What Would Jesus Buy?

I just got home from the world premiere of WHAT WOULD Jesus BUY at SXSW. It received multiple standing ovations, especially when the audience was treated to a song by the Stop Shopping Choir. It wasn't just because of Morgan Spurlock, a festival favorite, was a producer. The film stands on it's own as a world class fun and informative documentary on the cancer of consumerism.

Focusing on the anti-consumerism crusade the Church of Stop Shopping, director Rob VanAlkemade focuses on the irrepressible Reverend Billy while touching on the facts. At first Reverend Billy simply seems outrageous, but he quickly brings his message home, using comedy. VanAlkemade uses several experts, and even allows Wal-Mart representatives to counter points.

This film is a Must-See before any shopping splurge. And you'll likely find you're going to spend more time researching where you shop and what you buy. Go out of your way to see this one!

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.

Really don't understand the low ratings of this doc... I saw this several years ago and was touched by its creative message, the enlightenment to our insane consumer society, and if you don't think you are just a pawn of the oppressor then you ARE! Stop buying so much and invest in relationships and values! US has clearly lost it way and this doc points out they hypocrisy in modern consumerist America. Here are some more great docs for those who care: 1) Consuming Kids 2) Affluenza 3) Advertising and the end of the world 4) The Corporation 5) What a way to go: Life at the End of Empire

If you watch these you may be able to turn the tide on our social, moral, and environmental destruction... What would Jesus Buy? fits right in with them ... "We must become the change we want to see." Gandhi

I am not typically a man who posts reviews of films. In fact, this is my first. But after catching What Would Jesus Buy in the Village last night, I was particularly inspired. This is a great film; well-captured, well-edited, and loaded with moments of unconscionable hilarity. Reverend Billy is both a brilliant pitchman and a devoted activist, and after viewing it, I couldn't agree with his message more. With the holiday season fast approaching, I think you owe it to yourself to learn about the culture of greed that drives our unstoppable shopping, and I would be hard-pressed to think of a better way to do that than viewing this film.

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!