This underrated movie deserves more attention
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elasalle — 21 years ago(September 30, 2004 07:36 PM)
I think this movie has a nice message and I am truly a fan of horror movies but am often struck by the underlying tone than evil will always win in horror movies. As for the debate on satanism, I am at a loss for the logic behind traditional versus modern satanism. I know it has become incredibly trendy to separate black magic from Wiccanism and there are those who profess to be nice people even though they are satan worshippers but I think the main point to remember is that they are worshipping a icon of evil, and whether you believe in the devil or not, those who believe his message is right should be regarded with some valid suspicion. I think the Rufus Sewell's character is a subtle reminder of the false prophet syndrome that is popping up everywhere and was a very timely comment. Perhaps the real fault of this movie is that it is hitting a nerve with new age advocates who may or may not populate these forums. My only regret for this movie is that it's underlying message of the triumph of good over evil is being lost in this age of the Freddy Kruegers, Jason's and other demonic monsters who are never seen being defeated by any other supernatural good force in modern movies. Its as if Hollywood wants to deny the existence of good and are creating a culture where we are being told that only supernatural evil will triumph and God has abandoned us in our darkest hours. Perhaps if more movies saw the monster staked through the heart and not to return in countless sequels, we would have a more happy, less depressed culture. However, from the countless forums and messages I've read, I can see that most are not satisfied unless it has more pain, killing or gory details. I find this fact the most chilling evidence that evil has truly affected the minds of modern movie goers today.
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dirrtyLOVE — 21 years ago(September 30, 2004 11:23 PM)
People say this movie is in the genre of 'Horror', yet, to me, this story was not scary what-so-ever. But it doesn't stop this movie from being pretty good, IMO. I was surprised by the rating people have given this movie, I thought it was actually pretty good/interesting.
"The prettiest people do the ugliest things to the road to riches and diamond rings." -
probatikos — 21 years ago(November 28, 2004 05:41 PM)
I counld.nt agree with you more. I thought this movie was excellant. The writer even brought out some basic truths. Such as: The first thing satan was able to convince people is he doesn't exist and then that God doesn't exist. They also so the form in which evil takes to deceive the people. That how angels can interceed when we do not even know it. And one of the greatest parts in my opinion was when Eric Stark tried to get the little girl to step off the ledge by tempting her and testing God and she out wits him by turning around and saying "you first".
It was and still is, my hope that some who watch this movie catch on to some small part of the truths in this movie. -
Ponge — 21 years ago(December 28, 2004 03:08 PM)
I would give this movie 9 out of ten. I don't like horror movies at all, and those of you who say there were no horror bits obviously didn't jump out of there seats when the girls head rolled off. I do thinks that Rufus played a good part as the devils advocate but i agree that his role sould have been explored futher. This movie was good and I like the fact that good beat evil, even if I wanted to see Rufus for longer, I would have liked it more if the girl had been able to convert Eric.
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lbach-1 — 21 years ago(January 05, 2005 09:48 AM)
Personally, I thought Bless the Child was awful. Truly truly awful. Kim Basinger's acting was so terrible, it was as if she was lifted from a bad '70s action movie. I didn't think any of the characters were that well-developed, and the filmmakers seemed to focus a lot of their attention on big explosions and action instead of plot.
A few months after seeing this in the theaters, I read the book by Cathy Cash Spellman, which is the basis for this movie. At that point, my view on this movie took on a whole new dimension. The book is completely different, well-written, gripping, and a heck of a lot more believable than the film. Relationships between characters are completely different: Maggie is Cody's grandmother in the book, for example, not her aunt, and there's a lot more development of the priest's character in the novel; he's not just some wheelchair-bound theologian who is used entirely for exposition.
If you actually liked this movie, read the book.
"Seriously, if God and Christianity are nothing more than fairy-tales to you, than surely you could watch BTC with the same attitude you would toward Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter?"
I can't resist this. Dude, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter
are
fairy tales; in order to watch Bless the Child with the same attitude as watching those movies, we'd have to think of it all as a fairy tale, or at the very least a complex myth.Life is short, but the years are long. -
kevkraft4 — 21 years ago(February 17, 2005 07:52 AM)
I've seen the film exactly three times and it was THE movie that prompted my to seriously consider making movies. "That's the calliber of movies [Christians] should be making!" I said the first time, as the final credits began rolling.
I agree with others who have pointed out that, with supernatural thriller, because of the way the Worlds, people are fascinated when evil win out, causing little girls' heads to spin around and vomit pea soup into the faces of priests, while Satan burns down the church where alters drip with the blood from human sacrifices, now rippling with the agitation of legions of demons within who laugh as pretty young women hang themselves from balconeys before being impaled by a church spire, before being decapitated. Is that really entertaining? And what does that say about Evil, that's it's stronger and better than Good? I'd love to see a paradigm shift where that genre of movie is concerned. And such concerns speak directly to the theme of BLESS THIS CHILD.
As for Holliston Coleman, for being so young at the time, she remains one of the best actresses I've ever seen! She was so good it was scary! As an up-and-coming producer myself I sincerely hope to work with her on a project in the not-too-distant future! -
Da Derga — 20 years ago(July 14, 2005 07:42 AM)
"I can't resist this. Dude, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter
are
fairy tales; in order to watch Bless the Child with the same attitude as watching those movies, we'd have to think of it all as a fairy tale, or at the very least a complex myth."
Uh, yeah. I think that's the point the original poster was trying to make with his statement. -
retibar — 20 years ago(November 20, 2005 02:43 AM)
As a fan of Kim Basinger I've seen this film many times and also bought the DVD. I don't think that it's bad at all. I found it entertaining and exciting. I don't say that it's a classic or outstanding but it's a fun supernatural thriller. You can't compare it to 'Rosemary's Baby' witch is a Polanski-classic but it's good on it's own way. Here in Hungary it came out only on DVD so I thought that it was a failure at the US box office but now I see that it's gross isn't bad at all.
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TheAce-Winchester — 19 years ago(June 29, 2006 06:03 AM)
Look, I liked this movie when I saw it on USA, or maybe it was FX. Anyway, I liked this movie, and am surprised that anyone found it point blank bad. I am a christian, but still, if I wasn't I would have liked this movie all the same. I really don't like how some books and movies or even people can turn to the devil, the source of all evil, and praise him, or even portray him in a light that is anything but what he is.
If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it copy this and make your signature! -
Hyokano — 19 years ago(July 05, 2006 12:51 PM)
Interesting! I only heard of this movie from a movie forum, but since there's so much contravercy over the low rating, I must admit I'm really intrigued. So there it is, on the top of my Netflix queue Can't wait to see it!
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oyster_without_soul — 18 years ago(December 09, 2007 01:30 AM)
I didn't expect much, but boy was I surprised how bad this movie was. Of course there are much worse films than this, but this movie was made on a good budget, and it had some good actors. The story was formulaic, there were many elements already seen so many times, and some scenes look like they have been taken directly from other films (i.e. "evil bums" from Carpenter's "Prince of Darkness, etc, or "satanic nanny" from "The Omen") Dialogues range from cheesy to outright silly, and director calls for "deux ex machina" element to help the story one too many times (i.e. when Maggie visits the church, and all of the sudden a nun shows up and says that they have been watching her and know what is going on, or the angels in the end). And the CGI demons that occupy Maggie's visions that warn her of a dark and evil place, deserve a post on their own. I don't think Christina Ricci will brag that she acted in this one