COURAGEOUS Movie is Must-See

The new movie "Courageous" from the producers of FireProof and Facing the Giants, is a must-see.

As you might know, movies with a distinctively positive message are often given short shrift at the cinemas. It is irritating that movies that feature Satanic serial killers like "Friday the 13th" will run for months, while positive films fight to run just two weeks.

Thus, I implore you to see and support this film as soon as possible. Not only do I think you will find it moving, funny and meaningful, but it needs your family's support to run as long as possible.

The story is at once, a guy movie with masculine theme and an emotional tear-jerker. There is something for everyone.

While the plot, involving law enforcement officers, may remind you of the movie Grace Card, it is not at all a do-over of that story. Men, especially Dads, will be challenged by the message. I have likely read a thousand movie reviews myself, and some have said "you will laugh, you will cry." In this matter, I can assure you that I saw big burly men crying like little girls, and then a minute later, the whole theater was laughing loudly.

Don't be surprised if the audience claps at the end.

When was the last time you even felt like doing that?

Please do not put it off. My kids (as young as nine) loved it, regardless of the PG-13 rating for a couple violent scenes. Please go see Courageous the movie. Tonight. This weekend.

You will not regret it.

Locally Shot Movie Truly Moving

“The Grace Card”

I had the opportunity to attend a private preview of a Memphis movie that does not come out in theaters till February 25, 2011.

It is called THE GRACE CARD. It is the very first movie from Graceworks Pictures located right here in Shelby County. Graceworks is the vision of Memphis optometrist Dr. David Evans, who directed and also served as the executive producer of THE GRACE CARD. Calvary Pictures is a ministry of Calvary, a Church of the Nazarene, led by Pastor Lynn Holmes in Cordova.

The church-based moviemaking ministry that spawned Fireproof inspired Memphis' own Calvary Church to make this movie.

It is about two Memphis policemen who have very different backgrounds and beliefs. And they have one other difference—the color of their skin.

Set in present day Memphis, we first see a Caucasian father endure the tragedy of losing a child senselessly. It is clear, as we fast-forward about 17 years; this event shaped him almost exclusively. He is now a Memphis cop that reminded me a lot of the type of cop that the O.J. Simpson defense team made Mark Fuhrman out to be. Angry. Racist. Distant. Bitter.

Then, thanks to a supervisor (played by Shelby County Commissioner, Chris Thomas) this atheistic racist cop is paired with--of all people—an African American part time preacher.

While award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. maybe the only face or name you will recognize in this moving drama, the acting by amateurs is still superb.

There is a transparency in the way the home life of these two men is portrayed that seems so real. It is like you are a fly on the wall of their homes. Troubles with a rebellious teen, struggles with money and the pressure of career plans all are laid bare, with a ring of truth. While the movie earned a PG-13 rating due to its police action, I still believe it to be a family movie suitable for kids several years younger.

But forgiveness and grace are not normal Hollywood commodities. The movies will not have a large release, but neither did similar movies like Facing the Giants and Fireproof. If you want to see if it is near you, see the website at www.TheGraceCardMovie.com.

If you don't see your town on the list, contact actionsquads@providentfilms.org to help bring the theater to your town.

Grace is not easy and it is not cheap, though desired by us all. Living here in Shelby County, we know how often the so-called “race card” is played…What about playing a “Grace Card?”

You won’t regret it.

"Blind Side" Movie Review

I normally do not do movie reviews, but the The Blind Side is a movie that is so meaningful that I just must encourage you togo and see it.

Sandra Bullock is entirely convincing as a strong Southern woman of conviction. Tim McGraw has no trouble looking like a man married to a woman like her, since he has a lot of practice married to superstar Faith Hill.

I think that the character who plays Michael Oher was strong, but vulnerable in way I did not think a man his size could be.

This is a true story, based a Memphis family and Oher played at Briarcrest Christian School (something they changed in the movie). It is not just "a football movie." Non sports fans have loved it too.

There is some objectionable language, but it is not gratuitous. It is rather realistic. Parental guidance, if it is truly guidance, can make this a movie for younger than age 13 in some families.

Oher now plays very well for a very average Ravens NFL team.

But 1 Corinthians chapter 13, says that love never fails.

In fact, love overcomes racial, socioeconomic and cultural differences. .. If we just let it.

MY BOOK WRITING ODYSSEY

The efforts continue to create a perfected manuscript of my first novel. 

I have actually had a bit of interest in California for my project and I hopeful that a literary agent with much vision, good connection and divine patience will take me under his or her wing and and shepherd my book into a marketable item, wit maybe a movie to follow (we can all dream). 

On a trip in the Ozarks, there was a new story that would have eroded some of plot. Trish, who is right over 99% of the time, said God was stirring me to complete the book faster. 

It helped. I wrote the final sentence and so when I got a call from LA on another issue, I mentioned it.  That fellow could not help me directly, but he knew a guy and so on.   

I will keep this going as a history of what I hope will be the first of many in the series, Lord willing. 

Dave