SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
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(1999), PG-13 ["Lite" R-13*] -- "Professionals built the Titanic. Amateurs built the Ark."
Production: This Week In Bible Prophecy (previously Cloud Ten Pictures), Jack Van Impe Ministries, John Hagee Ministries. A Prophecy Partners Production
Distribution: Cloud Ten Pictures
Director(s): Andre Van Heerden
Producer(s): Colin Brunton, Paul Lalonde, Peter Lalonde
Written by/Screenplay: Paul Lalonde, Peter Lalonde
Cinematography/Camera: George Tirl, S.A.S.C.
Music: Gary Koftinoff
Film Editing: Marvin Lawrence
Production Management: Nicholas Tabarrok
Production Design: Ronald A. W. Lee
Art Direction: Tyler Unrau
Apocalypse II: REVELATION - The Book Has Been Opened is a very powerful accounting of what is to be expected after the Rapture of Christians to Heaven and is the second in the series of three end-times movies by Cloud Ten Pictures in association with Jack Van Impe Ministries and John Hagee Ministries. Revelation earned a CAP score of 54 which is right on the cell boundary (54/55 of 100) between PG-13 (55 to 67 of 100) and R movies (54 and below) of the CAP comparative baseline database. The movie is indeed mathematically equivalent to R-rated secular programming in two of the six CAP Investigation Areas: Wanton Violence/Crime and Offense to God, which is to be expected of this subject matter. I am certain life on Earth after the Rapture, during Tribulation, will be magnitudes more violent and evil than is portrayed in this movie, so where is the line in entertainment to be drawn? Well, parents draw the line. Parents decide whether a movie is fit for their little ones (which include at-home teens). Prayerfully, this report will provide mom/dad with enough information to make an informed moral decision on their own by their own standards whether this movie is fit for their kids or not.
Three months after people vanish off the face of the Earth, a small band of resisters who were undecided about Jesus before the Rapture fights the movement of Franco Macalousso (Nick Mancuso), the new messiah ... rather the antiChrist. They fight to lead as many as possible to the Lord. They fight to prevent Macalousso from implementing his global virtual reality project called the Day of Wonders.
The movie opens with Thorold David Stone (Jeff Fahey), an agent of One Nation Earth (O.N.E.) sulking over the loss of his his wife Wendy (Corry Carpf) and daughter Maggie (Chloe Randle-Reis) to the strange vanishing of millions of people. While his wife was video taping Thorold pushing Maggie on a swing, they disappear before his eyes. Wendy was a Christian who had tried to get Thorold to at least go to church with her: "We don't need church to make us a family all-right? I'm gonna tell you one more time, I'm not going. I don't wanna hear anymore of this Bible stuff. You wanna go, go!" And that they did. Except for Thorold. And not to church but as part of the Church -- the body of believers. [1 Thess. 4:16-17] |
A phone call wakes Stone from drowsing to video tapes of his wife and daughter and dispatches him to investigate a school bus bombing blamed on the "haters" -- the Christian resisters -- who are also accused of being all that stands in the way of the opened minded and enlightened who were left behind, all that stands in their way of the godhood promised by the new messiah, Macalousso. Investigations reveal the school bus bombing was likely due to "hater" terrorism. Discovering the signal that detonated the bomb came from an old warehouse, Stone and his partner, David Nidd (Rick Demas) are dispatched to locate the "haters" with orders to "Terminate. No prisoners. No dialogue." But something is touching Stone. He gives counter orders that no one is to fire a shot unless they get the word from him.
Finding a group of worshipers led by feisty and most knowledgeable Thelma Davis and her husband, Stone decides to capture the worshipers and take them in for questioning rather than exterminate them: "You don't look dangerous to me." Thelma makes a very poignant point to Stone, that the only thing the "haters" are guilty of is believing the same thing Stone's wife believed. Thelma posed to Stone in defense of the resisters, "Do you think your wife would be killin' children if she was still here?" Thelma, a previous employee of O.N.E. passes a "Day of Wonders" CD to Stone and suggests strongly that he view the CD. There are some scenes in this segment of rather brutal treatment and threats with firearms to the face. Also heard are some possibly confusing and even seducing arguments against our Lord and belief in Him. Indeed, there are many such comments throughout the movie that may cause the unArmed or they who have yet to develop a relationship with Jesus to question why they should. [Rom. 16:17-18, Col. 2:8] |
Hearing something in the same building from which Stone had just extricated the Davis worship group, Stone and his partner David Nidd investigate. Through a gun battle to put other gun battles to shame Stone and Nidd find three men, one of which is graphically killed in the battle. Another is captured and handcuffed to a pipe but strangely escapes the cuffs without opening them. But the third man, Len Parker (David Roddis) was exceptionally threatening. Disobeying an order to drop his gun, both Stone and Nidd unload a couple rounds into Parker who is not injured. We even see the slugs hit the man but he is not phased by them. After seeing this, Stone and Nidd unload their clips into Parker. With slugs passing through him, Park raises his gun and drops both Stone and Nidd. Nidd dies but Stone is protected by an electronic DNA detector in his suit coat pocket. While Stone recoils from the impact of the slug, Parker walks through a wall, gun and all. Stone is accused of murdering Nidd.
Part of the connective programming following Stone's shootout with the evil Parker is a particularly disturbing segment provided as theatric support to the actions of imprisoning the "haters" Stone captured. A believing teen boy is turned in by his own father who tells his son he is doing it "for [his] own good", "I'm only doing this because I love you." What a testimony to the predictions of father against son! [Mark 13:12] |
Stone takes the Day of Wonders CD to computer genius and oddball wheelchair-bound William W. Speeno (Tony Nappo), a.k.a Willie, to try to crack the contents of it. Willie is stepbrother to Helen Hannah (Leigh Lewis), the number one "hater" and grandson to Edna, Helen's grandmother whose matronly wisdom opened for us in Apocalypse: Caught in the Eye of the Storm. Willie has set up shop in an old warehouse and works for O.N.E. as a computer programmer. Willie is the one who prepared the base program for the Day of Wonders CD. Meeting Willie gun to gun (though Willie's is fake, part of a virtual game he was playing) with gun sights focused on each other, Stone explains why he is there and that Willie is to believe him because his gun is real (stage real anyway). But Willie cannot crack the password block on the CD. Not initially anyway.
Willie takes Stone on a demonstration of the virtual reality of the Day of Wonders, not the "real thing" just a demonstration. Upon donning the virtual reality goggles, Stone finds peace and serenity but nothing to warrant his official action. He also finds that harm could happen in this "world of absolutely no consequences" without having any affect on the real world. Willie demonstrates this by using a sea shell to rip a laceration across his chest to draw blood for effect. The pair then take their goggles off and Willie's laceration is gone. |
Willie decides the only way to crack the CD is to take it to the "haters." He and Stone meet Helen Hannah, Cindy Bolton (Carol Alt) and Jake Goss (Patrick Gallagher) who, together, get an early look and the Day of Wonders. Or at least an abbreviated version of it since one line of code is preventing the full program from loading.
Cindy is a blind woman who came to the "haters" hideout with Jake. Her parents vanished and Cindy was left alone with no guide to help her. Knowing the loving compassion of the "haters", Jake knew the gang would help Cindy. Cindy was raised in a Christian home but still blames God for her blindness. Parts of the dialogue provide evidence for fearing for Cindy's life after death. (And here is where Willie shows sexual interest in Cindy). Cindy's actions during the playing of evangelical Christian video tapes also give cause to fear for her.
Willie tries the Day of Wonders CD first and finds lots of flat white ... nothing. Literally nothing. Nothing but white. All of the nothing is white. Perfectly white. Believing the Day of Wonders to be fake "There's absolutely nothing to this program at all", Willie suggests they stop all their efforts to discover what it is all about. But stone demands Willie keeps looking. Helen tries to offer help but Willie tells her that she should leave it to the professionals. To that, Helen replied "Professionals built the Titanic. Amateurs built the Ark." This movie presents many such thought-provoking come-backs to "snidery" against God and His Word. |
In the time Willie and others are working and this and that, Helen and Thorold move to another room and engage in a thorough argument between faith and disbelief. Some dazzling discussions are presented giving the believer some evangelical "ammunition." One of Thoroid's arguments is there is no God. He cannot see Him and He does not do anything when asked. Stone wants proof. Physical proof. Some "real" proof. Helen explains "No proof is enough if the heart's not ready ... whatever God may do you won't believe it was Him anyway. You'd always manage to ... to find another explanation." The discussion gradually escalates as Fahey shows us real energy and talent. Stone shouts to God, "Knock over this glass of water, God. Knock over this little glass of water right now and I'll be a believer. Come on. Come on, God. Make a believer out of me. You couldn't save my mother from cancer when I was a kid and your sure as --- couldn't save my family from vanishing so why don't you just knock over this little glass of water and make a believer out of me! How 'bout it, God! Make a believer out of me! Huh! ... I guess He's not up to the challenge today, Helen. Looks to me like Macalousso is the only one puttin' out miracles!" Above is the only use of the three/four letter word vocabulary in the entire show. Unfortunately it is used in the same manner hardest to combat in our youth -- during anger.
Does the little glass of water get knocked over? And what about Macalousso's efforts to broadcast his global virtual reality project Day of Wonders to the remaining world? Do we see what Satan does to all those who won't take the mark of the beast or did the "haters" foil Satan's plan? All this and much more is for you to find out if you decide the invasive parts of this programming we identify for you in the Findings/Scoring section in this movie is fit for you and/or your kids. |
Don't be dismayed at the amount of plot and storyline I have given you herein. There is a great deal more to this action -packed, thought-provoking excursion into getting you to examine what you believe: "With millions of souls at stake, the breathtaking and inspiring climax will challenge every viewer to examine their own place in the epic battle of good and evil that already rages in our day."
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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.
1 Thess. 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Rom. 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***
Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences to younger and younger audiences every year when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, pay for it, enjoy it, want it].
Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among us], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto [or for] one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto [or for] me.
Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. [Offend: skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo} - scandalize; to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away. I suspect "offend" includes sexually abusing the little ones. "Little ones": mikros - little;, small of age; younger which can include at-home teens].
Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [let no sin rule over me].
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]
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As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.
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FINDINGS / SCORING:
(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)
Wanton Violence/Crime (W):
mysterious disappearances
school bus bombing with bodies under blankets
framing the innocent
multiple firearm threats, many, once to face
long gun battle with injury and deaths
bullets hitting and passing through a man with no effect, repeated in replay
attempted gunfire murder causing injury
dead body
jailhouse brutality
orders to kill, repeatedly
firearms as control tool
talk of murdering a child
self injury for show
beating of a woman with injuries and blood
animal cruelty
cruelty
beating
guillotine threat - placed in it, lever pulled, decapitation not seen
gunfire as threat
attempted murder by gunfire
attempted murder by incineration, multiple
death by incineration
Impudence/Hate (I):
extreme misrepresentation of fatherly love - father turning son in to aggressors, doing it for the son's "own good"
a single use of the three/four letter word vocabulary
lies
Sex/Homosexuality (S):
innuendo re: marital sex
threat of sexual invasion of adolescent girl
sex comments/suggestions, two
Drugs/Alcohol (D):
smoking
Offense to God (O):
unholy power to walk through wall
mysterious escape from handcuffs still closed
lies about God, many
Satanic possession
rejection of God because of mother's death, God didn't save her
"There is no God", repeatedly
smooth talk and fine sounding arguments against God, repeatedly
unholy power to change voice
four uses of God's name in vain but all without the four letter expletive
Satanic ritual
unholy restoration of infirmity, twice
selling soul to Satan and taking the mark, twice
calling Jesus a deceiver
Murder/Suicide (M):
gunfire murder, four
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