No comments about Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians: An Easter Remembrance.

5 comments about Jesus of Montreal (French language only) (Import).

1. SPOILER ALERT: THIS REVIEW WILL TALK ABOUT THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE!!
   
   "Jesus of Montreal" is a remarkable acheivement in dramatic structure: it uses a passion play as a framework on which to fashion a passion play. It's all here: the appearance of a charismatic figure who is chosen, almost apart from his own will, to be a religious teacher, but who not only embraces the opportunity but radically alters the message to present a new view of the religion; who calls around him followers who devote themselves to him and to communicating his vision, but who after his death are tempted by opportunities to assert themselves; who delivers one of his followers from humilating punishment (with stripping for a director substituted for stoning) and who follows that up by destroying the valuables of those who would devalue a human spirit; who endures persecution from the religious establishment; and who dies for his message. In fact, the medical use of his body parts is a nearly literal transubstantiation of his body to heal those who never even knew him. The movie is critical of the religious establishment -- as a Christian myself, I would not think much of a religion that cannot stand up to scrutiny. Director Denys Arcand has made a wonderful and (dare I say it) reverent life of Christ in the guise of a story about a group of actors presenting an unconventional passion play. I don't know that you will love this movie as much as I do, but I assure you that if you give it a chance, it will not leave you unmoved. (I wish they would put it out in a widescreen version, however, even though that means I would have to buy it a third time!)



2. This film is a profound meditation on the nature of Christ as understood in different ways by different people in different contexts. It ponders the question of how the idea and felt reality of Christ (again, in various forms) fit into a larger understanding of the world, in the past and in the present.
   
   It is a tour de force as it reviews many different ways of how "to tell the old, old story"--actor Daniel Coulombe is hired by a priest to freshen up a very stodgy Passion Play, and he does just that: the resulting dramatic presentation is nothing short of brilliant, even in its variations from night to night. A truly inspired scene involves several different schticks used to pantomime the Biblical story, using a Brando-esque "Method" style, Kabuki, Parisian night-club, and street-realist presentations--all (sort of) in jest.
   
   But as he puts together the crew for this performance, Daniel's life begins to mirror that of the Biblical Christ, in surprising and profound ways. One or two parallels would come across as obviously didactic, but the film bombards viewers with so many that it becomes an object of wonder: Daniel does live the life, and death, of the typical portrayal of Christ, but in ways that are ambiguous in their meanings.
   
   And that is the strength of this film: unlike films such as Mel Gibson's "Passion" that (semi-literally) flog viewers with their stolid and impossible attempts at realism, "Jesus of Montreal" works on a metaphoric, symbolic level. The meaning of the film is what you make of it--but its intensity forces you in fact to make something of it. You cannot watch this film seriously without having questions arise about what we know and understand of God, Jesus, faith, and the stories that govern people's lives.



3. The movie is not for those who are easily influenced in their faith, since it includes scenes where presumably the church is hiding the fact that Jesus wasn't really raised from the dead.
   
   It is a foreign film with dubbed English, and it plays very well. Although the movie is slow, it is a great concept, and I appreciated how it played out, especially the end.
   
   Interestingly, just after I watched this movie, one of my congregation members asked, "I wonder if people who play Jesus in movies are influenced by playing the part?" The movie opened a great conversation with them, and I was glad I watched it.



4. In JESUS OF MONTREAL, a well-meaning priest hires an actor, Daniel Coulombe (Lothaire Bluteau) to rewrite and perform the Passion Play. Daniel gathers together a small group of fellow artists and together they rework the original script from the priest into a profound, thought-provoking, and emotional moving experience. The play turns into a huge success and the must-see show in Montreal. However, Daniel's company's somewhat radical interpretation of some key events stirs controversy with the Church hierarchy. Meanwhile, the lives of Daniel and his company begins to mirror the life of Christ and his disciples, illustrating the power of the story they have been telling each night.
   
   There is a great deal to admire about JESUS OF MONTREAL; the acting, writing, lighting, and cinematography are all excellent. The film was made in 1989, so some of the costumes, hair, and design look a bit dated. However, the general overall tone of the film is so powerful that these things are easily overlooked. In short, JESUS OF MONTREAL is a moving modern-day parable that illustrates the power of the Gospel to change people's lives.



5. Why is it that the most truly moving spiritual films tend to be either those made by non-believers, or else brash, untraditional, even avant-garde reinterpretations of the basic story? Yet that's the case once more in this lovely version of the life & death of Jesus, as presented by a somewhat motley troupe of French-Canadian actors.
   
   What begins as an attempt by a cynical local cleric to essentially jazz up the annual Passion Play, in order to get more people in attendance, turns into an actual living out of the story by the lead actors. It's indeed a literal imitation of Christ, one that transforms the actors & invites them to become more than what they are, drawing out "the better angels of their nature" in a very real way.
   
   Soon the actors find their roles merging with their everyday lives, particularly on the part of Jesus. It's both amusingly satiric & painfully pointed, asking the audience to consider just how honestly they live out their most firmly-held beliefs in their own everyday lives. And it demonstrates how troubling & even threatening an actual return of Jesus would be to those who claim to follow his teachings, but tend to talk the talk rather than walk the walk.
   
   Of course the story has a tragic ending ... or does it? It makes the viewer reflect on every idealistic movement & belief that's captured an instance of glowing goodness, only to be snuffed out by the powers that be as a danger to the status quo. Even so, the film ends on a note of hope, a reminder that we don't have to settle for the lowest common denominator, that we don't have to compromise everything -- if we're willing to make the necessary sacrifices & live the lives we could be living.
   
   For believer, agnostic, and atheist alike, most highly recommended!

2 comments about Rolie Polie Olie - Easter Egg-Stravaganza.

1. This is a cute 24 minute show! There are three 8 minute stories. Two with an Easter chicken laying a good luck egg and chick, and one story of chasing and catching a rainbow that is really cute. The video is very colorful and entertaining to watch. The computer graphics in this one seemed to be inproved over last years tapes. My daughter really likes Rolie Polie Olie above Elmo and Barney these days! I only wish these tapes were of normal 55 minute length! Rolie will have a full length movie this summer to look forward to though.



2. This is a very cute tape dealing with spring. It doesnt really have much educational value, but is so adorable and wholesome. My son loves the "springy chicken" and laughs so much during this tape. He is 2 1/2 and needs a break from all the learning tapes. Very sweet tape and I would definelty recommend it because it even makes me laugh..too cute.

2 comments about Three Days.

1. This tape is not the correct tape that I thought I was ordering. There is no review to know what this tape is. I did a search of one the the actors in the movie which I was looking for (Kristin Davis)and this tape came up. You need to review the keywords that brought me to purchase this. It cost me my time and return shipping costs unnecessarily had there been a summary of what the tape was.



2. This is not the movie, you think it is. It is about the 3 days after Jesues dies.. It is not the movie "3 days" the gals all want. :)

No comments about The Easter Story.

No comments about Easter in Bunnyland.

No comments about Cherub Wings #10: And It Was So! Easter Episode.

No comments about Veggie Tales: An Easter Carol/Ballad Of Little Joe.

1 comments about Will Vinton's Claymation Easter.

1. This is one of the 3 Will Vinton Claymation holiday specials. But, it's newly available in VHS and DVD with all 3 specials on each.

   The new VHS elsewhere on Amazon has now been released in SP Mode, for better picture and audio quality.

No comments about Easter and Flowers Volume 12.