At our movie night last night at Felicia’s, one of the movies we watched was Saved! It’s a religious comedy, starring Mandy Moore, Jena Malone, and Mr. Home Alone himself Macaulay Culkin. I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect going into this movie, but I did recall seeing Macaulay Culkin on Conan and it looked funny at the time. So I started watching with an open mind.
The movie follows the story of Mary (played by Malone), a Baptist high school student who becomes pregnant and outcast. Mary questions her faith and finds salvation in two unlikely fellow students.
This movie really surprised me! And oddly enough, I rather enjoyed it! If you are a usual reader of my blog, you’ll know that religion and I don’t usually get along. Okay, we almost never get along. What I liked about this movie however, is that it was not afraid to poke fun at the stereotypical religious themes. It wasn’t afraid to go a bit over the top (and Mandy Moore did an excellent job of exaggerating her role as lead Jesus-cheerleader). At the same time, I think the movie has enough material there for the religious-types.
Almost all of the actors do a great job in this movie, except for probably Mary’s mother and Pastor Skip, who are just not believable. Moore does a great job with her character, especially since it is the exact opposite of every character she has ever played before – mean, benevolent, jealous, etc. Culkin played the handicapped guy quite well, and it was interesting to see him act again after so long. Malone did a decent job, but I think the best performance was given by Eva Amurri who plays the slightly eccentric Cassandra. Talk about nailing a character.
If you are looking for a funny movie, with a religious theme, then you’ll like Saved. If you are looking for a hardcore, everyone let’s get together and pray type of movie, you will most likely be disappointed. I liked Saved, and I look forward to new movies from Culkin, now that he is back in the acting thing. Check it out for a laugh!
MasterMaq's Blog 
You have the most neatest-layed-out blog I have ever seen. Terrific blog
Thanks man!
werd.
Despite my views on religion, I do have to agree that Saved wasn’t too bad. More importantly, it illustrates how some people take the bible too seriously word for word and that they forget the true nature of being a Christian is about acceptance.
On a more negative note, the movie had an ending that was a little unrealistic. Come on, a child with three fathers? How can you still be smiling?
Yeah thats a good call, the ending was a little hokey…but thats acceptance I guess. Poor kid.
there there Dickson, just because you don’t know who your daddy is…wait, IT’S ME! so sit down son!
Impossible! According to doctors, you are the last of your generation. Its called natural selection.
you, single-handedly prove that humans are de-evolving as we speak
you, single-handedly prove that monkeys are the ancestors of humans.
man, if Darwin was still alive, he’d take one look at you and shake his head that natural selection didn’t weed you and your Godless heathen out
If Darwin was alive, he would take a look at you and slit your throat to enforce the rule of natural selection.
to hell with Darwin, I’d slit your throat myself! what a waste of a blade, maybe you could just throw yourself off a cliff
Mother nature is calling for you. St. Helens volcano is opening up…
Mother Wong is calling for me, her legs are opening up and I hear rumbling
Your mother’s leg is also opening. She wants you back in the womb where no one can see you.
the only reason you were born was b/c your mom didn’t want you in her womb any more
The only reason you were born was because I was too drunk to get you aborted.
I think your mom should use you to support the pro-abortion campaign
oh my goodness. so mean guys.
by the way mack, are you sure that benevolent is the right word? "Moore does a great job with her character, especially since it is the exact opposite of every character she has ever played before – mean, benevolent, jealous, etc."
he deserves it for being born
I think you should be used to disarm land mines.
if you were any more useless, I think I might have a use for you and your kind: cat scratching posts
In the future, you will be cloned to serve as pylons for the safety of construction workers.
I hope 30 years from now, scientists will preserve your body, put it on display as part of the exhibit on genetic deformities and human deviation
30 years from now, you will be lucky to have a tombstone. They probably honor animals before you.
Well Megan…
"Characterized by or suggestive of doing good."
So I suppose it was the right word if we are talking about her exaggeration!
you’ll be lucky to live to see 30 more years, but at least we’ll know that you will definitely not be spawning any offspring, and that the rest of your family will be PUT DOWN
lol I wish I got splogged, I need the comments, I want a 3:1 comment to post ratio
ok mack. i just read it and it sounded odd…
LOL
Indubitably one of the best blogs I’ve ever read.
Well not the blog itself, my veneration is solemnly targeted at the feedback.
Lot’s of jabs, low blows…very entertaining stuff.
š
Sergio
(Portugal)
heh, we try to keep everyone entertained, but make no mistake, Dickson and I are actually friends, but we just happen to have acid tongues and quick wits š