Movies/Scenes
Representing
Apocalyptic Themes
The Matrix (1999)
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See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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End of Days (1999)
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The movie (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) has an apocalyptic theme that centers around the idea of Satan (Gabriel Byrne) attempting to take full control of the world. Near the end, after a countless barrage of gunfights and explosions, Arnold and the woman he is projecting enter a church, knowing that Satan is hot on their trail. The scene turns very powerful as Arnold, holding a huge gun in his arms, looks around the church and sees various images and statues. He throws his gun on the floor, closes his eyes, and opens his arms (crucifixion?) and prays, "Please help me." Without giving too much away, Satan is defeated -- not by violence -- but by "a more excellent way." (Rev. Duane Partin)
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The Phantom Menace (1999)
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See "The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars," John Lyden, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Dark City (1998)
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[Dark City] tells the story of a man who literally wakes up to discover he has no memories, that he doesn't know who he is. He lives in a gloomy city controlled by a bunch of creepy guys in long leather coats. It sound silly but it is really very good. The final scenes depict an apocalyptic showdown between the hero and the Strangers and then the city appears, floating in space and wreathed in light. There is a strong influence by apocalyptic literature, especially Revelations. (submitted by Mike Clark, Hamilton, Canada)
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Armageddon (1998)
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See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Face Off (1998)
- see review at Hollywood Jesus
- Deep Impact (1998)
- See "Anti-feminism in Recent Apocalyptic Film" by Joel W. Martin, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
- See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
The Postman (1997)
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"The Postman" is a Kevin Costner movie that is set in a USA of the future. The country has come through a major war and has been broken up into small, isolated and scared communities. A private army terrorizes the communities. Into this scene a wanderer stumbles across the uniform of a USA postman and a mail bag. He starts to deliver mail and pretends he is the representative of a new government. A whole new postal service is started that gives people real hope as they reconnect with loved ones in other places. (submitted by Alan Missen)
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Contact (1997)
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"...although we know earth is no longer central, the visual magic of this shot suggests our home planet is still very important. If for no other reason, this makes the shot supportive of human meaning making and anthropomorphic affirmation in the manner of classic apocalyptic." ("Anti-feminism in Recent Apocalyptic Film" by Joel W. Martin, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.)
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See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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The Fifth Element (1997)
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See "Anti-feminism in Recent Apocalyptic Film" by Joel W. Martin, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Anaconda (1997)
- (see review at Hollywood Jesus)
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The Relic (1997)
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The Devil's Advocate (1997)
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see linked review at Hollywood Jesus
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Independence Day (1996)
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See "Anti-feminism in Recent Apocalyptic Film" by Joel W. Martin, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Jerusalem (1996)
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This movie has the aura of an Ingmar Bergman production, with a series of twists and turns in the plot and thought-provoking motifs. It is based on the novel by Selma Lagerlof, and portrays Swedish peasant life around the turn of the 20th Christian viewers of this movie will likely be interested in the themes of: mainline versus apocalyptic-sectarian faith, authority and power, discerning the truth, suffering and sacrifice, love and forgiveness. I highly recommend Jerusalem because of theological grist for the the mill that it provides. (submitted by The Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson)
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12 Monkeys (1995)
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Ultimately futile struggle between the forces of life and death.
See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
See "Bruce Willis as the Messiah: Human Effort, Salvation and Apocalypticism in Twelve Monkeys," Frances Flannery Dailey, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Waterworld (1995)
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See "Armageddon at the Millenial Dawn," Conrad Ostwalt, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Natural Born Killers (1994)
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Prison riot as apocalyptic destruction of evil. Mickey and Mallory leave there, make their final sacrifice, and end the violent cycles of their own upbringing and societal influences. (For a kind of 60's hippy utopia!)
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The Lion King (1994)
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The Stand (1994)
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The flu virus destroys all but 1% of the world's population. The remaining people divide themselves into two camps.
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The Game Show Crucifixion in Las Vegas which serves to bring the "evil people" together for their apocalyptic self-destruction at the Hand of God. (DVD pt 4 ch 17 & 18) Stu: "I saw a pale horse..."
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The Seventh Sign (1988)
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RoboCop (1987)
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Images and commentary on a future world where technology holds promise as well as danger.
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The Day After (1983)
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An atomic bomb is dropped on Lawrence, Kansas.
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Return of the Jedi (1983)
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See "The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars," John Lyden, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Metropolis (1982)
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see "Apocalyptic Visions: Beyond Corporeality," Ann Pearson, The Journal of Religion and Film, 1998.
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The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
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"The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars," John Lyden, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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Apocalypse Now (1979)
Star Wars (1977)
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See "The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars," John Lyden, Journal of Religion and Film, 2000.
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The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
- Reality is turned "upside down". The way out is up to the bottom/back to the front.
- "Everybody is dead who was above us when the ship turned over. Now they're underneath us. It's up to us to get out of here."
Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956)
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"Godzilla is the chaotic horror of the nuclear age set in the ancient sea-monster myth." (Hollywood Jesus visual review)
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