Posted on 01/15/2010 11:32:02 AM PST by AJKauf
Cross I Am Legend with The Ten Commandments and you’ve got The Book of Eli, a genuinely religious parable that inherently rebukes pointless end-of-the-world movies like The Road. This time there’s a purpose to the post-apocalypse: Eli (Denzel Washington), one of humanity’s survivors, is heeding the word of the Lord to protect the world’s only remaining Bible and bring its teachings to the West.
The Book of Eli works just fine as an action blockbuster, but it’s much more than that. Eli, who can smell lurking “highjackers” determined to rob and kill him long before they get close, is fierce with a machete — the movie is as bloody as any other contemporary R-rated kill-or-be-killed flick — and his fearless strides across the wasted scapes of a broken and infected world are reminiscent of great cowboy movies. He even walks into a small town that looks like the set of one of those backlot Westerns like High Noon.
The chief of this evil place is Carnegie (Gary Oldman), who is seen reading a book on Mussolini, and not because he’s bored. He already wields absolute authority over his little village, but using Il Duce as a model he hopes to become ruler of what remains of the planet. He has sent his illiterate henchmen out into the world with orders to bring back every book they can find. But there’s only one book (besides the Mussolin biography) that matters to Carnegie: The Book. Eli’s Book. Carnegie has heard that this volume can change the world because of its persuasive effects on people, which Carnegie hopes to harness to his own ends. But Eli isn’t giving it up.....
(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...
In terms of actors, Mr. Washington can count himself among the best of the best. I can’t wait to see this movie.
Interesting. Will check it out.
(I guess the studio is not planning to release it in the Muslim markets?)
I’ve never seen a bad movie from Denzel Washington.
Must be a 180 degree turn for the Hughes brothers who directed the documentary American Pimp? I did enjoy From Hell though.
Guess I know what Mrs. jagusafr and I are going to see tonight.
Colonel, USAFR
the Wobbler will see it tonight...
Well, apparently we got the message wrong from the ads.
If the movie is respectful of the Bible and carries a real message of how God's word can change our lives, then I'm all for it.
You may be right. He’s an Obama backer, was present at O’s inauguration but shuts up about his politics which is what we simply ask.
I love Oldman.
A true actor. The man transforms.
I have no doubt he could play Oprah Winfrey convicingly if tasked to do so! LOL
His performance on Man of Fire was amazing.
I liked him in Fallen
So tired of retelling the same story of the Obama administration...sigh.
I would imagine that Il duce book is right next to Rules for Radicals on The One (and Done's) bookshelf...
WOW
Denzel....
Not just a pretty face...
But a heart after God...
:)
Looks interesting.
Washington is a pure talent.
Oldman is genius in almost all the roles he plays, but as a villain is where his talent is devastating and captivating.
Few actors become a character as he does.
I will have to find time to see this.
>> I’ve never seen a bad movie from Denzel Washington. <<
Agreed! Have you ever seen “Fallen” is is a surprisingly scary movie with a interesting twist at the end. It is one of my favs with Denzel in it.
ping
“His performance on Man of Fire was amazing.”
So was his performance in Man ON Fire!
Oldman is better but is being protrayed as an evil white guy.
Washington was very good at the Oscars not making it a racial issue like half-white female actress who cannot act. He can. Still I think he is a bit lib.
I would only see it because of Gary Oldman because he is not a liberal and attacked liberal directors for trying to use him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.