avocadess Reviews

The Lost Daughter (2021)

Kept wanting it to get better or more interesting

[3/10 · 6 January 2022]

I kept watching it, sure that something of import would be relayed. I should not have bothered. In case it helps, I'm certain I would not have liked the book either. I gave it more stars than I liked, because I thought the cinematography was good, there was a lot of good acting, and amazing casting for someone to play the protagonist when she was younger. However the dialogue and content, for me, was miserable.

Being the Ricardos (2021)

Very interesting, sometimes amazing but also disappointing

[6/10 · 21 December 2021]

I grew up watching "I Love Lucy" and throughout the film the one thing that really, really bothered me -- and I could not stop being bothered by it -- was the DARKNESS of the sets. Everything was seen through a GLOOMY lighting. Almost everything. It was just creepy to me.

Nicole Kidman was amazing at getting Lucy's voice inflections "just right" a surprising number of times, though her facial expressions rarely said "Lucy" to me. She was too stone-faced -- even when she was playing a role on the TV set with Ricky, Fred and Ethel. Maybe her face cannot do it now, I don't know, but it felt frustrating to me. Otherwise she did a very good, if very overall gloomy, version of Lucy.

I apologize I do not know the name of the actor that played Ricky. He was AMAZING and I cannot imagine anyone else playing Ricky Ricardo better than him. And (to me) he was even more handsome than Ricky, and with at least with as much (if not more) charm. Is he Cuban? His accent was perfect and his acting was superb.

The darkness of the sets was a HUGE turnoff to me and it was hard for me not to walk away from even watching this movie. (I did turn away a lot because of it.) But at the same time I could not help but play it to the end, because there were such interesting parts in it. This film really showed the "other side" of their lives -- but failed to INCLUDE the bright and whimsical side so many of us grew up to know and love.

Polycarp (2015)

Christ Haters Need Not Watch -- But a Real Treasure for Christians!

[10/10 · 15 April 2021]

What a wonderful movie. I have only in the past few years learned a little about Polycarp, who was mentored by John the Apostle in John's later years. A rich part of very early Christian history comes through the story of Polycarp, and it is a very helpful story for those who understand they must embolden themselves for the final days, when followers of Christ Jesus will be severely persecuted.

I love the ways that this film shows some of the trials Polycarp and those near to him had to deal with, and for people like me with ears that WANT to hear, this film is not preachy at all, but a true jewel. It is my sincere belief that without those who literally hate Christ Jesus voting, this film would have been rated much, much higher. I agree with those who say most Christian movies are amateurish, etc. -- but vehemently disagree when it comes to this movie (and a few others, such as The Case for Christ, which also was very well done though depicting much more modern times).

Polycarp. Wow. Great film.

Breaking the Silence: My Amish Story (2018)

Very interesting documentary on the Amish -- by those who were Amish

[8/10 · 13 April 2021]

Joseph J. Graber, who is the host of this documentary, is very upbeat and clearly enjoys showing the world many things about the Amish communities in the U. S. Many important aspects were covered -- but other important aspects were not (such as the problem with pedophilia in the Amish population and how it has become more widespread). It also does not cover about the Amish who cling to old superstitions/magic practices. His father used to be an Amish minister, so he has an interesting (and very positive perspective), despite the fact that he and his immediate family (or at least his parents) have clearly left the Amish lifestyle, much due to the communities having come to a place where they are following the traditions of men rather than the Bible -- and because many Amish don't read the Bible much and are afraid to read more so they won't feel like they must have to do something about it.

It's free to see on YouTube. I believe there is a part 2 coming (if it is not already here).

Rounders (1998)

Incessant muzak to make you feel the high pressure

[2/10 · 10 January 2021]

The incessant muzak (with no melody) in the background to make you feel the high pressure during poker games was manipulative and like fingernails to the blackboard for me.

Sylvie's Love (2020)

Out of time in more ways than one

[4/10 · 25 December 2020]

It was just weird to watch this. I used to love to watch the old '50s and '60s movies, and since then movies got better -- and worse. The old movies were idealized representations of society (other than whatever the director, writer and/or producer might want to make a point about as a moral to the story). While a lot of the points made were good and valid, it was just so what we used to call "plastic," unrealistic.

For a while at least movies since then got more into realism -- though, unfortunately to a fault and to the point of overdoing it. Yet the realism has meant a lot. For instance I loved it when they finally stopped showing women without makeup on during time periods and/or in cultures when they really did not wear makeup (other than the loose women, etc.). Unfortunately, Hollywood seemed more interested in shocking with its "realism" than being realistic in very little time.

What I see in this film is a strange combination of trying to show what a movie would look like in the '50s or '60s if produced at that time, with just enough realism not to fracture the "perfect picture of perfect people" too much.

I would also like to add that since so many who celebrate this film call it so sweet and loving -- I have to disagree when it comes to a child in the film who should have gotten a LOT more play in the script. But apparently this "ideal love" doesn't really care all that much about children, even those who have been born of their great love. Oh yes -- and that is the other thing that is very different than the old films: it added late 20th and 21st century morals (or lack of them) into the film as if they fit into the time being represented in the film (which was the late '50s or so).

I don't want to pick on just this film. I have LOT of films I could pick on -- and I'd rather just not waste my time watching 95% of the movies that are made today. I decided to watch this and am not glad I did. I DO think the actors generally did a good job, the sets and music were nice (and most often too nice). The movie is a mixed bag. I would rather have not seen it.

Left Behind (I) (2014)

Movie started strong then dropped basic plot and turned into action movie

[4/10 · 16 August 2020]

I thought when I saw the low ratings on this film it was because people simply do not like movies with Christian themes. However, after watching this I had to give it a 4, as only about the first third was interesting and stuck with the rapture theme. Had it stayed with that theme rather than turning into a Hollywood airplane panic movie. Once it did that very little truly related to the rapture theme and next to nothing addressed how people could still be saved after the rapture.

Highly disappointing. If I could I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

What If the Earth Is Flat? (2019)

Excellent overview of the flat (but bumpy) earth beliefs in modern times

[10/10 · 9 October 2019]

This is not an easy movie to get hold of to watch as it is not on DVD, (at least not as of October 2019), but anyone can watch this movie for free by signing up for a free membership on NYSTV dot org -- which is where the film is hosted. If you are nervous about forgetting that you joined and do not want to be charged, then just watch the film once (or however many times you wish to watch it) and then cancel your membership. It really is free that way!

There is not a lot of good footage online anymore that initially got people to thinking this way due to Internet censorship, and it is only going to get worse -- so if you are curious about what people who really believe this are thinking (rather than the loony ideas you will see at places like the Flat Earth Society, which is truly not even worth checking out), this film is a great intro.

If you don't want to join that website to watch it, I can recommend looking for interviews with the director, Jake Grant -- and/or looking up talks on the topic by Rob Skiba and Robbie Davidson.

Forrest Gump (1994)

All these years later I can't wrap my head around why people loved this film

[2/10 · 16 September 2019]

Yes, there were a few good moments, and a few interesting cuts from old newsreels of the past in U.S. history, but that is not enough to make a good movie.

There is nothing that ruins a movie for me more than miscasting. Clearly most viewers would disagree with me, but I found Tom Hanks' portrayal of Forest Gump entirely unconvincing. "Acting dumb" throughout a movie and talking slow does not make for a great portrayal. Juliette Lewis did a GREAT job as a mentally challenged or disabled person in "The Other Sister." I thoroughly enjoyed her performance, so don't go thinking I just don't like "slow" people. I just really, really disliked Hanks' rendition of the character.

Another character in the film who had a lot less screen time still riled me: Sally Field -- as Forest Gump's mother?! Listen. Sally is young-looking for her age, always has been, and in fact it would be biologically impossible for her to be Hanks' mother since she is only 10 years older than him. Add to that her youthful appearance and I'd believe her in a role as Hanks' younger sister better than as his mother!

Lastly, Robin Wright. The character she played was totally unbelievable to me. Enough said on that.

I DID enjoy the performance of Mykelti Williamson (who played Bubba, the guy who loves shrimp so much), but his accent was way off to this viewer who grew up part of my life near the Louisiana border.

All in all, it's one of the worst movies ever -- and convinced me that the overall movie-viewing public has very different taste in films than me!

Swing Kids (1993)

This movie made a very deep impression on me -- in a good way I think

[10/10 · 26 June 2019]

What can I say about this film? It was surprising, sometimes enchanting, sometimes wrenching but overall it was fascinating, gripping and entertaining. And I believe it triggers people who watch it to search their own souls.

Robert Sean Leonard was extremely well cast in this part, although I am not familiar with him from other films or media. I could not imagine anyone else doing it better. Oddly, he looked a lot like a young Jim Carrey to me in this film, though he wasn't funny. They look to me like they could be brothers.

The screen sets and cinematography were excellent, and the movie seemed to climax more than a couple of times -- but without draining me as so many films on the topic of WW2 and the Nazis can be.

I probably would have given the film a 9-star rating at the time I viewed it, but I'm giving it another star because the number of films that stick with me like this one has (and without ever watching it again) are very, very few.

The backdrop in much of the film regarding the "swing kids" was very interesting. I wonder how true the film is. I really don't know, though the movie made me feel like this was exactly what happened. Well done.

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Frankly, I had to strain to understand just about anything verbalized

[4/10 · 26 June 2019]

I sat through this movie just feeling stupid most of the time, trying to follow what was going on by listening to the Shakespearean language that to me sounded more like very confusing mumbo jumbo.

It was nice visually, but I would have liked to have been able to discern exactly what was going on. Ugh. I know I am not the only one who felt this way.

A Matter of Faith (2014)

Stunning to see this movie so poorly rated

[10/10 · 31 December 2017]

I watched this movie particularly because it received such a phenomenally low rating on IMDB. Most Christian movies take a lot of hits from atheists and agnostic and other pro-evolutionists, but this one seemed to distinguish itself with a full two points lower rating than the average Christian film. I had to see why!

Now that I have watched the film, I am stunned -- because it really is very good. Perhaps it is because it is that good it hits a nerve for naysayers.

It's a perfectly good film, good cinematography, good screenwriting, good acting and yes, it has a purpose to show that it is both unscientific and just plain wrong for schools and universities to teach evolution as if that were the only possibility. I heard someone say that it takes more faith for someone not to believe in God than it does to believe in God. That is true. Additionally, it takes more faith to believe in evolution and that humans came from apes and that trees, flowers, the sun, moon, stars, animals and humans came from nothing but an accident.

Bravo to the filmmakers. Well done! P.S. I don't really know if this contained spoilers or not so I said yes just in case.

Exodus (1960)

The Book is SO Much Better

[5/10 · 11 July 2017]

This is so disappointing! I cannot even go into the many ways this film was a letdown after reading the book. It really should not have had the same title as the book, because people who saw this movie who had not read the book would think they know what is in the book, and they would be wrong.

To be fair, this book is much too epic to have possibly be put into a 2-hour film. It would need something on the order of 6 or even 12 hours in a miniseries. All that said, Uris was not a true historian when it came to beefing up his book. It's a crying shame that otherwise good historical novels twist the truth just for the sake of their "product."

One HUGE example is that in the book 300 children aged 7 to 13, most who had been in concentration camps all their lives, were the ONLY ones that were taken on the Olympus when the escape was made from the detainment camp to take them to Palestine. In the film it started out all ages -- and then the Jew in charge of the escape sending ALL children BACK to the detainment camp when the going got tough. And all I can say for certain is that in real life, the Brits sent the Jews who were on that ship back to Germany. The whole point (in the book and in real life) was that it was very well publicized worldwide, so that the international community cared -- for a short time, at least -- for the Jews, and this is significant and a factor in what happened on the world stage in relation to Israel.

There is SO MUCH depth and flavor in the book that is NOT in this film. In addition, I don't have anything against Paul Newman, but he was not right for the part of Ari Ben Canaan. Oh sure, in this film (which is NOT like the book), he works as the romantic lead in the usual Hollywood style. For the purposes of Hollywood and the powers that were involved they even had him telling the Jews at a kibbutz to "always respect Allah" at the funeral of his old friend-turned-enemy, Taha. That is absurd. Sure, respect PERSONS (who may believe in Allah), but no self-respecting Jew would tell other Jews at a kibbutz in Israel to always respect Allah. One wonders whether this line was written out of ignorance or under political pressure.

Even with the diversions from actual history in the book, it is very well worth reading. Uris put more in correctly than wrongly from what I can tell, and the flavor of the situation I believe was well written. The movie? Eh. I could have never seen it and I would really not have missed anything.

Mysteries of the Bible: King Solomon (1997) Season 4, Episode 9

Interesting documentary-style film with many paintings shown

[5/10 · 3 June 2017]

I find it VERY disappointing that the view of some non-believing scholars are constantly giving their skeptical thoughts throughout this documentary.

I would have liked it a lot better for the story just to be given from what it says in the Bible.

I get the feeling this whole series was probably made simply to try to knock down people's faith in YeHoVaH. Too bad.

It deserves the 5 because it told a lot of the story -- but deserves to be cut down by 5 stars for doing it all to simply "tear it down" to myth. This series claims there is no evidence Solomon even lived.

Hopefully people who have been made into atheists from watching such poppycock will see the PROOF of the mile and a half remains of Pharaoh's army under the Red Sea and other archaeological finds since the 1980s.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!

Snowden (2016)

A Truly Excellent Film With Surprises -- A Must See

[10/10 · 9 October 2016]

Great actors, great cinematography, great set design, great script, great direction, fascinating and meaningful story line.

This movie was a heck of a lot better than I ever expected from Oliver Stone. To be honest, I was super disappointed with his film JFK, both because it came off confusing and complex while at the same time (I felt) left out important information and included what was probably misinformation. But then again, that was a really, really tough story to take on. Still, I could barely sit through it.

Not so with this story. This time Oliver knows the story from the horse's mouth -- Snowden himself. In addition, Edward Snowden appears to have revealed aspects of his story that to my knowledge have heretofore not come out. I did not expect to learn so much more about his reasons for becoming a whistleblower (as they seemed always so obvious), but some surprises in the film showed me how he surely felt compelled to a degree I never imagined.

What can I tell you about this movie beyond that? I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say too much more, except to say this is the only movie I have ever watched in my entire life at the movie theater and then felt compelled to go watch it again before it leaves town. In this film Stone did not make it too complex. Complexities are revealed without causing confusion. I can DIGEST this film. However, when I get surprised my mind tends to lapse into a stunned mode, and for this reason I feel sure I missed some delectable tidbits while savoring such surprises, and I don't want to miss a thing.

In my town I am very sorry to see that only two theaters even carried the film. It has already quit playing where I saw it a few days ago, and I will be seeing it on its last day in the other other place in town that is showing it, and this is Austin, Texas where we usually have "everything." If you live in a place where you can't see it in a theater, definitely seek it out online or buy the DVD. I will definitely want the DVD.

Welcome Home (2015 TV Movie)

The actors were good but the script was appalling

[2/10 · 25 June 2016]

SPOILERS!!!! The film begins with a man (played by Luke Perry) coming home from being out of town. At first it seems there may be an ambush or burglars. But no, it's just a homeless family (just the kids and mom). The mother never so much as apologizes for breaking and entering, and lays a guilt trip on the man for kicking them out of the house. Oh man, if you know a true bleeding heart that has zero sense of boundaries s/he just might LOVE this film.

I disliked it from this beginning. The man ends up feeling guilty enough to invite them back in.

I will not bother to retell the whole story except to say it ends pretty much as bad as it began, where near the end the man (who is an author) finally breaks through his writer's block by telling the beginning of the homeless woman's story. In this way he is able to get the advance he needs so that he doesn't lose his home (which coincidentally used to be the home of the woman with children, which is why she feels no guilt in squatting at his place with not so much as a please or thank you). The publisher loves it. The woman finds out and is angry. "That was MY story!!!" Poor sucker man once again gives in to guilt and gives the publishing rights (and I guess the advance too) to the woman since it's HER story.

Look. I'm not heartless. I believe it is a very good thing to help others, especially mothers and their small children. But this mother was soooooo UNGRATEFUL plus laying guilt trips.

P.S. A sort of subplot in the story is a hot and sexy and young professional woman who is the man's girlfriend. I'd guess she is about 30-40 years younger than him and their temperaments are very weird together. There is one part where the young gf is calling the man day after day after day, (she is also his agent), and he IGNORES her calls, while also allowing the woman (closer to his age who is widowed) to live in his house. Does she even get upset about it? Apparently NOT.

Nothing about this film is believable. But I can't blame the actors, only the script.

And WHO is giving this movie such high ratings????!!! This is something I would really like to know.

The Miracle of the Cards (2001 TV Movie)

A film that gives true hope to anyone facing terminal illness

[7/10 · 12 June 2016]

First, the reason I had to cut out a couple stars because the filmmakers/editors and/or TV network that made this movie censored the name of Jesus from the film altogether. Even the words God and prayer were incredibly rarely heard in this film.

The part about the cards and the Guinness World Records was to me only of mild interest, though it was great how all the cards sent to the boy Craig were a great excitement for him. It just got a bit boring, all that, and I confess to doing some fast-forwarding there.

All that said, this is a true story and an incredible one I would recommend to anyone. It is a film I would especially highly recommend anyone watch who is in fear of dying from a terminal illness or tumor. It's might hard to have faith when one lets oneself get into deep depression and "poor me" mode, and clearly this little boy and his mother had a lot of faith. Faith is one thing money cannot buy, and if it could be bought there would never be enough money to purchase it!

Lots of excellent actors throughout, a pretty good script other than the issues mentioned above, and I enjoyed seeing the actor I knew as "John Boy" on The Waltons as the final surgeon in the film. My roommate will love seeing this film because it also gives some camera time to the actual surgeries involved (which is pretty rare to see in any movie).

I would have liked to give at least an 8 or 9 rating to the film, but I can all too clearly see how new age spiritualists will see this as a film to show that "intention" saved this boy's life rather than prayer, Jesus and the Creator. God. That is my biggest disappointment in this film.

Riding the Bus with My Sister (2005 TV Movie)

I liked it -- didn't love it, but glad I saw it

[7/10 · 12 June 2016]

ONE MILD SPOILER

I'm not sure if Rosie O'Donnell did a bad acting job. I think there are people that act a lot like her. It's just that we are used to seeing so many charming people in movies--whether they be mentally challenged or villains or heroes. Her part lacked charm, and worse, she didn't grow on me through the film. But then neither did anyone else.

The man who played Jesse, Beth's (Rosie's) boyfriend, was supposed to be a very simple guy to an extreme. The script told me that, but he just seemed like a regular guy and not simple at all. I think that was the part that needed the most work probably, but Jesse is charming, and in a film with only a couple of people with charm I was still glad he was there.

It was a difficult subject matter and a difficult story and I'm glad this movie was made, even if the actors failed to enchant. If they had done so I may have given this a 9-10 rating.

A Christmas Visitor (2002 TV Movie)

Unpleasantly surprised to discover the movie very creepy -- kept expecting psycho killer

[1/10 · 2 June 2016]

SPOILER: This movie is about necromancy (communicating with the dead) and makes up its only very weird theology where the spirit of a dead loved one answers your prayers rather than almighty God.

To add insult to injury, the movie ends showing the family going into a church where there is a nativity scene in front, on Christmas Day, implying that their "happy" ending (which I did not find to be such a happy ending) was also Christian in its theology. Absolutely not.

Son goes to Gulf War, is killed in action, family is devastated and since they got the news he died on Christmas or Christmas Eve, they stop celebrating Christmas for years. The movie is strange and slow, even somber. A "miracle" happens when the father is praying at the war memorial in his town that he visits every night and he and some young thugs all hear a voice but cannot see the body. It scares them enough that they don't mug the father of the killed soldier.

Then later in the movie, on Christmas Eve, and after the family decided to finally celebrate Christmas again especially because of the "miracle" and because their young daughter has been diagnosed with cancer, the father runs into a stranger who is going to finish hitching a ride to see his family on Christmas morning. The father invites the young man, who is about the age of his dead son, home for Christmas Eve.

Without going into all the details, it's just creepy how the script progresses with schemes of lies and half-truths. I kept half-expecting the young stranger to be a psycho killer or something. There is a part where the stranger tells the girl with cancer to stop taking her pills because she is going to be okay. He holds her hands and does a visualization with her, and she immediately feels like she "just knows" she is healed. Other little things happen that are like what the Bible speaks of, "showing signs and lying wonders" (2 Thes. 2:9 comes to mind from KJV), and then in the very end the stranger just disintegrates into thin air, showing that he was a spirit of the dead the whole time.

Maybe to a non-Christian it sounds like I am being unfairly biased, but Christmas is a holiday named after Christ Jesus and I do not appreciate a supposed "feel good" movie with a Christmas theme and Christmas in the title being about necromancy, (communicating with the dead), or heeding lying spirits, which is expressly forbidden in the Bible.

Time Changer (2002)

More Fun with a Movie I've Had in a Long Time!

[8/10 · 21 May 2016]

First of all I have to say this was VERY well made--acting, script, cinematography, directing, editing, the whole shebang.

I found the main topic of the film to be one worthy of considering and also very timely (sorry for the pun!). I feel the movie made its point somewhat, but that much more could and hopefully will be done on this topic of morals versus morals in Jesus's name.

The lead actor, who played Carlisle, did a wonderful job! He honestly had me laughing out loud in too many places to count (and I'm not one to laugh out loud to most movies, though I love to laugh)!

It was a bit disappointing (though not surprising) that this screenplay was written by those who believe in a hell of eternal conscious torment as well as the immortality of all human souls whether they are saved or not, but this did not ruin the movie for me. It did however knock a star off my still-very-high rating.

Funny, serious, important, stimulating and surprisingly good watch. Bravo!

Divination (III) (2011)

Overall interesting and entertaining but unfortunately has serious errors

[6/10 · 8 April 2016]

Clearly the message of this film was supposed to be how God, the angels and Jesus Christ fight and how the Devil and his minions do their best to keep people from Jesus Christ.

However, that is all implied and would only be known by someone who was familiar with Christianity.

And someone familiar with Christianity (and more than I wish I knew from personal experience with the devils or demons), I feel this movie failed deeply in giving a true message.

First of all, the protagonist's father was a pastor, talked about "the Blood" and committed suicide because he LOST the battle. That would never happen without a whole different angle of the story showing how his father had "turned on" God. The power of the blood of Jesus by calling on His name can and will work to defeat the Enemy. This film made strong implications that God and Satan are equals and that neither can easily win the fight. The fact is, once a person takes on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18 in King James Bible) there is NO CONTEST.

Second, one of the "givens" in the storyline is that it is a good thing and a "spiritual talent" to be able to see the spirit world. In the film the late father and protagonist son had this "gift." I am not enough of an expert to say I know 100% -- but I am convinced that 99.999% of the time (at minimum) being able to see fallen angels, etc. in the spirit world is NOT a gift that is God-given. It is however something Satan gives some but not all of his slaves (humans). And personally I think that is rather a blessing that God spares us that except in very special instances seen in the Bible.

Thirdly, while the movie shows people doing rituals in the black arts it never shows Christians praying, worshiping, loving and walking a Christian walk.

All a person can really "learn" from this film is that divination is a dangerous practice that allows evil spirits a level of control over one's life (good), but so much is left out on how to take the opposite track that I find the film very disappointing. Even the "protecting angels" were very "off." I could see putting "angels" for the dark side in the relationships God's angels had here -- but the way they were shown as so frequently confused and ineffective, (the angels of God), that just wasn't true.

Oh, and using a "bleeding tree" really grossed me out. Obviously a reference to Jesus shedding his blood on the tree (cross), Jesus does NOT hang on the cross in perpetuity so that we can all go there and mop up some healing blood. YUCK. No. He suffered, died and resurrected. He is currently at the right hand of the Father and is already named King of Kings. "Bleeding tree" my foot -- (although sad to say I think certain sects of religions that call themselves Christian perpetuate the idea of some kind of eternal crucifixion).

Creative, but no. Just no. Although it was interesting to watch -- and I thought several of the actors were very good -- I will not want to watch it again, nor would I recommend it to anyone since it really makes a mess of how things really work on some very key points.

I do hope to see more films with better clarity from this filmmaker, IF it will be based more on the biblical (and actual) truths.

Tares Among the Wheat: Sequel to a Lamp in the Dark (2012)

Gripping, Excellent and Important to all Believers!

[10/10 · 16 February 2016]

This documentary holds a tie as being the #1 best documentary I have ever seen (the tie being with its prequel, A LAMP IN THE DARK). If I were forced to choose, I'd have to give TARES AMONG THE WHEAT first place! Like A LAMP IN THE DARK, this film is chock full of information from many good sources and includes short film-style "skits" that act out small portions of what is being talked about in history.

The narrator is excellent and has an incredibly gripping and fascinating script from which to read in this film. The significance of this documentary cannot be overstated, as it talks about the parties involved and what was transpiring on several fronts and with a number of individuals when the oft-hailed "oldest" manuscripts of the Bible were found and what is revealed is nothing less than astounding! No Sherlock Holmes film could catch my interest more than this "truth is stranger than fiction" documentary which is of great significance to any and all Bible-believing Christian(s).

Like its prequel, this film is approximately 3 hours in length, and like its predecessor I have watched it multiple times. There is so much information that I know I will be watching this again and again.

I believe the filmmakers for this film are 100% sincere and genuine in their effort to reveal the truth behind veils that have covered the public eye for generations. I am exceedingly grateful that this film was made. BRAVO! Deserves more than 10 stars.

A Lamp in the Dark: The Untold History of the Bible (2009)

Even with less than stellar acting at points the film is the best ever!

[10/10 · 16 February 2016]

What can I saw about this film? It was made with so much forethought and shares a HUGE amount of information about Bible history and thus the history of Christians.

Although it is a documentary (with some scenes played out in a sort of filmography skit-like form) it has highs and lows and all of the gripping-ness (is that a word?) of a 5-star adventure film.

I am a Believer. As a Believer, this documentary means more to me perhaps than any other Christian film I have ever seen, because it gives so MUCH important and significant information, and it also helps to remind me, in a big way, just how very many sincere and dedicated Christians in history have put themselves and their families at risk and how many have died so that I can today read the Bible in English.

I never realized before watching this film, for instance, that for Christians a big part of the terror of the Inquisition was being tortured and/or killed just for reading or owning a copy of the Bible in English. I also learned about the Waldenses and another group that owned and believed in their own copies of the Bible since very early days of Christianity and how they were systematically made all but entirely extinct (mostly due to the Vatican's pope of the day).

I also learned more about the early men who risked their lives to translate the Bible into English.

I would like to also mention that the sequel to this film is called TARES AMONG THE WHEAT, and it is equally long (about 3 hours) and equally excellent, going much into the untold stories of how the so-called "older" manuscripts of the Bible were found which are part of the basis of most of today's many, many new translations of the Bible in English. This film, TARES AMONG THE WHEAT, is equally excellent and may be even more significant than its prequel. (A sequel to TARES AMONG THE WHEAT is due out sometime in spring of 2016 and is called BRIDGES TO BABYLON. I am definitely going to check that one out as well.) I must give one small caveat to my glowing review, and that is that although I probably am in 100% agreement with nearly everything the producer, Chris Pinto, puts out there -- I have discovered that in at least one interview I saw with him he is (yet another) of today's Christians that clings to the "traditional" view that God hates for people to be gay. I personally find this attitude to be as naive, and at least somewhat as harmful as the old-time "Christian" belief that the Bible teaches that slavery is right and good. Ah, but we live in an imperfect world, and I have yet to find any high-profile Christians that I can agree 100% with doctrinally. Thankfully, the filmmaker's bias against the LGBT community is not touched upon in this film or its prequel. (I fear it may be touched upon, however, in Bridges to Babylon.)

Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention: This film is so full of impactful and interesting information that I have watched it many times -- and will watch it many times more. (I can also say the same for TARES AMONG THE WHEAT.) And I'm not the only one. Several friends I told about these films have told me they are doing the same thing -- watching it again and again. Yes, it's really that good!

Revelation: The Bride, the Beast & Babylon (2013)

Revelation from the viewpoint of Seventh Day Adventists

[6/10 · 26 January 2016]

I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, but I am a Christian and I do believe they got a lot of things right, at least to some extent.

If you believe the Seventh Day Adventists then you also have to believe Ellen White was a prophetess, and I do not believe that -- as well as some other things.

All that said, I find the information put out by this church generally worth chewing on, including this film. Regarding the beliefs about the Catholic Church and/or the Pope being 666, they put across a very strong argument. Also regarding the other symbolism that easily fits with Rome. It's very interesting and strange how the current Pope does not seem to care much about Jesus as Saviour of the world but is more about unifying many religions into one. One world government and one world religion equals one world dictatorship. The Bible DOES say that there will be someone that is known as a man of peace who will be seated at the throne in something like a one world government and that that person would be the prophesied Antichrist. Could it be the Pope himself?

Well, it is really a strange situation altogether. I mean, who doesn't want peace? But at the expense of no longer following Jesus, for me the answer is no.

The Matchmaker (2010)

This is what I'm talking' about...!!!

[10/10 · 8 January 2016]

THIS is how movies should be made -- but all to often are not...! When it comes to the movies that have been coming out in the past 30-plus years, but most especially the past 15 years, I pretty much have lost my appetite for film-watching as a hobby. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to the rule, the THE MATCHMAKER, set in Israel, is one of them! Forget the Hollywood formula flicks, special effects, "cool" creeps and so much in recent films that have all but ruined movies for me. Once in a while, when I have just about lost all hope, I can still find a jewel like this film.

I'm not going to tell you anything about it, except that it is "all that," without the vulgarities that run rampant in films today or the philosophical slants that try to convince the viewer that black is white and white is black. Nope. It's just excellent -- the story line, the cinematography, the acting, the settings. Just plain excellent. BRAVO!