The book of eli is, perhaps, the most explicitly christian film ive seen come out of the secular film industry since the passion of the christ. Books are scarce since apparently many people believed religion was the cause of the desolation, and so all religious books were destroyed. Though in the vein of recent films like 2012, a blockbuster about the end of the world as predicted by the mayan calendar, evangelical movie buffs are touting the book of eli as a rare major studio release where the protagonist is unabashedly a christian. In the postapocalyptic biblical thriller the book of eli, denzel washington plays a blind man who feels hes been called by god to carry the last remaining copy of the bible across the country. Mixed in with the violence and sepiatones is one giant religious symbol that we just had to quiz. If you have yet to see this awesome flick, then i hope this article encourages you to finally watch this rrated christian movie about what would happen if the world was devoid of the bible watch the original trailer here. The book of eli, which has a deliberately ugly bleached copper look, is like a videogame mashup of american and spaghetti westerns and japanese samurai flicks. Media worldview analysis essay example graduateway. Jan 15, 2010 at first glance, the book of eli appears to be just another violent postapocalyptic film from hollywood. Readers are enjoying the humour and lovable characters. How the antichrist has deceived the whole world by eli james is a must read for any christian who thinks they have plenty of time before. Hes on a divinelyinspired quest yes, a literal mission from god to take the book to the west as a swarm of wrongdoers led by gary oldman try to stop him.
Eli was, according to the books of samuel, a high priest of shiloh. America has suffered a catastrophic destruction and civilization and law have disappeared. When hannah came to shiloh to pray for a son, eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she. Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli continues hollywoods obsession with postapocalyptic tales, and in many ways feels like it belongs in the same world as the road with its ashladen wastelands and crazed cannibals. Jan 16, 2010 the book of eli is a movie that promotes christian values. But then he meets another girl and keeps her from getting raped mila kunis character. I thought it was a great action movie, one that kept my attention. One night eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli, which has a deliberately ugly bleached copper look, is like a videogame mashup of american and spaghetti westerns and japanese samurai flicks. Eli, who can smell lurking highjackers determined to rob and kill him long before they get close, is. The biblewhat it is and what it sayslies at the heart of this cinematic book.
Jan 21, 2010 book of eli delivers god, guns, and guts but theres more violence than values. How the antichrist has deceived the whole world by eli james is a must read for any christian who thinks they have plenty of time before the antichrist will come or you believe in the rapture. Jan 07, 2020 the book of eli is about to celebrate its ten year anniversary on january 11, 2020. Despite this and other lapses, such as eli s uncharacteristically lame explanation for the absence of female disciples, this is a refreshing departure from the usual clich s of popular christian fiction. Scenes in which eli defends the book with his life are extremely convicting as a christian, and thoughtprovoking for nonbelievers. Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli works just fine as an action blockbuster, but its much more than that. The book of eli is about to celebrate its ten year anniversary on january 11, 2020. The lord calls samuel the boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli. The book of eli continues hollywoods obsession with postapocalyptic tales, and in many ways feels like it belongs in the same world as the road with its ashladen wastelands and crazed cannibals. The book of eli is a story about a post nuclear fallout america where anarchy is the norm and survival is hardearned. Myers weaves the tale expertly, staying true to the biblical account. That question and the film illustrates the ambiguity of the concept of christian anything. Denzel washington, a christian, coproduced the film, and he reportedly spent a great deal of time massaging dialogue and tinkering with sceneswhich may have allowed his own appreciation. Make sure to become a daily renegade member and have access to full videos.
The book of eli is a movie that promotes christian values. From a christian perspective december 5, 2011 december 5, 2011 jamin bradley this is a post ive actually wanted to make for quite awhile as the book of eli has been on my five greatest movies ever made list ever since i saw it it currently stands at number three. The book of eli is rated r for some very good reasons. Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli is, perhaps, the most explicitly christian film ive seen come out of the secular film industry since the passion of the christ. Only a christian flick to dogmatic believers, says the films codirector allen hughes.
Contemporary christian coming of age novel, eli vs god. The movies blatant support of christianity and the notsosubtle references to the bible are greatly encouraging and very surprising for a major theatrical release. When its discovered that eli carries this book, a king james bible, the two characters enter into a bloody struggle over its possession. Denzel washington especially brings the amazing character of eli to life with his passionate performance. The gospel according to the book of eli popmatters. When i was a christian, it bugged me that he said the bible says do more for others than you do for yourself. The book of eli continues the string of apocalyptic tales. In the book of eli he had the opportunity to channel his christian beliefs and behavior into an intriguing character. The book of eli is truly a story about the struggle between good and bad, the light and the darkness.
Christian themes abound in book of eli the tufts daily. A postapocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across america in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. Devout filmgoers will soon realize that the brand of christianity on display in eli is as warped as they come. When hannah came to shiloh to pray for a son, eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she protested her innocence, eli wished her well. The book of eli is an effective postapocalyptic action movie with elements from both comic books and westerns thrown in for good measure. How hollywood begat yet another insult to christianity. In the book of eli why did denzel washingtons character let a woman get raped and her father or husband get murdered. Eli i guess this is the christian part wants the book because. If you have yet to see this awesome flick, then i hope this article encourages you to finally watch this rrated christian movie about what would happen if the world was devoid of. Despite this and other lapses, such as elis uncharacteristically lame explanation for the absence of female disciples, this is a refreshing departure from the usual clich s of popular christian fiction. Make sure to become a daily renegade member and have access to.
It could definitely be in the christian hit category. Cross i am legend with the ten commandments and youve got the book of eli, a genuinely religious parable that inherently rebukes pointless endofthe. Through eli, comes the message that the bible is powerful and that one should allow god to direct our lives. The book of eli is an oldfashioned western dressed up in postapocalyptic rags. Described as a warrior by necessity, eli seeks peace.
Mixed in with the violence and sepiatones is one giant religious symbol that we just had to quiz the brothers about in our exclusive interview. I found myself comparing eli to the gospel of john, trying to decide which modern disciple played the part of. Given that the movie is intense and rated r for violence and language, it will attract a different crowd than the typical wholesome family films. The story revolves around eli, a nomad in a postapocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a. Apr 20, 2010 the book of eli is an oldfashioned western dressed up in postapocalyptic rags. I found myself comparing eli to the gospel of john, trying to decide which modern disciple played the part of which original one. For instance, to protect themselves from the harsh sunlight, all the characters wear sunglasses or goggles, but rather than rendering them impersonal or distant, they only ramp up the movies cool factor. Even better, through several memorable scenes, eli begins to show solara the power of the bible not as a tool for conquest, but as a handbook for living. The book of eli is very compelling and aweinspiring, with excellent production standards as well as absorbing character portrayals by denzel washington and gary oldman.
Dec 12, 2019 host drew graffia talks about one of his favorite movies, the book of eli. That question and the film illustrates the ambiguity. At first glance, the book of eli appears to be just another violent postapocalyptic film from hollywood. Jan 27, 2010 when its discovered that eli carries this book, a king james bible, the two characters enter into a bloody struggle over its possession. Book of eli delivers god, guns, and guts but theres more violence than values. The hughes brothers book of eli isnt all postapocalyptic samurai sword action and ipods. Carnegie only wants the book to dupe his waterstarved, peopleeating underlings into thinking hes an allpowerful messiah. Jan 19, 2010 carnegie only wants the book to dupe his waterstarved, peopleeating underlings into thinking hes an allpowerful messiah. The book of eli eli conversation with carnegie about the book duration. Book of eli movie quotes meet your next favorite book.
Lessons from the book of eli the radical christian ep. The book of eli continues hollywoods obsession with postapocalyptic tales, and in many ways feels like it belongs in the same world as the road. The book of eli is the first movie from albert and allen hughes the filmmaking brothers of from hell and menace ii society in nine years. The book of eli is rated r for adult content, profanity, images of rape, and excessive violence. Indeed, its something of a sunday sermon wrapped in a mad max adventure. The book of eli works just fine as an action blockbuster, but its much more than that. Let me preface this comment by saying i love the movie and that eli is a badass.
It also, rather startlingly, has an overt, fairly profound christian theme. Eli is the man with one name who ambles into a backwater burg in search of water and comes face to face with evil in the form of carnegie gary oldman, who is involved with the blind claudia jennifer beals while he pursues claudias nubile daughter solara mila kunis. The book of eli is a 2010 american postapocalyptic neo western action film directed by the hughes brothers, written by gary whitta, and starring denzel washington, gary oldman, mila kunis, ray stevenson, and jennifer beals. The book of eli is not a mustread orange county register. Jan 19, 2010 the gospel according to the book of eli.
Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli is a wellcrafted film with stunning cinematography, a haunting score, and moving performances from the ensemble cast. And denzel washington isnt exactly kirk cameron, either. Oct 27, 2014 the book of eli eli conversation with carnegie about the book duration. If the movies deeply christian subtexts arent yet apparent, the films end will knock viewers upside the head with a conclusion that has them pondering the significance for days to come. This is a thoughtprovoking book that retells the gospel from a modern point of viewa sort of what if type of story. Christianity and the book of eli believe it or not. The christian fiction novel, eli vs god, is a new, contemporary christian, coming of age, romance novel, by pastor and author john moelker. Host drew graffia talks about one of his favorite movies, the book of eli. The book of eli has been called an action movie flop but a christian blockbuster by a mainstream source. The book of eli is not only a welldone action picture but an overtly, unabashedly christian one in which denzel washington plays a soldier of god. Mar 03, 2010 the book of eli has been called an action movie flop but a christian blockbuster by a mainstream source.
The urban setting of downtown toronto in a hightech field is very relatable to a young adult christian audience. Whatever you bring to it, thats what youre going to come out of it with. With denzel washington, mila kunis, ray stevenson, gary oldman. But beyond the bloody scenes and foul language, audiences will discover a compelling story filled with more biblical references and christian thought than any other major motion picture in recent years. The worldview that is represented in this movie was that of a christian one because eli relied on god and his faith to lead him on his journey.
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