FIREPROOF - The new film from Sherwood Pictures

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oh my God, we are not talking about FireProof as a great hit, we are talking about FireProof and Passion as proof of concept, if Hollywood would take that concept and run with it, just once with really hollywood production values, real hollywood cast and crew, real Hollywood budget then it would blow fireproof out of the water, earningswise, and jst about everything else out there.

just wait fot The Golden Boys, I've ony seen a little about it, but with its cast, I think it will do well, also.
 
Great posts everyone.

And Cal, great note on Scorsese's Last Temptation. I'll quote from the book EBERT on SCORSESE

Christianity teaches that Jesus was God and man. That he could be both at once is the central mystery of the Christian Faith, and the subject of the LToC. To be fully man, Jesus would have had to possess all of the weaknesses of man, to be prey to all of the temptations - fir as man, he would have possessed God's most troublesome gift, free will.
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This is my underlying thought on Christian films and Callaghan nailed my sentiments exactly. One cannot compare Fireproof with Passion or Last Temptation and honestly ? The messages in those films, in no way preachy or agenda driven, are much more powerful than a film like FP or Giants; which are preachy vanilla.

I mentioned 21 Grams earlier in this thread, and although Benicio's character is on the radical end of the faith, I believe the message is still there; in turn, the film is a gnarly look at real life.

Benicio is a devout Christian but then curses God for betraying him, trying to kill himself (unsuccessfully) and then gets a sort of redemption in the end with trying to take a crime he did not commit but being released due to conflicting evidence

I'm babbling, just got off work.

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At the end of the day, these films and Kirk can do what they want. Btu I think they should grow up and not act like 12 year olds in their approach.
 
J.R. Hudson said:
a film like FP or Giants; which are preachy vanilla.
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J.R. I'm going to ask you, have you seen these films? I doubt that you have, I havent seen Giants yet, but I can assure you that there was nothing Vanella about FP,

again this is part of my point, Christian films can be made, like Fireproof that aren't preachy. you can show faith, you can show how it is important to someones true happiness without it being preachy and vanilla, as FP was.

one of the best lines in the film was by the dad, "i was offended by the cross, untill I came to it" yes that sounds like it would be preachy, but in the context they put it it, it wasn't. this film was Romantic, more so then most of the chick flicks, it was the funniest film thats been out in a long time.

so either see the film, or take my word for it, either way, please stop reviewing a film you haven't seen
 
I'll see the film. You don't have to pull that card out.

I'll also eat my words if need be. I'll see it as soon as I can get my hands on it and will be as honest and open as I can about it.

I'll be honest with you; the trailers to these films just don't interest me. I need a little more sophistication and depth in my films these days. What I am not interested in are PG Rated films aimed at grade school children with half ass actors and amatuer filmmkain skills.

Do I have my own opinion on these matters ? Always, but ...

But what's with the RT on Giants:

9 %

Consensus: The tropes of both football and evangelical movies are gracelessly on parade in this banal, insipid drama.

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9 % ?

Just reading the reviews makes me wary:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/facing_the_giants/

These quotes are exactly what I don't need:

"Earnest but amateurish."

"Its feel-good storyline, shopworn message, and bottomless sermonizing would have played better in Sunday school than on the big screen"

"I'm not about to argue with the message, but the delivery system sinks below the level of after-school special, and the acting matches. "

"A sermon much more than it is a movie."

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Or on Fireproof:

"With the production values of a straight-to-video cheapie and the script of a mediocre soap opera ... "

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I won't see Facing the Giants; zero desire and I can tell all from the trailers and clips alone I won't be impressed.

But, I'll see Fireproof. One day soon.

=
 
The best thing a Christian film can do is to stay true to themself and make something personal. Forget about PG and Vanilla flavoring.

Challenge your audience without preaching. Tell a story without an agenda.

The Passion of the Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Ten Commandments
Saints and Soldiers
Dogma
Kingdom of Heaven
The Nativity Story
Joan of Arc
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Schindler's List
Fiddler on the Roof
It's a Wonderful Life
Ben Hur
Lillies of the Field
The Sound of Music
The Exorcist
Chariots of Fire
The Mission
Tender Mercies
Dead Man Walking
Star Wars


Don't go into thinking:

No cussing, no nudity, no violence, no sex, no drugs, no smoking ...

Just be honest about what you;re doing without creating some fantasy land.

The bottom line is, people don;t want to go to Sunday School to their movie.

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Damn. Look at this link from the American Bishops Top 10 Lists.

http://www.usccb.org/movies/topten/topten2007.shtml

The Criteria

http://www.usccb.org/movies/criteria.shtml

FROM THE CRITERIA (Pay attention children):

Like it or not, these themes are part of the society in which we live, and need not be ignored by filmmakers. A truly Catholic approach to such material involves a balance between compassion towards human frailties and honest recognition of the effects of sin.
 
And that whole thing with Cameron not kissing another actress because he is married is, jesus. What's wrong with this kid ?
 
I just can't read through 17 pages here, but has anyone mentioned the fresh breath of art that Bruce/Evan Almighty have been?
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yes, I'm kidding. :)
 
J.R. Hudson said:
The best thing a Christian film can do is to stay true to themself and make something personal. Forget about PG and Vanilla flavoring.

Challenge your audience without preaching. Tell a story without an agenda.

The Passion of the Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Ten Commandments
Saints and Soldiers
Dogma
Kingdom of Heaven
The Nativity Story
Joan of Arc
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Schindler's List
Fiddler on the Roof
It's a Wonderful Life
Ben Hur
Lillies of the Field
The Sound of Music
The Exorcist
Chariots of Fire
The Mission
Tender Mercies
Dead Man Walking
Star Wars


Don't go into thinking:

No cussing, no nudity, no violence, no sex, no drugs, no smoking ...

Just be honest about what you;re doing without creating some fantasy land.

The bottom line is, people don;t want to go to Sunday School to their movie.

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Damn. Look at this link from the American Bishops Top 10 Lists.

http://www.usccb.org/movies/topten/topten2007.shtml

The Criteria

http://www.usccb.org/movies/criteria.shtml

FROM THE CRITERIA (Pay attention children):

Like it or not, these themes are part of the society in which we live, and need not be ignored by filmmakers. A truly Catholic approach to such material involves a balance between compassion towards human frailties and honest recognition of the effects of sin.
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All I got to say is read what he said!

Great post
 
The Passion of the Christ---Chtistian
The Last Temptation of Christ----anti Christian
The Ten Commandments----not Christian, (pre Christian)
Saints and Soldiers-----not seen it,
Dogma----------not Christiabn
Kingdom of Heaven------iffy
The Nativity Story ---------Christian
Joan of Arc----------iffy
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe--------absolutly not Christian
Schindler's List-----------not Christian, but a damn good movie,
Fiddler on the Roof---Christian
It's a Wonderful Life-----Christian-pre anti Christian Hollywood
Ben Hur ------Christian
Lillies of the Field not seen it
The Sound of Music-------Christian
The Exorcist-------------not Christian
Chariots of Fire ----strong Christian undertones
The Mission------not seen it
Tender Mercies-----been years since ive seen it
Dead Man Walking -------Christian
Star Wars------------why this would be put in this list i have no clue, ----not Christian.
 
I think there's room in the market for both overtly Christian movies (what some would call "preachy") and less overt movies that just present Christian themes and attitudes. I see no reason to say one is 'right' and the other 'wrong'. Make them ALL and let the audiences decide.
 
And by the way, the same argument can be had for other genres.

Some complain zombie movies are "too violent, too gory".

Some complain certain comedies and dramas have "too much sex, are too crude".

There will always be people who won't like zombie movies no matter what. There will be people who won't like movies filled with nudity and sex, no matter what. And there will be people who won't like 'preachy' Christian movies, no matter what. Those people should stick to watching (and making) movies they DO like. To each his own.
 
David you are right, but it would be nice to have more non preachy Christian films, films like Sister act where the people are Christians, i mean nuns come on, who actually thank Jesus for the happenings in the film. make in simple, every other thank God or thank the Lord, Make it thank you Jesus. it would be no more preachy than the original, in fact it wouldnt change anything except how a few christians, and a few non Christians looked at it, but it would be nice.
 
Jason Miller said:
The Last Temptation of Christ----anti Christian
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I'm curious as to why you say this. The book(story) is one of the most profound and beautiful meditations on the Jesus mythology ever written. I thought it detailed his dilemma in real and human terms, and ultimately was a very strong affirmation. It's been a good 20 years since I read it, but I remember wishing more depictions of Jesus were like that and less childish and simple.
 
Jason Miller said:
David you are right, but it would be nice to have more non preachy Christian films, films like Sister act where the people are Christians, i mean nuns come on, who actually thank Jesus for the happenings in the film. make in simple, every other thank God or thank the Lord, Make it thank you Jesus. it would be no more preachy than the original, in fact it wouldnt change anything except how a few christians, and a few non Christians looked at it, but it would be nice.
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Nothing wrong at all with that. But why should there be NO 'preachy' movies at all? That's my question. It seems some folks want to eliminate what they consider to be 'preachy'. If it pulls in an audience and makes a profit, then why shouldn't it be made?

The argument seems to be that they could get a BIGGER audience if they went more 'mainstream'. The same could be said of just about any movie. Some of Quentin Tarantino's movies could have gained a larger audience if they had toned down the violence. 'The Dark Knight' could have gained a wider audience if it were less 'dark' and had more humor and romance. These movies targeted niches, and quite successfully. Why shouldn't Christian movies do the same?

The fact is, what some people consider 'preachy', others see as inspiring, thought provoking, and uplifting. As I said, to each his own. People who don't feel comfortable with movies like 'Flywheel', 'Facing The Giants', or 'Fireproof' should not be required to watch them. But they shouldn't insult, belittle and ridicule the people who DO love those movies. Clearly these movies have an audience, and that audience deserves to be served, just like any other audience.

As people like the Kendricks gain bigger and bigger budgets, they're going to make better and better movies. I don't expect their movies will ever have nudity, sex, violence or profanity in them, but I believe they'll find bigger and bigger audiences in spite of that fact. And more power to them!
 
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