THE LEAST AMONG YOU (2010) DVD

"Leaders are not chosen, they are called". I am so excited about this movie after watching it! It was superbly acted with a very intelligent script. It was inspired by a true story. If you listen to the 'special features' after the movie, you will hear from Rev. Dr. Charles Mark (the real character known in the movie as Richard Kelly) and the script actually follows his story quite closely! I found him to be an articulate Christian. It is quite evident that the Holy Spirit is working within him, as the film indicates. God has gifted him with profound spiritual wisdom. In the interview he said: "Rebellion" is my will being acted out in my own way toward my own ends, but surrender puts me in the proper context. Surrender should not be viewed as yielding or giving in, but as strength to do what needs to be done. The story of Richard Kelly is played by Cedric Sanders. Richard was arrested in the 1965 Watts riots. To avoid jail time, he was put on probation with the condition of attending an all-white seminary, where he was the only black man. The president of the school, Alan Beckett (played by William Devane) initially encourages him to become a leader among the students,  but then later withdraws his support. A former missionary, Kate Allison (played by Lauren Holly) also rejects him at first, but later sees him in a different light. He gets through many of his trials with the help of Samuel Benton, "the gardener in the basement", played by Louis Gossett Jr. Samuel says "The Lord has entrusted me the care of this place, so I won't let anyone defile it." (Jeremiah 2:7:"I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination".NKJV The gardener and his wife nourish and strengthen Richard and give him a sense of a loving family. He then can make his finally decision between his own dreams and that of God's calling for him. Isaiah 43:19: "Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness. And rivers in the desert." NKJV This one, in my opinion is definitely worth purchasing for my dvd library! If you are looking for this in your video store it may have a different jacket cover on the dvd. There were two different ones made. Some of these dvd's, I am able to find in one video store, but not another. This one for example, I found in Roger's Video store, but not at Blockbusters. MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violence, thematic elements and brief drug material.

WWJD: What Would Jesus Do? (2010) DVD

Wow-it feels so good to just walk into the DVD store and find a Christian movie on the shelf!  I usually think, if John Schneider is in a film these days, chances are it's a pretty good one. And this movie definitely didn't disappoint!
 
This film was inspired by a Christian book by Charles M. Sheldon called, "In His Steps". (which comes with the DVD as digital download for an E-Book). Mr.Sheldon wrote this book back in 1896. This book has actually changed lives! The novel had been translated into 21 languages by 1935. As it celebrated it's one hundredth anniversary of its publication in 1996, experts had ranked it as the tenth-most read book of the world. The phrase: "What would Jesus do?" abbreviated as WWJD became popular in the United States in the 1990's; hence the WWJD bracelets were started. These initials also had an alternative meaning: "Walk with Jesus Daily".
 

Imagine capturing every thought and asking yourself: "What would Jesus do?". I know this saying has been around a long time, but we need reminders of this and that is exactly what this film delivers. It reminds us and also allows us to view what it looks like with actions behind it.
 
This movie is about four individuals: a Minister, who has lost his faith, a singer, a newspaper editor and a wealthy philanthropist. A drifter comes to their town and forces them to look at themselves truthfully and ask the question: Is this what Jesus would be doing in the same situations? The changes are life-altering for all four of them and also for their town. They experience God's strength in the strain of their struggles. I found the domino effect in this small town so exciting to watch! It was contagious: united in Jesus as individuals and also as a community. Of course they had some nay sayers, as in the world, but Jesus said, "Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecute Me, they will persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also."
  
There are two beautiful songs in this movie: "What Would Jesus Do?" and "Help a Brother Out?" They were wonderfully performed by Adam Gregory, the Country singer (who also plays the singer looking for fame and fortune in the movie.) He has a wonderful deep, resonant singing voice.
 
Needless to say I love this Inspirational Christian movie and the message it brings. 
 

Philippians 2:2-5: "..fulfill my joy, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better that himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ..." NKJV

MPAA:This movie is rated PG for thematic events: one of the characters in a car crash ends up in hospital with head wounds, some pushing up against a fence with intent to rob and the words: Jesus freaks are used.
Overall though this is a movie for the whole family.


WWJD has come out in DVD on October 12, 2010.

"LEGENDARY" (2010) DVD

Although, this is not a faith-based movie, it brings to my mind, the Bible's question of: "....Am I my brother's keeper?" from Genesis 4:9 NKJV. This is of course answered by many verses in the Bible: John 13:34 NKJV: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Also in Romans 14:19:NKJV: "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."

That being said: This movie is about the growing of a relationship between two estranged brothers. This touching story takes place in a small town in Oklahoma. The splitting of the family happens ten years previously, when their father dies in an accident. The younger brother, Cal (Devon Graye) is an awkward, bookish high school student who wants to unite his family indirectly through his amateur wrestling. His older brother, Mike (John Cena), who was the high school wrestling champion years before, has not seen his mother, Sharon (Patricia Clarkson) or his brother in those ten years. Their struggle to unite is a one of redemption and owning up to each of their parts in the relationship between the mother and her first born son. It is the youngest who, with the guidance of Red (Danny Glover), has the realization of what he has really won. One of the sayings in the movie is: "Not all legends are about victory; some are born out of struggle." 

I enjoyed this movie and thought the acting was of high quality, especially from the main characters: Patricia Clarkson, Devon Graye, John Cena and of course Danny Glover.

In the movie, the father made a general statement about life: "When you show up..things happen" so "Show up and be prepared."  Good advice, but if this had been a faith-based movie it might have added an even better statement of preparedness for life: Ephesians 6:11-12: powers, against the rulers of the darkness "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,..." NKJV

MPAA: This movie is rated PG-13 because of suggestive material, brief partial  nudity and some fighting scenes.



 

"LETTERS TO GOD" (2010) DVD

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 19:13-14  NKJV

 "Letters to God"  is an inspirational and uplifting Christian faith-based movie, inspired by a true story. It was made in loving memory of Patrick "Tyler" Doughtie. (Sept.23/1995 to March 1/2005)

Tyler's Dad has written the book from which this movie is based. He and his wife also co-authored a children's book with the same title.  

This is a story is of a courageous, faith-filled eight-year old boy, also named, "Tyler", (Tanner Maquire), who has cancer. He influences both his family and his community by writing letters to his "best friend", God, which is a form of  prayer for him. He lives with his Mom (Robyn Lively), his grandmother (Maree Cheatham) and his teenage brother (Michael Bolten). The letters are eventually intercepted by the mailman (McDaniels Johnson), who is a lost soul with an addiction. He is inspired by Tyler's bravery and grace in battling the cancer. He then, after some confusion, goes on a journey to find out how to rid himself of his own demons and finds his answers in the Letters to God from this child. Others influenced in the community as well are: Tyler's young friend (Bailee Madison) and her grandfather (Ralph Waite-from TV's Walton's Mountain.)

 

"Letters to God" faces the realities of life and death with hope and faith. We are safe in His hands! So many of the secular movies show just an empty dismal end to us. I was emotional in parts of this movie, but it really was a story of a 'Celebration of Life'. I can't tell you how uplifting I found this movie, which sounds strange to the world, but it is because God gave us eternal life. I would recommend it to all families and individuals. As for myself, I think I will purchases this dvd and keep it in my library, so that I may look at it again sometime or share it with someone else. 


"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  Mark 10:15 NKJV

**Suggested Information Website for Cancer:  knowcancer.com
 
MPAA:  This movie is rated PG for thematic material.

I rated this movie as follows, because of the heartfelt storyline.

"JUST WRIGHT" (2010) DVD

This is one of the "nice" movies in this day and age, being rated PG, but basically a clean movie. Some selective bed scenes (before marriage) and some language. It is a romantic comedy: a light movie , but what I expected and what I felt like at the time. It was enjoyable and did have a message.

Leslie Wright,  played by Queen Latifah, is a straight up physical therapist who knows a lot about the NBA.  She is also very good at what she does.
In her private life most fellas she meets only want to hook-up with her on a friendship, 'buddy' level. She wants more and then meets the man of her dreams, basketball all-star, Scott McKnight (played by Common).
Unfortunately, he meets her attractive childhood friend, Morgan (Paula Patton) at the same time. Morgan wants nothing else but to be a rich trophy wife of one of the  players. Scott then has a career altering injury and the only one that really can help him is Leslie Wright.
 

Leslie Wright stays true to herself all the way through. She knows her gifts and follows her dreams with grace. If I had written this script I would have shown where that grace and her gifts came from. (Psalm 139:14:"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well." NKJV)  Of course I wouldn't have shown sex before marriage, even if it was an implied sex scene, but that's Hollywood.

I really found it refreshing, to find the Leslie Wright character (Queen Latifah) as a full figured woman in this romantic comedy.  She held her own with confidence and compassion and with an honest heart. Her role in this movie is the romantic lead. You don't see full figured woman that often in this type of role in today's movies. From her  book (also in audio cd), called: "Put on Your Crown", she holds her own in real life the same way, with the strength and grace from God. She is beautiful inside and out and I am definitely a fan.

Philippians 4:13:"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." NKJV

MPAA:  Rated PG for some suggestive material and brief language.

My Rating

"TO SAVE A LIFE" (2009) DVD

I dropped by the video store the other day and picked up "To Save a Life", the movie.  It never ceases to amaze me how "I" seem to find a Christian movie out of all of the selections!  Someone once said, "It's not odd it's God."  I feel this is the case:  It's "Him, not me".  I would actually like all the Christians movies to be in one section and the mention of Jesus in every one of them, but that would just be for me and other Christians and not for others who might happen upon "Him" through a movie.  I do believe God can direct them to Himself, if the movie is done in a very "real" way, as it is in this movie.

"To Save a Life" is an inspirational teen movie. Although persons of any ages could receive the message of "making a difference" in their own lives as well as others.

Jake Taylor is a high school jock, who is living "The dream".  After his childhood friend dies, he is moved to change his life as well as others by sacrificing his own dreams. (See:John 15:13 NKJV: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.")  This is shown in the movie without quoting the scripture and that is why I think it will reach more people and could turn them to faith.  Keeping in mind of course, it is God that draws them.

Although the movie is somewhat lengthy (2 hours) it covers many of the current problems in teens today and allows God to be the solution.  You can make a difference and He can take you through it.  Judgment of others is a current theme. (See Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV: " Judge not, that you be not judged,".....)

Poignant line from this movie:  "Scars are supposed to heal, you know."

I have rated this movie 4 out of 5 stars, because of the wide coverage of topics it touches.


MPAA: This movie is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen drinking, teen suicide, some drug content, disturbing images and sexuality.  Music themes are applicable and appropriate.

My Rating