God's Not Dead 2 (2016)
April 1, 2016 7:55 AM - Subscribe
When a high school teacher is asked a question in class about Jesus, her reasoned response lands her in deep trouble and could expel God from the public square once and for all.
Trailer
The stakes in GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 are raised higher than the first movie. Consequently, the sequel is more dramatic and riveting. It also has a more direct, more comprehensive, more spirited historical defense of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, including His death and resurrection. Finally, GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 encourages Christians to peacefully protest against the forces of darkness and oppose their evil schemes to destroy our religious freedom to preach Christ's Gospel.
MovieGuide.org
"God's Not Dead 2" is filled with a sense of paranoiac persecution and seething resentment towards secular public schools, the ACLU, government interference and those who don't care for "Duck Dynasty."
Sheila O'Malley - RogerEbert.com
Trailer
The stakes in GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 are raised higher than the first movie. Consequently, the sequel is more dramatic and riveting. It also has a more direct, more comprehensive, more spirited historical defense of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, including His death and resurrection. Finally, GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 encourages Christians to peacefully protest against the forces of darkness and oppose their evil schemes to destroy our religious freedom to preach Christ's Gospel.
MovieGuide.org
"God's Not Dead 2" is filled with a sense of paranoiac persecution and seething resentment towards secular public schools, the ACLU, government interference and those who don't care for "Duck Dynasty."
Sheila O'Malley - RogerEbert.com
When the first of these came out, I hadn't heard of it until my tween niece--whose number I did not have saved in my cell phone--texted me: "GOD'S NOT DEAD!" Not knowing who this was or what it was about, I texted back, "Neither is King Arthur." I figured out later that it was my niece who'd sent the message as part of texting all of her contacts, in some way referencing the first film.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:36 AM on April 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:36 AM on April 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
Ray Wise plays an ACLU lawyer, which in the eyes of the filmmakers is indeed a Force of Darkness. I realize not many MeFites are going to flock to the theaters to see this, but I find movies like this fascinating.
Oh, and like the first one, at the end there is another call to "Text 'GOD'S NOT DEAD!' to everyone you know" so you might expect another text from your niece.
posted by Timmoy Daen at 9:40 AM on April 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
Oh, and like the first one, at the end there is another call to "Text 'GOD'S NOT DEAD!' to everyone you know" so you might expect another text from your niece.
posted by Timmoy Daen at 9:40 AM on April 1, 2016 [6 favorites]
The first film starred Kevin Sorbo as a philosophy professor who denies God publicly, and is later hit by a car. The film's protagonist is nearby when this happens, and instead of calling 911 or trying to stop the bleeding, he exhorts the professor to repent. It's basically the opposite of the Sermon on the Mount.
For all that, the first movie is unintentionally hilarious (my favorite part is the "wayward" character with an "I ♥ evolution" bumper sticker). I have a feeling this one will also not have hilarity as its intention... and will succeed at being not funny at all, in spite of the review on RogerEbert.com. Not going to watch unless I'm paid to do so.
posted by infinitewindow at 11:28 AM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
For all that, the first movie is unintentionally hilarious (my favorite part is the "wayward" character with an "I ♥ evolution" bumper sticker). I have a feeling this one will also not have hilarity as its intention... and will succeed at being not funny at all, in spite of the review on RogerEbert.com. Not going to watch unless I'm paid to do so.
posted by infinitewindow at 11:28 AM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I have a feeling this one will also not have hilarity as its intention... and will succeed at being not funny at all, in spite of the review on RogerEbert.com
I dunno, this sounds pretty hilarious as someone who's actually taken a few post-secondary philosophy courses:
"God's Not Dead" told the story of a young Christian college student locked in a battle of wills with an atheist philosophy professor who wants his students to declare "God Is Dead."
I can't recall any philosophy prof ever asking the students to declare anything, philosophy courses aren't this thing where the prof tries to indoctrinate you to come around to his way of thinking. This thing sounds like some quality bullshit, I will keep an eye out for it.
posted by Hoopo at 1:55 PM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I dunno, this sounds pretty hilarious as someone who's actually taken a few post-secondary philosophy courses:
"God's Not Dead" told the story of a young Christian college student locked in a battle of wills with an atheist philosophy professor who wants his students to declare "God Is Dead."
I can't recall any philosophy prof ever asking the students to declare anything, philosophy courses aren't this thing where the prof tries to indoctrinate you to come around to his way of thinking. This thing sounds like some quality bullshit, I will keep an eye out for it.
posted by Hoopo at 1:55 PM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
The first God's Not Dead film is indeed hilarious, but a huge part of its entertainment value is in its cartoonish villains. Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain are both clearly having a really good time playing characters who somehow, admirably, were not made up with Evil Spock goatees or Snidely Whiplash mustaches. It is absolutely worth watching for the level of sheer WTF-ery going on throughout its running time.
This sequel is just terrible. All the best stuff is in the trailer, and the great shot of Ernie Hudson breaking his judge's gavel in a rage isn't even in the movie. Ray Wise is fun, but he doesn't have much to do and he's not in it a whole lot. Robin Givens plays an evil high school principal who all but shrieks and hisses when Jesus or Christianity are mentioned in her presence, but unlike the first film we never learn why she hates Christianity so much. She's barely in the movie. Instead, the sequel spends the lion's share of its time hanging out with its Christian protagonists sitting around being bummed that people are persecuting them, wondering what God is going to do about it, and then getting really stoked when God does exactly what you know He will do as dictated by the laws of predictable Christian drama.
It's insanely boring Christian persecution porn in the most literal sense.
posted by tomorrowromance at 2:18 PM on April 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
This sequel is just terrible. All the best stuff is in the trailer, and the great shot of Ernie Hudson breaking his judge's gavel in a rage isn't even in the movie. Ray Wise is fun, but he doesn't have much to do and he's not in it a whole lot. Robin Givens plays an evil high school principal who all but shrieks and hisses when Jesus or Christianity are mentioned in her presence, but unlike the first film we never learn why she hates Christianity so much. She's barely in the movie. Instead, the sequel spends the lion's share of its time hanging out with its Christian protagonists sitting around being bummed that people are persecuting them, wondering what God is going to do about it, and then getting really stoked when God does exactly what you know He will do as dictated by the laws of predictable Christian drama.
It's insanely boring Christian persecution porn in the most literal sense.
posted by tomorrowromance at 2:18 PM on April 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
I will never see this movie as the mere description of it makes me want to put my head through the screen of my laptop, but this critique, "Persecute Me, Please: God's Not Dead 2 and the Evangelical Lust for Victimhood", from the blog Godless in Dixie, is an excellent piece that nails so many far-reaching problems with evangelical Christian political thought, literature, and film.
posted by orange swan at 3:17 PM on April 1, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by orange swan at 3:17 PM on April 1, 2016 [11 favorites]
Ray Wise plays an ACLU lawyer, which in the eyes of the filmmakers is indeed a Force of Darkness.
I doubt its a coincidence that he played Satan on television.
posted by Justinian at 3:37 PM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
I doubt its a coincidence that he played Satan on television.
posted by Justinian at 3:37 PM on April 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
It's insanely boring Christian persecution porn in the most literal sense.
I might have to see this.
posted by rdr at 10:59 PM on April 1, 2016
I might have to see this.
posted by rdr at 10:59 PM on April 1, 2016
> Ray Wise plays an ACLU lawyer, which in the eyes of the filmmakers is indeed a Force of Darkness.
> I doubt its a coincidence that he played Satan on television.
Some how, his role in Reaper has t(a)inted everything else he does for me - I first see him as The Devil, and then as whatever character he's playing.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:09 AM on April 2, 2016
> I doubt its a coincidence that he played Satan on television.
Some how, his role in Reaper has t(a)inted everything else he does for me - I first see him as The Devil, and then as whatever character he's playing.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:09 AM on April 2, 2016
God died when he watched this movie.
posted by FallowKing at 10:32 AM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by FallowKing at 10:32 AM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
The first one is absolutely absurd. Great movie to watch with some like-minded friends and some whiskey.
In the same vein, I also highly recommend Christian Mingle: The Movie.
posted by Itaxpica at 11:13 AM on April 2, 2016
In the same vein, I also highly recommend Christian Mingle: The Movie.
posted by Itaxpica at 11:13 AM on April 2, 2016
In the same vein, I also highly recommend Christian Mingle: The Movie
Yeah, not so much for me. Do you ever have that feeling... "wow, this is really long, how long is this movie" during a trailer. Yeah, that's how I felt about it.
posted by el io at 3:05 PM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, not so much for me. Do you ever have that feeling... "wow, this is really long, how long is this movie" during a trailer. Yeah, that's how I felt about it.
posted by el io at 3:05 PM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
his role in Reaper has t(a)inted everything else he does for me
Under-rated fun show that also had the delightful Tyler Labine.
For me, Ray Wise is always possessed Leland Palmer first, whatever role he's in second.
posted by porpoise at 4:30 PM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Under-rated fun show that also had the delightful Tyler Labine.
For me, Ray Wise is always possessed Leland Palmer first, whatever role he's in second.
posted by porpoise at 4:30 PM on April 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Spoilers!
posted by maxsparber at 1:15 AM on April 3, 2016
posted by maxsparber at 1:15 AM on April 3, 2016
Kidding. If you don't know the resolution to the Laura Palmer case by now, that's on you.
Met Ray Wise once years ago. Nice fellow.
posted by maxsparber at 1:16 AM on April 3, 2016
Met Ray Wise once years ago. Nice fellow.
posted by maxsparber at 1:16 AM on April 3, 2016
The preview is so confusing. In what world are you hauled into court for saying Jesus in a school? I mean I know that's the evangelical fear but it's just so depressing.
Question for people who saw it - what question does the student ask Melissa Joan Hart? I don't know why the reviews don't even say it.
posted by zutalors! at 6:41 AM on April 3, 2016
Question for people who saw it - what question does the student ask Melissa Joan Hart? I don't know why the reviews don't even say it.
posted by zutalors! at 6:41 AM on April 3, 2016
I'm rather disappointed the torrent scene hasn't done anything with this yet. I guess even they have standards. I'm down to watch the first one, though, which is available by such methods. Thanks for the tip.
posted by naju at 4:00 PM on April 3, 2016
posted by naju at 4:00 PM on April 3, 2016
I'm down to watch the first one, though
UPDATE: I MADE A MISTAKE
posted by naju at 10:46 PM on April 3, 2016 [12 favorites]
UPDATE: I MADE A MISTAKE
posted by naju at 10:46 PM on April 3, 2016 [12 favorites]
As a Christian, I just want to make it clear that we mostly know these are profoundly dumb movies, even if they do let us watch Leland Palmer plot against Jesus like a parallel universe Captain Planet villain.
I prefer Dark Dungeons for my evangelical lunacy.
posted by pattern juggler at 2:35 AM on April 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
I prefer Dark Dungeons for my evangelical lunacy.
posted by pattern juggler at 2:35 AM on April 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Question for people who saw it - what question does the student ask Melissa Joan Hart? I don't know why the reviews don't even say it.
Hart is a history teacher, and she's talking about Gandhi and MLK Jr. in the class. The student asks if their approaches to nonviolent protest are similar to what Jesus says in the bible. Hart gives a pretty straightforward answer that is very carefully worded to be as neutral as possible and just acknowledges that yeah, Jesus was probably a reference point for THE REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Incidentally, there is no transition between the end of that scene and the next scene when Hart is being hauled out in front of the head of the school board and taken to task. It is super confusing. There is a shot that's even in the trailer of a student surreptitiously texting somebody after Hart says her "Jesus stuff" that seems to be important, but apparently not because it's never referred to again. The lawsuit is supposedly brought by the parents of the girl who asked the question in class, but there's no indication as to how they even heard about the "incident."
Since some other Christian film stuff has come up, I'll take this opportunity to recommend James Felix McKenney's Satan Hates You, which is an amazing live-action film that plays out like a straight-faced adaptation of several Jack Chick tracts.
posted by tomorrowromance at 6:10 AM on April 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Hart is a history teacher, and she's talking about Gandhi and MLK Jr. in the class. The student asks if their approaches to nonviolent protest are similar to what Jesus says in the bible. Hart gives a pretty straightforward answer that is very carefully worded to be as neutral as possible and just acknowledges that yeah, Jesus was probably a reference point for THE REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Incidentally, there is no transition between the end of that scene and the next scene when Hart is being hauled out in front of the head of the school board and taken to task. It is super confusing. There is a shot that's even in the trailer of a student surreptitiously texting somebody after Hart says her "Jesus stuff" that seems to be important, but apparently not because it's never referred to again. The lawsuit is supposedly brought by the parents of the girl who asked the question in class, but there's no indication as to how they even heard about the "incident."
Since some other Christian film stuff has come up, I'll take this opportunity to recommend James Felix McKenney's Satan Hates You, which is an amazing live-action film that plays out like a straight-faced adaptation of several Jack Chick tracts.
posted by tomorrowromance at 6:10 AM on April 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
As a Christian, I just want to make it clear that we mostly know these are profoundly dumb movies, even if they do let us watch Leland Palmer plot against Jesus like a parallel universe Captain Planet villain.
The scene where he says "We will prove once and for all that God is dead!" makes zero sense. That's not even what they're talking about leading up to that line. I guess the filmmakers just assume that this is probably the logical endpoint of all conversations between people who aren't Christians.
posted by tomorrowromance at 6:12 AM on April 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
The scene where he says "We will prove once and for all that God is dead!" makes zero sense. That's not even what they're talking about leading up to that line. I guess the filmmakers just assume that this is probably the logical endpoint of all conversations between people who aren't Christians.
posted by tomorrowromance at 6:12 AM on April 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
God's Not Dead
2 God 2 Not Dead
God's Not Dead: Bethlehem Drift
God Dead
God 5
God Dead 6
Dead 7
posted by Rock Steady at 7:10 PM on April 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
2 God 2 Not Dead
God's Not Dead: Bethlehem Drift
God Dead
God 5
God Dead 6
Dead 7
posted by Rock Steady at 7:10 PM on April 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
God's Not Dead
God's Not Dead 2
God's Not Dead 3: In 3-D
God's Not Dead 4: The Revenge... This Time it's Personal
.....
God's Not Dead 52: Though This Time He is Senile
.....
God's Not Dead 67: God's Baaaaack Though He Was Always Here & Totally Not Dead
.....
God's Not Dead 102: This Time We Had to Hire Non Actors Because No Professional Would Touch It Not Even Reality Show Cast Members
posted by orange swan at 6:27 PM on April 5, 2016
God's Not Dead 2
God's Not Dead 3: In 3-D
God's Not Dead 4: The Revenge... This Time it's Personal
.....
God's Not Dead 52: Though This Time He is Senile
.....
God's Not Dead 67: God's Baaaaack Though He Was Always Here & Totally Not Dead
.....
God's Not Dead 102: This Time We Had to Hire Non Actors Because No Professional Would Touch It Not Even Reality Show Cast Members
posted by orange swan at 6:27 PM on April 5, 2016
Orange swan, that article you linked to ("Persecute Me, Please") was excellent.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:09 AM on April 6, 2016
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:09 AM on April 6, 2016
☉_☉
Too close to the real thing!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:10 PM on April 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Too close to the real thing!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:10 PM on April 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:29 AM on April 1, 2016 [2 favorites]