THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA: Five Different Versions (1923-2013) (video)

THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA: Five Different Versions (1923-2013)



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Cecil B. DeMille, 1923)

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Cecil B. DeMille, 1956)

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT (1998)

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (2006 Mini-Series)

THE BIBLE (2013 Mini-Series)

Originally posted on 4/20/19
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA: Five Different Versions (1923-2013) (video)

APOCALYPSIS -- DVD Review by Porfle

Originally posted on 4/4/18

 

Stunningly directed and photographed--that's the first thing I noticed about writer-director Eric Leiser's fourth feature film, the near-future dystopian thriller APOCALYPSIS (2018), so it's the first thing I wanted to mention.

This story of a woman named Evelyn Rose (Maria Bruun), a Christian whose deep pondering of the Book of Revelations fills her mind with bizarre visions of frightening portent, and a man named Michael Banderwack (Chris O'Leary), a radical "hacktivist" bent on saving the world from itself even as the NSA use all their electronic surveillance might against him, is one endlessly intriguing and often beautiful work of cinematic art.

Visually, it reminds me of an updated version of 1982's cult sci-fi classic LIQUID SKY, both starring striking-looking female protagonists having disturbingly transformative experiences amidst a production designer's most fervid bursts of imagination.  It's as though David Lynch and Ridley Scott fell asleep in a candy store and collaborated on the same psychedelic dream.

That aside, the story is instantly compelling despite being the third installment in a trilogy (the other films being IMAGINATION and GLITCH IN THE GRID). Evelyn works for a rare book seller while constantly experiencing mindblowing visions inspired by the pages of Revelations and rendered in wonderfully odd stop-motion animated vignettes by director Leiser.

Meanwhile, Michael stays one frantic step away from the NSA (tinfoil bedsheets and all) while doing his outlaw radio show and planning acts of uncivil disobedience against the increasingly oppressive Big Brother state. 

This quest draws Evelyn and Michael together since both refuse to be "chipped" with an electronic "Mark of the Beast" under their skin and, in their own different ways, are willing to sacrifice their own lives for the collective good.

The fact that Michael is an atheist only makes their relationship more interesting.  Evelyn, an albino, looks almost as translucent as her guileless soul, and the two of them compliment each other. 

Despite occasional lapses in this symbiotic pairing, as when Michael suspects Evelyn of being an NSA mole, they will ultimately be united in a final, potentially futile struggle against the coming New World Order.

O'Leary's Banderwack is funny and fun to watch, a character we can admire despite being something of a flake. As Evelyn, a woman steadfast in her faith and pure at heart, Bruun is compelling throughout. 

Angels are sent to watch over her--even disbeliever Michael gets a visit from one after he goes "off the grid" and is advised that Evelyn needs his help.  And for once, a character's religious faith is neither mocked nor treated as a freaky quirk.

Storywise, we're deposited into this already-in-progress trilogy just at the right point to be able to pick things up as though it were a stand-alone film. The intrigue between underground political dissidents and voyeuristic Big Brother agents hot to bring them in for "processing" is enough to keep things interesting, and then there's the likability of the lead characters as their experiences allow the best of themselves to come through.

My main and perhaps only disappointment is the abrupt ending, which makes this seem like the penultimate entry in a trilogy rather than a concluding one. But that aside, APOCALYPSIS is like a visually sumptuous cinematic art gallery with a plot.  Both my eyes and my mind found it dazzling. 


Tech Specs
Runtime: 90min
Format:1:78 HD
Sound: Dolby Sr.
Country: USA
Language, Captions: English
Website: www.IndicanPictures.com
Genre: Sci-Fi
Extras: Making-of featurette, Indican trailers

Watch the Trailer

APOCALYPSIS -- DVD Review by Porfle

"THE JESUS MUSIC" Documentary From Lionsgate And The Erwin Brothers Coming 10/1 -- Watch the Trailer HERE!

 

Lionsgate Presents

"THE JESUS MUSIC"

Directed by The Erwin Brothers

Featuring interviews with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, among others

Only In Theaters October 1

With stirring songs of faith, love, and hope, Jesus music rose from America’s 1960s counterculture movement to become a worldwide phenomenon. 

This fascinating documentary reveals the music’s uplifting and untold story — from its humble beginnings at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California through its transformation into the multibillion-dollar industry of Christian Contemporary Music today.

Directed by the Erwin Brothers ("I Can Only Imagine", “I Still Believe”, “American Underdog”), THE JESUS MUSIC is the definitive love letter to CCM fans that features intimate interviews with the genre’s biggest stars including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, and Lauren Daigle. 

With stories of trials and triumphs, the universal power of music from these artists shine through from their messages of passion, sacrifice, and redemption that inspire millions of devoted listeners.

 
WATCH THE TRAILER:

 

Director | Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer | Jon Erwin
Producers | Brandon Gregory, Joshua Walsh
Featuring Interviews With | Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Kirk Franklin,
Lauren Daigle, Glenn Kaiser, Greg Laurie, John Thompson, For King & Country, Bill Reeves,
Eddie DeGarmo, Chris Tomlin, Michael Tait, Kevin Max, LeCrae, Mandisa, and Bill Gaither, among others

"THE JESUS MUSIC" Documentary From Lionsgate And The Erwin Brothers Coming 10/1 -- Watch the Trailer HERE!

Record-Breaking Viewership Prompts Telecast of "JESUS" to Return to TV for Special Encore Broadcast - Wednesday, May 13

RECORD-BREAKING VIEWERSHIP PROMPTS TELECAST OF ‘JESUS’ TO RETURN TO TV FOR SPECIAL ENCORE BROADCAST – ONE NIGHT ONLY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

After nearly 3 million people tuned in Easter weekend 

For the worldwide debut, Sight & Sound announces a rebroadcast on TBN in advance of  DVD and digital release, Friday, May 15.

JesusEvent.com


LANCASTER, Pa. – May 6, 2020 – An estimated three million people watched the first-ever TV broadcast of a Sight & Sound Theatres stage production on Easter weekend as JESUS debuted on TBN. Viewership included both traditional broadcast and digital streaming. Demand has prompted an encore broadcast on TBN on May 13, leading up to the wide release of JESUS on DVD and digital download on May 15.

“We’re thrilled to share this special encore television broadcast of JESUS on TBN,” said Sight & Sound Chief Creative Officer Josh Enck. “You may not be able to attend a theatrical event or worship services just yet, but audiences can still witness the greatest rescue story ever told as it comes to life on screen.”

SYNOPSIS

From the bustling streets of Jerusalem to the raging Sea of Galilee, JESUS is the musical adventure that has been seen by more than one million people on stage.

Filmed in front of a live audience, Sight & Sound’s spectacular original production is now coming to television and streaming devices everywhere. Witness some of the most awe-inspiring, miraculous events as Jesus sets sail with fishermen, challenges the Pharisees and heals the hurting.

Where to watch JESUS:*

Wednesday, May 13: 9 pm ET/6 pm PT exclusively on the TBN channel or watch live online through the TBN website/app. Visit jesusevent.com for more information.

*Check your local listings for broadcast times in your area.

The premiere television broadcast and digital event followed other Sight & Sound productions that made the journey from stage to movie screens, including NOAH in 2019, MOSES in 2018 and JONAH in 2017.

JESUS on DVD and digital download will be available to purchase from Sight & Sound at Sight-Sound.com, or from major platforms such as AppleTV and Amazon.



FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE



About Sight & Sound Theatres
Sight & Sound Theatres began more than 40 years ago in rural Pennsylvania, where a dairy farmer went from producing milk to producing live entertainment with a purpose. Today that vision has expanded to two state-of-the art theaters in Lancaster, PA, and Branson, MO, where stories from the Bible come to life on stage. Each production features Sight & Sound’s signature massive sets, special effects and live animals. Still family-owned, Sight & Sound's 675 staff members write, produce, design and build the original shows, drawing nearly 1.5 million audience members from around the world each year.

Record-Breaking Viewership Prompts Telecast of "JESUS" to Return to TV for Special Encore Broadcast - Wednesday, May 13

Sight & Sound Theatres® ‘JESUS’ debuts on TBN April 10-12

EPIC STAGE PRODUCTION ‘JESUS’ AVAILABLE IN FREE EASTER WEEKEND BROADCAST AND STREAMING DEBUT ON TBN

Seen by more than one million people live on stage, Sight & Sound Theatres® brings their original stage production, JESUS, to living rooms worldwide in its first ever broadcast and digital debut – exclusively on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) for three days only: April 10-12.

JesusEvent.com


LANCASTER, Pa. – April, 6, 2020 – With movie theaters closed, the greatest rescue story of all time comes to life in a special Easter weekend television broadcast.

More than one million people have experienced the live performance of JESUS at Sight & Sound’s theater in Lancaster, Pa. Now, with a planned cinema event canceled due to theater closures from COVID-19, audiences from around the world will have the opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle – exclusively on TBN, or watch it on demand anytime through the TBN app, April 10-12 only.



“With people not being able to gather together to celebrate Easter, our hope is that by making this show available, we might all feel a sense of community and connection as we watch the greatest rescue story of all time come to life in this unique way,” said Sight & Sound Chief Creative Officer Josh Enck.

Synopsis
From the bustling streets of Jerusalem to the raging Sea of Galilee, JESUS is the musical stage adventure that has been seen by more than one million people.

Filmed in front of a live audience, Sight & Sound’s spectacular original production is now coming to television and streaming devices everywhere. Witness some of the most awe-inspiring, miraculous events as Jesus sets sail with fishermen, challenges the Pharisees and heals the hurting.

Experience JESUS in this free special Easter event, only available on TBN.

Where to watch JESUS:*                         

Saturday, April 11: 1pm ET/10am PT on TBN
Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12: Anytime on the TBN app or website:

https://watch.tbn.org/sight-sound-theatres-presents-jesus

*Check your local listings for broadcast times in your area.

This premiere television broadcast and digital event follows other Sight & Sound productions that made the journey from stage to screen, including NOAH in 2019, MOSES in 2018 and JONAH in 2017.

About Sight & Sound Theatres
Sight & Sound Theatres began more than 40 years ago in rural Pennsylvania, where a dairy farmer went from producing milk to producing live entertainment with a purpose. Today that vision has expanded to two state-of-the art theaters in Lancaster, PA, and Branson, MO, where stories from the Bible come to life on stage. Each production features Sight & Sound’s signature massive sets, special effects and live animals. Still family-owned, Sight & Sound's 675 staff members write, produce, design and build the original shows, drawing nearly 1.5 million audience members from around the world each year.

Sight & Sound Theatres® ‘JESUS’ debuts on TBN April 10-12

"BREAKTHROUGH" Arrives on Digital July 2 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 16 -- See Trailer HERE!

BASED ON A TRUE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF FAITH, "BREAKTHROUGH" ARRIVES ON DIGITAL JULY 2 AND

4K ULTRA HD™, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD JULY 16

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE IN DIVINE INTERVENTION TO BE MOVED BY THIS STORY" – Bilge Ebiri, The New York Times

Los Angeles (June 6, 2019) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents BREAKTHROUGH, arriving on Digital July 2 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on July 16.

BREAKTHROUGH was the #3 film at the box office it’s opening weekend, eventually drawing more than $50MM worldwide, and continuing the trend of successful stories of faith being told on the big screen. With an A Cinemascore (one of the top nine films scored by audiences this year), Joyce Smith’s story of faith resonated with families everywhere.

“BREAKTHROUGH’s home entertainment release gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the incredible footage grabbed on set that we couldn’t include in the theatrical experience,” said DeVon Franklin, Producer of BREAKTHROUGH and well-known to faith audiences for theatrical hits including MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN and THE STAR. “We included deleted scenes and bonus features with never-before-seen footage with cast and crew shot during the film’s production.”

 
WATCH THE TRAILER:




When Joyce Smith’s (Chrissy Metz) adopted son John (Marcel Ruiz) falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost as John lies lifeless. In the face of every bleak medical case history and dire scientific prediction, Joyce’s unwavering belief inspires her community to pray for John’s recovery. Based on the incredible true story, BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

Along with producer DeVon Franklin (MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN), the film was adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte (SEVEN POUNDS) from Joyce Smith’s own book (The Impossible). BREAKTHROUGH stars Chrissy Metz (This is Us), Josh Lucas (Yellowstone, SWEET HOME ALABAMA), Topher Grace (SPIDER-MAN 3, That ‘70s Show), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Marcel Ruiz (One Day at a Time), Sam Trammell (This is Us, True Blood), and Dennis Haysbert (24). BREAKTHROUGH is directed by Roxann Dawson (House of Cards, The Americans).

Awarded the Dove Seal of Approval for All Ages, BREAKTHROUGH’s message of hope and community will inspire the whole family.

BREAKTHROUGH 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD Bonus Features Include:

    A Tapestry of Miracles: Making Breakthrough
    “Carry My Soul” Phil Wickham Deleted Scene, and Optional Audio Commentary by DeVon Franklin and Roxann Dawson
    Trapped in Icy Waters
    Audio Commentary by DeVon Franklin and Roxann Dawson
    Gallery

BREAKTHROUGH 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ Specifications:
Street Date:                          July 16, 2019
Pre-Book:                             June 12, 2019
Screen Format:                    Widescreen 2.39:1
Audio:                                   English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English Descriptive Audio 5.1, Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1     
Total Run Time:                   116 Minutes              
U.S. Rating:                         PG (Thematic content including peril)                               
Closed Captioned:               English SDH

BREAKTHROUGH DVD Specifications:
Street Date:                          July 16, 2019
Pre-Book:                             June 12, 2019
Screen Format:                    Widescreen 2.39:1
Audio:                                   English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital
2.0      
Total Run Time:                   116 Minutes              
U.S. Rating:                        PG (Thematic content including peril)                                
Closed Captioned:              Yes



ABOUT TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions as well as all third party distribution partners on DVD, Blu-ray™, 4K Ultra HD, Digital and VOD (video-on-demand). Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets and digital stores throughout the world.

ABOUT FRANKLIN ENTERTAINMENT
Franklin Entertainment is a dynamic multi-media entertainment company that is an industry leader in developing and producing mainstream inspirational content. Helmed by producer, best-selling author and spiritual success coach, DeVon Franklin. The company has a multi-year first-look film deal with 20th Century Fox. The company has produced such hits as the animated feature film THE STAR and the inspirational true story MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN.

"BREAKTHROUGH" Arrives on Digital July 2 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD July 16 -- See Trailer HERE!

"THE STAR" -- Sony Pictures Animation's New All-Star Take On The Classic Christmas Story

"THE STAR"

From Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Walden Media

Animated
November 17, 2017

In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill.

One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations.

Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

WATCH THE TRAILER:

Directed by: Timothy Reckart
  
Screenplay by: Carlos Kotkin

Story by: Simon Moore and Carlos Kotkin

Executive Producers:     DeVon Franklin
Lisa Henson
Brian Henson

Producer:     Jennifer Magee-Cook

Cast:
Steven Yeun (Bo the donkey)
Gina Rodriguez (Mary)
Zachary Levi (Joseph)
Keegan-Michael Key (Dave the dove)
Kelly Clarkson (Leah the horse)
Anthony Anderson (Zach the goat)
Aidy Bryant (Ruth the sheep)
Ving Rhames (Thaddeus the dog)
Gabriel Iglesias (Rufus the dog)
Patricia Heaton (Edith the cow)
Kristin Chenoweth (Abby the Mouse)
Christopher Plummer (King Herod)
and Tracy Morgan (Felix)
and Tyler Perry (Cyrus)
and Oprah Winfrey (Deborah)

This film is not yet rated by the MPAA. For future ratings information refer to http://www.filmratings.com. Credits not final

"THE STAR" -- Sony Pictures Animation's New All-Star Take On The Classic Christmas Story

"STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON" -- Gary Sinise Joins Faith-Based Documentary About Steve McQueen

OSCAR® NOMINEE GARY SINISE NARRATES

"STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON"

On Sept. 28, a One-Night Cinema Event Tells Inspiring, Little-Known Story of Iconic Actor McQueen's Journey to Faith

SteveMcQueenMovie.com

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Aug. 31, 2017 – Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy®-winning actor Gary Sinise will narrate the much-anticipated, one-night event STEVE McQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON in movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. local time.

Hosted by Harvest Ministries’ Greg Laurie, the event features the 110-minute documentary, a message from Laurie and a performance by leading contemporary Christian band MercyMe.

“McQueen was the highest-paid actor of his era in Hollywood,” said Laurie. “Both on screen and in life he was the epitome of ‘cool.’ Yet few people know that late in his life, the star of now-legendary films such as BULLITT, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and THE GREAT ESCAPE began a spiritual journey that led to Christian faith.”

STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON moves through in-depth interviews with McQueen’s wife, model Barbara Minty McQueen, and debuts her candid photographs from McQueen’s last years.

Interviews also feature Academy Award®-winning actor Mel Gibson, renowned stuntman Stan Barrett, celebrated McQueen biographer Marshall Terrill, actors Barbara Leigh and Mel Novak, and the pilot who taught Steve to fly.

The Erwin Brothers (WOODLAWN) along with Ben Smallbone direct STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON, presented by American Icon Films LLC and Fathom Events.

Watch the Trailer:

About American Icon Films, LLC
American Icon Films, is a joint venture between Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries and Erwin Brothers Entertainment. Greg Laurie serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, one of the largest churches in America; is the author of more than 70 books; is the creator of three feature films; hosts the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, A New Beginning; and is the founder of Harvest Crusades, a large-scale evangelistic ministry attended by more than 7.6 Million people worldwide, both in-person in stadiums and arenas across the world. Brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin make up Erwin Brothers Entertainment, best known for  WOODLAWN, MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, OCTOBER BABY and the upcoming release, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (2018).

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 897 locations and 1,387 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

"STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON" -- Gary Sinise Joins Faith-Based Documentary About Steve McQueen

"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" Arrives on Blu-ray and DVD February 7

FROM Oscar® WINNING DIRECTOR MEL GIBSON*
For The First Time Ever in English and Spanish the Powerful Epic

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

Arrives on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD February 7

From ACADEMY AWARD®-winning director Mel Gibson*, comes one of cinema’s most uniquely powerful films – the profoundly moving, uncompromising story about the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ.  A filmmaking triumph, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST was nominated for three OSCARS®**, including cinematography. 

The film begins in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after the Last Supper. Jesus must resist the temptations of Satan. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, Jesus is then arrested and taken within the city walls of Jerusalem where leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy and his trial results in a condemnation to death.

With inspiring performances from Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalen, this new edition of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST features English, Spanish and Portuguese language dubbed audio for the first time ever.

*1995: Directing, Best Picture (Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd, Jr. and Bruce Davey, Producers), Braveheart
**2004: Cinematography, Music (Original Score), Makeup

Blu-ray & DVD Special Features:
⦁    NEW English, Spanish and Portuguese Language Dub
⦁    Includes Original Theatrical and Recut Version Edited for Graphic Depictions
⦁    Audio Commentaries (Original Version) with Mel Gibson, Filmmakers and Theologians
⦁    Biblical Footnotes (Original Version)
⦁    Music Commentary (Selected Scenes, Original Version)


THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST Disc Specs:
Street Date:         February 7, 2017
Screen Format:     Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio (Blu-ray):     Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
    English Dolby Digital 5.1 / English Descriptive Audio 2.0
    Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Audio (DVD):    Aramaic, Latin, Hebrew Dolby Digital 5.1
    English Dolby Digital 5.1 / English Descriptive Audio 2.0
    Spanish Surround Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles:     English SDH / Spanish (Blu-ray & DVD)
Total Run Time:     Approximately 126 minutes
U.S. Rating:         R
Closed Captioned:     Yes

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions as well as all third party distribution partners on DVD, Blu-ray™, 4K Ultra HD, Digital HD, and VOD (video-on-demand). Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets and digital stores throughout the world.

© 2004 Icon Distribution, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
© 2017 Twentieth Century Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved

"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" Arrives on Blu-ray and DVD February 7

FLYWHEEL -- Movie Review by Porfle

There are a lot of movies that try to be inspirational and extoll Christian values, but many of them are either too preachy, too superficial, too inept, or too obviously made by people who don't understand true day-to-day Christianity well enough to convincingly portray it onscreen. And then there's Alex Kendrick's FLYWHEEL (2003), an independent feature shot on video in Georgia for about $20,000, that manages to get it right.

Used car dealer Jay Austin (Kendrick, a Southern Baptist pastor in real life) is a first-class heel who cheats his customers, verbally abuses his wife, and ignores his son. While begrudgingly accompanying his family to church on Sunday, he flicks an empty envelope into the collection plate. Even when his own minister comes to the lot to buy a car for his daughter, Jay takes advantage of his trust to overcharge him thousands of dollars. In other words, he's a heartless jackass and we hate him.

As it turns out, he's beginning to hate himself, too. A particularly nasty blow-up at his pregnant wife Judy (Janet Lee Dapper) during dinner one night finally causes him to see the gulf he's created between himself and his family.

 

This, coupled with a growing regret for all the dishonesty and deception he inflicts on his unsuspecting customers every day, has become a burden that his conscience can no longer bear. And so, one fateful day, he decides to turn his life over to God and try to regain his soul, even if it means losing his car dealership to the bank and having to start from scratch.

This is where these stories often end--the lost soul sees the light, a new life has begun, praise the Lord, amen. But in this story, as is usually the case in real life, Jay finds that changing direction is just the start of a long and difficult journey that will test his faith every step of the way. This includes making amends not only to his wife and son, but to every single person he's ever cheated in his business as well.

The characters and events in FLYWHEEL have an understated realism that is natural and unforced, with no "big" moments or "Look, ma, I'm actin'!" scenes to dazzle us. The humor (I laughed out loud a couple of times) comes naturally from situations we can readily identify with, and so does the pathos.

When a story is presented in this way, it better be good or it's going to be a dismal bore. But Alex Kendrick's simple yet finely-crafted screenplay leads us through a consistently compelling series of emotional twists and turns that never seem to derive from anything less than a true understanding of spirituality.

And it helps that the unpaid, all-volunteer cast play their parts with utter conviction even though, in some cases, their acting skills may be a bit unrefined. Richie Hunnewell, the little boy who plays Jay's neglected son, is particularly effective.

Kendrick himself plays Jay with such deliberate restraint that you hardly see any technique at all, which lends a great deal of believability to his character. When Jay's father (Roger Breland) shows up at the car lot one day to pray with his son for help and guidance, Jay is so moved that his eyes glisten with tears. And it seems as though Kendrick the actor isn't just acting here--he's feeling what his character is feeling.

Another thing that rings true about this story is that Jay doesn't just suddenly transform into a faith-fueled Super Christian who need only gaze piously at the heavens for God to start firing miracles at him on demand. He has to struggle through a lot of hardship and self-doubt to regain his wife's love, his son's respect, and his own integrity.

The final outcome of the story comes close to matching the sheer outpouring of joy felt at the end of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and for the main character, it's similarly well-earned.

Even if you don't believe in God, you may find this to be a wonderfully moving story of redemption. And if you do, it's a powerful affirmation. Alex Kendrick is one of the few filmmakers I've seen who can show us people on their knees praying fervently to God as though they really mean it. In a sublimely unaffected, matter-of-fact way, FLYWHEEL beautifully captures what it means to practice true Christianity as a lifestyle, and not just a religion.

Buy it at Amazon.com

FLYWHEEL -- Movie Review by Porfle