Worst movie ever: EXODUS: GODS & KINGS

[Robyn_p]

I have heard it mentioned (and I wish I remembered where so I could give proper credit) that faith-based movies are of two kinds:

• Faith-based movies that are driven by trying to make a good movie, trying to make money ultimately
• Faith-based movies that are driven by people that are felt “called” to make the movie because they are driven by their faith

It is usually the LATTER of the two kinds of movies that wind up being successful, at least primarily. The first kind of movie can end up being filled with good actors, special effects, good scripts etc. but if the heart and soul of the production is missing I believe things just don’t pull together totally although the movie can be okay. All we need to is look to history to successes and what has driven the most successful faith-based and time-tested movies of all time.

It is my understanding that the man behind this movie; Ridley Scott is an atheist. He has had a tragic life with the loss of his brothers, one to suicide I hope and pray for his conversion to God.

I think you are right that the best faith-based movies are usually made by people who are not just in it for the money. However, I’ve seen movies made by devout believers that were…well, terrible. I’ve also seen religious themed movies made by atheists that were genuinely moving and thought-provoking. So I would say anyone who takes the material seriously and is passionate about it, regardless of belief, can make a good religious film.

Scott may be an atheist, (although I’ve heard he doesn’t identify as one anymore) but from my impression, he does at least take the Exodus story seriously and respects it. I don’t think he’s just making a cash grab here.

That doesn’t mean it’s a perfect movie, or even a great movie, but it does mean we shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss it.

 

[jilly4ski]

It is true, no Exodus adaptation can be as good as Prince of Egypt.

 

[adawgj]

It is true, no Exodus adaptation can be as good as Prince of Egypt.

Totally agree.

 

[john1513]

It’s Exodus, it seems to make an artistic attempt at telling the story, therefore I want to see it.

Nothing will ever be the same as the book because a movie is not a book. Inaccuracies could be a good reason to see a movie so we can learn from them. There’s not a plethora of movies that are grappling with OT books anyway.

 

[truetofaith]

Just because Jacob wrestled with God doesn’t mean that Moses did not do so as well. Of course, with Moses, it is more of a figurative “wrestling.” But it is not an inaccurate description.

I’m not saying the movie is not bad. It wouldn’t surprise me if it were. But “worst movie ever” is a tad hyperbolic. That would mean this one movie is worse than all of the tens of thousands of movies that have come before it. I find that hard to believe. Which makes it harder for me to take the criticism seriously.

I won’t be giving my money to them. I get most of my movies from the library after they come out on DVD. I will probably do the same with this one.

I won’t watch it at all because it’s not true to what the Bible says about Moses & the Exodus. It will just confuse things.

 

[Path_Finder]

I think there are lots of Bible fanboys who will confuse artistic liberty with heresy. The director is very clear that his goal in the movie was to create a portrayal of the Moses and the Exodus that reflected a historical basis from which the biblical account could have been reasonably extrapolated, or “mythologized” by Biblical writers.

So let me get this straight–God actually shows up in the movie, and miracles do happen, but because it’s not exactly like the account of the Bible, it’s a total cinematic failure?

Agreed! Good points.

 

[truetofaith]

The effects that I saw in the trailer and TV promo’s are AWFUL.

But then Glenn Beck would be the LAST person I would take advice from for anything.

Many people would disagree with you about Glenn Beck. Anyway, if the account of Moses is a sham, good or bad effects are useless.

Let me add, Beck said this movie is dangerous because young people, who may not have read the biblical account, will have this movie giving them a false account.

 

[truetofaith]

Glenn Beck’s review :

It’s Oscar season in Hollywood! That means studios are releasing the films they think are most likely to pick up awards next year before the eligibility cut off. Movies like Boyhood, Selma, The Imitation Game, and Birdman are getting wide acclaim from critics, with many viewing them as “locks” for the Best Picture nomination. And there are the films that seemed to have the perfect pedigree – award winning director and actor, timeless story, incredible effects – that end up being absolutely terrible. Glenn believes Exodus: Gods and Kings falls into the latter category. But is it really the most dangerous movie of the year?

As Glenn explained in his review of the film on radio, Exodus is dangerous because it will become THE Moses story for the next generation. For decades, people have been raised on Cecil B. De mile’s The Ten Commandments, a much more faithful telling of the story that placed God and faith at the center. The new one? Not so much.

“We all had Charlton Heston as our Moses icon and so we have the story right. This is going to become the story that your kids will see if you watch it on Netflix. You don’t have to go to the movie theater. People will just go, I’m curious, I want to see it. They’ll watch it and they’ll watch it with their kids. And this will be the story of Moses that will embed in their head,” Glenn said.

“I don’t think it’s the worst movie I’ve seen. I think it’s one of the more dangerous movies I’ve seen religiously speaking because it’s all screwed up,” he added. “I think this is a very subversive movie for religion. If you’re holding out hope that this was going to be good, it’s not. Don’t give them any money. Don’t give them any money. Don’t rent it on Netflix. Don’t do anything. Avoid this one literally like the plague that it is.”

Glenn took issue with several plot points, including the portrayal of God as a petulant child and Moses as a terrorist.

“As I’m watching it, I’m thinking to myself, who are they appealing to? Because as a religious person, as somebody who believes in Moses, somebody who believes in God, somebody who believes in the Ten Commandments, somebody who believes in Exodus, I’m offended. I’m like deeply offended. That you are taking a prophet of the Lord, one of the most humble men of all time and you’re making him an al Qaeda member. It makes absolutely no sense.”

 

[Path_Finder]

The reviewer at Forbes doesn’t like it: forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2014/12/05/review-exodus-gods-and-kings-is-god-awful/

But I have seen some positive reviews as well. So this will be like movies and play out and 6 months from now, another thread will be brought up on it when it is released into DVD. I am unable to hear Michael Medved’s oral review but it sounds like he is giving it 3 and a half stars out of 4, see for oneself in case I’m in error. michaelmedved.com/movie-review/exodus-gods-kings/#

 

[Robyn_p]

Many people would disagree with you about Glenn Beck. Anyway, if the account of Moses is a sham, good or bad effects are useless.

Let me add, Beck said this movie is dangerous because young people, who may not have read the biblical account, will have this movie giving them a false account.

I think nostalgia might be clouding Glenn Beck’s judgment here. It’s not a false account at all. Moses is more human than we are used to, that’s true, and he’s definitely not perfect. But overall he’s sympathetic, and the heart of the Exodus story - God caring for his people and setting them free from slavery - is captured well. There’s a nice intro where the movie tells us the Israelites have not forgotten God, and God has not forgotten them. I really liked that bit.

Could the movie be problematic and dangerous for someone with a weak grasp of the Bible? Sure. But so could just picking up the Bible and reading it on our own if we’re being honest here. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard atheist’s say that it was reading the Old Testament that destroyed their faith. It’s messy and violent. There are things in it hard to understand and reconcile with what we know from the New Testament. God comes across as pretty cruel and even somewhat petty at times if you don’t have a good understanding of the cultural context. I think if we are going to call the movie dangerous for showing God and Moses in less than sympathetic light, we have to say the same about the entire Old Testament. Still, the movie has some good messages. It’s not really about Moses’ faults or God’s anger, it’s about God freeing His people and people keeping faith even when things look dark.

No, it’s not a perfect movie by any definition, and I don’t blame you or anyone for not wanting to see it. I’m still conflicted about it myself because there were some things I liked, and a lot I didn’t. But I don’t think there were enough flaws to call it a false account or dangerous. And like 1newcatholic said, it’s a major Hollywood movie that actually mentions God and has him directly intervening to deliver his people from slavery. That’s pretty cool to me.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I hated the movie Noah. I was really looking forward to this movie, but then I heard the comments Christian Bale made about Moses and I knew it was not going to be good.
I also heard what Glenn Beck said about this movie and was glad I had not wasted my money on it.
It is hard to beat The Ten Commandments.

 

[Nelka]

Matrix is worse.

 

[Path_Finder]

Francesco with Mickey Rourke is on the Vatican’s list of movies:

imdb.com/title/tt0097383/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican%27s_list_of_films

I’m sorry, I was disappointed, I have watched it. Maybe others appreciate it.

 

[truetofaith]

I hated the movie Noah. I was really looking forward to this movie, but then I heard the comments Christian Bale made about Moses and I knew it was not going to be good.
I also heard what Glenn Beck said about this movie and was glad I had not wasted my money on it.
It is hard to beat The Ten Commandments.

 

[InNomineDomini]

So let me get this straight–God actually shows up in the movie, and miracles do happen, but because it’s not exactly like the account of the Bible, it’s a total cinematic failure?

If someone made a movie about your mother, but added in a great deal of extra fluff and intrigue to make the story more likely to make more money, then I’m sure you might be inclined to be a bit annoyed and to take it somewhat personally.

Likewise, a lot of folks who deeply love Sacred Scripture – “fanboys,” as you for some reason describe them – seem to react in a similar way when the Bible is brought to Hollywood. Perhaps they are cautious and weary of agendas, or perhaps they see the whole affair as just so much filthy lucre. Whatever the case, they seem to be motivated by a desire for the Bible not to be profaned, and I hardly can see that as being a bad motivation.

Frankly, from a movie-making perspective, I don’t agree with them entirely, but I do think this: I would like for everyone in the whole world to develop a deep love for Sacred Scripture, for the Faith, and for the Lord, even if in the process they become less of a professional *feelm *critic, or less apt to appreciate cinematic arteests.

 

[Path_Finder]

I hated the movie Noah. I was really looking forward to this movie, but then I heard the comments Christian Bale made about Moses and I knew it was not going to be good.
I also heard what Glenn Beck said about this movie and was glad I had not wasted my money on it.
It is hard to beat The Ten Commandments.

Is Glenn Beck still a Mormon? Maybe some day we will see a movie on their Holy Book.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Is Glenn Beck still a Mormon? Maybe some day we will see a movie on their Holy Book.

I assume he still is. I believe his wife was Mormon and that is why he converted but I am not sure. I also listen to Mark Levin and he is Jewish. I listen for the content not based on what religion they are. I like Dennis Praeger also. But I don’t listen to him as often anymore.

 

[Path_Finder]

I assume he still is. I believe his wife was Mormon and that is why he converted but I am not sure. I also listen to Mark Levin and he is Jewish. I listen for the content not based on what religion they are. I like Dennis Praeger also. But I don’t listen to him as often anymore.

If I am correct, Beck was born and raised Catholic. I agree about listening to these broadcasters based on the content of their show. However, I still think it merits a mention if one is now embracing the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints if Beck is so critical of this movie.

 

[Path_Finder]

If I am correct, Beck was born and raised Catholic. I agree about listening to these broadcasters based on the content of their show. However, I still think it merits a mention if one is now embracing the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints if Beck is so critical of this movie.

Post #21: Per Ridley Scott as an Atheist. I think this is fair to mention as well if someone involved in making the show, thinks that way and vice-versa.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=12579636&postcount=21

Also per all the critics of the “Son of God” movie. It is okay to mention it and leave how we view that to ourselves.

 

[7_Sorrows]

If I am correct, Beck was born and raised Catholic. I agree about listening to these broadcasters based on the content of their show. However, I still think it merits a mention if one is now embracing the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints if Beck is so critical of this movie.

I don’t understand the connection between embracing the beliefs of the Church of Latter Day Saints and being critical of this movie.

Yes I believe Glenn Beck was a Catholic before converting. I don’t know how strong a foundation he had growing up. I do know he was an alcoholic and one of his parents committed suicide. He turned his life around and seems at peace.