The God Who Wasn't There (2005)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Home video production values don't hamper the content of another zinger documentary taking a hard look at fundamentalist Christianity that has roosted in the bible belt of this nation for the longest time.As per a "mock"-umentary that sends up religion reminds us; Jesus (if he ever existed) was not American, did not speak English, did not own nor use a rifle, and had never visited the new world (much less know about it), and probably would not be familiar with what we call human rights.But, again, this mini video documentary looks at the social thinking of religion, and gives us the hard truth about the devout believers of Christianity by interviewing a religious school principal, some various members at a Christian conference in Passadena, and talking with some experts in scholarship regarding history and how the Christian bible twists and takes liberties with history.It's material that's been done in other documentaries on the subject, but I think this film / video predates some those efforts by a few years.The only aspect that holds back a better product is the fact that this film was shot on home video equipment. But that's not a big deal, as the interviews and reflection upon the producer-director's own former fundamentalist Christian background are pretty compelling. Again, for me at least, it's not eye-opening material as such. I've seen believers get zinged in other footage elsewhere, but it is a reminder that there are people who, no matter how accomplished they are in other aspects of their life, have a streak of irrationality founded upon believing in a myth told to them by a "trusted source".A decent watch.Enjoy.

I am an atheist, like Brian Flemming, and I used to be a fundamentalist Christian, like Flemming. I think that religion is a bane on society that mankind should rid itself of. However, I am afraid that this movie is much too polemic and dishonest to make a big difference. Flemming makes all the usual mistakes that atheists make when attacking Christianity, like quoting the Bible out of context and demanding that Christians follow Old Testament laws. An assault on the gigantic monolith of faith requires more finesse and objectivity. What Flemming does right is his titular topic, i.e. his gripping presentation of the problem of the historical Jesus. It is truly thought- provoking, and I wish he had stuck closer to that. Here and there, he also manages to shine a good light on the religious mind and bring up something worth thinking about. I would advice viewers to be critical, even of this critical film. That should be a general rule, anyway.

There are a lot of people out here who believe a lot of things, I am continually amazed by these videos, where the filmmaker is determined to show us how smart he is and how stupid everyone else is. Well, it really didn't work this time.I appreciate that Brian Flemming feels some sort of loss at having a "Christian Education" that was flawed. But seriously putting Charles Manson out there as a representative of the Christian Faith...and, trying to corner the Dean or Principal of the his former school--Epic Fail. Again, there are enough people out there that would gladly enter the debate--no need to blindside people.

I was expecting this film to be decent and while the points it makes are clear, technically it leaves a lot to be desired. I thought it was only extreme religious people that didn't know how to use technology. The director throws facts and challenges Christianity, which is fair enough, but after a while he tries to makes us care about him by saying that he once was a hardcore Christian himself. Personally, I think he lacked charisma to carry the film from that angle. Please try harder with the titles the next time. Also, the music deserves a special mention, it doesn't come across as funny at all. It just sounds cheesy. The whole film felt amateurish. That's my two pence.