AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
Above, Irish actress Deirdre O’Kane as Christina Nobel
June 2016 – Streets of Saigon backdrop for inspirational biopic
Noble is a docudrama about 40-something Christina Noble. As a child, she had a dream, and later as an adult, she followed that dream to care for hurting children by starting an orphanage in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City.
Christina grew up in Dublin, Ireland’s slum; lost her mother to tuberculosis at an early age; was sent to a harsh orphanage along with her siblings; and in her teens was raped and conceived a son whom she had to give up for adoption. Growing up with such intense pain and lack of love, her heart was drawn to the children living on the streets with no adult supervision or love.
Noble is an incredible story about a fearless woman surviving horrendous circumstances with her faith intact and unrelenting courage and drive. Caution is in order. Though the main focus is Noble’s rescue of street children in Vietnam, her childhood story is depicted in dark and violent flashbacks. Noble is not suitable for children or the faint of heart.
View Noble for free at imdb.com
Debbie Fischer
Story of God CAUTION
AFA has not yet had opportunity to screen National Geographic’s special titled The Story of God. However, Ted Baehr’s MovieGuide has alerted us to its content. Baehr interviewed actor Morgan Freeman, who hosts the show, and Freeman revealed that he favors Hinduism over other religions explored in the show. Baehr said the show also “suggests a strong encouragement of Islam.” It aired in April on NGC, but is sure to re-air many times. For more information, visit movieguide.org.
Chasing Grace
An unforeseeable accident on darling daughter Gracie’s birthday fractures the Matheson family, threatening to drive them apart. Pastor Jonathan Matheson turns the blame on his brother Carter, even while hiding his own failings from his family and church.
Despite the title, Chasing Grace, there is little discussion of grace applied to salvation or repentance over sin. At one point, the wife, Angela Matheson, asks her husband Jonathan if he is “Sorry? Or repentant?” But the conversation does not go much further than that. The focus is on reconciliation between the pastor and his brother, rather than on restoring right relationship with God.
Content includes some disturbing references to death and shooting; several vulgar slang terms; discussion of drinking and drunkenness; and a scene of the married couple lying undressed in bed partially covered with blankets. The plot also casts police officers in a negative light.
Stacy Long
They grow up fast
A father’s tender video journal is the best way to describe They Grow Up Fast, an engaging documentary. Darren Doane, creator of music videos and movies, filmed this colorful and entertaining family journey as he and his wife give birth to and care for four children. A subtle theme is the sanctity of life.
Doane has produced several Kirk Cameron films including Monumental and Unstoppable. His new family film (about 100 minutes) is the kind of experience that might encourage more parents to video record their own family chronicles.
Randall Murphree
Baby Wren and the Great Gift
In a small crevice in a beautiful canyon wall lives a little wren. From her nest, she observes life in the air, in the river, and on the ground. She finds herself wishing she could be like other animals – to dive like the kingfisher or swim like the sunfish.
Then drawn to the beauty of the canyon, the little wren bursts into a song of gratitude for all she sees.
Baby Wren And The Great Gift by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a vividly illustrated book showing that God gives each and every individual a special gift. There is no overt mention of God and no biblical reference, but the message is clear. This book is suitable for ages 3-6. It is available at bookstores and online.
Debbie Fischer
If I Run
After finding Brent lying in a pool of blood, Casey Cox decides to disappear and hide from the police, who she believes are corrupt. She knows they won’t believe her story and will charge her with murder. And she has a good reason to think this way. At the age of 12, Casey had found her father dead, and police ruled it suicide. For the past 13 years, she has been attempting to prove them wrong, and Brent had recently joined in that secret investigation. Was that why he was murdered?
The first in a trilogy, Terri Blackstock’s newest novel, If I Run, is captivating from the start. Casey is a cynic who believes God has abandoned her and her family. A chance meeting with an elderly woman who shares the gospel moves Casey along the road to faith. Available at bookstores and online.
Debbie Fischer
His Faithfulness Reaches to the Skies
In this powerful autobiography, missionary pilot Forrest Zander chronicles his decades as a pilot for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Whether its beating cancer or surviving engine failure at 7,000 feet, Zander’s stories are gripping.
As a boy in the 1940s, Zander sensed God’s call to ministry. But about the only thing he saw as ministry was to be a preacher, and he was terrified to speak in public. Then in high school, he saw a film featuring missionary pilots. From that day on, his focus was on becoming a pilot.
His book includes countless stories of narrow escapes and scary circumstances.It’s worth reading for the entertainment value, but it will also challenge readers to use their gifts to serve God. Available at bookstores and online booksellers.
Randall Murphree
