Movie Review - "Joyful Noise"

Dolly Parton (G.G. Sparrow) and Queen Latifah (Vi Rose Hill) lock horns as two opinionated members of a small town church choir in "Joyful Noise." The pair fights against and beside each other in the quest for a national music title. Georgia's Pacashau Divinity Church Choir has lost at the regional level repeatedly through the years and the death of the long-time choir director darkens this year's prospects.

The cast includes Keke Palmer (Olivia Hill) as Queen Latifah's daughter, Jeremy Jordan (Randy Garrity) as Dolly Parton's bad-boy grandson, Courtney B. Vance as Pastor Dale, Angela Grovey (Earla) as a pivotal choir member and a brief appearance by Kris Kristofferson as Dolly Parton's husband. Dexter Darden plays Walter Hill, Olivia's younger brother and an Apserger syndrome sufferer, in a touching performance.

Join the song here.

Move Review: 'Courageous' from Sherwood Pictures

"Join the officers protecting the town of Albany, GA as they work to keep the streets safe. It's a tough job, but they do it willingly. Now if they can just preserve their own families as well..."

Read more here...

Movie Review - 'What If'

Have you ever wondered 'What if...?'

"'What If' stars Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson and John Ratzenberger in an inspirational story of the road not taken. GMC, formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel, debuted the television release of the movie, which was produced by Jerry B. Jenkins, best-selling Christian author."

Click here for the review.

Movie Review- "The Blind Side"

A great sports movie focuses on the sport and players. In that regard, “The Blind Side” is a good sports movie. There is a fair amount of football playing and football lore. In all honesty, I couldn’t call it a great sports movie.

For a movie to qualify as a blockbuster, it usually has big, big names and lots of special effects. Okay, Sandra Bullock and Kathy Bates are big names. Tim McGraw has done some acting but his fame is in other fields and most of the other players in the drama aren’t big names – yet. And there aren’t any razzle-dazzle special effects.

What “The Blind Side” does accomplish is to tell a wonderful story of people touching each other’s lives, and it happens to include football. Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw are Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, well-to-do people with two children. They have it all – the big house, the cars, their kids in private school, successful businesses.

An impulsive act by Leigh Anne takes a homeless black student into their upper class home and world. Their story of connecting as human beings beyond boundaries of background, color and means is an extraordinary adventure. This is the tale of making a difference when you didn’t have anything to gain by taking action. Her “just for one night” helping hand changes all of their lives.

“The Blind Side” is the story of real-life football player Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens and is based on “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis. I haven’t read the book yet so I can’t address how accurately or inaccurately the movie follows the book. I can tell you that this is a movie about moving from lip service Christianity to Christianity in action.

While it hasn’t been touted as an overtly faith-based movie to my knowledge, faith is a big part of the characters and their motivations. I am particularly drawn to the scenes where Bullock’s character is interacting with her social peers. Her evolution from society maven to outspoken champion is a delight to watch.

I am a fan of most of Sandra Bullock’s work. She is a gifted lady who makes a role come to life in a way that I appreciate as a viewer. This film only cements my opinion of her.

McGraw is likable as the slightly bemused husband to steamroller-Bullock. I look forward to seeing him in other roles. Bates is quirky and delightful as the tutor hired to help Michael (played with great finesse by Quinton Aaron) get his grades up enough to qualify to play football. Don’t overlook Jae Head and Lilly Collins as the Tuohy children. They are great.

John Lee Hancock is the director and screenwriter. The film is rated PG-13; there are some drug references and one violent scene. None is gratuitous. I’m sorry to say that I don’t think this movie will win many Oscars. It isn’t bloody enough or spectacular enough to attract Oscar attention. That is the Academy’s loss.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The relationships, the personal growth and the courage of the people are inspirational. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly encourage you to see it soon. If you want to come out of a movie feeling good, this is the one.

You can learn more about this film at the website: http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/.

© 2009 Mary Beth Magee

Update: Well, the entertainment world has surprised me. "The Blind Side" and the cast have received a number of awards and accolades, including Academy Award nominations!  I am so happy to be proven wrong! Best wishes as you go into the Oscar presentations...I'll be rooting for you!

Movie Review - "The Ultimate Gift"

When the cast list contains James Garner, the movie has a head start in my book. So it was with "The Ultimate Gift." Although his character dies early on in the flic, his presence is felt via videotaped messages.

Garner's character (Red Stevens) is the grandfather of Drew Fuller's character (Jason Stevens). This is a story of one man making a difference in a loved one's life, even from the grave. The script is based on the book of the same name by Jim Stovall. If you've fallen in love with the book, please be forewarned this movie is not a word for word adaptation. Instead, it starts with the same main characters and travels its own route to get to the conclusion

Jason has been spoiled and pampered his entire life. Red uses an unusual bequest to try to make a difference in the young man's perspective. That bequest is delivered in stages, as Jason completes tasks described in monthly videotapes from his dead grandfather in the office of attorney Ted Hamilton (played with crusty authority by Bill Cobb). Also on hand is the wonderful Lee Meriwether as Hamilton's trusted secretary, Miss Hastings.

Along his road to redemption as a human being, Jason meets a number of people. Most influential in his revamping are Brain Dennehy as his grandfather's longtime friend and partner and Alexia and Emily, a mother-daughter duo played by Ali Hillis and Abigail Breslin, respectively. Jason will learn life lessons from them and others. (You wouldn't expect less, would you?)

Watching this obnoxious young man become a decent human being is a wonderful transformation. Going through the lessons with him is an inspiration. Fox Faith Movies has delivered a great family film (the PG rating reflects a bit of violence - not graphic and it certainly was in keeping with the movie's theme). This is not a sermon, but it certainly packs a strong message.

My only regret is James Garner's announcement that this is his last movie. At 79, he's entitled to retire, but I will miss that charming southwest drawl. And he couldn't have picked a more impressive message to deliver as the capstone to his distinguished career.

"The Ultimate Gift" will be out on DVD soon. If you missed it in the theater, so yourself a huge favor and get it. You won't be sorry.

Movie Review - "Facing the Giants"

"Facing the Giants" looks like a football film on the outside, but it is far more than a simple sports flick. There is enough football to satisfy the jock types, but also enough relationship storyline to satisfy the romantics and a good solid message underlying the whole thing.

A thoroughly enjoyable film, suitable for the whole family, this movie offers humorous bits just where they're needed and delivers the drama when it's appropriate.

The characters are genuine and very identifiable as people in the real world. None of them are perfect, but all are well-rounded. There are no big name stars here, just a group of people who earnestly believe in what they are trying to accomplish. In my opinion, they accomplish it admirably.

Take a football team from a private high school in Georgia (where football is nearly as sacred as it is in Texas) and give them a history of losing seasons. Add a coach (filled with self-doubt, as played by Alex Kendrick)) who is assisted by two of the biggest malapropism spouters (JT Hawkins and Brady Owens) in recent filmdom. Mix in restless parents, teenage angst and backstage machinations. Top with the coach’s wife, a woman desperate to be a mother (played by Brooke Taylor with elegant simplicity). Stir thoroughly and serve with a topping of struggle. Garnish with faith and serve to any fan of family friendly films.

One unforgettable scene has to do with a “death crawl,” an exercise where one player crawls across the field on hands and toes while carrying another player on his back. If you can sit still through this scene, check your pulse – you may be dead!

If you judge a movie on how many special effects there are, how many things get blown up, how many four-letter words get thrown about and how many people get butchered - you'll hate "Facing the Giants." If you like a story with struggles, disappointments but above all, hope - you'll like it. This is a movie you can watch with you parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, a date or a spouse.

Produced by Sherwood Pictures, “Facing the Giants” is now available on DVD at many outlets or by ordering from Sherwood Pictures at http://www.facingthegiants.com/buydvd/.



(Expanded from a review I originally wrote Sept, 30, 2006 for movies.yahoo.com)


© 2007 Mary Beth Magee