Paul, Apostle of Christ movies is more dark and gory than expected

Movie Title: 
  Paul, Apostle Of Christ

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13,
 108 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Just in time for the Easter season, this Christian movie brings Paul and Luke, both faithful followers of Jesus Christ, to the big screen with their unique friendship and affirming messages.

This film is VERY heavy, dark, gory, and even depressing.  In that regard, it's very realistic. The film states at the end that is has been “dedicated to all those who have been persecuted for their faith.”  Christians will leave with a feeling of reverence and increased respect for the early Christians.

While this movie really won’t convince non-believers to turn their lives over to Christ, it is another arrow in the quiver of recent Christian movies that build faith and testimony.  Christian movies are slowly getting better and I'm grateful that Christian audiences support them in movie theaters.

Two additional Christian movies, a holy trinity of films so to speak, are also in theaters at the same time to celebrate the Easter season: I Can Only Imagine DVD and God's Not Dead: A Light In Darkness (Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture).

                                             

Tips for parents: 

• There are a lot of gruesome images of torture, deaths, bodies burning, and suffering.  I’m almost surprised that this movie wasn’t rated R because of so many brutal scenes.
• There is a LOT of talking with not very much action.  Most children will be bored.
•  It's definitely not a feel-good popcorn movie for a fun Friday night. It is, however, a thought-provoking film that will make you think and feel.

Uplifting theme: 

• Enduring faith
• Forgiveness
• Be the light.
• Peace begins with you.
• “Love is the only way.” – Luke
• “We cannot repay evil with evil.  Evil can only be overcome with good.” – Paul
• “Men do not die for things they doubt.” – Paul
• “We live for the Lord.  We die for the Lord.  Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” – Paul
• Through suffering, good can come.

                             

Things I liked:

• I really like Jim Caviezel.  Knowing that he is a solid Christian makes me like him even more, especially as he tries to lend his big star name and talent to Christian movies, which are often seen as amateur and cheesy.  Jim Caviezel gave impressive strength to Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ  Do you want to know what he did with a lot of the money he earned from that movie?  He adopted 3 special needs children.  Wow.
• I like the Giving Films logo and the name “Affirm Films.”
• The production value was very high.  Good technical work.
• I thought the Lord’s Prayer scene was powerful.
• The end was very sweet.
• Filming was done in Malta, where Paul actually went on one of his journeys.
• Some humor.
• Some of the dialogue was full of rich wisdom.
• I really like it when movie theaters don't instantly raise the lights when a movie ends.  Audiences are able to sit and reflect for a few minutes and even compose themselves before the lights turn back on.
• I really liked the scene where Luke told Paul that he saw Jesus in him when Paul taught the gospel.  What a great compliment.  Oh that people could see Christ in us!

Things I didn’t like:

• There are a LOT of scenes in dark corners and dungeons, making it hard to see what’s going on.  There are also a lot of scenes with whispered conversations, making it hard to hear what’s being said.
• The various accents were distracting.  Characters spoke with British accents, French, American, and even one guy sounded Scottish. 
• Paul's famous “Road to Damascus” scene was surprisingly short.  I wanted more.
• Some of the flashbacks could have been done better. It seemed like they were reusing footage to save money.
• It drags in some places, especially during the first half.  My sister and I both got drowsy and had to keep each other awake.  That's not good!

Funny lines:

• “Come, eat.  You must be starving.” – Aquilla (John Lynch)

“If you’re cooking, I don’t know if I’m that hungry.” – Luke (Jim Caviezel)

• “Quit your complaining.” – Luke to Paul
• “They truly were miserable days with you.  I do miss them.” – Paul to Luke 

Interesting lines:

• “The Devil sneaks in the darkness here.” – Paul (James Faulkner)
• “All men are a slave to something.” – Paul
• “Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.” – Paul
• “In a moment, you will know you know God’s love and I hope it is soon.” – Paul
• “They will know us for our love.” - Paul

In an online interview with Jim Cazievel, he mentioned how he could watch good Christian movies like Ben Hur over and over.  Be sure to watch that movie again this Easter season.  It's old, but it's extremely powerful!

                                      

                                           @trinaboice

The Case for Christ challenges viewers before Easter

Movie Title:  The Case for Christ

Grade:  B+

Rating:   PG, 112 minutes

In a Nutshell: Perfectly timed for Easter, this Christian film attempts to demonstrate that Jesus Christ lived and was resurrected by challenging viewers to explore the evidence for themselves.  

Based on a true story and the book by Lee Strobel called The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (Case for ... Series) , the film walks you through one man’s journey from atheism to Christianity.  As he says in the beginning of the movie, “The only way to truth is through facts.”  When his wife becomes a Christian, he resists violently, beginning his personal quest to prove religion wrong.  As a journalist by profession, he realizes he can no longer dispute the growing evidence.

So many people, including members of my own family proudly proclaim “I believe in science”, yet won’t take an honest look at what science has said about the existence of Jesus Christ and the resurrection.  This film addresses some of those pieces of evidence.  It also illustrates that you CAN believe in science AND God.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Believing in God…not believing in God.  Either way, it still takes a leap of faith.” – Kenny London (Mike Pniewski)
• “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis (as quoted by Kenny)
• Believe plus receive equals become.” – Leslie Strobel (Erika Christensen)
• “Open your heart and take a chance.” – Pastor (Jordan Cox)
• ‘If you look expectantly for whispers, you’ll hear them.” – Pastor
• “When is enough evidence enough?” - Ray Nelson (Brett Rice)

Things I liked:

• I’m glad that the number of Christian films out there is on the rise.  They are generally improving in quality and it gives those who want to watch “clean” films in a fun movie theater environment a good option.
• The movie shows an experience that reminds us that God uses us to bless others, to answer people’s prayers.
• It was good to see Faye Dunaway in a movie again.
• I always like it when information about the real people in the movie is shown at the end.  You get to see pictures of Lee and Leslie Strobel and learn about their books, ministry, and even what their children are doing.
• It shows flawed Christians. In other words, just because you're Christian doesn't mean you're perfect.  "Church is a hospital for the sick, not a museum for saints." (Abigail Van Buren)
• It does a good job illustrating that conversion is a process and an ongoing one at that, not a one-time event.
• A psychologist in the film, played by Faye Dunaway)  talks about a phenomenon called a “father wound”, which she says all of the famous atheists in history had.  It refers to some kind of dysfunctional relationship with their biological father, making it difficult for them to believe in a loving heavenly father.  Interesting.

Things I didn’t like:

• Lee and Leslie Strobel argue a lot about Christianity.  I never enjoy watching people fight and bicker in real life or in the movies, so that became exhausting to watch.  Marriage is hard, but if each spouse supports the journey of growth and discovery that we all take during our lives, marriage would be so much easier.
• Like a lot of Christian films, this one is pretty slow moving.
• Atheists always get so angry with Christians.  Why is that?  They scream for tolerance, yet they don’t offer any to those who think differently than they do.  Of course, this is just a movie, but I’ve definitely noticed that attitude in real life.  
• There is mention of the “Christ Cult”, which is just plain offensive to Christians who are doing their best to be good people.

Interesting lines:

• “There is no ‘what if’ with God.” – Alfie Davis (L. Scott Caldwell)
• “Listen?  Do THAT.” – Alfie
• “Churches aren’t perfect.  Pastors aren’t perfect.  That’s not God.  That’s people.” – Pastor
• “It’s not luck.  It’s Jesus.” - Alfie
• “In his time and in his way, God always keeps his promises.” – Alfie
• “I missed the truth.  I didn’t see it.” – Stroebel

“You didn’t want to see it.” - James Dixon (Renell Gibbs) 

• “What if it IS true?  Wouldn’t you want to know that?” – Leslie Strobel (Erika Christensen)
• “Shouldn’t we go to church?” – Lee (referring to where he should have his first prayer)

“Right here.  Right now.  This is church.” – Leslie

• SPOILER:  “I don’t know everything.  I never will know everything.  But I know enough and I believe.” – Lee Strobel (his touching prayer at the end of the movie)

• Tips for parents: 
• There is a graphic conversation when a doctor discusses flogging and crucifixion and shows images.
•  Young children will be bored.  There is a lot of "talking" and no action. 

@trinaboice 

Do You Believe script is weak, but with a bold message

Movie:  Do You Believe?

PG-13, 1 hour 55 minutes

Grade: C

In a Nutshell:  If enough people support Christian movies at the box office, then maybe the films will improve.  The writing in this film is just not very good, but the message is still sweet.

Uplifting Theme:

The narrator explains, “I’m not sure any of us gets to see the whole picture…the God’s eye view…so to speak.”   God is the master weaver.  We only see the threads from underneath the tapestry, but one day we will see the genius of God’s handiwork in it all.  In that immense tapestry, we’ll get to see that one thread, our own life, is what makes the masterpiece complete.

Things I liked:

·         We often don’t realize the impact our lives have on each other.

·         The bold song at the end of the movie proclaimed “We believe!” and testified of Jesus Christ and resurrection.  I believe those things too.

Things I didn’t like:

·         All of these Christian movies seem to have the same ole cast with the same ole story: sappy believers who quote scriptures all the time while looking off in the distance, ridiculous non-believers who end up in the hospital and change their minds.

·         There are a lot of story lines that come together in the end, but until then, the script is pretty messy.

·         Cybill Shepherd isn’t aging very gracefully, but then again, neither am I.

·         With a cast full of decent actors like Sean Astin, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, and Mira Sorvino, you would think that the acting would be better.   

·         Some of the characters are just plain annoying and clichéd.

      Most of the inspiring lines in the movie came off of T-shirts and plaques you've probably already seen in Christian bookstores.
       I'm guessing cross sales are going to go up.  You know, not all Christians wear and use crosses to celebrate Christ's resurrection.  Speaking of resurrection, Happy Easter this week!

Interesting lines:

·         “The man whose death certificate you just signed is sitting right here, talking to you.  I’m just saying…you might want to reconsider believing in miracles.” – Joe

·         “What are you doing?” – EMT

“Praying…more like apologizing.” – Latina nurse

*  "If you believe, what are you going to DO about it?" - 

*  "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" - EMT

Tips for Parents:

·         This is a safe movie for all ages, although most children will be pretty bored.