Movie Reviews: "The Book of Eli" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 01-15-2010, 08:48 PM

Movie Reviews: The Book of Eli

The Book of Eli is one of those sci-fi fantasies that critics have difficulty summarizing without -- at least on the Internet -- posting "spoiler" alerts.

Roger Ebert is left having to conclude in his Chicago Sun-Times review that the "films looks and feels good, and Denzel Washington's performance is the more uncanny the more we think back over it."

He then adds: "The ending is 'flawed,' as we critics like to say, but it's so magnificently, shamelessly, implausibly flawed that

(a) it breaks apart from the movie and has a life of its own, or
(b) at least it avoids being predictable.

Now do yourself a favor and don't talk to anybody about the film if you plan to see it."

The "book" in the title is a Bible -- supposedly the last one on earth, and the film trumpets its religious message louder by the minute, some critics suggest. (It's being heavily marketed to Christian audiences, the Wall Street Journal reported today.)

But, forget about the religious message, Michael Phillips suggests in the Chicago Tribune. "The Book of Eli works, even if the preservation of Christianity isn't high on your personal post-apocalypse bucket list. Establishing its storytelling rules clearly and well, the film simply is better, and better-acted, than the average end-of-the-world fairy tale."

However, Peter Howell in the Toronto Star concludes, "This Book doesn't teach, inspire or amuse; instead it mysteriously flops open at that well-thumbed page favored by hack filmmakers, the one that reads simply, "Smash, hack and torch."

And Claudia Puig in USA Today says that the movie is "too brutal to be an inspirational tale. With its handsomely moody look, it seems more like an extended music video. Mostly, Eli is hampered by drab performances and a ponderous story."

But similar comments were made about a certain Mel Gibson production, something that Lou Lumenick of the New York Post alludes to in his review. "Will audiences go for this unusual mixture of religion and brutal violence?" he asks. "Well, look at The Passion of the Christ."

-IMDB News

Sterling Holobyte · 01-15-2010, 09:20 PM

If the lefty critics hate it, it has to be good. I really want to see this movie.

Marvo301 · 01-15-2010, 09:35 PM

The thing is the violence completely makes sense in the context of the movie. The story is about a world where only one copy of the Bible exists. If you remove the positive influence of the Bible from the world it makes sense that this world would be a very violent and chaotic place.

Sterling Holobyte · 01-16-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The thing is the violence completely makes sense in the context of the movie. The story is about a world where only one copy of the Bible exists. If you remove the positive influence of the Bible from the world it makes sense that this world would be a very violent and chaotic place.

How true. They removed God from the public schools and look at what festering sewers of depravity those things have become.

LeloPaul · 01-18-2010, 04:21 PM

I have a feeling I'll have to wait till this comes out on DVD. My wife won't go, and doesn't look good for the kids.

isiahthomas · 01-20-2010, 02:08 PM

I don't know why Denzel wastes his time with crap like this. I don't wanna see it. I hate to see good actors being in bad movies. The directors who did this movie did the classic black movies Menace II Society and Dead Presidents.

01-15-2010, 08:48 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Movie Reviews: "The Book of Eli" Movie Reviews: The Book of Eli The Book of Eli is one of those sci-fi fantasies that critics have difficulty summarizing without -- at least on the Internet -- posting "spoiler" alerts. Roger Ebert is left having to conclude in his Chicago Sun-Times review that the "films looks and feels good, and Denzel Washington's performance is the more uncanny the more we think back over it." He then adds: "The ending is 'flawed,' as we critics like to say, but it's so magnificently, shamelessly, implausibly flawed that (a) it breaks apart from the movie and has a life of its own, or (b) at least it avoids being predictable. Now do yourself a favor and don't talk to anybody about the film if you plan to see it." The "book" in the title is a Bible -- supposedly the last one on earth, and the film trumpets its religious message louder by the minute, some critics suggest. (It's being heavily marketed to Christian audiences, the Wall Street Journal reported today.) But, forget about the religious message, Michael Phillips suggests in the Chicago Tribune. "The Book of Eli works, even if the preservation of Christianity isn't high on your personal post-apocalypse bucket list. Establishing its storytelling rules clearly and well, the film simply is better, and better-acted, than the average end-of-the-world fairy tale." However, Peter Howell in the Toronto Star concludes, "This Book doesn't teach, inspire or amuse; instead it mysteriously flops open at that well-thumbed page favored by hack filmmakers, the one that reads simply, "Smash, hack and torch." And Claudia Puig in USA Today says that the movie is "too brutal to be an inspirational tale. With its handsomely moody look, it seems more like an extended music video. Mostly, Eli is hampered by drab performances and a ponderous story." But similar comments were made about a certain Mel Gibson production, something that Lou Lumenick of the New York Post alludes to in his review. "Will audiences go for this unusual mixture of religion and brutal violence?" he asks. "Well, look at The Passion of the Christ." -IMDB News

01-15-2010, 09:20 PM	#2
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	If the lefty critics hate it, it has to be good. I really want to see this movie.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

01-15-2010, 09:35 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The thing is the violence completely makes sense in the context of the movie. The story is about a world where only one copy of the Bible exists. If you remove the positive influence of the Bible from the world it makes sense that this world would be a very violent and chaotic place.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-18-2010, 04:21 PM	#5
LeloPaul Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2010 Location: Kansas Posts: 10	I have a feeling I'll have to wait till this comes out on DVD. My wife won't go, and doesn't look good for the kids.

01-20-2010, 02:08 PM	#6
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I don't know why Denzel wastes his time with crap like this. I don't wanna see it. I hate to see good actors being in bad movies. The directors who did this movie did the classic black movies Menace II Society and Dead Presidents.