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 samuel, or 1 samuel and 2 samuel, form part of the narrative history of israel in the neviim or prophets section of the hebrew bibleold testament, called the deuteronomistic history, a series of books joshua, judges, samuel and kings that constitute a theological history of the israelites and aim to explain gods law for israel under the guidance of the prophets. America has suffered a catastrophic destruction and civilization and law have disappeared. Oct 04, 2019 to celebrate the release of rotten movies we love, rotten tomatoes is teaming up with alamo drafthouse for screenings of three films featured in the book. The role of denzel washington brings a positive message about obdedience, faith and perseverance. The book of eli is a 2010 american postapocalyptic neowestern action film directed by the hughes brothers, written by gary whitta, and starring denzel washington, gary oldman, mila kunis, ray stevenson, and jennifer beals. Whatever you bring to it, thats what youre going to come out of it with. 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. I thought it was a great action movie, one that kept my attention. The clint eastwood western a fistful of dollars seemed to influence the action of the plot. Therefore, he has seen and knows the power of religion and wanted to use it to minipulate the people for his personal gain. In the movie the book of eli why was the bible so important.
Jan 19, 2010 yes, to hear some people tell it, the machetewielding, steeltoed, grenadethrowing missionary denzel plays in the book of eli is allegedly a flagbearer for the christian right. It is the best of denzels work which says a great deal when you are talking about courage under fire, the the book of eli is truly one of the top 5 movies that i have ever seen, in company with shawshank redemption and. Eli is the story of a young boy plagued with an unknown, debilitating illness that requires him to live completely sealed off from the outside world. Jan, 2010 smith, one of the few openly conservative critics at work today, comes up with a road warrior reference of his own, this being a movie destined to inspire all sort of comparisons to the mel gibsonstarring 1981 futuristic classic. The lamp of god had not yet gone out, and samuel was lying down in the house of the lord, where the ark of god was. The book of eli does a fantastic job at entertaining its audience through action sequences, the mysterious events surrounding elis book, and the secondary character. This story of hannah, with which the books of samuel begin, involves eli. Except smith sees eli as being like the road warrior as rewritten by st. The electronic reverbs of guitar and piano echo throughout the soundtrack and give it an empty, desolate feel. Unfortunately the contradictions are too evident to ignore and as a result all of the. Cross i am legend with the ten commandments and youve got the book of eli, a genuinely religious parable that inherently rebukes pointless endofthe. I found myself comparing eli to the gospel of john, trying to decide which modern disciple played the part of. Mar 03, 2010 the book of eli has been called an action movie flop but a christian blockbuster by a mainstream source.
Albert hughes recently sat down with relevant to share his thoughts on the book of eli, which may very well be the most unique christian film ever to be released by a major studio the clint eastwood western a fistful of dollars seemed to influence the action of the plot theres some uncanny turns the film takes that the audience might say this is not normal. The film looks and feels good, and washingtons performance is the more uncanny the more we think back over it. The book of eli is truly one of the top 5 movies that i have ever seen, in company with shawshank redemption and braveheart. This program is based upon a selection of eli james own statements, recordings included so they can be heard directly, which prove beyond all doubt that eli does not understand the basic concept of kind after kind, what white is, and the nature of the wheat and the tares. In the nottoodistant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once america. 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. Eli is a wanderer, with a mandate from god to go west with the book, which is the last king james bible on. This is a list of critics for various artistic disciplines.
When eli finally gets the book where it is going they just file it away with other similar books. Eli was the high priest kohen gadol of shiloh, the secondtolast israelite judge succeeded only by samuel before the rule of the kings of israel and judah. Washington plays eli, a laconic man journeying westward across america to carry a sacred book to safety, hoping that it will restore mankind and bring a better future. Best books of 2015 the critics picks i collected 18 lists of the best books of 2015 from various publications and combined them into one metalist.
Jan, 2010 carnegie needs eli because eli has maybe the last remaining copy of a book that eli believes will allow him to expand and rule many more towns. It fantasizes a world in which everything has been. Described as a warrior by necessity, eli seeks peace. Read the the book of eli movie synopsis, view the movie trailer, get cast and crew information, see movie photos, and more on movies. Im at a loss for words, so let me say these right away. Popular biblical criticism books meet your next favorite book.
Just saw this movie last night it has a strong christian faith theme and belief running thru the entire movie. And what makes it so powerful, in large part, is that it is perfectly scored. Jan 15, 2010 the book of eli is a wellcrafted film with stunning cinematography, a haunting score, and moving performances from the ensemble cast. The lord calls samuel the boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli. The book of eli emerges us into a postapocalyptic society where we follow eli, a. Jan 27, 2010 if you have wondered whether you should see the book of eli it or not, you should. Another beat in the films narrative drum does deal with other religious books something christian critics may point out as pluralistic but the reality is the centrality and weight of the bible in the film is still evident, and the question of gods presence in elis life makes the films focus fairly obvious. The world in book of eli while barren and hot, is also filled with brutal killers and savages, but there always appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Known in hollywood today for his strong christian beliefs, washington grew up in the pentecostal. Through eli, comes the message that the bible is powerful and that one should allow god to direct our lives. To me, eli was guided by god, since the war, on a journey to truly accept the christian bible into his heart so that he could eventually share it with the world again.
Several weeks ago, i joined some christian friends and headed out to see the book of eli. Jan 20, 2008 this fall, elie wiesels night was removed from the new york times bestseller list, where it had spent an impressive 80 weeks after oprah winfrey picked it for her book club. Coupled fine performances by denzel washington, mila kunis and gary oldman, we see the best of both worlds here. I have long been a fan of denzel washington, and was curious to see how this movie was going to portray the christian faith. Eli and mila kunis continue on to the west, until they finally reach alcatraz prison. Myers weaves the tale expertly, staying true to the biblical account. At first glance, the book of eli appears to be just another violent postapocalyptic film from hollywood. They make everything in the entire movie impossible and incomprehensible. In addition, you will find free christian book excerpts from fiction and nonfiction books, so.
It is the best christian movie i have ever seen despite the fact that im sure the writers werent really looking for it. And even if you are a christian and wondering if it being rated r means you should avoid it, dont. The book of eli is a postapocalyptic film that showed up on my radar out of nowhere. The book of eli is a movie that promotes christian values. The book of eli isnt quite as good as mof but not a waste of time or money. Here are all the books on at least two of the original source lists. The book of eli stars denzel washington in a postapocalyptic thriller set 30 years after a final war has turned much of earth into an ashy wasteland. The book of eli continues the string of apocalyptic tales. But there are so many themes in it that just excite me as a christianespecially the fact that the story seems impossible. I think the fact that he was blind was symbolic of the total faith and guidance he gave and received from god. I found myself comparing eli to the gospel of john, trying to decide which modern disciple played the part of which original one. Smith, one of the few openly conservative critics at work today, comes up with a road warrior reference of his own, this being a movie destined to inspire all sort of comparisons to the mel gibsonstarring 1981 futuristic classic. It could definitely be in the christian hit category. And denzel washington isnt exactly kirk cameron, either.
Thank you lord for a warm bed to sleep on, thank you for the food we are about to eat, thank you for a roof over our heads on cold nights such as this, thank you for companionship in. A silly christian parable about a man in a postapocalyptic world who tries to save a king james bible for humanity. Book of eli movie quotes meet your next favorite book. 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. A total of 27 screenings will take place between october 22 and december 1 in 12 cities across the u. See what the critics had to say and watch the trailer. The book of eli is an oldfashioned western dressed up in postapocalyptic rags. The story revolves around eli, a nomad in a postapocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a. Denzel did a great job and man on fire was an excellent film as well.
The book of eli is a fantastic movie, whether you are religious or not. Jan 20, 2010 albert hughes recently sat down with relevant to share his thoughts on the book of eli, which may very well be the most unique christian film ever to be released by a major studio. Books are scarce since apparently many people believed religion was the cause of the desolation, and so all religious books were destroyed. God spoke to eli to find the book,bible, and transport it to a safe haven. Denzel washington especially brings the amazing character of eli to life with his passionate performance. The biblewhat it is and what it sayslies at the heart of this cinematic book. The book of eli is kind of like watching the book of mormon filmed and rewritten as a futuristic action movie, except with fewer hot bitches. 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. Establishing its storytelling rules clearly and well, the film simply is better, and betteracted, than the average endoftheworld fairy tale. How hollywood begat yet another insult to christianity. It grips your attention, and then at the end throws in several wtf. The ending is flawed, as we critics like to say, but its so magnificently, shamelessly, implausibly flawed that a it breaks apart from the movie and has a life of its own, or b at least it avoids being predictable. Only a christian flick to dogmatic believers, says the films codirector allen hughes. Yes, to hear some people tell it, the machetewielding, steeltoed, grenadethrowing missionary denzel plays in the book of eli is allegedly a flagbearer for the christian right.
Eli is a crack marksman and expert swordsman uniquely equipped to protect the sacred book. The twist at the end of the movie is that you find out that eli is blind, and the bible he has is written in braille. Indeed, its something of a sunday sermon wrapped in a mad max adventure. 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 one of those frustrating films that could be so much better if it simplified its story.
Christian actor tom lester, known for his role in green acres, died this week from complications due to parkinsons. The book of eli original motion picture soundtrack by. 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 a story about a post nuclear fallout america where anarchy is the norm and survival is hardearned.
But, in the midst of the chaos walks a man in possession of a. I will have a go at that after the jump, as there will be massive spoilers the gist of the movies story is this. This is a thoughtprovoking book that retells the gospel from a modern point of viewa sort of what if type of story. Dec 05, 2011 now look, i get that the book of eli is a work of fiction. The book of eli is a 2010 postapocalyptic, western, action flick about a man named eli who in the wake of a nuclear war has been travelling across the united states from the east coast headed to the west with a mission from god.
Special rotten tomatoes alamo drafthouse screening series. To celebrate the release of rotten movies we love, rotten tomatoes is teaming up with alamo drafthouse for screenings of three films featured in the book. Protecting the word of god christian research institute. The book of eli works, even if the preservation of christianity isnt high on your personal postapocalypse bucket list. The movie gives us a glimpse into a world where little things like shampoo are precious, and how one book can influence the people of that world. I am forbidden by the critics little rule book from naming the volume, but if youve made a guess after seeing numerous billboards stating religion is power, you may have guessed right. Washington plays eli, a laconic man journeying westward across america to carry a sacred book to safety, hoping that it will restore mankind and bring a. Elkanah also had another wife who bore him children. However, the book of judges always mentions the years of oppression in contrast to the period of a judges dispensation. Apr 20, 2010 the book of eli is an oldfashioned western dressed up in postapocalyptic rags. The organization in the end would have treated it similar if it was there only copy of the lord of the rings. Book of eli star denzel washington, at an actionmovie crossroads january 14, 2010 7. Gary oldmans character finally gets the book, only to get pissed to find out he cant read it. The movie does have a significant amount of violence however, the violence is analogous to situations in the bible where the israelites were commanded to annihilate their enemies on the way to the promised land.
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