Review: Exodus Gods and Kings


This is another one of those films where the trailer was much better than the film itself. Even if I had no religious biases or preferences for older cinematic versions of the Exodus story, I would have to say that this film falls flat even as movies go in general. It was quite lengthy at 2 hours and 40 minutes. What bothered me most about this film was that it seemed to be confused in its perspective on how it interprets the Exodus narrative. The first half of the film has rather strong skeptical undertones, naturalistic explanations to the plagues of Egypt, but then all of a sudden the rationally or scientifically inexplicable deaths of Egyptian first born and the parting of the Red Sea takes place. Is Moses schizophrenic or not? Did he hit his head a little too hard or not. Is the might of his side the might of military expertise or is the God of Abraham really with Moses, or rather Moses with God? Hard to say. In summary, this film did very little to inspire me, neither on a purely secular and human sense, nor in a religious and spiritual sense. I'd take the animated The Prince of Egypt any day over this film. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ENVY

Image
ENVY is more than jealousy. It's me wanting what you have, especially fueled by the thought that you don't deserve what you have. It is a deadly sin when you want to cause harm towards others who have what you want.  This is what makes social media so problematic for many of us, especially those whose primary vice is Envy. We see the best of people's lives on social media. We hardly see the struggles behind the good posts. Life is filled with ups and downs. For all of us. Matthew 5:45 English Standard Version 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. I'm here at Calvinist Coffee aka Landmark coffee roasters in Redlands. Christian owned, so support them. Unless you're reprobate, go to Coffee Bean. No time for your depraved dollars ;-) (jk, of course)
Read more

WHY RECOGNIZE AND RESIST MAKES LESS SENSE THAN SEDEVACANTISM AND FRANCISVACANTISM

Image
WHY RECOGNIZE AND RESIST MAKES LESS SENSE THAN SEDEVACANTISM AND FRANCISVACANTISM I came across this short video. I don't know who this guy is but "Novus Ordo Watch" has been around for a very long time. When I was studying the various Trad groups in the mid 2000s, I consumed much of their materials to get the Sedevacantist view, or at least their version of it. After distancing myself from the Trad community several years ago I thought myself to be somewhat in the R&R camp still because I had a lot of distaste for the Francis pontificate. In many ways, still do, to be quite honest. It should be obvious. But as I've had my private chats with Sedevacantist apologist Gerry Matatics and my two interviews with him, it became clear to me I'm really more in line with a Sedevacantist mentality that believes Francis is the true pope. That may sound like a strange way to describe myself. But bear with me, and it sounds like Gerry would back me on this (not ...
Read more

BORED AT MASS

Image
BORED AT MASS Video:  Alteration by Fr. Mike Schmitz I remember watching this video when it first came out around 7 years ago. I found it to be a little overdramatic at the time. Today, at the adult confirmation class that I attend and help with a bit of commentary for the parish director, this video was part of the lesson on the Mass. I thought it was a helpful conversation at the tables during the lesson. We started off talking about what the priest was and his role in the liturgy. I think this video was intended for teen confirmation but it seems also appropriate for adult confirmation since many of these folks haven't really been engaged in the Catholic faith for some time and it is good to present the basics. Having drifted a little bit further away from my former traditionalism since 7 years ago, I can appreciate a video like this. But here's what I find a bit inconsistent here.  I've gone to so many different parishes in my diocese and surrounding diocese...
Read more