Published by I have watched a lot of movies in my life and I have noticed a pattern with one particular genre of film; the “Heaven” movies. The familiar plot exists in every one of these films: Heaven is a place you have to earn by accomplishing something after you die. Every one of these lead characters all have the same problems in life, they are either misfits, or scoundrels or the dregs of society, and they all die in some freak accident, getting hit by a car, (Kirsty Alley) wrecking their car while avoiding hitting a deer, (Dolly Parton) and on and on it goes. They die, a man in a spotless white suit comes and tells them they can’t go to Heaven yet because they have one last mission to perform back on Earth before they can earn their wings.
They return to Earth, perform their good deed and then, oh joy of joys, they stroll into Heaven to the sounds of the Heavenly choir singing Handel’s Halleluiah. That main plot never varies, only the characters and sub-plots change. What irritates me about these movies is the fact that I can’t tell if the director and producers, writers and whoever else is in charge of these productions, is actually trying to be serious or just pulling our legs. I would like to think that it is the latter rather than the former but I really have to wonder, since these movies are so prevalent in our society. If the people in charge of these “Heaven” productions are just joking around, why is every plot identical to every other? I would think they would vary at least a little bit, but they don’t. You can predict how every one of them will end before they even begin.
I wonder, is this how people are expected to think of Heaven? Are we supposed to think that Hell is only for those people who cannot complete their final mission in time? This is a totally ridiculous concept and I have to wonder what kind of mentality would find this sort of thing amusing. My intelligence Quotient is not in the super genius range, but I find these movies stupid beyond belief. Here’s a really scary thought: Perhaps these types of films are meant only for children. Personally, I would rather have my children hearing about Heaven from me or from the Bible itself, instead of from these Hollywood Yahoos who apparently don’t know Heaven from a hole in the ground. You know what the worst part of all this is? This weird concept of Heaven in the movies is nothing new. I believe the earliest film I have seen with this sort of plot is “Carousel”, starring Shirley Jones.
And of course, let us not forget the “angel” movies that have been produced since motion pictures began. Those films are a real challenge to the intellect too, with their weird concepts of how angels get their wings, and stuff like that. Fact is, according to the Bible most angels do not even have wings, but can assume the appearance of human beings. What? We can’t make a funny angel movie without the angels having wings? Let’s try to get real for once, shall we? First of all, Heaven is not some place that the dead can “earn” like brownie points for good behavior. It is a destination we either choose or reject during our lifetime on Earth. The dead make no further decisions about their eternity, where they are after death is where they chose to be in life.
Perhaps that scenario is just not “funny” enough, I don’t know. I just wonder how many children down through the years have grown up actually believing in the drivel that Hollywood sets before them. Considering that the dish never varies, but only the spices are different, it strikes me that perhaps Hollywood film makers are actually trying to convert people from traditional beliefs of Heaven in order to promote their own bizarre concepts. Perhaps it is not working as well as they would like, since they seem to be trying way too hard to make more and more of these movies to try and get their twisted point across. Are the traditional beliefs of Heaven and Hell really all that revolting that we have to do our very best to change them even if we have to look like idiots to do it?
Film makers also have a field day with Christianity. They just love to depict Christians as being either lunatics or fanatics of some kind. Most of the time if a Christian is depicted in a secular movie, that person is usually some kind of hatchet murdering, I-hear-voices-in-my-head, Bible toting, abortion clinic bomber who shouts, “praise the Lord” every time a “heathen” gets killed. This could not be any farther from reality and I know for a fact that I am not the only Christian annoyed by this obvious spitting of a goober in the Christian face. Christians do not blow up buildings, or people, and they are not lunatics. The people who flew planes into tall buildings on 9/11 fit much better into the insane asylum catagory yet we Christians get all the blame. Interesting.
In case any of you were wondering, Christians are capable of making movies too. We tell it like it is from the Word of God and we don’t pull any punches. If you want to watch movies about Heaven go to your nearest Christian book store and check out their video displays. I guarantee you those movies will sharpen and challenge your intellect, not to mention your heart and soul, instead of leaving you angry that you paid your good money to see it. You see, Heaven is not by any means, a strange idea and it should not be depicted as one. Heaven is God’s home, a holy place. Hollywood needs to learn how to show a little respect.
Hollywood needs to learn how to show a little respect.
No, you have the option of not watching a movie with which you don’t agree. You can’t tell others to make movies according to your specifications of what a heaven might be like.
Yes, but he has the right to complain. I agree that too many movies stereotype Christians as negative. There is definitely a bias today against people of faith, even though they are the huge majority.