What do you think of movies that end with an act of God (magic or natural)? - Blu-ray Forum

Warm Gun · 04-11-2021, 01:05 AM

Some examples are Short Cuts, Magnolia and Breaking the Waves. Is it too random for you? A deus ex machina? Or do you find it satisfying, maybe even necessary?

Do you know other movies like this?

dkelly26666 · 04-11-2021, 01:11 AM

The Virgin Spring

It worked very well in that one.

The frustration lies in, "You can't be real, because you let me down" RESPONDED to with a miracle, then, "I AM real, and you'll never comprehend why I let this happen to you."

Warm Gun · 04-11-2021, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkelly26666

The Virgin Spring

It worked very well in that one.

Oh yeah!

There is also a Swedish movie from the '40s that Criterion has on DVD. Can't remember the name. Think it starts with an O.

Edit: No, Denmark, '50s. The movie is Ordet. Rather liked how it was used there.

Al_The_Strange · 04-11-2021, 01:27 AM

Haven't seen Short Cuts, but all the other movies mentioned work fine for me. These are pretty special cases where the ex machinas are inherent to the story and themes, so they have a place and it doesn't feel forced or contrived.

I would even add Raiders of the Lost Ark into the mix, with the opening of the ark revealing God's literal power. Even though that finale renders Indy's character rather useless to the plot, it is a dang chilling sight and a whopper of a climax.

It's been a long time since I've seen it, but I remember The Lovely Bones has some kind of coincidence-driven ending. Don't remember enough about it now to judge its impact on the story, but it seems to me that it takes a little something away from the tension and character agency. However, I did appreciate it at the time as a "God works in mysterious ways" sort of message.

I'm going to have to dig around to see if I can remember any others. There are surely some movies where I found it disappointing, I just can't recall them right now.

04-11-2021, 01:05 AM	#1
Warm Gun Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Dec 2020 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:650 DVD collection:103 Digital collection:2 Trading Score:10	What do you think of movies that end with an act of God (magic or natural)? Some examples are Short Cuts, Magnolia and Breaking the Waves. Is it too random for you? A deus ex machina? Or do you find it satisfying, maybe even necessary? Do you know other movies like this?

04-11-2021, 01:11 AM	#2
dkelly26666 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2012	The Virgin Spring It worked very well in that one. The frustration lies in, "You can't be real, because you let me down" RESPONDED to with a miracle, then, "I AM real, and you'll never comprehend why I let this happen to you."

04-11-2021, 01:27 AM	#4
Al_The_Strange Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Out there...past them trees... Home Theater Gallery:126 4K collection:1135 Blu-ray collection:4955 DVD collection:530 Digital collection:1013 Blu-ray reviews: 132 Trading Score:32	Haven't seen Short Cuts, but all the other movies mentioned work fine for me. These are pretty special cases where the ex machinas are inherent to the story and themes, so they have a place and it doesn't feel forced or contrived. I would even add Raiders of the Lost Ark into the mix, with the opening of the ark revealing God's literal power. Even though that finale renders Indy's character rather useless to the plot, it is a dang chilling sight and a whopper of a climax. It's been a long time since I've seen it, but I remember The Lovely Bones has some kind of coincidence-driven ending. Don't remember enough about it now to judge its impact on the story, but it seems to me that it takes a little something away from the tension and character agency. However, I did appreciate it at the time as a "God works in mysterious ways" sort of message. I'm going to have to dig around to see if I can remember any others. There are surely some movies where I found it disappointing, I just can't recall them right now.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals