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==Plot==
==Plot==
[[Chloe Steele]] ([[Cassi Thomson]]) has flown in from college to surprise her father pilot [[Rayford Steele]] ([[Nicolas Cage]]) for his birthday party. Her mother [[Irene Steele]] ([[Lea Thompson]]) quickly calls to inform her, however, that her father cannot make it. While at the airport waiting for him, Chloe meets up with investigative reporter [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] ([[Chad Michael Murray]]).
[[Chloe Steele]] ([[Cassi Thomson]]) has flown in from college to surprise her father pilot [[Rayford Steele]] ([[Nicolas Cage]]) for his birthday party. Her mother [[Irene Steele]] ([[Lea Thompson]]) quickly calls to inform her, however, that her father cannot make it. While at the airport waiting for him, Chloe meets up with investigative reporter [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] ([[Chad Michael Murray]]).


Rayford shows up on his way to a flight and apologizes to Chloe for missing his birthday party, insisting he was called in to pilot a flight to London at the last minute. He also assures Chloe things are fine between himself and his wife, who recently had become an active believing Christian, much to Chloe’s disgust. Chloe suspects things are not fine between her father and mother - she had seen him flirting with a flight attendant and notices he has removed his wedding ring. Her suspicions soon are confirmed when an airport worker hands Chloe two hard to get theater tickets in London Rayford had ordered, indicated his trip to London and possible extra-marital fling had been planned all along.
Rayford shows up on his way to a flight and apologizes to Chloe for missing his birthday party, insisting he was called in to pilot a flight to London at the last minute. He also assures Chloe things are fine between himself and his wife, who recently had become an active believing Christian, much to Chloe’s disgust. Chloe suspects things are not fine between her father and mother - she had seen him flirting with a flight attendant and notices he has removed his wedding ring. Her suspicions soon are confirmed when an airport worker hands Chloe two hard to get theater tickets in London Rayford had ordered, indicated his trip to London and possible extra-marital fling had been planned all along.
Line 31: Line 31:
Chloe brushes off another one of her mother’s preachings about Christianity and takes her brother to the mall. While there, her brother suddenly vanishes, leaving only his clothes behind. Chloe is shocked and notices this same event has occurred to numerous others at the mall. Soon, mayhem breaks loose, as shoppers begin looting the stores. Chloe sees TV reports of children and some adults disappearing, as worldwide panic sets in.
Chloe brushes off another one of her mother’s preachings about Christianity and takes her brother to the mall. While there, her brother suddenly vanishes, leaving only his clothes behind. Chloe is shocked and notices this same event has occurred to numerous others at the mall. Soon, mayhem breaks loose, as shoppers begin looting the stores. Chloe sees TV reports of children and some adults disappearing, as worldwide panic sets in.


On Rayford’s flight, the same strange event has occurred – several people, including his co-pilot, one of the flight attendants, and all the children on board, have simply disappeared, leaving their clothing and personal effects behind. The remaining passengers panic and demand to know answers. Rayford does his best to reassure the passengers he will pass on information once he has any.
On Rayford’s flight, the same strange event has occurred – several people, including his co-pilot Chris Smith ([[William Ragsdale]]), Kimmy, one of the flight attendants, and all the children on board, have simply disappeared, leaving their clothing and personal effects behind. The remaining passengers panic and demand to know answers. Rayford does his best to reassure the passengers he will pass on information once he has any.


Rayford has difficulty getting radio or cell phone contact with anyone on the ground, until he is finally informed the disappearing people is a worldwide phenomenon and the entire world is in uproar. Soon, a pilotless plane approaches directly into Rayford’s flight path. Rayford narrowly avoids a mid-air collision, but the plane damages Rayford’s fuel line. Rayford decides his only option is to return to New York and hope his fuel holds out.
Rayford has difficulty getting radio or cell phone contact with anyone on the ground, until he is finally informed the disappearing people is a worldwide phenomenon and the entire world is in uproar. Soon, a pilotless plane approaches directly into Rayford’s flight path. Rayford narrowly avoids a mid-air collision, but the plane damages Rayford’s fuel line. Rayford decides his only option is to return to New York and hope his fuel holds out.


On the ground, Chloe hears her father’s mayday call on her cell phone and assumes his plane has crashed. She later finds her mother’s jewelry left behind in the shower as she has also disappeared. She approaches the family priest who explains God has taken his believers to heaven, and the rest have to face the end of days. Rayford comes to the same conclusion by examining his co-pilot and stewardess’ personal effects.
On the ground, Chloe hears her father’s mayday call on her cell phone and assumes his plane has crashed. She later finds her mother’s jewelry left behind in the shower as she has also disappeared. She makes her way to New Hope Church to discover the family pastor Bruce Barnes ([Lance B. Nichols]]) who explains God has taken his believers to heaven, and the rest have to face the end of days. Rayford comes to the same conclusion by examining his co-pilot and stewardess’ personal effects. He tells Hattie the truth about his wife. She is initially mad and upset at him as she didn't know he was married, but Rayford convinces her to be brave and to help calm the passengers down until they land


⚫
Chloe climbs to the top of a bridge in order to jump off it end her life when she gets a cell phone call from Buck, who is in the cockpit with Rayford. Rayford explains to Chloe all the NY area airports are closed and the streets full, and he is low on fuel and has nowhere to land. Chloe finds an abandoned Land Rover and uses it to clear away the equipment from a bridge under construction in order to create a makeshift runway. She uses her compass app and tells Rayford the coordinates of the landing site. Rayford is able to glide to a rough landing, saving the passengers, who leave the plane only to see the world aflame. Buck mentions the word of it is over, while Chloe informs in that it is just beginning.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Story|url=http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/about/|website=http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/|publisher=Stoney Lake Entertainment|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref>
Chloe climbs to the top of a bridge in order to jump off it end her life when she gets a cell phone call from Buck, who is in the cockpit with Rayford.
⚫
Rayford explains to Chloe all the NY area airports are closed and the streets full, and he is low on fuel and has nowhere to land. Chloe finds an abandoned Land Rover and uses it to clear away the equipment from a bridge under construction in order to create a makeshift runway. She uses her compass app and tells Rayford the coordinates of the landing site. Rayford is able to glide to a rough landing, saving the passengers, who leave the plane only to see the world aflame.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Story|url=http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/about/|website=http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/|publisher=Stoney Lake Entertainment|accessdate=June 14, 2014}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==

Revision as of 16:48, 29 October 2014

Left Behind
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVic Armstrong
Written byPaul LaLonde
John Patus
Produced byMichael Walker
Paul LaLonde
StarringNicolas Cage
Cassi Thomson
Chad Michael Murray
CinematographyJack N. Green
Edited byVic Armstrong
Music byJack Lenz
Production
companies
Entertainment One
Stoney Lake Entertainment
Distributed byFreestyle Releasing
Release date
  • October 3, 2014 (2014-10-03) (United States)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$16 million[1]
Box office$16,046,683[2]

Left Behind is an American apocalyptic thriller film directed by Vic Armstrong and written by Paul LaLonde and John Patus.[3] The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It is one of two films based on the novel, the other being Left Behind: The Movie from 2000. The film was released on October 3, 2014 and was panned by critics.

Plot

Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson) has flown in from college to surprise her father pilot Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage) for his birthday party. Her mother Irene Steele (Lea Thompson) quickly calls to inform her, however, that her father cannot make it. While at the airport waiting for him, Chloe meets up with investigative reporter Cameron "Buck" Williams (Chad Michael Murray).

Rayford shows up on his way to a flight and apologizes to Chloe for missing his birthday party, insisting he was called in to pilot a flight to London at the last minute. He also assures Chloe things are fine between himself and his wife, who recently had become an active believing Christian, much to Chloe’s disgust. Chloe suspects things are not fine between her father and mother - she had seen him flirting with a flight attendant and notices he has removed his wedding ring. Her suspicions soon are confirmed when an airport worker hands Chloe two hard to get theater tickets in London Rayford had ordered, indicated his trip to London and possible extra-marital fling had been planned all along.

Chloe brushes off another one of her mother’s preachings about Christianity and takes her brother to the mall. While there, her brother suddenly vanishes, leaving only his clothes behind. Chloe is shocked and notices this same event has occurred to numerous others at the mall. Soon, mayhem breaks loose, as shoppers begin looting the stores. Chloe sees TV reports of children and some adults disappearing, as worldwide panic sets in.

On Rayford’s flight, the same strange event has occurred – several people, including his co-pilot Chris Smith (William Ragsdale), Kimmy, one of the flight attendants, and all the children on board, have simply disappeared, leaving their clothing and personal effects behind. The remaining passengers panic and demand to know answers. Rayford does his best to reassure the passengers he will pass on information once he has any.

Rayford has difficulty getting radio or cell phone contact with anyone on the ground, until he is finally informed the disappearing people is a worldwide phenomenon and the entire world is in uproar. Soon, a pilotless plane approaches directly into Rayford’s flight path. Rayford narrowly avoids a mid-air collision, but the plane damages Rayford’s fuel line. Rayford decides his only option is to return to New York and hope his fuel holds out.

On the ground, Chloe hears her father’s mayday call on her cell phone and assumes his plane has crashed. She later finds her mother’s jewelry left behind in the shower as she has also disappeared. She makes her way to New Hope Church to discover the family pastor Bruce Barnes ([Lance B. Nichols]]) who explains God has taken his believers to heaven, and the rest have to face the end of days. Rayford comes to the same conclusion by examining his co-pilot and stewardess’ personal effects. He tells Hattie the truth about his wife. She is initially mad and upset at him as she didn't know he was married, but Rayford convinces her to be brave and to help calm the passengers down until they land

Chloe climbs to the top of a bridge in order to jump off it end her life when she gets a cell phone call from Buck, who is in the cockpit with Rayford. Rayford explains to Chloe all the NY area airports are closed and the streets full, and he is low on fuel and has nowhere to land. Chloe finds an abandoned Land Rover and uses it to clear away the equipment from a bridge under construction in order to create a makeshift runway. She uses her compass app and tells Rayford the coordinates of the landing site. Rayford is able to glide to a rough landing, saving the passengers, who leave the plane only to see the world aflame. Buck mentions the word of it is over, while Chloe informs in that it is just beginning.[4]

Cast

Production

On August 7, 2008, Cloud Ten Pictures announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement resolving the two lawsuits against it and Namesake Entertainment, which co-produced the films. The suit was filed by Tim LaHaye. The settlement ended a legal dispute over the Left Behind film rights that began in 2000.[8]

On October 1, 2010, Cloud Ten again restored the rights of the film.[9] Cloud Ten Pictures announced that they were rebooting the Left Behind film series. It was in the news that they planned on making the remake of the big-budgeted theatrically released film series based on the novel Left Behind.[10]

On October 31, 2011, it was reported that Paul LaLonde and John Patus, who worked on the 2005 World at War together, had written a screenplay for the reboot.[11] On October 19, 2012, it was reported in The Hollywood Reporter that stunt artist Vic Armstrong was set to direct the reboot film with the budget around $15 million.[3]

Casting

On October 19, 2012, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Nicolas Cage was in talks to join the cast as a lead actor.[5] He portrays the lead role of Rayford Steele in the film.[12] In December 2012, it was reported that Chad Michael Murray was in talks to join the cast, to play the role of journalist Cameron "Buck" Williams.[6][13] On January 3, 2013, Ashley Tisdale joined to play the role of Chloe Steele in the film.[14][15] In March 2013, Tia Mowry was in talks to join the cast of the film; later she joined.[16] It was announced on August 9 that Tisdale dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. At that time, it was also announced that Jordin Sparks had signed on to join the cast. Sparks’ character is named Shasta.[17] On August 13, Cassi Thomson joined the lead cast, replacing Tisdale as Chloe Steele.[7] On August 19, 2013, Olympic bobsledder and hurdler Lolo Jones was announced as a cast member, portraying an airport gate attendant.[18] On September 9, 2013, Lea Thompson was announced to portray Rayford Steele's wife, Irene.[19]

The character Nicolae Carpathia does not appear in the film.[20]

Filming

Principal photography began on August 9, 2013 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[21][22]

Release

The film was theatrically released on October 3, 2014 in the United States via Stoney Lake Entertainment.[23]

Reception

Left Behind has been panned by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 2%, based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 2.1/10. The site's consensus states: "Yea verily, like unto a plague of locusts, Left Behind hath begat a further scourge of devastation upon Nicolas Cage's once-proud filmography."[24] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 12 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".[25]

In a review for Entertainment Weekly, film critic Lindsey Bahr writes, "At best, Left Behind is shoddily made sensationalist propaganda—with atrocious acting—that barely registers as entertainment. At worst, it's profoundly moronic. Audiences, Christian or not, deserve better, and it's hard to imagine that the ham-fisted revelations in this schlock could serve any higher purpose."[26]

Richard Roeper gave the film a grade of D-, stating that "the writing is horrible, the direction is clunky, the special effects are not special [and] the acting is so wooden you could make a basketball court out of it. Everything about this film feels forced and overwrought. With all due respect: Oh. My. God."[27]

On her ½ star review of the film, Linda Barnard from the Toronto Star writes, "The tantalizing prospect that this could have been a camp set-up of the Snakes on a Plane or Sharknado ilk pops up as Left Behind starts to echo 1970s flight deck-driven disaster films—and the parodies that followed. No such luck. Armstrong appears humourlessly earnest about his task. Score one for Satan."[28]

Many Christian film critics were even critical of Left Behind. Paul Chambers from MovieChambers.com begins his scathing review with, "There are millions of Christians with average or above-average intelligence. I’d like to think that I’m one of them. So, what possessed the makers of Left Behind to produce such an ignorant piece of garbage that’s easily one of the worst films of 2014, if not all-time?"[29]

Christian magazine Christianity Today heavily criticized the film, saying, "Left Behind is not a Christian movie, whatever 'Christian Movie' could even possibly mean. In fact, most Christians within the world of the movie—whether the street-preacher lady at the airport or Rayford Steele's wife—are portrayed as insistent, crazy, delusional, or at the very least just really annoying. They want churches to book whole theaters and take their congregations, want it to be a Youth Group event, want magazines like this one to publish Discussion Questions at the end of their reviews—want the system to churn away, all the while netting them cash, without ever having to have cared a shred about actual Christian belief. They want to trick you into caring about the movie. Don't. We tried to give the film zero stars, but our tech system won't allow it."[30]

Box office

Left Behind played on 1,825 screens on its opening weekend, taking the number six position at the US box office with $6,300,147. It also debuted in Singapore and Russia on the same day, with the former grossing $101,585 from 13 screens and the later grossing $620,636 from 470 screens. The following week the movie opened in three additional countries: Lebanon ($63,585 opening week) on October 8, and Malaysia ($303,833 opening week) and Philippines ($259,303 opening week) on October 9. All three countries had the highest debuts in the top three, with the countries of Lebanon and Philippines had the film ranked second place on their Box Office Chart. The movie opened in two more countries the following week. The film ranked eighth place in Taiwan and came in second place in the United Arab Emirates with $336,544 from 47 screens. Egypt and Brazil soon followed on October 22 and 23, taking in $24,951 and $633,096 respectively.

As of October 26, the movie has grossed $13,461,483 domestically and $3,631,807 internationally for a worldwide total of $17,093,290.[2]

Sequels

According to LaLonde, two sequels are planned, with Thomson, Murray, and Whelan all signed on to reprise their roles.[23] Despite the movie not performing well domestically, Lalonde states on the film's Facebook page that the sequels will happen. "I'm not sure what it might look like or how big it might be. But we will continue the story. We have to. The entire plan starting several years ago was to "introduce" the rapture in the first movie and then to follow the characters through the tribulation, sticking to the story from the original book series and giving the world an idea of what the tribulation might look like. That was the plan, and it needs to remain the plan. It's the plan I have laid out to a lot of people, including Dr. Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. There have been a lot of obstacles thrown in the way of this first movie and, in hindsight, it was a miracle that it ever got made. And when I say miracle, I mean it literally....It may be a challenge, but we will find a way." <ref=https://www.facebook.com/leftbehindthemovie/posts/718753211524672>

See also

References

  1. ^ "FACT SHEET". Left Behind Movie - Starring Nicolas Cage - In Theaters October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Left Behind (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 28, 2014. Cite error: The named reference "BOM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "Stunt Icon Vic Armstrong to Direct Nicolas Cage in 'Left Behind'". hollywoodreporter.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  4. ^ "The Story". http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/. Stoney Lake Entertainment. Retrieved June 14, 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  5. ^ a b "Nicolas Cage in Talks to Star in 'Left Behind' Reboot". hollywoodreporter.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Chad Michael Murray In Talks For 'Left Behind'". deadline.com. December 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Cassi Thomson Replaces Ashley Tisdale in Nicolas Cage Pic 'Left Behind'". variety.com. August 13, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "Cloud Ten Pictures announces settlement of legal disputes with Timothy LaHaye, co-author of Left Behind book series". christianfilmnews.com. August 7, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  9. ^ "Cloud Ten Pictures to Remake Left Behind". christiancinema.com. October 13, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "Cloud Ten Plans for Bigger, Better 'Left Behind'". christianpost.com. November 24, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  11. ^ "Faith-Based 'Left Behind' Books Returning to Big Screen". hollywoodreporter.com. October 31, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  12. ^ "Nicolas Cage in talks to star in 'Left Behind' reboot". variety.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  13. ^ "Chad Michael Murray Will Be Left Behind". empireonline.com. December 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  14. ^ "Ashley Tisdale joins Nicolas Cage movie 'Left Behind'". digitalspy.co.uk. June 4, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "Ashley Tisdale Joins 'Left Behind'". deadline.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  16. ^ "Has Tia Mowry-Hardrict Landed Major Role In Blockbuster Film Franchise?". elev8.com. March 25, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  17. ^ "Left Behind - Timeline Photos - Facebook". Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  18. ^ "Lolo Jones lands role in 'Left Behind' movie starring Nicolas Cage". nbcsports.com. August 19, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  19. ^ "Lea Thompson Role". hollywoodreporter.com. September 9, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  20. ^ http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/frequently-asked-questions/
  21. ^ "Filming in Louisiana: Nicolas Cage's 'Left Behind' prepping in B.R., plus full local production listings". nola.com. July 24, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  22. ^ "Nicolas Cage to shoot movie in BR". theadvocate.com. August 2, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  23. ^ a b McNary, Dave (March 28, 2014). "Nicolas Cage's 'Left Behind' Set for Oct. 3 Release". variety.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  24. ^ "Left Behind". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  25. ^ "Left Behind Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  26. ^ Bahr, Lindsey (October 2, 2014). "Left Behind". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  27. ^ Roeper, Richard. "Left Behind". RichardRoeper.com. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  28. ^ Barnard, Linda (October 2, 2014). "Tusk, Kite and Left Behind". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  29. ^ Chambers, Paul (October 3, 2014). "Movie Review: Left Behind". Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  30. ^ "Left Behind". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
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