Stop Trying To "Save Christmas", Kirk!

[RDKirk]

Two related answers:

1) Deliberately religious productions generally set out with the primary goal of getting a religious message across, rather than of creating a piece of entertainment or a work of art. The latter goal is secondary and slapped on, and often fails due to lack of talent or lack of focus on this as an important goal. This is completely avoidable, but it requires the talent and focus that go always are required when creating a piece of entertainment or a work of art.

2) Good film, television, music, etc. often relies on subtlety and ambiguity. Deliberately religious works tend to throw these out the window, and smack the consumer in the face with an overt message that is very black and white with little ambiguity. This is also avoidable, but again requires both talent and focus.

I remember an artist in the old Soviet Union complaining about being required to make all her art somehow depict a principle of Communism. She paraphrased Freud: "Sometimes a painting of a flower is just a painting of a flower."

But it's certainly not impossible to convey a specific and identifiable message in a good work of art. What I see wrong in these religious productions is more basic than that: Stale writing and wooden performances.

 

[Inkachu]

I think there's a gaping hole and a real hunger for quality, Christian-themed movies. We just keep seeing these galactic failures (like "Noah", ugh)...

 

[Supreme]

Looks... awful.

I'll stick to A Christmas Carol, myself. It's a family tradition to watch the version with Patrick Stewart in (he's brilliant) in the week running up to Christmas. It's brilliant.

 

[FreeSpirit74]

^^^ I'm partial to the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge.

 

[brewmama]

Has anyone here actually seen this movie?

 

[keith99]

^^^ I'm partial to the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge.

I think that is the one I'm partial to. I've never seen an outright bad version. That said I have not watched the Jim Carey one or any other remake of the last 15 years. Even the one so old the graphic value was painful was good.

 

[keith99]

Well, you could have as well referred to "Starship Troopers."

Oh no. Exit To Eden at least had some redeeming humor and not so many outright reversals.

After all in Starship Troopers, the book, John Rico's father is alive, Carl is dead and John speaks Tagalog at home. In the Film his father is dead, Carl (Doogie Howser) is alive and John is a blond haired blue eyed aryan.

And one could watch the film and have not even notice the name 'Roger Young' let alone know who he was. Once upon a time I could come pretty close the citation of just what got Young the medal of honor.

It is the very last thing in the book.

Grafting in a police mystery sort of sucked for Exit to Eden, but the line 'Are we the only ones here without handcuffs' was almost worth it.

 

[keith99]

Has anyone here actually seen this movie?

Normally a good point. But when every critic seem to think it is garbage and when the ordinary person reviews concur and the issue does not seem to be related in any way to a controversial position taken it would seem the question 'Why should I?' seems in order.

 

[keith99]

I think there's a gaping hole and a real hunger for quality, Christian-themed movies. We just keep seeing these galactic failures (like "Noah", ugh)...

I really do feel for you. It seems Christian themed films either pander to a mindless sort of us vrs. them Christian or insists on inserting needless and distracting Hollywood staples.

I honestly think a Christian themed film that tells it straight might well be far better received outside of Christian circles than many think. Assuming it is well done of course.

 

[JustMeSee]

Sadly, this doesn't surprise me one bit.

Kirk Cameron's 'Saving Christmas' is IMDB's worst ranked movie - AOL.com

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/mobile/search/?q=saving+christmas

Perhaps, Mr banana boy Cameron should do some advanced training in film and theater.

I have not seen this film, but I seen most of his others. I love christian movies, but wince at his post television work.

 

[JustMeSee]

Same here. I see him as a guy who enjoys attention and feeling like he's oh-so hip and cool and relevant. I think he just doesn't know how to deal with not being famous anymore.

Considering that Nicholas Cage received his role in the new Left Behind movie, Kurt is probably feeling left behind.

Those who transition from child to adult actors have to really work their butts off to really be recognized and achieve. If you are going to take a different route, you still have to rely on more than just a message.

 

[cow451]

Considering that Nicholas Cage received his role in the new Left Behind movie, Kurt is probably feeling left behind.

Nothing says Left behind better than Nick Cage.

 

[Inkachu]

I honestly think a Christian themed film that tells it straight might well be far better received outside of Christian circles than many think. Assuming it is well done of course.

See, I think that, too! But I think it's assumed that if we present "real" Christianity to the world, it'll be dismissed by default. I think Christian movie-makers are doing themselves a disservice with that assumption, and insulting the open-mindedness of many non-Christians. I mean, you look at movies like "The Ten Commandments" which stuck very close to scripture; it was EPIC and audiences loved it, not just Christian fans.

 

[JustMeSee]

^^^ I'm partial to the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge.

No Mickey Mouse or Mr. Magoo?

A high school friend worked with Mr. Scott on Taps. He had many kind words for the great actor.

 

[keith99]

Link to IMBD Trailer.

Saving Christmas (2014) - IMDb

I hope, might be just to the film, so one whole click to do.

The ratings on this film are interesting to say the least. 95% or them are either 1 or 10. The same kind of pattern of 1 being the bost and 10 the second most holds until the 8th worst film. There 2 beats 10.

If yuo watch the trailer you can easily see why anyone with a brain would find this film flat at best.

 

[Inkachu]

Looks... awful.

I'll stick to A Christmas Carol, myself. It's a family tradition to watch the version with Patrick Stewart in (he's brilliant) in the week running up to Christmas. It's brilliant.

The old, old one with Alistair Sim is the best one of all!! It's too overlooked, IMO. And honestly, I love the Muppet Christmas Carol a lot It's done very well!

 

[keith99]

See, I think that, too! But I think it's assumed that if we present "real" Christianity to the world, it'll be dismissed by default. I think Christian movie-makers are doing themselves a disservice with that assumption, and insulting the open-mindedness of many non-Christians. I mean, you look at movies like "The Ten Commandments" which stuck very close to scripture; it was EPIC and audiences loved it, not just Christian fans.

I think stories from scripture might suffer today because of the way Hollywood has gone with over the top effects. In their time 'The 10 Commandments' or 'Ben Hur' were cutting edge for epic action scenes, action but realistic. Now to be action a scene has to border on absurd. A tough balance for scripture based films.

 

[godenver1]

I am always leery of ANY Christian theatrical release. None of them get it right.

Closest was The Passion of the Christ. And even that had its share of flaws.

I stay away from anything religious from Kirk Cameron, too. I loved him in Growing Pains, had posters of him in my room when I was 16 but his theology is flawed.

I can't wait for Exodus gods and kings to come out on Friday. I don't know if it's a 'Christian movie' or just an action one. I really enjoy Christian Bale and he's enough to make me see it. I also liked Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad and it will probably have pretty cool CGI also.

 

[RDKirk]

I think stories from scripture might suffer today because of the way Hollywood has gone with over the top effects. In their time 'The 10 Commandments' or 'Ben Hur' were cutting edge for epic action scenes, action but realistic. Now to be action a scene has to border on absurd. A tough balance for scripture based films.

Well, even modern animations like "Prince of Egypt" and "King of Dreams" have found wide favor--and they're totally "special effects."

Yet, you can compare those outstandingly entertaining animations with some of the animations you see on religious stations and still wonder why the latter are so lame.

 

[Inkachu]

I think stories from scripture might suffer today because of the way Hollywood has gone with over the top effects. In their time 'The 10 Commandments' or 'Ben Hur' were cutting edge for epic action scenes, action but realistic. Now to be action a scene has to border on absurd. A tough balance for scripture based films.

Agreed. They'd have to be very careful that they didn't lose the "meat" of the story with over-publicized CGI stuff. That's one reason I really enjoyed the "Bible: Esther" movie. No floods, no plagues, no sweeping zooms over computer-generated vistas. Just people, buildings, and story. Loved it.