non existent and the ending brings a movie that is already painful to sit through to an excruiatingly, tortuous finish, like a slow painful death. It would be hell to be forced to watch this one again.
Rating: Summary: PAINFULLY HORRIBLE Review: I wish I could find something positive to say about this film, but it would be sinful not to warn others about it. I watched this film with some friends and felt compelled to apologize to them afterword. It's difficult to find the right words to describe how unbelievably bad it is. The acting is atrocious, the photography is horrible, the script is non existent and the ending brings a movie that is already painful to sit through to an excruiatingly, tortuous finish, like a slow painful death. It would be hell to be forced to watch this one again.
Rating: Summary: POINTLESS INSULT Review: THE JUDAS PROJECT? Where did they come up with the title for this pointless, painfully insulting movie? It posits the idea "What if Jesus came today?" However, in doing so, it offers nothing new or original and makes mockery of the actual coming of Jesus. It ignores the Last Supper, the Virgin Birth, and insults Christian's intelligence with its pandering psychobabble. The acting is atrocious, the special effects mundane and the musical score is banal and uninspiring. Their decision to make God vengeful and unforgiving at the Crucifixion is unforgivable. I don't know what the movie makers intended but this is one piece of trash that should never have made it to celluloid. Avoid, avoid!!!
Rating: Summary: I shook my head for Christians everywhere. Review: This film is an utter failure in every way. I sets the gospel of Jesus in a modern setting and attempts to draw you into this "what if" scenario. Well, it was a noble effort, but EVERYTHING ELSE about the film was horrendous. From poor acting, horrible script, no direction,(just to name a few) and poor technical effects (few of which appeared to have anything to do with budget) to a complete disregard to the cultural implications of Jesus not having appeared some 2000 years ago. One of the filmakers even brags about having composed the music before the film was written! He BRAGS about it! You don't brag about that, because it's an extremely DUMB thing to do! Please do not use this film as a basis for your Christianity! If it converts you, then God has made it so DESPITE the efforts of these filmakers! It was a good idea that went horribly wrong. Only buy this film as an example of pitiful filmaking!
Rating: Summary: Jesus---just as relevant today as 2k years ago Review: This film is truly an adventure in a difficult anachronism: how to present the gospel in the modern context while retaining the significant symbols, individuals, events, and texts. Overall, it does it very well, though there remains the difficult question of what must be given up to make it modern. The largest problem is the complete separation from an Old Testament (i.e. Jewish) background. This is a gospel that is not preceeded by a prophecy - Jesus just appears - no voice crying out in the wilderness, no sacrificial system to fulfill, no Law. But despite these difficulties, the film manages to present one of the most thoughtful and divinely-human portrayals of Jesus on film. I prefer it to most that strive for pure historical accuracy. Additionally, the relationship between Jesus (Jesse), Judas, and Peter is explored in a new way that makes you truly understand the tragedy of Judas' decision. I advise this film to people often, though not to everyone. It was made on a relatively small budget and that shows sometimes. But I tear up everytime I go through the crucifixion scene. I wish there was more emphasis in rejoicing in the resurrection, though... A powerful, albeit flawed, film.
Rating: Summary: Bad - Really Bad Review: This is the worst movie I have ever seen. Other reviewers mention what happens in the end of the movie. How did they make it to the end? This is one of two movies I have walked out of the theatre during. What were they trying to do in this movie? What was the point? I don't know. I mean, Jesus Christ Superstar and Gospell already covered most of the territory in the film 20 years before this was released. In any case, bad writing, bad acting, bad special effects. One thing I learned in this movie: "You could lose your SOOOUUUULLLL, for thirty pieces of silver!" What a great song. Why doesn't Amazon have the soundtrack to this movie? Now that would be entertaining. There is some humor/camp merit to this film, but not enough to sit through more than 20 minutes.
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