The Shack

WAKEWOOD: This movie was beautiful. I laughed, I cried. For all of you out there who either believe in God or question his existence please watch this movie. It will definitely renew your faith

Reno: **If forgiving is that easily convincible, then welcome to the crime world!** A novel based film. A religious themed film. It has a message, BUT could be a bad message for today's world. Because how the event was dealt with the story only encourages the crime, in reality. Wise people can say philosophically, morally, but not means every words practically applicable. The common people would get affected more. Other than that, I have no grudge on anything. If it has been just a fantasy and an entertaining film, excluding that Christian thing, I would have liked it better. It was more like another 'What Dreams May Come', but less visual spectacular. On the other hand, there was an uneasiness in the development of what happened in the early stage of the story. They did not go for the detail, from the crime perspective, hence that mysterious event holds the key which we don't know exactly what happened to judge anything out of the film. So that part reminds 'The Lovely Bones'. The story of a father whose little girl mysteriously disappeared on a camping trip. Now the struggling father to cope with the incident gets an invitation to meet the creators. His journey to the other side of the world, where he goes through a series of unexpected tests, and at the end, how his character changes are told in those remaining parts. Worthington, Spencer, everybody was good. But the story is what I did not like. Like it was aimed for Christians only. But I believe not every Christian would agree with this story. I felt it was an unnecessary film. If it was fun like 'Bruce Almighty', the whole world would have enjoyed it. Too serious and very not acceptable message led this film to fall. No, it is not worth a watch for people with the open mind, unless this is what you were looking for. _3/10_

viha: As a person who doesn't believe in any sort of gods, somehow, I watched this movie. And I have to say that I almost regretted immediately the wasted time. But not fully, and here is why. Disclaimer: I haven't read the novel; whatever I say pertains only to the movie. Please, do not refer to the book. This is not a review of the novel. From the perspective of artistic value, the movie is pointless for a non-religious person. The main point of the whole movie can be described as: "You must forgive, no matter what happens. There is the god's plan for everything and everybody. You must believe" And my first and last question, "Why?" remained without an answer. And perhaps, for some people, this sounds like a relief — a consolation to keep moving forward and live without regret for their actions and the things that happened to them and their loved ones, no matter how bad those things were. But I refuse to accept this kind of life stance. I refuse to believe that our lives are already planned by someone or something else, and we cannot change anything. I refuse to believe that we don't choose and take responsibility for our actions. This conception deprives us of freedom because someone has already decided for us. And it is always so easy to say that something happened because of "God works in mysterious ways" and unfortunately, many people choose this way. But I also have to admit that this movie gave me a really good understanding of how religion works in the world. How churches and other religious structures try to exploit people's weaknesses. Thanks for that. If you already agree with my position and find nothing new here, I recommend not watching this movie and pass by

Wuchak: **_Field of Dreams, but with God_** After a tragedy, a disillusioned husband & father (Sam Worthington) ventures out to a remote cabin in Oregon to have it out with the Creator. Radha Mitchell is on hand as the wife while Graham Greene shows up in the last act. Based on the novel from ten years earlier, "The Shack" (2017) is a drama/fantasy in the mold of the heralded “Field of Dreams,” just focused on struggling with the LORD (which is what ‘Israel’ means in the Hebrew). As I was watching, it struck me that this ain’t no cheap indie. I discovered later it cost $20 million to make, which is a lot for this kind of flick (the excellent “War Room,” for instance, only cost $3 million). Like “War Room,” it was a surprise hit at the box office. I thought it did a good job of tackling some of the most difficult questions of life, like how can a good God allow evil and suffering? The script is full of meaty material on which to reflect, but the movie needed tightened up since it seemed to drag. Still, the locations are great (listed below) and the main actors rise to the challenge (although the scenes involving Kate at the end could’ve been done more effectively, which is just a quibble since they just flash by). A critic complained that it “changed the biblical narrative,” but it’s not based upon any biblical account and takes place in the modern day. As such, there’s some leeway in depicting the Almighty and the corresponding tri-unity. Some might criticize the character of Sarayu, but isn’t the Holy Spirit represented by a dove in the Bible? Is that a masculine comparison or feminine? Also, the Lord said “Spirit gives BIRTH to spirit” in John 3:6. Is giving birth (physically or spiritually) a masculine trait or a feminine one? As far as doctrine goes, the movie plays down the wrath of God without totally omitting it. Unfortunately, it confuses casting cares on God with forgiveness, which is typical in Christian circles. I’m talking about the idea that believers are obligated to forgive everyone for everything all of the time, no conditions whatsoever, which is completely unbiblical and a widespread myth. People who teach this are really talking about casting one’s cares on the LORD, which should be done across the board, absolutely, whatever the burden or offense (see Psalm 55:22). Concerning forgiveness, to ‘forgive’ literally means to dismiss the charge or offense. Believers are only obligated to forgive the penitent. For instance, in the Lord’s hypothetical scenario in Matthew 18:15-17, he plainly said that the impenitent offender was to be disfellowshipped from the assembly and treated like a tax collector, which means he was NOT forgiven. Also see Luke 17:3-4. If he eventually apologizes then, sure, forgive and wholeheartedly so. As far as heinous crimes go, it’s utter folly to forgive in such cases because, if you dismiss the charge (that is, forgive), you naturally won’t press charges and the offender will get away with his horrible crime, which promotes lawlessness. Keep in mind the Bible makes it clear that the LORD loves justice and hates crime (Isaiah 61:8). Rather, believers are to submit to the governing authorities (and the moral laws thereof) because they are “agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer,” aka the criminal (Romans 13:1-6). Once the thug is in prison paying for his gross crime, you can forgive him IF he wisely turns from his sin. So, by all means, cast your cares on the LORD in all situations because “he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7); this is healthy. But forgiveness of serious offenses is reserved for the repentant. Keep in mind that God only forgives the penitent (1 John 1:9) and we are called to “forgive AS the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). When did God forgive you? Only when you humbly ’fessed up. It runs 2 hours, 12 minutes, and was shot in British Columbia (Mission, Cultus Lake and Stawamus Chief Park), as well as Oregon (Multnomah Falls and Wallowa Lake State Park). GRADE: B/B-