The Book of Life
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Movie Reviews of The Book of Life
Movie Review: "Do You Think The World Is Going To End Tonight?" ~ Apocalypse Just Isn't What It Used To Be
Summary: 5 Stars
Synopsis: It's a New Years Eve unlike any other. The date is December the 31st, 1999 and spiritual forces are afoot in the affairs of man. Jesus (Martin Donovan), looking like any other normal 20th century businessman has arrived at JFK airport accompanied by a lovely female assistant (P.J. Harvey) named Magdalena (aka: Mary Magdalene). He has come to fulfill what has been foretold, open the final three seals locking the Book of Life and judge the living and the dead, thus ending time and beginning eternity. No one recognizes this new arrival for who he is except for a crazy or two and of course the Devil who knows his time is short and is busy trying to gather one more soul before the curtain falls.
However Jesus surprises everyone with his ambivalence towards his Father's instructions. He likes humans, being half-human himself, and doesn't see the need for petty retribution. Will he carry out the will of his heavenly Father or make his own deal with the Devil so that mankind can continue into the new millennia?
Released in '98, the film captures all the angst and personal torture of a generation lost and unable to cope with the impending transition. Will the next millennia be better than the last? Will we even survive long enough to experience the next thousand years? Hartley has created for our viewing pleasure a highly provocative tale complete with a well-conceived script, taut and pointed dialogue and a mesmerizing soundtrack ranging from urban, industrial sounds to bittersweet melancholy. `The Book of Life' is truly a cinematic meditation of the highest order.
Movie Review: Take a deep breath and jump!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just saw this movie, and after seeing Trust and Unbelievable Truth, I am convinced that Hal Hartley is well worth following. This is one of those movies that makes your eyes grow wider and your breath come a little faster, as you watch in facination.
The filming is very edgy, using a lot of camera movement, overexposed shots, and some interesting angles. The story of Jesus returning to begin the apocalypse is now told in a manner that is truly original, with almost continual tongue-in-cheek humor, and situations that are so absurd as to be believable. While others have dealt with the end of the world in dark and dismal ways, Hartley leaves us with hope. Hope for mankind, and just as importantly, hope for the future of film. That someone can continue to make films that challenge the mind like this makes me feel better in the wake of the crap that Hollywood continues to spew.
I would recommend this film to those who are not afraid to see something that will push your comfort zone. If you are adventurous enough, then you will enjoy this one. If you do not like going out of your comfortable little world, then do not, under any circumstances, see this film.
Movie Review: A review abot a great movie with a great DVD.
Summary: 5 Stars
After four months waiting, i have my "Book of Life" DVD now, and finally it has a 24 hours aviability on amazon, so now, i just bought it yesterday at a Barnes and Noble bookstore, and i go to see it at my house, and guess what it's a great DVD, i will not review the movie, i had already donde that like two or three times, that reviews are scattered,on this page, i truly loved the DVD, the picture quality it's excellent, i have it on VHS, but now i am selling the VHS edition, because it was recorded from cable TV, and this is a demonstrartion of how good it is to have DVD, the audio quality is very good, the Dolby Digital Stereo, sounds very good, but they are some sound effects and background music that dosen't hears, only if you buy a Dolby amplifier and but it a almost very hard volume, the bonus features, aren't enough, just the filmographies of Martin Donovan and Hal Hartley,production credits, scene access and a DVD Rom feature, wich is a link to a Winstar Video DVD newsletter, so now, if you have seen this movie, and you want to own it, buy it!, before it changes of aviability, on Amazon, or it becomes out of print or stock!Movie Review: All future generations shall see this movie
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Book of Life" as most reviewers say here it's very thought provoking, and powerful film, and it's like a dream that in the rest of your life, you shall never forget, every human being on this planet should see it, the music, the camera work, the script, the acting, make this movie feel very real, i strongly recommend you to buy the DVD, not the VHS,on VHS the movie almost looses it's power, but in any format specially on DVD, it's still captivating, on amazon, now "The Unbeliveable Truth" another movie by our dear friend Hal Hartley has camed up, and as this movie it's one of his best movies, also i also strongly recommend you to buy the soundtrack, and if you loved this movie, or at least liked it, check out "Ghost in the Shell", "Henry Fool" or "Princess Mononoke".Movie Review: beyond belief
Summary: 5 Stars
Living in England, I doubted I would ever get to see this short, let along actually own it. This is a multiregional release, so us Limeys can purchase the DVD as well as you darned Yankees. The film itself is only an hour or so, but succeeds on every level - there's not an ounce of fat on it. A freewheeling take on millenial apocalypse, it stars Hartley veteran (and all round object of desire) as, appropiately, God versus Thomas Jay Ryan's delicious Satan. A superb supporting cast including PJ Harvey (a revelation) and Hartley's better half Miho Nikado help bolster this humorous and theologically inventive piece into the realms of pure cinematic joy. Thomas Jay Ryan's Satanic deliveries to camera are superb. His best film? Quite possibly. Go on, shoot me. Reccomended without hesitation to all.