I am writing this quick since I am at work and will be leaving tomorrow. OK this week it is all about the Chosen One. I would have chosen some film about Jesus but I haven't seen one in a very long time so here are my picks. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen.
1. THE 10 COMMANDMENTS-1956
Moses, Moses, you incredible fool you! I love Anne Baxter and the whole gang in this very long but highly entertaining film. Iy is Cecil B DeMille in full bible power as only he can do it and he has Chuck as the great Moses. Moses is the chosen one to lead his people out of bondage to freedom. These people are so happy but keep needing to see something neat...like the parting of the red sea. The Angels of death that come the night before the freedom exodus still freaks me out. Good flick!
2. THE LIFE OF BRIAN-1979
I love Monty Python and this caused quite the stir with the bible nuts who saw this as blasphemous. I found this hilarious since it is all about a case of mistaken identity and poor Brian just wants to be left alone. Remember we are all individuals...well, I'm not...shhhh. OK sing with me "Always look on the Bright Side of Life..."
3. EVAN ALMIGHTY-2007
This is silly but fun to watch. Evan, now trying to gain a foothold in the government asks for God's help and Morgan Freeman, whom we all know truly sounds like God, hears his prayer and says he has chosen him...for what..not sure but Evan soon figures out he must build an ark. He starts to build running the risk of losing his job, his family and his respect. It is sweet with not much to take home except some funny moments.
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy discussing The Ten Commandments. The director really turned that picture into a Cecil B DeMille production, didn't he? :) Some of my favorite actors and actresses have roles in the 1956 film including Lily Munster (Yvonne De Carlo) Vincent Price and Debra Paget, the latter a beautiful young actress who first captivated me in Bird Of Paradise (1951).
I love Steve Carell from his stint on The Office and roles in other comedy movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The nicely produced trailer makes me want to see Evan Almighty. It reminds of a little of Field Of Dreams.
Have a super Thursday and a safe and happy weekend, dear friend BB!
It's all Cecil and you have to love it. I always have a soft spot for Yvonne as she was so beautiful and a talented actress and singer. The last movie is fun and a bit wacky and I love Wanda Sykes
DeleteEvan Almighty and Bruce Almighty I enjoyed for what they were. The Matrix popped in first when I read chosen one.
ReplyDeleteThey are fun flicks. I think The Matrix will be popular today
DeleteCan never go wrong with Monty Python.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go with The Matrix and chosen one Neo.
The Matrix will be popular today as well as Harry Potter
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but I know I need to see Life of Brian.
ReplyDeleteLove, love that movie
DeleteSaw the 10 Commandments years ago and seem to remember seeing it again on TV.
ReplyDeleteI watched every year at Easter
DeleteLife of Brian is a fun choice. It's silly and outlandish but what else would you expect from Monty Python? I remember all the sacrilege brouhaha when it came out, so ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen Evan Almighty but it's on my list.
We match!!! I suspected we might and with this film. I mean you talk Chosen One and it has to be 10 Commandments, Chuckles and MISS Anne Baxter emoting for all she's worth! It's a perfect example of that sort of Biblical pageant that was so popular in the 50's. Odd that Edward G. Robinson who would have seemed like such a natural for the setting sticks out like a sore thumb. Love that movie.
Aside from our match I came up with two others that are a trifle more recent but not part of any franchise.
Excalibur (1981) - Director John Boorman’s amazingly evocative version of Le Morte d’Arthur where all the elements-casting, cinematography, acting, music, visual style and direction blend seamlessly. Following a prologue explaining how Excalibur came to be in the stone we meet the young squire Arthur (Nigel Terry) who is guided by Merlin (a brilliant Nicol Williamson) to the realization that he is The Chosen One by removing the Sword in the Stone. Initially as King Arthur he unites England, befriends Lancelot, takes Guenevere as his Queen and formulates the Knights of the Round Table but then his malicious half-sister Morgana (Helen Mirren) begins to take her revenge for the grudge she’s long held against both Arthur’s father and Merlin and a darkness descends on the land. Loaded with performers who went on to greater fame-Gabriel Bryne, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart and Mirren among them.
The Ten Commandments (1956)-C.B. DeMille’s final film is a huge pageant telling the story of how Moses came to realize he is The Chosen One to lead the Exodus to Mount Sinai and receive the Ten Commandments. Florid and often arch but loaded with great set design and effects that are still impressive 60 years later. Charlton Heston’s granite stiffness is actually a perfect fit for Moses, MISS Anne Baxter could not be more dramatically entertaining as Nefretiri torn between two men and emoting for all she’s worth over it and they are not alone, everybody more or less projects to the back row. Both Yul Brynner and Yvonne de Carlo are more naturalistic but they’re exceptions. If you enjoy BIG pictures making BIG statements this is one of the best.
The Last Starfighter (1984)-Teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) spends all his free time playing the video game Starfighter at which he’s expert. He doesn’t think much of it when the new guy in his trailer court (Robert Preston) notices how good he is but the next thing he knows Preston has spirited him away to the edge of the galaxy and told him that he is The Chosen One who can save the universe! Turns out the video game was a test and Alex and his compatriot lizard/man Grig (Dan O'Herlihy) are leading the Star League in fighting the evil Kodan forces.
Yeah we match and I hope we would with this movie. You have to love Robinson in his New York accent...he was such a cad here and too bad Moses didn't turn him into some gnat. I love your other picks and could kick myself for not having chosen Excalibur...one of my favourites. The music is excellent in this film especially when he rides out to Carl Orffs Carmina Burana. The Last Starfighter is another gem and one I need to see again
DeleteGreat picks indeed, Evan Almighty was a good one, hilarious to watch no doubt. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my picks
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteI love your choice of THE LIFE OF BRIAN. I am a devoted ("Maverick") Christian, nevertheless, I find that movie hilarious. Possibly even funnier than M.P. AND THE HOLY GRAIL.
As so many others have mentioned, I'd likely also put Neo from THE MATRIX by the Wachowski Sisters on my list.
Lots of possibilities for my third choice... maybe Judah BEN-HUR? Or Simba from THE LION KING? Or... I would need more time to make sure I got it right.
~ D-FensDogG
(link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I love Monty Python! I thought of Ben Hur but I wasn't sure he was a chosen one as much as one just trying to save his family and wanting revenge but learning that it was not good. The Matrix is a good one but hated the sequels. Love the Lion King choice!
DeleteGreat choices, Birgit. I especially like Evan Almighty. The theme got me wondering if there's ever been a movie done about JC's mom, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI think there was a recent film done about her and that would be perfect
DeleteI saw the last half or so of Evan Almighty and it was okay, but I've never really cared for Steve Carell.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's not a great film but I still enjoy it but, yes, you have to like Steve Carrell
DeleteBilly Crystal did a hilarious impression of Edward G. Robinson in "The Ten Commandments," snarling his lines like his character in "Little Caesar." "Yeah, where's your God nnnnnow?"
ReplyDeleteNever saw "Evan Almighty," but we've seen "Life of Brian" several times, and even if she is a "bible nut," as you call them, she thought it was funny, too. So many great scenes in that movie: him trying to write "Romans Go Home" on a wall and having a centurion correct his Latin in true Jesuit style, the stoning scene, Biggus Dickus, "Shall I welease Wogew?" etc. etc...
I know that clip with Billy Crystal and it is hilarious! I have had some people just blast Life of Brian and tell me I was corrupted and needed saving when I mentioned once that I love that movie. I'm glad you love it and there are so many priceless moments
DeleteI've seen all of these. They usually run The Ten Commandments here in Portland on Easter which strikes me as strange since the movie has nothing to do with Jesus or his resurrection.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right but it has been tradition for decades. I think because it is a bible movie. What I don't get is showing the Sound of Music at Christmas.....it takes place in the summer and it has Nazis
DeleteI've never gotten around to watching "Evan Almighty) - perhaps one day I will catch up with it.
ReplyDeleteAnything the Python mob did was hilarious, in my opinion. :)
And "The Ten Commandments" and all things Cecil B. DeMille takes me back to my childhood years and the Saturday afternoon matinees...which we never missed! :)
Monty Python is great!! Yes they showed all these movies and I miss that
DeleteFeeling proud of myself for having seen all three of your picks. Yay, me! Been a long time since I saw The Ten Commandments, though. It perfectly fits, though. Life of Brian is hilarious. I didn't care much for Evan Almighty and preferred Bruce Almighty.
ReplyDeleteYeah that you saw all three. I actually like Bruce to Evan
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe 10 Commandments was the movie to see in its day.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a pleasant evening:)
I love watching it at Easter
DeleteThe funny thing most people don't realize, despite some of his chosen works, Morgan Freeman is about as non-religious as Richard Dawkins.
ReplyDeleteToo funny
DeleteI totally recommend all 3 of those films yet Life of Brian is the best. "He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy".
ReplyDeleteThere are so many scenes and quotes from this film..love it!
DeleteLife of Brian... Good one. I was thinking something along the lines of Highlander, for I don't do the religious thing.
ReplyDeleteHighlander is a great pick! I never thought of it.
DeleteLife of Brian is hilarious. I saw it in the cinema when it came out in the days when you always got a "short" beforehand, in this case a travelogue. It was cleverly done so that you were well through it before you started to realise it was also Monty Python. We still use the phrase "another f*cking gondola".
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that short! I wonder if YouTube has it?? They should I think.
DeleteWow Birgit..I have seen 2 of them...life of Brian being one of my all time favs.....
ReplyDeleteHave a great hollibobs....rest and relax and enjoy xxxxx
You're funny:) I am having a great hollybobs but I miss making cards
DeleteYES! We have a match! Life of Brian is absolutely hilarious. I can't believe I didn't think of Evan Almighty, I've seen that movie so many times! Like you said, it's silly but fun.
ReplyDeleteYes we have a match and a great one at that. Evan is silly but fun to watch
DeleteI have never seen any of these, but I would watch Morgan Freeman in a heartbeat if the movie came on TV. From your as usual, wonderful synopses, I think you chose some great films that fit the category.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having fun on holiday. Enjoy your time away with your husband. It sounds like a wonderful, relaxing vacation/holiday.
Morgan Freeman always seems to make films better. We are enjoying our holiday very much.
DeleteOooh, Evan Almighty, good one. In the same vein as your first but not as obvious.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about but it is with the white beard and all:)
DeleteI never saw Life of Brian, but looks like there's plenty of laughs:)
ReplyDeleteBe safe.
"Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" is hysterical.
DeleteI used to lovvveee "The Ten Commandments!" Now, I can't watch it. It has gotten way too preachy for me and I never could buy Edward G. Robinson in that role. Anne Baxter, though? Hubba, hubba.
ReplyDelete"Life is Brian" is great, but my favorite Python will always be "The Holy Grail!"
Great choices and I love the Last Fighter suggestion above, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important theme in sports movies, occasionally tongue in cheek as in Bull Durham or Caddyshack ("Cinderella story..."). Hoosiers comes to mind. Searching for Bobby Fischer.
How about Harry Potter? Star Wars? Percy Jackson? All are stories involving a prophecy of a chosen one.
Real Genius!
The one I haven't seen is Evan the Almighty. I think I'll see if I can turn it up on Netflix. I don't think I can the Cecile B. DeMille again. That was a chore to see, as I remember.
ReplyDeleteYay, for once I've seen all of the movies you posted! Great choices, especially Life of Brian. Truly, even just by hearing the title I instantly start humming that song. "Life's a piece of shit, when you look at it..."
ReplyDeleteI never did see Evan Almighty. Sounds like it was fun.
ReplyDeleteAre you safely home?
I'm on the lookout for funny movies so will go and look up Evan Almighty-- let's hope they have it on Netflix! Have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti
Just stopped by to say hey.
ReplyDeleteHope you're getting rested up after your travels.
Hugs,
Morgan Freeman sure does have the voice doesn't he? As does James Earl Jones.
ReplyDeleteYES! Life of Brian is so brilliant! Although not my fav Monty Python it is superb!
ReplyDeleteNeat picks!
ReplyDelete