The underlying message is disturbing.
920351
Say what you will, and cast this review aside if you must, but Hollywood has an agenda. And this film drives that agenda all the way home, pardon my alluding to the final scene.
To make my point, I challenge anybody to find a "chick flick" i.e. romantic comedy released in the last 10 years or so that doesn't have some overt promotion or acceptance of homosexuality. I suspect you will come up with only about one in five. It is part of the LGBT public policy targeting.
Well, Kirk Jones certainly has placed that in this story (although not a romantic comedy), particularly in the character of daughter Rosie played by Drew Barrymore. But more than that, just as this group of siblings constantly lies to father Frank (Robert DeNiro), Mr. Jones is misleading his audience about fatherhood and family values. Sadly, this too appears to be an Hollywood agenda. DeNiro's character is very clearly an average Joe, indeed an amazingly everyday average guy. He worked hard in a factory, then around the house, etc. and "pushed" his children to apply themselves so as to become successful adults. Instead, ALL of the kids are a mess, and father's pushing is to blame.
Frankly, if all the fathers in America were as Frank Goode was in this film, we would be a far better place I am sure. Instead, we are like the dysfunctional family who has come home to gather around the table seeking acceptance for what they have become, and in that acceptance will they finally lay their blame of dad and his strict values to rest.
In presenting his agenda film, Mr. Jones couches it all in what I must admit is an astonishingly well acted and directed work. There is not a wasted bit of footage here. DeNiro is incredible, as are all the actors including those who play the "flashback" kids. I am saddened that Jones has wasted all this to lie to us, just as Frank's kids lied to him.
4786623
This was an emotionally ugly book about terrible abuse in a relationship.  Author did very good job of illustrating how trapped an abused
person is and how they aren't capable of seeing they are not the responsible party.  However, book should never have been in romance but '
in psychology texts and accompanied by a warning of its realistic message of unceasing cruelty. I'll continue to support our local abused/battered
spouse shelter but read no more of this - this is not stockholm syndrome, it is abuse, rape, mental cruelty,.
1056413
The Message is not a translation of the Bible. It is a paraphrase, and one that clearly reflects the views of the author. Reading through this, I got a creepy, prickly feeling that results when my antennas fly up and scream "danger! danger! danger!" The message of scripture is watered down, colloquialized, and loses its power and meaning. There are some passages that are interesting, and provide unique or different insights into the culture or language of the time, but I strongly feel that this paraphrase should be read ONLY by people who know the scriptures from a direct translation and are mature in their faith. This is NOT a version to be read by people who are new to the scriptures, or to their faith, because it presents a skewed and watered down version of the Bible. One could easily walk away from critical passages about the nature and diety of Christ, or the uniqueness of Christ and His gospel message, and miss the point. This book should NEVER be used as an alternative to the scriptures or be seen as an equally valid translation. That it is being presented as a Bible is very, very frightening. Don't be fooled.
3139377
The word that comes to my mind most when I think of this documentary is "disturbing," and I mean that in more than one way. It's disturbing that so many Evangelical Christians are so bigoted, ignorant, and blind that they would hurt so many children so profoundly. They would like to indoctrinate your children to their narrow beliefs as well.  Becky, the pastor who ran the camp, is clearly emotionally disturbed and the parents who sent their children to such an indoctrination of bigotry and hatred are misguided, to put it mildly.  They are totally clueless as to how they are hurting their children.  People of all faiths as well as non-believers have to wake up to the danger these people threaten to not only our children but to our basic freedoms as Americans.  (As a side note, I found it ironic that the head of the Evangelical Christians of America who preached against homosexuality in the documentary has since stepped down when it was learned that he was engaging in homosexual sex himself.)
2581476
There are some practical and important principles in this book for the church to help people better prioritize friendships.
However, the cover is creepy and the idea of Christian men trying to redeem their sin nature, ie, distorted orientation, by embellishing it, even if in a non-sexual way, is highly dangerous.
There are root thought patterns and underlying issues of the mind that need to be and must be subjected to spiritual mortification on the altar, so that our minds can be renewed and transformed to match God's good and perfect will. This book overlooks this very important need of spiritual discipline and without it could lead many dangerously astray.
744865
The illustrations and language are lovely, but I don't like the message at all. I think all children, actually adults too, should be risk takers. Read the poem "Curiosity" by Alastair Reid. That is how I think all people should live.
2852046
This book is the most disturbing work I've ever read for many reasons. For those of you who know about Bohemian Grove, high level Freemasonry, SRA, and MK Ultra techniques, this book on the Illuminati will connect the dots. I will wager a guess that most other people will characterize this work as that of an individual seeking fame or fortune of the type we are sick of seeing in reality TV shows, or someone with a severe psychiatric problem.  However, to assume either would be a severe mistake, in my judgement.  I say this because the techniques described in this book used to split mind alters match exactly with detailed mind control methods described by others, and if you take the time to research some of the claims about specific indivuals, a clear pattern begins to develop.  Yes, the scope of the allegations is difficult to comprehend, but I do firmly believe the author is telling the truth. The depth of the evil perpetrated on the author as a child is mind-numbing, but those of you familiar with SRA will get that same nauseating sense that yes, there are sick, depraved, profoundly evil people in this world that will do anything to anybody to get what they want.  The author's descriptions of seeing and interacting with angels during particularly horrific abuses (to split more alters) brought tears to my eyes- the extreme evil byproduct of free will is not more powerful than God's love.  And ultimately, this is a journey of hope that we can all appreciate, no matter what our background. God bless and protect the author- few would have the courage to survive and share this story.
248782
This book strangely promotes the rigid and distorted beliefs of a hypocritical pseudo intellectual has been, Newt Gingrich. It is shocking and disturbing to see how God can be exploited for perverted purposes. This is not a literary endeavor. It is religious propoganda..
250771
It is a very disturbing picture of the world that is painted in this book. The author juxtaposes facts with emotive and dramatic anecdotes. It is hard to say which is more chilling: the presented facts or the narratives that accompany them.  Most disturbing of all, however, is the argument. I had heard the slogan 'socialism or barbarism' before; but in this book the case is made that it really is the fundamental choice to be made by the human species, that there are no other possibilities. Potter admits that there is little political inclination for socialism in the world right now and says this situation is unlikely to change in the near future, in spite of escalating crises. On one level, this is very depressing, but altogether, that was not the effect the book had on me.  I came away after reading it more worried about the future than before but also more determined to try and do something about it. So, in a strange way, this is an inspirational book, but with a non mainstream twist.
3508034
While this information COULD be legitimate, the biased, ranting, judgemental condemnation significantly detracts from the obvious intent of the message.
2638996
Its hard to say I liked this book. Its a good read, don't get me wrong. The problem for me was its disturbing content. And i mean no disrespect to the author, but it was difficult to read how parents can be so cruel. Would I recommend this book? Yes i would. But with a bit of caution. You'll want to read it with with a box of tissues. Then you'll want to hug your children and let them know how much you love them.
544868
TERATOLOGIST is a twisted, disturbing tale not for the those with a queasy stomach or a shaky faith. Farrington, a reclusive billionaire wants to offend God so egregiously that God will come to Earth to confront him, at which point Farrington will try to steal His power. He hopes to accomplish this by kidnapping horribly deformed people and stashing them in his mansion. He then kidnaps religious leaders, forces them into degrading sex with the deformed, and broadcasts videos of the encounters over the Internet, ruining not only the clerics but also the faith of their followers. A reporter and a photographer are lured to the mansion with the promise of an interview of Farrington but the real reason is to document his actions.

I was expecting a blasphemous, offensive novella, and I was appreciative of the rosary that came with the limited edition of the book, figuring I would need it when I finished reading. However, this was not the case. Even though Farrington tried to offend God, the authors were very respectful of God and religion and the goodness of humanity. As with anything, the best way to show off something is by contrast. Put a diamond on a white cloth and it looks unimpressive, but put it on a dark cloth and it shines. Similarly, horror emphasizes good by contrasting it with evil, and TERATOLOGIST affirms the power of God and the value of religion.

On the other hand, I was expecting a demented, erotic story and was not disappointed. The deformed people are at the extreme of human monstrosity. The sexual acts are the sickest and most depraved you'll ever read about. Hint: Don't read this book while eating lunch.

Don't worry about your soul if you read this book. Instead, worry about your sleep and the disturbing images that are sure to populate your nightmares.
3208817
Not very impressed.  The message is try to reinforce (go along) with what the dying person is saying/doing, instead of contradicting their statements/movements.  The same message was repeated over and over again to fill the space between the covers.
4816474
This book was extremely entertaining, but at the same time disturbing and incredulous.  It is particularly relevant now with the raid on the FLDS compound in Texas (the same one from the book, they have moved).  Reading it, I found it hard to believe that there are people living that way in modern times in the U.S.  Even more difficult to understand is why she didn't escape much earlier.  These women are not chained up in the basement.  The author went to college, had a career, and actually lived in other cities away from the sect for stretches of time.  It just goes to show that even when the members are physically away from the "compound", they are still mentally ensnared in its grasp.
288929
Controversial subject matter that we have to deal with but many people choose to turn a blind eye towards it.
1962220
Dr. Diana Russell does the unthinkable.  She used examples of pornography to illustrate text discussing the harm it causes.  Many women are forced to re-enact images that men have witnessed in pornographic movies and  magazines.  And many of the women who were depicted in pornography were  forced into the acts in the first place.  Some of the images are very  disturbing because they show torture of women.
One thing that Dr. Russell  wrote that really stuck with me is that if the act of paying someone for  sex is illegal, how does it all of a sudden become "free speech"  if you document this illegal act by photographing it?  Instead it seems  like it should be evidence of a crime being committed.  Unless of course it  is in the few counties in Nevada where prostitution is legal.
Once you  start thinking that women have willingly subjected themselves to being  tortured sexually for the visual amusement of others, then you start  thinking that this is normal for all women.  When it could be that those  images should be in a court of law because it was not done by a willing  participant, but by a woman who was raped and tortured.
Dr. Russell also  weaves into the text studies done by researchers who look at the effects of  pornography on the attitudes of people toward women in general and victims  of sexual abuse in specific.  This is a powerful book and one that cannot  be dismissed.
4286835
The underlying message of this book -- the unquestionable ill effect of Kinsey and his gaggle of perverts on America -- is clear and well-substantiated.  Unfortunately, organization is a bit odd and there is considerable repetition.  Reisman is a vital balancy to the insanity of the Kinsey "revolution" but there are shorter summary books that likely are more helpful for casual or less academic readers.