What was your take on the movie THE BOOK OF ELI?

[Mike 03]

Open question. Just to be honest, I think it was not given nearly the respect it deserved, but I am more interested in what others have to think.

[applegrove]

1. Was it any good?

[Xipe Totec]

2. E.L.E.? Extintion Level Event?

From the movie Deep Impact?

[rrneck]

3. A bit contrived and the ending failed.

But I dug it. I'll probably buy the DVD and put it in the "viewing rotation".

[mzteris]

4. I didn't care for it...

He should have memorized Shakespeare or something worthwhile.

I agreed more with the "bad guy" who hit the nail on the head - it's a piece of propaganda used to control and abuse the dupes who believe it.

Besides - wtf did it take THIRTY YEARS to walk across the US? That made NO sense at all.

[RandomThoughts]

5. It is a contrast in power.

Some think spiritual power is only that, power, meant to be used as a weapon.

Some think spiritual power is for learning moral and ethical lessons, and ways to live a life with more joy and better conditions for everyone. Although everyone fails at some things in those concepts. I should say that does not mean that every interpretation has meaning for every situation, only that the interpretation must also have the feelings from inside a person to have value. So if you just read something, and then try to apply it to any situation by interpretation, you can make mistakes, but if you also include how it makes you feel, and if you feel the situation spoken of in a text, and spoken in your heart matches, it seems to be more accurate.


The idea of 'holy words' being powerful is an old concept, but to only see power, and not think and feel on what is best, and try to learn and improve also makes the power without direction and can easily be mislead.

I also liked the idea that he had memorized it, the oil must be within a person lamp not at the store.

The bait girl for the ambush is interesting also, since it brings up many concepts.

The blind girl was a nice touch, again strength in weakness.

A bit violent in parts, and the use of eaters of dead people, and tea, seemed to be a comment about some groups. Interesting how they had the 'shakes' also.

I have always liked Denzel's films, and that was one of the films I saw when it was first released in the theaters.

I also thought the Busch Beer truck that he bypassed and did not help the people is an interesting comment. Just read a post on one eye on the goal one on the path. That seems to fit that scene, by only focusing on the goal, you miss opportunities that can appear on the path, opportunities to experience, learn, and even help people. Although I also do that at times also. And do think having goals has value, but being able to adjust them while on the path might fit into that concept. Not as criticism to the film or people, but as thought on concepts of what is important.

Same idea was in Saving Private Ryan, when they went after the MG nest, even though it was not part of the mission.

[Mike 03]

10. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.

You cut right to heart of the matter.

I don't think it mattered, in the end, that this was "The Bible." What Eli says is that he wants to teach human beings to treat each other better than they treat themselves.

I don't see this movie as a Christian movie, although I totally understand if people do.

I am enjoying this discussion. Thank you all.

[MajorChode]

6. It was mildly entertaining if you're into action movies

If you're looking for something else, I don't think you'll find it. There was very little character development. It just seemed to go from one scene to the next looking for the next excuse for Denzel Washington to kick ass. Much of the movie was highly predictable. I thought the movie was a technical success. The cinematography and sound were great.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. A remake of Mad Max

Entertaining, if a little preachy. I liked it, but I'm glad I didn't pay theater prices to see it.

:hi:

[blogslut]

8. It was okay

A little silly really. Visually compelling but, in the end, a waste of a lot of fine actors.

[Kaleva]

9. I didn't feel bad paying 3 bucks to rent the DVD.