What Would Jesus Buy?
A serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas. What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
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Reviews
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.
Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
Avoided this for a long time because I was afraid this was going to be some religious rant about taking "Christ" out of Christmas sort of lament of gifts overriding the message of Christmas.But while watching a rerun of the show Sliders (episode from 1998 entitled "Seasons Greedings") - I was reminded of this documentary and told it contained a similar message against credit card debt/overspending and equating presents iwht love.I was pleased to see the documentary was more of a satirical take on rampant consumerism, the critique being about buying people's love's with gifts, about the costs (in poverty, body parts, etc.) of the products you buy in Walmart or Disney that are made with slave labor.While some real reverends were interviewed, I was more interested in the fake "reverand" billy whose message resonated quite strongly.NOTE: Submitted to IMDb goof section, 40 minutes into the film they're at the Shattuck Safeway in Berkeley but it's identified in the film as Oakland.
Slow, boring, extremely repetitive. No wonder the Weinstein Company did not buy this. This Spurlock should eat more McDonalds while filming himself, and quit producing. There is no way you can watch this and enjoy. The preacher is a joke. The whole idea is not funny. You can make a 2 minute film with this idea not a feature. I am so sorry I rented this movie. I will never watch anything with the name Spurlock on it. It is completely garbage. Filmmakers like this should be on youtube and never be granted a distribution deal. The film states that the American Consumers and their shopping are at fault for the current depression when shopping and buying products, making money circulate in the system are the base of a healthy economy.
Bill Talen is wacko! This consumer-activist movie was way funnier than I expected. i went because the issue of celebrating Christmas by shopping is one i relate to. Talen's performance-art shtick acting like a Pentacostal preacher did not bother my Christian sensibilities at all, but there were some pieces of chapter-title artwork that blew my mind: the Holy Mother presenting the Christ Child with a tickle-me-Elmo? They were hysterical, creative, topical, surprising, and provocative in the best way. Some went by fast and I'll have to wait for the DVD release to examine them more carefully. (What WAS that demon doing to those poor doomed shoppers anyway?) Full of great interviews, informative "reporting", and Billy's bizarre antics made this way more entertaining than expected. Enjoy!
I just saw the free screening in New York City last Sunday. I have to say I am amazed that there hasn't been more films about the uncontrolled rate of consumerism that is plaguing our nation. However, certainly What Would Jesus Buy has set the mark paving the way for other anti-consumerism films. Reverend Billy is absolutely compelling and hilarious to watch. He has the charisma and virtues of a true revolutionist; yet, he makes you smile and laugh along the way. His funny and poignant sermons make even the most pessimistic atheist want to attend church just to listen to him. All I have to say is take the family to see this movie and regain a sense of not only the Christmas spirit, but the American spirit as well.