Why the Rash of Biblical Epics in Theaters?

A new film hit the Houston multiplexes a couple weeks ago. “Son of God” is based on the History Channel series “The Bible,” and was produced by “Touched by an Angel” actress Roma Downey and her husband, reality TV producer Mark Burnett.

While the film opened to mostly poor reviews – moving just 25 percent of critics on Rotten Tomatoes’ “tomato meter” – it pulled in 20 million dollars at the box office on its opening weekend.

And it’s just the appetizer before a feast of bible-themed films headed to Greater Houston theatres this year. From Russell Crowe as “Noah” to Christian Bale portraying Moses in Ridley Scott’s “Exodus” to a prequel to Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” focused on Mary, there’s a flood of biblical epics headed our way. So, what’s with all this old time religion coming out of Hollywood?

When faced with cinematic questions, we turn to Houston’s own Joe Leydon, film critic for CultureMap Houston and Variety, and a lecturer on film at the University of Houston.

And here’s a web exclusive, as Joe Leydon and Craig Cohen continue their discussion…

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