Quickie Movie Review: "Hollow"

Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up)
Starring: Stephen Schmaltz, Catrina Fagundes, Peter Wayne Burke, and Charles Upshaw
Released: September 6, 2011 (DVD)

Synopsis
Harrison is a reformed drug dealer who has gone back to the old neighborhood to share Jesus.  Sam is a narcotics detective whose marriage has gone south because of his porn addiction.  Chelsea is an exotic dancer who is being taken advantage of by a club owner.  Jordan is forced to look after his sister after his single mother becomes addicted to drugs.  When their lives intersect, big changes happen.
From Pure Flix, the makers of What If...?, Jerusalem Countdown, and God's Not Dead.

My Review
This flick may only have a running time of eighty-four minutes, but it felt like it was three hours long! Between the sub-par acting, the annoying soundtrack, the jerky camera work, and the overall amateurish feel, I found this one rather difficult to finish.  It's not the worst Christian film I've ever seen--I don't think any other movie will ever relieve C Me Dance of that title--but it was still pretty bad, so much so that I can't even recommend renting this.  Sure, its heart is in the right place, but the shoddy production values overpower anything else about the film.  Pure Flix's productions are usually well-crafted, but, this one is definitely not.

Content Concerns

• Sex: One character is an exotic dancer, and is seen doing a pole dance, though the camera work intentionally makes it less sultry.  The same character sexually propositions a guy, though he refuses.  (Spoiler: She learns the error of her ways by the time the credits roll.) It is implies that a guy is a porn addict, though that is vilified. 2/5
• Nudity: A girl is seen in a low-cut top and short shorts, and, later, in a midriff-baring outfit. 4/5
• Language: One usage each of the a-word, h-word, and p-word.  "Shut up" is also heard a few times. 4/5
• Violence: A guy is robbed; guns are pointed at him, and he is left with a bruise on his face.  A guy is shot dead.  A mother hits her own son several times; she also takes a knife to his arm, which leaves him with a bloody wound. 3/5
• Drugs: The main antagonist is a drug dealer, and several characters are said to take and/or distribute drugs.  Wine is consumed at least twice. 2/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: Along with what was mentioned under "Violence," a few scenes could be emotionally intense.  Also, the whole look and feel of the movie is intentionally dark. 1/5
• Other: The low-budget feel makes Christian movies look bad. (Try and sit through it if you don't believe me!) 1/5

Score: 1.5/5