Reviews by kcaching

This documentary does a great job explaining the historical background in which Muhammad lived and wrote. However, having recently read the entire Koran, the documentary felt revisionist. The documentary portrayed Muhammad primarily as one who sought peace. And only going to war when absolutely necessary. The Koran, however, was laden with the destiny of the infidel burning in Hell. The documentary glazed over what in my mind was a major part of the Koran's teaching, the exclusivity of Islam.

A fun movie with a great song accompanying it. Also, very macho, Will Kane goes it alone because the rest of the town has some excuse to get out of the fight.

I was a little bothered by the preacher's comment. The preacher states, "The commandment is 'Thou shalt not kill,' but we hire men to go do it for us." In reality, the commandment is "Thou shalt not murder," which breaks down the entire argument of the preacher. Both Christians and members of society have a right to defend their lives should an unjust force try to take it from this. The preacher should have known this, instead he becomes indecisive and ineffective. He could have rallied the people to the aid of Kane and defended the town.

Fantastic Book, Awful Film. If you are going to remake a classic, please do it with excellence.

This movie demonstrates the absolute futility of seeking wealth, notoriety, women, power, and earthly treasures. Kane seeks after all these things and ends up a lonely, depressed man with no friends to speak of. At the very end, Kane has a moment of awakening when he realizes the purest and happiest moments of his life was when he was a child living with child-like faith. As a child, he cared not for wealth, notoriety, women, power, or earthly goods. It reminds Mark 10:15, "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Whether Kane had a true repentance experience is unknown, the movie implies that this is left between him and God. What I find puzzling, however, is William Hearst's outright hatred for the film, wanting to see it completely destroyed. The movie is loosely based on his life. To me, the ending shows Kane's yearning for something virtuous and meaningful. Yet, Hearst wanted vindication of Kane's life in which he pursued wealth and power. Surely, Hearst's life is not identical to Kane's, but it is safe to say he pursued much of the power and wealth depicted in the movie. I guess it only back up that power and money does truly corrupt a man.

My favorite part of this movie is the camera work of Black Beauty rearing up on her hind legs. The shot of her eyes is priceless. You should see the movie for this scene alone.

The movie went a little overboard with all of the twists and some of them were a bit predictable.

The story was original and the acting was superb, but there was very little redeeming value in this movie. The true depth of depravity and paranoia are on full display. Ultimately, the theme of the movie seems to be that revenge is the only answer.

Ultimately, forgiveness is the theme that wins out, although what is missing is forgiveness in Christ, rather than in yourself.

The despair of war is starkly pictured in this film. A beautiful scene, where the main character, Paul, realizes the beauty in running after he sees his friend die.

Definitely not a feel good movie, but the movie powerfully depicts the insidious lust of power. The need for more and more power leads to greater heights of sin to get it. Ultimately, the true nature and reality of this lust is depicted, death. To the very end, the "king" wants only his own glory.