This review is about the experience I had of watching Season 4, episodes 1-3 in a full theatre on a Saturday afternoon. I've never been part of an audience that was so engaged in what was going on, on screen. People around me cheered, clapped, wept, and at times shouted. One member of the audience called out a cheer for Jesus before we had a break for the intermission. There was a unity amongst us that could only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. The focus was on Jesus. Clearly, people relate to the characters on screen and have empathy for them. The ensemble cast has done well to make them believable as men from simple backgrounds who are chosen by the Son of God to do incredible things.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Journey to Bethlehem
(2023)
An emotional musical journey
12 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The directing and strong performances of the leads in Journey to Bethlehem work to make this movie a wonderful experience. It takes you on the emotional journey that Mary and Joseph went through, brought to life quite convincingly by several well choreographed musical numbers and dramatic scenes. Antonio Banderas as a paranoid King Herod and the portrayal of angel Gabriel were two of my favorite characters. Joel Smallbone as Antipater, one of Herod's sons, danced up a storm with Roman Soldiers while singing a catchy song, In My Blood, a song that expressed his own emotional conflict. Even though I know the story, this fresh re-telling and the pace of the movie kept me engaged throughout.
Same Kind of Different as Me
(2017)
A powerful character driven film
22 October 2017
Same Kind of Different as Me is a powerful character driven film. Actor, Djimon Hounsou's excellent portrayal of Denver, a colored homeless man who through divine intervention becomes friends with a wealthy white couple, (played convincingly by Greg Kinnear and Renee Zellweger) is flawless. The journey they're taken on changes them all for the better.
The movie reminded me of some of the character driven classics made by Frank Capra.
The movie reminded me of some of the character driven classics made by Frank Capra.
Risen
(2016)
Strong performances, and quality production design, lift Risen.
22 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I found it captivating to watch this Roman military tribune's journey from a non-believing, tired, discontent, soldier, to a follower of Jesus. The character arc of Clavius is portrayed convincingly by Joseph Fiennes. The supporting cast are also all solid too. 'Risen' takes a fresh approach to tell a story that has been told many times before, and injects new life into it.
Though there isn't any reference to Clavius in the Gospels, I didn't have a problem believing that something like this might have happened. The Gospel of John in the New Testament concludes with the verse, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." So maybe Jesus did appear to a Roman military tribune, and that man then became his follower. I'm sure, at some time, one did.
Though there isn't any reference to Clavius in the Gospels, I didn't have a problem believing that something like this might have happened. The Gospel of John in the New Testament concludes with the verse, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." So maybe Jesus did appear to a Roman military tribune, and that man then became his follower. I'm sure, at some time, one did.
Noah
(2014)
Epic movie, watch it for what it is.
29 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Watch Noah for what it is, without comparing it to the Bible, and you will find it stands on its own as a great film. A movie should be judged by what ends up on the screen. Noah is an epic film, with great performances by the lead actors, and supporting cast. There is an art and technique to writing a feature length screenplay. It needs to have a three-act structure, certain dramatic elements, plot points, and a character arch. These are found in the movie Noah - not in the four short chapters of the Bible. The movie works, the characters feel real. The production design is top notch, with its attention to detail. Overall the movie shows how Noah found grace in the heart of God, and was warned of a coming judgment. Noah believes God, and builds an ark to save himself and his family. This is the essence of the biblical account, and is retold, very dramatically, in this film.
Love's Unending Legacy
(2007 TV Movie)
A good TV movie with a poor musical score
31 October 2010
What could have been a good TV movie was weakened by an overdone and unsuitable musical score. I found this was an annoyance during the first half of the movie. Performances overall were not that bad but the this mood music (that didn't seem to suit a western film) played over the actors as they spoke in many scenes and this became a real distraction.
In one scene, which takes place in the church, a pastor is asking a congregation to volunteer to take care of homeless children lined up across the platform behind him. All the dialog in this scene is underscored by this deep emotional mood music which is unnecessary and distracting.
In one scene, which takes place in the church, a pastor is asking a congregation to volunteer to take care of homeless children lined up across the platform behind him. All the dialog in this scene is underscored by this deep emotional mood music which is unnecessary and distracting.
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