Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure

Monumental: In Search of
America's National Treasure
Directed by Duane Barnhart
Produced by John Bona
Bill Hough
Mark Gambee
Written by Kevin Miller
Marshall Foster
Starring Kirk Cameron
Production
company
Pyro Pictures
Distributed by Monumental Multimedia, LLC
Release dates
 March 27, 2012
Country United States
Language English

Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure is an American documentary film hosted by Kirk Cameron. Directed by Duane Barnhart and written by Kevin Miller, Cameron's mission in making the film is to "search for the real treasure of America."

Monumental began its box office run on March 27, 2012 with a Tuesday night premiere. Reviews of the film have been nearly nonexistent, with only notable Christians such as Francis Chan and Joni Eareckson Tada praising it.

Plot

Cameron asserts that such a key is manifest in the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which is a large 1889 statue commemorating the Mayflower Pilgrims. Co-writer Marshall Foster ascribes to this statue the contextual validity of Monumental's message, based on the statue's symbolism and engraved dedication. According to Foster, "The monument depicts Faith, and Faith is pointing to God and has an open Geneva Bible in the right hand and a star of wisdom".[1]

Production

Filming of Monumental was completed in September 2010.[2] The film includes many interviews, conducted by Kirk Cameron, with politicians and religious personalities, including Os Guinness (Christian author), Barry Black (current Chaplain of the U.S. Senate), David Barton (discussing The Godless Constitution), Stephen McDowell, Paul Jehle, Herbert Titus, Alveda King, and Todd Akin (Former U.S. Representative from Missouri).[3]

Interview with Piers Morgan

In an effort to promote Monumental, Cameron went on the Piers Morgan Tonight and caused a national controversy. Cameron was asked about his views on homosexuality, and he said, "I think that... it's unnatural. I think that... it's detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."[4] This sparked a major controversy within Hollywood with celebrities like Roseanne, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and even former Growing Pains co-stars Alan Thicke and Tracey Gold denouncing Cameron's comments. Cameron claims that the interview was edited down and did not give a proper representation of his views.[5] The controversy may have worked in Monumental's favor because it raised awareness of the film.[6]

Release

Monumental was scheduled for a one-night theatrical release on March 27, 2012.[7] It was released in approximately 500 theaters.[8] Cameron promoted the film at the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference.[9]

Box office

It went on as a limited release in select theaters grossing $28,340 on its first night. The film stayed in theaters for a few weeks and finally grossed $177,729 as of September 1, 2012.[10] It has no rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

Reception

The only mainstream publication to review the film, Entertainment Weekly, gave the film a poor review, calling it a "slick and exceedingly odd proselytizing tool," and giving it a grade of C.[11] It does not have enough reviews to merit a rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Joni Eareckson Tada, an evangelical Christian author and radio host, wrote, "Informative... Enlightening... Amazing... these are the words that aptly describe my response to this remarkable movie." California preacher Francis Chan praised the movie's message, saying "After seeing this film, I have never been more proud of our country’s heritage and more concerned about our future."[12]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State’s Joseph L. Conn wrote "The theme of the movie seems to be that the Pilgrims came to America seeking religious liberty, and they set up a model Christian community that we ought to emulate today," and continued "Well, here’s some news, Kirk and Company. The Pilgrims and Puritans did come here seeking religious liberty, but they set up a regime that gave freedom only to themselves, denying it to others. In keeping with its religious viewpoint, Plymouth Colony prescribed the death penalty for adulterers, homosexuals and witches, whipping for denying the scriptures and a fine for harboring a Quaker." He ended his review saying "Don’t be misled by Kirk Cameron’s charming smile. It masks a chilling agenda."[13]

Gawker's Rich Juzwiak, in a review titled "Kirk Cameron: A Bigot in Pilgrim’s Clothing", said the movie "is too petrified to say anything, a relic of this era of the shameful bigot who’ll spew hatred and then get mad when it’s recognized as such. Monumental is a neutering of even Cameron’s cowardly waffling, in which he stood by his comments about homosexuality … while clarifying that he loves gay people and don’t [sic] think they should be mistreated. Last night, he didn’t even have the balls to be contradictory."[14]

Radio commentator Glenn Beck said, "This is A) a great movie to see. B) a great movie to bring your kids to, and teach them about the history of our country, and C) it is important, because we need to start supporting people that are doing things like this..."[15]

The documentary was reviewed in episode 74 of the podcast show Cognitive Dissonance (along with fellow podcaster George Hrab guesting).[16] The hosts criticized it for the elements of revisionist history, bias, and general poor quality.

References

  1. ↑ "'Remember America' Series To Host Institute Founder". EngleOnline.com. Retrieved February 11, 2012. External link in |work= (help)
  2. ↑ Shellnutt, Kate. "Actor Kirk Cameron documentary focuses on God's role in U.S.". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  3. ↑ Leaser, Michael (January 25, 2012). "Kirk Cameron's Monumental task". World. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  4. ↑ Kurtz, Jason (March 2, 2012). "Kirk Cameron on homosexuality". Piers Morgan Tonight. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  5. ↑ Setoodeh, Ramin (March 20, 2012). "Kirk Cameron of 'Growing Pains' Says He's Not Homophobic, Explains Christian Beliefs". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  6. ↑ Foust, Michael (March 16, 2012). "Kirk Cameron on 'Monumental,' Piers Morgan & why he hasn't lost hope in America". Baptist Press. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ Vanairsdale, S.T. (January 26, 2012). "Save America For Kirk Cameron's Six Kids". Movieline. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ "America's National Treasure Resides in Our Homes, Not the White House". Big Hollywood. January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ "CPAC gets a Duggar, a Baldwin and a 'Growing Pains' star". The Washington Examiner. February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  10. ↑ http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=monumental2012.htm
  11. ↑ "Movie Review: Monumental". Entertainment Weekly. March 30, 2012.
  12. ↑ Alcorn, Randy (April 9, 2012). ""Monumental" film gains critical acclaim". Oregon Faith Report. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  13. ↑ http://www.altfg.com/blog/movie/kirk-cameron-movie-monumental-box-office/
  14. ↑ http://gawker.com/5897145/kirk-cameron-a-bigot-in-pilgrims-clothing
  15. ↑ http://www.glennbeck.com/2012/03/12/kirk-cameron-monumental/
  16. ↑ "Cognitive Dissonance Podcast - Episode 74: Monumental". Retrieved 28 November 2012.
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