Originally posted by Razzilla Perhaps that song starting the end credits could win for worst new song... This was the first time I didn't stay until the final credits were over in over ten years...and it was due to that song...

So, despite the horrible song that prompted you to exit the theatre, what's your verdict?  Preachy?  Mediocre?  Okay? 

I wondered if it could avoid being hokey, and it sounds like the movie was hokey at a few points, but all in all, turned out to be a, what, nice film?  Okay film?  Mediocre film?

With Sunday's per screen average way down, I thought I would have to fork out the top bucks and check it out.  After all, I said "Wait a minute" a few times.  But now I feel I can wait for either a cheap theatre showing, or a DVD release.

Originally posted by Movie Man LINK to my review of the movie. http://www.everyonesacritic.net/movie_review.asp?ratingid= 650467

LINK to my review of the movie:

http://www.everyonesacritic.net/movie_review.asp?ratingid= 650467

LINK to Box Office Mojo #s for ULTIMATE GIFT...

Take a look again at that per screen average ($565 per screen at 797 screens for a total of $450,000) when compared to the other movies above it.  It out-earned 7 of the 12 movies above it per screen.  What's more, it was only available on 797 screens, as you'll see under its title; it probably would have made more on a larger distribution.

All that doesn't mean it doesn't suck, especially when you consider it was a brand new inspirational movie countering against the megahit 300.  The two movies should have drawn different audiences, and The Ultimate Gift should have done better that it did (although nowhere near as well as 300).  Compare its opening weekend numbers to Borat, which opened in 837 theatres at over $11,000 a screen.  Mind you, not even 300 has a per screen average like that, but it still helps to look at both what it did during the weekend itself and what it could have done.

In short, I still would have to see it before I shred it.

Chart courtesy of Box Office MoJo...

13

THE ULTIMATE GIFT  The Bigger Picture  797

$450,000 -- / $565 $450,000  / 1

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Response from Head RAZZberry: Looks like we made the right choice as Worst of the Weak again.

$565??  That's almost down in DIRTY LOVE territory!

Sounds like a megachurch...

Originally posted by Movie Man It's advertised as a Christian movie, but all the Christian themes will be left out---only the main plotline will remain.

The Ultimate Gift, based on what I found on the Internet, is a fictional story written by Jim Stovall who, although blind, won a gold medal in weightlifting.  The story seems more motivational than religious, more like Chicken Soup For The Soul or All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, except in novel form. 

From the Financial Planning Association website, you'll find this:

"The premise for the TUGX/FPA alliance is the novel, The Ultimate Gift, authored by Jim Stovall, which provides readers with an enlightened view of the non-financial aspects of wealth and how their alignment with financial wealth resources lead to a more fulfilled life and a powerful legacy left to others."

Taking all that into account, it seems the big trick with this movie would be that it avoids being preachy, cheesy and pollyanna.  I'll be wanting something more like Hercules going through his various tests than a motivational speaker persuading me to improve my life ($250, please!).  Another challenge is for the movie to avoid narration, because, except for rare occasions, narration brings a movie down. 

If done right, we'll have The Pursuit of Happyness, The Karate Kid or Stand and Deliver.  If done badly, we'll remember this one for the Razzies.

The way this film is being marketed looks suspiciously like a "Christian" film a so-called "friend" of mine dragged me to many years ago. When the lightrs came up after the movie, a representative from Billy Graham's organization stood up and asked "how many people here came to Christ" as a result of seeing the film -- And my "friend" turned to me with a "knowing look" on her face.

Needless to say, I did not speak to that "friend" for many years afterward...

IT HAS NOTHING to DO with SCIENTOLOGY...SO WHY DOES ULTIMATE GIFT MAKE US THINK of THAT WACKO RELIGION, and ITS STREET CORNER "PERSONALITY TESTS"??

IT'S MEANT to BE a TREATISE on WHAT REALLY MATTERS in LIFE...YET SOMETHING ABOUT IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE WE'RE GONNA GET BRAIN-WASHED IF WE GO SEE IT. FEEL FREE to LET US KNOW BELOW IF IT GIVES YOU THE WILLIES, TOO...OR NOT...

"Oh, my God -- How did I wind up inside Disneyland's Thunder Mountain Railroad...and not even on the train??"