AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
March 2014 – Contemporary setting for age- old story of biblical Joseph
Brady Gray finds himself in prison after his boss’s wife falsely accuses him of sexual assault. Sound like a story you’ve heard before? (Hint – maybe in the Old Testament?) There’s a reason for that. Seasons of Gray, produced by Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, is a creative re-telling of Joseph’s life.
In opening scenes, it almost seems trite and too predictable. For example, Brady is clearly the father’s favored son. Then, he tells his brothers about his dream in which they all came to him for help, and the evil brothers devise a scheme to drive Brady far away from the Texas ranch they run with their father.
However, the story is well done – story line (How could you miss?), acting, production and all. It doesn’t take long for the viewer to be hooked. For someone who doesn’t know the real Joseph’s saga, it is an engaging epic of conflict and tension, lost fortune and despair, hope and restoration. The script was careful to be faithful to the gospel, and scriptwriters took no artistic license that betrays the gospel message. There are scriptural quotes and prayers.
Those who know the biblical Joseph will soon enjoy wondering, “Now how are they going to portray Joseph’s jail time – or his release and rise to power?”
It won the Audience Choice Award at both the San Diego Christian Film Festival and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. It is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, social drinking in one scene and a couple of violent fist fights that merit caution for young viewers. There is no profanity or vulgar language. The DVD was scheduled to be available in stores in late January.
Review by Randall Murphree
Anthem For A Nation
Why has America prospered like no other nation in the world? Anthem For A Nation, a new documentary from New Liberty Videos, seeks to answer that question.
With a background of patriotic and uplifting songs, and spectacular scenery of the American landscape, Anthem For A Nation traces the influence of biblical truth in the forming of the nation. Sadly, that influence has waned and is currently being threatened in all walks of life.
Anthem For A Nation presents a challenge to God’s people to rise up in obedience and work to see God’s righteousness, and the freedoms that He has given, restored in the hearts, homes and institutions of America.
At the end of the documentary are testimonies from two women who both experienced the contrast between the oppression of the Nazi regime and the freedom of American citizenship.
Information about Anthem For A Nation can be found at NewLibertyVideos.com.
Review by Debbie Fischer
‘Mrs. Kate’ Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo
“Mrs. Kate” Carpenter has released a new DVD for children preschool-12.It’s a collection of songs about nature, manners, the importance of smiling and potty training. Though she is a Christian, her goal is to restore godly values and behavior in public school settings and homes where God has been neglected.
Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo is Carpenter’s tenth DVD. She performs often for groups such as schools and libraries with her original folk songs and stories, which reinforce her message. There is a caution, however. “The Potty Training Song” is descriptive and could be objectionable to some parents. Also, in the song, “Habit the Rabbit Loves Manners,” children are instructed not to “pick their nose.”
For more information visit MrsKate.com or call 904-879-9115.
Review by Debbie Fischer
In Gramp’s Shoes
In Gramp’s Shoes, a new Dove Family-Approved DVD, is slated for release March 3, 2014. The story is one of reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration.
Amy’s husband had left her two years earlier, and she is in a crisis after trying to raise two teens and keep the household together. Scott, 16 years old, and Sally, 13, are defiant and angry, and Scott is venturing into open rebellion.
After 20 long years of estrangement and out of financial desperation, Amy calls her father, Ty, for help. Both kids are less than enthusiastic when Amy tells them their grandfather will be moving in. But when they first meet, Sally immediately embraces Ty as her Grandfather and they begin to bond.
Scott, however, is resistant, displaying ridicule and disrespect toward Ty. With patience and perseverance, Ty continues to pursue Scott and seeks to be the kind of support for him that he has missed.
In Gramp’s Shoes is a good story that touches on critical topics for teens: peer pressure, substance abuse, forgiveness, importance of family and submission to God. However, the acting and the production leave a lot to be desired. The story is slow and choppy at times.
Since this story is realistic about the struggles of teens today, there are some cautionary scenes depicting smoking, disrespect, drunkenness and several instances of inappropriate, but no vulgar, language.
Review by Debbie Fischer
From the bookshelf
Three recent books with a common theme – religious persecution – will heighten one’s awareness of the precarious position in which many Christians around the world find themselves.
Diary of a Soldier in the Egyptian Military is an intimate look at author Nubar Aroyan’s service in the army and his eventual risky escape to the U.S. He was born into an Armenian Christian family near the end of World War II. As a young college graduate, Aroyan found his army career being extended year by year until fleeing from the country seemed the only way to end it.
The Fearless Passage of Steven Kim by Carl Herzig is an even more harrowing story – that of a successful American businessman who pursued money until moving from his native North Korea to China and rededicating his life to Christ. He was arrested while leading a prayer meeting and spent the next four years in a Chinese labor camp. Since his release, he has devoted his life to rescuing North Korean refugees from the same fate.
Samson: A Savior Will Rise Again is set in World War II Germany. The title character was held in the concentration camp at Auschwitz where he saw the deaths of numerous family members. A 1936 Olympic boxing competitor, he was abused and used for the entertainment of Nazi officers and camp staff members as they pitted him unfairly against numerous opponents in the ring.
Reviews by Randall Murphree
