If you see one movie this year…

Ever hear of Briargate Christian School? No? Well, it was called Wingate Christian School in the movie. How about Michael Oher? Ah, getting closer.

Yes, I’m talking about “The Blind Side” the movie that received a nomination for Best Movie and won Sandra Bullock an Academy award for Best Actress.

It’s a movie that connects emotionally. A poor black homeless kid gets taken in by a well-to-do white family. Southern family.

Kinda breaks all the stereotypes Hollywood tries to set up.

But the story is too compelling to ignore.

I get so wrapped up in the story….

Jae Head as Sean, Jr., captured the crowd.

There are few surprises; you could probably surmise the story line without even seeing the movie.

But if you want to feel good for a change and go see a movie where you don’t have to worry about what’s going to come out of an actor’s mouth or how much of their body you’re going to see, this movie’s for you.

And besides, it’s at the Silver Budget Theater–can’t beat the price.

“Fireproof” a review

I admit I was a somewhat reticent about going to see the latest effort of Alex and Stephen Kendrick, film makers from Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, GA. I had previously seen “Facing the Giants” and had thought that the answers to the problems raised in that film were just a little too pat to be believable. Life’s problems don’t always turn out so easily solved.

I will also say that this is a Christian movie for Christians. That may not be how the producers conceived it since it is being shown in theaters, but that’s how it came across. Those who are not Christian will most likely not gain much from this movie, and may not even care for it much.

And the answers again are a little too pat for my liking, although certainly not as much as Giants.

This time Kirk Cameron, of Left Behind and, earlier, Growing Pains, is cast as Caleb Holt, a firefighter who is seen as a hero to everyone but his own wife, played by Erin Bethea. Their marriage is quickly going down the tubes and the couple don’t really seem to want to do anything about it.

Enter Caleb’s father who sends him a book called “The Love Dare” and challenges him to follow it’s instructions for 40 days.

I will say that this film is a vast improvement over “Facing the Giants.” Many of the supporting cast are  amateur actors, who nevertheless do an adequate job. Mr. Cameron is the one who gives strength to this movie. Ms. Bethea also turns in a good performance.

The story is compelling. There is action, drama, with humor mixed in so that one is not overwhelmed with the depression of watching a marriage fall apart.

It’s also nice to go to a movie for a change and not have to worry about what body parts I’m going to see, how many people are going to be blown into chunks of gore. And it’s nice to have a movie where the Christian character is not some crazy psychopath.

The church sure could use the message of the movie with divorce rates for believers matching that of unbelievers. And if someone is at the end of their rope in a marriage and takes the message of this film to heart, I believe it can change their lives and heal their marriage.

I’m just not sure there is an audience outside of that.

You can see more, including video clips and behind the scenes clips, at the movie’s web site.

Fireproof

Saturday morning, the wife and I will be heading to the Marcus Theatres to see Fireproof. Our church has rented out one of the screens and we picked up the tickets from them.

I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Later that day we may head to downtown Waukesha for the Art Crawl.

Teammates say ‘The Express’ changes history

A movie portrays history inaccurately?

Wow. Knock me over on that one.

“The Enemy God”

A tip of the conservative ball cap to Practically Speaking.

The wife and I will take in the movie “The Enemy God – A Yanomamo Shaman’s Story” this afternoon at Elmbrook Church. This kind of documentary is right up my alley, worldview differences, language, and the Gospel.

The Left would disagree and I don’t expect the film to impress them, but I’ve been there; I’ve lived among people somewhat similar so I am interested.

Then we’ll probably hit some cheap eating place for our anniversary.

UPDATE: Saw the movie. I thought it was confusing and too long, but my wife thought it was OK. I dozed off and on which may account for my being confused. I thought the room was too warm; my wife thought it was fine. Ah, marriage.

Movie violence

Eugene Kane blames at least part of violence in America on the movies,

I wonder why so many people seem surprised at the random violence in America that regularly bubbles up and explodes in all kinds of horrible ways, everything from school yard shootings to car jackings to serial killers to murder-suicide domestic incidents.

Violence is all around us and apparently we like it. Just check out the movies.

So do movies, as Hollywood contends, merely reflect culture? Or do they influence culture?

And what difference does it make. It’s Free Speech and we can’t do anything about it anyway.