Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?

[Spectral Morn]

Agreed. Sadly Hipatia's cruel death was far worse than was depicted in the film. And to think Cyril was later canonised!

I had a look into the history and while the film creates stuff as metaphors (the Library etc) it is mostly accurate. I hate what fundamentalist loonies do. Yes its ok to say I don't believe in x and y and I think if you do x and y, z will happen but to kill people truly terrible. Sadly part of what is depicted is the beginning of replacement theology which saw the Jews kicked out of Gods plans of redemption (in some Christians understanding, if not in actual reality, as their place is secure) and out and out persecution. Sadly no New Testament as such to read at that stage, as the books were still being debated over what was Canon.

The crazy thing is if it was not for the Jews of Alexandria, the Greek speaking world would not have had the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. A project set up and sponsored by Alexander the Greats General Ptolemy, after Alexander had died.

I find it horrific that this Cyril (and I have his writings here along with other Church Fathers) was someone who helped form the early Church. From what I saw of his actions (and films do mess around with facts) as depicted in the film, which were mostly bang on; he and his followers (note I say his followers, they were in my opinion not followers of Jesus) were the equivalent of the Taliban. Frankly these people were no more true Christians than the man in the moon.

The movie has by some been labelled anti Christian....well sadly the actions of those portrayed happened and they must stand as being fact and among many terrible actions through history, something to be ashamed of, in my opinion. As I watched I personally felt deeply ashamed of the history of the Christian Church and very sad.

Yes Hipatia's death in reality was awful and if she was half the woman portrayed in the film then a massive loss to the pursuit of knowledge. The debates in the film re the working out of the earths orbit round the sun etc was very interesting. True or not, her murder was an act of utter brutality perpetrated by those who compared to her were mere ants.

The film upset me quite a lot Barry but still it was interesting.

[Barry]

I feel the same as you Neil. I was glad to have seen the film, but like you, it upset me and angered me in equal measure.

Though not a Christian (I don't follow or practice any faith), I wouldn't describe the film as being anti-Christian. Seems to me Jesus's original teachings have become so corrupted by the Church over the centuries, that the Church has lost all creditability. Certainly, of the world's major faiths, Christanity (as promulgated today) has my least respect and sympathy.

I put a lot of the blame for this on Paul - but I'm no expert.

[Spectral Morn]

I feel the same as you Neil. I was glad to have seen the film, but like you, it upset me and angered me in equal measure.

Though not a Christian (I don't follow or practice any faith), I wouldn't describe the film as being anti-Christian. Seems to me Jesus's original teachings have become so corrupted by the Church over the centuries, that the Church has lost all creditability. Certainly, of the world's major faiths, Christanity (as promulgated today) has my least respect and sympathy.

I put a lot of the blame for this on Paul - but I'm no expert.

I think that the problem with all religion regardless of which one is people Barry, we are all deeply flawed and it is people that get in the way. I too agree that most Christian denominations to varying degrees have added stuff that was not there originally, intended or required.

The topic of Paul is a complex one Barry and I am sure the good folks of AOS don't want this thread to delve into the depths of theological discussion that might result.

My reaction was much the same Barry to yours and I guess probably for similar reasons.

[Reid Malenfant]

BBC DVD Supervolcano, should shut me up until I go comatose

This processor is awesome

See you all tomorrow

[Reid Malenfant]

Deep Jungle, pretty sure this was broadcast on ITV a few years back Needless to say I recorded it onto a DVD recorder via Freeview

Looks like it's available on DVD, I may well invest

[Reid Malenfant]

Time for a good laugh I reckon Evolution on DVD..



See you all tomorrow

[Barry]

James Clavell's 'Shogun' - all nine hour's worth, spread over three nights.

[Spectral Morn]

James Clavell's 'Shogun' - all nine hour's worth, spread over three nights.

Excellent Barry

I love that series when I first saw it. This was my first introduction to Historical Japan (just as the Water Margin was to China) and from there I got into lots of original Japanese movies and Chinese ones as well.

First one I saw was Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha in the cinema; believe it or not.

[Reid Malenfant]

James Clavell's 'Shogun' - all nine hour's worth, spread over three nights.

I remember watching that when I was a sprat Very good it was to...

Which brings me to another TV series I watched as a kid & had to buy...

The Martian Chronicles

Only nearly five hours of this though

[Barry]

Excellent Barry

I love that series when I first saw it. This was my first introduction to Historical Japan (just as the Water Margin was to China) and from there I got into lots of original Japanese movies and Chinese ones as well.

First one I saw was Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha in the cinema; believe it or not.

Hi Neil,

Yes it was ground breaking at the time. It was Clavell's intention to try to present, and explain, the Japanese 'mind set' or psyche. You have to remember he was a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp for about three years (and was not treated well). It's still difficult to grasp and understand, let alone to forgive, but the same could be said concerning the behaviour of the Crusaders.

Other films, such as 'Goodbye Mr Lawrence', based on the experience of J.G. Ballard, tried to do the same, but were not, in my opinion, as successful as the TV series based on Clavell's book (which I thoroughly recommend reading).

It was by watching the series (and later reading the book) that I learnt a little Japanese, which I was able to put into practice recently.

I love the work of Akiro Kurasawa. I'm still eagerly awaiting the DVD release of 'Dodes'ka-den'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodes'ka-den