Posted on 03/11/2014 11:54:23 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
ROME Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has been lobbying to get Pope Francis to agree to watch his new biblical adventure story, Noah. But there is little sign that the spiritual leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics will comply.
Religious audiences have been split in their views on the megabudget Darren Aronofsky production, which will hit cinemas in the U.S. March 28 and come to Italy two weeks later. Paramount Pictures says that more than four out of five religious moviegoers say they are interested in seeing the film, but some Christian groups say it strays too far from the biblical story in an effort to make it more palatable for the big screen.
Crowe used social media in his lobby effort, tweeting to the pope that the film's message is "powerful, fascinating, resonant" and, in another message, calling on his 1.37 million Twitter followers to use their own tweets to cajole Francis into watching the film.
The Vatican did not directly respond to Crowe's lobbying efforts, but Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, when asked if the pontiff would see Stephen Frears' Oscar-nominated Philomena -- which is critical of the church's one-time handling of children born to single mothers -- said the pope does not watch films.
If true, that contradicts assertions from a story that broke last year in which Francis told an Italian interviewer he enjoyed classic Italian films from directors including Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, and Luchino Visconti, and that he would take a look at two new films recommended by interviewer Eugenio Scalfari: Ettore Scola's Fellini homage, How Strange to Be Called Federico, Scola Talks About Fellini (Che strano chiamarsi Federico, Scola racconta Fellini), and the political comedy Viva la liberta from Roberto Ando.
Crowe, who plays the title role in the film, won an Oscar in 2000 for Gladiator, which was set in ancient Rome.
Noah will be the first Aronofsky film in more than a dozen years not to have its world premiere in Italy: Black Swan, The Wrestler, and The Fountain all premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
I think I heard they take “environmental” stances in the picture but I have no idea. Maybe a search for reviews on the movie can clue one in. I’m sure I will see it eventually but probably not immediately, at the theater.
My husband asked if I wanted to see “Son of God” in the theaters. I think I will wait too. I don’t know about “Heaven is for Real.” I’ll be on the lookout for it. Thanks for the conversation.
The Wrestler was really good. The scenes between Rourke and the daughter made me cry. In the interviews I have watched, the old school wrestlers, Piper, Valentine, Dibiase, Dallas Page, Lex Luger have all said that its pretty true to life of how the old guys are.
I spoke without viewing it. Please forgive me. I only saw the scenes from the previews.
But like you, I loved wrestlers when I was a kid in Hawaii. I watched them on TV and my parents would take me to their matches. But I had a schoolgirl vision of what they were like. To me they were superheroes.
LOL! That is great !! LOL LOL I don’t know what that guys problem is. I remember a few years ago he was in a hotel in New York city and was trying to call his wife long distance from the hotel phone, God knows why in this day and age of cellphones, and the hotel phones weren’t working, so he ripped the phone out of the wall went downstairs and threw it at the clerks head. LOL! What a freakin’ nut. He got arrested and everything and I think he had to pay off the clerk.
Here it is - Holy cow I thought it was a few years ago, it was NINE! Damn time flies fast!
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/nyregion/07crowe.html?_r=0
The flood will has a lot of controversy like- who are the "Sons of God" described in Genesis 6: 1-4; was the flood regional or a global event. Not sure many will be happy
Or crawl back into his Bible that he apparently doesn’t read much.
I wouldn’t call The Wrestler “trashy”... but it isn’t very uplifting... I think it tells a story... a cautionary tale... a tragedy.
Then again... Marisa Tomei gets naked. She had aged well.
I wish Ms. Tomei had been given more roles. Her turn in Cousin Vinny was wonderful. As for,the actor, Mickey Rourke, his life has been a cautionary tale. Why did he destroy his face and acting career through,boxing, was it?
I think I will spare myself this film. Thank-you for the clarification and your perspective.
This guy can probably think of a way to ruin it:
I thought you were going to tell me it reminded you of another Mickey Rourke film: 9 1/2 weeks.
9 1/2 Weeks had a great soundtrack, the beautiful Kim Bassinger, clothes by Yoji Yamamoto, sensuous screenwriting contributions by Zalman King and gorgeous cinematography by Adrian Lyne.
It does not tell a valuable story, but imagery is beautiful. There is this caveat: they do not live happily ever after.
Barfly... wasn’t that by Bukowski. This administration I am all about feel good Korean comedies and dramas. It’s how I escape...
Thank-you for your movie tip. I’ll pass it on to my husband, who can take weightier subjects in his entertainment.
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.