::applauds:: Good to see someone with her head on straight. I don't really think that Pullman was "looking to start trouble." He is an atheist, and that definitely comes out in his books. However, even with fans of the book saying that the movie is too watered-down and that the director is destroying the meaning of it by attempting to make it religiously ambiguous, Pullman himself has said that he is happy with the film.
"I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief," says Pullman. "Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil's work." "My books are about killing God." Quotes from interviews conducted with Pullman. I've also heard that he's publically said his goal is to lure children away from Christianity. I could not, however, find any facts to back this up. While I do not like the concept of killing God, I recognize that it's a work of fiction. If people want to consider it controversial, so be it; however, there is an abundance of other things that (from a Christian perspective) should be equally controversial, but are not. I'm fine with the movie myself aside for the fact that it is a children's movie, and thus targeting them. Even if it is not Pullman's goal to "lure children from Christianity," showing atheistic beliefs and killing God in a movie for children is certainly a gray area. However, that's were parental discretion comes in.
I'd never heard of the books or the author until the recent announcement of the movie. With that said, I know nothing about the story and won't be doing any research on it. The reason for this has nothing to do with the controversy. It's because I'm not interested. Movies based on "childrens" books have never been my thing. I'm an adult and prefer adult things. As far as this movie as a children's movie, that is false. Here in the States it was given a PG-13 rating. In other terms there are scenes and themes geared at the teenage and older crowd.
So you don't want to see it because it's based off a children's book even though you yourself claim it's not a children's movie? That doesn't make much sense. If it's a children's book, logically the movie would seek to pull in a younger audience.
I always thought that if a piece of fiction is enough to shake your faith then you might want to give up on religion right now. When the whole Da Vinci Code thing started I was baffled. That book is so full of historical and factual inaccuracies I don't understand how anyone with half a brain can feel their faith is threatened by it. Furthur more, its labled fiction. Hence, not true. Even if Dan Brown claims it is true, ten to one bets that he is only sparking controversy for one reasion. Controversy sells well, very very very well. Hundreds of people I know, never even heard of the book or Dan Brown before Christians began complaining. Heck I think the christian protests were practically free advertisement. These days, the Christians are a little too defensive for my tastes. If you don't like something, then stay away from it and if you don't want your kids around it keep them away from it. There is no need to go on a rant about the whole thing. I've never read the Golden Compass, though my interest has certainly been sparked. I want to see the bears in armor. That looks freaking AWESOME!
There was something about it on the newstonight too. It has Nicole Kidman in it.. am I right? I think she is. But anyways, I wanna see the movie!
It's a good book. I found it a bit slow to get started, but once it did it had me hooked. Not the best of the trilogy, but a superb lead in.
I am reading the first book and I find it really good. I usually have a hard time getting a book to hold my interest but this one has it. Have to find the second as I have the third one here as well. The only reason I don't want to see the movie is Nicole Kidman. But I guess I can put up with her when it comes out in DVD. I loved the look of the polar bears when I saw them on the ad.
"Adult" things? Like porn? I think being an adult is more about being responsible for oneself and one's actions than it is about one's taste in movies. Forgive me, but that has to be one of the worst comments I've seen on these boards. If you give up childlike pleasures in favor of being "adult," then your life must not be very happy. Disclaimer: In judgment of your post, not of you personally or your character.
Nice play on words. The armored bears, or panserbjØrne, are large intelligent bears, comparable in appearance to polar bears, but bigger. They can talk, and are renowned for their skill in metal working. They are wary of humans, though some will allow themselves to be employed as blacksmiths or mercenaries. They can see through human deceit as easily as you or I could see through a window. A bear's armor is its soul. Each bear creates his own armor out of the strongest metals on Earth, and it is a part of him as much as his claws or his teeth. A bear that is separated from its armor will be depressed and lost, without much of a will to do anything...unless it involves getting his armor back. Most armored bears live on the frozen island fortress of Svalbard in the far North. [/geek]
I suggest using this information against the bears. According to Stephen Colbert, bears are the #1 threat to America. Everyone knows that if its on the Colbert Report, it must be true!
I personally think if Jesus himself was alive today he wouldn't mind, so why are christians bothered 2000 years later!!!
Actually Jesus would probably disapprove but he would take the high road and as the saying goes "Turn the other cheek."
I think Jesus would have a sense of humour, personally. I also think he would have thought that the bears were a nice touch.
