AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
October 2007 – The Cross and The Towers
From Atlas Productions and Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures comes an inspirational documentary that brings a fresh perspective of hope to the tragic happenings surrounding 9/11.
The Cross and The Towers tells the personal stories of seven individuals whose lives were changed not only by the gruesome terrorist attacks but also by a steel cross found in the rubble of Ground Zero.
The cross immediately became a much-needed symbol of hope for the hurting and a stark reminder of God’s hand amidst the chaos. Untold until now, the story of The Cross and The Towers exposes the hearts of chaplains, law enforcement officers, firemen, family members and a businessmen who saw a glimpse of God while in the trenches of Ground Zero.
“[This film] captures the heart of the experience and our need to look to God because it was all so beyond us, so beyond our comprehension,” said John Picarello, New York City fireman, pastor and Ground Zero first responder, who is featured in the documentary.
The Cross and The Towers contains actual footage from 9/11 as well as real audio from the attacks and rescue efforts. It’s real. It’s moving. It’s personal. It’s emotional, very well done and certainly worth watching. It is intense at times but not overtly gory.
There are two audible uses of the word “freakin’” and some candid talk about the deceased. The award-winning 54-minute documentary is not rated. More information is available at www.thecrossandthetowers.com or by calling 888-319-0319.
Review by Rebecca Grace
Final Solution
The location: Cape Town, South Africa. The year: 1993. The man: Gerrit Wolfaardt. The plan: Kill every black in South Africa.
Final Solution is a complex story about Gerrit Wolfaardt (pronounced Hair-it Vulf-art), grandson of a South African freedom fighter. It details the struggle between blacks and whites in South Africa. The film begins when Gerrit, his wife, and an American film crew are holed up in a South African church while a crowd seeking revenge waits outside. It then moves from that point back into the past to uncover the dark secrets of apartheid, which is defined as “separateness,” and God’s work in Gerrit’s life. Final Solution serves as a reminder of God’s desire for unity and love for one another, regardless of race.
This film is violent and contains this disclaimer: “Parental Guidance is suggested for scenes of violence.” It is not, however, officially rated as such.
Despite the violence, Final Solution is a story that shows God’s ability to take a tragic circumstance and turn it on its ear. God can redeem the most brutal ideology and bring love and harmony out of it, as He does in the life of Gerrit.
Abstinence advocate Lakita Garth has a role in Final Solution, which was filmed on location in South Africa. (See related story here.) She said that traveling to South Africa “… just really gave me a heart for the continent while I was there and [showed me] that the people were just hungry for the Gospel.”
Final Solution is a must-see for mature believers who want a better understanding of why racism should be addressed from a Biblical perspective.
Review by Hamilton Richardson
Ten Commandments … take 3
Moses and the Ten Commandments is a story worth re-telling. Even Hollywood agrees. Since 1923 when Cecil B. DeMille released his silent version, filmmakers have offered multiple remakes. Below is a review of the classic DeMille 1956 version as well as two others, one of which is hitting theaters this month.
The Ten Commandments (2007)
The most recent project is a full-length animated film about the life of Moses. The movie is aimed at children and is set to release October 19 on 700 screens.
The Ten Commandments is the first of 12 feature films in the Epic Stories of the Bible franchise from Promenade Pictures.
Promenade Pictures uses 3-D computer generated imagery (CGI) to bring the account to life. All in all, the film does a fair job of staying true to the Scripture. Of course, it’s next to impossible to include every detail from the Bible in a 90-minute movie, so there are parts of the Exodus that are not included.
There are also several instances throughout the film that depart from Scripture but do not change the meaning of the account. For example, Miriam, the sister of Moses, plays a much larger role in the movie than she does in Scripture. And when Moses first encounters God, he is always able to look at God without ever turning his head. This is in direct contrast with Scripture.
If viewers are comfortable with such dramatic liberties, then The Ten Commandments seems to be a good fit for the family. There is some mild violence in the film and some immodesty as seen through women with bare midriffs and men with bare chiseled chests. There is no offensive language in the movie, and there is a strong message about the importance of obeying God and the consequences of disobedience.
The Ten Commandments is rated PG for mild peril. It gives an age-old account a modern-day appeal by sticking to the Biblical basis of the story while creatively introducing children to one of the greatest prophets of all time.
Review by Rebecca Grace
The Ten Commandments (2006)
Compared to the 1956 classic, this version of The Ten Commandments, which originally aired in miniseries form on ABC in 2006, is a grittier and, in many ways, more realistic portrayal of life more than 3,500 years ago in Egypt – especially for Hebrew slaves. However its presumably made-for-TV budget reduces its sense of sweep and spectacle.
The movie, starring Dougray Scott in the lead role, is hardly family-friendly with far too much blood and violence in the realistic battle sequences and a scene of partial nudity as two adulterers are shown kissing in a small pool of water.
While such re-tellings invariably involve some extra-Biblical content, this film does so in ways that seem frustratingly unnecessary. This is especially true in its almost bizarre portrayal of the relationship between God and Moses.
When God speaks to Moses, for example, Scott’s character seems to almost react spasmodically and grip his head as he were suffering the world’s worst migraine.
Also, Moses is shown as almost constantly angry and bitter over the sacrifices he’s made in order to lead Israel. When the people continue to fuss with one another, for example, Moses gripes to God that he needs some guidelines for the people. In response, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, as if it suddenly occurred to the Almighty that a few specific rules might actually help.
So, while the acting is genuinely good in this version of the Exodus story, the frequently unbiblical story will probably disqualify it for most Christians.
This film is not rated but its violence is noted.
Review by Ed Vitagliano
The Ten Commandments (1956)
When this film from Cecil B. DeMille was released in 1956, moviegoers flocked to see The Ten Commandments, making it the fifth most financially successful film of all time, according to www.filmsite.org. Since then, this movie, which is rated G, has become a perennial television favorite – especially during the Easter season.
Eagle-eyed Bible-readers will note the film’s numerous departures from the true Scriptural account, and parents should be aware that there is some sensuality in The Ten Commandments. The scene representing Israel’s apostasy into idolatrous worship of the golden calf, while tame compared to modern Hollywood standards, may not be suitable for children.
There is a fair amount of overacting at times and, by modern criteria, of course, the special effects are sometimes glaringly substandard. However, the famous scene of the parting of the Red Sea remains a Hollywood classic.
All in all, although the film was made more than 50 years ago, The Ten Commandments is still a movie that lives up to the label of Bible-based epic and is certainly worth having in one’s library.
Review by Ed Vitagliano
