AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
October 2009 – Mandie and the Secret Tunnel
This film is the first of four feature-length movies covering the adventures of a young girl named Mandie. In this one, she faces the death of her father, feels abandoned and unloved, and runs away from home in search of her father’s brother only to find he’s lost at sea.
Free from profanity and adult content, the film is not rated and does contain Christian references. There is mild violence, and the story deals with the topics of death, broken relationships, dishonesty, an annulled marriage and ghosts. The film is set to release on DVD September 22.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
Mercy Streets CAUTION
Mercy Streets is a dramatic tale of deception played out in the lives of twin brothers. Jeremiah, an aspiring preacher, and John, a criminal, struggle with a haunting past and a terrorizing present when their identities get switched. Through it all, the two men wrestle with the reality of personal sin.
The story challenges viewers to be honest about the condition of their own hearts. It’s a picture of undeserved love and mercy. There are elements of prostitution, counterfeiting, smoking and drinking. The film contains a lot of street violence, giving it a PG-13 rating. Language includes one use of God’s name in vain and a few other obscenities.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
Six: The Mark Unleashed CAUTION
Starring Stephen Baldwin, Six: The Mark Unleashed is an end-times thriller with an intriguing storyline. The Antichrist is trying to rule the world by placing computer chips in humans. Various characters go through intense struggles as they wrestle with faith in Christ.
The unrated film contains a lot of violence – torture, fighting, shooting and blood. People are beheaded and shot to death, although actual executions are never shown.
It is a questionable portrayal of coming to faith in Christ and the end times.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
As We Forgive CAUTION
As We Forgive, coming to DVD October 5, is a documentary highlighting the work of Prison Fellowship International in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide in which an estimated one million Rwandans were killed, leaving nearly a million widows and orphans.
The story follows two female genocide survivors as they are brought face-to-face with the men who murdered their families and tried to murder them. The film shows the importance of repentance and forgiveness, and how both take place because of the work of Christ in one’s heart.
The documentary is not rated, but it contains several scenes of corpses and skulls as well as a survivor showing her scars and dialogue about being beaten with machetes.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
The Board
The Board is a short film created and produced by Bethesda Baptist Church, Brownsburg, Indiana. It portrays the human soul through six characters – or board members – known as Mind, Memory, Emotion, Heart, Will and Conscience.
The film takes a different, yet effective approach to presenting the Gospel by examining the parts of a person’s soul and validating reasonable faith. However, there could have been a greater focus on why a person actually needs Christ and what the Gospel does for him.
The film is now available on DVD.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
Henry Poole is Here CAUTION
Henry Poole thinks he is facing imminent death and buys a new house to die in. Miracles occur after a couple of characters touch the “face of Christ,” as a Catholic neighbor has labeled the stucco stains on the wall of Henry’s new home. Henry Poole includes at least six uses of God’s name in vain (in exclamatory expressions), some of them by Esperanza, the most devout Christian character.
Review by Randall Murphree
Can We Talk?
Can We Talk? focuses on Nate, an 18-year-old high school senior who believes in his 12-year-old sister but not in himself. To provide for her, he sacrifices all he has – and some of what others have, which gets him sent to court. Aaron sees Nate in the courtroom and is led by God to help him. Through their friendship both are brought closer to Jesus.
It is a low budget film, and the production is lacking when compared to that of major league films. However, as the story and characters grow, so do the actors.
Once the villain appears and the major conflict is developed, viewers will be eager for each new scene. It is family-friendly, promoting forgiveness, friendship, second chances and trusting in God.
Review by Teddy James
A Greater Yes: The True Story of Amy Newhouse
From Pure Flix Entertainment comes a story of hope and faith as seen in the life of high school student Amy Newhouse.
Amy trusts God to answer all her prayers, including her prayer for healing after she is diagnosed with cancer. As always, God answers her prayer, but this time it is with a “no.”
A Greater Yes is not rated, and there is nothing potentially objectionable in it other than a discussion about a “first kiss,” smoking and the visible trauma of cancer on Amy’s body. A greater emphasis could have been put on God’s use of Amy, rather than on Amy’s personal ability to change others.
The film is now available on DVD.
Review by Rebecca Grace Davis
