Double feature: Heaven is for Real & Noah

So, I finally got to these two. Randall Wallace's (Braveheart) Heaven is for Real shows that other dimension we know is there, but did the kid really see Jesus and a bunch of dead relatives or was it that angel of light, the great distractor? I guess I buy that no one is old up in Heaven because age is a sign of deterioration and there's none of that up there. This film, based on a true story of a little boy who visits heaven during surgery to save his life, begs the question: Is there life after death? Also, why are some taken while others are left behind for a while? And, should we fear the hereafter? Will we see lost loved ones again? Moreover, if Jesus is the only one who can truly offer eternity, why is it so hard for so many to embrace that truth?

Perhaps Noah has the answer.

Yes, Noah. The film panned by most Christians as inaccurate, fabled and even dreadful. For me, the only standout inaccuracy was that they changed the most compelling part of the flood story and had Noah close the door to the Ark. (If you're curious as to who shut Noah, his family and the animals two by two in, get hold of a Bible and read Genesis 7:16b.) Well, despite this blaring omission, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Could've done without the Rock People - don't know what that was all about. Perhaps they're a metaphor for the Earth itself crying out to defend its position against destruction caused by sin and chaos. All right. Enough of those annoying CGIs. Let's get to casting.

The subtle pairing of Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe, formerly cast in A Beautiful Mind as husband and wife, is nothing short of brilliant. Here they are centuries ago as spouses facing a different sort of mindful drama. And, I just gotta say I love Russell Crowe as Noah. His portrayal shows the heart of a man who wants to please God. It is prophetic how he does an "Isaac" (See Genesis 22:6-13) with his granddaughters. And I love Emma Watson's soulful performance as his daughter-in-law. Then there's Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah, Noah's old grandfather, albeit a bit of a magic man.

The real beauty is that this story actually answers all the questions raised in Heaven is for Real. The flood represents death and the new earth life after death. It starts all over again but this time round, though the truth is still hidden in our hearts, it is up to us to enter God's ark. Well, that's how I see it. If you combine these two films, Noah finds out that Heaven is for real.Heaven is for Real trailer