Grab Some Popcorn

Three great movies for Christian families

Now-a-days those of us who enjoy watching a friday night movie with our families seem forced to compromise our values in one way or another just to watch something interesting. I'm proud to announce the coming of several terrific Christian films that aren't cheesy (a critique of other less cinematically powerful flicks), but are done well while still retaining a potent message.

The Second Chance is the story of an inner-city church and her negligent mother mega-church The Rock. The Rock, idealizing typical american values, tosses money at the inner-city ministry, but never takes the time to actually help out and learn what's going on. When an assistant pastor, Ethan (Michael W. Smith), is sent by the church board to help The Second Chance for a few weeks, he is anything but ecstatic. Strained relations with the pastor of the inner-city church only intensify as disagreements on how to best minister to people addicted to drugs, sex and gambling get in the way. Both pastors; however, soon realize as more circumstances unfold that they both still have a lot to learn. This film will challenge you.

Cautions: The Second Chance is rated PG-13 for drug references. There is also a good deal of profanity, and some smatterings of immodest dress all of which serve to make the inner-city environment strikingly believable.

The Nativity, recently released onto dvd, powerfully re-tells the story of the coming of Christ as an infant to redeem a lost world. Though many may have expected another bombastic display of computer generation and a Bible story in a 'Lord of the Rings' setting, The Nativity is remarkably tame when it comes to stunning visual effects. Even the angel hordes are reduced to one. All in all, the film emphasizes the humanness of Christ's birth, the normalness of Mary and Joseph and the dangerous world they survived in. It also fictionally developes the relationship between Mary and Joseph, interpreting their emotions and tensions in cultural and religious parameters. With its straight-forward story-line and honest eye, it makes for a great movie.

Cautions: There are a few brief scenes of Roman violence that will be too disturbing for smaller children. This warrants the film a PG rating.

Facing the Giants is the kind of guy film that many of us have been deprived of for far too long. Grant Taylor, the coach of the highschool football team the Shiloh Eagles, is a complete failure. His past six seasons have been defeats, his efforts to have children is frustrated by biological problems, and he struggles just to provide for his heart-broken wife, yearning for a baby. Things only get worse when he overhears some of the boys' fathers discussing his embarassing losing streak. They want a replacement coach. Then, right in the midst of all of these giants of broken dreams, Grant does something radical. "If we win we praise Him, and if we lose we praise Him," he tells a confounded team of disgruntled teen-agers at the next practice. The results are absolutely breathtaking. This a must-see for Christian families. Its straightforward Christian message will warm your heart, and the awesome conclusion may even bring you to tears.
This weekend don't compromise your Christian values. Choose to watch a film that will encourage and strengthen your family instead of lead you further into compromise.

How much do you witness?

Another poll I may use in a magazine article. Thanks for your answers.