The Second Coming
Currently watching The Second Coming with Christopher Eccleston. I am probably biased because I adore CE, but so far it's really good! It's an interesting concept - a regular guy all of a sudden getting an "epiphany" of some sort, one that makes him realize he's the son of God.
First thing, there are some Doctor Who alum are involved in this story (Clive, Sky Silvestry, RTD) and while Clive makes me want to hit him for being such an idiot - Lesley Sharp (Sky) is very believable as a skeptical Judy. RTD, an atheist, wrote the story in hopes to provoke debate about religion (Wikipedia).
Now for the story, Christopher Eccleston plays Steve Baxter, a normal man who realizes he is the Son of God. After a "demonstration" in the local stadium (there is sunlight shining within the stadium where he is while it is still nighttime surrounding the place), he states that there will be Third Testament written by the people themselves delivered to him in 5 days so that they may start anew. If this Third Testament isn't written by then, then there will be a Judgment Day and then...nothing.
The story itself is both intriguing and a bit scary. It made me start wondering about the things Judy was seeing and what Steve was talking about in reference to everyone as a whole. I'm not a religious person myself, but I grew up in the Catholic religion and I think that RTD succeeded in writing a thought-provoking piece on religion in modern day. In my opinion, he didn't write a "atheism is the best choice" piece - I think it was meant more to reflect on what we do believe and what it means to us. Part of me wanted to say that perhaps Steve was a lunatic like how they were calling him in the beginning - but who can make the sun shine in the dark?
Steve's friends, whom he saves in what is called his second miracle, become his disciples. It brings to mind the theory that Mary Magdalene was one of the disciples of Jesus (in this story I believe that Judith is very loosely based on her...). Ultimately the Third Testament is given and the result is very surprising (I'm not going to give it away!).
I'm unsure who to recommend this movie to...I want to warn people who are religious because they may take offense - but then again I think everyone can take something out of it (I can blame this on my being an open-minded person - and that should be your warning). What I took out of it was that religion is what people make of it and take from it and that at the base of it we're people and that's where our responsibility lies. There's a lot of symbolism in the movie and symbolism is in the eye of the beholder.
I had only ever seen CE in movies where he is a supporting actor, someone in the background (28 Days Later, Gone in 60 Seconds, Elizabeth), but really getting to see him in a starring role made an impression on me. You see a little bit of the Doctor in him (certain mannerisms, the way he says certain words...usually when being self-deprecating), but you also get to see so much more of him (not like that brat lol). His facial expressions often say what he can't possibly explain. This also goes for the humor that he brings to the character at times because Steve Baxter is also a man - so when he teases the crowd in order to make them cheer - the smile and laughter is endearing.
Now, what I'm about to say has nothing to do the story and is merely for fangirl purposes...if you're a fan of CE you're going to be a fan of this movie. Lots of close-ups (omg what a gorgeous jawline! Yes, I have a thing for this man's angles and lines apparently lol) of his face, eyes and hands - gorgeous. And the bit where Steve says he's a virgin...I'm not sure if it's normal for that to entice me. lol. There is a sex scene but we don't see anything - although he does take off his shirt. And if you have the dvd lol take a look at the Outtakes lol it's so funny (if you see it you'll know what I'm talking about).
All in all - I recommend this movie (but hey, I'm a CE fan so...take it as you will).