Film on Friday #53 - All Saints

The best stories in life are the true ones. All Saints is one of those stories. The movie releases today from Affirm Films and Sony Pictures.

"All Saints is based on the inspiring true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risked everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all."

John Corbett has long been a favourite actor of mine and the choice to cast him as Mike Spurlock was perfect casting. He captures the newness of this pastor and his determination to do the best he can for his flock, despite the directions to shut down the church. Sometimes his eagerness lands him in trouble. But his enthusiasm for the newest members of his congregation - refugees from Burma - knows no bounds. And that's what makes this such a great movie - that these events are true - and the outcome is lasting.

Spurlock is sure he can control things and that the outcome he foresees will come to fruition. But we all know that saying - Man plans and God laughs. Things do not go according to the plan Mike has envisioned - and yet he is so sure that this is what God wants. Without spoiling anything, these events only serve to show that we cannot know what God has planned for us. And that sometimes failure is success.

The supporting cast is wonderful, from the grumpy church ladies, resident curmudgeon Forrest (Barry Corbin) and especially the Karen people. Nelson Lee does a wonderful job as Ye Win, the 'leader' of the refugees. I hope that viewers can appreciated the difficulty and challenges of being new to a country and culture. Faith is the unifying tie for this church's members.

All Saints was shot on location at the actual All Saints Church. I appreciated seeing the actual church and surrounding grounds.

All Saints is a wonderful, joyful, inspiring, affirming film, one suitable for the whole family. See the trailer below. Affirm Films has a wonderful discussion guide for All Saints.

 

Film on Friday #51 - The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

I covered the last of the leftovers and washed the last dish last Sunday. Easter Sunday in fact. And then I sat down to watch what turned out to be a perfect movie for the day - The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.

Gavin Stone was a child television star. But that fame has fizzled and Gavin is now just another washed up actor. In trouble. Sentenced to community service, Gavin picks a church in his old home town to do those hours. But when he sees that the church is running a play, he decides to audition for the role of Jesus. The catch - he pretends to be a Christian.

I knew I was going to like the movie right from the opening scenes. It had a very modern (and funny) feel to it.

Brett Dalton was a great choice for the lead - his transformation from smug 'star' to finding his faith is well portrayed - and believable. The supporting cast of characters were just as great. I really liked ex-wrestler Shawn Michaels in his role as Doug. And D.B. Sweeney has just the right tone as the church's pastor. Wise enough to know when to let things play out, but full of good advice when needed.

Gavin fumbles and bluffs his way through what he believes a Christian 'looks' like. His first church service was quite funny - Communion wafers and wine, the collection plate and his idea of the way he should dress and behave. And the rockin' live band quite surprised him.

But it the way we live that professes our faith. This is what Gavin eventually sees - the members of the church living their faith. The play within the movie was very moving, with key scenes of Christ's life portrayed. As Gavin acts his way through the production, he begins to change......

The relationship between Gavin and his father needs repairing as well. I liked the understated way this was handled. Again, very believable.

I did mention earlier that The Resurrection of Gavin Stone was the perfect movie for Easter Sunday viewing. But, it would be great viewing anytime for those looking, exploring or confirming their faith. A wonderful film to show at church or watch with friends. Suitable for family viewing as well and a great soundtrack as well! Check out the trailer below.

"Movie has been provided courtesy of Mongrel Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Film on Friday #43 - Woodlawn

Woodlawn releases in theaters everywhere today. (October 16/15) I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek - and it's definitely a movie worth seeing.

"Woodlawn is  based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala. Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots. Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined." Also starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight.

Wow. The opening scenes of Woodlawn are gut-wrenching. Historical news footage of 1973 Birmingham, the desegregation of schools and the violence surrounding this time only served to underline and emphasize the setting and time frame of the movie. This isn't an imagined story - this is real. And not so very long ago. Birmingham? It was the most thoroughly segregated city in the US. And had the sad nickname of Bombingham, due to the over 50 racial bombings that occurred in the city beginning in 1947. In 1963, then governor George Wallace declared that schools would never be desegregated.

Unbelievable right? But this is the part that is even more unbelievable - that a racially charged sports team and school accepted Hank's message of faith  - and that message spread.

Every actor did a phenomenal job, but props go out to newcomer Caleb Castille - I thought he was really good. I was glued to my screen the entire film, caught up in this recreation of actual events. Just incredibly well done from the actors, to the set, recreating time and place, the football games - and the inclusion of historical footage.

And as I watched, I was outraged, I cried, but I also laughed and I felt a sense of hope. If this could happen in that time and place.....just maybe it can happen again - and again and again.

This is a fantastic film with an uplifting, powerful message of belief, faith, hope and of change. Check out the trailer below. And don't forget to enter to win a Woodlawn prizepack here.

From Director Andy Erwin: "Woodlawn is a special movie with a perspective that America – believer and nonbeliever alike – needs to hear today. “I’m passionate about the truth that the only way to overcome hate is by a greater law – and that’s love and forgiveness. And Jesus is the ultimate way to receive and give both love and forgiveness."

Giveaway - WOODLAWN - prize pack

I love movies - but the ones I enjoy the most are those based on true stories.

Woodlawn is one of those true stories - and it's an amazing one. The movie releases in theaters everywhere on Friday, October 16/15. To celebrate, I have a Woodlawn prize pack to giveaway to one lucky reader!

But let me tell you why Woodlawn is such an amazing film.... Here's the synopsis:

"From Pure Flix (God's Not Dead, Do You Believe?), Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (The Bible, Son of God) and the Erwin Brothers (Mom's Night Out, October Baby) comes Woodlawn, an exhilarating high school football drama and remarkable true story of how love and unity overcame racism and hate in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight, Sean Astin, Nic Bishop and newcomer Caleb Castille, Woodlawn depicts the spiritual awakening that captured the hearts of a team and unified an entire city."

"A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field in Woodlawn, a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala. Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined."

Get a sneak peek - watch the trailer below. I'll be watching - look for my review.....

The prize pack includes: 

• A Woodlawn football tee-shirt
• Woodlawn by Todd Geralds, on which the movie is based:
• Touchdown Tony, by Tony Nathan, the autobiography of the superstar player on whose life the film is based
• When God Shows Up, by Robert Noland, a 40-day devotional tied to the themes of the film

Enter to win, using the Rafflecopter form below. US only. Ends Oct 24/15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway