AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
May 2012 – Seven Days in Utopia CAUTION
An engaging and entertaining story, Seven Days in Utopia follows pro golfer Luke Chisholm as he recovers from a full-scale, on-the-links meltdown in a major tournament. Luke drives away from the course mindlessly and stops only when he crashes his car near Utopia, Texas. There, he is rescued by an aging pro golfer who – in only seven days – uses some creative methods to give Luke the courage and focus to return to his pro golf career.
The otherwise positive film is marred by a couple of profanities (including the s-word), and two scenes in which a lot of money changes hands in light-hearted gambling among the major characters.
Review by Randall Murphree
One Hit From Home CAUTION
Pro baseball player Jimmy Easton’s life begins a downward spiral when his career is ended by a knee injury in One Hit From Home. He returns to his hometown and ends up in jail after smashing another guy in the face during a barroom brawl.
The local judge makes Jimmy a deal – take a job coaching the local community college baseball team or serve time. He takes the job, but tells the players he doesn’t want to be there. The story has its redeeming elements, as Jimmy decides (about halfway through the movie) that he wants to change, and he grows fond of the kids he’s coaching.
However, a number of things mar the film for families. One is the bar fight, and another the implication that Jimmy and a woman have casual sex. Furthermore, he renews a relationship with a high school sweetheart who his uncle tells him has been “going through a messy divorce.” It isn’t clear if their relationship begins during or after her divorce. Finally, some parents will not appreciate the fact that Jimmy enjoys being onscreen shirtless.
Review by Randall Murphree
Brother White CAUTION
It’s an appealing story when Bro. James White (Caucasian) travels from his Beverly Hills church to pastor Divine Faith Apostolic Tabernacle, an inner-city Atlanta church with a mostly African-American congregation. The Atlanta church is at risk of losing their property to a greedy banker who has hired a local thug to assist in putting the church out on the street.
The situation offers plenty of opportunities for good clean humor. The major negative element is frequent immodesty in the dress of the pastor’s wife, their teenage daughter and his secretary.
Review by Randall Murphree
Chipwrecked
In the third installment of the Chipmunks saga, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, the little animals are up to their regular antics again. Only this time, the gang is shipwrecked on an almost deserted island, thanks to one of Alvin’s shenanigans.
During the course of the movie, Alvin learns how hard it is to be responsible for someone who refuses to follow rules after Simon is bitten by a spider and experiences a severe personality change. In spite of the role reversal, the chipmunks must work together to find Dave, who is lost on the same island, and to outrun an erupting volcano.
The movie is sprinkled with moments of greatness. For example, Dave declares his love for his children and proves to be a model father. Zoe, a character who has been on the island for 10 years, learns that there is more to life than lost treasure. Ian, a character from previous Chipmunks films, learns the value of letting go of anger, vengeance and hatred.
Chipwrecked is rated G, even though – as with other Chipmunk movies and stories – it includes Alvin disobeying Dave, secular songs and some double entendre phrases.
Review by Teddy James
Parents encouraged by family/parenting books by Dave Stone
Dave Stone’s new book Building Family Ties with Faith, Love & Laughter is a short book filled with practical ideas for building positive families with a purpose. Threaded through each chapter are entertaining and often thought provoking stories of the author’s own family, as well as other families. The suggestions for building family are presented in such a way that they can be tailored to fit any family.
Among areas the author highlights are: developing a family mission statement; building secure family relationships; the blessings of the dinner table; growing a generous, giving and gracious family; developing loyalty within; the importance of uplifting and affirming words; and making a difference through service.
In conclusion, he reminds the reader, “Beliefs shape behavior. Attitudes affect actions. Character controls conversations. Joy flourishes when our focus is on purpose rather than possessions.”
Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord follows the theme of the title above and offers many encouraging principles and practical ideas for discipling children. Stone says that as he and his wife have taught Bible studies for couples in their 20s and 30s, the same kinds of questions continually arise, for example: Why do your kids enjoy talking about spiritual things? How did Savannah keep her faith during college?
“And our answer is always the same,” he writes. “We raised our kids to love the Lord, to value others and to use their gifts for Him.” Stone delivers all sorts of challenges to parents – to live consistently, how to pray for their children and more.
Stone is a master of the apt metaphor, e.g., he says buttoning a shirt wrong can be a minor embarrassment, but it can illustrate a spiritual truth: “If you start at the top and work your way down, the rest of the process comes quite naturally.” Make sure you address your top priorities first.
Review by Debbie Fischer and Randall Murphree
