The Nature of Existence (2009) Reviews

• Insightful documentary

  ChumleyX2011-01-03

  The Nature of Existence is great documentary film-making. It is exhaustive in its scope, presented in a very objective manner and leaves the viewer wanting more. Mr. Nygard does not delve into each philosophy in great detail as he is constrained by the length of a feature film. He does, however, give enough depth that you can begin to understand the basis of the religions he covers. His interviews give a very personal and individual viewpoint that really set a sort of indelible imprint which you take away with you and are likely to think of days after. At no time does he minimize or ridicule these belief systems, and with at least a couple that would be very easy to do. You get the sense he is on a journey and is genuinely interested in hearing what people have to say. Most importantly, the Nature of Existence brings to light certain commonalities of religions, showing that if people would actually take a little time to learn and understand what their fellow neighbors on this planet believe there might be more tolerance of each other.

• It is What it Is!!!

  lemonyogi2010-04-21

  I loved this film. I took my mother , who is a staunch Catholic and it was a good way to introduce her to the fact that there are many paths to Spirituality. Why are we Here? Why do we exist? How were we created? This movie tackles the array of possibilities that attempt to give answers to those questions. I personally feel that it's all answered in the end of the film. However, I saw it with my mom & she came up with a totally different answer - that she adamantly feels that the movie totally supports! There are not many documentaries that can do this - that can really appeal to people with totally opposing viewpoints. I guess this is one of them. So, I highly recommend it to everyone and then have dinner afterward & hash it all out!!

• I tried and tried but I just couldn't like this movie!

  jfb-793-6782202010-07-16

  While the title and synopsis sound very intriguing, Nygard fails to deliver on this one. The viewer is taken on a narcissistic personal journey of the filmmaker that yields very little substantial information. Sure, there are a lot of strange people and odd opinions paraded in front of you, but they all amount to mere sound bites. Just when you think Nygard has uncovered something interesting and you anxiously await more, he cuts away to a completely different sound bite, and he does this quite often throughout the film. It becomes annoying and leaves one to wonder if the best parts of the film were left on the cutting room floor. Another problem for me was the absence of African religions, whether in Africa or in Cuba, Haiti, or Brazil. Steven Hawking had no interest in this film and neither do I. I tried and tried (I watched it twice) but I just couldn't like this movie.

• Awesome film!

  projecthannah2010-06-07

  I studied comparative religion in college. I can honestly say this is the most thought-provoking and entertaining film on religion and existence that I have ever watched. A film with this level of intelligence and insight does not come around very often, so I would certainly suggest making time to see it during its limited run in the theaters - if it's playing anywhere near you. I got lucky , since the director was doing a screening at my school. I just saw the website and it's actually interactive! I loved that the director included many different religions such as Islam,Christianity, Satanists, Buddhists- everyone. He also included Richard Dawkins and some Pagan-types as well. I think this film will inspire more filmmakers to go out and create important and thoughtful films.

• As much fun as it was amazing!

  sabotcat-12010-12-19

  I went to a small screening with a bunch of spiritually minded people to see "nature of existence." It's not the kind of gathering I usually find myself in...but went because I was a fan of Roger Nygard's first film, Trekkies. I was not disappointed. First of all, the spiritually minded group, with the exception of one lady with an ax to grind, TOTALLY rose to the challenge of a movie that is PROFOUNDLY INTERESTING SPIRITUALLY and very funny at the same time. This is as engaging an hour and a half as you could spend. And what makes the movie work for me...and what's really unique among documentaries of this type is this one is not condescending in the least...and Roger Nygard, who appears in his own movie isn't smug about any of these experiences. If you showed this film in your high school class you'd be everyone's favorite teacher. I never thought you could make this stuff interesting...and human. But this movie does. I'm actually thinking of buying a copy.