FIREPROOF

"You never leave your partner - especially in a fire"

~ Caleb Holt

Life is a dream for firefighter Caleb Holt and his wife Catherine Holt when they get married. Seven years later - it's a whole different story. When it looks like their marriage is about to be torn apart, Caleb's dad sends him a curious 40-day challenge called The Love Dare. Caleb faithfully follows the steps to a better marriage, but nothing seems to be happening to make things better. What is he missing? How can he show love to somebody that keeps rejecting him?

I was extremely honored to be asked to review this movie on behalf of Alameda Hills Baptist Church in Lakewood CO! I saw it at an early showing and was blown away. The plotline is wonderful and engaging, the shots are crisp and clear, the action is very real - and so are the elements. Friendship is a clear part of this film - Caleb's father and his fireman friend Michael are positive Christian influences on his life. Catherine has supportive friends too, but they do not give the best advice. As far as marriage goes, my mom (the ultimate married person:P) says that she thinks this movie will be very useful for strengthening and encouraging couples of all ages in America today. There are many great resources you can check out for your church or small group at www.fireproofmymarriage.com/.

This is not a movie for younger children, as the couple have frequent noisy arguments and there are some intense rescues by the firefighters. However the whole movie is very God-honoring and has a strong message. The whole cast is better with Kirk Cameron on the set, and all the acting is convincing and real. Sherwood Baptist through trial and error seems to have nailed the art of scripting without bad lines! The language is 100% clean of course, and it was nice to see some characters from FACING THE GIANTS have cameos in FIREPROOF! Check www.fireproofthemovie.com/theaters to see what theaters will be showing FIREPROOF on September 26th. Be sure to buy tickets and help this film get good box office money! Go to http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ to find all kinds of free downloads, widgets, and church outreach supplies to help promote the movie. Go Sherwood Baptist! Keep making movies for Christ!

Directed by: Alex Kendrick ~ Written by: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick ~ Starring: Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, Stephen Dervan, Jason McLeod, Alex Kendrick ~ Distributed by: Sherwood Pictures ~ Release date: September 26, 2008

FACING THE GIANTS

"Whether we leave the field the victors or not, we will give God the glory. Now... who will go fight the giants with me?"
~ Grant Taylor

The Shiloh Eagles high school football coach seems to be at the end of his rope. With a six-year losing record, the school is getting impatient with Grant Taylor's team leadership. And that is not the only problem - his car is breaking down, his house is in disrepair, and he and his wife have found out that they can not have children. When he hits bottom, Grant Taylor looks up to God, and is led to write up a new high school football team philosophy. Can giving God all the glory bring victory to Grant's life? Can God speak to a sleepy town through a football team?

Who would've thought that a tiny town in Georgia would bring us the best Christian film yet! For a single camera, an $100,000 budget, and an all-volunteer cast, this is absolutely amazing! Grant Taylor's recommitment to Christ is very moving, though afterward, his football team isn't quite ready to buy into what he is selling. The team captain is very apathetic, and Grant cures that in a very interesting and intense way. One player is very disrespectful to his father and the coach addresses him about it, but Matt doesn't listen - until the school breaks out in revival. Grant and his wife's faith guide them through the tough times, and when they trust God with everything, He starts moving in their lives drastically. The soundtrack is also a winner, including artists like Third Day, Casting Crowns, Bebo Norman, and Josh Bates.

On the technical side, there are no naughty words or profanity, but there is of course the tackling and smacking around as is normal in football. The coach is very angry in one instance and yells at his team, whacking a player over the head with his cap. The Giants coach is quite intimidating and hot tempered. I say these things thinking about those with children that are extremely sensitive to "scary things". They are not bad or would make anybody else but a concerned parent throw a red flag. As Plugged in Online so aptly states, "It's hard to think of something in Facing the Giants that isn't positive."

As these actors AREN'T real actors, the performance by the adults can sometimes raise a cynical eyebrow (like mine), but either there is not enough bad acting or you don't notice it when it comes, because it does nothing to take away from the story. The kids all act very well and are convincing characters. There are a couple fuzzy camera shots, but nothing but an evil eye will spot it. Keep supporting the Kendrick brothers as they make more Christian movies and change more lives!!! Do yourself a favor - don't miss this movie! Don't even bother to rent it first - it's worth every penny you will pay to have it in your home! Visit the site for this film at http://www.facingthegiants.com/.

"FACING THE GIANTS is a great movie about how God can change lives on and off the football field. Every family in America should see it."- Dan Reeves, NFL Coaching Great

Directed by: Alex Kendrick ~ Written by: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick ~ Starring: Alex Kendrick, Shannon Fields, Tracy Goode, Jason McLeod, Bailey Cave ~ Distributed by: Sherwood Pictures ~ Release dates: 2006-09-29 ~ Running time: 111 min ~ Language: English ~ Budget $100,000

LOVE COMES SOFTLY

"Never despise meager beginnings." ~ Clark Davis

About ten years have passed since Marty first married Clark in LOVE COMES SOFTLY. They have a seven year old son named Arnie, Aaron is nine, and little Missie Davis is now a nice young lady. When disaster strikes the Davis family, a mysterious stranger called Nate dashes in to help. Who is he? What is his story?

In LOVE'S ENDURING PROMISE, Missie must choose between two suitors, and come to realize that God has written His own love story for her. Will she choose to embrace it?

This was a great movie. We watched it at our house with just the girls and we all loved it. It is decidedly a girl movie, and your boys probably won't show much interest.

The whole family trusts God just as much as Clark did in the first movie, and Nate comes to realize the validity of His enduring promise that all our tears would be washed away.

As for the elements, you probably didn't expect this, but there is a tiny bit of violence. Clark is hurt in the leg and we see him pass out, some blood, and the gash. We see a boy that has frozen to death, but it is just that - not a "scary" image. There is also some kissing, as can be expected, and no bad language - as can also be expected.

This movie is not devoid of lame lines that make you roll your eyes (and they put quite a few in the trailer below), but it does not take away much from the overall enjoyment of the movie, especially if you are female. I've found that the majority of our gender doesn't mind sorry lines as much;) But the acting is great by all the characters - even the kids! Don't miss this one! It's a winner!

Directed by: Michael Landon Jr. ~ Written by: Cindy Kelley, Michael Landon Jr. ~ Starring: January Jones, Mackenzie Astin, Cliff De Young, Logan Bartholomew, Cara DeLizia ~ Distributed by: Hallmark Channel