“The First Omen” REVIEW
“Paul’s Promise” REVIEW
“American Underdog” Review
“Overcomer” REVIEW
“God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness” Review
“God Is Good, All The Time”
“And All the time, God is God”.
The same dialogue echoes though the God’s Not Dead trilogy as Christians are tried in new ways. First it was a student vs. professor, in which a freshman student is made to prove the existence of God in front of his collages. Then a public school teacher vs. the state, where for the first time a teacher is taken to the supreme court to be made an example for speaking the name of Jesus in her classroom. Now in the next film, it’s the pastor, himself that faces the ultimate test of faith.
Produced and starring David A. R. White, God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness shows that even a pastor is human as Reverend Dave faces the ultimate backlash after being arrested at the end of the second film, now his church is burnt down. To throw more heat onto the scene, the university which has offered sanctuary to the church now wants the church gone, as they seek to lay blame for the disrupt in campus life and hate crimes. As far as acting goes, David A.R White exceptionally portrayed a pastor which we have watched in all three movies as he himself is now feeling the persecution that the student and teacher equally felt. White’s expressions on his face when he has his breakdown in the church as well as the encounter with the student responsible for the fire, ultimately shows the humanistic characteristics that undoubtably all people of faith go through when all seems lost. It shows that even pastor’s aren’t exempt.
Likewise, the film, conveys the same subtle message, that of whether or not to believe in God or not, allowing the audience to make their own decision in the end, though it is slightly more bible based then the previous too, which one could deem is because of the attack on the pastor and the church. The setting and lighting is perfect in using colors to depict just how low humanity can get, but the multiple images of fire serves as both a destroyer as well as a symbol of hope similar to a scene out of the second with the students showing their support for their teacher at her house. This very same scene repeats itself with the university students showing support of Rev. Dave.
The return of Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is also a nice touch as those loyal followers of the Gods Not Dead franchise, might have wondered what happened to the outspoken freshman who stood up to the overpowering agnostic professor. Harper’s addition as a student minister, showed the affect of the church on the campus as a new student, Meg (Jennifer Taylor) is introduced as an underlying story supplementing that of the church vs. state. We see a further development in Harper especially from the first film to this one where he has know transitioned from the freshman trying to prove God’s existence to a actual pastor figure who wants to reach others, which I can totally see. Harper’s performance in this one is just as strong and motivating as the student becomes the teacher in an essence both with Rev. Dave when he seems to question himself as well as the new young girl who is in the same boat.
The God’s Not Dead franchise is based in large part by the Christian Musicians Newsboys, who’s song, God’s Not Dead was performed in both the first two movies and one might expect another reprise, which didn’t happen. I found myself slightly disappointed by not hearing and seeing the band, but the music was prevalent in the background as the story continued.
Another difference between this one and the first two was the call that was made. Instead of showing the message, to text everyone, “God’s Not Dead”, there was a live message at the end from Michael Tait, of the Newsboys as he closed out with a public message, to be the light. He also promoted an app which was created for the movie. I liked the notion, but showing the message after the credits, make it difficult to reach, especially since most people don’t stay til the end. While the message was powerful, they might have been better to still have the text message at the end for those that didn’t wait all the way through.
God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness is a fitting close to a powerful franchise. It upheld the same standards as the first two, with more emphasis on a pastor’s point of view and of course the call to “Be the Light” was still there. The religious sequel came out in theaters March 30 and is currently playing in a theater near you.
“Imagine” Review
“Imagine.”
It’s one word that has powerful depth when put into song and it is what drives both the movie as well as the inspiration behind what is said to be one of the most known songs in America.
The movie, based on the real life story of songwriter, Bart Milliard, (played by J. Michael Finley, in his debut role) shows the journey of Bart, as a singer songwriter, from childhood to musical sensation as we see the emotional struggle that ultimately shaped the song as a whole. The acting captures the heart of the story as a true piece of artwork and ultimately a love letter of redemption between a son to a father. In that way, regardless of religion or not, anyone who sees the movie or hears the song is immediately touched by its message.
Filmed primarily in Oklahoma City, the imagery captures the time period perfectly as the film picks up in 1985 when Young Bart (played by Brody Rose, from the film Gifted) is listening to a old school tape player which we learn is how he’s able to cope with the abuse in his house of both himself and his mother. Early on, we learn that music is going to be essential to what drives the young boy to overcome his father (played by Dennis Quaid), but we also see a shift in the boy after a trip to church camp tied to his mother leaving, where he suddenly wants to do everything to please his angry father, even by following in his father’s footsteps and joining the football team.
All in all, everything seems to be going well, until an injury his senior year haults his career and helps him rediscover the music in joining Glee club. From that moment, Bart is finally old enough to rebel against his father and he takes off, also leaving his childhood crush, Shannon (played by Madeline Carroll from the Resident Evil film) and venture out in search of himself with a church band called MercyMe, [a name given by his memaw (Cloris Leachman)].
From there, things continue to grow for the small town band as through a letter, Bart convinces music manager, Brickell (played by Trace Adkins) to help them find their voice, but ultimately it takes Bart finally realizing he must forgive his father and create a few special moments, in order to find the right song.
Ultimately, the audience also receives a little extra satisfaction of knowing the real life Mercy Me and Bart Milliard, when the director choses to let us know that Bart does reunite with his mother again.
At an hour and fifty minutes, “I Can Only Imagine” is a film that will have you fully engaged in the back story and once you know the truth, you won’t be able to listen to the song without a new sense of emotion. The film contains all that and more and although when one puts it next to other religious movies including “God’s Not Dead”, maybe it’s not as strong as the others, but still it gets the point across and by the end, the message of redemption will bring even the hardest of souls over swept with a bit of emotion, though may not be enough to shed a bit of tears.
Watch the trailer below and see “I Can Only Imagine” in a theater near you. It’s a great addition to be added to the long list of religious movie great.
Bestseller Turns To The Movies
While at the top of his gain at the Chicago Tribune, his young daughter nearly dies if not for the kindness of a stranger, but now Lee Strobel is questioning everything when his wife suddenly becomes a Christian. Afraid of what will happen to his family, Strobel decides to investigate one of the founding claims of Christianity, the resurrection, but will he be able to disprove or will the facts hold solid for what he feels in his heart.
At an hour and fifty-two minutes, The Case For Christ will take you on the archeological journey with Lee Strobel, played by Mike Vogel, as his wife, Leslie, played by Erika Christensen, patiently waits and prays for her husband to change his heart and mind. It’s by far one of the best investigative religious movies. It gives the facts and lets those tell you what to believe, but ultimately the choice is yours.
The Pureflex film also stars Faye Dunaway as one of the professionals that Strobel interviews as well as L. Scott Caldwell as Alfie, the woman who starts the dominoes falling by saving Stobel’s daughter.
The Case for Christ came out in theaters, April 7 and has thus far risen over 5 million to date at the box office. It’s the perfect movie to watch over the Easter weekend.
“Messiah” Opens Eyes
The latest christian film about the life of Jesus at the age of seven is drawing a small number of viewers to theaters its opening weekend as it brought in roughly 3.4 million in revenues at the box office.
Based on the novel, Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt by acclaimed author, Anne Rice, The Young Messiah stars newcomer Adam Greaves-Neal in his first feature length film playing 7-year-old Jesus who is just releasing his powers as Mary and Joseph are told in a dream to move from Egypt back to Nazareth.
Overall, the movie is entertaining as the story makes you think about Jesus as a child however because there is no proof, some theologians might be skeptical as to the validity of how they are portraying the character of Jesus. That being said, people are encouraged to see it and make their own decisions.
The Young Messiah also stars, Sara Lazzaro as Mary, Vincent Walsh as Joseph, David Bradley as the Old Rabbi, Rory Keenan as the demon and Sean Bean as Severus.
At an hour 51 minutes, it’s a film that makes you sit on the edge of your seat waiting for the next miracle while envision the life of Jesus as a child.
See it now in a theater near you.