AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
December 2013 – Lucado’s ‘Christmas Candle’ coming to big screen
Mix Christmas with candlelight and carols, hardship and hope, miracles and a Max Lucado story – that’s pretty much a formula for success. EchoLight Studios was scheduled to release The Christmas Candle, based on Lucado’s novel of the same title, in theaters November 22.
The story is set in 19th century Gladbury, England, where legend says that every 25 years an angel visits the village candle maker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights that Christmas candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve.
Villagers depend on it to bring a small piece of hope to their hardscrabble lives. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries-old legend may be limping to its last light. When a new young minister comes to town, a strong tension stuns all of Gladbury when the Rev. Richmond ridicules the 200-year Christmas candle tradition and promptly sets about trying to extinguish its flame. (Since it is a Christmas movie, one can probably predict his level of success.) Tearing down the wall he builds between himself and the villagers becomes an intriguing part of the story.
There’s a classic British tone to the production, and actors portray the villagers superbly. Themes that permeate the story line include the value of traditions, hope, tolerance for others’ views, humility and the necessity for perseverance. It’s a movie all the family can enjoy together. (thechristmascandlemovie.com)
Review by Randall Murphree
UP Entertainment offers two Christmas family films
Silver Bells relates the story of the Dalt family caught up in the blur of secular Christmas season activities. An overbearing, self-centered dad (played by Bruce Boxleitner) is the character who creates tension and needs the most change as the family rediscovers the true Christmas spirit.
In Guess Who’s Coming for Christmas, a teenager enters his older sister’s name in a contest to have a pop music star come live with the family Christmas week. Of course, his entry wins, setting up the conflict between the star’s lifestyle and that of the small town Harding family.
Silver Bells – December 1, 7 p.m. (ET) ; Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas – December 8, 7 p.m .(ET)
Review by Randall Murphree
Stand Your Ground
When Jason, a young building contractor, is charged with the felony murder of an intruder on the construction site where thieves were stealing Jason’s copper, the world turns crazy for his family. His wife and young son (about 8) and his mother, Jackie, are devastated, and his mother’s strong faith becomes a major element in the story line. At one point, even Jason’s attorney and Jackie’s family suggest that she not carry her Bible with her into the courtroom, but she persists steadfast in her faith.
Stand Your Ground is based on actual events as related in the book A Cry for Justice by Jackie Carpenter, Jason’s mother. The film is an emotional portrayal of the family’s journey and their unswerving certainty that the death was an accident.
A well-founded faith, family loyalty and perseverance are well-developed major themes. There are no language offenses, but some content may be too intense for young children, including a few startling, loud gun blasts and a limited display of splattered blood on the victim’s clothing. Brief jail scenes include shirtless inmates in boxer shorts and men in showers (upper body only visible).
The film is scheduled for limited theater release January 17. (standyourgroundmovie.com)
Review by Randall Murphree
Pendulum Swings
Dale Jennings is committed to saving his marriage to Maria and being a good father to his two daughters in Pendulum Swings. However, Maria is more interested in going out late at night with her friends, advancing her career and criticizing her husband. When Dale is forced into the divorce Maria demands, his life goes into a downward spiral as he loses his home, job, vehicle, friends, family and self-respect. He transitions from a responsible, clean-cut, church-going man into a heavy drinker who is behind on all his bills and who gets into trouble with the police, divorce court and a loan shark. Because of his series of bad choices and misfortunes, he is ready to take his own life. Fortunately, at the last minute, he rediscovers hope.
As Dale becomes more and more desperate in life, he is involved in several fights and is stabbed in the hand with a knife. Scenes of violence are frequent, beginning with the opening scene. In one scene, Dale imagines himself physically abusing his wife. In addition, alcohol consumption is a prevalent theme, although portrayed in a negative light. (Watch trailer here.)
Review by Stacy Long
Linsanity CAUTION
Linsanity, a documentary, tells the inspiring story of National Basketball Association’s Jeremy Lin and his strong faith and perseverance. At 6 ft.3 in., Lin was a high school and Harvard University basketball standout, but his dream of playing in the NBA was a rocky road. Finally, in his first start with the New York Knicks, he scored 25 points and became a world-wide sensation overnight.
His story is phenomenal, and his Christian faith appears to be authentic. However, unfortunately there is enough objectionable language to prevent AFA from recommending the film. For example, Lin himself uses “a--” and “he--” a couple of times, and a sports announcer in one of the many game clips uses God’s name in vain twice. (linsanitythemovie.com)
Review by Randall Murphree
Wounded by God's People
The body of Christ is filled with believers who have wounds of rejection, betrayal and hurt inflicted by other believers, including trusted friends and others. The pain can dominate life and relationships.
Anne Graham Lotz’s new book, Wounded by God’s People, is an honest, personal and transparent account of wounds inflicted by those she least expected to turn on her – God’s people. Using the stories of Hagar and other biblical characters, Lotz leads the wounded, and those who wound, out of a place of pain and isolation into forgiveness, restoration and blessing.
Wounded by God’s People is meant to touch the heart and draw the reader to the One who can heal, restore and renew hope. It is filled with strong biblical teaching and profound application. All who read it will be encouraged and touched. (annegrahamlotz.com)
Review by Debbie Fischer
