Why Not Question - Disaster films

Oddly enough, one of the Christian stores I frequented carried disaster films. I wondered why until I viewed them. They had no cuss words. They were centered on family triumphing over circumstances. And they made by Porchlight Entertainment.

Yes, I'm one of those who watches credits to find out who the background people are. It's the best way to discover who makes good films and who doesn't.

Besides, it's fun to see how many ways the world can be destroyed.

I only have short list for Porchlight, but I highly recommend their films.

Combustion - gas is igniting under the city. Stars Joe Lando.

Killer Flood: The Day the Dam Broke. Joe Lando, Michele Greene, Bruce Boxleitner. Nice reconciliation with a divorced couple and their child.

Trapped Buried Alive. Avalanche traps a mother with her step daughter in an ski inn while the father safe outside works at saving them.

Megafault. This aired on Syfy. It is wonderful because the scientist is a woman instead of a man and she's trying to get home to her family in Denver. Great sidekick who really makes this a 'must see' film.

Two others I discovered made my Faith Films and distributed by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment - the latter one of my favorites for odd and fun movies:

The Apocalyspe - An asteroid is about to destroy the Earth and a couple desperately tries to reach their daughter. The only not so good thing about this film is that the rapture also happens, but not for everyone at once and seems to be based more on their faith than salavation.

2012: Doomsday - Stars Dale Midkiff. Several strangers end up going to an ancient temple in Mexico on December 21st, 2012. Premise is weak but lots of nice scenery. Also, the rapture happens, but there are some loop holes that don't fit. Ending is unfulfilling.


Others I recommend but are not by this studio. Some have strong language:

Nature Unleashed: Earthquake. Set in Russia with a family caught in a subway about to be flooded. Fairly decent.

The Day After Tomorrow : Great example of sacrifice and family values despite the main couple being divorced. Not to mention the unrealistic wolf scenes.

Independence Day - Technically also Science Fiction. Aliens destroy the planet. Great family scenes and reconciliation for one couple.

Absolute Zero - Another take on the planet plunging into an ice age. Some silly scenes but the main character saves his family.

Volcano - Not really believable but Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful and there's great interplay with his character's daughter.

When Worlds Collide - this is an older film based on a book. They build an arc to escape to a planet about to destroy the Earth. Well done adaption. One of the classics. Science Fiction.

Deep Impact - Asteroid impacts the Earth. Good family scenes but there are a number of suicides.

Category 6: Day of Destruction & Catatore 7: The end of the World.
All star casts and interesting character interplay. Both are four hours each.

10.5 and 10.5 Apocalypse - these films are good because no matter how they tried to stop the earthquake, the planet won out in the end and people had to deal with the aftermath. The only films that show mankind can't stop everything.

2012 - Very good family stuff in this one despite a lousy script and silly premise.

Supernova - shown on Hallmark. Kind of lacking in many areas and the whole convict out to get the family was a bit much.

2012 Supernova - I like Brain Krause, but this film had such an unbelievable ending I wouldn't watch it again.

Ice Twisters - SyFy film. Okay. I have to say I like this one and I'm really sure why. It has a silly premise, but the male lead, a writer, keeps it interesting.

Nature Unleashed: Avalanche - A so - so film. Filmed in Russia with a very interesting idea on how the village survives.

Nature Unleashed: Fire - Silly premise with the way they solve the problem. Just fun to watch because it's so unbelievable.

There are many more movies if you enjoy these type of films.

Why Not Question - Rapture Speculation Films

Ah, the rapture and those left behind. A popular theme with many writers through the years. There is much speculation on how, when, and what the results will be, not only in Christian written fiction but also in films. The most recent popular version was the Left Behind series. There are many others, but to quote Kirk Cameron when he was filming the first film - 'This could happen now.'

And it could. Are you ready?

Below is a list of some, but not all the films made on this theme.

Left Behind
Left Behind II : Tribulation Force
Left Behind : World at War

The three films don't go beyond the second book. The written series, which I've read all of, was interesting, sometimes preachy and there are a number of 'oops'. There are also a few spin off series by other writers.

There is fanfiction written of this series on www.fanfiction.net. Check out the concurrent series crossed with Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis by writers dragonlots and ChristianGateFan plus many others.

Apocalypse
Revelation
Tribulation
Judgement

The first and fourth films are the best. The other two are okay despite some of the well known actors and actresses in them.

In the Blink of an Eye - Interesting twist using a man caught in a time loop.

The Omega Code
Megiddo : The Omega Code 2

These two films were made for a secular audience. However, the special affects near the end of the second make this pair a 'must see'.

Why Not Question - Christian Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films?

Science Fiction is very frightening in Christian circles. Oh, they know there's a huge market for it, but most are afraid to touch it either in book or film forms. Yet, both the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, the fathers of Christian Speculative fiction, have been adapted to film.

Let's talk about 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. In the scene where Susan and Lucy watch as the witch torments and then kills Aslan, the viewer gets a hint of what if was like for Christ when he was mocked, beaten, had a thorn crown thrust upon his head, and then was forced to carry his own cross to be crucified on. Aslan is shaved, bound, and made fun of by the creatures who follow the White Witch.

Also, if one really examines the image shown, more deep truths present themselves - Christ's death was one of the biggest devil spirit parties in history. They thought they had won. They defeated God's plan - just like the White Witch thought she had, until Aslan returned restored - just as Christ did.

And, when watching the marriage scene in the extended version of 'Return of the King', the scene drips with symbolism. In it can be seen the wedding ceremony of Christ and his bride, the blooming tree of Life and many more than can be named.

So, is Science Fiction and Fantasy in Christian form really that frightening? Not when you see the path paved by the two who came before. Interesting part, the Lord of Rings trilogy was done by fan who might not even be a Christian, yet the director caught the true intent of the writer.

Recommended Christian Fantasy:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspain
Journey of the Dawn Trader (blogger has not yet seen the film)

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - either original theater release or extended versions.

Horror:
Invisible Enemies - a pair of glasses allows a young man to see the demons all around us.

Science Fiction:
Unidentified - Two journalists, one Christian, one not, investigate reports on UFO's.
Time Changer - Time travel adventure. A bit preachy but interesting.

NOTE: Keep an eye on Christian Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror writers. God is opening doors big time for publication, both through Christian and secular houses.

Christian small press publishers : Marcher Lord Press & Splash Down Books plus a few others.

Why Not Question - Christian Romance Films

I discovered the Love Comes Softly series on Hallmark with the fifth film. It remains my favorite out of the seven. Why? Because it has everything. A lonely widow who comes to town to become the teacher after her husband's death. She and her young son move into a not too well cared for house. A young girl is taken in by our widow from the orphan trains they used to run from the big cities in an attempt to find homes for the children living on the streets. A sheriff who fell in love with the widow and who searches for the girl and her brother, placed in a abusive situation, when they run away. They're found through a simple act of faith - prayer - during a cold, pitch black and stormy night.

From there I went on to discover the rest of the series and purchase them as they come out. Why you ask? Because, unlike many woman who read or watch romances, I prefer nice, wholesome stories with no smut. Oh, I've read the sexy, steamy books. Don't think I haven't. But when it becomes the focus of the story instead of the relationship between the characters, I got tired of them. I much prefer a couple getting together with a common faith in God.

So, I moved on to Christian romances. The stories are interesting. I care about the characters. And often, they're well written or acted with the most physical intimacy being a kiss or holding hands. Sex is for after marriage - as it should be.

Quick update - Hallmark via FB has announced they are running two prequel movies on their channel to the Love Comes Softly series.

My list of Christian 'must see' romantic movies:

Love Comes Softly
Love's Enduring Promise
Love's Long Journey
Love's Abiding Joy
Love's Unending Legacy
Love's Unfolding Dream
Love Takes Wing
Love Finds a Home

Saving Sarah Cain
For those who enjoy Amish Stories.
Based on the book by Beverly Lewis.

Hidden Places
Set during the Great Depression.
From the book by Lynn Austin.

For those who like Biblical stories:
One Night with the King

The Bible Stories : Esther

Esther and the King - 1960

The Story of Ruth - an older film
There is a newer one but it is not as well done.

Why Not Question - 'Facing the Giants' - 'Bloom Where you're Planted'.

For a few weeks we're going to divert from studying Eastern culture to understand the Bible. Instead, the following brief series will be on Christian produced, acted or supported movies.

Today's film - 'Facing the Giants'.

"Bloom where you're planted."

This is an alien concept to many Americans. We're always looking off to horizon waiting for our big break or thinking the best job or opportunity we've been wanting is somewhere else.

Shannon Fields, who has the female lead in this film, told the story of how God put on her heart to become an actress but never opened a door to move to any place where she could make this dream come true. She just couldn't see how an opportunity could happen in the small town where she lived.

Then, something amazing happened. The Kendrick brothers wrote and decided to produce a Christian movie. She auditioned and won the part she played.

Now who would have ever thought that in small town in Georgia a film would be made.

Shannon never had. Yet, 'Facing the Giants' was the first stepping stone to fulfilling her dream to become an actress. Now she has moved to a larger town, still teaches and coaches the cheer leading team and takes acting classes.

More recently, she had a role in 'Suing the Devil'.

So, from this one example we can see how God can take an impossible situation and allow you to 'Bloom where you're planted'.

(Information shared about Shannon Fields from a talk she gave at Jubilee Fellowship Church a number of years back and from Facebook.)