Movie Reviews

Giveaway: Is Genesis History?

April 22, 2017 by Michael Coughlin

“Is Genesis History” is a film by Del Tackett. It had a short exhibition in theaters, and was released for viewing online or by Blue ray or DVD at the film’s site: Click here to buy the film.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! From the start to the finish we were impressed with the artwork and beautiful scenes which were presented. The movie follow Del Tackett around the United States as he asks experts in different areas of science about the likelihood of Genesis being actual history, in contradiction to theories such as the Big Bang and macro-evolution.

There is no doubt from the onset of the film that the goal is to present the Genesis account of creation and early history as factual. Very little sympathy, if any, is offered to adherents to ideas contrary to the Bible’s clear teaching about creation.

There is one extra feature where Del and a theologian/author named Douglas Kelly discuss the history of the church’s compromise in this area. The church’s errors in this area are spoken of as mistakes, and never was an excuse made for those mistakes.

But I thought they could have been harder on people who have compromised in this area than they were. I wish that was just my personality, but the fact of the matter is this, false doctrine kills people. It damns souls to hell and it pulls even Christians away from the joy of the Lord. False doctrines always lead to more false doctrines. And there may be no bad doctrine which is as damaging or insipid as doctrines which undermine the authority, inerrancy or sufficiency of the Bible.

To the film’s credit, they made me want to learn more. There was even a challenge given during a special feature where the viewer is encouraged to ‘dig deeper.’ The scientists admitted that in order to make a film short enough for people to watch they couldn’t possibly include everything they might know or believe about a topic discussed. As well, they were taking facts and distilling those facts into the best possibly layman’s terms they could in order to give people tastes of the truths they hold dear.

It’d be like having a brain surgeon or rocket scientist explain what he does in a matter of minutes. It wouldn’t truly convey the complexity that is beneath that discussion. So my challenge for creation skeptics would be to watch this film, and then, when you are not convinced, to do the homework to learn the science behind what is being presented and analyze it for yourself.

I do not believe this film would convince a harsh critic or skeptic of creation. In my opinion, this movie will be an EXCELLENT resource for the church. But the question has to be asked – was yet another resource proving that Christians ought to believe Genesis is literal history necessary? Will a film of this type be watched by “those who need to watch it?” That I doubt sincerely. I also doubt my unbelieving neighbor will go to the website and buy the movie and watch it, neither out of personal interest nor by my prodding.

I think the Christian’s only hope would be to buy a stack of these movies (after watching it him or herself), and have them ready to be given as gifts to people, or to host a showing of the movie, maybe for discussion. I’d love to see an effort made to create events at colleges where people can come see this movie.

My final comment is that I am never going to be pleased with a movie which purports to be Christian but never actually clearly states the Christian gospel. The gospel is mentioned. Jesus is referred to. But the minds of folks will never be opened to the truth of Christ without His gospel, and this movie had multiple very logical places where a brief presentation would have fit.

I don’t propose to know the hearts of all those involved, but it seemed odd to really come out with a bold stance concerning Genesis, and then basically miss the point of why we defend Genesis¸ which is because it is the foundation upon which the sin of man and the forgiveness found in Christ stands.

I wholeheartedly recommend this movie. I believe it will be a help to anyone who watches it. And, despite the few areas where I’d have done something differently, I think it can be a valuable resource for people to use to being a gospel conversation with a neighbor, coworker or friend.

Click here to buy the film.

Would you like a DVD of the film for FREE? If so, leave a comment on this post and I will select a winner at random on or about May 1st. No special rules, just leave me a comment so I know you want the DVD.

I’m Not Ashamed

November 7, 2016 by Michael Coughlin

Jonathan Edwards resolved “never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can and “never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.” ¹

I’m Not Ashamed, from Pure Flix, teaches the same concept. I strongly recommend you see this movie if you are able!

Let’s start with the positive elements:

I’m Not Ashamed is “based on the inspiring and powerful true story and journal entries of Rachel Joy Scott- the first student killed in the Columbine high school shooting in 1999.” ² Rachel Joy Scott’s story is about far more than her stand for God she is known for taking at the end of her life, though. This movie is raw emotion!

Watching the film, it seems like a random array of chopped up scenes. The scenes do not always have the best transition from one scene to the next. But when you realize you are viewing events as described in a teenage girl’s private journals, it makes sense. It is Rachel’s story you are viewing, and it seems the move makers kept things true to her journals. For this reason you will be taken down the emotional valleys that Rachel really experienced. I’m not sure you could make a movie like this up. The emotions are too raw.

When we make Christian movies or stories, we usually highlight the good things. We make heroes out of men and women. When, in reality, I’d argue that most of the history of Christianity has been filled with average men and women who simply serve a great God. Rachel Scott’s account seems to have very little whitewashing. She is caught up in sin, doubt, and a lack of affection for God at times in a way that many other Christians have experienced but are afraid to talk about.

The insight this movie gives into the pressures and difficulties facing a young Christian lady in 1999 are startling. I can only imagine it is even harder to walk the Christian talk in 2016! Praise Jesus for His saving grace.

This movie really shows the reality that none of us really lives as if it could be ours or our loved one’s last day. The depiction of the events of April 20, 1999 prior to the Columbine High School shooting will leave you wanting to kiss all your relatives and tell them you love them. And the reality that people young and old may be standing before God, even today, is enough to motivate me to more urgently dispense the gospel.

I really hope you will see this film about Rachel Scott. Her life is worth hearing about.

A Word of Caution

Unfortunately, there is an aspect of the film I must criticize. I can overlook the bits of bad theology. I can accept that a recently converted 17 year old girl who didn’t appear to have solid discipleship espoused some errant ideas about God which are depicted through the story. I hope you, too, can overlook bits and pieces of things that aren’t perfect teaching.

What I can’t understand is why a movie that is supposed to be about Christianity would have young men and women locking lips to act out kissing. I understand it is a biography and not everything in this girl’s life was ‘holy.’ But you can depict beer drinking without actually drinking beer; you can depict an argument without having a heart full of anger. You can depict lots of types of sin in a story without actually sinning against God in the process, since sin starts in the heart.

But you cannot depict sexual acts by actually performing them and say, “it is just acting.” My heart aches for the people who gave away a piece of themselves in the name of acting, in order to make this move. And, aside from that, the depictions were more than a bit sensual. I fear that someone who is weak in the area of fighting temptation to lust could easily be led into sin, even if only in their mind, as the result of the sensuality displayed.

I will make a plea. A final argument that if you are performing a play or a movie or whatever it is: you can find a way to show that someone kissed without actually compromising the purity of the actors.

In Conclusion

The little research I’ve done has yielded wonderful faith that the movie really was an accurate depiction of real life events. I have to be careful drawing assumptions about Rachel or other characters in the movie who the movie wasn’t about because, as well done as it was, the movie is only a part of the story.

I do believe that a discerning Christian can enjoy this movie for what it is, a biography of a young lady who, amidst struggles and temptation, was kept faithful by our Father in Heaven, and by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. It is truly by faith alone that we are justified and by God’s Spirit that we are sealed. Rachel’s private struggles-made-public teach us that even the faintest of us will be made strong for the day of battle by His grace.

John 10:27-28 [Jesus speaking] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

[1] http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards

[2] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4950110/?ref_=nm_knf_i2

Heaven is for Real is not for Real

April 17, 2014 by Michael Coughlin

I had an interesting twitter conversation with a kind man named Brian today. It was predicated upon my shame that one of the leaders of a ministry called AWANA is publicly endorsing the Heaven is for Real ~~garbage~~ movie. You can read the thread here, click the links I provided in my tweets and, hopefully, see the problem that Brian had even defending his endorsement.
Here’s a snippet:

Click here to see the ENTIRE thread.

May I commend Brian for what I would call decent behavior in a world where online disagreements “escalate quickly.”

As a side note, EVERYONE is teaching something, and directly teaching something falsely about God is WAY worse than teaching me falsely about diet or rainforests, etc. Let me know what you think of the thread and if you read the book or saw the movie what you think.

If you think I cannot judge this book or movie because I haven’t read it, then I’d challenge you to go watch every porn video on sale at the local ~~pervert~~ adult bookstore and not judge the contents until you’ve watched.

And if you are one of the people who claims to be a Christian and cannot find what is wrong with this movie or book, contact me. I will help you. I’ll get my pastor to help you. I won’t mock you for ‘missing’ it. It is OK to not be very discerning, IF you have the humility to admit it and the desire to be taught. Don’t make the same mistake as the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23-33).

God’s Word is sufficient. If that statement bothers you, your problem is not with me. 🙂

The Lost Medallion – Movie Review

April 23, 2013 by Michael Coughlin

The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone: I promise, NO SPOILERS.

I will proceed with the same three measuring sticks I have used in the past to try to judge the merit of this movie. Ultimately, the question is, should you spend the resources God has provided you with to see this flick? Or would your money be better spent elsewhere…there is certainly need all around us.
I offer the three criteria I will use to discern the worth of Home Run in order of importance.

Is God glorified?
Will the movie tempt someone to sin?
Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

I will consider them in reverse order:

Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

The Lost Medallion is the story of a Billy Stone, played by Billy Unger, and his friend Allie, played by Sammi Hanratty as they go on an adventure through time to find the secret concerning a lost medallion. Billy and Allie are desperately trying to save “the future.” The story is fun in an Indiana Jones for kids sort of way.

James Hong enters the story as a sage old man who helps lead the children on their adventure to save their land from Cobra, played by Mark Dacascos. The added element of some better knows actors made the movie fun to watch. Cobra is the epitome of evil in the story, killing mercilessly. Ultimately, the fact that he lacks a truly pure heart is his downfall, a good lesson for us all.

Billy has to really dig deep to continue to battle even when the odds are against him in order to find meaning. And the team that he leads needs to learn to each use their individual skills to overcome the enemy. I won’t spoil the ending…

Will the movie tempt someone to sin?

Now we all have different sin-tendencies, I know, but I can only speak of a few of the more obvious ones. I saw no areas of the movie where a person would have a problem with sin. This is truly a well done movie safe for kids and families to enjoy!

Is God glorified?

Unfortunately, the movie does fail in this area. The appearance of Alex Kendrick was supposed to solidify a good gospel message, right? Wrong. Sadly, I don’t even recall Jesus’s name being mentioned, let alone a clear gospel. There was a single veiled reference by James Hong toward the middle of the movie where he spoke of a King who had died for him. Admittedly, I knew to Whom he was referring and began crying over love for my Savior at that time, but to someone who didn’t already know Christ – it was nothing more than a veiled reference to something they won’t understand.

Now, every movie doesn’t have to have the gospel, but, if a movie bills itself as Christian, which is how this was shared with me, I have to say it ought to at least have more attempts than The Lost Medallion had at sharing the gospel.

Generally moral, good entertainment, no Jesus. 🙁

Call it the un-animated Veggie Tales…if you will.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, you are safe to spend a few dollars for the entertainment value of The Lost Medallion. It is the kind of movie I would watch over and over with my children. I think the lessons in the movie can be good springboards to spiritual discussion, but safe for all ages.

I watched this movie free from the production company. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Breakaway – Movie Review

April 19, 2013 by Michael Coughlin

Breakaway, The Movie.

Is God glorified?
Will the movie tempt someone to sin?
Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

I will consider them in reverse order:

Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

Breakaway, by Word Entertainment, caught me by surprise. I was asked to review the movie, and so I requested a Vimeo link. I was pleasantly shocked when I was mailed a DVD including deleted scenes, bloopers, behind the scenes and more!

The other thing that caught me by surprise was the fact that Breakaway was not based in the US! Immediately, when we started watching the movie, the accents were nearly intolerable! But The characters were likable and once we got used to the foreign accents, we settled in to see the show.

It starts pretty quickly with the main character, Francois, a former professional athlete being laid off from his job. Francois has no success in finding employment, and the tension mounts. Seemingly on a whim, he begins a courier business, riding his bicycle all over the city to deliver mail for companies.

While riding his bicycle around town, the competitive nature in this ex pro-rugby player shines. He cannot help but race other bikers! With a desire to ride faster he visits a bike shop where he gets wisdom, friendship, and help with the bike from someone he met on a chance meeting!

The movie is about overcoming obstacles, maintaining faith in God throughout, and working together with others to achieve these goals! There is also a nicely balanced level of relying on hard work and effort to succeed which is taught throughout. I found it truly inspirational and believable.

There is an excellent underlying theme of the supportive and necessary role of a wife. Francois’ wife, played by Leone Pienaar (also the production manager), plays an integral role in his success and persistence. It was refreshing to find in the behind the scenes that this was quite intentional, and to see the honesty exhibited by the actors as they discussed their own personal lives.

Will the movie tempt someone to sin?

Is God glorified?

I believe that this movie brings glory to God. There are several references to the bible, Jesus Christ, being a Christian and a clear reference to the fact that not everyone is a Christian. We see examples of marriage, forgiveness, humility and utter reliance on God for strength. If the movie was lacking in any way, it was the lack of a clear gospel presentation – particularly man’s problem with sin.

Now, every movie doesn’t have to have the gospel, but, in the behind the scenes it was said that the gospel is in it. I don’t doubt the faith of the makers, but hopefully if they continue to make movies we will see them grow in boldness and clarity like the Flywheel –>> Facing the Giants –>> Fireproof evolution Sherwood Pictures saw.

but hopefully if they continue to make movies we will see them grow in boldness and clarity like the Flywheel –>> Facing the Giants –>> Fireproof evolution Sherwood Pictures saw.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, I highly recommend you try to see this movie. It can be ordered on Amazon.

Enjoy the trailer now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDUWbhSu5z4

I received this movie free from Word Films as part of their Blogger Review Program, via Blogger Gateway. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Home Run – Movie Review

April 16, 2013 by Michael Coughlin

I was privileged to see a preview of the soon to be public movie, Home Run. For those of you who are considering seeing it, I offer my review. I promise, NO SPOILERS.

Is God glorified?
Will the movie tempt someone to sin?
Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?

I will consider them in reverse order:

Is there a practical application to the lessons learned within?
Home Run is the story of a professional baseball player whose life is obviously in a downward spiral thanks to his alcohol addiction. This story really hit home with me as I abused alcohol for several years. I found myself relating to the main character on many occasions in his struggle.

The main character, Cory, played by Scott Elrod is a stereo-typical irresponsible early 20-something, with a smile that you don’t think you could ever be mad at. Regardless of his alcohol use, he seems to be one of those guys who functions well at his job. A public incident early in the movie forces him to his small hometown where he must take over the coaching duties for his the little league team his brother had coached. Credit Vivica A. Fox for being a good agent.

Throughout the story, relationships develop, decades old secrets are revealed, and Cory finds out that even little people in little small towns have big problems to deal with as well. As is typical in a “recovery/addiction” movie (or real life), Cory has ups and downs to varying degrees.

Enter J.T., played by Robert Peters. J.T. is a friendly Christian man who heads up the local Christian recovery group. Cory is sentenced to attend these meetings and his apprehension is abundantly clear. The ultimate theme of the movie is a story of redemption and freedom from addiction and the healing that people can find in their relationships.

Will the movie tempt someone to sin?

Now we all have different sin-tendencies, I know, but I can only speak of a few of the more obvious ones. The sin of drunkenness which is depicted is never glorified, even though some pretty intense scenes must be developed to be true to the story. A person who is struggling or has ever struggles with substance abuse may find Cory to be a character to which people can relate. But if there is particular weakness in the area of alcohol, the movie may be best avoided.

In general, the story is very germane, but there are a few scenes where the female actresses show more skin than necessary for a movie billed as a Christian movie. As above, a weaker brother probably ought to stay away for now, but most people won’t even notice.

Is God glorified?

This is a tough one to answer fairly. I do not want to trash Home Run, but at the same time, I found this movie lacking in a few key areas.

I do not recall any mention of sin in the movie. If it was mentioned, it was in passing. In the movie, professions of faith in Christ are made, but the profession is no more than, “I’m a Christian.” Home Run lacks the things that I think would truly make a movie Christian – a reference to the gospel itself (including man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness and the redemptive work of Christ) or an overt depiction of godly or biblical events (see my review of Hosea).

The power of God is never truly put on display.

And even worse, the power of the support group mentality IS put on display. The program called Celebrate Recovery is really what gets the glory in this movie. To a non Christian, this will look not much different than an AA meeting. To be certain, the movie makers had a chance to do this right: present a clear gospel, and they chose not to. I can only assume it is because they eithe do not know the gospel or understand its power or they simply wanted to be able to entertain a larger viewing audience, but still try to get Christians to pay for tickets and form action squads.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, you are safe to spend a few dollars for the entertainment value of Home Run. But if you are like my wife and me and wish to see the opportunity to share the life-saving gospel in a movie labeled Christian, you will walk away sorely disappointed. If you have non Christian friends you were hoping to invite, come prepared to lead them further toward God than the movie will.