Film Reviews #6,7,8 - Sherwood Pictures (Facing The Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous)

Going back to basics.  Films are nothing more than audio/visual modes of storytelling.  Adding or subtracting from what that means is to misunderstand what produces the popularity of films.  Now, as with any story there is always a purpose behind telling that story.  Whether it's a fable/moral, fairy tale/adventure, or dramatic/experience driven.  In the case of truly Christian cinema, the purpose is to express any number of Christian values or to "share the Gospel" message itself on screen.  In terms of quality and effectiveness in this specific area, there really hasn't been anything as inspiring as the films coming from a small Baptist church in Georgia, Sherwood Baptist.  While Flywheel counts as a film production of Sherwood Pictures, it honestly deserves to be separated by itself for a number of reasons that don't need to be discussed here.  Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous, are all excellent examples of Christian film making.  "Why you is this?", you may ask.  I'll tell you.  It is because of their signature "real average people" playing "real average people".  With very few departures from this, the majority of the actors and actresses used are not professional or even amature.  Normally, this would result in a very poorly done film.  However, with an excellent script and believable dramatic moments, the films grip at all the right heart strings and lead to genuine moments of falling on your knees prayer.  

Each movie in its own right has themes which guide the characters.  It can often times be predictable, but then of course, "Lord, you gave me a truck.", still gets me tearing up every time.  For Facing The Giants, the primary theme is Faith.  Fireproof focuses on commitment to The Lord and to the relationships in our lives. While Couraegous is about the responsibilities in our lives.  However in spite of all the honest to goodness quality film making that these movies represent, they wouldn't be half as good if it wasn't for the humor in each of them.  Life sucks, and Sherwood Films certainly don't tap dance around that fact, but they do manage to find a way of capturing those moments in life that cause us to laugh no matter how down we might be.  For that myself and millions of others are truly grateful.