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Reviews
Save Me (2007)
Fairly deals with multiple perspectives concerning faith and sexuality...
This movie touches all of us on some level. We all know people who struggle with identity and faith. I find the conflict between faith and sexuality to be a very delicate and personal issue. This movie deals with the internal and external struggles gay Christians face as they confront who they are and what they believe. The storyline/plot is interesting and the character development is thorough and convincing. It fairly deals with many different perspectives and allows the viewer to come to their own conclusions.
Oftentimes Christians are criticized for being bigoted and judgmental, not without some merit, but these labels do not fairly describe all Christians. This movie does not make use of these stereotypes; instead, it shows that even Christians are people struggling with their own identity.
Judith Light's (Gayle) performance is outstanding, and although you may not agree with her beliefs, you can understand and respect her perspective. From her past mistakes, revealed in the movie, she has learned that love and acceptance are better than the unhealthy, sometimes destructive, consequences that come from denial and rejection. Gayle's husband, Ted, played by Stephen Lang, portrays a subtle contrast to her more rigid beliefs, and his 'coach vs. referee' approach serves as a fine example.
Despite how some people view it, Ted and Gayle's ministry, Genesis House, does not force or seek to brainwash the residents. The residents all are adults who have chosen to be there, for whatever reason. One memorable scene in this movie is when Gayle tells Mark, "I don't change people. I try to show them how to get closer to Jesus Christ, and let them make their own way."
The real heroes in this story, however, are the "boys," with excellent performances given by Robert Gant (Scott), Chad Allen (Mark), and Robert Baker (Lester). Their individual journeys are a mixture of pain, love, rejection, and acceptance.
This movie is not anti/pro gay, nor is it anti/pro Christian. It is merely pro love and pro people. I know this description sounds corny and trite, but for those who have seen this movie, perhaps you can agree.
The Eleventh Hour (2008)
Similar to Die Hard with a 24 feel.
When I first read the synopsis, I thought, "Are they serious?" So it sounds a tad far-fetched. So maybe more than a *tad. But overall, this was a decent action flick. The best ever? No. But better than many I've watched. It feels like a 24 type movie--when the school phone rang with the 24 scene-change ring-tone, I had to chuckle. This flick lacks Jack Bauer, but the characters are likable, and the actors did great with what they had to work with, though I've never heard of any of them. Many action actors can fight but they can't act. Not true with Matthew Reese. I haven't seen anything else he's been in, but he did a good job with his part. Jennifer Klekas was a hot damsel in distress and she kicked some a$$, too. Although the storyline could be improved to make it more believable, the lines worked with this story. But how many action flicks are all that believable anyway? If you like 24 or some of Jean-Claude's flicks or anything from the Die Hard franchise, you'll probably enjoy this movie. The action sequences were fast-paced and raw. Mostly hand-to-hand combat and not really any explosions. There was a blend of evasion, shooting, and mixed-martial arts. One realistic thing about this movie is the number of bad guys the hero took on simultaneously. It wasn't like a Chuck Norris film where guys stand in a circle holding their guns and only attack one at a time. A Navy Seal could have reasonably handled the amount of assailants that came at this guy. If you're looking for a deeper storyline or character development, keep looking. But enjoy this movie for what it is...a lone hero saves the day. Kudos to the cast and crew for putting together a decent flick on a presumably low(er) budget.
Eyes Front (2008)
Synopsis
Michael Madsen (RESERVOIR DOGS) stars in this harrowing story of two killers: one a serial killer on the prowl and the other a husband who accidentally kills his wife.
This chilling look into the tormented minds of two killers from completely different walks of life explores the thin line between good and evil. In a hallucinatory adventure of the senses, a crazed murderer wanders the streets on a remorseless hunt for victims. Meanwhile, a distraught family man (Michael Madsen, Sin City, Reservoir Dogs) who accidentally kills his wife desperately searches for redemption. Written and directed by acclaimed hardcore/punk music video director Darren Doane, EYES FRONT breaks new ground with its cutting-edge imagery, fueled by a pulse-pounding alternative music soundtrack.