tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205283302008-05-15T05:44:53.824+01:00Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comBlogger602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-65931033316099743052008-05-15T05:08:00.004+01:002008-05-15T05:44:54.023+01:00

Abel Ferrara's 1992 film Bad Lieutenant is to be remade by director Werner Herzog featuring Nicholas Cage in the lead role. Variety, Hollywood Reporter and Cinematical are all carrying the story which was announced at Cannes. There have been various cries of dismay over this one, not least Jeffrey Overstreet who, given Herzog's beliefs, wonders what he will do with the original's "profoundly

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-17297185445452447672008-05-14T17:19:00.008+01:002008-05-14T17:41:22.581+01:00

Nottingham University will be holding a two day "workshop" looking at Pope Benedict XVI's recent book 'Jesus of Nazareth'. Amongst others, the conference (which starts 4pm on Thu. 19th June) will feature papers from Geza Vermes, John Millbank, Archbishop Javier Martínez, Markus Bockmuehl, and Mona Siddiqui. The Nottingham University website which links to a call for papers, a poster, a

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-82920578526365062822008-05-12T08:25:00.005+01:002008-05-12T09:31:24.140+01:00

Tokyo Story (1953) is perhaps the most celebrated film of Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. As the film is set in, and was the product of, Japanese culture it's clearly not based on the Bible, and where religion features in the film it's Shintoism that is being considered rather than Christianity. Nevertheless, as I watched it last night I was struck by a couple of echoes of scripture that I wanted

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-25324010573381504812008-05-09T08:13:00.007+01:002008-05-09T10:14:28.241+01:00

1953 was perhaps the year that more hokey Bible films got made than any other. Sure there was The Robe (although some would say that was evidence enough), but it also saw the release of Salome, Slaves of Babylon, Queen of Sheba and Sins of Jezebel. The Robe aside, it's immediately obvious that these other films revolve around an exotic leading lady. As is so typical of the genre, it's difficult

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-87356399450207758862008-05-08T08:45:00.004+01:002008-05-08T08:53:31.301+01:00

Quint at Ain't it Cool has posted some pictures from the set of Year One. There's not much to go on really (except that there will be real camels), but it's interesting seeing this film progress. There's also a fuller cast list up at IMDb, which includes characters named Adam, Eve, Cain, Seth, Abraham and Isaac. So it's pretty much certain that this is a book of Genesis comedy, albeit from an

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-18035539189645406012008-05-06T02:07:00.003+01:002008-05-06T02:27:01.074+01:00

Jeffrey Fleishman of the LA Times has written what I think is the longest article yet on the Iranian Jesus film Jesus Spirit of God (a.k.a. Mesih or The Messiah). There's also and accompanying video file and a brief entry by Fleishman at the LA Times Blog. There are a few interesting comments on this one. Firstly, it's the first time I recall the actor playing Jesus, Ahmad Soleimani-Nia, being

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-86871425571142451042008-05-06T01:57:00.001+01:002008-05-06T03:06:52.736+01:00

Photo by Tim Parkinson, used under a Creative Commons LicenceI've been enjoying all the DIY I've been doing over the bank holiday weekend so much* that I forgot about this month's Biblical Studies Carnival. Jim West has done a great job which had me clicking on to some of the highlighted posts far more than I usually do. Tyler Williams will host next month's carnival, and you can read more

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-43727745232266137592008-05-05T06:06:00.003+01:002008-05-05T06:29:15.673+01:00

My interview with C.S. Lewis's adopted son Douglas Gresham, who now works as a co-producer on the Narnia films franchise, is up at Ship of Fools. I should probably add that the phrase "sexing up Narnia" is nothing to do with me. That said, given the subsequent release of the film's new TV trailer which shows Caspian and Susan kissing (see FilmChat) although, I can't say I'm particularly unhappy

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-5002896313997268532008-05-02T07:47:00.001+01:002008-05-02T07:48:48.707+01:00

One of Ingmar Bergman's lesser themes was children and family, be it the Jester's family in The Seventh Seal and Dr. Borg's reflections on his childhood in Wild Strawberries (my review though it's currently unavailable) to name but two. So it's somewhat ironic that his films present me with such a dilemma: on the one hand I love so many things about them, but at the same time being an exhausted

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-40211303149597628672008-04-30T21:35:00.005+01:002008-05-06T02:56:37.553+01:00

Just a quick post to let listeners of my podcast know that there's not going to be an entry this month. I had planned to do Godspell (1973), but I've just been too busy this week, and it doesn't look like I'll get the chance next week (or the week after come to that). Hopefully though, I'll get around to it sometime before the end of May. Apologies to anyone that was looking forward to it.

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-44498761551057493152008-04-29T23:54:00.002+01:002008-04-30T00:09:39.228+01:00

Thanks to Joel Wilson for bringing this one to my attention. It appears that a director called Michael Brynntrup filmed Jesus der Film on Super8 back in 1986. Brynntrup has a website detailing his various films, and so there's a special section given over to this one. Amongst the information that's provided is the fact that the film's full title is actually Life and Death and Passion of Our Lord

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-34193605299466204602008-04-28T09:09:00.003+01:002008-04-28T08:18:56.141+01:00

Photo by Jordan Cooper, used under a Creative Commons LicenceI'm a bit pushed for time this morning, but I just have a moment to post a link to this interview with Tom Wright which is from the New Statesman. The interviewer is a little too taken aback by the fact that Wright didn't arrive in all his regalia to offer a great deal of substance, but there are one or two interesting points. I must

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-11414631312724441822008-04-27T02:59:00.004+01:002008-04-27T03:28:18.845+01:00

Ever since the final broadcast of The Passion, I've been keeping a keen eye on Amazon for news of its release to DVD. There's been a page up there for the DVD for sometime, but, in spite of the 28th April release date, the spartan looking cover shot hasn't really inspired much confidence that it's being released any time soon. Nor is there anything about it on the distributors site, Fremantle

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-33930330415212338892008-04-23T20:41:00.005+01:002008-04-23T21:28:01.376+01:00

Back in December 2006 I reported that director Paul Verhoeven had decided to write a book about Jesus as a step towards fulfilling his dream of one day making a film about him. Empire had interviewed Verhoeven in the run up to the release of Black Book and he'd mentioned the project saying he feared getting attacked by fundamentalists. 15 months later and it seems the book is almost ready for

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-81947952284116771152008-04-22T21:08:00.000+01:002008-04-22T21:21:42.651+01:00

Back in February, I made two posts discussing films that are based on material from 2 Kings. Shortly afterwards I decided to go ahead and order Sins of Jezebel to see what exactly it covered. I figured it might make an interesting post if nothing else. In the meantime, WitlessD found out some details about some, more obscure, films that are on parts of Kings, and emailed me the details, and Peter

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-57520054833256248782008-04-21T06:27:00.003+01:002008-04-21T07:19:47.113+01:00

Director Nicholas Ray is best remembered for Rebel Without a Cause (1955), even though the masterful In a Lonely Place (1950) is, in my opinion, his best work. But he was also the director of the 1961 Jesus film King of Kings. Whilst King of Kings is clearly not in the same league as those other films, it does continue to explore some of the thematic elements from those earlier pictures. It was

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-56470024780357916862008-04-18T04:23:00.003+01:002008-04-19T05:02:42.121+01:00

Back in June I wrote about an animated version of Dante's Inferno using cardboard cut-outs. Well the latest news is that the film now has a few screenings lined up, and that it should be released onto DVD in August or September. The screening details are somewhat few and far between:Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival Amsterdam, The Netherlands Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 22:20 •Sandow and Elyse

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-19232446148949787422008-04-16T20:31:00.009+01:002008-04-16T21:39:17.939+01:00

My friend Peter Chattaway emailed me to let me know about O Meu Caso - a film by Manoel de Oliveira which features an appearance by Job. O Meu Caso, also known as Mon Cas and translating as simply "My Case" in English is four part film with each segment shot in a different style. The sole IMDb reviewer describes the four parts as follows:1) on stage, during a play's rehearsal; 2) as one of those

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-89418497901885506972008-04-14T08:19:00.003+01:002008-04-14T08:43:56.313+01:00

I've been waiting for a quiet moment to do an update on The Year One which is currently filming in San Diego. There's not a huge amount to report but Peter Chattaway did pick up on a report from ComingSoon.net which notes that comedian David Cross will play Cain. Peter can't help but note the potential historical anachronism. I was under the impression that this might be something of a

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-31640572656307953082008-04-11T02:47:00.004+01:002008-04-11T03:31:27.313+01:00

See all posts on this film.Having succeeded in telling the last week of Jesus's life in the live action drama The Passion, the BBC is set to produce an animated series on the Bible for release late next year. I first heard about this in Pioneer's 'Library of Lives' journal, but have been unable to find out much more, until just now. There's a little bit on this new series at Broadcast Now.

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-37792266506857159282008-04-10T05:02:00.006+01:002008-04-10T05:35:10.844+01:00

Just four days after the death of Charlton Heston, Alchemy TV has announced that it is remaking one of his best known works. Ben Hur has, been filmed three times before, as well as being released as a cartoon voiced by Heston, but now according to Variety it's to be made into TV mini-series as well. Personally I find the timing of this annoucement somewhat distasteful - an unnerving keenness to

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-87980574504486788212008-04-09T23:43:00.001+01:002008-04-10T04:58:26.061+01:00

The British Board of Film Classification may reconsider their decision to ban a controversial Jesus film. Visions of Ecstasy was rejected in 1989 on grounds of blasphemy, and, accoding to one of the BBFC's websites it remains the only film to have been banned in the UK on grounds of blasphemy. Released in 1989 the controversy came hot on the heels of debates about Last Temptation of Christ and

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-18714170057848759232008-04-07T03:02:00.009+01:002008-04-10T05:37:01.040+01:00

I was sorry to hear of the death of the great Charlton Heston on Saturday. I can still remember, as a boy, rushing back home from playing football in the park in order to watch The Ten Commandments on TV one New Year's Day. As an actor he was champion of the historical epic in general and the Bible Film in particular. People often discuss whose face they picture when they think of Jesus, but when

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-84673566948751961522008-04-04T08:52:00.002+01:002008-04-04T09:05:43.065+01:00

Yesterday's Biblical Studies Carnival brought my attention to a couple of other bloggers who have been discussing the Iranian Jesus film Mesih (The Messiah). Tony Chartrand-Burke discusses both it and The Aquarian Gospel over at Apocryphicity, and Jim Davila of PaleoJudaica notes a similarity with Life of Brian. However, the big news is that CNN have a report showing some footage from the film

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20528330.post-49238748709591759602008-04-04T08:34:00.002+01:002008-04-04T08:51:17.602+01:00

Photo by Tim Parkinson, used under a Creative Commons LicenceAfter his April Fool's Day prank, Chris Weimer of Thoughts on Antiquity has now posted up the real thing. It's a great effort with a number of interesting posts. Amongst them are a few links relating to The Passion, as well as the Iranian Jesus film The Messiah. I'm going to discuss the links for Mesih elsewhere. The next Biblical

Matt Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05113670876288157267noreply@blogger.com