And God Spoke

Starring:Michael Riley, Stephen Rappaport, Tamara Mello, Ashlie Rhey, Monique Parent, Lisa Comshaw, Jensung, Daniel Tisman, Tino Orsini, Jason Edwards, Peter Macdissi, Nathalie Canessa-White, RenÃ©e Felix, Darlene Waye, Christy Taylor, Damara Reilly, Susan Rejba, Robert Berrett, Mansell Rivers-Bland, Simon S. Williams
Director: Arthur Borman
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The World Was Created In Six Days. It Was Beautiful. But It Was Over Budget.

In the tradition of This is Spinal Tap comes this hilarious, critically acclaimed "mockumentary" about low budget moviemaking.

System Requirements:

Starring Stephen Rappaport, Michael Riley

Directed by Arthur Borman

Produced by Mark Borman, Richard Raddon

Running time: 82 minutes

Average customer rating:

I'm being a bit generous.
Al Franken's On a Mission
I wish I could give it more stars
A great look into Al Franken's life.

Al Franken - God Spoke
Starring: Michael Medved , Al Franken , Ann Coulter , and Sean Hannity
Director: Nick Doob , and Chris Hegedus
Manufacturer: Docurama
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000NDIAP6
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Amazon.com

In God Spoke, Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus (The War Room) shine a light on political satirist Al Franken. The "flaming sword of justice" explains his left-leaning career like this, "They [right-wing pundits] say something ridiculous, and then I subject them to scorn and ridicule." The filmmakers, longtime associates of cinéma verité pioneer DA Pennebaker, take a fly-on-the-wall approach towards Franken's activities around the time of the 2004 presidential election and afterwards as he explores a run for the US Senate in 2008. They look at the (unsuccessful) lawsuit Fox News filed against him for swiping their tagline, his involvement in the upstart Air America network, and his dust-ups with Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved, and Bill O'Reilly, who describes him as "a vile human being." Along the way, they follow the Minnesota-born comedian on book tours and speaking engagements, occasionally flashing back to his two-decade long stint on Saturday Night Live. God Spoke is an expansion of the Sundance Channel short The First Amendment Project: Fox vs. Franken and covers some of the same ground as HBO's America Undercover: Left of the Dial. In other words, there isn't a ton of new material here, but this "fair and balanced" profile represents an entertaining introduction to a multi-talented individual. Without Franken, it's hard to imagine a place in the world for The Daily Show and other media designed to expose "lies and the lying liars who tell them," as his 2003 bestseller would have it. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

I'm being a bit generous........2007-05-14

In my rating system, this should be 3 and 1/2, stars, but I gave it four because I think Franken is a necessary counterbalance to the propagandists he debunks. It's a bit shallow and feels more like an extended campaign ad for his (I hope successful) Senate bid.
The Buddy Hackett joke was the high point for me, but his deconstruction Brit Hume's lying abuse of statistics for some high-schoolers is a wonderful illustration of why an educated electorate is necessary for a functioning democracy.

A political aside: as a non-American, I have no trouble in recognizing that the invasion of Iraq is "the supreme war crime", as unprovoked wars of aggression were described by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, and am always amused and a little dismayed at how this fact is always outside the acceptable limits of opposition to the current Occupation, even among "liberal" Americans like Franken. Political expediency, I suppose.

Franken's fans will enjoy this light-weight documentary and get a few chuckles from it. It's a user-friendly introduction to the man for those who don't know him. People who don't understand the term "oxymoron", particularly as it applies to Fox News, will hate it and those looking for an in-depth examination of Franken's politics, the nature of his Senate run or the travails of Air America radio will find nothing of substance.

Al Franken's On a Mission.......2007-05-10

This was very funny; it begins with a whole bit at the front about how God spoke to him. Although it is really a documentary about the evolution of Al Franken specifically the why and how of his journey from writer and sketch comedian on SNL to humorous political pundit and satirist.

It shows his mission to give the voice of liberal dissent an outlet via Air America Radio and his contemplation of running for the senate in '04 after the death of Paul Wellstone. What was interesting for me was the glimpse into conservative radio and TV personalities and by that I do mean personalities not broadcast journalists including Hannity, O'Reilly, Michael Medvid (former movie critic) and Neal Boortz (contender for the title of Right Wing Megalomaniac). Then there is Ann Coulter, the Heidi Fleiss of the right; too bad All Franken did not know at the time she plagerized her columns and book or it would have been a more intense encounter.

This was fun and revealing because you get a glimpse in to Franken's private life and meet his wife and get to see him in his off time. If you are a Franken fan and want a humorous glimpse in to his life this is for you.

I wish I could give it more stars.......2007-05-03

I feel as though I must start this review by saying that I am not American. I am Australian, a Democrat supporter (or should that be, a Bush basher?), and love reading or watching evidence which shows your current Administration in their true light. That is, liars, self serving, incompetant, embarrassing and arrogant.

I am a fan of Franken, and as we also receive the Fox News channel down here, I have come to despise O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter, and company. This is why I was hoping I could highly rate this DVD.

I found it extremelly slow and at times, simply boring. I have laughed with delight at Franken's books, together with an array of his TV and audio commentaries.

The official Amazon review states, "The filmmakers, longtime associates of cinéma verité pioneer DA Pennebaker, take a fly-on-the-wall approach towards Franken's activities around the time of the 2004 presidential election and afterwards as he explores a run for the US Senate in 2008."

True. However, when I think "fly on the wall" approach, I usually think about interesting items which the public don't usually get to see, and which help to show the true nature of a person or situation. It seems their version of this simply means following Al around with a camera and recording nothing of any great value.

One of the main selling points of this DVD for me, was this line. "They look at the (unsuccessful) lawsuit Fox News filed against him for swiping their tagline." I would have loved to have seen the true story behind this, however it was simply mentioned, not discussed at length.

Also, "and his dust-ups with Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved, and Bill O'Reilly, who describes him as a vile human being." Disappointed again. Anyone who is a fan of Al, or indeed a fan of the other players mentioned, would already know about the fueding. Although I learnt nothing new, it confirmed to me that O'Reilly and Hannity are annoying, insignificant pests, and that Coulter indeed belongs in an institution. I was reminded a couple of times during this film how disturbed Coulter is. If she was not a 'long legged blonde', would anyone even listen to her?

Although warned in the review, "... there isn't a ton of new material here, but this "fair and balanced" profile represents an entertaining introduction to a multi-talented individual." I was still disappointed. Not so much at the lack of new material, but really at the lack of anything.

24 hours later and I am still waiting for a light bulb to shine over my head, and to realise what I have missed. So far, nothing.

Keep up the great work Al, I'll forgive you for this one.

A great look into Al Franken's life........2007-04-28

This movie captures Al Franken during some of his more interesting moments; for example:

1. Fighting with Bill O'Reilly.
2. Arguing with Sean Hannity.
3. Helping to start Air America.
4. Entertaining the troops in Iraq.
5. Arguing with Michael Medved.
6. Talking with Ann Coulter.
7. Covering the Republican convention while being blocked by goons.
8. Meeting enemies at a conservative party.

It is well made and gives an interesting insight.

Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Excellent mockumentary in the Spinal Tap mode!!!
chronicles the troubled production of filmmakers
Okay mockumentary
...And it was funny..
"I thought they meant Hulk Hogan. No... It's the green one."

And God Spoke
Starring: Michael Riley , Stephen Rappaport , Tamara Mello , Ashlie Rhey , and Monique Parent
Director: Arthur Borman
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00009NHAL
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Product Description

The World Was Created In Six Days. It Was Beautiful. But It Was Over Budget.

In the tradition of This is Spinal Tap comes this hilarious, critically acclaimed "mockumentary" about low budget moviemaking.

System Requirements:

Starring Stephen Rappaport, Michael Riley

Directed by Arthur Borman

Produced by Mark Borman, Richard Raddon

Running time: 82 minutes

Customer Reviews:

Excellent mockumentary in the Spinal Tap mode!!!.......2006-09-21

And God Spoke is one hilarious mockumentary thats similar to This Is Spinal Tap!!! Most of the cast are basically unknowns but they do a great job here!!! There are also some great "name" cameos by Soupy Sales,Eve Plumb,Andy Dick and Lou Ferrigno!!! This great comedy is full of laughs!!! A true cult classic!!! It's presented in full frame and extras free,but it's great to have it finally on DVD!!! Two thumbs up!!! Five stars!!! A+

chronicles the troubled production of filmmakers.......2006-06-02

Arthur Bowman's mockumentary chronicles the troubled production of filmmakers Clive Walton (Michael Riley) and Marvin Handleman's (Stephen Rappaport) biblical epic, ...AND GOD SPOKE. Playing like a THIS IS SPINAL TAP for the indie movie crowd, Bowman's film is a witty farce which undoubtedly inspired films like LIVING IN OBLIVION, THE INDEPENDENT, HOLLYWOOD NORTH, and THE REAL OLD TESTAMENT.

Rather than setting Clive and Marvin up for eventual failure, the audience is made privy to their previous stellar achievements (DIAL "S" FOR SEX and NUDE NINJAS). We know that these guys are clueless as they wax philosophic about the built-in audience for a Bible picture ("You can't lose adapting that book"). While the initial draft of their script came in at over two thousand pages, Clive and Martin cut out some of the slower moving scenes from Acts and Deuteronomy.

Between the dysfunctional crew led by assistant director Bob (Michael Hitchcock of BEST IN SHOW fame) and the never-ending incompetence (only eight disciples have been cast), the studio bankrolling...AND GOD SPOKE quickly loses the confidence in the production. Reminiscent of the Exodus, Moses soon becomes the last, best hope for Clive and Marvin. Putting in an incredible performance as the liberator of the Israelites, Soupy Sales nearly steals the show from his perch on Mount Sinai's stand-in.

Other highlights include the overly-choreographed fight between Cain (Lou Ferrigno) and Abel (Andy Dick), the savvy dialogue ("Doing the Bible without Jesus is like doing FITZCARRALDO without the boat!") and the oddly familiar faces of the cast (look for Chris Kattan as a disappointed movie patron and Leonard Walsh, the unofficial spokesman for Wendy's, as an obsessive caterer). ...AND GOD SPOKE is a movie made for movie lovers.

Okay mockumentary.......2006-02-27

Low-key `mockumentary', a la This is Spinal Tap, takes you behind the scenes of the filming of a biblical epic.

... AND GOD SPOKE spends most of its time with the film's producer and director, played by Michael Riley and Stephen Rappaport. We follow them from pre-production through to post-production and then meet up with them a few years later for a curious epilogue. Oh, yeah, and Soupy Sales plays Moses.

... AND GOD SPOKE seems a lot less improvised than Spinal Tap or any of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries. It doesn't seem to come near their comic heights, either. Worth a peek if you're a fan of the genre.

...And it was funny.........2006-02-23

For any fan of cult films,and genre parodies,this is a definate must see.This is one of the best of all mocumentaries.They really aren't making fun of The Bible as they are making fun of how Hollywood,and how some of it's ilk portray and huckster our history and mythology.It also proves that you don't have to have big name stars and multimillion dollar budgets to make a great film.

"I thought they meant Hulk Hogan. No... It's the green one.".......2004-12-08

What do you get when you throw This Is Spinal Tap and Monty Python in a blender? Probably The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash. Oops, wrong review!

...And God Spoke is an exceptional mockumentary following a Hollywood "B Movie" team that has finally got their big break and have received major studio backing to make a film about The Bible.

Without giving away too much of the plot, let's just say that nothing goes as planned, from casting to filming to the meetings with The Bigs. The project is rapidly going down the toilet, the studio's pulled out, financial troubles are fierce, and bankruptcy is narrowly averted... but, in the face of all these challenges, can the show maintain its calling to be true to The Script?

A masterfully done low budget movie about low budget moviemaking with cameos from Charlie Rose, Soupy Sales, Eve Plumb (Jan Brady), and Lou Ferrigno as Cain.

When I bought my VHS copy from a failing rental shop, this movie was out of print. This one has gone straight onto my wish list and, if it doesn't appear in my holiday stocking, I'm ordering it before the new year!

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