FIREPROOF - The new film from Sherwood Pictures

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I like films that will inspire me to be a better man, better person, better dad, better husband, etc. I will check this movie out because I think it will fulfill at least one. Thumbs up for those who are not ashame of sharing their faith, in front or behind the camera.
 
hehe.. well... can we all agree there are a LOT of agenda pushing flicks out there? Which I would consider "preachy"
 
I too know a lot of films that would be considered preachy, but have nothing to do with religion. They are preaching the filmmakers political beliefs, their support for alcohol or drug use, or that violence saves the day. They have a different agenda but they are still preaching.

There really is a double standard. If a film displays Christian values then its considered preachy. But if a film is a sex-romp-drug-crazed-action-flick then it's not preachy. Strange.

I support Christian filmmaking because I believe there should always be alternatives available to the audience. A balance. For every "American Pie" there should be a "Facing the Giants" or "No Greater Love".
 
PK Gillock said:
I support Christian filmmaking because I believe there should always be alternatives available to the audience. A balance. For every "American Pie" there should be a "Facing the Giants" or "No Greater Love".
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As long as the acting is decent, I agree.

I won't watch badly acted films that preach drug use or faith. :beer:
The trailer for Fireproof leaves a bad taste in my mouth due to the poor acting. I definitely wouldn't pay to see it.

It really comes off looking like a TV movie of the week.

Cheers,

Mike
 
poor acting is because the actor themselves is a poor actor...or is stupid and has an ego and more control over the film than the director.
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
As long as the acting is decent, I agree.
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One of the things that has truly suffered in Christian films... I will agree on that.

We killed ourselves on casting NGL, looking for the best actors we could possibly find for the roles. I believe NGL has one of the best casts of any Christian film out there.

With Sherwood films it's a bit different, as the actors all volunteer their time for the project, so their casting works quite different.
 
Think its the cheese factor that comes through all the preaching that really bothers me, you could call every film with a message preaching if we use that definition. For me it depends on how its done, believably, or creatively, or cheesy...
 
And I've seen plenty of non-Christian films that are over the top in many other things that come off forced and cheesy.
 
I certainly agree, I think thats where the whole Hallmark movie or Lifetime gag comes from, but they do hit theaters at times too.
 
Brandon Rice said:
One of the things that has truly suffered in Christian films... I will agree on that.

We killed ourselves on casting NGL, looking for the best actors we could possibly find for the roles. I believe NGL has one of the best casts of any Christian film out there.

With Sherwood films it's a bit different, as the actors all volunteer their time for the project, so their casting works quite different.
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From what I've seen of NGL you have nothing to worry about in the acting department. :thumbup:
 
PK Gillock said:
I too know a lot of films that would be considered preachy, but have nothing to do with religion. They are preaching the filmmakers political beliefs, their support for alcohol or drug use, or that violence saves the day. They have a different agenda but they are still preaching.

There really is a double standard. If a film displays Christian values then its considered preachy. But if a film is a sex-romp-drug-crazed-action-flick then it's not preachy. Strange.

I support Christian filmmaking because I believe there should always be alternatives available to the audience. A balance. For every "American Pie" there should be a "Facing the Giants" or "No Greater Love".
Click to expand...
David Jimerson said:
What PK said. Many films beat you over the head with some kind of "message."
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I agree wholeheartedly on the politics front, but I respectively can't see the "preachyness" definition used for your other examples (alcohol, drug use, violence). For some filmmakers, politics is their religion (I won't mention names, but you know the ones), so it isn't surprising that they would use every angle to push their agenda.

As for alcohol...
Is drinking shown in films often? Yes. Is it shown in a positive light? Usually. Is it glorified? No, I think it is just reflecting the fact that booze is such an ingrained part of our culture. Sure there are teetotalers out there, but prohibition's failure showed that they are the exception. In other words, Drinking in movies is mainstream, but it is only due to the fact that it is mainstreamed in real life. Hell, the American Revolution itself was started in dark tavern corners. :beer:

As for drug use...
Basically every drug film I can think of does show the dire consequences involved in that life. There are very, very few exceptions to this rule. Okay, for arguments sake, we'll have to agree that pot doesn't count. But unlike some films mentioned in this thread, what/whose agenda is being crammed down your throat?

As for violence...
What can I say, it sells. That's nothing new...just look at the early bloodspots from ancient times (gladiatorial games, etc.) I'm not immune. I don't, however, think filmmakers are encouraging anarchy of violence to their audience. They are just flowing with the supply and demand currents.

There is a difference with coating entertainment (which films are) with religious agendas. As we have been saying, uplifting/motivating films are great (they are amongst my all-time favs)...but they can be done (and done extremely well) without tacking on the "born again" agenda. Just look at Hudson's list, or better yet, look at the Bishops' list. They both show that there are countless uplifting "moral" stories to be told that can touch every heart in the audience, not a select few.

:beer:
 
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PK Gillock said:
A balance. For every "American Pie" there should be a "Facing the Giants" or "No Greater Love".
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I have to slightly disagree. For every "American Pie" there should be a film with a good message, but without being a Christian film.

Example:
Line from the film:
"You gotta beg god to teach you how to be a good husband."

I don't need no god to be a good husband, and I am sure there are a lot of other people that think the same.

How about: "You have to learn how to be a good husband." The story would go similar, but without the preachyness, cheesyness and more open to a bigger audience, but still focusing on the marriage and on being a good human. And beeing a good human should be the goal instead of cramming your beliefs down someone elses throat.

It's not hollywood that keeps out christian films/filmmakers. It's the films itself. You can't make christian/preachy films without stepping on alot of toes and therefore alot of doors remain closed. But you can make a film with a good message, which is still in accordance with christian beliefs, without beeing preachy and then alot of doors will open and then you can reach those "80% christians".
 
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