Jesus Is King (film): Difference between revisions
Kyle Peake (talk | contribs) →Release: size |
Kyle Peake (talk | contribs) start plot |
||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
| narrator = |
| narrator = |
||
| music = Kanye West<br />Sunday Service |
| music = Kanye West<br />Sunday Service Choir |
||
| cinematography = |
| cinematography = |
||
| editing = |
| editing = |
||
Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
'''''Jesus Is King''''' is a 2019 American [[Experimental film|experimental]] [[Concert film|concert]] short film written by rapper [[Kanye West]] and directed by [[Nick Knight (photographer)|Nick Knight]]. It was shot in the summer of 2019, with the intention of bringing the [[Sunday Service Choir]] to life in the [[Roden Crater]] of Arizona's [[Painted Desert (Arizona)|Painted Desert]]. Prominent appearances are made by the group and West is also present at times. The film received lukewarm reviews from critics, who generally highlighted the Sunday Service Choir's contributions. Some praised the location and West's lack of focus on himself, though numerous critics observed an unclear concept. ''Jesus Is King'' was released exclusively in [[IMAX]] theaters as an accompaniment to West's ninth studio album [[Jesus Is King|of the same name]] on October 25, 2019. |
'''''Jesus Is King''''' is a 2019 American [[Experimental film|experimental]] [[Concert film|concert]] short film written by rapper [[Kanye West]] and directed by [[Nick Knight (photographer)|Nick Knight]]. It was shot in the summer of 2019, with the intention of bringing the [[Sunday Service Choir]] to life in the [[Roden Crater]] of Arizona's [[Painted Desert (Arizona)|Painted Desert]]. Prominent appearances are made by the group and West is also present at times. The film received lukewarm reviews from critics, who generally highlighted the Sunday Service Choir's contributions. Some praised the location and West's lack of focus on himself, though numerous critics observed an unclear concept. ''Jesus Is King'' was released exclusively in [[IMAX]] theaters as an accompaniment to West's ninth studio album [[Jesus Is King|of the same name]] on October 25, 2019. |
||
==Plot== |
|||
==Background and production== |
|||
The scenes of ''Jesus Is King'' are mostly shown through a circular eye and throughout the film, West and the Sunday Service Choir are shown performing music inside the Roden Crater from various angles.<ref name="Gw"/><ref name="everything"/> A drone shot from above the location appears at the beginning, which gradually pulls away from it.<ref name="Vulture"/><ref name="Ehlrich"/> |
|||
==Production== |
|||
On September 27, 2019, West revealed a film set to accompany his ninth studio album ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' at a listening event for the album in Detroit's [[Fox Theatre (Detroit)|Fox Theatre]]. At the time, West's wife [[Kim Kardashian]] had announced the film's title as ''Jesus Is Lord'' on her [[Instagram Stories]].<ref name="rollingstone"/> On September 29, 2019, [[IMAX]] issued a [[press release]] announcing their collaboration with West for the release of the [[concert film]] ''Jesus Is King'' to accompany the album of the same name on October 25. The press release said that the film was shot in the summer of 2019 and brings West's [[Gospel music|gospel]] group the [[Sunday Service Choir]] "to life in the [[Roden Crater]], visionary artist [[James Turrell]]'s never-before-seen installation in Arizona's [[Painted Desert (Arizona)|Painted Desert]]".<ref name="deadline"/><ref name="Hollywood">{{cite web |last1=Beresford |first1=Trilby |title=Kanye West, Imax Reveal Exclusive Movie Collaboration |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kanye-west-imax-reveal-movie-collaboration-1244115/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 14, 2022 |language=en |date=September 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="variety"/> It was announced to feature songs arranged by West in a gospel style and music from ''Jesus Is King'', fully "presented in the immersive sound and stunning clarity of IMAX".<ref name="deadline"/><ref name="Hollywood"/><ref name="variety"/> ''Jesus Is King'' uses a few tracks from the album: "[[Selah (song)|Selah]]", "[[Everything We Need]]", "[[Use This Gospel]]", and an alternate version of "[[Jesus Is Lord]]" entitled "Every Knee Shall Bow".<ref name="Vulture"/><ref name="everything">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-movie-everything-to-know.html |title=Everything in Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Movie |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=October 25, 2019 |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025174347/https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-movie-everything-to-know.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="detroit">{{Cite web |url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/movie-review-kanye-wests-jesus-king-not-gospel/4091602002/ |title=Movie review: Kanye West's 'Jesus is King' is not the gospel |last=Graham |first=Adam |date=December 17, 2019 |website=[[The Detroit News]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821084117/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/movie-review-kanye-wests-jesus-king-not-gospel/4091602002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It includes an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of the refrain of the gospel track "[[Ultralight Beam]]" from West's 2016 album ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'', as well as revised versions of "[[Say You Will (Kanye West song)|Say You Will]]" and [[Street Lights (Kanye West song)|Street Lights]]" from ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008).<ref name="everything"/><ref name="jesus">{{cite web|last1=Platon|first1=Adelle|title=Kanye West's IMAX Film 'Jesus Is King': Inside the Los Angeles Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8540285/kanye-wests-imax-film-jesus-is-king-los-angeles-review|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031115541/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8540285/kanye-wests-imax-film-jesus-is-king-los-angeles-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Old works are performed by the Sunday Service Choir in a gospel style: "[[O Fortuna]]", "Perfect Praise", "When I Think of His Goodness", "More Abundantly", "Count Your Blessings", and "Alleluia",<ref name="everything"/><ref name="rs-2">{{cite news|last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Beginning to See the Light: Kanye West's Fascination With James Turrell |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-james-turrell-jesus-is-king-film-roden-crater-904893/ |website=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-access=limited |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web |last1=Gee |first1=Andrew |title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Film Reflects His Love For Gospel Music -- But Not Much Else |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-film-review/ |website=[[Uproxx]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Gw">{{cite web |last1=Atkinson |first1=Jessie |title=5 things the new Kanye West film ''Jesus is King'' does |url=https://gigwise.com/features/3363822/5-things-the-new-kanye-west-film-jesus-is-king-does |website=[[Gigwise]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> the fifth of which was eventually included on their album ''[[Jesus Is Born]]'' on December 25, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil Z. |title=''Jesus is Born'' – Sunday Service Choir |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-born-mw0003347503 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825125633/https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-born-mw0003347503 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to starring in the film, the Sunday Service Choir had been assembled by West for weekly performances throughout 2019.<ref name="Vulture"/> IMAX President Megan Colligan issued a statement about collaborating with West, saying that the company took "an opportunity to create a cultural moment with a visionary artist" for expanding their brand.<ref name="variety-2"/><ref name="Hs"/> She added that IMAX were "surprising audiences and experimenting with what we can bring to our platform beyond blockbusters".<ref name="variety-2"/><ref name="Hs"/> |
On September 27, 2019, West revealed a film set to accompany his ninth studio album ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' at a listening event for the album in Detroit's [[Fox Theatre (Detroit)|Fox Theatre]]. At the time, West's wife [[Kim Kardashian]] had announced the film's title as ''Jesus Is Lord'' on her [[Instagram Stories]].<ref name="rollingstone"/> On September 29, 2019, [[IMAX]] issued a [[press release]] announcing their collaboration with West for the release of the [[concert film]] ''Jesus Is King'' to accompany the album of the same name on October 25. The press release said that the film was shot in the summer of 2019 and brings West's [[Gospel music|gospel]] group the [[Sunday Service Choir]] "to life in the [[Roden Crater]], visionary artist [[James Turrell]]'s never-before-seen installation in Arizona's [[Painted Desert (Arizona)|Painted Desert]]".<ref name="deadline"/><ref name="Hollywood">{{cite web |last1=Beresford |first1=Trilby |title=Kanye West, Imax Reveal Exclusive Movie Collaboration |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kanye-west-imax-reveal-movie-collaboration-1244115/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 14, 2022 |language=en |date=September 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="variety"/> It was announced to feature songs arranged by West in a gospel style and music from ''Jesus Is King'', fully "presented in the immersive sound and stunning clarity of IMAX".<ref name="deadline"/><ref name="Hollywood"/><ref name="variety"/> ''Jesus Is King'' uses a few tracks from the album: "[[Selah (song)|Selah]]", "[[Everything We Need]]", "[[Use This Gospel]]", and an alternate version of "[[Jesus Is Lord]]" entitled "Every Knee Shall Bow".<ref name="Vulture"/><ref name="everything">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-movie-everything-to-know.html |title=Everything in Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Movie |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=October 25, 2019 |website=Vulture |url-access=limited |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025174347/https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-movie-everything-to-know.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="detroit">{{Cite web |url=https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/movie-review-kanye-wests-jesus-king-not-gospel/4091602002/ |title=Movie review: Kanye West's 'Jesus is King' is not the gospel |last=Graham |first=Adam |date=December 17, 2019 |website=[[The Detroit News]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821084117/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/24/movie-review-kanye-wests-jesus-king-not-gospel/4091602002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It includes an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of the refrain of the gospel track "[[Ultralight Beam]]" from West's 2016 album ''[[The Life of Pablo]]'', as well as revised versions of "[[Say You Will (Kanye West song)|Say You Will]]" and [[Street Lights (Kanye West song)|Street Lights]]" from ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008).<ref name="everything"/><ref name="jesus">{{cite web|last1=Platon|first1=Adelle|title=Kanye West's IMAX Film 'Jesus Is King': Inside the Los Angeles Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8540285/kanye-wests-imax-film-jesus-is-king-los-angeles-review|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031115541/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8540285/kanye-wests-imax-film-jesus-is-king-los-angeles-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Old works are performed by the Sunday Service Choir in a gospel style: "[[O Fortuna]]", "Perfect Praise", "When I Think of His Goodness", "More Abundantly", "Count Your Blessings", and "Alleluia",<ref name="everything"/><ref name="rs-2">{{cite news|last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Beginning to See the Light: Kanye West's Fascination With James Turrell |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-james-turrell-jesus-is-king-film-roden-crater-904893/ |website=[[Rolling Stone]] |url-access=limited |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web |last1=Gee |first1=Andrew |title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Film Reflects His Love For Gospel Music -- But Not Much Else |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-film-review/ |website=[[Uproxx]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Gw">{{cite web |last1=Atkinson |first1=Jessie |title=5 things the new Kanye West film ''Jesus is King'' does |url=https://gigwise.com/features/3363822/5-things-the-new-kanye-west-film-jesus-is-king-does |website=[[Gigwise]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> the fifth of which was eventually included on their album ''[[Jesus Is Born]]'' on December 25, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil Z. |title=''Jesus is Born'' – Sunday Service Choir |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-born-mw0003347503 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825125633/https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-born-mw0003347503 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to starring in the film, the Sunday Service Choir had been assembled by West for weekly performances throughout 2019.<ref name="Vulture"/> IMAX President Megan Colligan issued a statement about collaborating with West, saying that the company took "an opportunity to create a cultural moment with a visionary artist" for expanding their brand.<ref name="variety-2"/><ref name="Hs"/> She added that IMAX were "surprising audiences and experimenting with what we can bring to our platform beyond blockbusters".<ref name="variety-2"/><ref name="Hs"/> |
||
Revision as of 10:39, 21 September 2022
Jesus Is King | |
---|---|
Directed by | Nick Knight |
Written by | Kanye West |
Based on | Jesus Is King by Kanye West |
Produced by | Kanye West |
Starring |
|
Music by | Kanye West Sunday Service Choir |
Release date |
|
Running time | 38 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $1,082,629[1] |
Jesus Is King is a 2019 American experimental concert short film written by rapper Kanye West and directed by Nick Knight. It was shot in the summer of 2019, with the intention of bringing the Sunday Service Choir to life in the Roden Crater of Arizona's Painted Desert. Prominent appearances are made by the group and West is also present at times. The film received lukewarm reviews from critics, who generally highlighted the Sunday Service Choir's contributions. Some praised the location and West's lack of focus on himself, though numerous critics observed an unclear concept. Jesus Is King was released exclusively in IMAX theaters as an accompaniment to West's ninth studio album of the same name on October 25, 2019.
Plot
The scenes of Jesus Is King are mostly shown through a circular eye and throughout the film, West and the Sunday Service Choir are shown performing music inside the Roden Crater from various angles.[2][3] A drone shot from above the location appears at the beginning, which gradually pulls away from it.[4][5]
Production
On September 27, 2019, West revealed a film set to accompany his ninth studio album Jesus Is King at a listening event for the album in Detroit's Fox Theatre. At the time, West's wife Kim Kardashian had announced the film's title as Jesus Is Lord on her Instagram Stories.[6] On September 29, 2019, IMAX issued a press release announcing their collaboration with West for the release of the concert film Jesus Is King to accompany the album of the same name on October 25. The press release said that the film was shot in the summer of 2019 and brings West's gospel group the Sunday Service Choir "to life in the Roden Crater, visionary artist James Turrell's never-before-seen installation in Arizona's Painted Desert".[7][8][9] It was announced to feature songs arranged by West in a gospel style and music from Jesus Is King, fully "presented in the immersive sound and stunning clarity of IMAX".[7][8][9] Jesus Is King uses a few tracks from the album: "Selah", "Everything We Need", "Use This Gospel", and an alternate version of "Jesus Is Lord" entitled "Every Knee Shall Bow".[4][3][10] It includes an interpolation of the refrain of the gospel track "Ultralight Beam" from West's 2016 album The Life of Pablo, as well as revised versions of "Say You Will" and Street Lights" from 808s & Heartbreak (2008).[3][11] Old works are performed by the Sunday Service Choir in a gospel style: "O Fortuna", "Perfect Praise", "When I Think of His Goodness", "More Abundantly", "Count Your Blessings", and "Alleluia",[3][12][13][2] the fifth of which was eventually included on their album Jesus Is Born on December 25, 2019.[14] Prior to starring in the film, the Sunday Service Choir had been assembled by West for weekly performances throughout 2019.[4] IMAX President Megan Colligan issued a statement about collaborating with West, saying that the company took "an opportunity to create a cultural moment with a visionary artist" for expanding their brand.[15][16] She added that IMAX were "surprising audiences and experimenting with what we can bring to our platform beyond blockbusters".[15][16]
Roden Crater remained under construction at the time of West filming there, having been worked on by Turrell for around 40 years. In 2018, West toured the crater multiple times after he made trips across the United States to see Turrell's art and in December, he revealed his first pilgrimage to the location. West subsequently took conference calls with the artist and spent time with him inside a piece named "Perfectly Clear" at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, a month before the rapper donated US$10 million to help finish Roden Crater. He also spoke about his appreciation of Turrell's work, saying that "one day, we'll all be living in Turrell spaces" and his lights "turn you into a zen state".[12][17]
On October 17, 2019, British fashion photographer Nick Knight was announced as the director of Jesus Is King.[18] He had worked with West in the past, shooting the music videos for his 2013 singles "Black Skinhead" and "Bound 2".[4] Discussing collaborating with the rapper in an October 2019 interview, Knight drew a heavy comparison to how he worked with fashion designer Alexander McQueen, after "understanding his world and his desires".[19] He explained that they are both "extremely complex and extremely passionate about their lives", "extremely honest and sincere", and "often misunderstood" by the media wanting to simplify answers to highly complex questions.[19] Knight declared West was uninterested in being centre stage and recalled the rapper saying Jesus Is King "isn't a film that is about me, [it] is a film about worship - that's a universal thing", elaborating that his "lack of ego and modest humility" was significant to him not being the main star, feeling he was presenting an unseen vision of West "about emotion and integrity".[19] Jesus Is King served as a companion piece to the album, following West's 2010 film Runaway that was released for his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as his second film for a record.[7][9][4] West explained in a voiceover of a trailer for Jesus Is King that its purpose was Christian evangelism, not entertainment: "We're here to spread the gospel. I'm not here for your entertainment. I'm an evangelist, so my music, my films, every conversation, every room I go in, we're here to save souls, save you from eternal damnation. I use art to make believers."[20][21]
Marketing
The film's official poster was posted by Knight to Instagram on September 29, 2019.[22] The poster was designed by Turrell and depicts Roden Crater. On October 17, 2019, West shared the first trailer for Jesus Is King that is soundtracked by a choir's reinterpretation of "Say You Will" with new lyrics and slightly over a minute long.[18][23][24][25] A temple-like illustration of Roden Crater appears while the choir sing, with the setting showing stairs that lead out to a light and as the trailer progress, the camera zooms in on this.[23][25][26] The trailer then ends with a biblical quote from the New Testament Book of Mark, reading: "In the words of Jesus Christ, 'The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.'"[23][24][25][26]
On October 19, 2019, West released a trailer consisting of behind-the-scenes footage from Jesus Is King, which runs for almost two minutes and uses a slow drum beat.[20][21][27][28] It begins by displaying the same quote from the first trailer, before cutting to West walking up a hill as he explains the religious purpose of the film in a voiceover.[20][21][27] West and his crew are shown assembling the camera outside Roden Crater, after which the Sunday Service Choir perform at the location.[20][27][28] This is followed by footage of West in an editing room reciting the Mark quote and Turrell also makes an appearance in the trailer, speaking with the rapper.[21][27]
Release
Excerpts from Jesus Is King were shown during listening parties for the album in Detroit, Chicago, and Inglewood on September 27, September 28, and October 23, 2019, respectively.[29][30][31] While presenting a preview at the September 27 event, West said that it would premiere through IMAX in October 2019.[6] At The Forum in Inglewood on October 24, a buzzing of bugs crescendeoed to signify the beginning of the preview as the large screen lit up.[31][32] West stood amongst the audience for the screening and at the end, he walked out of the crowd.[31] On October 24, 2019, the first full screening of the film was held at AMC Lincoln Square in Manhattan, beginning at 7 p.m. after the lights dimmed.[33] On October 25, 2019, Jesus Is King premiered exclusively in IMAX theaters across the world,[8][34] accompanying the album's release after a series of delays.[7][9][5] In June 2020, West tweeted an announcement of a digital release of the film on Apple Music.[35]
Reception
Box office
Jesus Is King grossed US$973,000 in the US and $109,629 in other territories, making for a worldwide total of $1,082,629.[1] On October 18, 2019, IMAX tickets were made available via cinema homepages and West's website, priced between $10 and $19.75.[23][36] The film generated a worldwide opening of $1.03 million, reaching the top 10 in its first week and grossing $862,000 in North America, alongside $175,000 across international markets.[15][16][37] Jesus Is King was shown at a per-screen average of $2,317 in 440 IMAX theaters worldwide, 372 of which were in North America and the remaining 68 were in 12 international markets.[15][16][38] The screenings sold out in 24 cities worldwide, including US locations New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as international capitals London, Copenhagen, and Mexico City.[37][38]
Critical response
Jesus Is King was met with lukewarm reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of six critics gave the film a positive review.[39] At Metacritic, it received an average score of 61, based on four reviews.[40]
Writing for TheWrap, Todd Gilchrist viewed the film as "largely and predictably" appealing almost entirely to West's fanbase, asserting the performances are "more staged" and "abbreviated" than the Sunday Service Choir's concerts.[41] Gilchrist also noted West's musical and spiritual growth while praising the focus on the music, further writing the film is too short even though it is his first work for a long time that could "truly change hearts and minds — and best of all, not even solely about Kanye West himself".[41] David Ehlrich from IndieWire graded the film a B-, praising the lack of appearances from West in favor of the Sunday Service Choir, its genuine interest "in taking you to church", the Roden Crater location, and the different set-ups.[5] Ehlrich noted Jesus Is King's contradictoriness due to being equally "reverent and narcissistic, humble and grandiose", calling it "both a tribute to the Lord and a testament to West's unparalleled ability to get in his own damn way"; he summarized the film as lackluster due to the short length.[5] Luke Morgan Britton of NME gave the film three stars out of five, seeing that West's "sublime but flawed visual journey stops short of enlightenment", declaring it "addresses many of the ideas" of interest to him: "a search for the sublime, the striving for a better future, the awe-inspiring power of nature, as well as a stripped-back, minimalist approach".[42] Morgan Britton named the Roden Crater location a "perfect backdrop for West's current spiritual quest" and complimented the music, the Sunday Service Choir's presence, and the advantageous lack of appearances from West, concluding that despite its "aesthetic brilliance", the film becomes "lost in a struggle of what it wants to be" rather than reaching the full potential.[42]
The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber complimented how the film's religious ethos is established early and the group's performances, as well as highlighting the minimalism that creates "holy wows" and the mixture of "ancient spiritual signifiers" with "the earth tones and graphical shapes" of West's Adidas Yeezy line.[43] Kornhaber commented that West does not explain his conversion to Christianity and saw it as "treat[ing] a tricky concept as a simple matter of aesthetics and sensations", saying his attempt to spread his faith is "oddly cold" and also criticizing how the film "didn't make me feel all that much".[43] In a mixed review for Vulture, Alison Willmore saw its sole audience as West's hardcore fans, noting how the experimental film "feels too ethereal to bear up under much solo scrutiny" and pales in comparison to Runaway due to the lack of a clear narrative or concept.[4] Willmore assured the authorship of Jesus Is King is entirely West's through "a mix of ecstatic spirituality and artistic wankery", seeing it as resembling "a frustrated attempt at conveying a concentrated version of its born-again creator's experiences" that culminates in West focusing on himself.[4] He went on to praise the location and make lukewarm comments about the Sunday Service Choir's contributions, finalizing that the film struggles from a lack of coherence.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Jesus Is King (2019)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ a b Atkinson, Jessie (October 26, 2019). "5 things the new Kanye West film Jesus is King does". Gigwise. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Curto, Justin (October 25, 2019). "Everything in Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Movie". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Willmore, Alison (October 25, 2019). "Movie Review: Jesus Is King, Kanye West's Experimental Doc". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Ehlrich, David (October 25, 2019). "Jesus Is King Review: Kanye West's IMAX Film Falls Short of Divine". IndieWire. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Robinson, Samuel J. (September 28, 2019). "Inside Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Premiere in Detroit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Haring, Bruce (September 29, 2019). "Kanye West Will Unveil New IMAX Film, 'Jesus Is King', Celebrating His Sunday Service". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c Beresford, Trilby (September 28, 2019). "Kanye West, Imax Reveal Exclusive Movie Collaboration". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Aswad, Jem (September 29, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Documentary Film Coming Next Month". Variety. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ^ Graham, Adam (December 17, 2019). "Movie review: Kanye West's 'Jesus is King' is not the gospel". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ Platon, Adelle (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West's IMAX Film 'Jesus Is King': Inside the Los Angeles Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (November 1, 2019). "Beginning to See the Light: Kanye West's Fascination With James Turrell". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ Gee, Andrew (October 28, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Film Reflects His Love For Gospel Music -- But Not Much Else". Uproxx. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Jesus is Born – Sunday Service Choir". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Rubin, Rebecca (October 27, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Debuts at Box Office With $1 Million". Variety. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Showden, Heather (October 2019). "Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' Film Earns $1 Million in First Weekend". Highsnobiety. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ Sisson, Patrick (October 24, 2019). "Why 'Jesus is King', Kanye West's new film, was shot at a huge crater in the desert". Curbed. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Yoo, Noah (October 18, 2019). "Kanye Shares Trailer for New Jesus Is King IMAX Movie". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- ^ a b c Tigg, FNR (October 26, 2019). "'Jesus Is King' Director Nick Knight Compares Kanye West to Alexander McQueen". Complex. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Drury, Sharareh (October 19, 2019). "Kanye West Aims to 'Save Souls' in 'Jesus Is King' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Avila, Pamela (October 19, 2019). "Go Behind the Scenes of Kanye West's Jesus Is King Film". E! Online. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
- ^ "Kanye Wests neuer Film 'Jesus Is King' erscheint im Oktober 2019". Musikexpress (in German). September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d White, Adam (October 18, 2019). "Jesus is King: First trailer for Kanye West's documentary film released". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b France, Lisa Respers (October 18, 2019). "Kanye West releases 'Jesus is King' film trailer". CNN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c Reilly, Kaitlin (October 18, 2019). "Kanye West Shares Jesus Is King Trailer". Refinery29. Archived from the original on January 23, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Ingvaldsen, Torsten (October 17, 2019). "Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' Film IMAX Trailer". Hypebeast. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Kreps, Daniel (October 19, 2019). "Watch Kanye West's Behind-the-Scenes Trailer for 'Jesus Is King' Film". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Droke, Carolyn (October 19, 2019). "Kanye West Shares Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of His 'Jesus Is King' IMAX Film". Uproxx. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (September 29, 2019). "Kanye West Announces 'Jesus Is King' IMAX Documentary". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ^ Hughes, Hilary (September 29, 2019). "Kanye West to Release 'Jesus Is King' IMAX Film". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c Trepany, Charles (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West previews 'Jesus is King' movie, album for fans in L.A." USA Today. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ Sahadeo, Andy (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West previews 'Jesus Is King' album, film". Fox News. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ Skelton, Eric; McKinney, Jessica (October 25, 2019). "Kanye West's 35-Minute 'Jesus Is King' Art Film Isn't for Everyone". Complex. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (September 29, 2019). "Kanye West Announces New Jesus Is King Documentary". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
- ^ S., Lynn (June 26, 2020). "Kanye West Confirms Dr. Dre Version Of 'Jesus Is King' & More Projects Coming Soon". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ Brueggemann, Tom (October 23, 2019). "Kanye West and Bruce Springsteen Make Their Box-Office Debuts". IndieWire. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 27, 2019). "'Synonyms' And 'Jesus Is King' Open Solid, 'Frankie' Debuts Soft". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Fuster, Jeremy (October 27, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Resurrects $862,000 in Box Office Debut". TheWrap. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ "Jesus Is King". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ "Jesus Is King Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Gilchrist, Tod (October 25, 2019). "'Jesus Is King' Film Review: Kanye West Documentary-Promo Is Both Too Short and Too Long". TheWrap. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Britton, Luke Morgan (October 26, 2019). "Jesus is King film review: Kanye stars in sublime but flawed visual journey". NME. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Kornhaber, Spencer (October 25, 2019). "Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' Film Review: Beautiful, Cold". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.