Woodlawn blends football with faith

Are you ready for some football?   The Superbowl is coming up soon, so I thought I'd review a football movie you may have missed when it hit theaters a few months ago.

Movie Title:     Woodlawn

Grade:  A-

Rating:  PG, 2 hours 3 minutes

In a Nutshell:    Based on a true story, Woodlawn High School’s glory emerges out of faith during the race wars in the 1960’s and 70’s. Directed by siblings Jon and Andrew Erwin, this film creates a powerful mixture of religion and gridiron drama.     

This is one of the better Christian movies I’ve seen in awhile.  It’s kind of like a Sunday School lesson with some football added in.  But it’s a really good Sunday School lesson. 

We’re told by the narrator, “Something’s bigger than football, bigger than winning.”  Sean Astin’s character (Hank) explains, “This is what happens when God shows up.”

Uplifting theme: 

•  The movie begins with a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

• “Some call what happened here a miracle, and there is only one explanation, only one way any of this could have happened.” – Coach Gerealds  (Nic Bishop)
•  “Rise up!” – preacher (DeVon Franklin)
• “Believe.  No fear.” – written on one of the player’s helmets
• “Adversity is the crucible of greatness.” – Coach Gerelds

Things I liked:

• Great sweeping music by Paul Mills.  Sometimes it’s a bit overdone for the moment, but I still really enjoyed it.
• Football fans will get to see some cool plays and crunches.  I’m always amazed how they film those scenes.
• I love the demonstration of the candles in the stadium.  Change can begin with only one person.  Expect to see Christians holding up 1 finger often.
• We tend to see the same actors in Christian movies, but this film introduces us to a lot of new faces, including Nic Bishop, who plays a likeable Coach Tandy Gerelds and the fantastic Caleb Castille, who plays Tony Nathan.
• I love Sean Astin in anything.  (How could you not love Mr. Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings?)
• Jon Voight and Sherri Shepherd play small roles, but are both nice additions.
• The relationships that are built are sweet and inspiring.  You care about the characters and their journey and growth.
• The “Jesus Revolution” really was featured in Time Magazine.  The very end of the movie shows footage from the famous stadium event that started it all, as well as an invitation to join the movement, listing dates in 2016 with websites for more information.  One thing I really admire about Christian movies lately is that they leave audiences with a call to action.

Things I didn’t like:

• It’s definitely heavy on the preaching side.
• It’s fairly predictable, but still stirring.

Interesting lines:

• “A time and a place for everything.  Ain’t that what the good book says?” – Paul Bryant (Jon Voight)
• “Winning fixes just about everything, doesn’t it?” – Coach Gerelds
• “Let me tell you something Jesus said: ‘I am the way.  I am the truth.  I am the light.’ And that means something to me, because I let it mean something to me.” – Hank
• “I’m asking you to choose Jesus.  Can you do that?  Will you do that?” – Hank
• “What just happened?” – Coach Gerelds
• “I just let an untrained religious nut convert the whole team.  The whole team.” – Coach Gerelds

“Is that good or bad?” –  Debbie (Virginia Williams)

“I don’t know.” – Coach Gerelds

• “Why don’t you all go out there and show me what you believe.” – Coach Gerelds
• “Maybe God is testing us to see if our commitment is real, not just to win football games.” – Hank
• “When you play for yourself, you can be great, but when you play for something higher than yourself, something extraordinary can happen.” – Hank
• “I believe in what I can see.” – Coach Gerelds

“With all respect Coach, you better start looking around.” – Banks Assistant Coach (Danny Vinson)

“What is more important than winning football games?  You are.”  - Coach Gerelds

• “Do you believe in miracles?” – customer in insurance store

“Yes, I do.  I am one.” – Coach Gerelds

•  National Geographic wrote about the big game that’s featured in this movie as being “undeniably spiritual, supernatural even.” 

Tips for parents:   

• Birmingham bombings are mentioned in the beginning to show the terrible state of race relations that existed in 1970.  Young children and even teens may not know about those historical, turbulent times in Alabama.
• You might need to explain the principle of “separation of church and state” that this movie discusses.
• No profanity.  How refreshing.

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.