Moses goes Hollywood...again.

[Twentythree]

This is kind of shitty wanted to get the take of the forums on this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/steven-spielbergs-moses-m_n_1232827.html?igoogle=1

Based on this article there are apparently several upcoming epic scale Hollywood films set to begin production or to release that are all Biblical Themed. It would be nice to believe that these films will regard and present these stories as works of fiction rather than works of historical relevance but I don't think that will be the case. What do you think of Biblical based films and do you think they have a place in the modern cinematic culture. For an industry that is routinely progressive this almost seems like a grab for cash by pandering to the overwhelming Christian majority in the US. I'm just sitting here shaking my head...what about the epic tales of Copernicus or Darwin overcoming the social pressures of their time to propose theories that revolutionized science. Where are the films based on the epic voyages of the SS beagle? Instead Hollywood will produce and promote a film about fictional events based on a fictional book written thousands of years ago to serve as an instruction manual for savage tribesmen to keep them from killing one another and fucking each other's wives and livestock. Sorry just a little pissed this morning. Living in America is getting tougher every year as Christian fundamentalism burrows into every facet of our lives. From politics to entertainment we as Americans have come to expect a culture that is brimming with Jesus, sin and sanctity....barf.

[Sweetdeath]

Wasn't the passion of the christ bad enough? X_x..
Ugh, steven spielberg too? So lame.

[Ali]

Honestly, religious themed movies don't bother me.  I really do just view them as another fictional work, and I figure that the movie studios for the most part just make whatever they think will be popular and make lots of money.  If I don't like the premise of a movie, I vote with my dollar (aka, don't pay to see it.)  I personally love the old Charleton Heston 10 Commandments.  So campy!  I love how Nefretiri is constantly saying "Oh Moses, Moooooooses."  Best line in the movie "Moses, oh Moses.  Why of all men did I fall in love with the prince of fools?"  What woman hasn't said that at least once?  LOL

[Firebird]

Honestly, religious themed movies don't bother me.  I really do just view them as another fictional work, and I figure that the movie studios for the most part just make whatever they think will be popular and make lots of money.  If I don't like the premise of a movie, I vote with my dollar (aka, don't pay to see it.)  I personally love the old Charleton Heston 10 Commandments.  So campy!  I love how Nefretiri is constantly saying "Oh Moses, Moooooooses."  Best line in the movie "Moses, oh Moses.  Why of all men did I fall in love with the prince of fools?"  What woman hasn't said that at least once?  LOL

Yeah, but it's more than that. Let's say they made a movie about Darwin, or Scopes, or something like that. There would be protests, and politicians would use it as a foil to present themselves as more religious and acceptable as a politician. Bu something like Passion of the Christ is fine. That's what's ass-backwards.

[Ali]

Honestly, religious themed movies don't bother me.  I really do just view them as another fictional work, and I figure that the movie studios for the most part just make whatever they think will be popular and make lots of money.  If I don't like the premise of a movie, I vote with my dollar (aka, don't pay to see it.)  I personally love the old Charleton Heston 10 Commandments.  So campy!  I love how Nefretiri is constantly saying "Oh Moses, Moooooooses."  Best line in the movie "Moses, oh Moses.  Why of all men did I fall in love with the prince of fools?"  What woman hasn't said that at least once?  LOL

Yeah, but it's more than that. Let's say they made a movie about Darwin, or Scopes, or something like that. There would be protests, and politicians would use it as a foil to present themselves as more religious and acceptable as a politician. Bu something like Passion of the Christ is fine. That's what's ass-backwards.

That may be true, but what is the alternative?  I have no desire to limit free speech, either by trying to get rid of religious movies or by trying to stop people from protesting secular movies, so I don't see a real practical approach to the problem other than just not paying to see movies that I'm not interested in.  For example, I think I'm one of like 6 people in the US who hasn't seen the Passion of the Christ.  I would never give that movie even a penny. 

[Davin]

Honestly, religious themed movies don't bother me.  I really do just view them as another fictional work, and I figure that the movie studios for the most part just make whatever they think will be popular and make lots of money.  If I don't like the premise of a movie, I vote with my dollar (aka, don't pay to see it.)  I personally love the old Charleton Heston 10 Commandments.  So campy!  I love how Nefretiri is constantly saying "Oh Moses, Moooooooses."  Best line in the movie "Moses, oh Moses.  Why of all men did I fall in love with the prince of fools?"  What woman hasn't said that at least once?  LOL

Yeah, but it's more than that. Let's say they made a movie about Darwin, or Scopes, or something like that. There would be protests, and politicians would use it as a foil to present themselves as more religious and acceptable as a politician. Bu something like Passion of the Christ is fine. That's what's ass-backwards.

That may be true, but what is the alternative?  I have no desire to limit free speech, either by trying to get rid of religious movies or by trying to stop people from protesting secular movies, so I don't see a real practical approach to the problem other than just not paying to see movies that I'm not interested in.  For example, I think I'm one of like 6 people in the US who hasn't seen the Passion of the Christ.  I would never give that movie even a penny. 

I haven't yet... I was going to, but it wasn't on any of the instant viewing services I use and it wasn't important enough for me to get it by other means. So who are the other four...

I agree with you, free speech is something I value very much. I wouldn't limit protests at all, anyone notice Kevin Smith protesting his own movie? I thought it was funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWmlFDYjVV4

[Firebird]

Honestly, religious themed movies don't bother me.  I really do just view them as another fictional work, and I figure that the movie studios for the most part just make whatever they think will be popular and make lots of money.  If I don't like the premise of a movie, I vote with my dollar (aka, don't pay to see it.)  I personally love the old Charleton Heston 10 Commandments.  So campy!  I love how Nefretiri is constantly saying "Oh Moses, Moooooooses."  Best line in the movie "Moses, oh Moses.  Why of all men did I fall in love with the prince of fools?"  What woman hasn't said that at least once?  LOL

Yeah, but it's more than that. Let's say they made a movie about Darwin, or Scopes, or something like that. There would be protests, and politicians would use it as a foil to present themselves as more religious and acceptable as a politician. Bu something like Passion of the Christ is fine. That's what's ass-backwards.

That may be true, but what is the alternative?  I have no desire to limit free speech, either by trying to get rid of religious movies or by trying to stop people from protesting secular movies, so I don't see a real practical approach to the problem other than just not paying to see movies that I'm not interested in.  For example, I think I'm one of like 6 people in the US who hasn't seen the Passion of the Christ.  I would never give that movie even a penny. 

There isn't an alternative. I completely agree with you about free speech, as I've posted elsewhere on this forum. Free speech also means I have the right to speak my mind about how dumb I think most people in this country are

PS> I'm one of those 6 people too

[Ali]

I certainly agree that our freedom of speech extends to us talking about how dumb movies and people in the US can be.  So let's see, me, my husband, Davin, and you, that only leaves two more people that haven't seen that godforsaken movie (pun intended.)  Small world!

[Guardian85]

Now, playing Devil's advocate here. Are we sure that Spielberg is making a canonical, pro-christian propaganda piece or is it possible that he is going to take some interesting artistic licence and be critical of the story? It didn't say in the article.

[Too Few Lions]

I'm still trying to get over the idea that Hollywood or the film industry is 'routinely progressive'. Seems to me that they used to make films with plots and ideas that even sometimes pushed boundaries, now they just blow things up and have expensive CGIs and make shit remakes and sequels.

I think Hollywood's just about money these days, and if biblical films will get Christian punters parting with their hard earned cash, I'd expect to see plenty more of them. It's just a shame they won't be spending the money making a film based on an interesting work of fiction...

[Davin]

Now, playing Devil's advocate here. Are we sure that Spielberg is making a canonical, pro-christian propaganda piece or is it possible that he is going to take some interesting artistic licence and be critical of the story? It didn't say in the article.

It could go the way of the Passion of the Christ and end up being a movie of them wandering in the wilderness for fourty years and then Moses dying.

[Amicale]

Actually, I'm kind of interested to see what happens with this movie.

IT could be Hollywood's eleventh commandment: if you're searching for a hit, turn to the Bible.

Steven Spielberg is reportedly considering directing the story of Moses. The director behind E.T. and Indiana Jones is said to have in mind a gritty biblical biopic; a mix of Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan.

Meanwhile, the director Darren Aronofsky, whose works include the Oscar-winning ballerina psychodrama Black Swan, has been linked to a big-budget Noah's Ark film.

Tentatively titled Gods and Kings, the Spielberg film is being developed by Warner Bros and would depict Moses as a "a Braveheartish, real warrior". The movie would follow Judaism's most important prophet as he leads the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, parts the Red Sea, receives the Ten Commandments and wanders in the wilderness.

Read the rest here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/the-biblical-tale-of-moses-is-set-to-get-the-steven-spielberg-treatment/story-e6frg8pf-1226257085796

It looks like he's considering taking some artistic license with this one, turning Moses into a warrior. I mean, a mix of Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan? Set in the Biblical story of Moses? Hmm...  Just in terms of watching it as a story (and I do mean story) and as a possible action movie/war movie, it might be interesting. That, and it'd be a ramp-up from the Biblical tale.

Eh, it doesn't concern me that Hollywood's putting this stuff out, honestly. Like Ali, I vote with my wallet and if there's something I really don't want to see, I just don't see it, rent it, buy it, or download it. I also don't have any wish to invite censorship into entertainment, and start protesting religious movies. There are plenty of secular, 'risky' movies Hollywood or indie film makers put out that the religious right object to all the time, and I assume they vote with their wallets, too.

[history_geek]

Actually, I'm kind of interested to see what happens with this movie.

IT could be Hollywood's eleventh commandment: if you're searching for a hit, turn to the Bible.

Steven Spielberg is reportedly considering directing the story of Moses. The director behind E.T. and Indiana Jones is said to have in mind a gritty biblical biopic; a mix of Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan.

Meanwhile, the director Darren Aronofsky, whose works include the Oscar-winning ballerina psychodrama Black Swan, has been linked to a big-budget Noah's Ark film.

Tentatively titled Gods and Kings, the Spielberg film is being developed by Warner Bros and would depict Moses as a "a Braveheartish, real warrior". The movie would follow Judaism's most important prophet as he leads the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, parts the Red Sea, receives the Ten Commandments and wanders in the wilderness.

Read the rest here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/the-biblical-tale-of-moses-is-set-to-get-the-steven-spielberg-treatment/story-e6frg8pf-1226257085796

It looks like he's considering taking some artistic license with this one, turning Moses into a warrior. I mean, a mix of Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan? Set in the Biblical story of Moses? Hmm...  Just in terms of watching it as a story (and I do mean story) and as a possible action movie/war movie, it might be interesting. That, and it'd be a ramp-up from the Biblical tale.

Eh, it doesn't concern me that Hollywood's putting this stuff out, honestly. Like Ali, I vote with my wallet and if there's something I really don't want to see, I just don't see it, rent it, buy it, or download it. I also don't have any wish to invite censorship into entertainment, and start protesting religious movies. There are plenty of secular, 'risky' movies Hollywood or indie film makers put out that the religious right object to all the time, and I assume they vote with their wallets, too.

Soooo... basicly Moses is going to be represented in a similar way that they did in the Histroy Channel's "Battles BC"-series?

But yeah, if it's a good movie, why not. I'm not really bothered if it's from the babel. After all, it just might make it even more evident just how blood thirsty that good ol' YHWH is supposed to be

[Beachdragon]

Wait, wouldn't a Moses movie be more about the Jews than Christians, considering there were no Christians at the time of Moses?

Also, please please please let The Rock or Vin Diesel play Moses.  LOL

[statichaos]

Spielberg is Jewish, not Christian. 

I don't mind Biblical films so long as they're interesting.  Prince of Egypt (another Moses film) was an excellent animated work.

Also, to respond to a post upthread:  They have made a film based on the Scopes trial.  It was Inherit The Wind, an adaptation of the stage play of the same name.  The names were changed, but it was essentially the same story.