Maher’s Religulous Already Creating Oscar Buzz

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Lionsgate, Documentary, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

After much delay, Bill Maher’s Religulous will finally make it to theaters October 3, 2008. The trailer is out and early reviews are giving the documentary high praise.

Maher, an avowed atheist, hits city streets in the film in an attempt to learn more of the true nature of religion. He converses with every day citizens, over-the-top zealots and many experts to talk about God - so fundamental to so many belief systems.

Already the media is talking about an Oscar nomination, some saying that Religulous is sure to get a nod in the documentary film category. According to Maher, the title of the film comes from the words “ridiculous” and “religious.”

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Read More | Popeater

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‘The Golden Compass’ vs. Religion: An Opinion

Posted by David Onda Categories: New Line, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Religious, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Books, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews

We saw The Golden Compass this weekend. I’m a guy who loves movies. And as such, I set out Friday night to go see what was supposed to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the holiday season. I saw The Golden Compass despite negative critical response and Catholic protests and without reading any of the three Philip Pullman books off which the film is based. The film was dazzling, imaginative and certainly innovative. After having seen the movie I checked out the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly (as well as a few anti-Compass sentiments online) and simply could not believe the garbage I was hearing.

I saw the movie. I watched the fuzzy talking animals. And I tried, with little success, to connect the dots and see how this film was so evil. I tried to pick out the atheistic sentiments. And I tried - really, really tried - to put myself in the Catholic League’s shoes. And honestly - what is the big freakin’ deal?

Ok, I get it - Philip Pullman isn’t exactly going to win “Christian Of The Year.” The allegory within his His Dark Materials trilogy is not exactly what one might call “God friendly.” But why, in a country based on the principals of religious freedom, is this man, this movie, and everyone behind it, being vilified? I’ve read the arguments and I understand what they are saying, but for the life of me (and with all personal religious beliefs set aside),  I can’t understand how this one film is going to be detrimental to society?

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Catholic League Seeks Boycott of ‘Golden Compass’

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: New Line, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Hollywood adaptations are as ubiquitous to the city as would-be starlets – they’re everywhere, and they’re constantly being forced upon us moviegoers. One of the latest adaptations to make it to theaters is The Golden Compass, based on the novel Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman. It’s set for release Dec. 7, but already there are several groups feeling upset with the movie’s mere existence. Fans of the book are unhappy with the changes, but “unhappy” doesn’t begin to describe what the Catholic Church seems to be feeling.

Starring Nicole Kidman among others, The Golden Compass doesn’t have a lot to do with religion. And many think that’s very, very bad.  The Catholic League, an U.S. organization, is urging Christians not to see the movie, and has said that Pullman is “a noted English atheist.” They’re calling the movie an attempt to “bash Christianity and promote atheism. To kids.”  In the book, the Church plays a central role, part of a weird group that’s determined to discover the nature of sin by experimenting on children. In the movie, however, the Church isn’t referenced…at all. Kidman, who is Catholic, won’t even be part of any film that’s anti-religious.

Reviews of the movie have already been released, many singing Nicole’s praises, but fans of the book are disappointed in the differences.  Don’t worry.  The Golden Compass - a very diluted version of Northern Lights - won’t step on any toes.

Read More | AOL News

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‘The 13th Disciple’ Imagines Jesus’ Twin

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adventure, Religious, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

From The Ten Commandments (with Charleton Heston) to Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, Biblical movies are a long-standing Hollywood tradition. And right now is the perfect season to start thinking about Jesus Christ, right?

Robert Sigl (a German movie-maker) will put a whole new twist on the age-old hero – he’s going to give Jesus an evil twin brother. Remember the Superman movie where the Man of Steel had to face himself? Okay, imagine that…only in a really Bible-like way.

The 13th Disciple, to be set in modern India, focuses on two German archaeologists. Their mission? To determine whether or not Jesus ever visited the country.  During their quest, the twin archaeologists discover that Christ, too, had a twin—an evil one who has been reincarnated into the present-day.

Christ himself will not be a character in the flick, and the filmmakers say they do not intend to convey any sort of religious message with the fictional film.

Read More | LA Times

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