Thread: The Golden Compass. Further religious hypocrisy

Movies are made for entertainment purposes, not rediculas religious beliefs, people who think that way need to punch themselves in the face. They don't make movies to go against religion, or for religion unless it's a religious movie.
I'm neither religious (thank god), or athiest (thank god again) and i'll go watch the movie for what it's made for...entertainment value.

Lucid, films can have symbolism, or deeper meanings or be giant allegories for other messages. It depends how we interpret them. A shorter version would be a poem. Trees by Philip Larkin could be considered to be a simple poem about trees, or it could be about humanity's underlying fear of death (something Larkin struggled with). You see? Films are the same, the needn't be quite as simple as they appear. It's nice to enjoy a film for entertainment values, but every so often I like to see a film that demands a little thought as to underlying meaning.

Alright Xaq, I can see your point. This is how I should have responded:

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Well, since the movie isn't out yet; I haven't seen it, but I can't imagine how Armored talking bears battling each other could have much to do with religion one way or the other.

Well, Xaq, without having seen the film yet either, I can't really comment. But having read the book on which it is based on (Northern Lights, or Golden Compass in the US) which is part of the his Dark Materials series, I can give you a reasonably reliable answer (provided they don't make massive changes to the original, which I honestly doubt they will).
The armoured bears are just part of the world in which Lyra exists in. It is a fantasy novel (more so in the first book than the others, though we see the connections later), though (to quote Wikipedia):

As the trilogy progresses, it acquires allegorical layers of meaning, introducing a broad range of ideas from fields such as physics (quantum physics), philosophy (metaphysics, philosophy of religion and, arguably, a degree of hylopathism), and theology (biblical symbolism).

I'm sorry you haven't read the books yet, and would seriously recommend them, and hope you will enjoy the film as much as I do, you sweet little man.


...God, I'm a dick.

Originally Posted by Siиdяed

Lucid, films can have symbolism, or deeper meanings or be giant allegories for other messages. It depends how we interpret them. A shorter version would be a poem. Trees by Philip Larkin could be considered to be a simple poem about trees, or it could be about humanity's underlying fear of death (something Larkin struggled with). You see? Films are the same, the needn't be quite as simple as they appear. It's nice to enjoy a film for entertainment values, but every so often I like to see a film that demands a little thought as to underlying meaning.

Alright Xaq, I can see your point. This is how I should have responded:



Well, Xaq, without having seen the film yet either, I can't really comment. But having read the book on which it is based on (Northern Lights, or Golden Compass in the US) which is part of the his Dark Materials series, I can give you a reasonably reliable answer (provided they don't make massive changes to the original, which I honestly doubt they will).
The armoured bears are just part of the world in which Lyra exists in. It is a fantasy novel (more so in the first book than the others, though we see the connections later), though (to quote Wikipedia):



I'm sorry you haven't read the books yet, and would seriously recommend them, and hope you will enjoy the film as much as I do, you sweet little man.


...God, I'm a dick.

I'd have to disagree. The problem with movies is that they cost a lot more than books do to produce. This means that in order to make a movie, you have to be sure that a much larger percentage of the population is going to want to see it than you would have to worry about with a book. Because of this, movies cannot blatantly push a message that is going to alienate a large demographic like religious people (which currently makes up about 86% of the United States).

I would not be surprised if having not read the books, I was unable to identify any clear symbolism for or against religion after watching the film. Most likely it will simply be a story about a little girl, an esoteric compass, and some burly armored bears fighting each other.

Unfortunately, Xaq's probably right.

Which is sad. That Pullman allowed them to make it under the US title instead of the original was a bad omen from day one.

Though I believe the Church will be in it, if not in this film then in the two following (provided they attain the rights ) as it's a fairly inescapable part to the story. Asriel's attack on the Kingdom of Heaven (and the founding of his Republic of Heaven), when we see God, Metatron, all the angels, etc.

.... ITS NOT A COMPASS!!!

It's an aletheometer!!!

Argh why, why was this done!!!

And i much prefer the book covers if the UK version to...

UK:



USA( and other countries i believe)( I DESPISE THAT FIRST NON UK COVER!, thats not Iorek that's a wussy bear!!):

The Golden Compass refered to in the US title is not the alethiometer, it was originally to be the series name and refered to the drawing instrument of the same name.

Why I have no idea.

American publishers simply thought it would be more simple for the American readers, in the same way that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
I don't know how to feel about this, to be honest.

^^

but Sin isn't it called the Golden Compass or at least Compass throughout the movie? From the trailer did he not say " it's a golden compass" to which i assume she replies " Are you fucking blind mate, wheres North on this thing, i see an eagle, a skeleton, a heart and a load of other random crap."

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

.... ITS NOT A COMPASS!!!

It's an aletheometer!!!

Argh why, why was this done!!!

And i much prefer the book covers if the UK version to...

UK:



USA( and other countries i believe)( I DESPISE THAT FIRST NON UK COVER!, thats not Iorek that's a wussy bear!!):

Wow. You're right; the US cover has a pussy bear on

yeah it might have been better if it was produced in Britain by British people. After all it's a British Author and it's set mainly in Britain( bar the traveling, but i mean London is in a large part of all three books).

Ah well, since it comes out on the 5th. I'll probably watch it sat/sun 8th or 9th or the weekend after.

Hey, isn't that the polar bear from the coke commercials?

Originally Posted by Replicon

Hey, isn't that the polar bear from the coke commercials?

Don't say that, then the christian's will ban coke next.......

Originally Posted by LucidFlanders

Movies are made for entertainment purposes, not rediculas religious beliefs, people who think that way need to punch themselves in the face. They don't make movies to go against religion, or for religion unless it's a religious movie.
I'm neither religious (thank god), or athiest (thank god again) and i'll go watch the movie for what it's made for...entertainment value.

Think about this. Think.


You're condemning movies which have a message in favour of sheer entertainment. If you had your way I assume we'd be stuck with Oscars being awarded to "Home Alone 19" at the moment; rather than something absolutely brilliant such as "The Lives of Others", which carries a strong message, with little in the way of face on entertainment in the way of explosions.

So really, I think to paraphrase what we're both saying...

EPIC FAIL

Originally Posted by Carôusoul

Think about this. Think.


You're condemning movies which have a message in favour of sheer entertainment. If you had your way I assume we'd be stuck with Oscars being awarded to "Home Alone 19" at the moment; rather than something absolutely brilliant such as "The Lives of Others", which carries a strong message, with little in the way of face on entertainment in the way of explosions.

Oh god there are like 4 or 5 of those. The first few were OK, but after that it got dumb. Oh no a kid all alone in the house, he will kick your adult butt.

Home Alone had a deep underlying message that was shown via symbolism, allegory and deep, deep metaphorical imagery:

Paedophiles always lose

Originally Posted by Siиdяed

Home Alone had a deep underlying message that was shown via symbolism, allegory and deep, deep metaphorical imagery:

Paedophiles always lose

No wonder the pedophiles boycotted it!

Reasoned faith

That is officially the #1 biggest oxymoron ever. Congrats.