The God Memoirs (2007 Video) User Reviews

God Forsaken

[w00f · 1/10 · 23 March 2007]

One of the most tedious things ever sent straight-to-video since someone thought of pointing a camcorder at drying paint, "The God Memoirs" consists exclusively of three kinds of scenes. The first type is the film's almost-sole character staring straight ahead while smoking a cigarette and delivering monotonous lines about his philosophy of life. The second kind is of the same character pacing up and down a road or outside a house. The third are encounters with the ghosts of victims, with said ghosts standing there silently until the killer rubs his eyes and they go away. Oh, there are a few torture-murders thrown in, too, but they're a small part of the on-screen time and about as dull as the rest of the film, with the exception of the very first scene in the film — promisingly grueling, but not in keeping with the rest of the movie.

Add to this the soundtrack, which is mainly a whiny acoustic guitar, and we've got a real winner here... one that will be kept out of IMDb's "Bottom 100" only by the fact that so few people will ever see it. This is a good thing, because I suspect that watching this film in its entirety may cause irreversible brain damage. It's the first film I've seen in the last ten years that I can honestly say is even worse than 2003's "13 Seconds." I imagine that most people unfortunate enough to pick up a copy of this bomb will find themselves hitting fast-forward every five minutes or so, hoping in vain for something to actually happen, and then find themselves at the closing credits.

Ironically, "The God Memoirs" may offer proof that there is no god, or at least that god isn't benevolent. No benevolent deity could ever allow something this bad to make it to the TV screens of innocent victims. Perhaps it's some kind of punishment...

The Darkness of Introspection

[spadlo · 8/10 · 26 April 2007]

This film is definitely NOT as it has been advertised. It's not an out-and-out gore-fest (although there is a lot of disturbing imagery), but it is largely and almost completely a series of introspective monologues by the main character who is searching for some kind of validation/salvation.

The God Memoirs is a character study; anyone who loves to watch the bits that happen BETWEEN moments will find it completely fascinating. Brandon Hursell, who portrays the main character, goes through an amazing and destructive journey. Some have said they took the disturbing imagery coupled with the lead character's actions as actually being in his mind; I don't agree with that, but I also believe it is irrelevant. The stark, hollow imagery, from the vastness of the Gothic beauty of the Cathedral to the drab, bleak mechanics of the industrial factory, Brandon's haunting and tortured soul resounds in empty echoes that clearly point to the director/writer's vision. Mr. Hirschbine, overall, has an excellent grip on pulling all of these aspects together (although a seasoned director may have been able to mine a bit more gold out of this presentation), his vision is damn close to 20/20.

I do find some of the imagery VERY disturbing, and the thoroughness of the film (even with the over-the-top screaming of some victims almost to the point of campy), I find it even MORE disturbing to find my own voice buried in the main character's words.

Mistaken Identity

[goregirl6 · 6/10 · 8 April 2007]

I will begin by warning you that in no way is this a great film...I am not saying go buy it immediately as this film will not be and should not be for everyone. It just did not deserve as bad of a review as the previous commenter left...I think by not recognizing the intention of the film...much is lost and i think there is a market for this film that would be lost if someone did not do the film a little bit of justice. If i had read the previous review I would not have watched it...I'm glad I did as the film is much more than I think anyone expects from a no budget picture.

Much like the first reviewer I did turn this film off 40 minutes in. Now I know why am I giving it a 6...well like the first reader I was expecting a violent, over-the-top gore fest. I wanted a vicious serial killer with no mercy and innocent victims being slaughtered...Why? well sometimes mindless horror is great...and the truth is that is how this film is being marketed. The site I saw it on before I rented it on NetFlixs compared it to Henry.

I would have returned the film...except I couldn't figure out why it was so bad...I love low budget; crappy production; home grown horror schlock...I have sat through the best and the worse and this film did not sit with me. So I watched it again.

The truth is...It's not a horror film and I don't know why they marketed it that way...but then again after watching it I don't know how they could have marketed it...I guess because it has blood and supposed ghost it becomes lodged in a genre. Then again IMDb does have it listed as Splatter/ Art film..which is very true.

The film is not so much about a killer as it is about depression...You have to listen and follow the monologues to understand anything that is going on...it's a movie about life and making sense of that beyond your control. This is not great film making..but then again it is novel and probably more true to true film development than pointless voice overs. It also gives the film more of a journal like structure which by the title I believe was intended. The film does an excellent job of putting the viewer in the role of the main character...who has no name and could be anyone. The film is dry...boring..even the murders that should be exciting are forced and uneventful...the whole film is comprised of beautiful shots..and the whole time you are think..when will this end. Unfortunately the director has nailed depression and anyone that has been severely depressed will find it all too familiar. I don't think anyone could do that without intention...every low budget film I have seen fails in trying to be over exciting..It's rare that someone under does the action and violence.

The killings and tortures are not real, but symbolic for parts of himself that he is losing...at least that is how I read it...the monster at the end that he is building to "save him" that he calls his God, can only be interpreted as the manifestation of his depression...this essence that has defined his life and guides him...a being that he gives into and stops fighting in hopes that it will make everything go away.

This is a rare attempt at film making indeed. A portrayal of a mental illness into the form of a monster. It's not a bad idea...and the film does run long. I think a tighter cut around 1:30 would do the viewer more justice...but I don't think the viewer was taken into consideration as much as the story and the feel of the film..which in itself is contrary to what most viewers want. This is one on the first times I think I can say that the budget on the film may have effected the product adversely. Again, I love the low budget, German circuit, and Subrosa type films. This, however, may have reach more people or have been taken more seriously by viewers if it had that smoothness behind it. The way it is shot..is for an audience that normally doesn't care what is being said or what the story really is...it is shot like a blood and guts picture.

The acting is not that bad...some of the victims are a bit over the top..and some of the screams seem fake...but for some reason that style feels right. The music in the film is probably some of the best music I've heard in a no budget production. It would seem lucky that the people who made it could also score it. Plus let's face it the whole metal and Horror thing is getting old, and so is the techno beat and synth pad arrangements.

I don't think you should rent this film unless you are aware of what you are getting into...it is intriguing, and novel...but boring and slow. do not rent this film if you do not have an appreciation for the real art film which in itself tells you it is going to be boring and dull; and do not rent or see this movie based on the idea that it is a serial killer film...I think the bad review before is the result of a mistaken identity...and if you watch this movie believing the intention is one thing...you will miss the intention that is there...much like the movie itself is trying to point out.