I Can Only Imagine - The Movie- Is it worth it?

I use to watch a lot of Christian movies and I gave up on them. They were hit or miss with me and most, missed the mark. I even wanted to direct them too. A dream never to be realized but studying film help me recognize a good movie from bad from a serious movie to a popcorn flick.

Christian movies were for the most part the kind of movies that, had they been science fiction, perfect fodder for Mystery Science Theater. They were so easy to be made fun of for either the acting, dialogue or contrived story line.

I think this movie has exceed my expectations. Granted, they are low to start so don't get too excited but this is definitely worth a watch. First of all the cinematography is a little rough, Most of the b-roll is better shot than this movie. The colors, the lighting, the set up, arrgh! Are any of these guys movie lovers? The dialogue is bland. the tension of an abusive father isn't really felt. They really made this part safe for "christian eyes". God forbid you feel uncomfortable or icky. I am not asking to see hard core violence. I am asking that the director take time in a creative way using the camera to make me feel the tension and pain I can not see. Alfred Hitchcock did this very task film after film. The Erwin Brothers can take the time and put a little effort. They do show broken glass and shattered frames but it's all aftermath. Could have been a tornado for all I know. 

I'd have to say the latter part of the movie when Bart returns home is when the real movie starts. The shots they choose are better and the acting is stepped up. Maybe they split responsibilities on who covers what part of the movie, I don't know. I can only imagine how much better this would have been if the first part of the movie shared the tone and creativity of the second part. (see what I did there.)

The bottom line is, this is a good Christian movie. Is it a good movie period? No, still Lifetime Movie quality. These are popular and they make movie but no one going to point to this and say, Wow, this was a game changer. Directors will copy this style for ages.

We are all Hostiles

Movie Info - 

Set in 1892, Hostiles tells the story of a legendary Army Captain (Christian Bale), who after stern resistance, reluctantly agrees to escort a dying Cheyenne war chief (Wes Studi) and his family back to tribal lands. Making the harrowing and perilous journey from Fort Berringer, an isolated Army outpost in New Mexico, to the grasslands of Montana, the former rivals encounter a young widow (Rosamund Pike), whose family was murdered on the plains. Together, they must join forces to overcome the punishing landscape, hostile Comanche and vicious outliers that they encounter along the way.



Angry men sometimes don't stay angry. This movie is not a chase movie but a gauntlet movie. Everything short of a prairie dog comes after these folks. With every encounter and every stop, more is thrown onto the back of  this soon to retire Captain.

It's his last ride and the wild west wants to make it his last ride ever. With all of the hell these soldiers endure, many find redemption or a bullet. I wondered as I watched, which would the Captain find.

There are at times a lot of looking of into the distance. Maybe too much reflection for my tastes. There is solace in knowing that with out words, much of what will happen and what characters are thinking is known. It's worth while to see in theaters. The landscapes are beautiful. The acting is great and good movie to ponder who do you hate and exactly why do you.

The Jaded Wino - The Show - Pinot Noir 2012

I come to you to bring wine reviews for the non discriminating wine connoisseur. I make all my wine purchases under 2 conditions; one: $2.99 or less and two; 10% alcohol or greater. Does it taste good? Hell, if I know. After a couple of glasses it all tastes the same to me.
Today we review The Show - Pinot Noir 2012. It was $2.99 and 13.9%. If you look on the Internet you can find it for about $10. Give the video a look.

The Jaded Wino - Redwood Canoe Cabernet Pomegranate 2016

I come to you to bring wine reviews for the non discriminating wine connoisseur. I make all my wine purchases under 2 conditions; one: $2.99 or less and two; 10% alcohol or greater. Does it taste good? Hell, if I know. After a couple of glasses it all tastes the same to me. Today we review Redwood Canoe Cabernet Pomegranate 2016. It was free and 11%. It is very strong in the Pomegranate. I liked it a lot. How I came across this bottle is an interesting story. You'll just have to watch and learn.

Review - Le French Frog Moscato 2014

I come to you to bring wine reviews for the non discriminating wine connoissieur. I make all my wine purchases under 2 conditions; one: $2.99 or less and two; 10% alcohol or greater. Does it taste good? Hell, if I know. After a couple of glasses it all tastes the same to me. Today we review Le French Frog Moscato 2014

Review: Holy Ghost

I got to see the documentary, Holy Ghost. I was extremely excited to see it. After it was all said and done, I wasn't as impressed. It felt jumbled. Jumping from a scene where the crew is filming to interviews that would say encouraging snippets about the Holy Spirit.
The most interesting story was a trip to India. The Indian Christians there feared for their lives and where not very bold in their faith. When the Americans show up with a guitar and the Spirit, everything open up for them. The Indian Christians were amazed by their boldness and acceptance by the locals. The Indian Christians believed the Americans would be beaten and killed in the streets. It never happened but for one small altercation and even Jesus didn't bat 1000 when he preached.
They showed healings and conversions on the streets of Salt Lake City, Monaco, and a Korn concert.
Some scenes where very intense and amazing as to how they would follow direction by the Holy Spirit to people that needed God's love. Those are worth seeing and I believe this movie is very much worth seeing. My critique of the movie is the structure and message. I can not identify the director's message he wanted audiences to take away. I can identify what I would have done but there is no single thread that pulls the entire movie together. It's everything and powerful and a big mess. Go see it and pick through a stock pile of beauty.

God's not Dead

Good news to fans of Christian movies, Gateway Church will be screening them more in the near future. I had the pleasure of watching God's not Dead on the big screen. It was not a pleasure because it was an awesome movie, on the contrary, it was horrible but I get to that soon.
Gateway now has a Facebook page for all the info if you want to check out the next movie. I sure hope they are getting the viewing license for these films. I will check into this and get back to you. If they are not, I will fight for them to do this right. These movie makers deserve their money. I talking $200 and all is good.
*edit* It has been confirmed that licensing is being paid for movies shown and to be shown. 
What do I think about God's Not Dead? First of all, Dean "Superman" Cain and Kevin "Hercules" Sorbo are in it. They do as good a job as they ever have but they never share any screen time. A waste of opportunity if I ever saw. Here's the trailer so you can get a taste of what I'm talking about here.



Summary provide by IMDB: College philosophy professor Mr. Radisson's curriculum is challenged by his new student, Josh, who believes God exists.

This was the core story and it was well done. There were a lot. I mean a lot of subplots that really didn't add to the movie and with time and care could be developed into interesting movies themselves but here in this movie, it's too much. The movie is nearly two hours long and I felt every moment. The screenplay is really good and would only be better with some editing and getting down to the core of the movie.
My best problem with Christian movies is usually the story but this was well done. The next problem with Christian movies is the cinematography. This movie does not pass the grade. It's shot very straight forward with very little creativity and the coloring is drab. It looks a lot like a TV movie. It could be because of budget restraints but that shouldn't kill creativity. They should take a lesson from Robert Rodriguez. He does so much on the cheap.
I must also warn you that there at least 3 scenes that will make you cry. Hats off to the director for pulling that emotional hat trick. I think they were too close together and too often and I felt manipulated.
Overall, this is not an awful movie in the Christian Movie spectrum. I give it 3.75 out of 5. But that is only in the context of being a Christian movie. As a movie alone? Horrible. Pass on this unless you are a big fan of Dean Cain or Kevin Sorbo.

Review: Only God Forgives

I had the pleasure of renting Only God Forgives. I must warn you, it's not a fast paced movie. It's slow and drawn out like a knife to the gut. There is minimal dialogue but a lot of story. The interior and exterior scenes are a major part of the cinematography. Color is a major player as well. I am reminded of Kubrick and Lynch when I watch this movie. The use of long shots and open doors to frame the scenes are an example as well of the use of fantasy and symbolism in exchange for dialogue.
This is a noir style genre, where the anti-hero is against all odds of gaining the upper hand yet he still is determined to try. Gosling's character does try and his downward spiral is hard to watch but you can't turn away. If he can endure it, so can you.
Watch it not to be pumped up and entertained but watch it to be transported to a dark and dismal world filled with color and wrath.