This is a good movie to get you to think about some things you might never have thought about. I have heard this hypothesis about UFOs/aliens before, and I totally agree. While not all the acting and script is great, I thought most of the actors did a good job, better than some other Christian movies I've seen. This is more than a story about UFOs--that's definitely part of it--but the most important part of the story revolves around the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is set forward in a straightforward, serious approach, which I think is needed in the film industry. There are three main characters, one an atheist or agnostic, one who begins to be unsure he is a Christian, and one who is a strong Christian. They are looking into various of UFO sightings, the atheist taking the side that they are hoaxes. Please don't reject seeing the movie because of negative reviews. I found it interesting and enjoyable. I enjoyed the behind the scenes on the DVD a lot, as well.
Reviews
58 Reviews
New Wine
(1941)
Interesting Movie
25 November 2005
The movie begins with a man going to a concert. The music played is by Franz Schubert. The scene changes to a school full of boys, being taught music by a young Schubert. However, he is supposed to be a math teacher, so his job doesn't last long.
War begins, and Franz leaves Austria for Hungary, not wanting to fight. He tries to become a sheep shearer but has no skill for it. In the process he meets a lovely young lady named Anna, who works on and/or manages the sheep farm. Schubert finds a piano and begins to play. Thus Anna is introduced to his music, and she falls in love, both with the music and with the man. She is a driving force and encouragement to him and his music.
Franz's struggles as a musician are both amusing and sorrowful to watch in this movie. Franz apparently relies on his (Catholic) faith to get him through.
War begins, and Franz leaves Austria for Hungary, not wanting to fight. He tries to become a sheep shearer but has no skill for it. In the process he meets a lovely young lady named Anna, who works on and/or manages the sheep farm. Schubert finds a piano and begins to play. Thus Anna is introduced to his music, and she falls in love, both with the music and with the man. She is a driving force and encouragement to him and his music.
Franz's struggles as a musician are both amusing and sorrowful to watch in this movie. Franz apparently relies on his (Catholic) faith to get him through.
Hangman's Curse
(2003)
Disappointing
4 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I like some of Frank Peretti's books (such as "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness"). I had never read "Hangman's Curse" so wasn't quite sure what to expect, but since his other books were good, I thought this would be okay, too. I wasn't really expecting much, but I at least hoped it was a clean film. It doesn't sink as low as some movies, but for a Christian movie, I was expecting or hoping for better. Maybe most wouldn't see anything morally wrong with this movie, but the clothing--even of the Christian girl--were immodest. Even after the girl was out of her undercover work, she wore a dress with a low neckline, making me ashamed to be watching--at least that my brother was watching it with me. There were even a couple of uses of "hell" in an inappropriate way. Not only the clothing was worldly, however--so was some of the music and the attitudes. Christians lying to each other, etc. I know Christians aren't perfect, but this does not set a good example, and I was extremely disappointed in this movie!
Now for the storyline. That was weak, as well. Spiders overtaking a school? Hmm. And there was no spelling out of how bad the occult practices are, as there seem to be in most of Frank Peretti's books.
I'm kind of surprised Frank Peretti would approve of this film, much less act in it. His part, while slightly funny, was a little stupid, too, sorry to say (I guess he intended it that way).
My brother and I bought the movie on sale, but I'm sorry we did.
Now for the storyline. That was weak, as well. Spiders overtaking a school? Hmm. And there was no spelling out of how bad the occult practices are, as there seem to be in most of Frank Peretti's books.
I'm kind of surprised Frank Peretti would approve of this film, much less act in it. His part, while slightly funny, was a little stupid, too, sorry to say (I guess he intended it that way).
My brother and I bought the movie on sale, but I'm sorry we did.
Time Changer
(2002)
8/10 stars
13 November 2004
I just watched this movie for the second time and liked it better than ever. In a world that's increasingly filled with sin, in secret and in the open, this movie is a refreshing, entertaining movie with no profanity, sex, or violence. More than that, it has a deep and soul-searching message. Can good morals save a person? Who determines morals, anyway?
Despite some weak acting on the part of a few in this movie, overall the acting was good. Paul Rodriguez was my favorite and seemed the most realistic actor. Hal Linden, Gavin MacLeod, and Jennifer O'Neill also put in good performances.
Great movie, overall!
Despite some weak acting on the part of a few in this movie, overall the acting was good. Paul Rodriguez was my favorite and seemed the most realistic actor. Hal Linden, Gavin MacLeod, and Jennifer O'Neill also put in good performances.
Great movie, overall!
Rigoletto
(1993 Video)
Weird
6 October 2004
Yes, I liked the music, and there was one good message that you shouldn't judge people by how they look or by gossiping tongues. I also found Hans somewhat amusing. However, there are some mixed and dangerous messages. One of them was looking within yourself to free yourself from a kind of "spell"--in other words, everyone can overcome their pride and do good, all from their own will. This is not really true. The Bible says no man does good, not even one (without Jesus within them, they are entirely sinful, though they may do some outward acts of goodness). The mystical/magical type of things that happen further added to the confusion. Ribaldi seems to be some kind of miracle worker, though admittedly some of his help is given in the way of money. If this is supposed to be a parody on the theme of Jesus, they did a very poor job of it, since Ribaldi was far from perfect. However, I guess it was meant to be a fantasy and not have a Biblical message. The words that comes to mind when I think of this movie is "odd" and "weird." It's not something I'll be watching again or that I'd want my kids watching if I had any.
Good movie for just about anyone
20 May 2004
I wanted to rent this movie because I am writing a story for pre-teens/teens about some of the struggles of blacks in the 1960s. I was very touched by this movie. All the acting was good, the story, based on truth, was interesting. I really got caught up in the people's lives, feeling their pain and longing, sorrowful (almost crying) at the injustice and mean things many white people did. They gave a good balance, though, by showing the white preacher (Jonathan) who was helping the blacks (he was an actual person). This is a good clean family movie, with some violence, but nothing graphic. It was thought-provoking, too--would I be brave enough to stand up for right in the midst of adversity?
Great entertainment, yet more than that
20 May 2004
This was a very captivating movie. A Danish family becomes involved in helping Jews. The son (Henrik) is in the resistance and keeps it a secret from his family, sure they would forbid him to continue because of the danger. The father, a doctor, decides he must do what he can to help the Jews when he hears of the news of the Germans coming to route out and kill Jews. He hides a family (friends of theirs) in the attic. There are many tense and action-packed scenes. The acting is great. I wish the people didn't feel they had to lie to save the Jews, though. (Corrie Ten Boom is a good example of someone who hid Jews and told the truth, being put in a concentration camp herself. What strong belief that is.) There were also a couple of kisses (if you worry about that kind of thing), but nothing more than that. Overall I give this movie a solid thumbs up and it is a striking example of the bravery of many people during the war.
Plainsong
(2004 TV Movie)
Definitely a waste of time!
17 May 2004
I sat through the whole thing, hoping it would get better, but it didn't. Seeing Megan Follows again after Anne of Green Gables was sort of interesting, but too bad she didn't play a very good character (she leaves her husband). The acting was fine and the part about the boys being bullied was interesting, but I was hoping for a story of redemption as so often comes from Hallmark Hall of Fame. Disappointing. There wasn't much violence or any really bad scenes, but this is not worth the time to watch. I gave it a 2/10.
A funny movie
24 July 2003
My family and I enjoyed this movie. There were quite a few laughs as the school boys pulled off prank after prank, trying to outdo each other. Some of the pranks were bad (mean), in my opinion, but I still like this movie overall. There are a couple of people in this movie who played in Anne of Green Gables, The Sequel, so that makes it interesting, too (since my favorite movie is AOGG).
Jane Eyre
(1996)
Good, but too short
21 February 2003
I liked the actresses who played Jane Eyre. The older one was suited to the part--just about the right age and not overly pretty. In some of the other adaptations I've seen the woman who plays Jane is at least in her twenties, sometimes 30s, and she was supposed to be only 19 or 20 in the book. However, some other things are not quite true to the book. The characters and scenes would be able to be more developed in a longer movie, but it's still a very enjoyable movie. It's easy to get into and has nice costumes, etc. The ending didn't seem as happy or long as I had hoped, but it was still good.
Joe Versus the Volcano
(1990)
Stupidest, weirdest movie!
16 January 2003
This has to be one of the stupidest, weirdest movies ever made! I don't know why I watched it all the way through! There were some bad words and scenes that I didn't like, too. Mostly it was just weird and stupid. A guy goes to throw himself in a volcano and on the way there a boat splits in two from lightning, he dances on 4 steamer trunks that are used together as a raft, etc. Don't waste your time on it like I did!
The Locket
(2002 TV Movie)
Another winner from Hallmark
19 December 2002
This story, set in a nursing home, is more than it at first appears. With a thickening plot and emotional turmoil building, a young man named Michael (played well by Chad Willet) cares for an elderly woman named Esther (played very well by Vanessa Redgrave). Or is it that Esther cares for Michael? One part I didn't like much was in a dance setting (kissing), but overall it was a very decent film with no swearing. With great acting a touching story, this is another winner from Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Little Women
(1949)
A delightful movie!
19 December 2002
If you can ignore the differences from the book (most noticeably that Amy isn't the youngest in the movie and many of the young people aren't old enough), this is a charming and lovely movie! The actors all did good jobs and I laughed a lot in the beginning of the movie. It has lovely costumes, fun times, and sweet romance. A delightful movie!
Time Changer
(2002)
Good movie, some bad acting
5 November 2002
I liked this movie for the most part.... It has a good message, which makes you think about things, but the main actor was not very good. It was distracting and almost humorous the way he acted. The other actors were good, though, and after a while you can almost overlook the bad acting of the main character and get into the story. My family liked it for its good morals and message. It's not a great movie, in my opinion, but it's good and we need more good films these days. (More good Christian actors, too.)
Good movie and character development!
5 November 2002
In many ways I liked it better than Left Behind...The acting seemed better, the characters seemed to have more development time, and the message was good. It was also a tense and interesting storyline. I've mostly forgotten what happens in the books, so I can't compare it to that very well, but I really like the movies! If they can get enough money for really good special effects, I think the series will just keep getting better! I wish they would have widescreen versions of their movies and make them at least two hours long. An hour and a half is not very much time to make a great movie. But this one was good and I'll be watching it again many times, no doubt.
A couple of the quibbles I have with this movie are the "angelic woman" and the few times that the Christians lie. I know no one's perfect, but I think they should have at the very least shown that they were wrong to lie.
Good movie overall...and the special features on the DVD are neat!
A couple of the quibbles I have with this movie are the "angelic woman" and the few times that the Christians lie. I know no one's perfect, but I think they should have at the very least shown that they were wrong to lie.
Good movie overall...and the special features on the DVD are neat!
Five Mile Creek
(1983–1985)
Great show!
10 September 2002
It's one of my favorite TV shows, and I'm almost 19. Some people might think it's simple and silly, but it's a good family show with charm--not just for kids, but the whole family! It has (usually) good morals, excitement, and emotion. I think it's one of the best (or the best) Disney series.
The Climb
(2002)
Great thought-provoking story
8 June 2002
The story was very captivating and thought-provoking. The scenery of the mountains was beautiful, and the story brought tears to my eyes.
One thing I didn't particularly like was the sort of cheesy acting of the Mackie's owner, but I guess he was just supposed to be that way.
Great story...see it, and remember the high road!
One thing I didn't particularly like was the sort of cheesy acting of the Mackie's owner, but I guess he was just supposed to be that way.
Great story...see it, and remember the high road!
The Basket
(1999)
Very well done, thought-provoking, and touching
8 June 2002
I enjoyed this film very much. Everything was authentic, the actors were great, and the story was moving and captivating. Despite a lot of sadness, the movie also portrayed happiness. There was a great level of depth in character that keeps you thinking on about them and wondering more about them. The main theme of the movie is also a thought-provoking subject: prejudice. Learning to work together, learning to "fly" with others is a good lesson to learn. The sets and scenery were beautiful (God's creation is beautiful!), and the music was quite captivating & appropriate, even though I don't particularly like opera. There were a few flaws in the movie, such as a few swear words, and perhaps a lack of a few things, but over all it was a very good movie. (Entertaining & interesting behind the scenes commentaries, too, on the DVD.)
Miss Rose White
(1992 TV Movie)
Very emotional & very well acted
30 May 2002
Great acting...they didn't seem like actors or actresses because they played their parts so well they seemed to be exactly who they're supposed to be in the movie.
It starts out a little slow, but it gets much better, and really speaks to your heart. I was crying at some sad and emotional places, and others in my family were, too.
It starts out a little slow, but it gets much better, and really speaks to your heart. I was crying at some sad and emotional places, and others in my family were, too.
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2
(2001)
A powerful movie
15 April 2002
This movie was very riveting and intense. I thought the actors were all very good and natural, although I might agree that sometimes it was a little over-acted (though I didn't think of that while I was watching it). The graphics are great--the best I've seen yet in Christian movies, and good even compared to Hollywood movies, for the most part. It did not really have a gospel message and was not even a very Biblically accurate portrayal, but since I believe there will be a 7-year tribulation, it is something to think about. I watched it with some family and friends, and we all thought it was a powerful, well-made movie, although we didn't think the message was that clear.
Great special effects, and very exciting--not my favorite, however
9 February 2002
I really enjoyed the movie. Seeing it in the theater was a neat experience, and I loved the special effects, scenery, and acting.
Having never read any of the books by Tolkien, I can't say much about that, except that my friends who did read the books thought it looked a lot like they imagined it, but that they did cut out quite a bit (but most movies that are based on books have many differences).
It was good that there was no swearing or immorality...There was a lot of violence, but not the same bloody gore as some movies have. Even though Tolkien was a Christian, the story is not really "Christian," and I don't agree with the use of a "good wizard". It is good against evil, with the good side winning in the end. Enjoyable, but still not my favorite movie.
Having never read any of the books by Tolkien, I can't say much about that, except that my friends who did read the books thought it looked a lot like they imagined it, but that they did cut out quite a bit (but most movies that are based on books have many differences).
It was good that there was no swearing or immorality...There was a lot of violence, but not the same bloody gore as some movies have. Even though Tolkien was a Christian, the story is not really "Christian," and I don't agree with the use of a "good wizard". It is good against evil, with the good side winning in the end. Enjoyable, but still not my favorite movie.
To Kill a Mockingbird
(1962)
There is a wonderful depth and mystery to the movie...
12 January 2002
I watched the movie for the first time yesterday, and it was very interesting to me. I'm 18 years old, and not from the south, but the kids' playing reminds me a bit of playing with my brothers and sisters when I was growing up. Everything was a mystery and adventure. The kids did an excellent job of acting, and the little girl who played Scout had never even acted or been trained in acting before! There was a great depth to the characters and a great mysterious aura to the Radley house. Gregory Peck, as usual, did a great job in his part, and the man who played Tom Robinson did, too. For me it was a riveting movie, though there were no explosions or shoot-outs or high-tech graphics. It was plain and simple but effective. There were some funny moments, some scary moments, some emotional moments. I saw it in the original B&W on DVD...At first I wished I could see it in color, but then I thought making it in B&W gave it more mystery and interest. The "Fearful Symmetry" (making of the movie) was very interesting, too, talking about what we have lost as a country, even while we have gained things. After watching the movie, I think I'll have to read the book, and I'm sure it won't be a waste of time!
The Truman Show
(1998)
It's definitely unique...
16 June 2001
This movie is weird but interesting, and I doubt anyone would say it was the "same old". I haven't seen any other movie like it.
After the initial humor and laughs, I felt sorry for the poor guy (Truman) trapped in the make-believe world. Some of it is just crazy, but at least it keeps your attention pretty much all the way through, though I think it does get a little tiresome towards the end.
The movie is creative (though unrealistic), and has quite a few funny moments. Definitely not my favorite movie--but it's unique. =)
After the initial humor and laughs, I felt sorry for the poor guy (Truman) trapped in the make-believe world. Some of it is just crazy, but at least it keeps your attention pretty much all the way through, though I think it does get a little tiresome towards the end.
The movie is creative (though unrealistic), and has quite a few funny moments. Definitely not my favorite movie--but it's unique. =)
Pot o' Gold
(1941)
Rather zany but fun
3 March 2001
Jimmy Stewart plays a man named Jimmy who is fond of music. His uncle is a bigwig who hates music. The first half of the movie is the funniest-it gave me quite a lot of laughs. It starts to get crazy and sort of lame towards the end, but it's still a good movie.
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