Evan Almighty - Very Well done

[3 to be 4]

I was very impressed with it, and Steve Carrell is fantastic as usual.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I really liked the veiled nods to the Gilgamesh epic . World destroyed by flood, animals gathered up two by two and loaded on a big boat...

But seriously, folks, didn't see the film... the reviews turned me off, probably in the way "V for Vendetta" turned off another poster here just by the title.

I mean, I live in alexandria, I work in DC, and my girlfriend just lost her car, through no real fault of her own, last year, when we had torrential rains, the local drains failed, and the thing was under two or three feet of water (not worth attempting to dry the damn thing out, it was an old clunker.) That seemed unjust enough to me.

The idea that the Almighty will unleash a Phuket-style disaster on me and mine just because John Goodman (is he even supposed to represent Northern Virginia???) wants to develop national parkland, doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Seems like the Big Fella could just take out Mr. Roseanne, and have done with it, with far less collateral damage. Unless of course everybody living anywhere near Washington is supposed to be inherently evil as well.

Probably a lot more entertaining premise to out-of-towners.

PFnV

 

[Lifer]

I really liked the veiled nods to the Gilgamesh epic . World destroyed by flood, animals gathered up two by two and loaded on a big boat...

But seriously, folks, didn't see the film... the reviews turned me off, probably in the way "V for Vendetta" turned off another poster here just by the title.

I mean, I live in alexandria, I work in DC, and my girlfriend just lost her car, through no real fault of her own, last year, when we had torrential rains, the local drains failed, and the thing was under two or three feet of water (not worth attempting to dry the damn thing out, it was an old clunker.) That seemed unjust enough to me.

The idea that the Almighty will unleash a Phuket-style disaster on me and mine just because John Goodman (is he even supposed to represent Northern Virginia???) wants to develop national parkland, doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

Seems like the Big Fella could just take out Mr. Roseanne, and have done with it, with far less collateral damage. Unless of course everybody living anywhere near Washington is supposed to be inherently evil as well.

Probably a lot more entertaining premise to out-of-towners.

PFnV

hahaha. Yes, I guess the premise would hit a little close to home.

Steve Carrell is a riot, as usual, though.

Btw, as i pointed out in the other forum and should remind folks here, the story of Noah, the inspiration for "Evan Almighty", is not a Christian story, its a Jewish story, out of the first book of the Torah.

Its interesting how so few people would be aware of that in todays culture.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Right, and the basic material for the story of Noah is also coincidentally found in an earlier source, the Gilgamesh epic - as I pointed out in my post.

Before you have a cow, sacred or other, let me point out that the preexistence of themes in another culture's literature does not by any means negate the biblical story. It is, however, instructive to be aware that "our" symbols may not always be "ours."

PFnV

 

[Lifer]

Right, and the basic material for the story of Noah is also coincidentally found in an earlier source, the Gilgamesh epic - as I pointed out in my post.

Before you have a cow, sacred or other, let me point out that the preexistence of themes in another culture's literature does not by any means negate the biblical story. It is, however, instructive to be aware that "our" symbols may not always be "ours."

PFnV

awesome stuff for the Religion forum

 

[PatsFanInVa]

awesome stuff for the Religion forum

LOL absolutely... by the way, in the other forum we're on the line, and if you think we need to move over here with it, please feel free to say so. As we all say, it's a fuzzy line and one best not trampled... I don't want to be the one that ruins it either.

PFnV

 

[JLC]

Enjoyed the movie - really need to see "Bruce Almight" to appreciate it fully, though. Some fall-down funny stuff, a few other things that were a little thin. And Washington didn't get wiped out, so...

 

[Lifer]

Enjoyed the movie - really need to see "Bruce Almight" to appreciate it fully, though. Some fall-down funny stuff, a few other things that were a little thin. And Washington didn't get wiped out, so...

Sheeeeeeeeeeeep!!!!

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Flood stories are common and occur in every ancient culture of the earth. Unfortunately, the beings that caused them were the local god or gods of the region and the dates do not coincide with a single event. The flood of Gilgamesh is the oldest one but is by no means unique...same goes for Noah's version. Floods happen everywhere except in extreme polar and desert regions. They must have been the mopst common form of destruction in some areas and caused great fear in the local culture. It's no wonder the stories associated with them place the cause on the lap of the local diety. Much like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and homosexuality.

 

[Lifer]

Flood stories are common and occur in every ancient culture of the earth. Unfortunately, the beings that caused them were the local god or gods of the region and the dates do not coincide with a single event. The flood of Gilgamesh is the oldest one but is by no means unique...same goes for Noah's version. Floods happen everywhere except in extreme polar and desert regions. They must have been the mopst common form of destruction in some areas and caused great fear in the local culture. It's no wonder the stories associated with them place the cause on the lap of the local diety. Much like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and homosexuality.

I guess Wistah isnt going to go see Evan Almighty then

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I guess Wistah isnt going to go see Evan Almighty then

I'll wait for the DVD to come out.

I actually like those stories, on a comparitive basis. For me, they unite people all over the world throughout time. Even cultures who have never interacted like the Aztecs and the Persians have a common mythology based on their interactions with nature. I think that's a good thing. I also find it a part of a continuing phenomenon that extends to today with the new common religion...science and technology, which promises to unite all of us permanently. Once our artificial barriers are removed through communication and understanding, we can be and live together again...that would be good.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Flood stories are common and occur in every ancient culture of the earth. Unfortunately, the beings that caused them were the local god or gods of the region and the dates do not coincide with a single event. The flood of Gilgamesh is the oldest one but is by no means unique...same goes for Noah's version. Floods happen everywhere except in extreme polar and desert regions. They must have been the mopst common form of destruction in some areas and caused great fear in the local culture. It's no wonder the stories associated with them place the cause on the lap of the local diety. Much like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and homosexuality.

I guess you never considered the possibility that homosexuality CAUSES earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods?

I'M KIDDING. (But I'm not sure someone doesn't believe this, somewhere.)

PFnV

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I'll wait for the DVD to come out.

I actually like those stories, on a comparitive basis. For me, they unite people all over the world throughout time. Even cultures who have never interacted like the Aztecs and the Persians have a common mythology based on their interactions with nature. I think that's a good thing. I also find it a part of a continuing phenomenon that extends to today with the new common religion...science and technology, which promises to unite all of us permanently. Once our artificial barriers are removed through communication and understanding, we can be and live together again...that would be good.

"..the element not found on the chart... the Human Element..."

 

[DarrylS]

Saw it on DVD last night, thought it was rather funny. Steve Carroll is hilarious, it might allude to the Bible, but it certainly is not a religious film.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Saw it on DVD last night, thought it was rather funny. Steve Carroll is hilarious, it might allude to the Bible, but it certainly is not a religious film.

... and not a funny film either...

I found nothing funny about it whatsoever... thought Bruce Almighty was cute in many ways - illustrated the difficult "task" of being God nicely...

But what "moral" was there in Evan Almighty? - because this sure wasn't a comedy...

Am I supposed to laugh at the little "dance" that Evan does? Think its funny when he and God "dance" together in the end?

Seems to me this was just a rip off of a movie, seeking to capitalize on Steve Carell's popularity, with little to no thought given to writing a funny movie.

It's amazing to me how much crap gets a green light in hollywood.

I think there have been quite a few insightful religious movies - some in the most unlikely of places... "Contact" has a lot of good "make you think" themes (why would God NOT want to give proof of His existence?"

So too are a few episodes of Futurama and the Simpsons worthy of discussion

And of course the Life of Brian - though blasphemous to some, should at least inspire some good discussion ("Blessed are the Cheesemakers" - (well obviously he's speaking metaphorically - and referring to ALL makers of diary products!)) - as well as the Meaning of Life (which in a brief moment in a short skit, does actually talk about the Meaning of Life)

But Evan Almighty fails on both religious and comedic grounds for me.

Can anyone tell me what they thought was funny about it? Anything?

 

[Lifer]

... and not a funny film either...

I found nothing funny about it whatsoever... thought Bruce Almighty was cute in many ways - illustrated the difficult "task" of being God nicely...

But what "moral" was there in Evan Almighty? - because this sure wasn't a comedy...

Am I supposed to laugh at the little "dance" that Evan does? Think its funny when he and God "dance" together in the end?

Seems to me this was just a rip off of a movie, seeking to capitalize on Steve Carell's popularity, with little to no thought given to writing a funny movie.

It's amazing to me how much crap gets a green light in hollywood.

I think there have been quite a few insightful religious movies - some in the most unlikely of places... "Contact" has a lot of good "make you think" themes (why would God NOT want to give proof of His existence?"

So too are a few episodes of Futurama and the Simpsons worthy of discussion

And of course the Life of Brian - though blasphemous to some, should at least inspire some good discussion ("Blessed are the Cheesemakers" - (well obviously he's speaking metaphorically - and referring to ALL makers of diary products!)) - as well as the Meaning of Life (which in a brief moment in a short skit, does actually talk about the Meaning of Life)

But Evan Almighty fails on both religious and comedic grounds for me.

Can anyone tell me what they thought was funny about it? Anything?

you dont explain funny. if you didnt find it funny then it wasnt funny to you.

Personally, I find Steve Carrell and the way he says things to be hysterical. But hey, thats just me.

What moral is in the movie?? How about, obeying God? That wasnt very subtle, not sure how you missed that, whether you agree with that "moral" or not.

And why wouldnt God give proof? Define proof for one thing, for another, Jesus told us that faith is believing without seeing. Again, if you disagree that is your business, but I believe your question is answered throughout the Bible.

 

[Real World]

I finally saw the movie over the weekend, and I thought it was pretty good. I liked the bit about "a random act of kindness". How many people actually do that. Nicely made film.