MOVIE REVIEW: Journey to Bethlehem

[@AaronAnders-pf9fo]

Great review man.....my family put so much effort into this film and its great to see people enjoy it!!!! Its been a 17 year process for us and to see any review being so positive is such a blessing. You definitely earned yourself a sub!!!

[@CookieMovies78]

Aw, thanks! I truly enjoyed it...along with my whole family. It is just so edifying....loved it.

[@RonJP-pm7jp]

No disrespect but this movie was borderline blasphemous. “True Story” had a lot of creative liberties in it.

[@AaronAnders-pf9fo]

​@@RonJP-pm7jp "Based on a true story" is what the movie is. People didnt break into song and dance in 3 BC. Or speak english, for that matter. This is a family film, not a documentary. Joel Smallbone (Antipater) put it this way: A documentary is a picture, this film is a portrait. Taking liberties does not equal blasphemy, or else every Christian artist in the history of cinema and painting is a blasphemer. So it really comes down to what you want to see out of a faith based film, an art piece or a reenactment. But to write this off as blasphemous is a little....harsh, not to mention incorrect. There's also no reason to hop down to the comments section and blast this at the filmmakers kid.

[@RonJP-pm7jp]

@@AaronAnders-pf9fo I respect your opinion but I take my faith serious. Respectfully it doesn’t matter if I’m expressing my opinion to the filmmakers kid or a complete stranger but I do want to speak out of love so if I missed the mark with that comment I do apologize.

[@TedSeeber]

Your family may not take deep theology seriously, or breaking the fourth commandment by turning the Queen of Heaven into a modern feminist teenager seriously, but some of the rest of us still have a sense of reverence. Maybe if this were a cartoon it would seem less blasphemous. As a work of art, it seeks to treplace truth with a lie, it is about as good as the dead black eyes of Fr. Rupnik's paintings, so I guess we are in a time when bizarre heretical twisting of scripture is in vogue.

[@Equinnknox13]

I saw this film yesterday and I was super entertained. I LOVE the creativity and music. Fiona, Milo, Antonio and Joel were major standouts. The campiness was cute, sometimes a bit much for me but overall loved this film and appreciate this modern yet still traditional recreation.

[@CookieMovies78]

Couldn't agree more!

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

AMEN!!! ❤🙏

[@VictoriaRamos-jz6mb]

I just saw Journey To Bethlehem two times, one time on November 9th and the other on November 12th. I absolutely loved it. My favorite musical you guys had done. Obsessed with it. Characters like Fig the Donkey stole my heart and Milo Manheim and Joel Smallbone were my favorite portrayals of Joseph and Antipater ever. When Zoe Arnau, the shepherd girl, sang "Silent Night" while Mary was going into labor in the stable, I cried. Then I cried again at the ending. What a beautiful movie and every time a Christmas song about the birth of Jesus comes on the radio, I'm always going to think about the movie. Four things that disappointed me: Gabriel was too scary when his eyes glowed bright blue as he yelled, "MARY!" (I hid under my blanket during that scene two times), Jesus didn't cry when he came out of the womb, King Herod scared me, and Mary was just a freaky mannequin during "The Ultimate Deception". Basic from that, I'm so glad I saw the movie and can't wait to own it on DVD!

[@CookieMovies78]

Fig is definitely underrated. Thanks!

[@SargeK1]

I have seen this movie three times and cannot get enough. I am so impressed by the maturity of Fiona Paloma and Milo Manheim. More!

[@CookieMovies78]

3 times! Awesome!

[@resplendentdave7335]

Your review is spot on ! Thank you . I saw the movie and loved it ! Can we take the stick out of our rear-end and disengage our circular firing squad and just have some fun ?!! The music was wonderful , the film looked great and Fiona Palomo was fantastic ! What a talent ! I truly believe that the producers were trying to make a God honoring film and I think they succeeded . See the movie and enjoy !!

[@CookieMovies78]

Kind words. Thank you. My family and I loved it, and we’ve been listening to the soundtrack all week

[@karenhall4645]

I really enjoyed this movie. I saw it on Saturday and already want to go back and see it again. It was a fun movie with great music while still being respectful to the Christmas story.

[@CookieMovies78]

Same here! It's probably a movie we will purchase and watch each year.

[@jackz8060]

Watched and enjoyed it very much. Your review is spot on.

[@CookieMovies78]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ThingsYouMightLike]

We just watched it and were blown away. Just the perfect movie for our family. Absolutely a new favorite.

[@CookieMovies78]

Ours too. It has entered our annual Christmas rotation.

[@ThePercyJacksonDude]

I also really enjoyed this film. The songs are incredible, and I came out of the theater so satisfied.

[@CookieMovies78]

Totally agree. I've been listening to the soundtrack all week.

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

COULDN'T agree MORE!! I honestly CAN'T get enough of the Soundtrack, it's FANTASTIC, as is the Movie and EVERYONE in it!! A MUST see! What a shame it's not doing better in the Theaters! Just got the Soundtrack, SO good and can't wait to Own the actual Movie when it comes out in January, too!! ❤🙏🤗

[@rsmoromisato1282]

Went to see it with my daughters, they are begging me to go again 😊 Excellent review!!

[@CookieMovies78]

My kids are the same. Thanks!

[@japanimesekai3985]

I really enjoyed this movie. It was very funny, which I wasn’t expecting, but also had some really beautiful moments. I loved Mary’s solo, Jesus’s birth, and the soldier’s number too. Gabriel and King Herod were very funny.

[@CookieMovies78]

Glad you like it.

[@JustinTracy10]

Awesome job with this review!! I saw an advanced screening of the film and loved it!! Seeing it again tonight on Opening Weekend. 👍🏻👍🏻 God Bless you and Merry Christmas!!🎄

[@CookieMovies78]

Thanks, man! Have fun at the theater. Merry Christmas!

[@spacedog101]

The movie is not biblically accurate but it tried its best to be. They have taken ALOT of creative liberties. But then again even the story in the Bible had its own deviations with time. And oh my God, I love the songs! The nativity song, with all its ethereal beauty, had me in tears. I can't stop listening to the soundtrack. Everything about the songs (except for that goofy song sung by the three wise men) was brilliant! I personally love song "Ultimate deception" which depicts Josephs doubt and mental agony really well. I also like how Joseph is young and in love with Mary. Everyones complaining how he was a big flirt at first but I like to think it was because he was immediately drawn to Mary. I mean Mary and Joseph are quite literally a match made in heaven. Most catholics believe Joseph was way older than Mary and was more of a guardian and protector than her husband. This belief was originated to explain how Mother Mary was a virgin all her life as she was not romantically involved with Joseph. I personally find it disturbing that a full grown adult man marrying a teenage girl was more acceptable than a married woman losing her virginity to an age appropriate husband she loves. So yes I enjoyed Josephs and Mary's dynamic in the film. It's a bit awkward at the begining but it progresses well towards the end. Overall, the movie was decent. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either; it's somewhere in the middle. However the movie concluded on a very joyful and hopeful note, capturing the bright hope inherent in the story of Jesus Christ's birth. Also get this; This movie is a love story. Love story between a man and a woman, people and God, mother and child, a king and his crown. It's a family movie at its core. If you want a very light hearted rendition of the nativity, then watch this.

[@CookieMovies78]

Well said. Thank tou

[@ryan_snyder]

I saw this film and it is funny, joy, some emotion, and the songs are good. All this together they did an incredible job

[@CookieMovies78]

I agree. That was my take too.

[@colleenjensen6584]

Great review, love the insider tidbits on the creators. Saw the movie twice, amazing and joy-filled experience. All the feels! The performances were most awesome, so much talent and brilliant writing!

[@CookieMovies78]

Couldn't agree more!

[@GenoSegersGSWOW]

Cool take my friend. God Bless.

[@CookieMovies78]

Wow! Geno, thanks! You were so great in the film. My daughter is a musical theater nerd, and yesterday she silenced us all as she listened to your voice at the end of "The Nativity Song." How do you have such a wide range?

[@GenoSegersGSWOW]

@@CookieMovies78 Full disclosure, I had to go away for a few days and rest my head voice and then it' only took about 30 tries to get it right. Haha

[@CookieMovies78]

Geno, your response just made my daughter's year. She's taking singing lessons, so she's always talking about "head voice" etc.....it's all beyond my musical knowledge. Thanks again.

[@mommanash4]

The story has been told in this fashion many years ago in a book and play called "Two From Galilee". Our church has been performing the play for over 20 years.

[@TedSeeber]

And there is no outcry defending the honor of the Queen of Heaven, who apparently in this version instead of being full of grace and saying "Be it done unto me according to thy words" says "I don't want to be the mother of a savior" turning the conception into a rape?

[@CookieMovies78]

That's interesting. I'm not aware of the play.

[@John-fk2ky]

@@TedSeeber 1. Mary is NOT the Queen of Heaven. Don't insult her with blasphemous titles. She was as much a sinner in need of salvation as the rest of us. 2. She never once in the film said she didn't want it. She only says she doesn't know HOW and definitely doesn't feel worthy. I can think of plenty of things to criticize the film over, minor and major (had a HUGE issue with the ending), but there's no reason to lie. The only thing she ever says she doesn't want in the entire film is to get married to someone she hasn't even met, and that's way before Gabriel shows up.

[@sjmac1518]

Great review. Glad to see this is coming to Australia at the end of the month 😊

[@CookieMovies78]

Awesome! You’ll have to check back in after you see it down under

[@sjmac1518]

@@CookieMovies78 will do. My wifes excited to see it.

[@crstepstudy]

Well done brother. Good review

[@CookieMovies78]

Glad you liked it. Thanks.

[@bethmiller5410]

This was a perfect review!

[@CookieMovies78]

Wow! Thank you.

[@Mapr30]

❤❤❤❤ great review

[@CookieMovies78]

Aw, thanks!

[@twojackmama]

I've read some of the negative comments....all I can say is "LIGHTEN UP, PEOPLE!" This was a fun, beautiful movie that was entertaining and reminded me to focus on the real "reason for the season".

[@CookieMovies78]

Yeah, I can't let those types of comments bother me. It really upsets my wife too, but I'm giving my opinion, so I let them voice theirs as well. Either way, I agree with you - it was super entertaining and positive.

[@abigailcook225]

Part Jack Sparrow part Jafar, you are so funny. 😊

[@CookieMovies78]

👍

[@thomasvilanova9414]

I think this will be my favorite musical film after aladdin and The Greatest Showman

[@CookieMovies78]

The music is great!

[@thomasvilanova9414]

its not just great, it is Outstanding. combine with the visual characters, story, acting, colors. it is like Disney vibe but its our SAVIOUR STORY. @@CookieMovies78

[@teamstenger]

Is the movie appropriate / enjoyable for kids? Elementary aged kids (6-11)?

[@TedSeeber]

Not if you are trying to teach them the Bible.

[@CookieMovies78]

I'm always cautious to answer for other kids, but I will say my kids - age 8 and 11 (who are very sensitive) loved it. There is some mild suspension, and of course, Herod mentions the plan to kill all the kids under a certain age, but it is only mentioned. I personally think it's a film for the whole family.

[@ryan_snyder]

There is no violence or anything bad. It is just a fun and happy Movie about Mary and Joseph. They songs are good to listen too

[@TedSeeber]

@@ryan_snyder This is true. It's clean enough that I expect a deal will be signed with PureFlix to bring this to streaming soon. Of course, more than half the stuff I've seen on PureFlix has been just as theologically insane...

[@John-fk2ky]

@@TedSeeber I'd recommend not relying on any movie to do that. However, this and any other film adapting part of the Bible would actually be an excellent tool for testing how much a kid (or anyone, really) knows about the Bible by marking what parts of the story are accurate to the Bible, which are blatantly inaccurate, and which the Bible is silent on.

[@jillm9801]

Loved it ❤

[@CookieMovies78]

me too!

[@cabellero1120]

JC Superstar and Now This.... It's quite clear musical theater despises religion and people of faith!

[@CookieMovies78]

Interesting take

[@soupcastle8210]

Lol spoiler free. Is there a twist to this movie

[@CookieMovies78]

Funny enough, they made some creative character arcs that could be considered spoilers, but I hear ya

[@JudyLynnMckenney]

Cuz they added, took away things,

[@CookieMovies78]

They did. I don't think this should in any way be a substitute for the Bible, but I enjoyed it as a piece of family-friendly art.

[@joshanderson8566]

Just to be charitable, the birth of Jesus is not the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception is that Mary was conceived without original sin.

[@CookieMovies78]

Understood. Thanks for the charity.

[@colleenjensen6584]

Facts, nice share!

[@chasformer3091]

The long lost Andrew Lloyd Webber Biblical Musical.

[@CookieMovies78]

Ha!

[@lorettarobards2657]

When you put Disney in your review, I started thinking, “Oh no.” I haven’t seen this movie, but I may watch it at some point, maybe. It’s difficult for me to watch a “Christian” movie that I feel is going to be disrespectful of my Lord. I may start to watch the movie but I don’t know if I will be able to finish it. Being that artist like to give their interpretation of what they are presenting, regardless of the material, (the Bible), that’s when I think, it’s not worth it.

[@CookieMovies78]

I, personally, don't think it is disrespectful, but others feel different. I think it is silly, BUT it captured the joy I feel at Christmas.

[@JudyLynnMckenney]

I wasn't pleased with the movie

[@CookieMovies78]

That's fair

[@thartwig26]

This movie was a mockery to what actually happened.

[@CookieMovies78]

I enjoyed it, but I assumed people would have this opinion too.

[@nicholasmedina8664]

No it wasn't

[@VictoriaRamos-jz6mb]

@thartwig26, SHUT UP IDIOT! It was amazing and I'm obsessed

[@RonJP-pm7jp]

@@nicholasmedina8664I feel the same way as the original poster. Not spoiling the movie but the way the angel Gabriel was depicted is an example of the mockery mentioned in the previous post.

[@cabellero1120]

The Nativity Story Or Son Of God is better. This is an irreverent, woke mess!

[@CookieMovies78]

I liked The Nativity Story a lot as well

[@gantz0949]

The immaculate conception refers to Mary's conception not Jesus. These protestants

[@CookieMovies78]

I did some research on the typographical method in which Catholics come to that dogma. It was new to me how you believe that.

[@VictoriaRamos-jz6mb]

You leave My My alone!

[@gantz0949]

@@CookieMovies78 yea read early church father s

[@CookieMovies78]

Thanks. I’ll probably stick to Bible, but I appreciate the recommendation.

[@John-fk2ky]

@@gantz0949 I have, and it both takes awhile to get there (a few centuries) and more importantly lacks Biblical support of any kind. However, it's not nearly as bad as the connected claim that Mary was virgin her whole life. To say that requires ignoring the text in multiple areas. It literally says that Joseph and Mary didn't sleep with each other until after Jesus was born. Then there's the incident in Nazareth where Jesus's brothers are listed and at least two sisters can be inferred to exist. I know some people try to say they meant cousins, but to believe that is to insult the intelligence of the original writers. There was a perfectly serviceable word for "cousin" in Greek, and it was not used.

[@TedSeeber]

I watched it. It is a Protestant fake that has no understanding of either the source material or what happened at the crucifixion, and is full of outright blasphemous songs that make fun of traditional Catholicism.

[@AaronAnders-pf9fo]

Blasphemous....how? Making fun of Catholicism.....how? Id also like to point out that both you, a Catholic, and me and the filmmakers, Protestants, have a very good grasp of the Bible, as though we differ in some beliefs we are both Christians.

[@TedSeeber]

​@AaronAnders-pf9fo ​@AaronAnders-pf9fo Destroying the Doctrine of the Magnificat by changing the words of the Annunciation, and giving Elizabeth's lines to Gabriel. Having Herrod twist familiar liturgical phrases into a musical claim to be equal in power to God. Making Mary into a peasant even after St Matthew went to great length to show descent from King David. The rest, you would need a better understanding of 1st century Judaism for- but no Palestinian Catholic from Nazareth would recognize this Joseph or this rebellious Mary.

[@thartwig26]

It’s blasphemous period… not just to Catholicism. It makes fun of the story of the birth of Christ. Christians who don’t know the Word or the history see zero problems with this movie.

[@CookieMovies78]

Thank you for your opinion as a Catholic. It's always interesting to hear other angles.

[@TedSeeber]

@@thartwig26 I am aware that most Protestants today don't know the Bible beyond their pastor's 15 favorite verses to preach on,, and my offenses does come from a Marian theology that has a different understanding of John 19:25-29 than most Protestants have. Until this movie though, I was unaware of just how much some Protestant groups had fallen into breaking the 4th Commandment with respect to the Queen Mother of Heaven.

[@sandraclick7812]

I see nothing offensive spiritually in the making of a La La Holy Land production. It is in the grande of the very popular and successful SIGHT AND SOUND BIBLICAL PRODUCTIONS ! It may not appeal to all Christians but this year it was a welcome surprise and enjoyable movie for the majority, especially young people ! We left smiling and encouraged !

[@CookieMovies78]

I had a very similar experience. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

ME TOO!!!