Mountain Top

This is a movie worth seeing. I was fortunate to see an early screening and even though I knew the story line from reading the book many times, I was carried along as if it were new to me. The movie is beautifully done in every way. The choice of actors who portray Whitlow's characters is excellent. The "movie in my mind" (you know the one you make up when you read a book) was flat and lifeless after seeing the depth and life that the actors brought to these characters. Barry Corbin makes you believe he IS Sam and Coby portrays Mike perfectly. The surprise for me was the actress who played Muriel-she was amazing! Whitlow's story artfully weaves these two very different men's lives together and shows you how "Papa" works all things together for good. His story is wonderful on its own, but when paired with the vision that Gary Wheeler brings in film, it becomes a movie that feeds your heart and spirit, wrapping you in the beauty of nature with perfectly fitted music as a backdrop. For anyone who loves a movie that carries you into the characters' lives and makes you root for them, laugh with them and cry with them, this is a movie for you!

I loved this movie. I love the fact that you can feel a connection to this movie in so many ways. Whether it be the fact that you had a grandfather who always had a smile on his face, or you had someone that spoke into your life when you needed it the most. Maybe you are going through transition right now and looking for answers. You will relate to this movie. I love the small hometown feel that includes sweet tea ,and small diners down the main street. I love the church with long pews with a sign up on the wall saying what hymn numbers you would sing that week. I found it interesting that one of the main characters would often go to a place where he could be alone and find clarity or another that would just stop anywhere and find peace wherever he was at. The scenery itself was was a work of art. This is a mixture of a who done it, inspirational, and funny movie.It had a great cast,great story, and great scenery. I would highly recommend taking your family ,friends, and maybe buying an extra ticket or two and giving them away. If you lead any type of group or even teach a senior citizens class, invite the whole group to see this movie. You will not be disappointed.

A pastor living near the mountains in western North Carolina (Coby Ryan McLaughlin) is approached by the wife of a man in jail for serious embezzlement. The couple (Barry Corbin & Lin Shaye) insists that God wants him, a former lawyer, to be the defense attorney. But why take time away from his pastoral ministry to defend a criminal? Unless, the man's not a thug at all.

"Mountain Top" (2017) is a crime drama written & directed by a coproducer of "War Room" (2015). While not as powerful as that film, it's at least on the level of "God's Not Dead" (2014) and "Do You Believe?" (2015), just not as evangelistic and with a scenic mountain town milieu.

It's refreshing to watch a crime drama with overt verbiage concerning God and faith, yet it's thankfully done in such a natural fashion it comes across low-key and not overdone.

Valerie Azlynn is on hand as the pastor's wife. She looks like a tall version of Valerie Bertinelli when she was young.

The film runs 1 hour, 42 minutes, and was shot in Huntersville & Charlotte, North Carolina.

GRADE: B.

If you are a Christian and you love movies, this is a must watch. So beautiful and the production is really good.

Good story and great message. Its a sweet movie that progresses nicely. I really wish there were more movies like this.

Both me and my wife really enjoyed it.

Give it a go :)

This movie is special. Beautiful mountain scenery and superb acting. Barry Corbin as Sam makes you want to discover his "Papa". And Coby McLaughlin's portrayal as Mike Andrews , the lawyer turned preacher turned lawyer again makes you pull for him like your favorite sports team. You can feel his struggle to be a Godly man in his home and career and be true to his calling while trying to discern what this soothsayer (Sam) is trying to teach him . I mean you actually pull for the lawyer as the "good guy". The movie will make you laugh lots and cry a little. And the tears are as real as the characters. For God so Loved the world... The movie is unashamed of its message of love and the Lord but the characters are so REAL you feel you are living in the scenes. And I must say, Danny Vinson is one funny, under-appreciated actor. He is every small town newspaper reporter you have ever known, or imagined. A quality, well paced film. The music in this film is a perfect match for the scenes depicted. Amazing how Whitlow and Wheeler can bring to the screen these Whilow books. Every movie these guys do gets better and better.