Evan Almighty
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
July 12, 2007 9:17am CST
Curious if anyone had seen this yet. I'm hearing lots of mixed reviews from the Christian population. Then to find out that most of the Christians who are dogging the movie, have not bothered to go and see it, and are relying on what other people tell them to think and feel about it.
There are some very strong Christian's in my life that have seen the movie and say that it is very good, follows the biblical account of Noah, and really addressed many of the same questions that we face today about our faith, our beliefs and our spiritual warfare!
I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you've seen it...what did you think.
If you haven't seen it...what are your reasons for not going?
6 people like this
16 responses
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I've seen the previews of the movie. And I liked what I saw of it. Probably will wait until it comes out on DVD though. I don't usually go to the movies, I usually will wait until it comes out on DVD to see them.
4 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I too liked Bruce Almighty. I've used one of the last scenes in devotions several times. When Jim Carrey is standing in the middle of the road in the rain, and he throws up his hands and shouts "I give up...I need you."
Why does it take us so long to come to that point with God sometimes?
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 Jul 07
We're the same way most of the time. Either that, or if we happen to be in North Little Rock, we will go to the Dollar Show.
We actually went by the theater Tuesday night, but there was nothing on that even looked good. Hubby and I discussed then that we remembered trying to go to the movies once before, and having that same problem...and those movies that were at the dollar show were on in the regular theaters. Go figure. Shows you how often we try!
4 people like this
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
Main reason is that it just doesn't look that funny. This has been borne out by bad reviews and very weak word of mouth at the box office. The movie is a box-offics bomb (175 milllion budget, 78 million domestic, no hope of recovering cost, need big international numbers), and no boycotting group can have that effect on a movie (generally it is the reverse). Being an agnostic I could care less what the Christians have to say about their mythology (warfare??).
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 Jul 07
Thank you for your response. I hadn't seen the budget numbers, because I don't usually pay alot of attention to that kind of thing.
I am a Christian, but I don't boycott things just because someone else tells me to. If I choose to stay away from a certain movie or television show, it is because I have made the decision that the values it shows are not right for my family.
I do believe in God, but I also respect the opinions and beliefs of those around me.
I don't know much about those who are agnostic, but I would certainly be interested in learning what you believe...or don't believe if that is the case.
In turn, I would like you to add me as a friend on mylot and hope that you will afford me the same courtesy in not trashing what I believe. The ball is now in your court friend.
3 people like this
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
I was in the theater and video business for over 25 years and I still pay a great deal of attention to box office reports. They are easily the best way to evaluate the general worth of a movie, especially the week to week drops which allow you to evaluate word of mouth.
Agnosticism is an offshoot of atheism but with a little more science to it (imo). It is impossible to prove or disprove god (a creation of faith), but I find it highly unlikely that such a being exists. I accept no organized religion due mainly to my historical studies (pondering going for the Phd) and they simply contradict confirmed study too often. I have no problem with people and their faith, as long as they understand it has no place in science.
I will respectfully turn down your offer of friendship simply because I plan to leave very soon (before the end of the month). I do not particularly enjoy the discussions here preferring a more academic setting. The greed in me wants me to get my 10 bucks out before I leave (88 cents to go). I have not accepted a friend in some time (33 folks waiting but I don't want to insult them for what is strictly my reasons, so I neither accept or deny them).
On a final thought, comedy is always a tricky thing since it covers a wide range of movies. In my store I always asked a people who were looking for suggestions to give me a couple of comedies they really liked so I could match up their tastes (you wouln't believe how many couldn't even do that). As an example I love British comedy, from Python to Black Adder. My tastes run toward the dry and sarcastic or a rollicking parody ala Blazing Saddles or Airplane. On the other hand, the most successful box office comedy of all time, Home Alone, was one of the worst pieces of garbage I ever saw. Jim Carrey couldn't make me laugh if his life depended on it, and American TV comedies (Friends, Seinfeld, Roseanne, etc) bore me to tears. So personal taste is huge in selecting a comedy. I haven't seen a good one in at least 2 years, and haven't see a great one since the 1990s.
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Sorry you're leaving. If there is a way that I can help get your 22 cents, I'd be glad to try! Feel free to comment on any of my discussions! I have a similiar situation with another site.
You seem to have the same feelings about movies as I....Jim Carrey simply isn't funny to me, and I don't care for the crudeness of Seinfeld, or Rosanne.
I love the old westerns. The antics of Hoss on Bonanza or Nellie Olsen on Little House on the prarie were truly funny in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Jul 07
..I haven't seen it, but am now reminded that I want to! As it sounds now doubly interesting..
:)
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Hope you will. I think hubby and i have decided to take the girls and see it this Friday night. I'm waiting to see Lauren's schedule for this weekend.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
12 Jul 07
It is a funny thing that I have no desire to see it. I do not like the actor that plays "Noah" for one. Probably will see it though and perhaps it will be good anyway.
Often I find Christians isolate themselves and from what I understand the One that is followed never did. He reached out to the very ones that are rejected. Anyway, I have found also that Christians do not seem able to laugh at themselves. Lighten up at times is what would do them good. I think this movie is going to do well and probably is indeed done well. Just not one I would make an effort to go to. Maybe on Netflix.
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Well, I am a Christian, and I often laugh at myself. I guess I'm not normal, because I see no cause for attacking others and then griping because the Christians get attacked.
Christ loved everyone...and none of us are perfect. I, even as a pastor's wife...are far from it. I get irratated at those that think they are...christian or non-christian.
@AmbiePam (92711)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I have not seen it. However, Focus on the Family recommends that movie be one Christians see. It is PG, so there is a little bit of something apparently, but of course we are encouraged to see family friendly movies so Hollywwod will be encouraged to make more. In fact, the movie was meant to appeal to the Christian audience as well, since so many faith type movies have recently been successful. However, the non Christian reviews are that it simply isn't funny. That they tried too hard to please the faith based crowd. Keeping all that in mind, I probably won't see it in the theater, but will definitely rent it at one time or another.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
26 Jul 07
I have several friends who work for Family Life Today (Since it's based in Little Rock) I am tending to look at their views on things first, and kind of weed out everyone else's opinions.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
It seems to be getting mixed reviews from both the Christian and non-Christian Audiences. As you said...Focus on the Family is recommending it, and The American Family Association is condemning it. I don't follow alot of what the AFA says, because I think Don Wildeman tends to be vindictive and just plain mean sometimes.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
I keep hearing that from alot of people, that the movie was truly funny. It's good to hear from those of you that I trust to tell me the truth though! The one thing I've learned on mylot is that if you guys don't like something, you're gonna tell someone else about it! I love it...thanks!
@jiffys_frog_woman (4050)
• United States
17 Sep 07
we just watched it tonight and i liked it it had some funny parts in it you should watch it for yourself.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
17 Sep 07
I'm thinking that I'm just going to wait until it hits the previously viewed table at Movie Gallery and just purchase it. Those are such great deals...you get them for nearly nothing, and they guarantee they work.
If you think about it...why spend $25 to purchase new, you take it home and watch it once and it's used.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
3 Nov 07
I am going to answer this, even though it is an old discussion, I was looking to see if I had answered it, because I know I answered one about Evan Almighty last week. I do not see myself, so yours must be different. I saw the first part, and the last part, at the activity center for my second job. Not all my clients go to movie night, so I have to go put time in with them, and get chores done at their houses. I liked the end terrifically, and the fact that one of the clients in the program who usually is complaining about everything was sitting in his seat saying "aawww." because he thought it was cute. It spoke to him evidently. I did not like as much of what I saw at the beginning, and that is part of why I did not get back over really soon to check on it. I hope you get to see it and enjoy it if you have not already.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
15 Jun 09
I did get to see it. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get to this response. I was looking around tonight and finding those discussions that are old to make sure that everything has been answered. I've been floored at all the one that have open ended responses by someone else that I missed somehow.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I haven't ever watched his show. It is on opposite something else we usually watch, though for the life of me right now, I can't remember what it is! It's Monday, and my brain appears to have been fried with all the hecticness of my schedule today.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
18 Oct 08
Thanks for the best response! Happy My lotting!
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Well you are more than welcome. i was happy to give you a best response, because it definately was! I hope you will continue to respond to my discussions. i will take a look at yours and see if you have discussions with no or very few responses.
Hope your weekend was fantastic.
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
13 Jul 07
Its not my type of movie. I prefer science fiction/fantasy. I've seen Harry Potter, but not going to bother with Transformers. In the previews I saw 3 movies that look like something I might enjoy. Not to say that I would not enjoy a comedy, but I'm not paying my hard earned $$ to go.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
I'm right the opposite. I haven't cared for the Harry Potter movies, I really didn't even like the Lord of the Rings movies, though I went to all three of them because HUbby wanted to. Just not my cup of tea.
Transformers to me just looks dumb. lol
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
13 Jul 07
I have seen it, i think its a sequel for Bruce Almighty, The actor who played Evan is a congressman and he prayed to God one last night that he wanted to CHANGE The world. And God hear his prayers. Suddenly God appear to him, played by Morgan Freeman, and give him a bunch of carpentry materials and woods, and said to him that if he wanted to change the world, he have to make an Arc, like Noah. I don't get the idea, of the story. I don't really understand,why he have to be look like Noah there, and why does it have to have a flood and an arc, i don't get the idea.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
I guess because when we think of Faith...that Noah had to be one of the Men of the Bible that had extraordinary faith. There are some biblical scholars who think that the world in Noah's time, was much like it is today...can you imagine if this is the case, what people would have thought?
@oldiebut (859)
• Canada
20 Jul 07
Well I downloaded a beautiful copy and my wife and I watched it last night. My first thought was where in the world did this thing run up a budget of 175 million? The movie was avergae at best, a few laughs but far from hilarious. It was also hideously predictable, you could see every plot turn coming a mile away. Ah well, I have more hope for next year's Steve Carell comedy...Get Smart!
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
2 Aug 07
How did you download something that is still in theaters? I would be interested to know this.
I know my son saw several movies while he was in the Philippines that were on DVD but were still in theaters here. He said they were video's that someone had pointed a video camera to the movie screen and shot the film.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
18 Sep 07
Yuck I watched the movie the other night. Though I think it was supposed to go with a very religious tone I thought it was a terrible movie! First off it was not a world flood so why are Africian Elephants and northern wolves coming to "california?" to build this arc and be placed at risk, they would have been safer staying home. Also the flood was about 5 minutes long. Wow that makes an arc necessary! The arc caused just as much damage to property as the flood itself. The flood basically had an area of a street in length so the only danger were the people and animals standing around looking at Evan biulding the darn arc. And once the arc parks into the building after the "flood" the grass is green and everything is all dry and pretty. Didn't really need an arc for that so didn't really need this dumb movie!
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
18 Sep 07
That's interesting to know. You are the first that has added exact scenes and things that happen. I've still not seen it, and still not sure I'm going to. I just can't get a feel for it. It seems that people either loved it...or they hated it. No in betweens.
@queenajasmina (449)
• United States
13 Jul 07
i haven't seen it but i want to. i didn't want to because i felt that the christaian population would realize that God would never flood the earth a second time which made me question everyone else's beliefs. then i stopped being so high strung and realized that its just a funy movie. and i lightened up
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
He did make that promise. That's one of the reasons that some are saying it's unbiblical. I think that family friendly movies should be taken for what they are....
So many of the movies are so full of filth and trash that our kids can't go see them, and when one finally comes out that you can take your kids to...people gripe about that too.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I saw it. I loved it. It makes people think about God and what Noah went through or some of his feelings. It also makes you think about what if God ask you to build the ark and you were in the same position...How would you be treated by co workers and friends? Could you stand up to the tests.....wonderful movie because of the questions, it brings to mind....
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
16 Jul 07
That is what my superintendent and our athletic director both told me. That it really makes you think about your faith and how you would react if you were put in that same situation...and even made you think about the trials of your own life.