The Golden Compass (movie)

[Old-School Guy]

I sort of touched on "The Golden Compass" in a different thread, but thought if I were going to say anything about it... I'd better put it in its own thread!

A lot of people may not know a lot about the movie, and probably even less about the books... but as a courtesy, I will divulge some info about it.

In the books of which this movie is based on, the two kids are going to kill "God" (this occurs in the last book - I believe there are three books). This IS only a story, and it IS (now) only a movie... but the story IS very ANTI-CHRISTIAN/ANTI-RELIGION! Whether you believe in God, Allah, "Buddha" - or any other deity... this movie is pretty-much against all that. The story is candy-coated to make "God" look like the bad guy. The kids kill God, so they can do whatever they want. Makes me think back to the Menendez brothers murder trial.

Anyway, knowledge is better than ignorance. I'm not saying that atheists don't have a right to not believe in a higher power. I'm just letting people know what the movie is about. If I were a cowboy, and I got duped into seeing "Brokeback Mountain" (if not previously knowing about the story)... I'd be pretty upset!

For those of you who are religious, and if you are/were contemplating seeing "The Golden Compass" (especially for those of you who have kids that want to see it)... keep in mind that by the third movie, the truth in the story will be evident! I know it has that "Chronicles of Narnia" look to it... but if you look closely, the production value is not nearly as good (I've seen several high-def trailers for it, and visually... I'm not impressed).

Food for thought...

P.S. I'm saving my 10 bucks for the movie that comes out next week: "I am Legend!"

[MadBryan]

I'm betting we don't see any God killing regardless of the books. I thought the production looked top notch. differant strokes for differant folks

[Old-School Guy]

Originally Posted by MadBryan

I'm betting we don't see any God killing regardless of the books. I thought the production looked top notch. differant strokes for differant folks

No... certainly not in the first movie, and probably not an "obvious" or "accurate" representation in the final movie. The "God" role will probably be overplayed by someone to make the character seem overbearing and controlling... or some other way to show him in a negative light.

My newspaper had a review of the movie yesterday, but the critic only "hinted" at the dark content, but gave no details about it - which is typical for most newspapers... mine, in particular. They are too liberal to take sides, and are probably more atheist than religious.

I don't know that I should say (print) the name of the paper here. I don't really want to slam them, and I don't want to make a case for libel (some freedom of speech, huh?!).

[The Milk Man 09]

I read all three books and now may have to read them again for a better analisys but in the first book it isnt evident what lyras uncle is planning on doing besides trying to get to another dimension, from what I can remember though god has been trapped by lord regent a very powerful angel and he is the one who is killed, not god. From what I can remember it didnt seem like they were trying to kill god or lord regent so everyone could run around as heathens but they did what they did in order to save everyone from an afterlife of slavery there was no longer heaven there was just being along with many other faceless people before them, they were trying to free those people, and save the worlds from coming to an end. They were not trying to kill god they were trying to bring back heaven or at least save themselves from slavery.

So please do not try to turn this into an issue of omg wickens and anti god, it is a very good book and in the end its just art, it is open to interpretation. If you dont want your kids to watch it fine but I am sure you also want to ban harry potter and any other "anti christian" books, you are simply over anilising it and not taking it for what it is you are just looking for a fight that has no resolution, except for burning books and making everyone believe what you want them to. Adolf Hitler did that so maybe it would work for you, keep trying...

[Wondermonkey]

There are plenty of pro-religious movies out there. If Bible Bangers don't want to go see the film, they shouldn't. I thought, if I were thinking from a kid's perspective, that the special effects looked pretty amazing and the story looked pretty fun. I'm going to take my 6 year old nephew to see it, and buy him the first book for Xmas.

If any movie wants to kill an imaginary character, I say go for it. They killed Sauromon and he's just as imaginary as god. There are enough movies about "finding" god, let's kill that elusive bastard for once.

Bible Bangers have had their fun long enough with their silly archaic rules, control, failing abstinence programs and boring films. Religion equals a boring film. Let's let kids go to the theater and have some fun!

[KEEZY]

I keep hearing about this movie and how it is evil. Apparently the author even came out and said it was about killing God and religion. Who knows. Saying something like that sure generates publicity, so in this day and age, I wonder how accurate his claims are.

Obviously everyone has the right to see or to choose not to see any movie they want.

In situations like this, I try and flip the script and see how it would look the other way around.
1. I haven't seen the movie or read the books, so I'm not going to let other people tell me what to think about the movie.
2. If it is about killing God, I guess the converse of it would be about killing... science? Maybe killing Darwin or something?
3. To Wonder's point: there are plenty of movies about God and angels and such(pro-religious). However, are there any anti-atheist movies? There again comes the issue of me not knowing exactly what the books/movies are about - I can't determine if the book is promoting atheism, attacking religion or both. And there very well may be anti-atheist movies, I'm just thinking about this from all sides.

I'm just a fan of everyone making their own decisions. I hated it when people were saying not to read/see The DaVinci Code because it was anti-religious. How can you judge something for yourself if you haven't read it.

My knee jerk to my own previous paragraph was "well that's the point of boycotting. In order to know what the movie is about, you may end up supporting something you eventually find that you don't agree with. Also, you mean hear that Nike uses sweatshops, and boycott them, even though you've never been to the sweatshop." But after thinking about it more, you can at least see pictures of the sweatshops and such. And as far as supporting a movie you may eventually not agree with, I think it would be worth that, just to know that you made the decision on your own.

[Wondermonkey]

Keezy, when you and Sarah decide to go out to dinner, do you ever choose which restaurant you're going to go to?

Dangerkitty was just reading over my shoulder and goes "If god had a problem with a movie about someone killing her she'd shut it down herself. Problem solved. God can make up her own mind, sheesh," and walked away.

[The Milk Man 09]

Originally Posted by KEEZY

How can you judge something for yourself if you haven't read it.

In order to know what the movie is about, you may end up supporting something you eventually find that you don't agree with.

Unfortunately instead of reading a book or seeing a movie themselves most people and bible pushers make up their mind from the opinions of other people who start the anti or pro whatever. Look at that one pastor from that documentary and all of his blind followers, and then again there are people like hitler. Ignorance just leads to bad things.

So if anyone wants to believe or not believe in something they should read watch it and know what it is about before they take a stance.

[KEEZY]

Originally Posted by Wondermonkey

Keezy, when you and Sarah decide to go out to dinner, do you ever choose which restaurant you're going to go to?

LOL, I know, right?? I just overthink things. It allows me to consider both sides, but never chose one!

[Desi Cuse]

What's going on with the quotes?

[dmiller68]

Originally Posted by KEEZY

I'm just a fan of everyone making their own decisions. I hated it when people were saying not to read/see The DaVinci Code because it was anti-religious. How can you judge something for yourself if you haven't read it.

I wouldn't call it anti-religious as much as not painting the catholic religon in the best light. I did however enjoy the movie and books.

This movie interests me but it is interesting on the topic.

[Quo]

There are plenty of movies that have a theme that is counter to religion, or at the very least, some particular religion or sect of a religion. I think what's causing the uproar, at least among those who are not knee-jerk reactionists and who can think for themselves, is that there's a very adult theme by the end of the third "children's" book.

It's the responsibility of parents everywhere to know what they are exposing their children to. I really think in most instances what you're hearing out there is parents who are concerned about it telling other parents to be aware of it, that's all. At least that's what I've been hearing as a parent. I can't speak for everyone, or for ever instance.

You know, it's a funny thing, people worrying about others deciding issues of faith based on movies that they've seen, etc. If that's what your choice of whether or not to believe in God is based on, maybe... just maybe ... you ought to re-think that strategy. I haven't read the books and I really don't plan on seeing the movie. But that's mainly because I just heard it wasn't very good.

[Wondermonkey]

What? That's crazy talk. The reason I'm a pastafarian now is because I found my religion on TV.

FSM allows me to worship in my own way, and he also doesn't want me to boycott this movie. We're going to see it this weekend and help contribute to the top of the box office that it's holding.

[Desi Cuse]

Damn Wonder you had me on that site for a good 15 minutes.

[The Milk Man 09]

I will definately read up on this religion after class, I dont have time now but I know it will bw funny.