Filipe Neto
This is yet another biblically based film that addresses the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ. It's not a horror movie, but a mystery thriller that works great and appeals to our most elemental emotional feelings. The film makes a mixture of Christian and Jewish elements and beliefs that may not seem very cool but the heart of the story is closely associated with the prophecy of the Book of Revelation, in particular the verses concerning the seven seals. Of course, the story starts from this base but then takes on other contours and creative freedoms, while making everything more intimate and personal thanks to Abby (a main character played by Demmy Moore in an excellent performance), a young girl who wants to be a mother very much But has a painful history of miscarriages. This young woman ends up getting directly involved with the issue, becoming the victim of events beyond her control. This gives the audience a clear sense of support for the young woman, holding our attention to the end. Michael Biehn did well in the role of Abby's husband, although the character has very little value for the story. Jürgen Prochnow made a good performance in the role of David, the mysterious abbot of Abby who, in fact, is Jesus in disguise. The special, visual and sound effects of the film are quite satisfying and help at the time of the most amazing scenes.
ironhorse_iv
The end of the world has come, and it's in the form of the Seventh Sign. Directed by Carl Schultz, the movie reference to the seven seals described in the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament of the Bible. Sadly, I wish I was watching Ingmar Bergman 1957's Seventh Seal, 1976's Omen or 1968's Rosemary Baby, instead of this. This movie didn't had the large budget, or the eerie presence in its script to pull off the Day of Reckoning vibe. The seven seals in this film seem weak for the most part as you as the audience see only small bits of its power; from small earthquake that only the camera can feel. To the oddly cut, the scene of one river turning red, but other rivers nearby are alright to drink. To how oddly, the seal boiled the ocean around Haiti to the point, it kills the fishes, but not human beings feet or knee deep in the tide. It's not creepy at all. Where is the scary fire and brimstone!? It's disappointing, because the movie has no mention of the opening of the first four seals which calls for the Four Horsemen, each with their own specific mission to attack the world. Where are they, in the movie? How come, they weren't mention? The movie takes too much in creative license in the Seven Seals that it no way, felt accurate or solid. The movie kinda drop the plot line half way through the film, as the letters from stop being open, and things just happen to happen. Anyways, none of those events, really matter to the main plot, only serving as background to the real meat of the story. Doing the opposite of what Demi Moore's similar character in 1996's 'If this walls could talk' does, a pregnant wife, Abby Quinn (Demi Moore) pursuits to save her unborn child from being abortion by God's plans. Yes, the seventh sign is really about the morals of abortion. The movie really felt like they, the producers were trying so hard to fit, two different type of movies into one. How in the dogma hell, did you get that, from the interpretation of the bible's Seventh Seal? I don't see seven angelic trumpeters who in turn cue the seven bowl judgments as a metaphor to abortion. If such creative license with Christian prophecy offends you then stay away from this movie, as it doesn't make lick of any sense. Honestly, this movie doesn't know the different between the Seventh Seal and that of the Guf. If the movie was call the 'Guf' based off, Jewish mythology. This abortion plot would make more sense, because in the film and in the myth, The Guf is the Chamber of souls, where souls of the tree of life fall into. When heaven ran out of souls, the world starts to die, as there is bodies in which has no souls to put into. The movie makes it even more confusing, as Abby is haunted by the memories of not saving for Jesus during the Crucifixion. Yes, Abby is doom to have miscarriages throughout her life, because she didn't die for Jesus. Awful jarred preachy message, there. How does, one giving one's life to Jesus, save the world, anyways? You're still going to run out of souls & people are still going to die. Somehow, it did in this movie. In the end, she doesn't really give in to Jesus, anyways, but God and Jesus is like, let's put this apocalypse on hold, because the mother was willing to trade deaths with her unborn child. If the movie is saying that, then the whole Guf running out plot doesn't make sense. Honestly, how do you run out of souls, if reincarnation can happen in this world? It would seem like abortion would be more welcome, if reincarnation tend to give souls, bodies after bodies, time after time. It's not like she give away her soul to somebody who didn't had a soul, anyways, because a soul is what makes you, you. She just put her soul in a new body. To be truthful, the whole idea of God's judgment day ending the world is dumb, in the first place since God giving human, free will is an illusion joke. Needed to say, the cheesy faux-apocalyptic is too pad out to make sense. The movie pacing is awful. Lots of oddly place drawn out boring exposition scenes like the meteorologist scene, or the young Jew that Abbey befriend chatting with a Christian priest scene. It would be cut out. Then, there is the nudity that wasn't needed to the point, because it made no sense. If she wanted to save her child, why was she going to kill herself? Without spoiling too much of it, there is a few semi-good twist and turns, here, involving both Demi Moore's Abby Quinn's character and that of Jürgen Prochnow's David Bannon. Surprising, most of the acting in this movie is pretty good, but deeply limited. The one actor that stood out is Jürgen Prochnow who can play mysterious roles, very well. His performance is brilliant. The thing that stop the acting from being great was the exposition. The delivery of those lines are just out of place. The score music by Jack Nitzsche was alright. Nothing too worth noting. It did combines some orchestral themes with the sounds of Gregorian monks like chanting. It makes certain scenes, watchable. Sadly the production suck. Depending if you're watching this on VCR or DVD, its color saturation in this transfer is muted and drab. This reflection both how dated of the film is and the seemingly independent, low budget television-oriented production, it had. Overall: It plays out like a Lifetime TV lecture drama about the power of faith, than a thriller. If they kept it closer to a horror movie, than a preachy movie. It might be more entertaining.
Wuchak
Released in 1988, "The Seventh Sign" is a creative take on the Bible's end-of-the-world prophecies: Apocalyptic judgments seem to be occurring all over the world as an unbelieving California couple (Demi Moore and Michael Biehn) are preparing for their first child. A mysterious stranger rents an apartment from them and Demi slowly discovers that she and her baby are the focal point of the end or possibly humanity's second chance.Jesus Christ Himself is one of the main characters and this is one of the best depictions of Christ in film, if not THE best. He's by far the most interesting character in the movie (I'd tell you the actor playing the role but I don't want to give away who the Messiah is as the movie keeps it kinda discreet, not that it's too hard to figure out). I just wish they gave JC more screen time and dialogue since he's so intriguing; it would have made for a much more compelling picture. As it is, the film focuses on Demi and she's just not that interesting a character.I enjoy movies that make you reflect and try to figure out. This is such a film. Some have criticized that the story is nonsensical, but it's all there clear as a bell if you reflect on it.One reviewer criticizes that the film lacks substance, yet the story deals with nothing less than the salvation of humanity via sacrifice, faith, hope and love; plus Jesus Christ Himself is a major character. I think this qualifies as substance.If you're having trouble figuring the story out ask yourself this question: Why is Jesus Christ attracted like a magnet to Demi and her baby? Once you have that figured out the story makes perfect sense.I'd also like to point out that the film is expertly made on practically every level. This ain't no low-budget fare.People seem to have trouble categorizing "The Seventh Sign" because it's so unique. I would say it's a mystery/horror film, but not "horror" in the sense of a slasher flick; "Seventh Sign" is more classy than that. Although there are loads of dead bodies & blood, there's hardly any cussing and no youths getting naked.As far as Biblical eschatology goes, the story gets it fairly accurate up to a point but then takes a creative turn. If such creative license with Christian prophecy offends you then stay away. Regardless, keep in mind that the main message of the film is completely Biblical, i.e. salvation only comes via the spilling of blood and faith, hope & love.Unfortunately the film has a bit of a tedious vibe despite the numerous intriguing aspects, which is a major flaw considering it only runs about 90 minutes. Again, they should have given JC more screen time and dialogue as he is definitely the most interesting character. Because of this tedious vibe I give the film an overall strong 5/10 or C+ (if I was in a better mood I'd give it a 6/10 Stars or B-). In other words, although "The Seventh Sign" has some undeniably great elements, overall it's neither great nor horrible; it's somewhere in between. Regardless, it's very worthwhile if the subject matter piques your interest.GRADE: C+
gcd70
This story, which is most definitely based on the prophetic last book of the New Testament, that of Revelation, holds some entertainment value but remains sadly and irresponsibly inaccurate.It tells the tale of the Seven Signs that are to herald the end of the age and the judgment of all humanity by the Almighty God. For Hollywood however, director Carl Schultz tones down the Biblical prophecies and humanises the plot to gain a wider audience.For unbelievers, "The Seventh Sign" may well intrigue or perhaps bore you, depending on taste. Tragically though, this movie will leave many believing a very wrong doctrine: that mankind can save himself.Sunday, March 22, 1992 - Video
