Film Review: Maggie’s Passage

In an age when the issues young women are facing are spotlighted by celebrity profiles, the film Maggie’s Passage steps in and offers the missing component not covered in the media blitz—hope for a way out and a second chance.

Maggie (Ali Faulkner) is a young woman mourning the loss of her adoptive father. In her desperate search for love and her birth mother, she runs far from home, leaving her adoptive mother (Janine Turner) behind and becomes entangled in a world that strips her of her dignity and identity.  It is not until she comes face to face with the truth of God’s word that her circumstances begin to change. Maggie encounters Grace (Sheran Keyton), a faith-filled homeless woman, three of her homeless friends and Max (Mike Norris), a grief-stricken man.

Grace is without shelter, yet she is at home in her heart’s passion to help the people she encounters. She is a metaphor for the way the grace of God is out in the open and available to all. Both Grace and Max, set aside their own struggles long enough to help Maggie. These divinely orchestrated meetings prove that the roads we are on cross each other at just the right time and that even the slightest encounter can dramatically impact another person’s life.

Directed by Mike Norris (Birdie & Bogey) and written by Norris and Ray Normandin, the vision behind Maggie’s Passage is timely in addressing two prevalent social issues within the main storyline. This film lends its lens to headlining teen prostitution, falling under the global umbrella of human trafficking and divesting women of their innate worth. It also shrewdly portrays homeless people as unexpected representations of God’s beauty, as human as any of us and just as valuable; demonstrating how God uses the unlikeliest of people to fulfill His purposes.

Maggie’s Passage is a story about how the love of God swoops us up from the pit of mire we sometimes find ourselves in and holds us close to His heart, even in our grimy state —like a mother with her newborn.

DVD GIVEAWAY CONTEST: If you leave a comment on this post, you will be entered to win a DVD of Maggie’s Passage. Winners are picked using www.random.org. This contest is open to US residents and will end on November 14, 2010 at 12:00pm.

Film Review: The Book of Ruth (2009)

Imagine leaving everything you know behind — family, friends, country, and religion, to go to an unfamiliar place. That is part of the story of Ruth, a Moabite who chose to follow her Jewish mother-in-law to the land of Israel after tragedy struck their family.  The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith is a cinematic adaptation of the biblical narrative of the book of Ruth.

Directed by Stephen Patrick Walker and written by Walker, Salvatore DiSalvatore, and Richard Raucci, this engaging film stars Sherry Morris as Ruth, Eleese Lester (Lone Star) as Naomi, and Carmen (The Champion) as Boaz. The supporting cast includes, Kera O’Bryon (The Bill Collector), Lana Wood (Diamonds Are Forever),  DJ Perry (Wicked Spring), Rebecca Holden (Knight Rider) and Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams).  Morris’ and Lester’s winning portrayals of their respective characters, delivered an authenticity to their on-screen familial relationship. Lester gracefully plays a grief-stricken mother strongly rooted in her faith. Ruth’s tender loyalty to her mother-in-law is adeptly expressed through Morris’ performance. Natalie Wood’s younger sister, Lana Wood, brought some spunk to the film as Naomi’s friend and DJ Perry proved that acting involves more than mere words.

Traditionally, the story of Ruth is primarily seen as a love story between a man and a woman. However, it was pleasing to see that this film wonderfully highlighted the significance of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship. Through its splendid cinematography, it focused on their mutual suffering and physical journey together to the land of Israel as a visual metaphor for commitment to faith and relationships, especially when traversing difficulties.

Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law also speaks to the biblical mandate to care for widows. It is after Ruth demonstrates her loyalty to Naomi, that she is blessed through Ruth with Boaz, as her husband. When we are faithful to God’s people, God is faithful to us.

DVD GIVEAWAY CONTEST: If you leave a comment on this post, you will be entered to win a copy of the DVD, The Book of Ruth: Journey to Faith. This contest will end on September 20, 2010 at 12:00am.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary DVD screener from Pure Flix Entertainment for review. 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.”

Film Review: The Imposter (2010)

The Imposter stars Kevin Max (dc Talk), Jeff Deyo (formerly of Sonicflood), and Kerry Livgren (Kansas). The story revolves around Johnny C (Max), the front man of the Christian rock band Grand Design. His substance abuse and marital infidelity jeopardize his role in the band, his marriage and ultimately, his identity in Christ. God uses two unexpected people to help him see who he has become and what he has lost. The storytelling in this film refuses to end with a rose-colored personal journey of recovery but depicts a realistic soul-searching struggle.

From the opening credits of the film the creative spark is seen throughout the film, which was marvelously written and directed by Daniel Millican and produced by Jeff Rodgers and Courtney Price. Each actor brings his or her own flair to the film. Max offers a shrewd portrayal of a lost soul. Deyo displays a natural acting ability. Livgren’s compelling presence and voice on the screen is singular.  Arianne Martin’s emotionally evocative facial expressions are captivating, matched by Tom Wright’s downright grasp of the particularities of human behavior. Troy Baker’s character of a swindling record producer is ingenious and comedic.

This film offers the viewer layers of messages to take away from it. Substance abuse, marital infidelity, authentic worship, identity and talents are some of the issues addressed in this film, within the context of the Christian music industry, but not exclusive to it. Although its initial target would appear to be the church body, its reach encompasses all who struggle with any of these issues. But for this viewer, the question that Jesus asked 2000 years ago echoes throughout the film, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary DVD screener from Pure Flix Entertainment for review. 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.”

Film Review: Sarah’s Choice (2009)

Sarah’s Choice is an unapologetically yet grace-filled pro-life movie. It stars Christian recording artist Rebecca St. James as Sarah, a young woman climbing the ladder of success only to be forced to make a major decision that will affect her future. Sarah is up against relentless voices telling her to think only of herself. This movie does not shy away from presenting a realistic portrait of a young woman’s dilemma. Sarah’s Choice is just as much a story about a woman’s decision about abortion as it is about a young man coming to terms with his role and responsibility when faced with his girlfriend’s pregnancy. It is poignantly relevant to a young generation bent on a quest for self-fulfillment.

Directed by Chad Kapper, this film bears the hallmarks of Christian films rooted in a biblical message, yet it also takes a step forward for Christian filmmaking. Sarah’s Choice keeps a steady balance of drama and comedic moments without undercutting the seriousness of the film. The camera close-ups of Sarah’s emotional reactions in confronting her boyfriend and family about her pregnancy pull the viewer into the highly personal nature of the film.

Sarah’s Choice is a beacon of light that courageously illuminates the biblical response to one of the most highly debated moral issues of our day. The culture of death is slowly invading the impressionable young minds of our generation. Sarah’s Choice is a must-see film which can serve to rekindle the flame of commitment to preserve the sanctity of life. But as much as this film champions the right to life of the unborn, it also extends a hand of hope for healing and grace to those who have undergone an abortion.

Besides the obvious appeal to choose life over death, there is an underlying message in Sarah’s Choice. We are urged to trust God with our own life. When we are open to listening to God’s voice, He speaks life to us. And as carriers of God’s Truth, we speak life to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary DVD screener from Pure Flix Entertainment for review. 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.”