Movie Review: "A Heavenly Christmas"

Synopsis: It's the Christmas season, and Eve (Kristin Davis) is busy at work, as usual.  Worse yet, her devotion to her job, and ambition to reach a higher position, has led her to neglect her friends and family, and miss out on the holidays in general.  When she slips on some ice and hits her head, she is transported to heaven, where she is told to be a Christmas angel to another family.  Max (Eric McCormack) has custody of his niece, Lauren, after her mother, who also happened to be Max's singing partner, died in a car accident.  Lauren's grandparents are threatening to take her with them to Florida for good, and Max has completely given up on his music career, despite having serious talent.  Will Eve be able to save this family in need...and discover the true spirit of the holidays?
As seen on Hallmark Channel.

The Good: While this film's plot was quite similar to another Hallmark Yuletide movie I watched fairly recently, I still enjoyed it.  Kristin Davis was a wonderful leading lady, and the rest of the cast also did very well.  It also makes a very good point that many of us need to hear: Don't get so wrapped up in what's not all that important that you miss out on what's right in front of you! Also, the soundtrack was great.

The Bad: One unfortunate moment was thrown into the mix: When Eve first appears in heaven, she is seen wearing a very low-cut top.  Even if the location was different, that still doesn't feel right for a Hallmark movie.  Also, as you might expect, the theology of angels was skewed, and two or so uses of the euphemism "gosh" appear.

Conclusion: It's weird to see a former Sex and the City actress as the lead in a movie like this, but I still really enjoyed it as a whole.  If you're a fan of holiday telefilms, you've probably seen this plot before...but, then again, King Solomon once said, "There is nothing new under the sun."  People who prefer harder cinema won't enjoy this, but, for fans of clean-cut media, such as myself, this is worth watching, though maybe not purchasing.

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "The Reckoning"

Synopsis: Katherine Mayfield (Katie LeClerc) is living the dream.  After discovering that her biological mother was the head of a multi-million-dollar charitable foundation, Katherine inherited it all after her mom's death.  Katherine is also very much in love with her significant other, Richard, who has just proposed marriage to her.  All seems to be as it should be...until Daniel Fisher, a boy from the same Amish community where Katherine was raised, and who was once pledged to be married to her, but was thought to be dead, appears, alive and well, and professes his love for her.  Will Katherine be able to make the right decision?
Based on the book by Beverly Lewis.

The Good: This film series has been great up to this point, and this last outing continues the trend.  A captivating plot; great acting; amazing sets; a likable heroine; wonderful morals; nothing profane or sexual (save for a brief reference to a honeymoon and another to an extramarital pregnancy, both of which are handled with serious decorum)...this is how I like my movies!

The Bad: Nothing, really.

Conclusion: If you've watched this series of telefilms up to this point, you definitely should continue with this one; I had a blast with it.  Not only is it very clean-cut, but it's a charmer.  I hope they make more of Beverly Lewis' books into movies; as long as they keep up the momentum they have going, the next films will be winners as well!

Score: 5/5

Movie Review: "Iron Man 3"

Synopsis: Tony Stark's past has come back to haunt him.  When he stood up a huge admirer of his on New Year's Eve 1999, Stark had no idea that his one-time fan would become the Mandarin, a ruthless terrorist who uses people as his weapons.  After Stark's house gets decimated and his girlfriend, Pepper Potts, gets kidnapped, he is bound and determined to stop the Mandarin once and for all...but, even all of his technology may not be enough to defeat his one-time biggest fan.
Based on stories from Marvel Comics.

The Good: As usual, the action scenes were excellent.  Robert Downey, Jr., does his usual fabulous job playing Tony Stark, and the rest of the cast also did well.  The film makes a great point about how past mistakes can come back to haunt you; something we need to hear more in this apathetic world!

The Bad: Unfortunately, the makers decided to add too much unnecessary content.  This flick is oversexed; too many women, including Pepper and some random nameless ladies, are seen in not very much clothing.  One scene even shows two women in bed together, and a guy who is just stopped short of climbing in with them.  An illicit relationship between Pepper and Tony is also implied.  Also, the profanity count is higher than many discerning viewers would be comfortable with; between d-words, h-words, and other expletives, alongside euphemisms such as "crap" and "screw it," the language was over the top.

Conclusion: Unless you've totally avoided superhero or action/adventure films over the past decade or so, you've probably seen fight or action sequences that were amazingly done, with CG and the whole nine yards.  While this film has that, and it's great, such scenes are a dime a dozen these days.  What isn't is clean content: movies and TV shows with little or no profanity or sexual content.  Too many flicks decide to "dirty it up" when they don't even need to.  This movie could have gotten "PG-13" without the unnecessary bits; still, the makers decided to push the rating as far as they could...which is just sad.  If you're looking for clean-cut superheroes, I suggest one of the Marvel or DC animated series, such as The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes or Batman: The Animated Series.  Those versions of comic book adventures feature characters I can actually admire, and stories I would want to revisit.

Score: 2/5

Movie Review: "November Christmas"

Synopsis: It's story time at the library, and a young woman is reading the book she wrote, about a time when she was younger that changed her life forever:  Young Vanessa is suffering from cancer, and her parents are afraid she won't live to see the holidays...so, they decide to bring the holidays to her! The whole town, including Vanessa's neighbors, celebrate Halloween and Christmas well in advance in her honor.  Even though Vanessa is overjoyed, her numbers seem to be dropping, and her parents are very worried.  Will she be able to defeat cancer?
A Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilm.

The Good: Films under the Hallmark banner--regardless of which channel they premiered on--are usually touching, sweet, and innocent stories...as is this one.  The actors all do well here, and the film has a lot of small-town charm.  As a lover of family-friendly entertainment, this is something that's right up my alley.

The Bad: Nothing, really.

Conclusion: If you like sweet, touching stories, you should try a Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilm sometime.  While they aren't all amazing--so, you probably should check reviews before trying one out--there are some really good ones...such as this one.  The library I work for has plenty more volumes in this series; I probably should check them out!

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Cancel Christmas"

Synopsis: Santa Claus (Judd Nelson) is almost out of a job! Receiving gifts has made kids too greedy, and the true spirit of Christmas is lost.  Santa is sent on a mission: to make three kids--two troublemaker best friends, and a handicapped boy--learn what the holidays are truly about...but, he can't give away his true identity.  Posing as a school custodian named Kris Frost, he and one of his elves have their work cut out for them...but, if they fail, Christmas will be a thing of the past!
As seen on Hallmark Channel.

The Good: Hallmark telefilms are usually good, clean fun, and that's what this is.  In our commercialized, greedy times, this is a message that people everywhere--especially kids--need to hear.  Even the characters learn big lessons, and not just the kids.  There weren't really any content issues, except...

The Bad: One scene features a young male elf dressing up as an old woman, which he refers to as "drag".  Also, the final scene, which features a grown woman acting like a little child, made me groan.

Conclusion: Holidays and Hallmark go together; no question.  Fans of other Yuletide telefilms from that brand will definitely enjoy this.  Not much to say other than that.

Score: 4/5

Movie Review: "Uncommon"

Synopsis: After the death of his brother in a school shooting, high school student Aaron Chase gets a fresh start at a new school.  Inspired by his late sibling's faith, he decides to start a Bible study group at his school, which leads to opposition from the faculty, who become even more irate when he decides to help the drama club put on a play based on stories from the Bible.  It seems that Aaron is facing an insurmountable challenge; will he be able to proclaim his faith in the halls of his public school?
Also starring Erik Estrada (CHiPs).

The Good: Not since the last God's Not Dead film have I seen a movie that illustrates the debate over the Christian faith as well as this.  Even though the law is on their side, Christian students often face opposition from the faculty, who don't want them to express their faith.  Aaron is a likable hero, and the friends he makes in the drama club become more likable as the movie goes on.  It's a treat to see screen legend Erik Estrada in this, though it's surprising to see him play something other than a police officer.  All in all, this was enjoyable, except...

The Bad: I would have liked to have seen more of the play they put on; all we see is one musical number, then, the credits roll.  Also, the closed captioning is really messed up; then again, that tends to happen with a lot of Christian films.

Conclusion: What is the true meaning of separation of church and state? Not what some people would lead us to believe, as this movie illustrates very well.  Fans of movies such as the God's Not Dead series will likely enjoy this; I know I did.  This film challenges its viewers to live out and express their faith in the face of opposition; we need more movies that do that.  Are you listening, Christian cinema people?

Score: 4/5

Movie Review: "Hidden Secrets"

Synopsis: After the death of their friend Chris, these friends will never be the same.  Jeremy (David A.R. White) is torn between his current girlfriend and his old flame.  Gary (John Schneider, Smallville) isn't sure what to make of this whole Jesus thing.  Rhonda is a mother-to-be who can't stop condemning the sins of everyone else.  When all of them end up staying in the same house, everything changes.  Will it be for the better...or the worse?
Also starring Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters).

The Good: Pure Flix's movies are usually a delight, and this one is no exception.  This film portrays Christians as the flawed people they really are, and shows that even those of the Way have a lot to learn.  I know many people--myself included--could glean a lot of wisdom from the character of Rhonda.  While past sins are uncovered, they're vilified for just what they are.  An appearance by CCM band Building 429 and artist Rachael Lampa are a plus.

The Bad: The wardrobe is a bit immodest; supposedly Christian female characters wear tops that are low-cut, albeit slightly.  Also, the closed captions, which have plagued many a film by this studio, are too small and poorly done.

Conclusion: Pure Flix has given Christian cinema a serious jolt; their movies attract mainstream talent, and (almost) never suffer from the poor production values that have negatively affected many films in the genre, such as the dreadful C Me Dance.  While some cinephiles may not care for such flicks, as a longtime lover of morally decent entertainment, I find their productions to be wonderful.  After seeing this, I'm excited to see their interpretation of the story of Samson from the book of Judges; it should be amazing!

Score: 4.5/5