God's Not Dead

[SirWhit]

Going to the student life office and filing a complaint?

[Eleventh Doctor]

One of the best movies made? Really, what makes it so good? You can like it without saying it's the best ever.

Please do not take any advice from this movie about what to do when dealing with atheists. It will not work out, real atheists are not like this and the arguments in the movie will not work. Do what Mr. Whit's End said, file a complaint.

[Tea Ess]

First, yes, I can't imagine that any real life professor would act as the one in the movie was portrayed. I have had less than helpful professors, but the God's Not Dead professor is unthinkably unrealistic.

I understand where you're coming from, Metal. In the movie, though, it absolutely came across that this was how they viewed atheists. The movie would have been much more interesting and thought provoking had it not engaged with so much stereotyping and strawman-ning.

[TigerShadow]

In fact I seem to remember catching a glimpse of a behind-the-scenes video on youtube of the guy who played the professor talking about his role and how they're not saying all atheists are like this, but THAT particular character was a real jerk.

The problem with that is that if there is no alternative perspective, then the audience isn't going to know that the filmmakers believe that way. This is another example of the classic concept "Show, Don't Tell". It should not require behind-the-scenes commentary by an actor for the audience to be able to figure out that the movie doesn't want to throw all atheists under the bus; we should see evidence of that idea in the film itself.

[Tea Ess]

The problem with that is that if there is no alternative perspective, then the audience isn't going to know that the filmmakers believe that way. This is another example of the classic concept "Show, Don't Tell". It should not require behind-the-scenes commentary by an actor for the audience to be able to figure out that the movie doesn't want to throw all atheists under the bus; we should see evidence of that idea in the film itself.

Thank you. You said that really well.

Also, from the AiG movie review:

JW: Why do you hate God?! Answer the question! You’ve seen the science and the arguments. Science supports His existence. You know the truth! So why do you hate Him?! Why?! It’s a very simple question, Professor. Why do you hate God?!

PR: Because He took everything away from me! Yes, I hate God! All I have for Him is hate!

JW: How can you hate someone if they don’t exist?

PR: You’ve proven nothing.

JW: Maybe not, but they get to choose. Is God dead?

Students [as they stand]: God is not dead. God is not dead. God is not dead. God is not dead. God is not dead . . . .

[TigerShadow]

...I guess the lines were better when delivered?

[Eleventh Doctor]

I don't see how delivery could change that.

[TigerShadow]

I meant that perhaps the skill of the actors made the lines seem less Narm-y onscreen.

[Eleventh Doctor]

Why is no one answering my question about why it's the greatest movie ever made? Can no one explain specifically what they actually liked about the film? I mean if you like improbable characters beating up on strawmen this is the greatest film ever but I doubt that's what you actually like about it, at least I hope not.

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

Still haven't seen this movie, though I know the whole plot and many details. Based on the plot line alone, I still have many of the criticisms that people on here have. I mean... what on Earth is the movie trying to accomplish? Is it trying to convert atheists to Christianity by stereotyping their entire set of beliefs and portraying them as vindictive, close-minded people who don't believe in God solely because of personal trauma? Or is it trying to instruct Christians on how to blast their atheist friends' arguments out of the water while giving them a much-needed reminder that, since you're a Christian, everything is always going to work out great for you and horribly for your enemies? Of course I shouldn't judge a movie I haven't even seen, but that's the kind of stuff I gathered from a detailed synopsis and some posts on here. These days, critics almost always blast Christian movies, but they may have a point. It seems that Christian film makers think that they can resort to simple cliches in their plot lines, and that the Christian spin will make things original enough (Facing the Giant). Or, even worse, it gets to the point where the gospel is rendered boring by Hollywood (The Nativity Story).

[Blitz]

I won't go so far as to say the movie is all that good. The quality is great and the acting was very good over all. The plot was a bit lacking. Not exactly a movie you use for witnessing but in my opinions helps gives a few argument you can use when debating rephrased.
I know some one who really hates God. I mean really. Not often you find someone like that though.

[Eleventh Doctor]

What arguments would you use from the movie?

Also how is the quality good? Technically it does not stack up visually at all to even other indie films. Also the acting is very good? Compared to what? Did the cast of Duck Dynasty give a good performance?

I really want people to give me actual reasons why this is a good film, you can agree with the message, however heavy handed it is, without saying it's a great film. I mean several people on this thread have said it is the greatest film they have ever seen, either they have not seen many films or they are exaggerating.

[Doll]

Blimey Cow's most recent video made me think about this movie, and the discussion here about it:

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

Ha ha. I like that video, Belle. It's quite true, though, especially the part about the Christian movies. I hate it when "super-Christians" act like you're not being spiritual if you prefer secular movies over Christian. A bad movie is a bad movie, even if it stands for the truth. Oh yeah, and I PROMISE I'm going to see this movie soon so I can talk about it with full credibility.

[Ashley]

I only saw the first 20 minutes or so, and I was ok with it. I had never seen the trailer before tho, and then I went to a conference, and one of the speakers played the trailer. In the trailer, Josh said "We're going to put God on trial." (I'm paraphrasing) I was just like You do realize that you're talking about the King of the universe, right? And you're going to "put him on trial"? That makes Him the guilty party, right?

I get what Josh meant. Look at the evidence and decide what you believe. But still, God is not the criminal. You are.

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

Where did you get the idea that being put on trial makes you the guilty party? That's the whole point of a trial: to decide whether you're guilty or not. In the movie, the Professor claimed that God was guilty of the heinous crime of not existing, and Josh spoke up on God's behalf, being the "district attorney" of God, so to speak. Thus, it was the Professor who was accusing God of a crime and putting him on trial, not Josh, so I don't really see your point.

[Bethany Shepard]

Have y'all watched Kevin McCreary's new "God's Not Dead" Nostalgic Christian? Just about sums it all up.

[Eleventh Doctor]

hahahah, that is so hilarious. Such a good review of the film.

[Novatom]

I enjoyed the video, even though I've never seen the movie.

[ArnoldtheRubberDucky]

I loved the video (probably my favorite Nostalgia Christian yet. And I've watched all of them. Twice.). The best part was when he checked all those court cases in the credits.