Change Your Image
StanKnows
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
The Apostle (1997)
Sonny (DuVall) is a modern day King David.
First: DuVall's performance and that of the other actors in this film were 100% on point. Hollywood's portrayal of Christianity is always done in a way that makes anyone who calls themselves a Christian look like dumb and/or wacko, the style of Christianity shown in this film would have been such a large target of this lopsided Hollywood viewpoint. BUT instead DuVall took great pains to portray these in a most realistic way. Without making fun or a mockery of this worship style.
Second: The message in this story is that Christians are not perfect but forgiven. Some of you may not understand that, given the candy coated image of what a Christian is. We all hate to show our weakness and Christians have it even harder when they try to pretend that they have no faults. The truth is we all fail in our attempt to be what God ask of us. But the true Christian seeks to do God's will and to follow his teachings. When we fail we are sorrowful and ask for help and forgiveness.
"Sonny" mirrors the biblical "King David". David was a "man after God's own heart", however David was far from perfect. He committed Adultery and killed the woman's husband to cover it up. He did many things that were not right but yet his heart was always to follow God.
There are many people who try to follow God but are discouraged buy failure and unfortunately in many cases get no support from the church in helping them back on the right track. These people turn there backs on God and the church, most never to return.
This is a good movie for Christians who are sometimes way to full of themselves to see what they have become. I know many "Christians" who have a hart for the appearance of Christian perfection but have no heart for doing what God ask of them. I can only pray that they see the difference before it is to late.
For those of you who may not call yourselves Christian, Try to understand the heart of "Sonny". Despite some of his actions "Sonny" has a heart for God. Also understand that true Christianity is a relationship with God and not just a bunch of rules. When you truly love someone you want to do what pleases them. You may not always succeed but it is your number one desire. And this is what this movie is about.
Facing the Giants (2006)
No, you will not find professionally trained actors in this film. However you will find real people doing a good job portraying real people in the real world
Considering that Facing the Giants was created entirely by volunteers from a church in Albany Georgia. Considering that Facing the Giants was made with a donated budget of only $100.000. and it made $400.000 opening day in 441 theaters (a Friday) and $1.3 Million in it's first weekend (boxofficemojo.com ). And considering that Facing the Giants was basically in the can before Sony saw it and decided to distribute it. I would conceder Facing the Giants an amazing movie. Just how many moved have made 4x there budget on opening day? No, you will not find professionally trained actors in this film. However you will find real people doing a good job portraying real people in the real world. 30 min into the movie I felt that I had known these people for years. I felt right at home.
Making a Football game look real on film is hard enough for Hollywood. So Alex Kendrick did a wonderful job for what he had to work with. There was energy and drama in every shot.
Sherwood pictures (Sherwood Baptist Church) broke a lot of ground in this film. They broke ground for all independents film makers, and they broke ground for Christian Filmmakers. Perhaps movies with a Christian message are not your taste, that OK but there is a large market out there for this king of production. 'Facing the Giants' proves that you don't need BIG Hollywood backing to make a movie that makes money.
I saw Alex Kendrick's first movie "Flywheel" ($20,000 budget) it was a bit low on production quality but it to was a good movie, and has a success story of its own. Now I can't wait to see what this grass roots production company dose next.