JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

A 3D adventure in 2D! There is obviously something missing when you sit at home on the couch to watch this movie. No matter how big your screen is or how elaborate your sound-system is, without the “special glasses” you just miss out.
JTTCOTE is a fun adaptation of Jules Verne's classic book. Although this film pulls only certain elements from the book and pulls from previous film adaptations, so it’s not a true film-adaptation. The script really falls short for me. The characters are not really well developed. Brendan Fraser’s character has to deal with his missing/dead brother and babysitting his nephew but this is never fleshed out, just merely a ploy.
I notice while watching “family films” that there is a thin line between what’s fun for the whole family and what’s fun for just the kids but they label it “family.” Because of the lack of character development and, at best, it is an action visual spectacle; it is aimed at the children.
I go back to what I started with, a 3D adventure in 2D. When this was in the theatre’s it was a 3D movie. There are several visual shots that remind you that this was supposed to be in 3D. The plot line reminds me of a theme-park 3D movie. The visual effect is the “cake” and the story is simply there to take you from one visual effect to the other. Any sign of characters or plot is just “icing” on the cake. To enjoy this film now, at home, it needed to be the other way around. In fact most films need to have the “cake” being the story, plot and well developed characters and the visual effects is the “icing.”
As a Christian this is a film “safe” for the family. The only thing objective is a couple kiss and a play on words using the element “schist,” (I’m sure you can figure it out.) so you may need to be prepared to explain.
This gets 3 out of 5 stars. It’s mindless entertainment that you can watch along with the kids but without certain elements (including glasses) it just falls short.

DANGEROUS CALLING

DANGEROUS CALLING

“Dangerous Calling” is a new genre of church-political thriller. Written and directed by brothers Josh & Jeremiah Daws. The story is of a newly hired pastor, Evan Burke, taking the job at First Baptist Willit Springs after the mysterious death of the previous pastor. Evan Burke, along with his wife, Nora, stay with Miss Pat, a widow and major contributor (in finances and opinion) to the church, while the parsonage is renovated. Nora Burke quickly becomes suspicious of Miss Pat’s son, Elijah, that he may not be all that he seems, while Evan is constantly challenged by Miss Pat in church politics regarding the youth pastor Scott.
As a “Christian Independent” this film is made with excellence. As a reviewer I often compare Christian films versus other independents versus “Hollywood.” I can not find anything wrong with this film. It is executed very professionally. Shot with wonderful angles that keep the suspense right where it is needed. The script is daring and near flawless. The Daws brothers, drawing from experience as preacher kids, are attacking “church politics” as church goers. All too often I see films attacking the church but from a bitterly ex-church-goer point of view. This film shows the positive side to the church as well as the truthful traps that churches tend to fall into.
I can not say anything bad with the acting as well. Each of the actors came across very believable and stood out as one of the best “Christian Independent” casts I’ve seen.
There are several tense and graphic moments; a man is strangled by a bag over his head, a girl is drowned by being held under water, an implied stabbing with a fire-poker (blood is seen), and woman thrown in a lake tied to a cinder-block. Obviously, this isn’t appropriate for small children but teenagers and adults would enjoy this film, if the tension and violence (mostly implied) doesn’t bother them.
My only negative with this film is that the only character we see praying is the villain, which has a very skewed view of God’s will. The protagonist is Christian but we never see his relationship with Christ, in practice or in prayer. Perhaps the Daws brothers shied away from showing the pastors spiritual life to avoid the “cheesy” or “preachy” messages that are often heard in Christian messages. Therefore, Christian church-goers (particularly staff) will really enjoy this film, non-believers could watch it and see it as a good script and tense movie but any redeeming message for the unbeliever may be lost. It’s definitely entertaining but that may be all it is, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars but ask for caution with anyone under 13
*****
www.DANGEROUSCALLING.COM

SAVING GOD

SAVING GOD

Saving God is one of the most recent DVD’s to come from Cloud Ten Pictures. The movie stars Ving Rhames (Mission Impossible, Pulp Fiction) as a convict turned preacher trying to revive his parents church after being in prison for 15 years for murder. He befriends a small-time teenage drug dealer Norris Johns, played by Dwain Murphy, and helps to turn his life around and eventually leads him to Christ. Norris is running away from the grips of his drug boss “Blaze” (played by Dean McDermott (most famous for being Tori Spelling’s huband)) trying to start a new life and thus the drama begins.
From the opening scene with Ving Rhames it is obvious that this is not the typical Cloud Ten Pictures. Usually the production companies, who brought us “Left Behind: The Movie,” quality of films have just missed the mark. The technical side of Cloud Ten (lighting, sound, camera-work) has typically fallen short, somewhere between amateur and Hollywood (which, unfortunately is where most “Christian films” fall). They’re not good enough for theatres, but they’re good enough for churches. “Saving God” dawns a new era for Cloud Ten. I harp on this because I thought I knew what I was going to watch when you put this on, but I got something so much better.
The acting in this film is superb, the technical work is top-notch. The story is good, a little predictable, but I felt it hit more on the “real life” side and less cheesy. It’s not a film for the whole family. There isn’t any questionable material but there is violence, talk of drugs and “drug-dealing” (but you never see any one using the drugs). There is smoking but no drinking and there is violence (fist fights, choking, a dead body, threatening with a knife, threating with a gun.) And there is talk about an out-of-wed-pregnancy (which isn’t looked upon as good or bad).
Clear Entertainment produced the film along with Cloud Ten Pictures. I’m not sure who influenced who but I hope this quality of film will continue to come from Cloud Ten.

*****

www.savinggodmovie.com

I think Cloud Ten really has a winner here, especially in Christian film. I find it to be the greatest Christian film I've ever seen. In terms of a faith-based film, it's at the top without a doubt. A wonderful blend of story telling, excellent acting, and a solid message, makes Saving God something that will undoubtably become a well known film in the faith-based arena.
Kyle Prohaska
CEO, Praise Pictures
http://www.praisepictures.com

Fireproof is the 3rd film to come out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. This time they acquired “star power” by casting Kirk Cameron” in the lead role. The film is about a fireman Caleb Holt (Cameron) who is struggling with his marriage and is on the brink of divorce. His father encourages him to take a 40 day journey in what is called “The Love Dare” to save his marriage.
I believe the Kendrick’s have done an excellent job in creating a ministry by using a movie. The film was an incredible success at the box office for an independent. It opened at No. 4 and stayed in the top 10 for three weeks. And launched a marriage strengthen website at www.SharetheLoveDare.com and the corresponding book, “The Love Dare,” which is not a crossover product of merchandising but a genuine way for people to help their marriage. God has truly blessed this church and their movie ministry.

Sherwood Pictures is a wonderful example of getting better with each picture. Flywheel was not well-done (with industry standards) technically, with the writing, or acting. Facing the Giants was a little better and Fireproof is superb. I kept thinking to my self if a professional company (i.e. Universal Studios) made this movie what would they have done differently. And the answer probably is that they would water down the incredible Christian message. But for an independent film, technically, was great. It is extremely hard to believe that this was an all volunteer crew. I do know that just because they were volunteer doesn’t mean that they were not professionals. But the “church volunteers” who have helped the Kendrick’s out in each film has truly upped their game and have learned a lot.

This movie gets 5 out of 5 and is highly recommended. Some of the acting is a little mediocre but everything else is superb enough for it to be forgivable.

*****

www.FireproofTheMovie.com

Leanne (40ish) Milledgeville, GA: LOVED IT! Go see it! appropriate for married, single, single agains, widows, confused people who think they are gay. Can't think of anyone who wouldn't get something out of this movie unless they just don't want to.
The special effects are AWESOME...especially for a "low budget".

…not just a great story, but one of the greatest outreach tools I've ever seen….
…Kirk Cameron has finally broken from the "Growing Pains" mold with his performance and I find it to be his best to date. ...
… regardless of other faults of the film I would recommend it to anyone because its outreach capabilities are through the roof! … Its not perfect, not by far, but its a solid effort.
Kyle Prohaska
CEO, Praise Pictures Inc.
http://www.praisepictures.com