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Facing The Giants - 2/24/2008 12:05:26 PM
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bereanman_7
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Just bought a copy of this movie to add to my dvd collection that is slowly growing, very slowly as I have decided to only purchase dvd's that are Christian based themes.
If more movies like this one were made for our children to see the world in which we live might just be a better place.
If you haven't seen this flick it is a must see.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/24/2008 12:13:38 PM
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WHTim
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Are you serious?
Doesn't it have a 13% tomato meter? It was one of the worst reviewed movies of the year.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 8:28:46 AM
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bereanman_7
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Could that be because of the noticeable absents of random sex,killing and foul language? yea maybe you are right why would I recommend such an anomaly?
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 9:04:34 AM
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WHTim
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"Citizen Kane" doesn't have much of that either and it is considered one of the best films ever made.
No, I think it's because FTG is not a very good movie regardless. Trust me there are thousands of movies filled with random sex, killing and foul language that stink too.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 9:16:31 AM
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sunluvingirl
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It was AWESOME!!! We need more like it!
_____________________________
"Oh, send out your light and your truth! Let them lead me." |
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 11:46:02 AM
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debilyn
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My family really enjoyed it, so we bought it.
We recently saw "Flywheel" by the same church. It was not quite as well done as "Facing the Giants" (it was their first), but I thought the storyline was pretty interesting. They have another movie coming out soon - something to do with firefighters. We'll be purchasing both, I'm sure.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 12:01:46 PM
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sunshine4God
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From: Sterling Ct.
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I saw this movie recently on tv and loved it! It is so inspiring.
_____________________________
Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
Its me!
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 12:30:39 PM
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WHTim
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As a Christian, I appreciate the sentiment of what they were trying to do. With that said it just wasn't a very good film. The "acting" is amateur at best and the storyline has been done and redone all the way back to the Little Rascals in the 20s and 30s. Most notibly it was done (much better) in 1976 with "The Bad News Bears" and then in variations like the "Major League" and "Mighty Ducks" series and in smaller films such as "Little Giants", "the Replacements", "Possums" and on and on and on.
Here's a bit of what Christianity Today had to say about it:
"has its heart in the right place; there are good lessons here about honoring God in everything that we do, the importance of respect and leadership, and the power of prayer. Those are all things viewers could benefit from hearing. Whether they ever will hear them, though, is another matter—when a film is as unintentionally corny as this one, it's anyone's guess as to how many viewers can stomach all the schmaltz for the positive message at the end."
He's a bit of what Variety had to say about it:
"Technically polished but dramatically tepid, it might score in the niche market for Christian-themed entertainment. And yet, by preaching to the converted so heavy-handedly, the filmmakers fumble an opportunity to reach beyond their target demo of devout churchgoers......The complete lack of dramatic tension throughout "Facing the Giants" makes the thoroughly predictable pic seem much longer than it is. And while most of the performances are appealingly sincere, they seldom reach the level of community-theater proficiency. Even University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt is less than totally convincing while playing himself in a fleeting cameo."
Is this all that people of faith are capable of? A friend of mine said that seeing "Facing the Giants" is like going to your 6 year old's recital, the performance was terrible but you love him and appreciate that he's trying and proudly pat him on the head.
I think that our God is bigger than that and deserves better.
Last night "No Country For Old Men" won the best picture Oscar, an honor that it richly deserved. It was a profound film, extremely well acted (Javier Bardem also won best supporting actor) and made by a pair of the best filmmakers on the planet (Joel and Ethan Cohen who also won for best director). Why didn't a film created by people of faith win? Well, because there weren't any that deserved it and movies like "Facing the Giants" aren't helping.
I would submit that we make more movies like Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" an extremely uplifing and spiritual film that -surprise- the critics loved. In contrast to "Facing the Giants" 13% tomato meter, it has a 90% tomato meter.
Here's a bit of what Roger Ebert (you may have heard of him) said about it:
""The Apostle'' sees its characters in an unusually perceptive light; they have the complexity and spontaneity of people in a documentary. Duvall, who not only plays the preacher but also wrote and directed the film, has seen this preacher--named Eulis ``Sonny'' Dewey--with great attention and sympathy.
Sonny is different from most movie preachers. He's not a fraud, for one thing; Hollywood tilts toward the Elmer Gantry stereotype. Sonny has a one-on-one relationship with God, takes his work seriously, and in the movie's opening scene, the preacher pauses at an auto accident to ask one of the victims to accept Jesus Christ, ``who you're going to soon meet.'' Sonny is flawed, with a quick temper, but he's a good man, and the film is about his struggle back to redemption after his anger explodes."
Here's a bit of what the LA Times said about it:
" Any discussion of "The Apostle" inevitably comes back to its protagonist, to the way Duvall has created as complete a person as the screen allows, a man who can be discussed as fully as a flesh-and-blood acquaintance or even a close friend. It's an effortlessly complex portrayal that relishes the contradictions and complexities of someone capable of both exalted and debased behavior, a shape-shifter it is possible to be fascinated, repelled and compelled by, all at the same time."
I'm in no way knocking the spirit that made "Facing the Giants" I just think that we could and should do a lot better than that.
< Message edited by WHTim -- 2/25/2008 6:08:05 PM >
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 2:51:27 PM
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tafkam
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FACING THE GIANTS was a mediocre film at best (although light years better than it's predecessor FLYWHEEL), but sadly, mediocrity is light years above what normally passes for Christian movies and TV.
Perhaps this is why it is so highly praised......
_____________________________
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' - Ronald Reagan
Tafkam
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 3:11:15 PM
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1love1God1way
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I appreciate what they were able to do without formal acting, borrowing equipment, using the junior high youth group, and one camera. That's pretty impressive.
That being said, I dislike the message that is portrayed. It basically says "love God and everything goes your way. You get a new truck for free, you win the championship game, you get a miracle baby, all because you're a Christian." It reeked of WoF in this regard. You know, God just wants you to be happy and give you stuff. I doubt that was their intent, but it's how it came across to me.
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-Ben-
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 5:57:34 PM
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NickDaddyo
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As a Christian, I enjoyed "Facing the Giants".
As a movie fan, it was pretty lame.
_____________________________
"...His word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot"
-Jeremiah 20:9
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 6:16:50 PM
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WHTim
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way
I appreciate what they were able to do without formal acting, borrowing equipment, using the junior high youth group, and one camera. That's pretty impressive.
That being said, I dislike the message that is portrayed. It basically says "love God and everything goes your way. You get a new truck for free, you win the championship game, you get a miracle baby, all because you're a Christian." It reeked of WoF in this regard. You know, God just wants you to be happy and give you stuff. I doubt that was their intent, but it's how it came across to me.
Here's a little bit more of what Christianity Today said on this subject in their negative review of the film:
"And then there's the theology. An assistant coach twists Jesus' words about the wide and narrow gates to apply to kicking field goals. And despite writer/director Kendrick's insistence that he's "not a name-it-and-claim-it guy," that's just what happens in the movie: After Grant gets right with Jesus, everything goes his way. We won't give away the plot developments, but suffice it to say that every situation that could go either way ends up going the "right" way—on and off the field. The "giants" aren't merely faced; they're all slain, and everybody lives happily ever after. Seems a bit like "prosperity gospel" dressed up in helmets and shoulder pads."
I know LaurainAL doesn't care about what critics think but some, like this one, are dead on right.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 6:54:02 PM
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rnershigh
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I liked it.
Sure, the plot isn't that original and the movie isn't even the best out there, as there's been a lot of movies made where someone triumphs over adversity in sports-related themes (I'm thinking of Rudy, We Are Marshall, Invincible, etc). I love the under-dog type of story. Those Cinderella moments that still occur from time to time, like the George Mason University men's basketball team to make the final four a few years ago, to show that even the seemingly "ordinary" people can do extraordinary things with enough heart and determination to succeed. And in this case, God. 
_____________________________
O Grave! where is thy Victory?
O Death! where is thy Sting?
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 7:07:30 PM
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sunluvingirl
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It does seem like it had a "happily ever after" ending, and yet how many movies do we find that don't? I am not an expert when it comes to acting techniques,etc. so I'm really not coming from that side of it. It was just so refreshing to see a movie so intent on lifting up Jesus and his power to change lives. I certainly don't agree with a prosperity gospel but the truth is that Jesus does dramatically change lives that are totally surrendered to Him, though we will not always be overflowing with material blessings. Anyway, thats just my two cents, as I said I'm certainly no expert!!
_____________________________
"Oh, send out your light and your truth! Let them lead me." |
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 7:20:44 PM
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WHTim
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Nicely put and I agree with you. I just wish we could make something that is relevant to everyone. To be all things to all people and not just the converted.
I'm honestly not trying to rag on the film's producers, I commend them for the intiative to get things done, I just wish we could do it with the excellence that our God deserves.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/25/2008 8:12:56 PM
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rnershigh
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quote:
ORIGINAL: WHTim
quote:
ORIGINAL: rnershigh
I liked it.
Sure, the plot isn't that original and the movie isn't even the best out there, as there's been a lot of movies made where someone triumphs over adversity in sports-related themes (I'm thinking of Rudy, We Are Marshall, Invincible, etc). I love the under-dog type of story. Those Cinderella moments that still occur from time to time, like the George Mason University men's basketball team to make the final four a few years ago, to show that even the seemingly "ordinary" people can do extraordinary things with enough heart and determination to succeed. And in this case, God.
All three of those are true stories.
I know that. I gave those examples to show that people like to watch movies with that theme. With this movie, it's fiction yeah, but people enjoy these kinds of inspirational movies and can explain that, while in your opinion Facing the Giants wasn't a good movie (or a good Christian movie!), there are a lot of people that still think it's a nice, heat-warming story. Myself included. 
_____________________________
O Grave! where is thy Victory?
O Death! where is thy Sting?
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RE: Facing The Giants - 2/26/2008 5:17:42 PM
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rockitd
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I totally concur. My wife watched it and called me crying. I, too, was ministered to after watching it. The awesome thing is that there's NOTHING impossible with God. Sports themed movies can get you like that.
The fact that Sony came out and financed it is a feat in itself.
_____________________________
He'll finish what He started Phil. 1:6
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RE: Facing The Giants - 3/3/2008 11:54:04 AM
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kernsfamily
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bereanman_7
Could that be because of the noticeable absents of random sex,killing and foul language? yea maybe you are right why would I recommend such an anomaly?
With regards, first, to "GIANTS"...the 'message' was just far too "unbelievable" and not realistic....sure, God can do great things...but, the "message" was hitting me so hard, I was getting a concussion...and, had a hard time concentrating on the movie itself. The "dialogue" between the characters was just "too contrived"....and it felt like most of the time they were simply READING their lines, instead of just BEING THE character they were portraying. THAT was very distracting and nerve-wracking.
I could go through a HUGE list of criticially acclaimed movies from the past few years that have NONE of that objectionable material in it.
Want your kids to watch GREAT movies...and, are produced/made VERY well?
Be sure to get:
Akeelah and the Bee
Cars
Saving Winn Dixie
Charlotte's Web
Finding Nemo
Remember the Titans (very similiar to facing the giants....but a MUCH better movie)
Glory Road
Lassie (2005 version with Peter O'Toole and Samantha Morton)
Fly Away Home
Ratatouille
Evan Almighty (Christian-themed...very "clean"...and quite funny)
Night at the Museum (even my VERY "uptight" in-laws liked this movie)
We are Marshall (perhaps only for older kids, but fabulous nonetheless, as it has VERY little "objectionable" material)
Pursuit of Happyness (again, older kids would "get more out of it), but still a "must see
Grand Champion (ok..it is from 2002...and, isn't the greatest, but our kids loved it....one of the first movies with Emma Roberts (known for the recent "Nancy Drew"), AND, "Aunt Julia" makes a cameo appearance)
And, that's what I can think of RIGHT OFF THE TOP of my head....there's TONS more out there....
Christian-themed? Not necessarily.....but, VERY entertaining....NOT "offensive".....and, very well done....
(OF COURSE, different people have different ideas of what is "objectionable"....so, please, these are ONLY suggestions....I understand if some of these may be "banned" from your home for whatever reason)
Then, again, if you're determined to get a very-highly acclaimed movie, with a "Christian Theme"....get "Passion of Christ" for the kids to watch....talk about violence and killing!
< Message edited by kernsfamily -- 3/3/2008 12:08:43 PM >
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Facing The Giants - 3/4/2008 8:48:48 AM
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debilyn
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I'm not a "name it, claim it" type of person, and I noticed that the movie tended to point in that direction. I enjoyed the movie simply because it wasn't the hollywood version. No, it was not Oscar-winning performances, but it was simply done by non-professionals. I can appreciate this movie in the same manner I can appreciate the amateur performances of our school theatre productions. I'm one of those folks who can sit for 1 1/2 hours at a school band concert and appreciate the performances and "how far they've come," regardless of the fact that some of them sound like sick cows.
From a cinematic standpoint, it wasn't great. But from the "simply there to enjoy" standpoint, I enjoyed it very much.
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RE: Facing The Giants - 3/4/2008 4:22:11 PM
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mapachito13
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I thought "Remember the Titans" with Denzel Washington was better as well. I'd also rather watch "Radio" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris and S. Epatha Merekson. Giants was a little too corny, more so, IMO than inspirational.
_____________________________
Three Nails to protect us!
And Justice for all!
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
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RE: Facing The Giants - 3/4/2008 5:36:49 PM
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kernsfamily
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From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mapachito13
I thought "Remember the Titans" with Denzel Washington was better as well. I'd also rather watch "Radio" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris and S. Epatha Merekson. Giants was a little too corny, more so, IMO than inspirational.
Radio is another great pic...
Here's a funny thing that just came to mind....Ratatouille's storyline was vaguely similar to that of "October Sky"...another spectacular family movie with Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, etc..etc..
(just "connected the dots" regarding those two movies just the other day....)
Other great "family" movies, that I have thought of over the past day or two, include: Dreamer (Dakota Fanning), The Rookie, The Polar Express (the animation was phenomenal), Racing Stripes, Secondhand Lions, and let's not forget "Jonah" and "Pirates who don't do anything"....
That's all I can think of for now....GREAT family movies that are done VERY VERY well....(Iam sure if I dig around our DVD/Video cabinet, I could come up with more)
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Facing The Giants - 3/5/2008 1:53:20 PM
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mapachito13
Posts: 1911
Joined: 10/1/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
quote:
ORIGINAL: mapachito13
I thought "Remember the Titans" with Denzel Washington was better as well. I'd also rather watch "Radio" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris and S. Epatha Merekson. Giants was a little too corny, more so, IMO than inspirational.
Radio is another great pic...
Here's a funny thing that just came to mind....Ratatouille's storyline was vaguely similar to that of "October Sky"...another spectacular family movie with Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, etc..etc..
(just "connected the dots" regarding those two movies just the other day....)
Other great "family" movies, that I have thought of over the past day or two, include: Dreamer (Dakota Fanning), The Rookie, The Polar Express (the animation was phenomenal), Racing Stripes, Secondhand Lions, and let's not forget "Jonah" and "Pirates who don't do anything"....
That's all I can think of for now....GREAT family movies that are done VERY VERY well....(Iam sure if I dig around our DVD/Video cabinet, I could come up with more)
Michael Caine and Robert Duvall were great in Lions but I'm not sure I see the connection between October Sky and Ratatouille? A little enlightenment is requested.
_____________________________
Three Nails to protect us!
And Justice for all!
Peace Sells....But Who's Buying!
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