AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
January 2011 – Like Dandelion Dust
Downes Brothers Entertainment did a superb job adapting Karen Kingsbury’s novel Like Dandelion Dust to film. A troubled adoption situation serves as the backdrop for an emotional journey through the lives of two couples.
Wendy and Rip Porter’s life is torn apart when he goes to prison for domestic violence – assaulting his wife. After he serves seven years, she welcomes him back home. He declares that he is a changed man, and it appears that he is doing well. But he is devastated when Wendy confesses that their son Joey was born after Rip was in prison and she gave the child up for adoption. Rip had never known his wife was pregnant, and he declares they will get the boy back.
Then a question occurs to Rip: How did Wendy put Joey up for adoption alone? Eventually, the truth comes out that the adoption papers were fraudulent. When Jack and Molly, the adoptive parents, are contacted by the social services worker, they are stunned and almost paralyzed with fear.
Even after Rip’s release from prison, Wendy lies, saying that she left the papers with a guard at the prison who must have signed Rip’s name. The truth is that Wendy herself forged Rip’s signature. This development means that the adoption was not legal. Consequently, a judge orders little Joey to begin flying across the country to spend weekends with his birth parents.
Some scenes depict mild violence and Rip’s alcohol abuse, but the negative consequences of both are clear. Tension and conflict are almost palpable and lead to a resolution that is not a “happily-ever-after” ending, but colored with both victory and defeat.
Reviewed by Randall Murphree
Walking on Water
Don’t let first impressions make you think you won’t enjoy this documentary that focuses on a couple of young surfers who get to travel the world. It’s a beautiful story, and it includes countless scenes that deal with Christian faith, salvation and prayer.
When Bryan Jennings, director of Walking On Water, was 14 years old, his parents had divorced and a professional surfer became an important mentor in his life. The man took Bryan on a life-changing surfing tour that had a lasting impact.
This film chronicles Bryan’s selfless act of passing the blessing along as he takes Tyler Hallen, 14, and Luke Davis, 12, literally around the world in hopes that they too will forever be changed. Along the way, they meet three-time world champion surfer Tom Curren, teen shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton, top professional surfers C.J. and Damien Hobgood, and many others.
In Peru they participate in a mission giving clothing to needy people and learn not to take anything for granted. In France, Damien Hobgood helps them learn the lesson that a man’s best foundation is the Lord: “It doesn’t sway; it doesn’t change. ... No matter what happens, you have Him.”
In South Africa, they visit a kids’ community where young men their own ages are overcoming incredible obstacles through faith – and surfing.
Taken all together, the film is entertaining and inspiring, and there are no red flags for family viewing. Whether one likes surfing or not, it’s a story that will grip the heart.
Reviewed by Randall Murphree
I Am CAUTION
Distributed by Fox, I Am is a gripping story, but a few cautions are worth mentioning for a family audience. The movie opens with a voice-over declaring, “Thirty-five-hundred years ago, God wrote the Ten Commandments. Over time, they were forgotten. It pays to remember … I Am.”
Promotional material says there are 10 major characters, each of whom breaks one of the Ten Commandments and suffers the consequences. However, a couple of story lines stand out from the others, and the Vita family problems move the tale along more than any other.
Their story begins by establishing the tension between Angelica and Lance Vita, sister and brother who have a deep conflict regarding their late father’s estate. Lance has apparently been the family’s black sheep, in the sense that he has almost severed ties with them. He didn’t even show up for his dad’s funeral.
The father’s will states that Angelica will inherit all of Dad’s money if she lives beyond age 40. If she dies before that age, all the money goes to Lance. She persuades Lance to meet with her to tell him she’s dying, but is hiring a doctor to freeze her body cryogenically until a cure is found for her disease.
The “I Am” character appears in various scenes, some of them bizarre at best, to communicate to the different characters, though they certainly do not know who He is. The theology is usually confusing or downright unbiblical. In one scene I Am is a bartender who says we have to “reach out. If we don’t, we are lost to our own madness.” In another scene, the narrator (voice-over) declares, “If you want peace, you have to make it.”
Other cautions include more skin (men and women) than is necessary, several scenes with social drinking and one scene in which a dead body is discovered. It is an engaging and challenging undertaking for filmmakers, much more appropriate for older children and adults.
Reviewed by Randall Murphree
Logan CAUTION
Logan, the title character, is a 13-year-old with an impossible dream. One afternoon, Logan and his older brother see an action movie. After the film, Logan exclaims that movies are too focused on action and explosions and not enough on stories. He then decides to make his own movie. When his idea is rejected and belittled by his family, peers and total strangers, Logan takes a course that touches the lives of everyone around him. From the varsity football player who was picked on as a kid, to the troubled high school teen who cut herself, to the short kid who was called hobbit, everyone is impacted by Logan’s actions.
The story is real in that several teens deal with suicidal thoughts. As the theme of this story is “checking out” – a euphemism the movie uses for suicide – it may not be suitable for young children.
Parents should be aware that Logan was not produced or promoted as a Christian film, thus a Christian approach to dealing with suicide is ignored. Logan’s answer to prevent teen suicide is “talk to someone,” not talk to Jesus. While there is one Christian character in the film, the gospel is never shared. This would have deepened the drama and made the movie a stronger experience.
Reviewed by Teddy James
Christianity, Cults and Religions
This six-session DVD is a great primer on cults and false religions and a wonderful tool to introduce Christians to the ministry of apologetics, i.e., defending the faith.
The presentation is simple and lucid, providing a fascinating overview of the history and doctrines of the world’s major religions and cults, while giving clear instruction for mounting a passionate defense of biblical truth.
The series features Paul Carden, executive director of the Centers for Apologetics Research. Six sessions cover definitions and key elements of defending the faith; essential Christian doctrine; Jehovah’s Witnesses; Mormonism; Eastern spirituality (Hinduism, Buddhism and the New Age movement); and Islam.
While the explanation of the belief system of each false faith is quite helpful, the presentation of the historical backgrounds of these key religions and cults is fascinating. In light of current Western struggles against radical Islam, the last session on this religion is especially useful as well.
Included on a second disc are PDF versions of a printable leader’s guide, a participant’s guide and class handouts, as well as fliers and posters for promotional use.
For Christians who want to better understand the religions of an increasingly pluralistic Western world, Christianity, Cults and Religions is the place to start.
Reviewed by Ed Vitagliano
The Runner from Ravenshead
Presented by Little Crew Studios, The Runner from Ravenshead, an allegorical story, is a delight to watch. The film won the Audience Choice Award at the October San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival and received runner-up for the Best of Festival and Best Feature Film at the same event.
With a cast of nothing but children, the movie is surprisingly refreshing and semi-fast paced. In this Little Rascals meets Indiana Jones story, Henry, a janitor turned hero, tries to help Sam escape from Ravenshead prison. No matter how many times he offers his help, Sam never listens. But all of his effort will be futile if Sam refuses to accept his assistance. This movie has several laugh-out-loud moments and many thought provoking lines.
As amazing as the story itself is, the story behind the movie is even better. There are five actors, all under the age of 10. The parents wrote, produced and directed the film. This shows what a homeschool family with time and a vision can do. The movie took two years to make and is now touching lives everywhere. While watching the film, it is easy to forget these are children. Somehow, the actors portray their childlikeness without ever being childish.
Although the word “cute” is not something mentioned often by movie reviewers, or men in general, this movie definitely wins the cute award. It is a movie all family members from toddler to grandparent will enjoy.
Available at afastore.net or by calling 662-844-5036, option 3.
Reviewed by Teddy James
