The Nativity Story
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Movie Reviews of The Nativity Story
Movie Review: " . . . the humble state of his servant."
Summary: 5 Stars
The Nativity Story captures the "humble state of his servant" Mary and her husband Joseph in the clothes they wear, in the manual labor both are employed in, and by the furnishings in the interior of Mary's parent's home. The unsettling frustration of "arranged marriages," comes through well, as does the insecurity and servitude created by the Roman government. Some critics say that Keisha Castle-Hughes is too unimotional. She relects the Biblical description given by Saint Luke of an introverted Mary, saying, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Catherine Hardwicke stoops to the error of tradition when dealing with the wise men. She has one point in NOT calling them Kings, as one well-known Christmas carol falsely propagates. However, it is naive, even ridiculous to think that wise men would travel across hostile territory over a period of months with 5 camels and 3 camel boys. In Saint Matthew's gospel chapter 2, verse 3 it says that Herod "was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." These men made a stir in a political, economic, and religious city that was used to visits from foreigners since the days of king Solomon. There were more likely 50 camels and men than 5!
Saint Matthew tells us too, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . . Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews,'" It was AFTER the Magi came that Herod started worrying about a King that would replace him. He "called the Magi secreatly and found out from them the exact time the star appeared." Why? So that he could kill all the baby boys born after that date. Herod's soldiers were not pediatricians and couldn't be counted on to determine the exact age of each boy, so he no doubt gave himself a large margin of error. Considering that Jesus was from 6 months to a year old (the time it took the Magi to travel to Bethlehem), Herod had all the boys up to 2 years old killed. The Magi didn't find a baby Jesus in a stable, (sorry for the traditional error) but a child in a house. It was in a dream that the wise men were warned not to return to Herod. It was at this time that the angel told Joseph to flee to Egypt, not the same night the soldiers came to kill the babies.
Aside from these persistant, traditional, incongruant errors, The Nativity Story is still the best I've seen on the subject, and worth seeing. I found it worth purchasing the DVD.
Movie Review: A Simple and Down-to-Earth Portrayal of the Incarnation
Summary: 5 Stars
This film, partly using Morocco as the backdrop for events that actually transpired in ancient Roman-ruled Israel, presents a human-experience-centered view of the events surrounding the Incarnation. Even the supernatural occurrences are shown in a low-keyed, unspectacular manner. For instance, when angels speak, they are depicted as being essentially no different from ordinary men speaking.
All in all, the film appears to be faithful to the Scriptures, with one obvious exception. The Magi are depicted as figuring out themselves that it would be unwise to return to Herod, when actually it was an angel who told them not to return to Herod.
Of course, some of the fine details are necessarily subject to interpretation. For instance, the Star of Bethlehem is portrayed as a conjunction of planets. Others argue that such a conjunction would have only been partial and would never have created a single apparent star, let alone an exceptionally bright one. In fact, there is evidence from Chinese and Korean records of an exceptionally bright star at that time--probably a supernova. Still others think that the Star of Bethlehem must have been a miraculous event.
In the film, Mary is portrayed as on the verge of giving birth as she and Joseph first enter Bethlehem. They frantically search for an inn and finally have to settle for a stable. Others think that Mary and Joseph may have been already in Bethlehem for perhaps several months before the Holy Birth. In that case, the inability of Mary and Joseph to find an inn would have resulted from the long-term crowding of Bethlehem caused by the Roman-imposed census, not the unavailability of inns on just a certain night.
For even those familiar with the Nativity, the events in the film lead to an air of suspense. The viewer can almost feel the conflict that Joseph and Mary experience when she is widely believed to have committed adultery. Mary has to struggle with being believed by others that the Fruit of her womb had been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, at minimum, wants there to be no accusation (of adultery) so that there would be no trial and no stoning of Mary as an adulteress. Finally, the angel allays Joseph's fears.
The actual slaughter of the innocents by Herod's soldiers is given relatively slight attention. This is in keeping with the minimum of violence that is characteristic of this film.
Movie Review: Be prepared to go DEEP ...
Summary: 5 Stars
The trailer made me cry, but the movie (dare I say it?) was a touch (yawn) BORING ...
Which is not to say that I didn't like it (because I did -- hello? 5 stars!), but I think the plodding pace of the movie really drove home the fact that this "story" was NOT a "Bible story" to the people who were actually involved. It was real life. Every day life. And it really happened. To ordinary people. And not within the space of 2 hours, either. They actually had to live this stuff out -- day by day by grueling day. And so I really appreciated how the movie gets that idea across withOUT the usual Hollywood pyrotechnics, FX & swelling orchestral music score ...
I also like the way the movie weaves all the many & various threads of all the many & various lives together in a way that really makes sense -- which is a picture that's hard for most people to get, no matter how many times they've read the Biblical accounts. So, in that sense, the movie really does succeed in bringing the nativity story to life in a way that I've never seen done before.
And seeing the little "baby Jesus" being lifted up did make me cry, because it made me come to terms with the fact that -- at one time -- He was just that little, just that vulnerable, just that in need of someone to take care of Him & -- WOW -- can you imagine the awesome responsibility? And (although the movie didn't come right out & say it) the Magi's expensive gifts did make Mary/Joseph/Jesus' flight to Egypt possible & was a powerful reminder to me of how God STILL provides for us when we're in desperate need ...
And so the movie does work on many different levels & probably needs to be seen a few times in order to fully appreciate the numerous nuances. They need to make more movies like this!
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NOTE: IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL, THEN PLEASE GO & GIVE MY "THE LAST MIMZY" REVIEW A VOTE, BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING SLAMMED BY FOLKS WHO THINK IT IS WRONG TO WRITE A MOVIE REVIEW FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. AND, IF YOU'RE REALLY FEELING GENEROUS, THEN PLEASE ALSO VOTE FOR MY "DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS," "UNACCOMPANIED MINORS," "APOCALYPTO" & "WE ARE MARSHALL" REVIEWS. (THINK OF IT AS A "RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS" ;) THANK YOU! & LOTS OF HUGS & BLESSINGS TO ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST <><
Movie Review: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2: 14
Summary: 5 Stars
Truley a blessing, this one is. Very well written and acted, along with the message of the true meaning of Christmas. Watch this movie, and look into your hearts for the true meaning of it all. Keep this story in your hearts now and always, and remember that if it weren't for Christ we wouldn't have Christmas. Our savior was born on that blessed day to save all mankind, and this movie really captures the story of the first Christmas. And so does the scriptures...
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Agustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:1-14
If you're interested, read all of Matthew 2. This chapter covers the wise men and king Herod. Thank you for reading my review. I hope this brings light to your life as well as your celebration.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Movie Review: Excelent Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
As a Christian, a person having a minor in film, and a big movie fan, let me say this movie was great. It was well worth the money to go so and I would not mind going again and I will get it when it comes out on DVD. Doing the Nativity Story is a hard think to do well for a movie maker. The director, producers and actors did an excellent job presenting scripture, historical context, and living conditions. The movie showed the day to day dirtiness of life in Israel. It showed how hard people worked. It showed extended family all living in one house and sleeping in one room. The showed how precious livestock were. The words of the Bible were presented accurately and the dialog in between gave context to the scripture and did not distract from it. The actors who played Mary & Joseph were great. I particularly liked Joseph. The actor portrayed his godly character, struggle with Jesus' conception, fears of the community, and obedience to God, service and strength. This portrayal shows why God chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus' parents. The story of Elizabeth and Zacharia is also told and very well. The story starts around a year before Jesus' birth and ends with the travel to Egypt. It very clearly shows how dangerous and arduous the trip was from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It also shows how long the trip was for the wise men. The angel portrayal was not hokey and very well done. The music used blend well with the movie. Several Christmas songs/hymns were used but done in Latin or other languages so not as to distract for what was on screen but to enhance. There was even foreshadowing of the cross and the empty tomb. The story clearly shows who Jesus was and was to be. The only small issue I have was with the wise men. The traditional 3 were shown there were more than likely more that came. Also they showed up the night of Jesus' birth. The original Greek tells us that they came and saw the Child not the Infant (that is why Herod killed all the male children under 2) and they came to the house not the stable. But I understand the need to condense time and it was OK. My advice is go and see the movie and take your friends and family.