After Death

Solemn music, moody lighting and dramatic re-creations don’t just make things magically factual. Or even especially persuasive.

When faith feels compelled to sell itself by pretending it’s something else, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s propaganda.

In a different life, “After Death” would be street trash.

Fairly limp... The movie doesn’t unearth any new ground, and really, how could it? Indeed, it follows any number of documentaries that have contemplated the topic.

A repetitive slog that’s only shape or narrative momentum comes from its slow unmasking as religious propaganda

Whether you believe these phenomena are spiritual journeys or visions created by the human mind (or both), the film loses its sense of epiphany in the lackluster jumble of its moviemaking.

Either way, what happens after After Death is you will have been entertained.

The testimonials of near-death experiences seem sincere, but the documentary's filmmakers only chose to interview people with Christian points of view, ignoring other religions. Most of the interviewees have authored books, so there's a sales agenda too.

Despite some confusing editing and mixed messages, this documentary offers many fascinating firsthand accounts and gives viewers something to ponder -- i.e., life's greatest mystery.

The stories and reenactments by the people who died, died (sorry, the Jim Carroll Band just popped into my head) are scary as hell. Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke may not bring anything new to the table but it’s a fascinating topic for the faith-driven