Are you
tired of watching violence or sex on your television or in theaters?Even sitcoms, reality shows and
cartoons are promoting anti-biblical values.We complain about Hollywood, but they are not listening!They are doing whatever makes a dollar
and for the most part we as Christians are helping them by paying to see these
movies.Here I will explain, from
my point of view as well as interviews with several Christian movie producers
and distribution companies, why Christian movies are important, the meaning of
theater or DVD releases, and what we as Christians can do to help promote them.
I have spent the last several years
watching and writing about Christian movies and have been blessed by the ones
that truly promoted the Lord.I have watched Christian films from
individuals to the big budget productions.The big budget films might be higher quality, but both have
strong and inspiring messages.As
a Christian I would like to see more faith-based movies available.
Importance of Christian movies
The movie industry has proved to be a great influence on Americans and
when you think about how many of our teens are flooding theaters, how are they
being influenced? The rapid decline
of truth and lack of morals in movies must be stopped if the next generation is
going to learn how to live for the glory of God. If we do not stand up against the defiling scenes that are in
the media now can you imagine what it will be like in ten years?I recently watched a film Time
Changer (a Rich
Christiano film) that explains in a very entertaining way how when you take the
authority of God out of teaching morals you are asking for trouble.Over 75% of Americans claim to be 'Christian' and with most films from Hollywood containing extreme violence, excessive
sexual content and consistently blaspheme God, why are Christians paying to see
these films? Philippians
4:8 says - to think on things that are
true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, & praiseworthy, not
much of that in movies today.However; Hollywood is not the enemy; they only do what is profitable. This 75% claiming to be 'Christians'
needs to stand up for what is right and in line with God's Word, if they would,
the types of movies being produced and the shows on television would change! I am sure that Hollywood is not making
its millions and the major television networks getting its high ratings from
the less than 25% (the non-Christians).A documentary I think that puts
this in prospective is Lord Save Us From Your Followers (a film by Dan Merchant).This film shows how the world views Christians in a negative
way because they are judging Christianity by the way they see Christians act
and some do not act at all like Jesus would want them to.God is the Creator of everything; we
would have no actors, actresses, producers, etc. if He had not given them the
very breath they breathe.Also
Christian filmmakers must make sure that if they put a Christian label on their
movie that it is true to God's Word.I understand that some of the Christian movies done years ago were low
quality or more Biblical stories.Today
there are more Christian feature films that show viewers how to live for God
while going through everyday situations.There are a growing number of Christian filmmakers and their films are increasing
in quality.Nowadays most
Christian movies are well written, entertaining, and have inspiring
messages.With the economic
downfall, unemployment and stress, people (Christians and non-Christians) are
hurting and looking for hope.That
hope can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are going to
help these people find the peace, hope, and joy God gives to go through some of
lives hardest circumstances Christians must take a stand!
Theaters/DVD releases
Just because a Christian film does not play in theaters does not mean it
is low quality or not worth watching. Christian producers choose to release
directly to DVD for many reasons, but the main is financial.It costs a great deal to produce a film
and it costs more to get it into theaters. But too many 'Christians' are choosing the Hollywood
alternative films, so it is hard for a Christian film to break even in
theaters.It is estimated to cost
$2000 per screen to show a movie.In addition to the screen cost is advertising.For a new filmmaker or small production company it is
difficult to fund a theatrical release or find investors for it.Some Christian filmmakers have used
their own money to get a film into theaters and then just prayed it would cover
costs.The meaning of a successful
movie to most Christian filmmakers is not monetary, but in touching lives and
bringing glory to God.
What we can do
One of the most important things you can do is go see Christian films when
in theaters on opening weekend.Theaters make decisions about which movies to continue showing by the
number of viewers on opening weekend.John Martin, editor of Christian Filmworks magazine, says ?Making a movie is easy.
Getting it distributed is the hard part?.This is where we can help by spreading the word.
More ways you can help:
* Pray for Christian movies, filmmakers, cast & crew
* Tell family, friends and co-workers about upcoming
Christian movies - send emails
* Organize a church movie event
* Sign up for movie newsletters online
* Post Christian movie information on your website,
Facebook, Twitter, etc.
* Give producers feedback and encouragement online
* Financially support Christian filmmakers
* Print out and post Christian movie information on church &/or work
bulletin boards for those not active on the internet.
-- If you are interested in receiving articles about upcoming
Christian movies or have any questions or comments please send an email to signgal@faithwriters.net.
I hope you can see why Christian movies are so important and you will
make a decision to help promote them in whatever way you can. The growing
number of Christian filmmakers is raising awareness and possibilities for future
Christian movies.If Christians
will buy DVDs by Christian filmmakers and help get the word out about upcoming
Christian films more will go see them and in turn Christian filmmakers will be
able to make higher quality films with well-known actors/actresses in the
future.Christians must take a
stand against what is conflicting to God's Word.So grab the popcorn and the Christian movie of your choice
and enjoy a family movie night.Christian
films are not only for Christians, but also to help non-Christians learn what
is true and how to walk everyday and in every situation, with God.
Dana Chaffin gives honest evaluations of today's Christian Films for Christian Media Alliance as we unite to 'take back media for the glory of God'. For a review of your work contact: Info@ChristianMediaAlliance.com
Saving God By Dana Chaffin
Saving God, an exciting Christian film, is available on DVD. This is
an inspiring movie about making choices and finding hope. The story
brings to mind the Scripture Romans 3:23 NIV “For all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God”. We all have done things in our past
that we regret. But because of God’s grace we can be forgiven and
change. People are capable of changing with God’s help. It was
awarded five Doves from the Dove Foundation, their highest rating.
Saving God has also been nominated for the 2008/2009 Time for Peace
Film Award. The story is moving and the cast is very talented and well
known. Grab your popcorn and enjoy an extremely entertaining and
motivating movie.
The Story Saving God is the story
of Pastor Armstrong Cane (Ving Rhames), a recently released prisoner.
He entered prison a rebellious young man, but left prison a man of
God. His father had died while he was locked up and that was a turning
point in his life. His father was the pastor of a small church in his
hometown and now he would take over. In a very tender moment in the
movie Cane visits the graves of his parents and tells his dad that he
would not let him down. He will have several people from his past
telling him that he can not change his violent ways. Armstrong returns
to his father’s church to find that most of the congregation had left
because of the decline in the neighborhood. The area was now overrun
with drug dealers and violence. Armed with his love for God and a
megaphone he is determined to take back the neighborhood and overcome
his past. By a chance encounter he meets Norris (Dwain Murphy), a
young man that is making bad choices. Cane tries to help Norris turn
his life around. Norris must first decide to give up his drug dealer
lifestyle. That is not so easy because he is ruled by a violent drug
dealer, Blaze (Dean McDermott). Norris does not know that his teenage
girlfriend is pregnant, but he wants to get his life straight. The
struggle that occurs for the life of Norris is exciting and dangerous.
The Actors
Ving Rhames plays Armstrong Cane. He was born and raised in Harlem,
New York, so he can identify with the neighborhood in the movie.
Rhames also served as Executive Producer of Saving God. He is a Golden
Globe winner and very experienced actor. He is also nominated for the
2008/2009 Time for Peace Actor Award for his exceptional performance in
this film. Mission Impossible, Kojak, Pulp Fiction, Con Air, and Lilo
and Stitch are only a few of the movies he has acted in. In this film
he does an outstanding job. Ricardo Chivira is wonderful as
Danny Christopher, a superficial TV preacher. It is a long way from
his role as Carlos Solis on Desperate Housewives. He has had numerous
guest star appearances on Monk, 24, JAG, NYPD Blue, and the George
Lopez Show. Chivira is also active off screen as a breast cancer
advocate. This is an issue close to his heart as his mother passed
away at the age of 43 years old of breast and ovarian cancer. He is
honorary spokesman in San Antonio, Texas for the Susan G. Komen for the
Cure. The brutal gang leader, Blaze, is played by Dean
McDermott. He is known for being a very talented actor and being
married to Tori Spelling. His acting career includes Open Range,
Kojak, Brian’s Song, Without A Trace, and the reality show Tori &
Dean: Inn Love to name a few. Dwain Murphy is outstanding as
Norris Johns, a young drug dealer who has a tough choice to make
between being a thug and being a THUG for Christ. Murphy is best known
for his role as Eric in Degrassi: The Next Generation. He has acted in
many films such as Poor Boy’s Game, How She Move, and The Line. He has
a passion for acting, but also enjoys basketball in his free time.
Extremely talented actress Genelle Williams plays the girlfriend of
Norris Johns. In the film she finds out she is pregnant and tries to
find the right time to tell Norris. Williams has a long list of acting
credits including The Lazarus Child, It’s a Boy Girl Thing, The Orphan,
and more. In 2007 she was nominated for the Gemini Award for “Best
Performance in a Leading Role” as Monica in the mini-series Doomstown.
Saving God is a brilliant Christian movie. Who will save God for the
souls who have lost Him? It is a quality film with exceptional actors
and an amazing message. It has some violence and the subject of drug
dealing so it may not be suitable for younger children. This would be
a great movie for adults to share with their teens. The excitement and
teen issues will keep them interested. This film expresses the topic
of choices and how even those choices we make as young people can altar
our life, so it is important to make careful choices. You can purchase
Saving God wherever Christian movies are sold or at the movie’s website
www.savinggodmovie.com.
