December 24, 2008.

Nine Insights in One Bad Movie We Love.

Rating: 3
"The Celestine Prophecy",recently released in 2006,is an attempt to capitalize on James Redfield's New Age cottage industry (the book was published 15 years ago) Brandon Routh lookalike Matthew Settle stars as John Woodson, a laid-off teacher looking for enlightenment. He contemplates creation, evolution,then JUST HAPPENS to get an invite to discover "nine insights" dug up in Peru.

John goes to Peru, finding a multicultural commune cultivating the land and contemplating their shrubbery. As Julia (Annabeth Gish) advises John, "Take in the plant." He also falls in love with Marjorie,only to learn he's been stealing her aura. Auras are a major motif. Whenever John "opens up",everything becomes psychedelic,a flamboyantly colored LSD experience. What a long,strange trip indeed. In the meantime, the Church (embodied in Hector Elizondo as Cardinal Sebastian) and the State are conspiring against the pastoral idyll. They want the insights suppressed--though there are good rebel priests like Fr. Sanchez and Fr. Jose. There's also the evil military man Jensen,an unrecognizable Jurgen Prochnow.

"Celestine Prophecy" is a New Agey Indiana Jones movie. There are plenty of fight scenes and explosions. Along the way,it gets pedantic. At times, it's hilariously heavy-handed. It ends with the Nine Insights scrolling down the screen as Peruvian panpipe and Gregorian chant play. Turn on,tune in,drop out!

December 20, 2008.

Interesting, but not Biblical.

Rating: 4
DH and I received this movie via Netflix and when it arrived neither of us remembered ordering it. DH assumes that perhaps it was a "suggestion" from other movies we chose. It was a really interesting film that causes one to think.

I am a little caught, because for an idea of a story it is interesting and does keep a captive audience. The acting was fairly good although the green screen and some scenes could have been much better. Finishing the film, DH and I discussed the film and the ideas within a bit, and although they are likable, it is a little uncomfortable, because they seem to be those ideas in disguise that pull you away from the whole truth while arguing that they are harmless to what you know to be truth.

Overall, good evening watch, but not a keeper for me. I'm not sure that I would recommend it, but be your own guide. Just remember Jesus Christ gave us truth and a handbook to explain it all.

December 16, 2008.

Luckily, I didn't read the book.

Rating: 1
I wasted only an hour and a half of my time instead. It's very funny that the majority of reviews here at Amazon are positive while over at Rottentomatoes it scored a rating of 4% positive by the professional reviewers--one of the lowest ratings I've seen there. Well, if this is your sort of thing, you may love it too--auras, synchronicity, and a vacuous New Age spiritual revelation.

Be amazed as our hero travels deep into the rebel-infested rainforest to the Malibu suburb of the Peruvian Shangri La. Open your eyes as the American Yuppies (not the peasants, of course) are the chosen ones to whom the insights are revealed. Be dazzled by the knowledge that, you too, can be rendered invisible to the bad guys (unfortunately, the peasants haven't evolved to that luxury). Rest assured that there is still an insight yet to know beyond this movie (as you fly away without the peasants). Float to the bookstore for part II, for alas, no one else is ready yet to put up the money for another heavenly flop, but if we all start sharing on the red energy seesaw, it will happen, it will certainly happen. Our celluloid yellow brick road part II will certainly happen for us all. Aunty Em, Aunty Em, oh, Aunty Em.

December 06, 2008.

Everybody Should See This Movie!.

Rating: 5
I haven't read the book but I saw the DVD and decided to take a chance on it.It was amazing forget the secret this movie gave me that tingly feeling like when I hear an amazing piece of music or something.I'm so glad I took a chance on this movie even though I wasn't really interested in the book even though I'd heard good things about it.See this movie then tell all your friends to do the same!

December 29, 2008.

new beginning.

Rating: 5
i would read the book first and then watch the movie, the book is better but the movie gives you more of a reality picture of what you can see and do. I have recieved so much more insights to things in life. the movie is very helpful.