The Nativity Story

[Hishandmaiden]

[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=+1] The Nativity Story (2006)[/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=-1] [ All User Reviews ][/SIZE]
[SIZE=-2]Overall Grade:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]A[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Story:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]A+[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Acting:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]A[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Direction:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]B+[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]Visuals:[/SIZE][SIZE=-2]B+[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Your poison is my meat?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-2]by spei83 (movies profile) Dec 14, 2006[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]I went to this movie with a grumpy mood, expecting a bad movie, that had a good theme, that could perhaps bridge the gap that was forming between me and God, over some bad situations and circumstances that had happened in my life, lately. Frankly speaking, I was expecting a rather boring and dull film, that would somehow put me to sleep, after reading through the number of negative movie ratings for this movie.

The saying, one man's meat is another man's poison is true. What was poisonous to the reviewers, what was boring to them, what put them to sleep while watching the movie, moved me to tears. I was enticed, drawn in and captivated by the movie.

I love the way in which Mary was portrayed in the movie, very much. She was no holy angel, as Christians nowadays loved to portray her to be. No, she was an ordinary young lady, like myself, with very ordinary kind of struggles. She did not like the man, Joseph, that she was forced to marry, and in the earlier scene, it appeared that she even seemed to have another guy she would much have preferred to marry, rather than Joseph.

But along the way, she discovered that this guy might be dull, and unattractive, unable to offer her the fun and enjoyment that other guys might possibly give to her. Yet, he was one worthy and reliable guy who was willing to sacrifice his own food for his donkey. He was just the right father, just the right guy for the baby in her womb, which Mary was privileged to be chosen to carry.

A righteous man, a God-fearing man, the right husband for Mary. What other people will trash as not being of any worth to watch, I will give an A+. I thoroughly enjoy the movie, and I encounter God in the process of watching it. Suddenly, I feel that it is all right for me to argue and quarrel with God, because the kind of people God uses are never perfect people. They are imperfect people who He uses to touch the world.

I have many more things I like about this movie that I will have to keep for myself. But go and watch the movie if you have not, and especially so, if you are a Christian. Do not let the critics' words affect you. See the movie for yourself. If you like it, good, share it with your loved ones. If you do not like it, it is all right. You spend a hour and forty minutes, remembering the birth of Jesus. [/SIZE]

 

[AmandaLynn1288]

I totally agree... I loved it! It really showed how everyday Mary & Joseph were... and how God uses such ordinary people. I also thought it did a pretty good job of being based off the Bible!

 

[2LivIsChrist]

Yea, I agree. I was empressed and thought it was really good. I got a little teary eyed at the end of the movie.

 

[Hishandmaiden]

Same here. Too bad that it got a bad ratings from the critics and many people, though, and that the sales were not doing that well.

 

[spinningwheelgirl]

I really liked the movie.

 

[we5frogs]

Our ladies small group went to see this - and we loved it!

It gave us a whole new persepective on the characters - their humanity - the depth of their struggles along the journey - the situation and its effect on others aroud them who we never heard about or gave much thought - and especially on the dynamics of the relationship between Mary and Joseph.

I also was brought to tears, and the picture of everyone gathered around the babe will now come to mind every time I think of the manger scene. So beautiful!

I was so disappointed that other than our small group members, there was only one other couple in attendance - how sad that so many are missing out without even knowing it.

 

[Hishandmaiden]

I think people just had this website that everything christian is boring. Even though that is not always the case.

 

[SweetBella]

happy to see all your goood posts, i want to go see this this week!

 

[ListenerFriendly]

Excellent character represntation. Although, I am greatly disapointed by the errors represented. Mostly, the wise men are shown to have went to see Baby Jesus in the barn. While this is in accord with modern tradition, it is not based on the Bible, which has them visiting them in their house they later lived in in Bethlehem. Another thing was the lack of the angels singing in the skies, above the shepherds. They also acted like Hardod knew more about the prophecies than he really did, because in actuality he consulted the Jews when the wise men visited because he knew very little. Also, on the return of the wise men, it shows one of them acting as if it were his idea to not tell Harod, when it really was a vision from God. With factual errors aside, it gave me a new perspective on what the scene might have been more like. I likesd that they didn't use american actors. I would reccomend people to see it, but be prepared to get your Bibles out and check it.

ROCK ON

 

[2LivIsChrist]

yea, I noticed those errors as well. But, I tried not to let those things bother me, and get the main meaning out of the story. Besides those mistakes, its was pretty good.

 

[Hishandmaiden]

Nothing is perfect, I guess, in this world.

 

[Fineous_Reese]

saw it with the in-laws while visiting for Christmas and was pleasantly surprised. i too was bothered by the issues with the wise men (ie, there were more like a dozen or more as well as a contingent of servents etc with them. they were the 'king makers' of the time which is why Herod was so interested in who they sought) but it wasn't enough to write off the movie. the nativity scene i grew up with had wise men at the manger and that's fine to show the story compactly.

go check it out if you've not

 

[Paddington]

I went to see it with my dad, it made my him cry and he NEVER cries. I loved it. I loved how it portrayed the dangers they faced more than previous adaptations. What I think a lot of people forget is how terrifying it must have been for Mary because she could have been put to death. I liked all the actors, but the only thing that bugged me a little bit if how little Mary smiled. I don't think she smiled at all after Jesus had been born and that struck me as a bit odd.

 

[Hishandmaiden]

I am glad all of you like the movies. I like the way in which this movie portrays the danger mary faced, too.

 

[philemon]

A+

I had seen the making of it on TV and liked the look of it in that they had gone into incredible detail and research to recreate the ancient sites, etc. I wanted to see it because it looked well made (I didn't know it had received bad reviews.)

But I LOVED it!! I went to see it on Christmas Eve with someone who was less than convinced and who didn't really want to see it but came with me begrudgingly. But we both thought it was fantastic. I loved the manger scene with the shepherds and when the 3 wise men were in their homeland.....I also had a lump in my throat when Jesus was born and Mary looked up at the shining star...it's very moving....(gulp)

This is a TERRIFIC movie, really great!

 

[ListenerFriendly]

yea, I enjoyed the character construction.

 

[Hishandmaiden]

I thought it was an under-rated movie, unfairly given a bad rating by people who hated anything christian or Jesus.

 

[On_Fire_4_God_Gurl]

I enjoyed it. At times i think it kind of flitted over important parts and didn't go into enough detail at said parts. Also when Elizabeth has her baby she pushes like three times and then ta da the baby is there. But overall it was a good movie. I heard that infact it wasn't getting a good reception from the Christian community and that might prevent Hollywood making another major christian film. Anyway its just my opinion...