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with comments by David Bruce

LEFT BEHIND BIG SCREEN RELEASE IS A MISTAKE
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001
From: "Larry"

I watched the video and wondered if the producers had ever read the book. And when it was over, I wondered where the second tape was because the movie just sort of died in the middle of a scene. Seriously, I hope that the theater release of the movie contains a lot more than what was released on video or it's going to be a flop. Nonbelievers won't even begin to understand what's going on. Like most movies, the book is often better than the movie; and in this case, the book is the only one worth purchasing.

LEFT ALONE
Subject: Cast_Away
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001
From: Gil

After the basic things in life ( shelter, food, clothing ) are taken care of, what do we do with our time? What is it that we treasure the most in life? Companion-ship? Things? The experiment that Cast-Away is conducting seems to be - Isolate a man from people, friends, love ones, his normal everyday environment, put him in an semi-hospitable island and see what he does. What would we do? Could a woman survive equally as well? Noland was too busy to develop meaningful relationships while "living" in civilization. Now that he is literally all alone, he is slowly going insane not having a single soul to commune with.

99.9% of the population are involved in "reactive" relationships, that is, by the very nature of our needs we have to involve ourselves with others; grocer, mailman, waiters and waitresses etc. But what about hermits, those who have left civilization to live on their own whatever the reason might be. I suppose with them it's a personal decision to ostracize themselves from their community. Nolan's predicament was thrust upon him, therefore his growing need to communicate with someone. His attempt at "creating" someone to commune with (The Wilson soccer ball) was a sad one. Thinking about it, I'm not surprised that Chuck didn't reach out for G-d, due to the fact that the director is an atheist. This revelation was made public when his movie Contact came out.

Some of us would probably reach out to G-d in extreme dire circumstances and some of us would not. Cast-away is painfully humanistic at its core. The message seems to be that life is "open" to us and we are "free" to create from it what we wish. Existentialism seemed to be the dish of the day. When our life-patterns are disturbed and thrown for a loop we are put in a difficult situation to make difficult choices. It was saddening to see Chuck Noland confused at the end, I'm sure ever questioning but not knowing why this had happened to him. No one seriously to take his questions, fears, confusion to. Yes, life is open to him but it seems to be a cold start. Noland at the crossroads - what will he do next? what would we do? does it matter? Do we not occupy a place in this world? Is there not a reason for us being here? According to Cast-away, I guess not!

LOVE HATE RELIGIOUS QUESTION
Subject: Newsletter 21
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001
From: Genie

I think that it has to do with the stance of the person. People who come from more conservative backgrounds seem to be more likely to pick people (like Ashcroft) whose religious views inhibit freedom for some. (The abortion issue, for example, where we have people of good Christian conscience on both sides of the issue.) People on the liberal side are usually more tolerant of conservative views than the other way around. The stricter interpreation of who is saved, the more pressure on people to be "saved like me." Because, by definition, only those who fit the conservative mold are "saved." . . . At least in my experience.

DISAPPOINTING
Subject: Les Miserables
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001
From: Pat

I just re-watched the video with my family again last night, and find that its just as disappointing as I remember. I am with all the others who missed Eponine. Her character is much deeper and more tragic than Cossette's. I think that the characters of Jean Valjean and Javert were well represented, as were many of the events of the book, but they left out far too much! Why put in the little boys (the ones who refer to Gavroch as "pappa" but not Eponine? Their characters are much more "expendable" in the whole story!) I can understand removing some parts of the story (how Valjean initially leaves the convent would be a good example) to speed along the story, but I can't understand the few places they have utterly changed his character! For instance, he would never have come to the point of losing his temper with Cossette as he did on the wall going into Paris. But, for someone who does not live and breath the book, I guess it is a good story. Not as good, but good, and you still get the idea of redemption. I also like what the Hollywood Jesus site states about living by the Law leads to death. We are not able to fulfill the Law, that is why we have Jesus. I love the book, but would recommend the movie to anyone who can't face the book yet.
Pat
Please do not list my last name or email

FANTASY BECOMES REALITY
Subject: Final_Fantasy
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001
From: Vincent

I can't believe it; my dream since 1987 is finally coming true - they're making the popular Square video game series, Final Fantasy, into a cinemagraphic full-length feature movie! From Final Fantasy to Final Fantasy IX, each game was a masterpiece set in it's own world. The script I am already assured will flow like water, just as all their other great story lines have! If you have already experienced one of the video games in this series, you know that the writers at Square KNOW what they're doing! I hope that this movie will be easily categorised as a groundbreaking new angle, for not only the graphics, but also for a well-thought-out story line.

WHY THE CONFLICT?
Subject: Newsletter_21
Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2001
From: Darrel Manson

I think Chocolat is a good place to look. I didn't read the book, but I understand the movie toned down the church's part. In the movie the church is merely wussy. In the book, the antagonist is priest rather than mayor.

We want people in public life to be religious, because we hope that some sort of relationship with God will move those people to strive to act out being in God's image - hence loving, caring and self-giving. But we also understand how easily it is for the religious to become like the Comte in Chocolat, trying to prove themselves worthy of their position by enforcing their view of religion.

On the other hand, I sometimes question whether we would really want someone to truly live out their Christianity as President. Certainly it was hard for many to stomach Jimmy Carter who tried to do so in many ways. What would we do if a president turned the other cheek, if the president took to heart the woes pronounced against the rich and the full in the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6? Face it, we want even the religious leaders to be selective in when they apply their religion to public policy. I guess in the end, we want them to be religious, but just not really believe it.
-- Darrel Manson
><>Artesia Christian Church
Artesia, CA http://netministries.org/see/churches/ch01198

LESS THAN A B MOVIE
Subject: Movie review Left Behind
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001
From: Linda Johnson Manchester, CT

Unfortunately for us as a Christian community, the production values, directing, and acting in the film make it less than a "B" movie. I don't think it merits a release in theaters; at best, it's "Lifetime" quality.
Linda Johnson Manchester, CT

THE KINGDOM IS WITHIN
Subject: The Kingdom of God is within... Left Behind
Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001
From: Alfred

We saw "Left Behind" the movie, and were very disappointed with the ending. I've been a Metaphysical Science practitioner for almost 10 years and am very interested in all things with a spiritual message. The "Rapture" has never been one of my beliefs. After reading the Bhagavad Gita and other eastern scriptures, I believe that the Kingdom of God is within us and that we can access it right here, right now without being teleported up to heaven. If we read the Gospels closely, we will get the same message and realize that we have the power to make a Heaven out of Hell, or a Hell out of Heaven. So, let's be pro-active and put our spirituality to work each and every day of our life here on Earth!

THEATER HALF FULL
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2001
From: LROY

I saw the movie on it's opening in Fargo, ND. The Theater was about half full. My husband and I found it to be a great topic starter for our Bible study group. We liked the movie and can't wait to see more. I hope to take our children as well.

HOW DULL
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2001
From: J. Yeap Washington, DC

Saw Left Behind after reading some of the recommended views of your corespondences! What a waste of time! Poor plot, bad camera work and directing, lousy performances and undeniably obnoxious and impractical views on moral acquiring skills! Clearly an implication of the shock value tactics for the purpose of gaining control of the human mind... exactly the ways practised by superior powers during the days of colonization! Intimidate the minds, limit their freedom and creativity and what do you have? A herd of slaves with total inability to see life's gray areas! A better title for this film? Inhuman Bondage!
J. Yeap Washington, DC

I WILL SEE THE MOVIE!
Subject: I will see this movie! Left Behind
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2001
From: TC Nguyen

I haven't ever heard of the Left Behind books but I am a Christian (Roman Catholic denomination), though more spiritually than religious. However, despite what some naysayers are saying, I feel that God wants this movie to succeed. So therefore, I have spent 4 tickets without even seeing it yet. I am supporting a good cause, afterall, money is better spent on good films with a good message rather than the enemy -- Hollywood. I also think that just by the trailers, it looks good quality-wise, but besides that, there have been horrible films with great effects coming from Hollywood. So for those who have problems with your closed-minds, why don't you wake up and give this a chance? I am doing about the same amount of support as I did for Highlander: Endgame because I like the concept of immortality, and even Hollywood hates the Highlander series, yet it's partly from Hollywood in the first place!
TC Nguyen

ANCIENT APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
Subject: The real thing Left Behind
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: Robert

I think its sad how distorted the genre of apocalypse has become. I recently had the opportunity to study the ancient literary genre of Apocalypse at a university level. The ancient literary genre is extremely different from our modern, popular notions about apocalypse. In fact they're like night and day. One key difference is how dull the ancient genre seems in comparison to our modern notions about apocalypse. The ancient word "apocalypse" simply means "reveal" or "show." Usually, it means to show another, heavenly world. Often the author travels with an angel, or some other extraordinary mediator to experience the revelation of the other world. However, many ancient examples of the apocalyptic genre do not feature an other world while still others do not feature angels. Judgement seems to figure heavily in a few examples; punishment and gratuitous torture figure in a small number (I'm thinking particularly of The Apocalypse of Paul.) One thing is certain, though: America absolutely never figures in the ancient revelations. Yet, in our modern apocalyptic ruminations America always figures front and center. What was it that Jesus said about the first and the last? Hmmmm...

FUNDING FOR FAITH GROUPS
Subject: Funding for Faith groups Newsletter_21
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: Margaret Forbes

Our founding fathers were wise in insisting on separation of church and state. Eighteenth century France was basically ruled by the Nobles and the Church. The nobles were not the only group that got a short haircut, bishops and archbishops did as well. Why? Because the abused their power and used the fear of God to get their way. Today we only have to look to the middle east to see what a theocracy can do to civil law. As Christians we also tend to think of groups of faith as Christian groups. Not so. Our tax money could also go to any group that is a recognized faith. That includes Muslims, Buddists, New Age, Bah'ai and Krishna's just to name the most well known. We tend to think of our country as a "Christian" country, and it's not. Our government protects our right to worship as we please and WHOM we please. There are already some of my tax dollars going to things I don't believe in. We don't need to add more.
Margaret Forbes NRSMAGGIE@YAHOO.COM

THANKS AND SUGGESTION
Subject: Fight Club
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: "Chip Webb"

David, I've been a fan of this site for more than a year now; thanks for evaluating films through a Christian worldview instead of ignoring the cries of those around us (as expressed in films). I know that current films certainly keep you busy enough, but it would be great to see you or others examine a director's body of work in light of spiritual concerns. One of the more interesting directors in the '90s proved to be David Fincher. In Alien 3, Seven, The Game, and Fight Club, Fincher seems to be exploring (in somewhat of a twisted way) the Christianity/Catholicism with which he apparently grew up. By the way, are you ever going to finish your Fight Club review?
Peace of Christ, Chip

GET PERSPECTIVE ON LEFT BEHIND
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: Don

I bought the movie a long time ago and like it very much. It isn't the best movie in the world. I didn't expect it to be. I expect it to get people's minds thinking about eternity and where they will be spending it. I believe that's what it is and will continue to do. I felt that the several instances of repentance were well done and will point non-believers in the right direction also. We must remember:

Jere 29:13 (NASU) `You will seek Me and find [Me] when you search for Me with all your heart.

Our lives are to be spent doing what we can to get the next person one step closer to the Lord in the best way each of us know how. I wish the church would quite judging one another's gifts and get on with using their own.

As for the "scare tactics" method of evangelism we must remember that God's greatest concern is for the souls of men. That concern even goes beyond His concern for physical life itself. The soul is eternal. God wants people to get that message and He uses several means in doing so. If kindness gets someone into the kingdom then use it, if sickness does, then use it, if hell and death does then use it. Jesus used them all, so should we.

I can testify today that the reason I've been a Christian now for almost 30 years began with my grandmother not being afraid to tell me about death, heaven, and hell. I never forgot those words and finally at the age of 16 I got rid of my fear of death by giving my life to Jesus Christ. That may never have happened if grandmother had sweetened it up the way many do today. Non-believers must be confronted with the truth as it is in the scriptures and at times that means telling the hard stuff, too!

As for doctrinal differences mentioned, I thank God that we are not saved by our intellect! We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Anyone can receive Him no matter how rich or poor, or how smart or simple-minded. We don't have to have our doctrines straight in order to get saved. That's part of sanctification, not justification. As Christians we often get these mixed up. Jesus didn't give the fishermen in the boat a theology test. He just said, "Come, follow me". And they did! The growing begins there and it extends throughout eternity.

Our men's Thursday morning breakfast/Bible study just finished a year and a half study on the book of Revelation. And to me the verse that stood out the most at the end was very appropriate:

Reve 22:17 (NIV) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. The bride is the church. We must cry out "Come!" in whatever manner we can. "Left Behind - the Movie" and the book series is doing just that in it's own way. Let's work together at winning the lost.
Don Gollahon (dlgllhn@theinter.com) "What in Eternity does it matter?"

LOVED BOOK
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: Rose Marie

Hi, David; Have not seen Left Behind, the movie but I have read the book. Loved it! I am now reading Tribulation Force. Another good one! Don't know if it is playing in our area. Will see it if it does show here.

Thanks for your newsletter. I appreciate it.
TTYL Rose Marie
"A Resistance starts with one, then a few, then many."
-- Cade Foster, as portrayed by Sebastian Spence on the TV series, First Wave.

HORRIBLE DEPICTION OF THE BOOK
Subject: to post on board.. Left Behind
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001
From: JILLNFILM@aol.com

Whether you agree with the concept of the Left Behind series or not, it is a wonderful series of FICTIONAL books. I have enjoyed reading each one and look forward to the next in the series. If I had watched the movie, Left Behind, first I would not be reading the series at all. It is a horrible depiction of the book, the acting is so amateurish...and not what is envisioned in the book. I will still continue to read the series but will not watch any additional videos/movies that come out. This series of books could have been a sensational movie/mini-series/whatver if put into the right hands and cast with the right participants.
Jill

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