Posted on 04/29/2005 1:00:01 PM PDT by missyme
We recently attended a preview of director Ridley Scott's crusader epic, "Kingdom of Heaven," which opens nationally May 6. The $130 million film -- which stars Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson and Jeremy Irons -- tells the story of a 12th century blacksmith who rises to defend Jerusalem from Muslim invaders.
We're unable to officially review the film until its release, but we had these observations:
Although Scott put "Kingdom" in development before the 9/11 attacks, it's obvious that the War on Terror forms the backdrop for the film. "Kingdom of Heaven" is clearly intended to be a parable for our time, and it's therefore disappointing that a director of Scott's skill and experience (directing classics like "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator") would opt for such a conventional, secular-liberal interpretation of the present conflict.
Even with its gorgeous settings, splendid action sequences, and some fine performances by Neeson and Irons, "Kingdom of Heaven" wears its politics too much on its sleeve.
The Western crusaders are too often dismissed as bloodthirsty and rapacious, and religion itself (both Christianity and Islam) is reduced to little more than a source of fanaticism. Scott doesn't glamorize the Islamic cause -- yet he can't understand it, either. Neither side's worldview is explored in any depth, because Scott assumes that war is the natural outflow of religion -- any religion.
Liberal Hollywood is struggling to find its voice in the post-9/11 world. Ridley Scott's effort may be the most ambitious yet in this regard, but the limitations of the liberal wordview in understanding our current struggle are become more obvious by the day. Aesthetically, "Kingdom of Heaven" may be a huge leap forward from "Fahrenheit 9/11," but its values are only baby steps removed.
"Christians in the 1100s thought the crusades were valiant and glorious. They DID NOT know about some of what happened in those crusades."
While I agree with you on the larger argument, it can be noted that there were several occasions in which the church denounced the actions of the crusaders, when they went a bit too far.
Don't tell me a movie created postmodernism.
And somehow you're happy about that?
and to say it, we are still waiting on the head of the Muslims to come out and say that as well. But the problem is, unlike with the crusades, there really isnt a head of the Muslim faith insofar as it relates to the Pope and the papacy...
It contributed to a recent speificic school of 'Pomo'. Postmodernism isn't the Boogeyman it's made out to be. Lots of great Art has come out of it.
No..no surprise. Of course gays are behind the promotion to "normalize" their behavior in society. And people who are "entertained" by what they put out play into their agenda.
I am a knight under oath of the order of Westminster. There are still knights in the world today and always have been. And you are correct that the difference between Christian knights today and Muslim holy warriors is that we do not believe as did the knights of the Middle Ages, that you gain heaven by killing God's enemies. This was not Sciptural teaching back then and it is not Scriptural today. We of the order of Westminster believe God will take care of His enemies, we are to love them until He does. This does not mean we Christian knights believe in non-violence.
Evening Sam - I too am hopeful, but like you will wait for freeper reviews.
You have no idea what was known and what was said in the Middle Ages, and neither do I.
None.
I know of no Christians who support the killing of abortion doctors, or the crazy lune who set off a bomb in the Olympics. Lots of Christians spoke out agianst these acts. Lots. Your equivocation is preposterous and simply wrong.
Like I said, I agree with your larger point, and you certainly can find Muslim leaders who denounce terror.
I don't agree with or appreciate gay art.
For instance?
Kinsey biographer James H. Jones, former adviser to the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, has admitted that Kinsey, the father of three children, was not the conventional academic and family man the university presented, but was sexually compromised. In his 1997 book "Alfred C. Kinsey: A Public/Private Life," which was excerpted by New Yorker magazine, the author describes the sex researcher as a sadomasochistic homosexual on a perverted mission. Kinsey produced pornography in his attic v filming his wife, male staff and their wives as performers v and sexually harassed his male students.
Reisman notes that Kinsey, who died in 1956, is praised by the North American Man-Boy Love Association for creating the "data" that support "the struggle we fight today." She finds his work as the basis for weakened laws and cultural norms that have helped foster a sharp rise in sex crimes against children, noting that 58,200 abductions by non-family members were recorded by the FBI in 1999, most of which involved sexual victimization.
no but we CAN go by historical accounts and records. The English were very good at keeping records at the time. See if you find anything.
Hell if you wanted too you could find VOLUMES of historical records from the time. PEOPLE HAVE PH.D'S in this very subject!!!
but keep on not listening. that's right, Christians have never done anything wrong. What was I thinking!?!? Hell, lets go ahead and nuke the ME right now!!
If you are saying my equating of Muslims of TODAY to CHRISTIANS OF 1100 is wrong, then I am going to go ahead and think I hit the nail squarely on the head and drove it true.
sheesh....
Oh I'm not denying it. The movie actually shows some of his perversions. I'm sure you're rushing out to see it now! (just kidding)
Continue to like whoever you like for their talents. I followed LoTR more closely than most, and I can't recall Orlando Bloom saying anything substantitive about our mission in Iraq. Sometimes, actors become so vocal we can't ignore their opinion, but for the most part, life's just simpler if you enjoy them for their art, and don't ask.
well when I was in Iraq, Sistani was denouncing attacks against fellow Muslims, which is all the insurgency in Iraq is focused on these days. They then turn it around and attempt to blame it on the coalition, but it doesnt work.
You just can't admit you're wrong in what you're saying, so you're ranting.
No...but all this talk might be making you eager to see it again to be entertained.
Sorry, but I do hold actors accountable for the roles they play. Just because acting is their job, doesn't mean they should play every sicko in an "amoral" fashion. I prefer actors who bring good messages to the public. Especially these days when there's so much perversion around.
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