1

CHRISTIAN MOVIE REVIEW: Ghost Town (2008)

|

  • GENRE: Comedy / Romance
  • ACTORS: Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig, Alan Ruck, Billy Campbell, Danai Jekesai Gurira, Aasif Mandvi, Uzimann, Dennis Albanese, Megan Byrne
  • RATING: PG-13
  • PARENTAL NOTE: Not for children. Some bad language and questionable situations. The portrayal of death is inconsistent with a Christian viewpoint.
  • INTENDED AUDIENCE: I believe the film makers and promoters view this film as being appropriate for children over the age of 13. I do not, because of the misleading portrayal of death. Adults, who recognize this movie as fiction, will enjoy the movie if they are not easily offended by the other questionable situations and language.
  • GENERAL PLOT: (No spoilers) A man’s near death experience (actually he “dies” for short period of time) enables him to see the disembodied spirits who walk the streets of New York.



  • REVIEW: As noted above, this film has some problems from a Christian point of view. That is, occasional foul language and inappropriate themes. Also, the portrayal of death in a manner completely inconsistent with truth, as known by Christians. But this movie is, after all, fiction. It presents a world, which we know to be false, but which is entertaining none the less. The leading character, Ricky Gervais, was the “boss” on the original BBC version of the popular, but vulgar, TV program, The Office. His character–essentially the same as his role in The Office, but slightly quirkier–is a hoot.
  • RECOMMENDATION: The story is an entertaining fresh take on a common theme. The acting is first rate. Subject to the above cautions, this movie is well worth watching, in my view.
  • RATING (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★

MOVIE RATING SYSTEM:

Start with zero (0) out of five (5) possible STARS

  • Add one STAR if it looks like the movie was made by professional film makers–not 4 or 5 guys with a camcorder.
  • Add one STAR if the film has a story, theme or plot (optional for horror and/or zombie movies); or if the movie makes any sense.
  • Add additional STARS for special effects, acting, good moral message(s), realistic zombies, scariness, interesting theme or plot and the like.
  • Subtract STARS for extreme bad acting, COMPLETELY awful themes/messages, overall INCREDIBLE trashiness, graphic and persistent lewdness, and the like.