Being off work for Easter at the moment I got to see two excellent films which I highly recommend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champions_of_Faith This is a documentary about well known Catholic baseball players and their Faith. I don't know what I expected but I never ,ever expected them to be so...well they may not like the word, but I have to say it holy. Holy and a real inspiration. As a bonus I got to hear a lot about a great game too. Some nice spots from theplayers in the show..
The second film is extraordinary, it is a recent Russian historical movie called, 'The Golden Empire'. It tells of a period in Russia's history when she was at her lowest ebb. The Mongol's 'The Golden Horde' had invaded and had put her population to the sword or into slavery. To make matters worse they were just getting set to burn Moscow down and there were no soldiers left to defend her. The King's Mother . Tiatela' was wicked as they come. She is shown having Russian prisoners heads off when she is struck blind (I suppose by God) and falls to the ground. Her son, the Khan gets all kinds of Quacks to cure her, including one who puts horse dung in her eyes. In desperation they send for the Russian Patricarche to cure her. This poor old guy does not see himself as a miracle worker, but the fate of Russia depends on him, so he sets off on the long journey praying to the Mother of God all the way. When he gets there he does his beast praying his heart out but it seems to fail. ..as he expected. The Khan gives him a good beating, has him stripped naked and thrown out in the cold. After a large number of Crosses, the old guy is beaten, burnt , thrown into a slave pit and his Faith is tried to the limits. But the Queen Mother at last wakes from a coma and can see! The Patriacrche is treated as a saint and sent back to Moscow. The country was saved. The film teaches me so much about the nature of Faith and Religion and about suffering Ressurection and even miracles themselves. More than anything it teaches a lot about Holy Mother Russia herself. An eye opener. .
The Orthodox later canonised the Patriarche and he is now know as St Ephraim of the Caves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephraim_of_Pereyaslavl
It will probably be released in Ireland in ten years time, Glenn. But I am looking forward to seeing it.
‘Heaven Is For Real’ Trounces Johnny Depp — Takes Third Place & $21.5 Million in Opening Weekend “Heaven Is for Real” took in an estimated $21.5 million — double what Johnny Depp’s “Transcendence” garnered — over the Easter weekend, its first foray at the box office, the New York Times reported. Connor Corum in a scene from “Heaven Is For Real.” (Image source: AP/Sony Pictures, Allen Fraser) In fact, since opening on Wednesday, the drama based on the 2010 best-selling book about a little boy who, during a near-death experience, said he met Jesus and deceased loved ones in heaven has tallied $28.5 million, the Times noted — which more than doubles what the movie cost to make. Joe Roth and pastor Thomas “T.D.” Jakes produced “Heaven Is for Real” for $12 million, according to The Wrap. “Heaven Is for Real” is also the fourth successful faith-based movie of the year, the Times noted, joining “Noah,” “Son of God” and “God’s Not Dead.” And more movies with spiritually focused themes are forthcoming, including Ridley Scott’s “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” scheduled for release in December.
