Noah

Paramount Pictures

Note: The scripture used in this review comes from the New International Version of the Bible.

It is in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, that the life of Noah and how God used him is shared. Chapter five of Genesis is the first mention of Noah as it explains is family line. Why God flooded the earth and how he used Noah in this event becomes the focus of chapters 6 through 9. So can a feature length film be adapted from just 5 chapters? Whether it can be or not, whether it should be or not, Darren Aronofsky does exactly that with his latest film Noah. So with this, the question becomes how much of Noah is the Bible's account? How heavy is Aronofsky’s account? Going hand in hand with these questions are audience expectations and how artistic license plays into those expectations. Of course this is a review of Noah but it is hard to explore the films effectiveness without digging into these questions.

Noah begins with the introduction of sin into the world and is concluded with Cain killing Abel. This then leads to a brief explanation of the behaviors of the descendants of Cain and his brother, Adam and Eve’s third son Seth. We first encounter Noah (Dakota Goyo) as a young boy, witnessing Tubal-Cain (Finn Wittrock) killing his father Lamech (Marton Csokas). Lamech’s death is really the first event in the film that is not explained in detail in the Bible, making it Aronofsky’s account. Verses 30 and 31 of chapter five read “After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.” In this scene is also the introduction to Tubal-Cain, a descendent of Cain which can be found in Chapter 4 of Genesis. In this same chapter, in a description of Tubal-Cain, verse 22 says that he “forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron” which is also made clear in the film.

The film then fast forward to Noah (Russell Crowe) as a father of Shem (Douglas Booth), Ham (Logan Lerman) and Japheth (Leo McHugh Carroll). This is when the film begins to get into Noah’s place in God’s plan to flood the earth. Genesis chapter 6, verse 9 reads “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God”. The same chapter goes on to say in verse 13 “So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them”. In Noah, God, referred to as ‘the creator’ in the film, communicates this to Noah in the form of dream-like sequences. These sequences really aren’t an addition to what the bible but more an artful approach or interpretation by the filmmakers of how God spoke to Noah. In a second dream sequence Noah is told to build an arc and how many animals should go with him and his family on to the ark. One thing to note about these dream sequence in the film is that it can be perceived that Noah interpreted these dreams rather than God telling him what to do.

When Noah begins to build the ark is where the film really takes close to full artistic licenses. How do Noah and his sons build such a massive boat? They accomplish this with the help of ‘the watchers’, angels condemned to earth by ‘the creator’. These rock-like beings not only help Noah and family build the ark but also protect them from Tubal-cain’s people stopping them from getting on the arc. Of course Noah and his family are able to get on the arc but who exactly makes up this family? Genesis chapter 7, verse 7 says “And Noah his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood”. In the film, Noah, his wife Naameh (Jennifer Connelly), there three sons and Shem’s wife Ila (Emma Watson) enter the ark. Also entering the ark, the biggest stretch of the film other than the rock angels, is Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) who gets on the side with an axe.

Once in the ark, family issues and feeling towards one another and being the last humans on earth become the focus. Ham, mad at his father for not letting a love interest of his enter the ark, discovers that Tubal-cain has broken into the ark. Tubal-cain quickly uses this anger Ham has towards his father and tries to convince him to kill Noah. While this is happing, Noah is in constant question about why his family is allowed to live. He comes to the conclusion that they must die as well and the family line must not continue. This affects the family when Ila discovers she is pregnant. Noah declares that if the child is a boy, he will be the last man to live on earth but if the child is a girl, Noah will kill her.

Of course audiences will have trouble with the events mentioned above that take place throughout the film due to how they are not a part of the scripture or vary from the scripture. This is why audience expectations and how Noah should be viewed is important to discuss. First and for most, Noah has to be seen for exactly what is. Noah is a film, nothing more, nothing less. As basic as it sounds, a film is a form of art that usually has a primary goal of entertaining (making money over anything else is probably number but that’s an issue for a different write up). In order for Noah to do this, for it to entertain as many people as possible, it has to take artistic license. Which leads to the question, should there be certain things that film should not touch? Should artistic license be taken when it comes to the Bible? While the Bible features direct words from God, it also requires some interpretation. For films sake, interpretation can be related to conflict. Of course the Bible focuses on conflict but is it conflict suitable for film?

Noah for example creates conflict that's not in the scripture. The scripture doesn’t go into what happens with the family when on the ark. A film has to have something happen, it needs some kind of issue so of course, Noah creates some type of conflict. The thing to remember here that this is a interpretation from man for the purpose of film. It is important to keep this in mind or one will not be able to see the film in a fair manor. The debate on whether or not scripture should be adapted into film could and will go on forever. Scripture wasn’t written to be adapted into film but that doesn’t mean that adapting into to film isn’t all that bad. Of course, a film could twist scripture to where it is completely disrespectful and detrimental and although there is no question that it takes major artistic license, Noah still has some amount of respect for the scripture. Because of this, a film such as Noah, bring a discussion about scripture and the word of God which may not be case if a film doesn’t put these things into focus.

Noah also allows for thought to be put into how God speaks to someone and how that person perceives it. The scripture never really says that Noah questioned God or his faith wavered when God told him that he was going to flood the earth. Again in a way of interpreting how Noah reacted to God’s orders, the film does show that Noah has trouble fully accepting God’s word. Nobody’s knows what Noah actually thought, but him being only human, it is possible to believe that Noah would struggle some with God’s word. I do not question that Noah was a man of God but faith isn’t always an easy thing to digest. Imagine God telling you that he was going to flood the earth, killing everyone but you and your family. Think of all thoughts that would be racing through your head. God had a plan for Noah, he had to trust that but as a human he was still going to have fears and doubts. Although Noah could be more up front about Noah being a strong man of God and that Noah and his family being saved from the flood was solely Gods decisions and not Noah’s, it at least is somewhat realistic about how as human and sin being a natural part of the human condition, questioning God is natural.

Like I said Noah is a film. It has to be taken that way. It’s neither a visual version of scripture nor a piece that totally disregards scripture. As a film it is technically hard to take your eyes off of it. Visually, Noah is beautiful as well has engaging. Whether it be a great portrayal of the sin that had taken over God’s earth, a gigantic forest sprouting out in front of your eyes or even a story about God creating the earth, Noah will have your attention. Mix this in with the thought that Noah provokes and the film becomes very difficult not to think about long after you leave the theater.

Grade: C+

Review written by Brad Shawgo. Visit his blog, ShawGoesToTheMovies, for more great film reviews and movie posts.

Published on 4/7/2014 4:26:37 PM

Top Movies for 4/4/2014

With only one new movie releasing this week, you’d think it was a quiet week for films here in Central Illinois. This week is anything but quiet! The biggest film of the spring, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, is hitting theaters everywhere. The sequel to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger has Chris Evans reprising the titular character and introduces directors Anthony and Joe Russo to series. Critics have been very positive on the film thus far, earning The Winter Soldier an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Word has it that this is a comic book sequel with more originality than the average follow-up comic book film.

Coming in at second this week is last week’s number one movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel. Wes Anderson’s comedy caper has been a hit with critics and fans alike. See it as soon as possible as it likely won’t be in Central Illinois theaters much longer.

Turning in its second week at number three is Noah. Noah had a big week at the box office last weekend and should bring in a decent second place haul again this weekend. The film is a solid action flick to check out if Captain America is sold out at your local cinema-plex.

Divergent, now in its third week in theaters, comes in at fourth place again this week. Divergent has been turning in great yield at the box office and will continue its run of success this week. This film series has performed strong enough to deserve a second movie.

Jason Bateman’s Bad Words drops to number five this week. Bad Words didn’t quite have the wide success I thought it would as it expanded to the area last week but is still a good film that deserves to be seen.

Top Movies

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. The Grand Budapest Hotel
3. Noah
4. Divergent
5. Bad Words

Published on 4/3/2014 10:29:34 PM

Top Movies for 3/28/2014

Now this is a good week to see a movie in Central Illinois! There are arguably three movies worthy of taking the crown this week, that's how good it is. Originally opening in limited release on March 7, The Grand Budapest Hotel finnally makes its way to the area. Wes Anderson's latest opus has received some great reviews from both critics and moviegoers alike. The cast pulls from Anderson's deep roster of regulars and adds newcomers to the mix coming together to form an ascetically pleasing comedy unlike any you'll see this year. GBH is the movie of the week.

Bad Words takes the number two spot. Bad Words is another film that has been in limited release for a good amount of time that eventually worked its way to Central Illinois. Jason Bateman stars and makes his directorial debut in this R-rated black comedy. Bateman plays a 40-something who participates in a grade school spelling bee. Critics have thrown mixed reviews at the comedy but it's the funniest adult comedy since Anchorman 2. Any fan of Bateman should go out and enjoy Bad Words this weekend, they won't be disappointed.

The third movie I considered making number this week is Darren Aronofsky's Noah. The biblical epic will be huge at the box office this weekend and critics have been giving it very solid reviews. The cast is top notch with Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson, and Jennifer Connelly all starring. Crowe plays the titular Noah and turns in a performance worthy of the classic bible story. Aronofsky doesn't stay directly to story from Genesis, few thought he would, adding an element of surprise to the your viewing.

Taking the last two slots are last week's number one and number two movies, Divergent and Muppets Most Wanted. Divergent had a huge weekend at the box office last week and it should be strong again this week. If you haven't seen it yet and are a fan of dystopian young adult novels go out and see it. It's a good watch. On the other hand, Mupputs Most Wanted was a bit of a disappointment at the box office last weekend. Muppets 2 is an enjoyable children's comedy with a little something added for mom and dad too.

Top Movies

1. The Grand Budapest Hotel
2. Bad Words
3. Noah
4. Divergent
5. Muppets Most Wanted

Published on 3/27/2014 10:22:14 PM

Top Movies for 3/21/2014

We've got two huge movies being released this week: Divergent and Muppets Most Wanted. It was hard to pick the top movie for the first time in many weeks. With a book series that already has a rabid fan base and staring the next big thing, Shailene Woodley, Divergent takes number one this week. Even though the reviews aren't living up to the hype (only 31% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), Divergent will be a huge hit at the box office this weekend making it Central Illinois' number one movie this week. Critics feel that the movie is a bit on the boring side but assure fans of the book series that they will be pleased with the final results.

The second huge movie coming to Central Illinois, and everywhere else in the country, is Muppets Most Wanted. This is Disney's second huge live action Muppets movie in the last few years and the sequel has been getting mixed reviews from critics. Even though Jason Segal and Amy Adams aren't back this time around, Kermit is joined by the bitingly funny Ricky Gervais and the always solid Tina Fey. Muppets Most Wanted is sure to bring a few laughs out of everyone in the family.

Pulling up in number three this week is last week's number two movie, Need for Speed. The movie did very well at the box office overseas and performed adequately stateside taking in $21.6 million. Need for Speed will make about half that this weekend.

In fourth we have recent top five mainstay 300: Rise of an Empire. Be sure and check our review if you're curious about the what the sequel to 300 has to offer. The Single Moms Club comes in at number five. The Single Moms Club hasn't been received well from critics and audience haven't been too fond of it either, but Tyler Perry's latest could be entertaining if you go into it with the right mindset. Moms earns its spot in the top five largely because I'm impressed with the machine that is Tyler Perry. The guy can't be stopped.

Top Movies

1. Divergent
2. Muppets Most Wanted
3. Need for Speed
4. 300: Rise of an Empire
5. The Single Moms Club

Published on 3/20/2014 11:01:37 PM

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Mr. Peabody and Sherman is one those films that doesn’t fully reach the two sets of audience members in attendance. For kids, there are a few small minded jokes that may go over well but the overall pace is not fast or goofy enough to keep them interested. For parents, the historical references may be amusing along with feelings of nostalgia (this may apply more to grandparents) but the story is just too weak and messy to care. Mr. Peabody and Sherman is not a total disappointment but as the film moves along it becomes more and more clear that it would work better in the medium it came from: television.

In the most entertaining sequence of the film, Mr. Peabody and Sherman opens with Sherman (voiced by Max Charles) and his adoptive, genius, canine father, Mr. Peabody (voiced by Ty Burrell), finding them self’s in the midst of the French revolution after using the time traveling machine that Mr. Peabody invented, the WABAC machine to get to the time period. With things reaching such a drastic level, Mr. Peabody has to quickly escape the fatal slash of a guillotine blade before he and Sherman can return to present day.

Believe it or not, real trouble arises when the summer ends and Sherman has to go back to school. Not long into the new school year, Sherman bites classmate Penny (voiced by Ariel Winter) after she continues to torment him about his dad being a dog (yes, considering the circumstances, not the smartest thing for Sherman to do but the film makes it perfectly clear and will not let you forget that he is not the brightest). So in an effort to, patch up things between Sherman and Penny, Mr. Peabody invites Penny and her parents (voiced by Stephen Colbert and Leslie Mann) over to the house. Everything is going well until Sherman and Penny do the one thing Mr. Peabody says not to: use the WABAC.

The most enjoyable aspects of Mr. Peabody and Sherman are the historical references. I already mentioned my admiration for the opening scene that is set in the midst of the French Revolution but the involvement of some of history’s most prominent figures and moments not only adds smarts to an extremely outlandish concept but also makes for the films largest source of energy and entertainment. Leonardo da Vinci (voiced by Stanley Tucci), Mona Lisa (voiced by Lake Bell) and Albert Einstein (voiced by Mel Brooks) all make for entertaining appearances but it is King Agamemnon (voiced by Patrick Warburton) and his army in the middle of the Trojan war that’s makes for the most memorable character in the film. Yes, this could be completely contributed to the pure joy I get from hearing Warburton’s voice (his voice work in The Emperor’s New Groove should be experienced by EVERYONE and NEVER forgotten) but it is a voice that is perfect for the tough guy role not to mention the humor he and the character brings to the table hits on all levels.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman is one of those movies that can filed in the “thanks for trying” category as it clearly makes an effort to be more than just cute movie for kids but doesn’t quite pull it all together. This is not because this is a story about a brilliant dog who fathers a human boy. It’s not like we haven’t been moved before by the unreal. If living, breathing toys, wooden puppets and toasters can invoke emotion and care, then there is no reason that Mr. Peabody raising Sherman as a son can’t do the same. The problem isn’t believability of the concept, it’s how the concept is handled. The issue at hand in Mr. Peabody and Sherman is that the school that Sherman attends does not believe that Sherman can behave like a human if he is being raised by a dog. It easy to see how this would be a real concern but the problem is that the only way that it is tied into the time traveling concept is with a brief monologue about making mistakes from Sherman at the end of the film. The story may work better if the fact that a dog raising a human is seen as normal by the characters in the film and a different storyline is used to better accompany the time travel concept. In all honesty the story would work better if it only focused on time travel. The perception of Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s relationship would not be needed.

Given that the best parts of Mr. Peabody and Sherman is the historical references and that time travel storylines are over used, it is easy to come to the conclusion that this idea may be better in its original format: a television segment titled Peabody’s Improbable History. With a television or short story format, education and humor can be executed without having to wrap it into a film by tying on unrelated moral values and unneeded characters. If you really want to revive Peabody, why not bring back the television show or maybe even some kind of program that can be used in school systems. It’s not that a film version can’t work, it’s just that Mr. Peabody and Sherman is unable to pull everything together while failing to fully appeal to both children and adults.

Grade: C-

Review written by Brad Shawgo. Visit his blog, ShawGoesToTheMovies, for more great film reviews and movie posts.

Published on 3/19/2014 11:36:30 AM