AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
Photo above – Charlotte (Kara Kilmer) and Will (Andrew Cheney) narrowly escape an explosion of historic proportions in Beyond the Mask.
March 2015 – William Reynolds is a notorious assassin who has worked for the nefarious East India Company, but he wants out. Charles Kemp, his boss, wants Reynolds dead.
Set in England and then America just before the Revolutionary War, Beyond the Mask is a suspenseful and stirring adventure that has enough well-placed twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing.
Initially, Reynolds simply tries to evade death, but when he meets a beautiful young woman, he begins to want a new life – and a new reputation. As the story unfolds, Reynolds stumbles upon plots that threaten to cause the new nation to be stillborn.
Beyond the Mask possesses top-notch sets and costumes. Strong and believable acting far exceeds the quality of most Christian films, and the choreographed fights, chases, and explosions rival Hollywood productions.
The gospel and themes of God’s providence, mercy, and redemption are interwoven throughout the film without contrived dialogue or preachiness.
Beyond the Mask may not be appropriate for young children. There is a lot of fighting, and one flashback scene implies the slaughter of people in India. There is some drinking in a pub, but no profanity, immodesty, or sexual content. Learn more at beyondthemaskmovie.com.
Review by Ed Vitagliano
Pass the Light
There’s a lot good about Pass the Light – pretty good acting, engaging characters – but the story line is far beyond credible. And unfortunately, it plays loose with the Scripture. Seventeen-year-old Steve runs for Congress (though he can’t really do so until age 25). His motivation is to defeat Franklin Baumann, the egotistical, intolerant Christian candidate who frequently quotes the Bible.
Ironically, the most flagrant distortion of Scripture comes from the teenage hero who usually demonstrates depth and a good grasp of biblical knowledge. In a public debate he challenges the obnoxious Christian candidate regarding the teen’s gay friends: “I can’t say if their way of life is right or wrong.” Consistently throughout the film, the overriding theme is that no one is to judge the behavior of anyone else.
Review by Randall Murphree
Rumors of Wars
The Bible says that in the end times, people will be forced to wear the mark of the beast to buy and sell goods. Rumors of Wars attempts to illustrate how the mark may come about.
The film focuses on Shaw, a soldier in the One World Government, Zurn Global. Zurn is on a mission to annihilate every Christian and eradicate every semblance of Christianity. Shaw hates Christians because he believes they are responsible for the deaths of his family.
But as time passes, he discovers the truth behind Zurn, meets a Christian leader, and makes a life-altering decision.
The film has a solid premise, some good acting, nice pace, and great production values. However, there are several creative devices that stretch credibility.
Rumors of Wars is rated PG-13 for violence including gunfights and the execution of Christians. No blood is shown during the shootings. For more information, visit rumorsofwarsmovie.com.
Review by Teddy James
Old Fashioned tells the story of Clay, whose past is littered with sexual conquests too numerous to count. He turns his back on that lifestyle after coming to Christ and commits himself to sexual purity. He makes a promise never to be alone in a room with a female who is not his wife, a promise that is soon tested.
Clay owns an apartment above his antique restoration shop, and Amber, an attractive young woman, decides to rent it.
His Christian commitment and her free spirit begin to clash in ways so awkward it is engaging and amusing.
Dialogue is sometimes clichéd, and the pace is often slow. But by the end of the film, viewers find the characters endearing.
This film carries a positive message for its target audience – older teens and adults. But there are several bar scenes with drinking, and frank discussions of sex and past sexual partners. Some characters live sinful lifestyles. None of them come to a moment of faith, but Clay’s faith clearly has an impact on them. For more information, visit oldfashionedmovie.com.
Review by Teddy James
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Short takes, tall cautions
The Good Lie CAUTION
It’s a great story (about Sudanese refugees – the “lost boys” of Sudan), but it has some serious language issues. It uses God’s name in vain, including GD and numerous other profanities. It also has one bed scene featuring the heroine and her lover.
Review by Randall Murphree
Selma CAUTION
This 1960s Civil Rights film has a strong Christian, moral worldview with prayer, Scripture, hymns, and a positive portrayal of clergymen. However, its acceptability is marred by 19 obscenities (including one “f” word), two strong profanities using the name of Jesus, and four light profanities. There is also a lot of strong violence and the clear implication of a sexual affair.
From movieguide.org
Unbroken CAUTION
Unbroken is “a harrowing story of Christian Olympic athlete and World War II POW Louis Zamperini, who endured unimaginable hardship,” says movieguide.org.
Admirable themes of hope and forgiveness are diminished by more than a dozen profanities including God’s name in vain.
From dove.org and movieguide.org
