Unaware that it was a rapture, “end of days” Christian-themed book (I was tricked), I read “Left Behind” years ago, thinking it was an interesting apocalyptic sci-fi adventure where “millions of people around the globe simply vanish. All that remains are their clothes and belongings. The unexplained vanishings cause unmanned vehicles to crash and burn. Emergency forces everywhere are devastated. Gridlock, riots and looting overrun the cities. And there is no one to help or provide answers. In an instant, the earth has been plunged into darkness.”

I thought the story was a pretty good yarn and it was a fun, enjoyable read. The book inspired a whole series of sequels. Then a low-budget movie came out starring Christian Kirk Cameron, and that ruined the whole thing for me.

So now the movie has been redone with Nicolas Cage as the star, running around throwing his arms up in the air shrieking at people that the rapture has begun and all the Christians have disappeared [to Heaven], leaving sinners on Earth… Hoping the movie won’t be a maudlin, preachy tale like its trashy low-budget predecessor. Comes to theaters Oct. 3.