Echoes of Innocence

I saw this movie at the premier in Dallas. I can't wait for it to go to theaters everywhere. The lead actors did a great job of captivating the audience. Their on-screen charisma just lit up the screen. Sara Simmonds who plays a sort of Gothic-type teenager named Sarah was perfect for this part. This girl can act! Jake McDorman who is also in the Fox's Quintuplets show is a must-see. Jake is an incredible actor and is definitely on his way up! He displays strength and confidence, but is incredibly real and approachable at the same time. It was a wonderful experience to meet both of these two young actors at the premier. The directing was incredible. The music was so very well done, along with the cinematography and costume designing. If this movie opens during the summer, it will do great! Our nations teenagers will flock to see this movie several times and when they do, they will be getting a positive message. There just isn't enough of this type of movie anymore. Congratulations to New World Pictures for producing Echoes of Innocence.

I came to this movie wanting to watch how young people today approach love and its meaning within the context of their preset religious and contextual environment but after watching the first 30 minutes realised that what I was actually watching was more akin to a public health announcement then a study of true love and its meaning to the youth of today.

The religious symbolism did not add to the movies message, if anything detracted from it, its constant moral pandering to the conservative "no sex before marriage" lobby skewed what could have been an insightful view into the life of a teenage women, torn between her ideals of true love and the real world.

For the most part this movie just did not chime with the reality of what its like to be a teenager or young person in our society today. Even though set in a modern high school the "kids" just did not seem to act as they do normally, rather it felt like we were in a time warp or alternate reality of how teens would act in the 1940's or 50's a very rigid, almost unreal feel to the action. Perhaps what annoyed me most about this movie was the cruel way in which it extolled its holier than thou attitude commending those enlightened enough to still be virgins while casting a dark devilish light upon those who lead a different perhaps less virtuous young persons life.

Perhaps to be fair I should add that the acting was above par for the main actors, however given the script and the heavy bias towards religious overtones without a smidgen of reality really just meant that it was an amazing achievement I actually sat through the entire movie instead of switching off and going to sleep.

What I found amazing in this first effort from director/writer Nathan Todd Simms, is that this small budgeted film packs a powerful punch. It is a brave and creative story. I don't think I have ever seen a film that took on such a controversial subject and told a story that was so engaging and imaginative. When I say controversial, I mean to say most filmmakers shy away from the sexual subject most teens struggle with. Many filmmakers take the traditional route we have all grown tired of seeing on the screen. This is a fresh approach. No, it is not a perfect film, there are some glitches – but the messages and extraordinary overall presentation make it an incredible project that succeeds on many levels. It doesn't just speak to the physical struggle within us but the spiritual forces that pull at us. I was impressed with the talent in ECHOES. In addition, the visual composition of the film is colorful and magical. Sometimes lingering a bit too long on a subject, yet it is full of color and grace. ECHOES challenges the viewer to see deeper, to feel deeper... don't attend this film expecting traditional storytelling. It is a unique combination of light and dark. It doesn't hide the dark yet it also offers a hope most films just don't seem to provide. I challenge the viewer to see beyond what is on the screen and see the true power of this little film. I predict most "religious" Christians will have some issues while the cynic will scoff at its approach, but in the end, it is a pioneering work that will hopefully open the door for more.

I just returned home from having seen this movie, and I am completely and utterly speechless! I literally feel not only dumber, but downright insulted! This movie does NOT live up to critical standards on ANY ONE level: writing, pacing, directing, acting, music - NOTHING! And please do NOT misunderstand me: I am a Christian. Thus said however, I have to admit I didn't really see anything Christian in this movie - DESPITE the extent to which Christian radio stations have been toting its praises... What are you guys thinking?! Just because you are/become a Christian doesn't mean you entirely turn off your brains, people!! Watching this movie was truly a painful experience: the characters are the EPITOME of one-dimensional, the dialog is horrendous (it sounds as though it were written by a high school freshman), the pacing is disjointed (to the extent that one actually gets annoyed, sitting there trying to follow this thoroughly insipid mess)... And the plot? Seriously, don't even get me started; I'll be sitting here bellyaching for two hours (and thus would STILL be time better spent than watching this "movie" - believe me). "Echoes of Innocence" feels like something that a bunch of high-schoolers threw together for a class project... That is, high-schoolers who were instructed to color within the lines of Catholic dogma.

To sum up, this movie was not Christian, not entertaining, NOT good. I wouldn't recommend that ANYONE waste their precious time on it. Go see "The Passion," or the Visual Bible Project's "Gospel of John"... Hell, go anywhere other than to a theater or video store to see "Echoes of IMPRUDENCE!" There goes my $10. I'll miss you, my friend.

Well, that's the best I can do right now. The movie deserves much worse, but I am tired and SPENT! Time for bed

Its truly refreshing to see a teen movie depict a teenager trying to hold sex as a sacred act instead of giving it all as a "right of passage..." I really enjoyed the story even though it was creepy and corny in parts...Matt Vodvarka is a little too believable as the possessed stocker kid. I really wonder if he needs therapy in real life. I love the chemistry between Sara Simmonds and Jake McDorman. I thought the music was a bit over the top and made the film seem a bit cornball. I am not sure that the last scene of the movie was necessary it should have been edited out---it was just strange BUT... This is a great alternative to all of the "casual sex" movies out there so shamelessly marketed to Teens...