Gone

I truly do NOT understand why Gone was attacked as viscously as it was by the film media (there films much more worthy of the Golden Raspberry). I loved this film and was very impressed with the loving amount of dedication that it demonstrates on the part of the actors, writers and director. This was a GOOD movie: it had a strong and intelligent story; excellent and interesting characters; and real feel for the post-Apocalypse genre. I felt that the actor's everyman act worked beautifully in this film and created a sense of reality for the character and of his situation. 3 lawyers get left behind in the Philippines - awesome and amazing idea.

Overall, this is a complex and entertaining film and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in examinations of American culture and tradition, perhaps as a double feature with Citizen Cane (I am not, however, claiming that Gone was as good a film as Citizen Cane, only that they have a similar theme... what does it mean to be an American?).

'Gone' is recognized as a cult classic for its genre, end times films. 'Gone' is a well-written, well-shot snapshot into the last days as seen from a Third World perspective. Yes, the acting was not brilliant, but it took real courage to film a Rapture film in the Philippines and then get it out to a cold and callous world.

It is estimated that over 1 million people have seen this film and it's a powerful statement against many of today's American Cultural Christians who have no true love for Jesus.

This is most evidenced by the attacks on this film. Many of these ACC's (American Cultural Christians) complained about the special effects, the acting, the Filipina actress, etc, but not a single one discusses the Rapture, Revelation, or the story in a meaningful way. They leap at the chance to criticize, while never having made a film themselves. They jostle at the suggestion that Christians be allowed to make movies and cringe that somehow 'their' Christianity was impeded. As if Jesus Christ needed a 'fancier' boat to sermonize in; or the Apostle Paul needed to take a speech class.

The film has also been attacked by a select group of individuals who were determined to smear this work at any cost. They also took it 'personally' any suggestion that their motives were vengeful or mean-spirited despite brutalizing the actors and filmmakers in public forums.

They will stand before God someday and give an account.

The amazing thing is, despite these attacks against God's servants, the film, as mentioned earlier, has been estimated to have been seen by over 1 million people. Thus the Lord prevailed in the end as He always will. To Him be given glory and honor.

The film was nominated for several awards, including 'Best Christian Movie of the Year'. It also was shown at the NAB convention in Las Vegas. Imagine an end times movie being shown to thousands in Las Vegas. The film has been shown in churches and other venues around the world, including France, India, England, Japan, Singapore, and even Fiji.

So, in the end, 'Gone' prevailed despite the naysayers wishing as one critic said 'It should be gone.'

Here's the deal: It's real, it's heavy, and it's inspirational, but NOT AT ALL cheesy. Don't like that? Don't see it. I won't say much else. I will say that Tim Chey was shockingly good now that he's paid his dues with "Genius Club and 'Suing the Devil." I LOVE end times movies! I was very happy that this film never got political and blamed God for the number of "down on their luck" people that were shown, nor was the race card ever pulled out. It was also refreshing that the actor's all realized they were lost without God.

It's very funny at parts, but be prepared for some serious drama. In no ways is it cliché or contrived or boring. Let's just say that's it not Oliver Stone dramatic. This truly is a must see. To say "I laughed, I cried" would be really lame. It is the truth, though.

We know that Chey's crowning achievement "Suing the Devil" is going to take the cake, and I won't be complaining. But this movie deserves to be experienced and taken in by the masses.

Very good film. For a non-Christian viewer, as with most Christian films, suspension of disbelief may be hard or even impossible. These characters may seem unrealistic or even hokey. But for any Christian who has heard about the Rapture and what earth will be like following it, this is an interesting story with a profound impact. Dirk Been (the Survivor Christian) delivers an on-the-money performance of a non-Christian who finds himself, and Christ, as the anti-Christ is gaining control. I found the story to be chilling and scary for those left behind in another country and look forward to the next movie int he series. If there were one thing I'd do differently as a film maker it would be to show the rapture in a more detailed way. It happens and everyone seems to be looking the other way. Not that it might not happen that way, but I'd like to see the team at ILM put together an FX part that could have made it all more thrilling. Bear in mind that this movie is not about the rapture, but rather from the perspective of those left behind looking for an explanation. Watch it. learn from it.

I saw this movie as a teenager when it was first released in 2003. The promotional hype for the film ensured you did not have a clue what it was about and people who had seen the movie were asked not to reveal the ending. You went to see it anticipating something scary and thats what you got. Even 10 years later I still remember sitting in a dark theatre with my heart pumping and everyone, and I mean everyone, screaming their lungs out. Especially when everyone get suddenly RAPTURED!!!

The movie set a new and very high standard in horror movies which I don't believe has ever been equaled. The characters were great, the direction perfect and the music, which I thought was absolutely fantastic, made this a classic.

I still get scared when I see it on DVD.