God, Sex & Apple Pie (1998) Poster

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5/10
Really bad acting.
mradosev30 December 2003
Ive seen soft core porno's with better dialogue and acting than this movie. However the movie was somewhat entertaining and had a decent story. I liked the concept of old friends reuniting and each having their own issues. However, many of the actors were really bad, the film reminded me of a bad soap opera.
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1/10
The Big Dud
wodjam17 February 2005
Oh my goodness, what a flop! The script was outdated, unoriginal and very very corny.

There was no plot, no rhyme, no reason, no charm to hold my interest or make me care about what happened at all. The actors tried, perhaps too hard, which made me uneasy and sympathetic to the challenge they were faced with. Perhaps I would enjoy seeing them in other roles if I could manage to divorce them from this movie!

If you saw The Big Chill, you will notice similarities in God, Sex and ApplePie. It was nowhere near the caliber and a very disappointing attempt to say the least.
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1/10
Why bother?
groggo5 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie suffers from an acute case of the derivative blues. I've seen variations on it roughly 100 times ('The Big Chill' is perhaps the best-known -- and far superior -- example).

I didn't know anything about this flick and became annoyed early because it was placed in the comedy section of my video store. It's about as funny as a lanced boil. It TRIES to be (briefly) funny, which, of course, only makes it worse. I guess it can be categorized as a drama, a lumbering mass of drama.

This is about nine people, most of them suspiciously resembling pure-bred yuppies or yuppie wannabes, who get together for a long weekend and tell us about the terrible woes and the angst they've endured in this brutal quagmire called life. They're desperate to CHANGE their lives in some way (how utterly original); they reveal long-kept secrets, including (gasp) a woman's flirtation with lesbianism (very strange that none of the male characters revealed a flirtation with homosexuality, because, of course, men never consider things like that). In any case, this 'confessional' stuff is all too familiar and has long been overused as a dramatic device.

'God, etc.' is just another 'coming-of-age' flick dressed up to look like something else. The characters are in their 30s, but the dialogue tells us they're still in high school, where most of them apparently met. If this is the point of the movie -- that they really haven't advanced intellectually, emotionally, etc., etc -- then why should we care? This theme has been battered into the ground many times before.

Nobody involved in this flick, the actors in particular, went on to do anything worth talking about after 1998, the year 'God, etc.' was released. As far as I can tell from the IMDb board, this was the first, and only, film directed by Paul Leaf. I think that must tell us something.

And somebody should sue for false advertising: 'God, etc.' is not funny, there's very little sex (and what we see is pretty juvenile), and God wants nothing to do with these people. The 'apple pie' part is, I THINK, a reference to the American Dream. Unfortunately, it's also a problem here: this film is embarrassingly American, down to hackneyed arguments about Democrats vs. Republicans, as if there were a difference between the two. If American filmmakers are going to distribute a film internationally, they should realize that Americans are universally perceived as the most naive political people on earth. About a billion non-Americans are stupefied when they consider how a nation can elect -- and retain -- a buffoon like George W. Bush for eight years. This is a guy who is challenged when tying his shoelaces, yet he's the most powerful man on earth. How in **** did that happen? When you show a huge slice of this naiveté on screen, it just heats up the giggling cynicism in other countries.

A critic of this movie railed about filmmakers who use 'SEX' in titles as a way of luring more viewers. Apparently it's true. But when the sex doesn't deliver, it just makes the filmmakers look pretty desperate (and a little sleazy).

I'm really tired of watching 'coming of age' movies, and I'm really tired of watching amateur night in indie land. I want indie films to succeed, but so many of them are flat-out embarrassments. I no longer watch formulaic, predictable Hollywood tripe. I get really irritated when I see essentially the same tripe presented under an indie banner. Because they're 'non-Hollywood' movies, are we not supposed to notice?
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1/10
A Loser
noydodd17 December 2003
What can I say? An amateur try at remaking the Big Chill. They didn't pull it off. No original plot, bad acting, bad directing, bad writing. There is no way I would recommend it to anyone. I am surprised I made it through the whole thing.
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I've seen this movie twice before...and they were better
marblehead1002 November 2003
As I was watching this movie, I kept thinking of how David Spade would review it. I think he would say, "I liked this movie the first time I saw it...when it was called 'Return of the Secaucus 7'." I think he would then have said, "Oh yeah, I also liked this movie the 2nd time I saw it...when it was called 'The Big Chill'." Think of this movie like a copy of a copy of an original...sort of indistinct and hard to read. Add a little pretension and you have an ugly movie. 2/10.
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1/10
Don't bother
GiovannaAdria16 June 2007
That this movie was derivative is the least of it's problems. It could be more aptly entitled: "Dear God, Non-erotic Sex, and No Pie for You Tonight." It's contrived, pretentious, and vapid. Not even the sex was sensual.

Writing 10 lines about this flick is a questionable expenditure of time, but here goes....if only to save you from renting it. The characterizations of the 30 something generation do it a great disservice. I know many 30 somethings, butI don't know people like this. I hope it's not just my luck. If I found myself at this party for the weekend I'd have to jump in my car and find the fastest way out. There is no comparison to the films from which this flick was derived. There are similarities in the structure of it to Big Chill, but that's where the comparison ends.

Acting was poor, writing was worse, music intolerable. Wait...one redeeming quality...the setting was lovely.
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1/10
Terrible Movie
CarolCummings30 November 2007
I am amazed at some of the trash that makes it to video stores these days but this one definitely takes the cake... or the pie... or whatever. The writer must have the false impression that people don't know the difference between a good movie and a bad one if he thinks this knock-off is going to even come close to the Big Chill. In fact, the comparison is laughable, so maybe that is why you may find it in the comedy section. Don't expect any real comedy though. Don't expect anything at all and you may not be as disappointed as the rest of us who were suckered into watching it.

If these "moviemakers" ever do manage to create another motion picture monstrosity, run, don't walk, as fast as you can and don't look back! Respectfully, Carol
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7/10
The Making of this Film Should Have Been Filmed!
boris-2611 February 2006
This independent film focuses on a group of thirty-something friends trying to kick back and reunite in a secluded house. Conflicts, kinky madness, and high drama results. I've seen numerous BIG CHILL styled independent films like this before. Filming lots of dialog in one house is a very cheap and easy way to shoot. But, for the audience, you better have some snazzy dialog. I just wish the characters in this film grabbed me more. The making and marketing of GOD SEX AND... was far more fascinating and crazier than the antics shown on the screen. It took years for writer, co-star and co-producer Courshon to assemble a budget, a cast and a crew to shoot this very simple film. Name talent like Jon Cryer and Jennifer Tilly committed, than backed out. Courshon finally funded the production mostly with credit cards. While shooting, the Weather Gods provided snowstorms that delayed production. Courshon received a promise for extensive post-production funding, but that investor went bankrupt, and it was back to Uncle Master Card and Aunt Visa. Courshon learned his publicist fibbed about arranging for Roger Ebert to review the film. They tried sending the film to various distributors, but hardly anybody called back expressing interest. Finally, Courshon arranged a showing of the film in early autumn at a Manhattan theater. This is it! Now, distributors can very easily hop across town and watch audience reaction.

Courshon's print of GOD SEX AND APPLE PIE was finally set to arrive in Manhattan - on September 11, 2001. Despite the horrors unfolding several blocks south of the theater, the film played, and managed to bring in $ 5,300 at the one theatre. (The film so far cost $ 300,000 to make and market) Finally, Courshon secured a deal with Lightyear Entertainment and with Warner Brothers for a DVD release. All the work finally paid off for Courshon. You have to keep knocking on doors, making those phone calls and sending those e-mails. It's a decent film, but a great lesson in persistence
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1/10
Counting sheep would be more interesting
fame4reel17 May 2005
Everyone has seen a movie that has no real ending but just drops the ball on a satisfying conclusion. "God, Sex and Apple Pie" is one of those movies, but it also has no beginning and no middle.

Nine friends meet for a weekend of fun. Can you see where this one is going? How much could we possibly want to know about made up relationships that we haven't already seen in the average daytime soap?

It looked as if the film was edited with a hatchet, which should have been applied to the script. Obviously all the writer's creative energy was spent dreaming up the catchy title then promptly ran out of steam.

There might have been a decent comedy here if someone had remembered to insert some humor. And what little progress it makes with laughs, it just falls flat on delivering interesting characters to invest in.

This movie really must be seen to be believed, though I'm not suggesting anyone actually see it. I wouldn't do that to you.
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10/10
Medicine For Our Times
TheAll-SeeingI8 November 2019
It's hard to run away from the dulling thud of the evening news and Facebook items which rain-soak modern life. Thankfully, entertainment is still here to shelter us from that frenetic storm, and the terrific "God, Sex, and Apple Pie" is the kind of film that reminds us of our desperate need for relational experiences (perfect and imperfect) in our quests to pin down greater meaning in life.

"God, Sex, and Apple Pie" tracks four thirty-something couples (and a postman) as they take to a resort town and convene on life's essential truths. The film's titling reflects the ruminations that couples gravitate towards in these settings -- existential concerns, getting laid, and sorting out the indigenously American trappings and possibilities of a forward-moving existence. Led by actors Greg Wrangler, Penelope Crabtree, and Mark Porro, this GenX-tailored ensemble film gives rise to a terrific chemistry between individuals at once sharing similar and disparate spaces. Kudos to the creative team for the great push and pull they manage with that, as conflict runs alongside camaraderie and the dramatic alongside the comedic in equal and unforced measure.

"The Big Chill" seems a point of reference for those consuming "God, Sex, and Apple Pie." That's no trite evocation, and quite the feather in any cap. "The Big Chill" came at us at the height of the Cold War; it felt natural to ground one's self in its personal and human impacts. Today, "God, Sex, and Apple Pie" is the kind of movie positioned to soothe similar needs for its own generational audience. This is a well-conceived and thoughtfully executed movie, and ripe for the day at hand.
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6/10
Could have been so great...
PiKapp2311 November 2003
Great story, but poor acting or directing (and possibly both) left me feeling somewhat disappointed. While I still enjoyed the film, I just felt delivery of the lines was too stiff and looked at times forced. The cast was very likable, but I attribute that to the writer and not their performances. I would love to see this movie made with a better cast and/or director.
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2/10
okay
donegreg13 May 2004
It's not a bad movie, but there's nothing really engrossing about it.

Made in 1998, but it has a feel of a late 80s, early 90s movie, and maybe it's more of a movie for the generation before mine.

A few long and somewhat unnecessary montages take away from the story, and the individual character problems seemed to be wrapped up a bit too neatly at the end.

For me it just felt a bit lacking, in either story or in comedy. And a few scenes where you can hear the characters giving speeches about the writer/director's view on society, which is way too common in the independent film world.

The most disappointing thing is that is really just one step away from being something special. Maybe the script just needed one more rewrite.
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Really, not so good
aes141530 September 2004
I was very disappointed in this movie. First, the acting was horrible. I had to force myself to watch the movie for more than five minutes. I feel I have wasted 2 hours of my life that I can never get back. I contemplated writing a letter to the director to get my 3 dollars back. The plot and storyline were not bad, however, the atrocious acting ruined any hopes for success. I feel sorry for the cast. I feel sorry for the writer and the director. I feel sorry for anyone who has seen this movie. Save you money and your sanity by not ever renting this movie. Take a nap or eat a snack instead.

Also, I am confused as to how this film won any awards at the various Film Festivals listed on the cover. Where are these festivals held? I have a videotape of my neighbor taking out the garbage, and I think I have a good shot at the gold.
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1/10
Not a comedy.
conniewarner1 November 2020
Not a comedy. Blah-medy. And the music is too loud. Bad acting. Terrible movie. Don't waste your time.
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7/10
Interesting
ryanpatrickmiller25 October 2005
Okay so this isn't gods gift to movies, but it does raise some interesting points and puts people in an interesting situation. The only problem i seem to have is it doesn't tie up the loose ends on all characters. The characters are relatively believable and the script does have some interestings twists. IT reminded me somewhat of the breakfast club except everyone would have a prior relationship. The nudity was surprisingly tasteful, and yet they still managed to include a beauty in a bondage outfit. I wouldn't say this movie is a classic, but if your in the mood for a drama movie that explores human character i believe this is a good watch. Judging by the name you would assume it's a sexy comedy or possibly a spoof of another movie, but it isn't. The movie isn't as good as title would lead you to believe, but is definitely an interesting watch.
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9/10
A bit of all of us in this "apple Pie"
jared-watson9 March 2005
If this film failed to hit home with any generation x-ers, it may be time to look into the mirror and ask "what am I doing wrong?" The ensemble effort is just that strong.

The writing is brilliantly witty, carried by the tour-de-force performance of Greg Wrangler as Tim, an Investment Banker whose underhanded dealings and insider trading have caught up with him. Wrangler, who hasn't been this good since Barbarian Queen II, takes us inside the character so deeply that we can't help but feel for the "Tim" in all of us. I did some research and was quite surprised to see Wrangler snubbed by the Academy in 1998, despite his fine work here.

Mark S. Porro is also strong as the career-oriented anchorman whose philandering has led him to the conclusion that he's had real happiness in his grasp the whole time. And what can I say about the character of Ron? A recovering alcoholic stand-up comedian passed off brilliantly by rising star Phil Palisoul, Ron is at first the comic relief in this hilarious slice of life, but we get to know soon enough that he's got problems of his own.

Jerome Courshon and Steve Rifkin round out the cast superbly as Trent and Drew, the Artist and Musician who feel looked down upon by their wealthy friends. if only they knew, both possesses the kind of freedom Tim and Alex (Porro)have longed for...

In closing, this is not one to be passed over. Often we as consumers spend hours looking beyond the new releases for that one gem that fell through the cracks. Look no further. God, Sex and Apple Pie is a true piece of cinematic genius.
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6/10
Not a Bad Flick
GaetanoJr16 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie seemed like a watered down combination of "The Big Chill" and "The Four Seasons" where a group of old friends have an annual get-together. The various personalities mesh and clash, amidst several problems thrown in for drama. There's the obligatory couple fighting over an affair, another guy with a recent girlfriend who's new to the group, one guy with a serious legal problem at work, another who's thinks he's a loser, and a woman who wants to change her life. The characters could have been more developed although there was a decent try at this. The movie centered on the interaction among the members of the group. Worth watching but don't expect it to be as good as the above mentioned flicks that spawned this one.
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7/10
You really asked for this.
Richard_vmt2 April 2008
You walked in to this with your eyes open if you knew it was about a group of sexy young couples spending a weekend in a retreat. With that as a starting point, I say it is quite tasteful compared with what it might have been. There is some discussion of gay and lesbian sex but none takes place at this retreat. Instead there is a modest amount of relatively glamorous copulation ( in the current favorite position with the woman upstairs). And this is between the couples as they arrived--no swapping.

But just the same it is a story about some people's tacky relationships. These are people, some married and some not, whose relationships are

not founded on love but on sex. They dated until they are together by default. Beyond sexuality, there is a smattering of psychology. As to how God possibly got into the film title I cannot fathom.

The individual stories are all of a redemptive nature and so in its own way this is a feel-good movie. For instance, one man faced with prison for insider trading learns that his mate's loyalty transcends anything he had been led to expect from her so far. That's about as close to God as these folks are likely to get. But, they conduct themselves like ladies and gentlemen. Disappointed??

As for this film being, as billed, a romantic comedy, it is neither. If you watched this film expecting a few laughs (as I did) then you really have a right to be disappointed. Virtually nothing funny takes place.

But all things considered it is a watchable movie. The many complaints about the acting possibly stem from the fact the actors are all tanned muscle men who look like they stepped out of clothing catalogs. It must be difficult being such as they are to appear as anything else. The male characters make a big play to appear free and easy for the ladies and so I thought it probably accurately represents a weekend of actor-types socializing together.
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9/10
well done
socaring14 September 2004
I felt the movie was timeless. The focus was on relationships, which any generation can identify with and ponder over! I found the humor appropriate to the characters; helping lighten up a difficult subject. I looked at my own personal intimacy issues when watching the story...thinking about my life at the end of the movie. It was funny but serious at the same time. I hope to balance my everyday existence with some bit of laughter! It gave me something to 'chew over', and that is what I feel the purpose of a good movie is - to make the audience think and walk away with more insight into themselves, and a piece humor along the way.
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A winner!
filmcat-25 September 1999
You can't go wrong with God. You can't go wrong with sex. You most certainly can't go wrong with apple pie. And the film (unlike many film festival screenings I've seen) lives up to the title. A weekend reunion forces childhood friends (now turning thirty) to examine the paths they have chosen. Beautifully shot, a monster twist and surprisingly well acted. No names, just talent. Keep your eye on the guitar player and the mailman. I liked them a whole lot. God, Sex & Apple Pie, with or without a scoop of vanilla, is a
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7/10
Ups and downs with a couple of outstanding performances
Alexandre-1419 February 2004
This is a fun movie to watch, the script has its ups and downs, and at some points it can be extremely insightful and at others completely cliche.

In any case, this is not the kind of plot that you would expect from a low budget flick. The high points of the movie are first the character Ron (Phil Palisou), who is extremely funny and dramatic, the second is the gorgeous Tina (Maria McCann), with an amazing dramatic performance. I really wish to see those two actors working in more movies.
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8/10
A nice looking indie film.
FL_19982 February 2004
A nice looking film that shows that low-budget does not necessarily mean cheap. While it has definite echoes of "The Big Chill", the film and its interlaced stories stand up on its own. A likable cast and interesting relationships between the characters keep the film going, even though the direction could have been a bit more dynamic. The actors and the material deserved it. All in all, this film is very obviously someone's labor of love and it shows. Low budget films are not easy to make, and more often than not they look less than good. This film has a nice saturated, solid look to it which, in these days of over- or underexposed "stylish" films with shaky camera work, is downright a relief. "God, Sex and Apple Pie" is a good indie film that tries to be just an honest story about people and their relationships, their desires and their failures. It will be nice to see what the filmmakers come up with as their encore project.
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10/10
This is one of the better films
Julie3022 December 2003
This is a very good movie. It certainly appears to polarize some people looking at the previous comments, with some loving it and some hating it. But if you like independent movies -- and are not a slave to action-driven, wall-to-wall special effects Hollywood studio movies -- but can appreciate more of a character-driven movie, then you'll probably like this one. However, if you need blood, guts, bullets & octane, you won't find that here. This well-written, and well-acted movie really gets into the lives of a group of people, and I found myself and some of my friends in these characters. So besides being entertaining and fun, it actually has a point to it. It's on my list of one of the best films I've seen all year.
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A film that gives you food for thought, but is not a main course.
voxpop26 July 1999
> The film certainly bows in the direction of "The Big Chill" and "Same Time, > Next Year," but without major infidelity or a corpse. The writer has done > some nice things with the characters, so that you can see some nuances in > them that would offset the obvious stereotyping, i.e., the sensitive artist, > the long-suffering, but unknowing spouse, the weakling hunk, the loser, > etc. > > It has a sense of humor and doesn't take itself too seriously, but invites > you to think about situational ethics and solutions. And thankfully they > treat the "postal employee" as a person!
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8/10
Great First Time Indie Flick. Solid Story. Definitely worth seeing.
VinceRocca14 April 2004
God, Sex and Great Indies.

God Sex and Apple Pie is a Good Flick. Great Flick when you consider it is a first time Writer/Producer.

Reminded me of the show Thirty Something. I liked all the characters and felt they meshed well. It was relatable for me because I have the same eclectic group of friends.

I didn't like the opening credits, but past that the movie picks up quickly. Ron cracks a great joke that draws you in instantly. There was some on-the-nose dialog, but not enough to be distracting. Not once did I yell "OH COME ON!" at the screen. The characters don't do things that are out of character.

All acting performances were solid. Jerome does a fancy naked shuffle with his hot costar Andrea. These are outtakes I'd love to see. The choreography had to have been practiced to pull the scene off.

Editing was great. I was never distracted by it and the pacing was good, so job well done.

Sounded great, with a score/soundtrack to match. So, to all my fellow Indie filmmakers, watch God Sex And Apple Pie and learn what can be done low budget on 35mm.
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