MovieChat Forums > Here Comes the Boom (2012) Discussion > Christian Themes

Christian Themes

posted 12 years ago by CaliperJo
22 replies | jump to latest

Saw this movie today with the family. I took it for what it was going to be and I enjoyed it. It was also good to see Henry Winkler. What took me by surprise was the overtly Christian appearances throughout the movie. It was not saturated with them, but lightly sprinkled throughout none-the-less. What particularly blatantly stood out were the verse from Genesis quoted at the dinner table; the songs played by P.O.D., Neil Diamond (Henry's character associates it with a type of Christian genre I am unfamiliar with and Kevin's character said it sounded like a revival), and Steve Azar; and the prayer before the fight. I've never seen any of Kevin James' movies/shows associated with Christianity so I found it interesting.

[–] Ginger42256 12 years ago

and?

by solesister "get thee to a nunnery!"

[–] cmhero 12 years ago

He plays a biology teacher teaching evolution.

[–] Ginger42256 12 years ago

Weren't there also some Jewish remarks in the film as well?

by solesister "get thee to a nunnery!"

[–] bilsnod 12 years ago

You forgot to add that he made the Citizenship Class bow their heads during the Serenity Prayer. I think some of those students were Muslims & Hindus!

[–] DaliParton 12 years ago

The serenity prayer is non-denominational. A muslim is not going to have any more of an objection to it than a christian would. Hindus are technically monotheistic too, although I don't think it is common for them to pray to God rather than one of the manifestations of God.

[–] hollywoodpsychic 12 years ago

I also noticed Salma Hayek's character wears a cross.

It's no secret that Kevin James is a Christian who tries to push Jesus in his movies. Here's what he said in an interview about it:

"My faith helps me in everything, it shapes me and I always try to glorify Him in movies," said the actor. "We all make mistakes, and if I played an angel every time I'd be out of the business. There are faulted people and there is good and evil."

Full article:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/kevin-james-talks-weight-loss-faith- and-here-comes-the-boom-83300/#D5dvmUQdKksgytE7.99

A lot of strange things happen in this world. Things you don't know about in Grand Rapids.

[–] DUKEJBM 12 years ago

That's another very pleasant aspect of this film. Just like real life, why shy away from a Christian element? Over 75% of America is Christian, why not embrace positive elements?

[–] holdensedan 12 years ago

In case you hadn't noticed the Internet is a world wide medium, hence the World Wide Web. Over 75% of the world disagrees with you DUKEJBM.

[–] kibagami_genjurooo 12 years ago

The movie is american. Americans are christian ffs.

God promises eternal life, we deliver it.
How I rose from the dead in my spare time so can YOU.

[–] lythandrel 11 years ago

Actually, we have no federal religion.. The puritans fled England to escape religious oppression, but the founding fathers of our government were largely Deist, not Christian and set things up so there was a separation between Church and State. We are free to practice whatever religion we care to without other Americans telling us what religion we are supposed to be. I suggest reading some of Ben Franklin's writings, and Thomas Jefferson's letters to The Danbury Baptists, and perhaps a bit about those who signed the Declaration of Independence and the writers of our Constitution.

[–] hollywoodpsychic 12 years ago

I'll be honest, personally I don't consider christianity to be a positive element. I'm not trying to start an argument, just stating that it would not be a selling point for me, personally. That said, I liked this movie quite a bit. In part because Kevin James' character is very likeable and quite endearing. It's really hard not to root for the guy in this movie.

I feel though that his likability here, and those themes of helping others and doing the right thing, etc. are pretty non-denominational. I definitely noticed the christian elements mentioned above but they were pretty innocuous in my opinion. It never came off heavy handed or preachy. Certainly none of it bothered me. (Although I can't say that I liked that P.O.D. song one bit, ha.)

If people watch this and come away saying "look, there are some christian morals and ideals here", that's fine and obviously Kevin James is trying to be true to what he believes and put some of that in the movie. But I also think you can come to this movie with any religious or non-religious background and enjoy it. It's not an overtly christian film. It's fairly universal in its themes.

A lot of strange things happen in this world. Things you don't know about in Grand Rapids.

[–] dxironman 12 years ago

you not only paid to watch this crap movie you actually come here and analyze it. you have no taste and you're overtly stupid.

[–] darkavenger77 11 years ago

At least they were smart enough to use proper capitalization, tense, and grammar.

And you gave her a land mine? Really?
Well, it seemed appropriate at the time.
- Ron Swanson

[–] NFlaum 12 years ago

I like how you mention Neil Diamond and Henry Winkler in your little Christian shpiel as both are Jewish.

[–] colorado_moviebuff2012 12 years ago

..i enjoyed this movie. Love it when they have scenes of people praying to God showing their faith. :)

...

[–] marc201072 12 years ago

How do you know its crap if you didnt pay to see it? It was a harmless movie. Great cinema...no...better then the Kevin James other comedies,...ya. funny and short enough to be decent. 6/10

[–] blackknight273 12 years ago

I thought it was refreshing to see religion in a positive light for once too, and not trashed as it usually is.

[–] JRichardSingleton 12 years ago

Christian movies are typically crap. This is a movie with clear Christian overtones. It's not good or bad because of it.

http://www.amazon.com/Thugs-screenplays-ebook/dp/B004W9C6IY