Golden Compass

[bpitt]

Who's gonna go see it? It's got Sam Elliot in it, so you know there's gonna be some ass-kicking going on.

[jkspatty]

Is it showing here yet? I want to see it.

[pooker]

I am going to oh man I saw the previews and I thought I was tripping on acid.

[bpitt]

It starts like Dec. 7th, I think.

[dollfus46]

Sam Elliott never has gotten the recognition he deserves, I don't think. Great cowboy-type actor.

[bpitt]

Sam Elliott never has gotten the recognition he deserves, I don't think. Great cowboy-type actor.
In the movie he play's a gun toting Texan, perfect role.

[Guru]

I've seen the previews, I'm going for sure.
These new animated movies are something else.

[jkspatty]

Do ya'll think that it will come here to h'burg, due to the uproar over the anti religous theme?

[fuzzis]

Do ya'll think that it will come here to h'burg, due to the uproar over the anti religous theme?

It'll be here.

[Conveyor Belt]

Do ya'll think that it will come here to h'burg, due to the uproar over the anti religous theme?

People just love to join a bandwagon.. in the end, nothing will happen b/c people lack conviction.

It's easy to type words on a computer, or speak words to someone, but it's a lot harder to go and protest something...

[TheKing]

People just love to join a bandwagon.. in the end, nothing will happen b/c people lack conviction.

It's easy to type words on a computer, or speak words to someone, but it's a lot harder to go and protest something...

i dont know man...there were people protesting the da vinci code next to the theater because it 'attempted to rewrite the story of jesus' and other assorted amounts of BS...

but i do know when I left the theater, those 4 people that were standing there with their signs, I pulled over and asked them "oh man, did you know that jesus was married? that changes everything for me" and proceeded to drive off

I got some ugly looks.

[Luvia]

I will definitely see it. I read the trilogy and it was amazing.

[LipsofanAngel]

I just realized the movie was PG-13... I guess I overlooked that. So, maybe they're not trying to brainwash very young children after all... ;)

[Hob684]

ii'm sure people will be there protesting it (mainly Christians.. I are one so don't get yer panties in a wad) b/c most people read something adn jump on the bandwagon.

Just like the DaVinci code most people didn't read the book(s) and adopted the opinion of others who also hadn't read teh books. I haven't read either yet, mainly because i spend all my time on MH, but many of my close friends (christian and non) have read them and don't see anywhere how it could be misconstrued as "killing God".

LIke i've told everyone else, if you haven't read the books and have no first hand knowledge of the topic, then your opinion is about as useful as Hillary Clinton.

[hendrixfreak70]

Sam Elliott never has gotten the recognition he deserves, I don't think. Great cowboy-type actor.


Any of you sons a bitches call me grandpa... i ll kill ya.

[Fish-Bait]

I see the name of this is golden compass...I think the sequel should be named Silver GPS.

[hendrixfreak70]

or bronze map... very lame but damn the segway was there!!!

[jkspatty]

I read the DaVinci Code long before the movie came out. It was an awesome book, and I think the scenario is entirely plausible. I plan to see the Golden Compass.

[hendrixfreak70]

I read the DaVinci Code long before the movie came out. It was an awesome book, and I think the scenario is entirely plausible. I plan to see the Golden Compass.


I think the scenario as far as the Illuminati, NWO, and Knights Templar is extremely plausible and portions of the religous aspect is plausible, I am not sure if Jesus moved of to France and started the Merovingian line though, or whatever it was supposed to be.

[jkspatty]

I think the scenario as far as the Illuminati, NWO, and Knights Templar is extremely plausible and portions of the religous aspect is plausible, I am not sure if Jesus moved of to France and started the Merovingian line though, or whatever it was supposed to be.


It makes perfect sense that Jesus had a wife. It also makes perfect sense because throughout history man has tried to discredit women because of fear. Power is what motivated this and who would be more powerful than the wife of Jesus Christ? She was reduced to the role of prostitute by those who wrote the bible. And it continues through out history........

[Hob684]

It makes perfect sense that Jesus had a wife. It also makes perfect sense because throughout history man has tried to discredit women because of fear. Power is what motivated this and who would be more powerful than the wife of Jesus Christ? She was reduced to the role of prostitute by those who wrote the bible. And it continues through out history........

:hidesofa:

[jkspatty]

LOL, yeah I wasn't afraid to say it:evil:

[Guru]

I'm ready for the movie!

[Luvia]

I love seeing movies on xmas day. So far, I think I'm looking at a least a double show. Golden Compass and Sweeney Todd. WOOOO!!! Last xmas had no good movies...it was pretty disappointing. I am psyched!

[upset]

I just have to wonder how 'Christians' can be worried about a story where people can kill god!!! excuse me a couple of 'Gods' last I checked according to the bible there was only one of them... and He's all powerful... So If christians only believe in one of them and he's unkillable, (because he's all powerful, all knowing) why would they be associating a story about multiple gods that can be killed with the real God? I think they should quit calling themselves 'Christians' when they jump on these idiotic bandwagons and start calling themselves 'sheep'. I'm a Christian, I've read the Bible, and while I haven't read 'the Golden Compass" I'm sure it's not going to affect the way I 'see' the Bible, if it did I wouldn't be able to say I believe the Bible is the word of God and "TGC" is just a fun book...

YES, I'm gonna watch the movie it looks like a fun movie.....

[hendrixfreak70]

It makes perfect sense that Jesus had a wife. It also makes perfect sense because throughout history man has tried to discredit women because of fear. Power is what motivated this and who would be more powerful than the wife of Jesus Christ? She was reduced to the role of prostitute by those who wrote the bible. And it continues through out history........


Sure it does make sense. What does these days?! However just as easily as it could have been a coverup could it not also have been a concocted story by some feminist with an ax to grind?? If Jesus was married, and I say if, then what harm would there be in that. Jesus never sinned and marriage isnt a sin either. My question is why would the Four Gospels seek to trivialize a potential Jesus marriage and subject women to a lower standard? What good could come of it? I am just wondering and I welcome any opinions. :smt118

[politically incorrect]

I have no interest in seeing it. No, it would not change my mind or the mind of a true Christian, but it could be an influence on the mind of someone who is not. There is too much anti-Christian garbage being put out already. And for those who say it is just a book, read comments by the author. He admits his purpose in writing the trilogy is to discredit religion and the idea of God. He probably knows better than we if the book is anti-religious.

Even if it does turn out to be harmless, I see no need to contribute my money to it.

[proudtobefrompetal]

I don't want to see this movie. Now before I cause any gasps - it has nothing to do with Christianity or any type of religion. First, I don't like this "type" of movie - fantasy, whatever it is. Secondly (and most important), I despise Nicole Kidman - she & Tom Cruise should be trapped in a cave together till the end of time.

And I won't take my children to see it bc they don't like Narnia type movies either. I guess being from this area I should pretend I'm boycotting the movie bc of religious beliefs. When in fact, there are people that will see this movie just bc they like the genre and it'll have nothing to with supporting any religion.

[fuzzis]

I don't want to see this movie. Now before I cause any gasps - it has nothing to do with Christianity or any type of religion. First, I don't like this "type" of movie - fantasy, whatever it is. Secondly (and most important), I despise Nicole Kidman - she & Tom Cruise should be trapped in a cave together till the end of time.

And I won't take my children to see it bc they don't like Narnia type movies either. I guess being from this area I should pretend I'm boycotting the movie bc of religious beliefs. When in fact, there are people that will see this movie just bc they like the genre and it'll have nothing to with supporting any religion.

I actually can't stand these types of books (and movies). My Sner has tried for literally about 2/3s of my life to interest me in fantasy/sci fi. It hasn't happened yet, and I'm not sure it will. I didn't read Narnia, couldn't make it through The Lord of the Rings, read the first two Harry Potters and threw in the towel.

But these books...after about the first 100 pages of The Golden Compass, I was hooked. Something about them. The anti-Christian thing I didn't get until the last book, the last part of it...and I was a bit blown away by it.

[Guru]

I'm a rider. If it's got hair or wheels I can ride it. 8 seconds or until it slap passes out. So we got Polar Bears with saddles and halters? I'm there!!!

[onlyme]

I know next to nothing about the books or the author other than what I have read here. Is Pullman against religion in general or does he just target Christianity in his books?

[politically incorrect]

I know next to nothing about the books or the author other than what I have read here. Is Pullman against religion in general or does he just target Christianity in his books?

He is an atheist, so I would suppose religion of all kinds. But, he seems to have the most hatred for Christianity, especially the Catholic Church.

[onlyme]

He is an atheist, so I would suppose religion of all kinds. But, he seems to have the most hatred for Christianity, especially the Catholic Church.

If he is a "general atheist" why does everyone think that he only picks on Christians? I don't hear outcries from the Muslim/Buddhist/Shinto etc. communities.
I have not decided yet whether we'll see it. I'll wait for the reviews. Lately we spent too much money on bad movies.

[fuzzis]

Some more thoughts (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22044388/) about the controversy surrounding this movie.

[onlyme]

Some more thoughts (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22044388/) about the controversy surrounding this movie.

>>And standing in contrast to the Christian belief in heaven, Pullman’s afterlife consists of bodies breaking into particles and being recycled into the material world.<<

That is actually similar to how I envision death and the afterlife and yet I consider myself a Christian. I see God as an enormous source of energy. We are made in his image, are therefore energy, matter. When we die this energy is drawn back to its source, God ( that's where I differ with Pullman ). I never saw myself sitting on a cloud, playing the harp and singing hymns.

[politically incorrect]

I never saw myself sitting on a cloud, playing the harp and singing hymns.

Neither do I. The Bible does not say we sit on clouds. Heaven is an actual place with streets (made of gold) and many mansions for those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior.

[politically incorrect]

BTW, for those who doubt the author's intent, here is a direct quote from the article on MSNBC.

Pullman himself has said, “I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.”

Seems pretty straightforward to me.

[Amoeba]

Sarcasm may not show well in print. Just a thought.

[politically incorrect]

Sarcasm may not show well in print. Just a thought.

If you mean you think the author was being sarcastic, I don't think so. I believe he was stating his true intentions.

[Amoeba]

What leads you to believe that? Sincere question. I've neither read that quote nor heard him say it. But, to me, a statement like that is at least as likely to be intended just to get under people's skin, or to be simple sarcasm. Probably more likely.

I don't know one way or the other, but I've seen nothing to suggest he was actually being serious.

[threekidspa]

What leads you to believe that? Sincere question. I've neither read that quote nor heard him say it. But, to me, a statement like that is at least as likely to be intended just to get under people's skin, or to be simple sarcasm. Probably more likely.

I don't know one way or the other, but I've seen nothing to suggest he was actually being serious.
The writer makes no mention of any sarcasm or intended wit on the part of Pullman in the article, so its probably much less likely.

[politically incorrect]

Taken in context with other things he has been quoted as saying, and the fact that he is an admitted atheist/agnostic, it makes sense that he was being truthful of his intentions. There is no mention of any humor or sarcasm, as mentioned in the above post. I take him at his word. Why would you assume it is sarcasm when it is used as a straight quote?

[pooker]

If he is a "general atheist" why does everyone think that he only picks on Christians? I don't hear outcries from the Muslim/Buddhist/Shinto etc. communities.
I have not decided yet whether we'll see it. I'll wait for the reviews. Lately we spent too much money on bad movies.
because christianity seems to be the religion of choice to discredit by default, if you are ever on any other discussion boards you will see this, or more in general, discussion boards based on religious/athestist debate. a thread in general about religion always turns into how christianity sucks it seems like

[onlyme]

because christianity seems to be the religion of choice to discredit by default, if you are ever on any other discussion boards you will see this, or more in general, discussion boards based on religious/athestist debate. a thread in general about religion always turns into how christianity sucks it seems like

"It seems like", perhaps. However, I've heard/read plenty about the "suckiness" of Islam, this message board included. Maybe it's not so obvious if you are not the target yourself. I am a Christian but it does not bother me what others think. To each his own, may they find peace in their own way.

[fuzzis]

A Moral Compass (http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/feature/2007/12/04/compass/)

Far from exposing children to "the demonic," as some Catholics claim, "The Golden Compass" celebrates independent thinking. As a Catholic, I hope my daughter will see it.

... Yet there's no official Church position on Pullman, and not all Catholic outposts have been so vehement. Catholic Digest, the nation's largest magazine for Catholics, suggests parents use the film as a springboard to "encourage your children to reflect about the issues the book raises in a thoughtful and intelligent manner." A review from the venerable reporting agency Catholic News Service notes, "This is not the blatant real-world anti-Catholicism of, say, the recent 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' or 'The Da Vinci Code' ... this film -- altered, as it is, from its source material -- rates as intelligent and well-crafted entertainment."

As far as I know, Bill Donohue has not yet seen "The Golden Compass." I have. I suspect it would piss him off. If you're offended at depictions of what the narration refers to as a "ruling power fearing any truth but their own," an entity Nicole Kidman's character describes as protecting its flock from "messy thoughts and unhappy feelings," then this is not the movie for you. While not as direct as the books -- director Chris Weitz removed references to the Church from the script, saying, "I thought it would be unnecessarily provocative and hurtful to certain individuals" -- the film's potentially subversive message of the power of truth telling and independent thought remains intact. I think the dwindling number of us who still call ourselves Catholic can handle it -- it's the folks hoping for a harsher critique of the Church who will likely be more offended.

My only objection to the film isn't philosophical, it's practical: The movie is pretty damn intense. There's child abduction, cruelty, violence and a bear-on-bear battle that drew gasps from the audience I saw it with. Lucy, who is still wrecked over the ending of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince," and I will have to work together to decide when she's ready for this. And my 3-year-old, who shrieked at "Enchanted," is definitely sitting this one out for a few years....

[BayStBum]

I think that is a great approach, Doc, and I commend you for it. I find the idea that kids (much less adults) cannot handle the concept of God being killed odd given what happens in the Gospels. I am a Christian. My faith is strong enough to withstand ideas that contradict it and, in my opinion, it wouldn’t be worth much if it couldn’t. I plan to see the movie because the cinematography looks fantastic (not to mention Nicole Kidman). I do not expect the film to change my mind about God or good and evil any more than I expect it to make me believe polar bears speak English and wear armor. My faith has managed to make it through everything from Greek mythology in grade school to the Genealogy of Morals in college, and, at the risk of repeating myself, if two hours of science fiction can shake it, it isn’t the thing I cherish to begin with. That certainly doesn’t mean other people have to go, but I resent being told that I shouldn’t because of my faith.

[Reason]

..I want to know my enemy.

That sent a shiver up my spine.

[aaron]

OT, but I love that avatar.

[Imapepper]

Go to www.snopes.com. Click on "Golden Compass" from the list on the left.

[fuzzis]

Why are you posting the same thing in multiple places?

[fuzzis]

Just got back from seeing the movie. Pretty good. I remember why I love the books so. I don't think they got the voice right for Iorek Byrnison (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/index.php?d=encyclopaedia&p=iorek) right, but then again...I had a pretty firm picture of him in my head. Gandalf he is not. The polar bear fight was kick-ass...except for that part at the end...which made me gasp. (I'm a bit of a...wuss).

Overall, this movie does a very nice job of setting things up for the next movie.

Came across this interview with Pullman (http://www.moreintelligentlife.com/node/697).

[onlyme]

Just came back from the movie. Would someone explain to me again what all the hooplah is about? It was a decent fantasy movie, nothing more, nothing less. I really don't understand why so many people are getting their knickers in a twist over it.

[LipsofanAngel]

I finally saw the movie last night. Honestly, no need for parents to freak out about children seeing it. If you don't want to support the movie/author by watching it- fine. But children absolutely would not catch on to some of the symbolism in the movie itself. I agree with onlyme above- it's just an "okay" fantasy movie.

[Conveyor Belt]

I finished reading the books last week. They are definitely anti Christian, well, the LAST one is. There's a line in there that basically says that Christianity is a huge mistake.

Below is crucial story line, so don't read if you don't want it spoiled.
In the final book, it's revealed that the first angel set himself up as 'God' and the real 'God', no one knows who he/it was. Then, the 'Authority', the first angel, is frail and dies in the book. Angel fights men, angels fight angels, parallel worlds are opened, the dead are released from their hell that they've been in since time began. It's a good read, but not if you're going to be easily or mildly offended by the affront to Christian doctrine.