Why Amazon Prime’s ‘House of David’ Series May Be Even Better Than ‘The Chosen’

(REVIEW) The show impressively manages the difficult task of being a sword-and-sandals adventure fantasy that balances the needs of a faith-based and action-adventure audience. The story of David and Israel’s relationship with God is central, and the story creates a world that feels grounded, while still existing among giants and magic as relayed in the Hebrew Bible. The action is good while keeping itself PG-13, and the story is exciting while keeping it faithful to the Biblical themes.

Stephen King’s Adaptation Of ‘The Monkey’ Serves Up An Existentialist Anti-Faith Film

(REVIEW) When the characters discover the monkey can kill people, they start trying to figure out how it works, to discover its rules so they can play the game and win. But the monkey doesn’t have rules. The characters who cause the suffering in this movie are the ones who try to impose order and meaning on these meaningless death. And it’s when characters accept death and its pointless randomness that the carnage stops and reconciliation occurs.

‘The Unbreakable Boy’ Reveals Itself A Beautiful Film Weighed Down By Weak Genre Tropes

(REVIEW) The film’s best elements still chaff under faith-based genre tropes. The genre that Kingdom Story Company has conquered so successfully is built on an audience that highly prizes good messages and family friendliness. Both of these are good things. But that has often rewarded tropes that work against the genre being both truthful or beautiful. These have often become more noticeable as the quality of the movies have otherwise improved.

‘Rule Breakers’ Could Have Stood to Break Even More Rules In This Formulaic Drama

(REVIEW) The film follows Roya Mahboob, an Afghan woman whose passion in life is giving young girls a chance at a better life by teaching them computer programming. She decides that the only way to gain popular support for her endeavors in a patriarchal society is to start a women’s robotics team and win global competitions. But this will be harder and more dangerous than she suspects. It may go without saying, but the movie has a worthy message based on inspiring real-life people.

‘Conclave’: Is It Anti-Catholic Propaganda Or An Oscar-Worthy Film?

(ANALYSIS) Easily the biggest religious controversy at this year’s Academy Awards is with the movie “Conclave.” The film, based on the best-selling novel by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow, follows a cardinal named Lawrence who’s been tasked with running the selection of a new pope. But Lawrence’s faith is challenged when he uncovers secrets at the Vatican.

‘Presence’ Offers Up Hauntingly Accurate Picture About Changing Spirituality

(REVIEW) The film also gives a fairly actuarial picture of our culture’s modern move toward the supernatural. As people are abandoning organized religion, they’re not becoming secular, but embracing “new age spirituality” — with beliefs in some kind of God and/or spirits and various occult or folk methods of connecting with them. This is particularly true of young women.

‘The Familiar Stranger’ Reintroduces A Familiar Debate About The Holy Spirit

(REVIEW) Pastor Tyler Staton’s new book makes a compelling case for placing the Holy Spirit at the center of Christian life. Unfortunately, much of what it says also validates the fears of those skeptical about Spirit-filled theology. In times of perceived decline, people search for answers on how to reverse it. Many in the church and the Western world view Christianity and Western civilization as being in cultural retreat. One of the proposed solutions is "re-enchantment.”

Analysis, Christianity, Evangelicals, North America, BooksJoseph HolmesJanuary 27, 2025Joseph Holmes, books, book review, Christianity, re-enchantment, review, analysisComment

‘Brave The Dark’ A Film That Puts The Spotlight On America’s Growing Boy Crisis

(REVIEW) “Brave the Dark” is easily the best movie the faith-based film industry has released about the struggles of young men. It’s by far the best Angel Studios movie to date. There’s a major gender shift happening in American Christianity. Church pews have largely been filled by women, even as the pulpits were dominated by men. Women are abandoning church and men are starting to flock to it.

‘Between Borders’ A Moving Refugee Story About Christianity Deserved Better Storytelling

(REVIEW) “Between Borders” is a timely film that shows the resilience of refugee families, along with the greatness of Christianity and America. Sadly, mediocre storytelling saps it of its emotional power. One might have noticed that immigration is a hot topic in Christian circles these days. It should be no surprise then that faith-based films have increasingly turned to the topic of immigration.

Why ‘Nosferatu’ Represents A Hollow Love Letter To Pre-Modern Enchantment

“Nosferatu” shares many of the strengths of the rest of Robert Eggers' work. The filmmaking craft on display is undeniable. The camera lingers on the screen away from showing all of Nosferatu almost as if the camera itself is scared of him. The production design completely transports you into the world of the 18th century. Nonetheless, this is a film that has issues.

Why ‘The War Of The Rohirrim’ And Its Agnostic ‘LOTR’ Anime Just Doesn’t Work

(ANALYSIS) The news cycle hasn’t been kind to “Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim.” The film made headlines as the lowest-grossing (and worst-reviewed) entry in the Peter Jackson series. The film made $5 million on its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office and earning a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes. But none of it really matters because the point of this movie was never this movie. Let me explain.

How Christmas Movies Have Dramatically Changed Over The Last 20 Years

(ANALYSIS) Changes in the film industry, and the changing demographics of family life in America, mean we’re likely to see a more movies in the future that are focused on faith. You might say the future of Christmas films is very much faith-based. One of the most fascinating things is the collapse of the Christmas movie and the rise of the faith-based genre happened around the same time.

Netflix’s New Biblical ‘Mary’ Biopic A Reverent Disappointment

(REVIEW) Netflix has put out a movie about the life of Mary just in time for Christmas. For those who want a modern retelling of Mary and the Christmas story that lives up to its potential, “Mary” is sure to disappoint. For those who simply want to enjoy a reverent take on the Christmas story that has a place at the table in a world of endless secular content, this might be just what the angels ordered.

How A Male-Dominant Church Could Save Faith-Based Films In The Future

(ANALYSIS) The genre faces a demographic cliff. The market for faith-based films has always been driven by Christian moms. And as I wrote last year, with fewer women getting married and having kids (and single women increasingly leaving Christianity), that market is inevitably going to shrink. A big shift may actually save the long-term future of faith-based films: The rise of a more masculine American church.

What’s Wrong With Angel Studios And Its ‘Bonhoeffer’ Biopic About The German Pastor?

(ANALYSIS) Angel Studios can’t seem to catch a break from controversy. Its first big hit, the film “Sound of Freedom,” was heavily criticized by sex-trafficking survivors for its deceptive portrayal of the issue. They’ve also faced allegations of unsavory business practices and for partnering with a conservative media company for distribution.

Jordan Peterson’s New Book On The Bible Fails To Wrestle With God Enough

(REVIEW) “We Who Wrestle with God” is a solid compilation of Peterson’s views on the continuity between biblical testimony and the human condition. If he’d been more disciplined with his prose, the good in his work would have been more readable. And if he’d taken more seriously wrestling with the text itself, there would have been a lot more good to read.

‘Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints’ Creates A Reverent Look At Christian Heroes

(REVIEW) “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” is an eight-episode docudrama series following the lives and sacrifices of saints: Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, Thomas Becket, Mary Magdalene, Moses the Black, Sebastian and Maximillian Kolbe. Each episode features a dramatization of their lives, narration by Scorsese and a panel.

‘Agatha All Along’ Gives An Unusually Accurate Picture Of Witchcraft

(REVIEW) Despite its flaws, “Agatha All Along” gives a refreshingly honest look at grief, relationships, the false promises of power and selfishness. In a world that churns out superhero movies with nothing to say, this is a welcome thing. In a world that tries to idealize the witch lifestyle, this show gives a far more accurate take than most forms of media have the guts to. The world of “Agatha” is one without hope in the face of death.

‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Espouses Christian Values In The Fight Against Evil

(REVIEW) Hellboy is an odd character with a bumpy cinematic history. Based on a comic book series, Hellboy is the son of a demon and a witch who was brought from hell into the world by Nazis. He was rescued and raised by Professor Broom of the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) who became his surrogate father and trained to help save the world from monsters.

Entertainment, News, Religion, Film & TV, ReviewJoseph HolmesOctober 26, 2024Joseph Holmes, Hellboy, religion, faith, Halloween, Halloween 2024, film and TV, film, movies, Primary feature, rechargeComment

‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ Wrestles With The Correct Religious Questions

(REVIEW) Forgiveness is widely considered one of the most difficult things to do in life — particularly when it comes to the relationship between parents and children. This is probably why so many films deal with the idea of reconciling with one’s parents. “Exhibiting Forgiveness” does a great job of honestly wrestling with the hardest questions around forgiveness.

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