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with comments by David Bruce

DRACULA AND JUDAS
Subject: Dracula and Judas Dracula 2000
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001
From: Lisa

Hi, I haven't seen Dracula 2000 but I'm doing a report on Movies and God and I was wondering if you could help me out by telling me how Dracula and Judas are alike in this film because I'm not understanding how they are alike.
Thanks

BRIMSTONE THEOLOGY
Subject: Brimstone Theology Brimstone
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001
From: KAPTEYN

I have never seen the show. I think I avoided it because the previews showed it was based on bad theology. I read your previous e-mail to someone who objected to the theology. You say that the show could be used to discuss what is and isn't good or bad theology. While this is true, there are many people who already believe that they will go to heaven as long as they don't do anything really bad. Many people who watched the show would not end up discussing it with someone who could correct that impression, but would just be reinforced in their faulty beliefs. I do watch "Touched by an Angel," but cannot promote it for the same reason. It's nice to have a clean, non-violent show that isn't afraid to mention the name of God other than in vain, but they are encouraging the same faulty belief mentioned above. Even the goodness of the most righteous person on earth is like filthy rags compared to God's righteousness. No one will go to heaven unless they accept Christ's salvation from sin and it's punishment, which includes letting Him be lord of your life. The show "Twice in a Lifetime" also promotes the idea of a second chance after death and of how good or bad you've been being the determining factor of where you go. It doesn't happen that way, but most viewers will not end up in a discussion group that would correct the misinformation.

IN REGARDS TO THE MUSIC SEARCH
Blade
Subject: In Regards to the Music Search
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2001
From: Shelly SigynX@hotmail.com

The Japanese Schoolgirls were a group called "Shonen Knife" (if you watch Cartoon Network, they also do the end credits song for the Powerpuff Girls, as I recall), the name of the song is "Ah, Singapore". I, too, am looking for the song at the beginning club scene. If I find it, I'll post it. :)
[Go ahead and post my e-Mail addy. ;)]

TOUCHED ME
Subject: This program has touched my life as a woman and an ordained minister
Touched_By_An_Angel
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001
From: Alice M

Thank you so Much for such a program. Ms. Williamson and the cast of Touch by an Angel for portraying Gods Word as the Truth and the Only Truth!. It has help me forgive others that have bruise and hurt our ministry, it has showed me through His Word that some feelings are so human and that is not wrong to have them, it;s all about what you do with them. I have cried almost in every episode and I have laughed too. It has enhanced by inner emotions and abilities to deal and counsel others. Della, Roma and Dye.....thank you so much. Della, you are my hero and I love you sence of humor. Roma, you have a sweetness that come from within and Senor Muerte (Mr. Death), you bring the issue of death for those who are in God as an ordinary step in life. Thank you again and I will be praying for you!
Love ya, Alice M

DAVID IS POLLUTED AND UNHOLY
Hannibal
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001
From: Jon Rush North Carolina

I am basically appalled by the comparison of Hannibal to anything to do with a Holy and just God. I am not at all interested in "finding Jesus" in the movies of Hollywood. I find the real Jesus in scripture and I believe it is a lie to deceive younger Christians into believing that God, Jesus, or Satan are anything like the characters portrayed in a sick and twisted movie such as this. If you want to talk about the movie and how our culture has no real idea what the word holiness means but thrive off of garbage, then I think you have a worthy subject. We are called to be salt and light, set apart, be holy for I'm holy, these and other commands, not suggestions, are mentioned throughout scripture and yet like a dog we return to the vomit all the time. The witness of Jesus was that He interacted with the scum and sinners of the world, not that He participated in there practices. Please don't take this as a total slam, but come on, the God I fell in love with demands that our faculties be cleansed and we purify ourselves of the corruption of this world system. God doesn't need to reveal Himself through smut to a lost world. The work of the Holy Spirit is not like that at all.
Jon Rush North Carolina

Response: Okay, Okay, so I am polluted by the "worldly system." Oh well. Too bad. But I like the way I think. I would not trade it for any other way. I am glad to be "set apart" in a different way. I am curious, how do you walk out the front door of your house with so much "pollution" out there? -David

THE SOUL AS ELECTRO MAGNETIC ENERGY
Subject: please check out sixthsense.org
sixthsense
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001
From: Sixthsenseorg@aol.com

Hello, My name is Michael Alexander. You might find sixthsense.org a very interesting site. We redefine the sixthsense as our feelings, (our feelings are a sense we use to identify and interpret a situation or circumstance) We explain how the sixth sense travels with us from life to life through reincarnation and re links with the other five senses when the soul, (made of electro magnetic energy) finds a new body. We beleive we can very soon prove reincarnation with modern science and we beleive the law of attraction (Karma) responds to our feeling energy, not our actions. Please enter an opinion in our public opinion poll at the site.
thank you, michael

Response: God as electro magnetic energy. Hmmm. Gosh, I wish life was this easy to explain. I think God is spirit, therefore unexplainable. Just like life. May God bless you Michael -David

WORTH SEEING
Subject: Traffic
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001
From: Trey Harris

Saw Traffic the other night. Not a feel good movie at all, but one well worth seeing. It captures the entire drug scene. One of the most important scenes of the movie was the end with the parents willing to listen to their daughter's tale. They should have thought of that long before.
Trey Harris

FORGIVENESS FOR BREAKING A SACRAMENT
Subject: Chocolat
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Mike

I saw the film yesterday and I was struck by the legalism that dominated the count's life and ways. Yet he needed the forgiveness of grace that he could not accept. His belief that the sacrament of marriage must be upheld flew in the face of his own need of forgiveness for his own failed marriage. Vianne represented something that the count could not accept: that there can be forgiveness for even the sin of breaking a sacrament. This is a dangerous belief, but a reality. Grace extends to all who will humble themselves and ask. The count could not truly be humble until he had committed a true sin, the break-in, and then experience the grace of the chocolate.

ONE OF FAVORITE FILMS OF THE YEAR
Talented_Mr_Ripley
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Silvio from North Carolina

The film speaks directly to our own Culture of Narcissism which is, properly enough, nutured by Hollywood itself (one could argue the business of Hollywood IS to export envy and stir a constant aggravation with self). It's well cast, lovingly directed, beautifully scored. Yared's song "Shame of Cain" fits in well. I know lots of Ripley's: well-fed corporate executives who linger daily over glossy magazines, trying so hard to fit the images sold to them by merchants (while they stomp on everyone below them and pay their secretaries 1/200th of what they make). What's amusing is that everyone in this film is a total narcissist, except the character of Peter, who accepts and loves himself as he is. Dickie is Narcissist Central. Marge seethes with Entitlement and Arrogance beneath her willowy veneer. I felt sorrow for Ripley, really. He could have been a good egg, but he told that first lie, and another, and finally Dickie's malefic charisma overcame him and took him into the no-exit of murder. "There shall have no gods before Me" was the warning, I believe! A sad, but very instructive and lovely movie. Sorry some of your more literal-minded types missed all the gems it contained.
Silvio from North Carolina

"WHEN I MENTION THE NAME OF GOD YOU CRINGE!"
Subject: Hannibal
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Ryan Donald

I have read the reviews and think that they are very accurate. I must say that I truly respect your site for making something positive out of many evil movies. I really liked the Judas references, but was discouraged to see that no one had touch on the comment by Mason Verger. " You can look at my face, but when I mention the name of God, you look away." I believe it was something like that. I think that you could use that by saying that Mason was delivered, to Christ, by many of Dr. Lectors actions, but because he could not let go of the past, Satan used them to corrupt his mind. I see many people struggeling with this today, and believe this could be a great example for youth workers to use. I hope to see this talked about.
In Christ, Ryan Donald
North Greenville College Greenville,SC

Response: Oops I forgot that choice little line. I thought it was worth the price of admission. I am surprised I didn't mention it, too. -David

FOR SPIRITUAL CINEASTES
Subject: "Rapture", "Hannibal", "Dekalog" and more
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Ciao

Well, finally a site that explores spiritual issues in modern film. Here's some bait: Any thinking Christian/spiritual person MUST watch all ten episodes of Krystof Kieslowki's ("Blue", "White" "Red") THE DECALOGUE. It's ten one hour movies, each handsomely crafted and exceedingly thoughful. Every chapter takes one of the Ten Commandments in a mediatative and back-door way. Believe me, you will be knocked out by "Thou Shall Not Kill" and "Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery - A Short Film About Love". I'd be every anxiously to hear from anyone about the episode "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy". These films are required viewing for cineastes and anyone concerned with spiritual thought in modern cinema.

I can't seem to find any reference herein to the mesmerizing and troubling film by Michael Tolkin from 1991 with Mimi Rogers, "The Rapture". This too is a must see, a deft film which goes so far as to employ the style and structure of a mid-70s 'religious' film (those well intended but poorly done kind) to confront believers head-on with the fallout from 'literalist interpretation' of sciprture. It really has much more to do with the Culture of Narcissism in a way, but it's a great study of what happens when the 'Righteous God' gets funnelled through the Mind of a person who can't find their own limits and tries to interpret scripture without an understanding of their own hidden drives and conflicts.. A touching, brilliant film by one of Hollywood's more thoughtful writer-directors.

Finally, per pop culture, "Hannibal" has some choice remarks about the envy that is rampant in our culture of Greed, and it's fun - in a juvenile way -to watch Lecter feed the greedy and hateful to the pigs, but I guess it's all lost in the shock tactics the film employs to rake in big bucks. The final brain-eating scene (making the misogynist homophobe cop eat his own 'thoughts') is too over the top, deforms the film, and relegates it to sort of a Gucci Chainsaw Massacre.

As for "Left Behind" and that whole spate of Cloud Ten films, well, however well-intended, these give Christianity/spirituality a cheesy profile.
Ciao!
NO E MAIL PLEASE

Response: I like the way you think! Wanna go to the movies sometime? You would make a great cine friend! -David

SPURGEON ON LEFT BEHIND
Subject: Charles Spurgeon's Review of Left Behind
Date: Tues, 27 Feb 2001
From: Tom Johnson
Organization: Christ the King PCA, El Paso, Texas

Charles Spurgeon's Review of Left Behind
http://www.ctkpca.org/left_behind.html
Christ the King Presbyterian Church, El Paso, Texas
http://www.ctkpca.org/ 915/585-2264

TRUTH IN VIOLENT RAPE
Subject: It is sad people dont realize the truth in violent rape
Generals_Daughter
Date: Tues, 27 Feb 2001
From: LATINA

The General's Daughter was all that and I see alot of sin but hey King David and his children went thru some really graphic experiences Rape for one...........I see alot of blame ....blame is sometimes peoples solution when that's the only way to handle (that they Know.....) Remember Adam and Eve.......it's sad ....my heart goes out for the General's Daughter and I also feel the General did not know how to correctly handle the situation ............especially when they did not walk with JESUS that is from a secular point of view but The reality of violence and rape are real from days of old...............we can chose to ignore ........stay away from people that have had that experience...........my heart goes out too all who are involved in that type of situation because I know from my own personal experience Only Jesus can set a person free!!!!!!! truely free from being a victim ...........I know Jesus is the
Answer Please do not give out my email address
EJWW

Response: Wow! What insight you have. -David

MY REVIEW
Subject: Bless The Child
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
From: Scooby

I normally don't even watch rated R movies, but when I saw the previews of this one, and saw the spiritual warfare that took place, I HAD to see it. As a Christian, I cannot say that I would recommend this one because of the language and violence. However, I didn't turn it off (as I normally would), I kept watching.

I am saddened by the whole concept of ANOTHER Christ-like child being born in today's time who is coming to do work for God. This just isn't Biblical. And I can see where people might believe that one day, when the REAL anti-Christ takes his place, performs miracles, and tells the world that he IS God, people might believe him. Because movies like this only condition them to start "seeking" that new messiah, and to accept him when he makes his appearance.

I am also saddened that the one chosen to guard this "Special" child, didn't even have any belief in God. In one scene, she even confessed to being raised cathlic, and didn't object to the girl being raised the same "...AS LONG AS IT WASN'T TOO RELIGIOUS." Then in one prayer, she even said "God, IF you're real..."

Then at the end, when she was shot, she saw angels of light coming to help her. She didn't have any relationship with Jesus Christ. This might add to some people's confussion that you can go to heaven WITHOUT repenting of your sins and inviting Jesus Christ into your life.

The docrine in this film were so OFF-BASE of Christianity. HOWEVER, what I DID enjoy, was the bold telling of the spiritual warfare. This movie nailed it on the head by showing the flying demons above the building, and other times throughout the film.

I also LOVED the angels showing up un-aware, and helping their subjects out. The ultimate battle between good and evil was captured well.This movie reminded me of the cleaver plans that Satan has been using on us for so manner years. I was spiritually challenged by this movie, and inspired to not give in to ANYTHING that didn't relect our Lord.

IT SURPRISES ME
Subject: Lord Of The Rings
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
From: Astorian

If anything I thought the christian community would be against JRR Tolkiens work, since in his book "The Silmarillion" He tells of the beginning of time and how it was created, as if it actually happened, completely different to the story told by the bible. I believe Tolkien tried to get as far away from world religion as he possibly could in his books, and the only religion that existed was his own.
Astorian

A REDEMPTION STORY
Subject: A Redemption Story Magnolia
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
From: Rick Miller Fairborn, Ohio

A couple of months ago my wife and I saw Magnolia on video. We both found the movie to be fascinating and deep. I think Magnolia is one of the best movies made in years (along with The Green Mile). We discussed it for a couple of days, and we still discuss it whenever it's mentioned. Magnolia is the kind of redemption story that Christian filmmakers should be producing.

I found out about your web site this past Friday. There is a small group from our church which meets monthly to discuss movies. I have been requesting that we discuss Magnolia, but so far my wife and I are the only ones of our group who have seen the movie. The leader of that group told me about this site. I just had to check out what you said about Magnolia. Your review and the comments of others were excellent and thought provoking. Keep up the good work of keeping believers informed about our culture.

I wanted to know more about the director. Are there any interviews where he discusses this movie, or his worldview?

Also, what are your thoughts on the little boy? Even though he uses strong language in his rap, I was wondering if he is supposed to be an angel? It's been awhile since I've seen the movie so I can't remember all the details, but it seems that this boy is important to the movie. He tells the cop who to look for - though in rap. Then he disappears. He takes the cop's gun. Then he disappears from the scene. He basically saves Linda's life when she overdoses. If these facts are wrong, forgive me, I'm operating on a faulty memory here.

Anyway, I'd love to see some discussion on Paul Thomas Anderson and on this boy who appears at important times in the movie - and we know "nothing happens by chance".
Rick Miller Fairborn, Ohio

COMMENT REGARDING HANNIBAL
Subject: Hannibal
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
From: Matt Queens, NY

Hello Sir, While I truly admire this website in how you find spiritual connections in movies and totally respect your beliefs in Jesus as I am too a christian, I was really disgusted to see a comparison of Hannibal to Jesus. While I know you weren't comparing them as though they are the same, there is no connection to Jesus what so ever. Hannibal was a sick and demented character in the movie, and there is nothing God-like about him. The spiritual connection I found in the movie was that "the love of money is the route of all evil". Dr. Fell who claimed to have found salvation through Jesus suffered the consequences of his actions for still holding onto that desire of money. Also there was a murder regarding Judas, which was true. BUT THERE WAS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY COMPARISON OF JESUS TO HANNIBAL. I hope and pray you realize where I'm coming from. Continue with the work on this page, I still admire your work. God bless you.
Matt Queens, NY

Response: To say there is no connection would be dishonest. -David

Reply to response:
Subject: Comment Regarding Hannibal
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
From: Matt
I just feel as though a man who eats people, lusts after women, has perverted discussions, and is basically a tool of the wicked has no comparison to a blamelmess, loving Savior who died to give us freedom. I have no anger against you, it is just I feel this connection is a little overboard. In Him, Matt

Response; Of course Matt. But your comments studiously avoid the connections that are there. You are avoidling something. What are you afraid of? Be free my friend. -David

TOLKIEN BY DESIGN
Lord of the Rings
Subject: Tolkien by design
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001
From: Paul Bicking
Organization: Preview Family Movie & TV Reviews

It should be of interest in the discussion of the Ring lore that Tolkein and C.S. Lewis were not only co-professors but also good friends. They both undertook fantasy tales wrapped around Biblical themes. For Lewis, they became the Chronicles of Narnia; for Tolkein, the Ring tales.
Paul Bicking

SOME THOUGHTS
Subject: some thoughts American_Beauty
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001
From: Val Schuetze

I went to see American Beauty with a non-Christian friend. I must admit that I have usually tried to steer clear of movies like that, just on principle. I had some thoughts on leaving the theatre....
1) I was very disturbed by the depictions of lust and near sexual intimacy between a middle aged man and an apparently underaged girl. I found it kind of sickening.
2) The nice home, nice yard, nice family was all a sham. To me it implied that anything like that in real life is simply a sham---it can't be real.
3) The gay couple were comfortable with who they were and were "whole", at least much moreso then the nice all American family
4) Looking for sex as the answer, in whatever form
5) That the "homophobic" next door neighbour was in fact a twisted sick individual with more problems than almost anyone else in the film and in fact a closet homosexual himself.

Yes, there was some "redemptive" value in this movie, but it also attacked as facade and hypocrisy the "apparently" happy American family (close that front door and everyone is faking it!) People who think that homosexuality is wrong are the twisted ones ( wait till you close THEIR front door...it's the worst one yet!) It's what people out there think, and sadly it's true in many cases....but somehow it only serves to feed the overall cynicism instead of reveal that there are good people out there, even when their front doors are closed......
Val Schuetze, Canada

FENDING OFF THE DEVIL
Subject: Crouching Tiger
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001
From: Steve

what a great film! Ii had doped you might have more insight into its deeper meanings however. i'm still a little confused by the final scene. my wife and i decided it was the girl's way of wishing to return ot her time of innocence before the events that led to so much heartache took place. i can see some of the love story - love versus duty - but i think the central message of the film was about the influence one can have on the direction of a young person's life. the jade fox definitely reprents the devil. jen has a gift that the devil wants to corrupt, lest she use it for good. bai and shu lien want to help her control her passions and train properly to use the gift for good. if the devil could not control her victim, she must destroy the victim. in the end, bai as a christ-type must sacrifice his life to save jen's soul in defeating the jade fox. what a great film!

DISAPPOINTING
Subject: dissapointing Crouching Tiger
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001
From: Lance

"When you enter a movie with high expectations you are destined to come out dissapointed."- Fortune found at the bottom of my popcorn at Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Let me just say I was very dissapointed in the story- not the visuals or effects in this film. Yes, the fight scenes were pretty cool, and with no digital animation you must give it a thumbs up for innovation, but the story was just weak. I believe the long flashback just killed the pace of the film. It is very hard to have any type of emotional attachment for a little spoiled brat like Jen. If you want to see a great Eastern film, The Seven Samuria is the best. Kurosawa is still king. Check out Rashomon for truly groundbreaking way to tell a story, and Yume for great visuals. Go into Tiger/Dragon with low expectations and you might come out on top.

SUPERMAN MYTHOS SIMILAR TO HERCULES MYTHOS
Subject: Superman
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 07:49:11 -0500
From: Samuel Ewing SARASWATI@prodigy.net

Hello,
I really enjoy your insight into the symbolism between Superman and Jesus. I would like to add that there are also parallels between Hercules, Superman, and Jesus as well; the writers of the Superman character were quoted as saying that their heroic figure was based on Hercules as well. Some of the common themes between these characters are

1. They redeem humanity by their actions and redeem themselves at the same time.

2. They experience death and resurrection.

3. They represent the sun and its powers to destroy evil with fire, light, and glory.

4. They perform fantastic feats of strength and healing. Most people aren't aware that Hercules was also renowned as a healer, physician, and his club could either kill or bring people back to life.

5. All three had seemingly divine fathers.

6. All three savior figures had someone analogous to the Holy Spirit. Superman's Kryptonian mother fulfilled this role and Hercules had Athena (Divine Wisdom) with the owl as the zootype. Jesus obviously had the Holy Spirit according to Christian tradition represented by the Dove.

7. Hercules and Jesus were often seen in ancient times as emblems of each other by pagans and Christians of ancient Greece and Rome.

8. All three are "fighting the never- ending battle for truth, justice and righteousness (in Superman's case the American Way)."

9. All three are half human and half divine, what the ancients would call demigods/heroes in the West and avatars in Eastern teachings.

10. All three descended into hell or Tartarus to defeat the hideous forces of evil and death and or to bring the dead back to life.

11. Hercules' lion skin gave him some measure of invulnerability comparable to Superman. There are obvious similarities between Jesus the Lion of Judah and Hercules the Lion of Thebes. The lion is another zootype they share.

12. All three are famed for representing and wielding the powers of fire and light to dispel evil. They have powers over nature such as water, storms etc. *Hercules was famed for being able to find and use water by stamping his feet or asking his father for water. He was associated with creating and dispelling thunderstorms like his father Zeus. There are numerous other parallels but I think these are sufficient.

Supergirl in the comic books and the movie also has striking parallels to the Holy Spirit. The concept of the Holy Spirit was well known by ancient people of various countries as a Female Power of the Supreme Being prior to being officially made into a masculine persona in later history. *I wrote an article about Supergirl showing that She was known in ancient African cultures including Cush and Egypt as the demigoddess named Kara. The American Supergirl named Kara and the most ancient Kara of Africa are strikingly similar and one wonders was African literature the source of DC Comic's information.

Supergirl or Kara is a Female Messiah figure (Female Messiahs were not uncommon in ancient times). In the movie Helen Slater experiences with fighting the Shadow (Biblical Dragon/Satan), traveling through inner space in an egg shaped craft that becomes a flower (the World Egg), her love for nature, using lightning against the Dragon, fighting to save the human male sweetheart, descending into Hell to death then rising with renewed power as if resurrected, Argo city (the Solar Ark of Deity in ancient texts) etc. are all examples of how ancient the Supergirl story is. The main theme of this movie is that Supergirl is pure Love Personified from the decent and human perspective to the cosmic level.

Love is the Supergirl that defeats evil. I've a website devoted to revealing facts about the Hercules Concept that aren't commomly known, the ancient theme of Superman and Supergirl is discussed there too.

The website address is http://pages.prodigy.net/saraswati
and my e-mail address is SARASWATI@prodigy.net

In the website I try to show that the African contributions to these ideas are abundant and how various historical figures tried to emulate these ideas even into present day America. I would appreciate any insights you could give me on this subject. Again, your website is outstanding and is what is needed in these times. Thank You, Sam

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