Review by Dana Chaffin

Amish Grace will air Sunday March, 28, 2010 on Lifetime Movie Network (LMN) at 8 pm ET.  This movie is a touching story based on true events of tragedy, faith, and forgiveness.  An Amish community endured a great tragedy, but they never lost faith.  The scenes of prayer, faith, and forgiveness are outstanding.

     Amish Grace the movie is based on the book Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher.  On October 2, 2006 at an Amish community schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania a disturbed man upsets the peaceful community.  He enters the one room schoolhouse shooting 10 young girls, killing 5 and critically injuring the other 5 girls before killing himself.  This movie does not concentrate on the murders, but more so about the unbelievable forgiveness offered by the Amish community.  Immediately after the community was turned upside down, Amish leaders go to the home of the shooter offering forgiveness and compassion to his widow.  Even the father of one of the deceased girls offers comfort to the widow.  The movie highlights facts of the actual events that caught national media attention.  The incredible cast includes stars like: Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) and Matt Letscher (Medium, Brothers & Sisters, Boston Legal).

Amish Grace is extremely inspirational and illustrates that faith can overcome even the most tragic circumstances.  Luke 6:37 says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  As Christians we are to forgive, even our enemies.  There is a lot to learn from the forgiveness in this film.  This is an emotional movie so be sure to have plenty of tissues.

     You can find out more about the book, print a study guide, find forgiveness resources, and more at www.amishgrace.com.

Amish Grace airs Sunday March 28, 2010 on LMN at 8pm ET. Go to www.mylifetime.com to watch the movie trailer and read more about the movie.             *Top

A post-apocalyptic tale that immediately reminds one of the old Mad Max flicks, the violence in particular. The story line plays out very similar to other movies in that genre except Eli (played by Denzel Washington) is on a mission from God.

America is a desert wasteland and it has been 30 years since a world war destroyed civilization. It’s every man and woman for themselves in this stark world of burned out buildings and crumbling highways. Food and water are scarce and it is surprising what is considered valuable. Cannibalism is a problem, violence is the norm, and only the strong survive. A great world to live in.

Eli is traveling to the west coast where he believes that a voice from God told him to go and deliver his treasure- a book.  Turns out that the Book is a King James version of the Bible with one more wrinkle I won’t mention. It is supposed to be the last Bible in existence. The Bibles were all burned after the world war for some reason never fully explained.

Meanwhile, a town warlord –Carnegie (played by Gary Oldman) has roving armed bands attacking travelers looking for a Bible. He hopes to use it to control people better and expand his empire. The battle begins when Eli shows up in his town with a copy.

Eli makes it out of town and Carnegie and his goons pursue him. Also a young woman, Solara, ends up as his companion and helps him to his destination.

Lots of twists and turns in the story but Eli does complete his mission but Carnegie does get his hands on a copy of the Bible but one he cannot use as his little empire begins to fall apart.

At the end, the Bible is published again and takes its place on a library shelf right next to a Koran.

Many Christians might like this movie in spite of all of the violence. I did. I found it rather inspiring to see Eli make the best of bad situations and continue to pray and read the Bible. Is Eli a sort of prophet? Yes, in an Old Testament way and one who dishes out judgment in the process. He seems to have supernatural power at times in overcoming his enemies on the road. Way more than good luck or military training could ever account for.

Yes, I even believed that Eli did hear from God and was on a mission from God. In fact I had the feeling that he had actually been blind at one time but received sight to carry out his long journey. I swear at the last when his mission was done he looked like he was blind once more.            *Top

Set Apart brings ministries to the movies!

Review by Dana Chaffin:

     In this action-packed movie, ministries are the backdrop to an encouraging story.  This Christian film highlights actual ministries that were created by brothers Randy and John Gunn together with their wives.  The plot of the movie and the ministries featured make it entertaining and purposeful.  It gets the attention and hearts of both adults and teens and will make for an enjoyable movie night for the whole family.

About the movie

     The title of the movie Set Apart reminds us that as children of God we are set apart for a special purpose.  “Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself” Psalm 4:3a (NIV).  This film mixes comedy and Wild West action to get across a powerful message.  The story is about 4 teens from a tough city where drugs, prostitution, and violence are part of their normal life.  These kids are in a fight for their lives trying to make the right decisions, but the gangs are making that very hard.  A preacher, played by John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard), noticing that these kids are at high risk, asks his brother, Randy Gunn, to take them to his ranch, to see a different way of life.  While at the ranch these teens learn about hard work, responsibility, true friendship, and above all that God loves them.  Today teens are faced with tough choices all around them.  They are desperately looking for love and acceptance.  Who are we going to let influence our teens – God or gangs?

About the ministries

     Randy and Heidi Gunn are involved in GunnPoint Music & Ministries.  They perform and compete at Cowboy Mounted Shooting competitions. The Gunn’s are the official pastors of The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA).  At these events they conduct “Cowboy Church”.  These services include encouraging music and a positive message to the cowboys, cowgirls and their families.  The GunnPoint Band has touched the lives of numerous cowboys and their families.  They have performed in concert with some big names like Diamond Rio, Josh Turner, Natalie Grant and more.   
    Randy is known as “The Pistol Packin’ Preacher” and with National and World Cowboy Mounted Shooting titles, that fits. He shares the Gospel to cowboys in lingo they understand – horses. As a songwriter and recording artist He has produced several top 20 hits on the Contemporary Christian Music list.

    Heidi is known as “Straight Arrow” as she too competes in the Mounted Shooting competitions.  Heidi’s God-given gifts of singing, modeling, acting, writing, and more help her to share her love of God and people. 

     Another inspiring ministry, The Power Company Kids Club, is featured in the film.  Reverend John W. Gunn, brother to Randy Gunn, and his wife Michele founded the ministry in 1993.  This is a faith-based nonprofit ministry dedicated to bringing hope to inner city kids and their families.  The at-risk kids are transported to the center weekly for singing, games, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  John and Michele live in the community where they minister.  They visit the families in their homes, mentor the children, and lead street ministries.  Their main purpose is the emotional, physical, spiritual, and social well-being of the Power Company Kids.

Set Apart is a reality for a lot of teens in America – facing gangs, prostitution, and violence at every turn.   But Thank God we have ministries like GunnPoint and The Power Company Kids Club reaching out to them and their families.  On September 22, 2009, pick up the DVD anywhere Christian movies are sold.  Until then, you can visit www.setapartmovie.com to learn more about the movie and the ministries.  Again I ask who are we letting influence teens around us – God or gangs?  Get involved with teens in your area or help the ministries that are already reaching out.

Dana Chaffin is a Christian freelance writer who has published many articles on faithwriters.com. Passionate about Christian film, her desire is to get the word out about Christian movies to as many people as possible.

I found Ron Howard’s new movie adaptation of Dan Brown’s 2000 novel Angels and Demons to be far better than The Da Vinci Code from a Christian perspective. The movie did not dwell on the anti-Christian theories and themes that pervaded the previous work.

That doesn’t mean that it was ‘pro-Christian’- just not substantially ‘anti’. One of the major issues continually dwelt with in the book is the so-called battle between science and religion—and in this case Catholicism. This was obviously downplayed in the movie and I found it far move enjoyable than the ‘Code’.

The movie sets, along with the Vatican and Roman backgrounds were awesome. In the final analysis, this turned out to be a very good suspenseful detective story with a good twist or two. This is actually a movie that most Christians will be able to enjoy and not be offended by—even Catholics will find it rather harmless after all the negative hype.          *Top 

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Cast: John Ashton – Mike (Dad), Thom Mathews – Dan, Corin Nemec – Dan (teen years), Paul Gleason – Tony, Janice Lynde – Erika (Mom), Mario Van Peebles – Norman, Megan Gallivan – Sue, Dana Barron – Kathy.

The story of Dan Donahue (Thom Matthews) who has met the girl of his dreams, Sue (Megan Gallivan). He plans on proposing after a dinner with her parents but in the midst of it he wonders if he can really commit to a wife and family.

Seeing her family, he begins to question whether he is really ready and able to love like that. He still has deep-seeded hurt and anger that needs to be overcome–anger and feelings of abandonment caused by his father leaving him when he was just a young boy. Then there’s the fear that maybe he’ll be just like his old man.

Dan calls it quits with Sue instead, then spends some time alone trying to make sense of it all. In the midst of his introspection he cries out to God: “What do I gotta do to be free to Love?” In the moment of inspiration that follows, Dan decides to write a letter to his father, directly confronting him with the feelings of bitterness, disappointment, and disengagement that he experienced over the years.

(View the trailer-A Letter to Dad)

While Dan is writing his letter, we see his life unfold before us. First, the loving father and son relationship that quickly changes when his father (John Ashton – Mike) leaves and divorces his mother (Janice Lynde – Erika). As his father takes off for the first time, Dan cries out to God: “Why are you doing this to me?”

It doesn’t help that his mother remarries and he has to live with a jerk of a step-dad (Paul Gleason- Tony). Then, the unsatisfying time that he has every other weekend with his Dad who seems more intent on blaming everyone else and drowning his troubles in boos than on loving and spending time with his son.

Then comes the rebellion and challenges that he faces as a troubled teen–looking for love and affirmation in all the wrong places. The shock of a friends suicide brings Dan to the place where he decides to make something of his life–”to be somebody“.

He turns to God in the process and there is one scene where he goes to church with his mother and the pastor tells him that God is always there and unconditionally loves him.

As a young man, he begins to make a success of his life. Years later we see him meet the love of his life, Sue, followed by vignettes of loving courtship.

The film has a powerful ending and a message that is sure to encourage and inspire–”a touching story of how faith and love can overcome a lifetime of pain and anger.”

The sound track and music for this film is really awesome–featuring inspirational songs by a number of Christian artists including Jeremy and Adie Camp, Decyfer Down, and others.           

*Note: A Letter to Dad received the highest possible award– 5 Doves– by The Dove Foundation. 

**For more info. and to purchase the DVD: http://www.alettertodad.com/

***Possible Uses of A Letter to Dad as a Ministry Tool:

Pastors and Church leaders: This would be an excellent film to use as a resource in ministry. The message is particularly appropriate for use by Men’s groups, Youth Groups, Parent or Single Parent groups.

The Movie could be shown to a specific group, followed by a guided question and answer session exploring relational issues.

For example: How experiences or lack of love or support from our parents, particularly our fathers, growing up can affect our lives and how we relate to others. Why it is important for both parents, especially fathers, to reach out to their children in love.

Also, how God, as our heavenly Father, is always there for us regardless–making up for what we didn’t get from our parents (or in cases of abuse, what we did get)–reaching out to offer us unconditional love and help to overcome all of the challenges before us.         *Top

This is a film made by Christians for Christians, starring Christians with a Christian story and a Christian worldview. It was produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church, the same bunch who produced Facing the Giants and Flywheel.

In short I liked it, I really liked it. I found myself laughing and crying all the way though. Usually I find Christian films to be rather boring, amateurish, and preachy–but that is not the case with this film.

It is the story of Caleb and Catherine Holt who were in the midst of a failing marriage and seriously facing the prospect of a divorce after 7 years of marriage.

Caleb, played by Kirk Cameron, is a fireman who seems consumed by his job at times and then at home ignores his wife for porno on the web, yet is disappointed because his wife doesn’t seem to respect him. Catherine is a hospital administrator who receives better treatment on the job, particularly from one particular doctor.

In the midst of their trouble, Caleb turns to his father for advise, who gets him to commit to The Love Dare, a book with a 40-day devotional designed at restoring relationships. His father tells him that it saved his own marriage. At first Caleb just goes through the motions with little or no effect at all.

This part of the movie is more realistic than most Christian movies dare to be. The marriage doesn’t turn on a dime but seems to continue to spiral downhill. But it is Christian movie after all so you can guess what the outcome will be. It is however, well done.

The film also provides a couple of firemen action scenes, one in a burning house rescue and another involving a car on a train track. Both dramatic and effective parts in the overall experience of the film.

There is also plenty of opportunities in the film to laugh. Scenes of comedy relief are offered up at the hospital where Catherine works and the everyday hi-jinks that happen at a firehouse.

In the end it is a tear jerker, even though you expected it going in. This movie was far more effective that I ever expected. It only got preachy a couple of times and the message was far more naturally embedded than usually is the case in a Christian production.

I highly recommend this film and hope that Christians all over will fill the theaters and make a statement that Hollywood won’t be able to ignore.

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One year has passed since they returned from their adventures in Narnia. The four Pevensie children are preparing to go back to school and it is obvious that they are having problems dealing with kids their own age and with the fact that they are merely regular children and not the grown-up kings and queens of Narnia.

But soon they are off for another adventure. One minute they are in a train station, and the next in far away Narnia. Prince Caspian is running for his life with his uncle’s troops after him, he calls for help by blowing on the magic horn that once belonged to Queen Susan, and immediately the four Pevensie children find themselves whisked away to their magical land once more.

It has been only a year for the Pevensie kids, but over 1,000 years have passed in Narnia. Their former castle in in ruins and now they are merely remote legends that have been are nearly forgotten in a realm that has changed so much that many of the creatures have forgotten how to speak, and magic and faith seem to be long gone.

This Narnia is far closer to the world we live in, where the strong take advantage of the weak and Lions who are divine are usually not directly experienced.  Lucy is the only one who sees Aslan through the ‘eyes of faith’. God is far more remote in this land than previous.

Since Aslan doesn’t seem to be around, Peter takes over and makes a number of Kingly decisions which turn out be disastrous. Some of the followers decide that the old evil witch had more ‘power’ and actually try to bring her back and replace Aslan with her in the place of worship. Fortunately, they are stopped, Edmund being a hero in this case.

At the moment when it looks like Prince Caspian’s uncle and his army will conquer and enslave them all. They send Lucy to find Aslan and of course Lucy and Aslan save the day.

Just like in our own experience in today’s world, many times Christians with the best of motives and intentions will attempt to do things on their own without the help and counsel of the Lord. Impatient to do something even when God seems rather remote at the time. Disaster strikes, and then we remember to seek the Lord and he pulls us out of the fire.  That is the basic religious lesson and theme of Prince Caspian.

While the movie didn’t really stick to the original book, the important lessons and themes are still there. Besides, the story is entertaining and the scenes are rather awesome.            *Top

In the midst of evaluating all of my sites, I realized that the Movies & TV Commentary was over due for a change in emphasis and direction. I started out reviewing movies and TV programs with an eye towards commenting on religion and/or moral lessons contained in each one.

In looking at my most recent work, I realize that some where along the line I started putting more effort in turning out a complete review of the movies I had watched and really spent very little time on religious and moral issues that I had originally intended post on. There are already a number of very good Christian sites that give complete reviews of all the movies in the theater and on DVD.

Starting today, I am going to comment on religion and religious themes and moral issues contained in the Movies that I see and also a few TV programs that I am interested in. The acting, the story, and overall review of the work itself will from now on receive less attention.             *Top