God's Not Dead 2 empowers Christians and annoys atheists

Movie Title:      God's Not Dead 2

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG, 2 hours 1 minute

In a Nutshell:   This courtroom drama tackles religious freedom and the 1^st Amendment.  Christians will feel empowered, while “non-believers” will think it’s entirely ridiculous.  

You don’t have to have seen the previous one to appreciate or understand this second.  You can read my movie review of the first God’s Not Dead right here.

Uplifting theme: 

• “I’m not going to be afraid to say the name Jesus.” – Grace Wesley
• Teaching vs. preaching
• Why is it that diversity and tolerance seem to be offered to everyone except Christians?
• “Who do you say that I am?”  Ultimately, we all need to answer that question for ourselves about Jesus Christ.  Denying the existence of Jesus doesn’t make him go away.
• Would your Christianity convict you of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ?

Things I liked:

• Ray Wise has a perfectly evil smile to play the opposing attorney, although it's really over-the-top.
• Duck Dynasty fans will enjoy seeing Sadie Robertson.  They even mention the show by name and take a jab at it when the prosecuting attorney requests a preemptory challenge when a juror admits it’s his favorite TV show.
• It was pointed out that the phrase “separation of church and state” is NOT in the Constitution.  In fact, that verbiage was written by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to a Baptist church, assuring them that they would be able to continue their faith under the Bill of Rights.  Ironically, that phrase means the opposite today.
• It’s nice to see Pat Boone again.
• Mike Huckabee plays himself in the movie.
• The Newsboys sings in this movie, just like in the first one.
• At the end of the movie, audiences are given a call to action…literally.  They’re invited to text the following testimony to everyone they know: “God’s not dead.  He’s surely alive.”  #The HumanRight
• Before the closing credits roll, a long list of real cases that took place in the fight for religious freedom are shown on the screen.  While this particular story in the movie is fictional, these kinds of cases have been going on for years.  I noticed that many of the cases on the screen showed they had received the help from the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Things I didn’t like:

• I got a kick out of Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina, The Teenage Witch: The Complete Series , but she lacks believable depth in this drama.  Her character’s name is Grace.  Pretty clichéd, right?
• There are a lot of noticeable false eye-lashes.
• Another reminder that people are so easily offended nowadays. 

Interesting lines:

• “I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than stand with the world and be judged by God.” – Grace
• “What makes non-violence so radical is its unwavering commitment to a non-violent approach.” - Grace
• “We’re going to prove once and for all that God is dead.” – Pete Kane (Ray Wise)
• “So, what do we do?” – Grace

“We win.” – Tom Endler (Jesse Metcalfe)

• “If we stand by and do nothing, the pressure we feel today is the persecution we’ll feel tomorrow.” – Rev. Dave
• “A nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” – government guy  
• “I’m not afraid of telling the truth.  I’m only afraid of not being able to tell it” – Brooke
• “The teacher is always quiet during the test.” – Pat Boone

Real books mentioned in the movie:

• Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels
• Man, Myth, Messiah: Answering History's Greatest Question

Tips for parents:   

• Most children will be bored and not able to sit through the long court scenes.
• No profanity.

      

Other books Christians might like:

 

The Theory of Everything introduces a new Stephen Hawking to the universe

Movie: Theory of Everything

PG-13, 2 hours 3 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  The movie illustrates the romantic spark between the leads, as well as Stephen’s search for the spark that started the universe.   It explores the struggle between body and soul and expands your own world of thinking.  Movie critic Tom Long from the Detroit News said it best: “It’s a brainy bio that exerts a gravitational pull on the heartstrings.” 

How fascinating that a young man who was only given two years to live has spent his entire lifetime trying to prove the theory of time.  He said “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to prove with a singular equation that time had a beginning?  Wouldn’t that be nice?  One simple, elegant equation that explained everything.  Only time, whatever that may be, will tell.”   Isn’t it wonderful that he has defeated that short death sentence to live to an astounding age of 72?  He’s still going strong and who knows how much longer he’ll live and what he’ll discover.  Only time will tell.

Uplifting Theme: “There should be no boundaries to human endeavor.  However bad life may seem, while there is life, there is hope.”  - Stephen Hawking

Things I loved:

·         Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables (2012) ) is simply incredible as Stephen  Hawking.  Oscar-worth in my opinion.  Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ) as Jane Wilde is lovely and an equal match in her starring role.

·         I loved the ending of the movie that showed, appropriately, their story going back in time and how quickly time really does fly.

·         I’m so impressed with the courage and strength that both Stephen and Jane have demonstrated all of their lives.  Shame on me for ever feeling sorry for myself or complaining about anything.

·         I loved the friendship and support that Stephen’s college buddies and professors extended to him for so many years.

·         I thought the film did a good job showing Stephen’s sense of humor.  His intellect, humor, and human passions were never affected by his disease.

*    I love that the movie poster is turned sideways, just like Stephen Hawking has done to various theories of physics and science.

      I admire how Jane waited patiently for Stephen to work out in his own mind and time how he felt about God.  She should have been knighted by the Queen for her many years of sacrifice and service to Stephen.  

Things I didn’t like:

·         It’s a bit slow-moving for some and young children will be extremely bored.

·       SPOILER ALERT:   Isn't it interesting that you can have an affair without acting on it physically?   

Interesting lines:

·         “This is not going to be a fight, Jane.  This is going to be a heavy defeat for all of us.” – Stephen’s father

Funny lines:

·         “I’m a Cosmologist.”  – Stephen Hawking, introducing himself to Jane

“What’s that?” – Jane

“It’s a kind of religion for intelligent atheists.” – Stephen

·         “You haven’t said why you don’t believe in God.” – Jane

“A physicist can’t allow his calculations to be muddled by his belief in a supernatural creator.” – Stephen

“Sounds less of an argument against God than against physicists.” – Jane

·         “I love you.” – Jane

“That’s a false conclusion.” – Stephen

·         “Now, I’d like to make a suggestion.  It might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve seen it work  wonders.  I think that you should consider joining the church choir.” – Jane’s mother to her daughter when Jane was having a tough time handling everything.

“Mum, I think that’s possibly the most English thing anyone has ever said.” – Jane

·         “So I said I have long been looking for a model of the universe.  I finally found her.” – Stephen  

Tips for Parents: 

·         Teens who loved The Fault in Our Stars and who are interested in learning about the mysterious Stephen Hawking they’ve always known to be in a wheelchair should enjoy this.

·         Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will enjoy seeing some familiar actors in this flick.

·         Young men should be inspired by the science geek who is persistent enough to get the pretty girl.

·         Stephen Hawking, apparently, subscribes to Penthouse magazine.

·         This could be a quick start to an interesting conversation with your kids about Quantum Theory and general relativity.  Here are some fascinating questions to discuss that Stephen asked:

-          What is the nature of time?

-          Will it ever come to an end?

-          Can we go back in time?

To learn more about their story, check out the following:

God's Not Dead mixes logic with heart

Movie Title:   God's Not Dead

PG, 1 hour 35 minutes

Grade:   B-

In a Nutshell:  Christians will enjoy it.  Atheists will be annoyed by it, hate it, and loudly argue how offended they are by it.  A question raised in the film that I’ve often asked myself is: Why isn’t it enough for atheists to simply not believe what religious people do?  Why do they have to also tear down and destroy others’ faith?

Is this piece good filmmaking?  No, not really.  It kind of felt like a made-for-TV special.  It’s overly melodramatic and certainly stacks the deck in its favor, but believers will have their heart strengthened and leave the theater filling renewed and encouraged to share their faith. 

Uplifting theme:  God lives!  I loved the challenge at the end of the movie that said “Join the movement.  Text everyone you know:God's Not Dead ”  The audience I sat with clapped when they saw those words.  In fact, the lights in the theater were raised before the movie was over, allowing viewers to do just that…text their witness. Sweet.  I love seeing technology used for good.

Things I liked:

• I’ve always loved Kevin Sorbo ever since he brought the fun TV series Hercules The Legendary Journeys - Seasons 1-6 Bundle to life in the 1990’s.
• It was nice to see Christians portrayed as logically-thinking, good people, rather than as the fanatic buffoons Hollywood usually paints them to be in the movies.
• I’m always impressed with Hollywood actors are willing to show their faith in movies like this.  Dean Cain stepped up to the plate.
• I thought it was nice that they included a side-story that depicted the price some Muslims are paying to accept Christianity.
• Reverend Jude didn’t just talk about his faith; he showed it when he was willing to load up a car that didn’t work and then pray that it would work.  It seemed like a gimmicky miracle, but that actually happened to my son!
• On opening night, this film was completely sold out by a local church group.  I would like Hollywood to take notice that the Christian community is more than eager to support positive and family-friendly movies that promote good values.  Is that asking too much?  Now, if all the Christian movie-makers could work on making films that aren’t too cheesy and embarrassing, that would be terrific!

Things I didn’t like:

• The contrived Spartacus moment felt more forced than inspiring.  I did, however, think the sweet Asian student’s spontaneous leap of faith was sweet and sincere.
• After the recent Duck Dynasty: Season 3 controversy, I thought it was interesting that Willie Robertson from that reality show was featured as a suitable spokesperson in the movie during the big, evangelical concert.
• The background scene music during the movie was pretty sappy.  The gospel rock band at the end however, The Newsboys, were pretty good.
• SPOILER ALERT: I thought making that “certain character” die at the end was lame.  I would have preferred to see him live his newly found faith than simply claim deathbed repentance.
• The non-Christians in the film are portrayed as monstrous villains.  I know there are jerks out there, but it was too over-the-top for a film that was supposed to be presenting a logical case on even ground.

Inspiring lines:

• To the wrong person, you’ll never have any worth.  But to the right person, you’ll mean everything.”  - Pastor Dave
• “Nonsense remains nonsense, even when talked by world-famous scientists.”  - Dr. John Lennox from the book God and Stephen Hawking: Whose Design Is It Anyway?
• “It’s easy to dismiss what you don’t understand or what you don’t want to understand.”  - Josh Wheaton
• “I’m leaving you” said Mina (Cory Oliver) to her boyfriend, Professor Radisson.  He arrogantly declared “I won’t allow it.”  She wisely teaches him “It’s not your choice.”  I wish all girls who are treated badly by men would remember that.  She put him in his place earlier when he was treating her poorly in front of dinner guests and she said “Now if you’ll excuse me…it’s time for the help to depart.”  Girls, you NEVER have to be treated like garbage.  I hope you know that.
• Professor Radisson asks “If God is all good and all-powerful, why does he allow evil?”  The truth taught by Josh is explained in two words “Free will.”
• “How can you hate someone you say doesn’t exist?” asks Josh Wheaton to Professor Radisson when he admits he hates God for letting his beloved mother die when he was only a young boy.
• “So, where do YOU find your hope?”  - The British guy in the rock band Newsboys.
• “God is good all the time.  And all the time, God is good.”  - Pastor Dave
• “Gnothi seauton” – Socrates   (Know Thyself)

Tips for parents:  Young children may be bored, as there is not a lot of action.  The philosophical discussions may go over their heads, but the points made in the movie are definitely worth a family dinner conversation.