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The Golden Compass

The TVClubHouse: Movies & Library ARCHIVES: Movies & Library 2007 ~ 2008: The Golden Compass users admin

Author Message
Roxip
Member

01-29-2004

Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 2:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Roxip a private message Print Post    
Has anyone heard of the controversy surrounding this movie? It is a children's movie coming out in December but I have received 3 e-mails today from separate sources because of its anti-Christian content (and the anti-Christian author of the books). Check it out on snopes if you are interested in this sort of thing.

And before anybody gets all huffy...I'm not pushing my values down anyone else's throats. I am just posting this here as a Christian who likes to know what my children are seeing. If you aren't into that sort of thing then that's all good.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 6:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Roxip -- I just did some reading on the book set of The Golden Compass and the two others. On Amazon, some of the reviewers stated that the author is an atheist and that he really pushes this idea in the books. If I remember, one of them says God dies in the book (not sure if it's the first book GC or not). Soooo - many people dislike the books because of that.

I was considering getting the books for my DS (he loves Lord of the Rings, Potter, Warriors, etc.) but I think I'm going to read them first from the library, just like I did with Harry Potter way back when. I don't mind having discussions about beliefs, etc. but I want to make sure it's OK for his age. One reviewer even said the plot is pretty thin, so if it's not written well, it's not worth the money.

Sooo -- I'm guessing that's where the controversy comes in.

Roxip
Member

01-29-2004

Friday, October 26, 2007 - 7:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Roxip a private message Print Post    
I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to books because I think children's imagination is important, and I loved the Harry Potter series and never thought anything about it (after all, I grew up loving Dark Shadows and except for the fact that to this day I have to sleep with the covers tucked tightly under my chin to make it harder for the vampires to get to my throat...I'm okay). But I don't think Shelby will be going to see this movie.

Lycanthrope
Member

09-19-2002

Friday, October 26, 2007 - 9:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lycanthrope a private message Print Post    
I've read the trilogy. I don't consider myself very religious, but I was raised Baptist and a lot of those beliefs learned at a young age still hold true.

This series is set on multiple worlds. The first book, Golden Compass(what this movie is based on), is set in an alternate reality that portrays witch clans and gypsies as the good guys, and the Catholic Church as an evil entity. For me, it was an entertaining read and I'll watch the movies, but I would recommend any adult or guardian reading the books before letting impressionable kids read them. I have no idea what the movie will be like, 'cause they're always different.

Some points about the books if you're considering them either for yourself or your kids:

God is referred to as the "creator", and as a very old entity about to die. The purpose of the good guys is take over the "Kingdom of Heaven" and replace it with the "Republic of Heaven". We've all read stories about the war in Heaven and the fallen angels, and this is supposed to be the next big war in Heaven.

While during 97% of the book, the 12 year old kids are portrayed as innocent kids, but the last part of the final book may be objectionable to parents.

If you're open-minded, the books are well-written enough to be enjoyable if you like fantasy books. But again, read the whole series before you let kids under 16 or so read them.

Ketchuplover
Member

08-30-2000

Friday, October 26, 2007 - 2:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ketchuplover a private message Print Post    
I vant to drink your blood.

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Saturday, October 27, 2007 - 7:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladytex a private message Print Post    
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Roxip
Member

01-29-2004

Monday, October 29, 2007 - 9:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Roxip a private message Print Post    
Okay,you guys know I've already fessed up to a major crush on the star vampire in Moonlight...not fair to start me thinking about him again this morning!

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Monday, October 29, 2007 - 3:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Can they make up their minds? Is he an atheist or does he hate God? They can't have it both ways. LOLOL

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 9:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
A lot of people have written that it's very anti religion and not just anti-christian. I have a problem with it either way.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 4:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
I'll probably watch it alone first, and then take DS. Then we can discuss it -- he's old enough now (12) that seeing both sides of opinions, religions, values, etc. can really help him understand why we feel as we do in our family.

Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Monday, November 12, 2007 - 1:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
I've seen the preview and it's visually quite capivating. I have no problem with the subject matter. I just rarely get to the theater!

Golden Compass website and trailer

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, November 12, 2007 - 7:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
We saw the previews at the movies today and it's quite visually stunning.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Monday, December 03, 2007 - 10:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Ditto Mamie, but last night.

Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 8:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Darrellh a private message Print Post    
Just got back from the movie. It was good, but a little confusing. In a way, it reminded me of Eragon. It did a whole lot of setting up for the obvious sequel to be made.
That being said...the special effects are amazing! It was visually stunning. The child actress who was the lead was very good. most child actors make me cringe, but she was different.
It's up to you whether or not you see it. The religion/aetheist part of it is all through it, but not in a "preachy/I'm right and you're wrong" way.

Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Wednesday, December 05, 2007 - 7:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
new article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/entertainmentfilmreligionusbritain

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 4:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Nyheat - (Offtopic - I went looking for your personal folder here, but you don't have one. :-( )

Back on topic - DH and I read that article, NYH, and we have decided not to go see it. But not for the obvious reasons. We'll probably wait for it to be a renter, as the LAST paragraph, where it says it's NOT an uplifting story AND a bit grim, turned us off.

Nyheat
Member

08-09-2006

Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 4:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nyheat a private message Print Post    
Thanks for looking for my folder Mame! I was afraid to open one for fear it would sit empty...

I won't go see this anyway as I never go see anything. As a matter a fact, I post in the movie section rather sheepishly, as I loved reading movie reviews but hate going to the movies....

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 5:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
NYH, if you open a folder, I know I'll be popping in. :-)

As for hating to go to the movies... have you met my dh??? RN I have passes for 2 FREE movies and I have to wheedle, whimper, and beg, and MAYBE he'll concede and go with me. Geez.

One of the passes for 30 bucks - was given to HIM on his birthday, from a friend. The other one is from points I've accumulated from an online membership good for for about the same value at least 30 bucks. Makes me crazy. I love going to the movies. Yet I can barely get him to go with me to 2 a year. Argh! For the record, I do have a few pals I go to the movies with, but sometimes, I just wanna go with my man. Is that unreasonable, I ask you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury? Oops, almost forgot myself there. LOL.

Offtopic (kinda) again, there are a few threads here that I read voraciously, but rarely, if ever, watch the shows. Kid Nation, and the View for instance. And I've been known to post in the View Thread... especially when it was contentious about Rosie O'Donnell, who I am a big fan of.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 1:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
We saw this yesterday evening (and were home in time to watch Frosty the Snowman too). While I was bothered by some of the changes/ommissions made, overall I thought it was quite good although my hasn't-read-book companion was confused by some things. I can understand why because they did gloss over a lot of stuff. He liked the battle scenes though.

Nicole Kidman was excellent as Mrs. Coulter and the girl who portrayed Lyra who also good although she wasn't as wild as Book Lyra. Daniel Craig's Lord Asriel isn't shown to be nearly as ruthless as he is the book(s). Actually, the movie itself isn't nearly as dark as the book is. Which is, in a way, too bad because I think many people won't quite get just what was so horrifying about what was happening at Bolvanger.

Spoiler
Click below to view spoiler
*Spoiler* Just thinking about the scene in the book where Lyra and Pantalimon discover the caged daemons who've been cut from their children still gives me the chills.


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