The Parables Retold

This is well written, well acted, and well directed - not to be unfair, but all that came as a surprise after I'd read that it was made with $50k.

Overall it's a very talented retelling of biblical parables in a modern setting, which should appeal to broad audiences. The tone is somewhat dark and heavy, but probably appropriate when you consider the persecution of the early church. The dialogue is solid and there's enough action to keep you watching from one parable to the next.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with a bigger budget and the time to develop the characters further in a series format.

The casting tells you right away that the production team want to show you certain race is all good and others are either not so or a mix-bag at best. There is only one plot-line. The pace is slow. The acting is not bad but is not compelling. Cinematography is average. But I give it credit for trying to relate the ancient stories to modern viewers by putting it in a modern settings. In my opinions it is not so simple because people act in the social and cultural context of the time, it is going to be off in some way when you try to inject presentism to historical events such as "Hamilton" did.

We follow Dr Luke in a modern retelling of the book of Acts as he learns & writes down all the stories he's gathering about the life of Jesus.

At times it's a little corny but overall a very good modern take on The Gospels.

Listed below are the parables retold in this new modern way if you want to cross reference them with the Bible.

The parables: #1 parable of the seeds Matthew 13:1-23 #2 storing treasures in heaven Matthew 6:19-21 #3 parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 #4 parable of the hidden treasure Matthew 13:44 #5 parable of the talents Matthew 25:14-30.

A very good story developed on a TINY budget.

From the creators of The Chosen comes Testament: The Parables Retold, and honestly, this one was a pleasant surprise. Unlike the often controversial inaccuracies in The Chosen, which left me unimpressed, this film brings something fresh and creative to the table.

The story follows the Disciples on the run after Jesus' ascension, hiding from Jewish authorities who are out to kill them. What sets this movie apart is its bold choice to reimagine the narrative in a modern-day setting. Think skyscrapers, soldiers with full gear, walkie-talkies, and industrial warehouses. It's a unique take that brings a new perspective to familiar stories.

The real standout for me, though, was how they wove in Jesus' parables. They were reconstructed beautifully, staying true to their core messages while fitting seamlessly into the modern backdrop. The writing in those scenes was top-tier, making the parables the highlight of the film.

As for the acting, it was decent-nothing extraordinary, but it got the job done. The cinematography wasn't great, but that's expected for a low-budget production. Still, the potential here is undeniable. With the right funding, this concept could truly shine. If I had the resources, I'd definitely back a bigger-budget remake of this.

In short, while it's not without its flaws, Testament: The Parables Retold is a creative and thoughtful reimagining of biblical stories, and it's worth checking out.

I found this quite by accident through Angel Studios, whom I was familiar with because of The Chosen series, which is also highly recommended.

Set in a (not so distant?) dystopian future, it follows Luke as he's writing the Gospel of Luke and, through his experiences that will become, the Book of Acts in the Bible. Of course, like the aforementioned series, some liberties are taken as action and conversations that do not appear in (or have been updated from) Holy Scripture are included.

Luke and his Biblical companions - members of the Way including Mary Magdalene, James, Barnabas, John Mark and Peter - are on the run or in hiding from the authorities who want to stop the proliferation of any information about Jesus and His teachings. While in flight, five of Jesus's Parables are told, also in modern contexts:

The Sower, The Good Samaritan, The Hidden Treasure, The Talents and The Rich Fool

I'm not sure how I feel about the dystopian environment but am interested in seeing how it plays out, e.g. How well the characters will be developed as in The Chosen, but the Parables are fantastic, every one of them!