10. Jesus Christ Superstar
Now I may catch some bad heat from some of you but, you know what if you don't like what i'm doing then don't read my blog simple as that. Yes this movie is controversial but it's a movie and I think that there are more important issues in the world that we should be concerned about besides a movie. The film recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock-opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer, Judas Iscariot (played by Carl Anderson) who has begun to believe that Jesus (played by Ted Neeley) has sold out and started buying into the mythology that's quickly springing up around him. Particularly disturbing to Judas is the relationship between Jesus and his friend Mary Magdalene (played by Yvonne Elliman), a prostitute. When Jesus throws a temper tantrum at the moneylenders in a temple, Judas determines to work with the Pharisees who want to put Jesus on trial as a false prophet. Jesus Christ Superstar has a rating of 57% on rottentomatoes.com.
9. Mallrats
Now some will ask why is this film on here and i will answer by saying that it takes place around Easter (like most Kevin Smith films). The film details the pointless story of T.S. (played by Jeremy London) and Brodie (played by Jason Lee), two suburban New Jersey slackers who decide to head to the mall in search of solace after being dumped by their girlfriends (played by Shannon Doherty and Claire Forlani, respectively). There the two young men machinate to appear on a game show being staged and also manage to meet comic-book magnate Stan Lee. However, complications arise when the girls show up. Mallrats has a rating of 54% on rottentomatoes.com.
8. Dead Snow
Now you are really wondering why this is on here, well it takes while kids are on Easter vacation. Eight medical students on a ski trip to Norway discover that Hitler's horrors live on when they come face to face with a battalion of undead Nazi soldiers intent on devouring anyone unfortunate enough to wander into the remote mountains where they were once sent to die. Dead Snow has a rating of 66% on rottentomatoes.com.
7. Ben-Hur
This movie is amazing and it has some of the best visuals and action that I have ever seen form a movie from the 1950's. A rebellious Israelite Jew named Judah Ben-Hur (played by Charlton Heston who takes on the Roman Empire during the time of Christ.Ben-Hur was nominated for 12 Academy Awards including Best Pictures, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Special Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Music and Best Sound Recording while winning 11 (Best Pictures, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Special Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Music and Best Sound Recording) and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.
6. Critters 2: The Main Course
So I take it horror and Easter go hand-in-hand with each other? The people of the Kansas town first menaced by the little, furry creatures find that they are not yet safe as they are again assaulted when the creatures reproduce. Charlie (played by Don Opper) is joined by Lee (played by Roxanne Kernohan) as all join forces to save the town. Critters 2: The Main Course has a rating of 33% on rottentomatoes.com.
5. Hop
What can I say? I'm a sucker for kids movies. For the past 4,000 years, the Easter Bunny has brought joy and candy to kids all across the globe; however, the time has come for a new Easter Bunny to take over the tradition. But while EB (voiced by Russell Brand) is the next in line to receive the official title, he couldn't care less about becoming the official bearer of chocolate eggs and jellybeans. Escaping to Hollywood in a bid to find fame and fortune, EB hops in front of an oncoming car driven by Fred (played by James Marsden), who agrees to give him a place to recover until he's healthy enough to hop along home. Now, the harder Fred struggles to stop his furry new companion from sending his life into a tailspin, the more satisfaction he begins to get out of his newfound responsibility. With a little luck and a whole lot of patience, Fred just might become the man who saved Easter for everyone. Hop has a rating of 25% on rottentomatoes.com.
4. Easter Parade
I'm a huge fan of Fred Astaire and I really enjoy this movie. A dancer named Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) grooms a chorus girl named Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) to be his partner. Easter Parade was nominated for and won 1 Academy Award for Best Original Score and it has a rating of 89% on rottentomatoes.com.
3. The Robe
I'm a huge Richard Burton fan (on-screen only) as well and I really enjoyed this movie. A wastrelly Roman tribune named Marcellus Gallio (played by Richard Burton) is assigned by a weary Pontius Pilate (played by Richard Boone) to supervise the crucifixion of Christ. After the Seven Last Words, the jaded Gallio wins Christ's robe in a dice game. Gradually, the mystical influence of the holy garment transforms Gallio from a roistering cynic into a True Believer--at the cost of his own life, which he willingly gives up in the service of his Lord. The Robe was nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Cinematography (color), Art Direction (color), Best Costume Design (color) and Best Actor while winning 2 (Best Art Direction (color) and Best costume Design (color)) and it has a rating of 35% on rottentomatoes.com.
2. The Last Temptation of Christ
Director Martin Scorsese has faced a lot of controversy over the years, but I don't believe it's ever been worse than when this film was being made. Yes i know it is a fictional retelling of the story of Jesus but like I said before it's a movie people, focus on bigger issues than the ones that cinema presents. The film depicts a sometimes reluctant, self-doubting Jesus (played by Willem Dafoe), gradually coming to accept his divinity and the inexorability of his ultimate fate. The Last Temptation of Christ has a rating of 83% on rottentomatoes.com.
1. The Passion of the Christ
While this is my favorite Easter themed film, it is also on a very short list of movies that I've cried while watching them. The film is very powerful and Mel Gibson does an unbelievable job. In the Garden of Gethsemane near the Mount of Olives, Jesus (played by James Caviezel) is betrayed by Judas Iscariot (played by Luca Lionello). Jesus is condemned to death for blasphemy and brought before Pontius Pilate (played by Hristo Naumov Shopov), the Roman governor of Judea, for sentencing. The roaring crowd demand his death, so Pilate orders his crucifixion. Jesus is severely beaten and made to carry his cross up to Golgotha, the hill outside Jerusalem, where he is nailed to the cross. The Passion of the Christ was nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Makeup, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score and it has a rating of 49% on rottentomatoes.com.
So ladies and gentlemen what do you think of my list and what are some of your favorite Easter themed films? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
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