The Book of Life
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Movie Reviews of The Book of Life
Movie Review: The Book Of Life - funny and thought-provoking
Summary: 4 Stars
It is the rare indie film that a)is funny in a droll way b)is thought provoking c)is especially interesting for biblical scholars d)that is both directed by Hal Hartley and is short and e)manages to squeeze in a Yo La Tengo cameo. Such, however, is Book Of Life, a film that posits a kinder, gentler, Armaggedon. Jesus Christ arrives at the airport December 31, 1999. He's expected to open the 4th-7th seals on the Book of Life, thereby unleashing Armageddon. He begins to have second thoughts, however, as he looks around and examines humanity. This causes trouble with God's lawyers. Besides the uniformly excellent writing, this movie also recalls Michael Almereyda's Hamlet, in that both movies hold special delights for those well-acquainted with the source material. The movie, shot on a digital camera, doesn't suffer for it. For Hartley fans, well worth the investment.Movie Review: typical Hal Hartley
Summary: 4 Stars
Martin Donovan (Trust) plays Jesus and Thomas Jay Ryan (Henry Fool) is the Devil as the clock ticks down on the last day of the world in Manhattan. Jesus agonizes over unlocking the seven seals of the apocalypse on his Apple laptop, verbally battles the Devil, and walks around NYC with Magdalene (PJ Harvey) on this most eventful of days.This is a typical Hal Hartley film -- incredible premise, great actors, and creative but cheap production. I enjoyed the film even though the glaring lights and jerky camera got old -- at just over 60 minutes you don't have time to get too annoyed :-)
Extras are minimal -- credits and filmographies for Hartley and Donovan.
A worthwhile addition to Hartley's ouevre but as often happens with this talented director, one feels that the potential was greater than the execution.
Movie Review: Soul Food
Summary: 4 Stars
As far as writing is concerned, The Book of Life is another Hartley masterpiece. Aesthetically, however, it falls a little short. You get the feeling that Hal was only able to scrape up about half of his usual budget for this one. It also bears many of the video-like qualities of early digital filmmaking.
Otherwise, we get strong performances, an eclectic soundtrack and lots to chew over after a viewing or two. It asks difficult questions and points to some intriguing ironies. Hartley constructs an arena where the Evangelical and the Pragmatist can duke it out. The outcome is left entirely to the viewer.
So if you feel like getting into a good theological cage match, oil the old brain gears, invite some friends over and see this movie.
Movie Review: It takes time but.....
Summary: 3 Stars
At first I didn't like this film. It was too artsy, too frumpy, too fuzzy. Far too fuzzy. Frankly I bought it because I am a big PJ Harvey fan, no surprises there right? But after watching it a few times I begain to find importent and often funny moments. The interaction between Jesus and the Devil are often quite amusing. The acting is lacking. Donovan has done better work in my opinion(Nadja, for example). PJ Harvey is surprisingly good, speaking as a critic and not a fan, perhaps the best actor in the film really besides maybe Thomas Jay Ryan. As for her looking like "Jack Skellington", as my friend pointed out, well she has always looked that way.
If you like independent films or are an art student then this is a good choice for you.
Movie Review: An excellent, but still quite slow and tedious film.
Summary: 3 Stars
I give this film three and a half stars actually, i think it was very slow and tedious, but it was a great work of art, I specially loved the camera work, it' gives the viewer a feel of this movie, it's slow, but stil it's a great buy.