Stigmata

Rating:
Summary: Clumsy and contrived
Review: Stigmata is simply one more example that the Hollywood movie machine has no idea of how to make a decent horror flick. For all its sound, for all its fury, there is nothing in this film. It's another film in a long line of horror movies that seems to forget that its main goal is to promote fear, and that establishing the fear factor does NOT mean ripping off other movies. I guess Stigmata looked good on paper. Here's the story of a young woman named Frankie (Patricia Arquette: Lost Highway, Ed Wood), a hairstylist in a tattoo/piercing joint who suddenly starts receiving the stigmata. The stigmata are wounds that manifest on the extremely devout - they mirror the wounds that Christ endured while on the cross. As word of this reaches the Vatican, church bureaucrat Cardinal Houseman (Jonathan Pryce: Brazil, Ronin, Tomorrow Never Dies) dispatches Father Andrew (Gabriel Byrne: End of Days, The Usual Suspects) to investigate. What follows is an MTV version of "The Exorcist" as Stigmata has a Nine Inch Nails video edit style. Indeed, Director Wainwright, cinematographer Jeffrey L. Kimball ("True Romance") and editor Steven Kemper ("Face/Off") drown the movie in pointless technical flourishes (including an obsession with double exposure and slo-mo shots of dripping water) that serve no purpose other than to draw attention to themselves.

If there is anything relevant in this film it's the idea that that the Catholic Church is an irrelevant bureaucracy of scheming politicians posing as priests, and that it was never legitimate in the eyes of God in the first place. Gee, that could be extended to most Christian churches, me thinks. However, it's all meaningless because the film suffers from numerous flaws throughout inluding plot holes you could drive a truck through, and two-dimensional performances from the cast with Arquette being the worst of the bunch. Byrne plays Father Andrew with a hangdog gloominess that doesn't ring true. Jonathan Pryce suffers from a poorly written role that makes it obvious he's a bad guy from the start. Ultimately, Stigmata is another Biblically themed horror film that must have gone over well at the Hollywood pitch meeting. But, like most of the other offerings in this subgenre, it fails to deliver anything in the way quality. Instead, it's as if the filmmakers believe that filling the movie with esoteric mumbo jumbo will provide enough creepiness to make up for the film's other shortcomings. Films like Stigmata and End of Days make it brutally apparent that these type of films need to fade into obscurity and die a richly deserved death.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking and Inspiring
Review: This is one of those movies that speaks to me in many ways. I was raised Roman Catholic. Although I do not practice any formal religion, I must say that this movie brought me back in time to a place of shame I am recovering from. I find that time changes religious interpretation. Time seems to change all interpretation, eventually. The fear and guilt fed to me by the church in Catholic school, when I was an all impressionable child, was profound. I believed (back then) in what the church no longer believes in (today). I was told these teachings were "the word of God" or "God's law(s)."

Soon (I believe) the church will abandon the concept of Hell because our intelligence will lead us to a loving concept of our Creator. I think that, when a person becomes a parent, the concept of Hell becomes more and more questionable; would you sentence your child to eternal damnation?

This movie asks some uncomfortable questions, such as; does the church censor scripture? For that matter, does the church censor scripture to maintain control over its membership? People do not like change, and a good many fear change when it comes to their beliefs. Power is held over the population through ignorance. When we read history, we are shown how the unintelligent are influenced, directed, and many times controlled by the intelligent.

I like to consider myself a seeker, like you, and I am insatiable in my search for knowledge and truth. The more I learn and the older I get, the more I get the feeling that we as people live our lives as self inhibited, self restricted beings. We are brought up to repel pleasure. I know that I was brought up to fear my own mind--that ability to think and imagine all things good, bad, or indifferent.

There is a nice blend of hate reviews regarding this film (proving the purity of art) and I think some of it may be from people who were offended by the questions the film raises.

I was most impressed by the information the movie brings out regarding the book of Thomas. I have done some interesting reading about Thomas and the other apostles. If you too are a serious (fearless) seeker, you might want to purchase the Urantia Book. As unbelievable as the book reads, the last one quarter (aprox 500 pages) has a detailed history of the life and teachings of Jesus.

The apostle Thomas did not agree with the approach Peter and Paul were using to attract believers. Thomas left for Alexandria (to the east) with Abner; Abner being the leader of John the Baptists' apostles. Thomas' approach did not take heart, instead the religion of that area became what is known today as Islam. It is said that Thomas and Abner's teachings were closer to the deeper teachings Jesus shared with the apostles. Jesus himself did not teach the multitudes in the same manner or the same content that he taught his close followers--saving the profound ideas and ideals for his disciples.

None of the scripture, from what we understand, was actually written by the apostles. In fact they (the apostles) were all instructed by Jesus specifically to write nothing. That would also concur with the dates in which science has discovered the scriptures to originate. The book of Thomas is somewhere around 120 years after his death, and that particular scripture dates close to the death of Christ. Most scriptures date two to three hundred years after the death of the apostle they were written on behalf of.

Given this time span, it is miraculous that some of the quotes of Jesus are actually accurate. I have not read this book of Thomas. I can verify that the quotes from this movie are true to what I have been learning regarding the higher teachings Jesus shared with his disciples.

The quote, "The temple of God is inside you, not in mansions of wood and stone, split the wood and you will see me, lift a stone and you shall find me," speak of a Jesus that did not preach 'Jesus' but of a Jesus that taught us to seek within ourselves. A scary thought to trust the mind God gave us to find the answers for ourselves! Sounds like encouragement to me--because that idea takes courage and gives it back to us.

I especially like the dialog in this movie that suggested something to the effect of; "if you can understand the meaning of this message (The temple of God is inside you, not in...) you will the discover the truth that sets you free..." something like that.

I have some ideas of what I think this might mean, but I would love to hear your suggestions, if you would be so kind as to e-mail me.

For me this is a very thought provoking and inspirational movie.

Rating:
Summary: What an experience!
Review: I don't understand the criticism on this movie but I thought it was wonderful. Maybe, many do not know about the lost "bibles" by Thomas, Madeline, etc. But most of what this movie is about is regarding the lost bibles and what they imply to the point that would be understandble why it makes the Vatican shaking in their boots. A profound movie, you won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Highly spiritual and misunderstood film
Review: I think it's very funny, that almost all bad reviews are written by people who don't understand the plot or people who are themselves part of an organized religion. This movie does somewhat accuse the church, but most of all it is meant to make you think about organized religion. Why does one need to build a church filled with beautiful statues to reach their god ? If people were to view this movie open-minded they will discover that it is a pro-religion movie, not an anti-one.

Rating:
Summary: I can't understand all the criticism!!!
Review: What's with all the criticism for this movie?!! I don't understand how people can think of so many ways to criticise it, when there really isn't anything worth criticising!

First of all, this movie is excellent! It is a great combination of religious themes, suspense, horror, and love. They all blend together nicely, creating a well blanced plot. The plot can be complicated if you don't pay attention, and it can be interpreted in a number of ways. But if the plot is understood properly, I don't see how it contradicts itself, or doesn't make sense.

I've seen reviews where the plot is criticised by saying that it is never revealed why Frankie receives the Stigmata wounds. I'm sorry to all those people, but it is - You obviously weren't paying too much attention.

All this criticism about the Gospel of St. Thomas or whoever, is driving me insane!! WHO CARES!! Seriously, I don't understand how people can go on about something as stupid as that!

There are other stupid criticisms that aren't even worth mentioning (Example: The high-tech equipment in the Vatican) - They are irrelevant to the overall analysis of the movie.

If you haven't seen this movie before, DON'T be disheartened by all the negative criticism - It's all nonsense for the sake of something to talk about. It's very easy to criticise something that is not understood properly. I think that's the problem with a lot of reviews - People don't understand the movie properly, and criticise what they don't understand. Stigmata is a movie that requires concentration to be understood properly. If it is understood for what it is, it is an excellent movie that deserves repeated viewings. I'd recommend it to anybody who's into suspense type thrillers!!

Rating:
Summary: Better than it Should have been due to¿
Review: ...Two Commanding Leads (Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne) and Stylish Directing by Rupert Wainwright. "Stigmata" Rises above the Ordinary and gives it's audience Thrills, Chills, Well Developed Characters and an Interesting Premise.

Patricia Arquette plays Frankie Paige, a Confessed Atheist who has been Suffering a series of Attacks, which leave Markings that resemble Jesus' Wounds before his Death on the Cross. Gabriel Byrne plays a Vatican Investigator who is sent to America to find out the Truth, or the Cause behind these markings.

The story is Immediately Intriguing, as is the film, which is Captivating from the Pre-Credit Sequence. It Greatly Differs from the Horror movies released around it ("End of Days" and "Sleepy Hollow") as it deals more with the Religious aspects more Realistically and Ultimately it's more a story about Good than it is about Evil.

Wainwright's Music Video-ish Directing style keeps the film Rolling at a Brisk Pace, his Visual Style is Always Eye-Catching and he directs the Actors well. Jonathon Pryce, Nia Long, Rade Serbedzija and Portia De Rossi appear in the Supporting cast but they aren't given much to do, Byrne and Arquette Rarely leave the screen, which is a Good thing as watching their relationship grow Past a Doctor/Patient relationship is one of the films Great Joys.

"Stigmata" Really wouldn't have worked without the Chemistry between Arquette and Byrne, their Great Performances, and such High-Powered Directing by Wainwright. These three Element Raise the film out of the Ordinary and make it that much Better, they make a Forgettable Popcorn flick a Memorable film.

Rating:
Summary: Eye Candy
Review: If I were rating this movie solely on the basis of its visuals, it would get a very strong 5 stars. The cinematography, the special effects, the settings, the vivid colours, everything about this movie visually is stunning. The soundtrack is also guite good. It also has an absolutely wonderful performance by Gabriel Byrne who unfortunately doesn't always star in movies deserving of his talents. However, after the exciting opening and build-up, the main "horror" (more accurately "supernatural") plot fizzles out.

There is also a romantic subplot about the forbidden love between a celibate priest and a beautiful woman that actually remains quite strong for the duration of the film and avoids descending into melodrama like most such plots, however the ultimately weak horror plot winds up detracting from this aspect of the movie. There is also a political plot about intrigue within the Vatican regarding the suppression of the Gospel of Thomas, etc., that is unfortunately underdeveloped and which also gets lost in the shuffle. Ultimately, the movie tries to be too many things at once. But it is still a very intelligent piece of entertainment I highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Waste Your Time
Review: This movie is stupid. The moment you apply any thought it starts falling apart.

The basic premise is that Patricia Arquette becomes possessed through obtaining a rosary, not just any rosary, that of a priest his partionners considdered worthy of sainthood. She then starts channeling the priest and becomes subject not only to demonic attacks but attacks by God.

One of my first problems is that the demonic attacks are nothing compared to the job God is supposed to be doing to her. The dogmatic line is that God is good, just and loving, but that he will inflict these terrible attacks on you (through a rosary, no less). There is no resolution for this, saying only that the stigmata is reserved for those of deepest faith and fidelty for religion. Patricia Arquette's character does not even believe in God which sets up an enormous contradiction that is never resolved.

Secondly, a large part of this is based around recognition for "The Gospel of Thomas" which is supposed to be controversial and hidden by the Vatican. "The Gospel of Thomas" was a piece of Gnostic work, they were sect of non Christians who used Jesus as an icon or character because he fit so nicely with their own beliefs. The Gnostics wrote of Jesus some two hundred years after his death using the names of the Apostles to drive home a point.

Gabriel Byrne's priest (and normally I'm a huge fan of Gabriel Byrne) is vascillating, indecisive and an almost direct rip off of Damian Caress from "The Excorcist"; a priest questioning his faith who is suddenly slapped in the face with overwhelming (and scary) evidence.

While Patricia Arquette gave an excellent preformance, there was no meat in her character. Nowhere in the midst of all this spiritual assault does she come to question her own beliefs. There is absolutely no growth, resolution or even curiosity in this character as to her prior beliefs or what this means to her. All we are served is surface fluff on what's coming for the next assualt.

This movie can only function if you completely shut down your brain. It constantly contradicts itself in ways that not even Ed Wood let go. It might be worth a rental for the special effects, but leave it at the store and save your money.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe not worth it
Review: It is up to you what you ultimately will watch but I wish that when I was at Hollywood Video renting this I would have accidently picked up the wrong movie. I think Stars Wars was next to it. At least seeing that for a third would have been more enjoyable than this.

Rating:
Summary: It is nice, not entirely original, but executedExtremelyWell
Review: Ok movie if you need something to watch (popcorn movie). The visuals and music are pretty terrific quality, the acting isn't terrible, but the story is cheese... still it's an ok 'spiritual thriller' type movie.