More Than One Lesson

In the realm of faith-based films, perhaps the least likely of sub-genres to encounter (second only to out-right horror) is the suspense thriller. The challenges in developing a compelling narrative while still making the film accessible to families are numerous. Tackling those challenges in his most recent film, Thy Neighbor, is director George A. Johnson, who has managed to craft a compelling and provocative suspense film, even if it does still succumb to some of the usual difficulties of both the suspense and faith-based genres.

At this very moment, all over the internet, one can find classified ads seeking out actors and crew members for films shooting in and around Los Angeles. These ads often give general details, such as the length of the shoot and perhaps a few specifics about the type of film being shot. As you skim these ads, you’ll eventually arrive at the pay rate, which, more often than not, is “low/no”, meaning that those involved likely won’t be getting paid. The ads will often specify, however, that actors and crew members will be compensated in the form of “exposure”.

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In this episode, Tyler and Reed discuss the Erwin Brothers’ I Can Only Imagine and James Mangold’s Walk the Line.

Even as I would continually pause my viewing of Revelation Road: The Black Rider to listen to Indie music or watch a clip from Mad Max: Fury Road, keeping with the Bible’s command to only concern oneself with what is excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), there is this much I can say not just for The Black Rider, but for the Revelation Road trilogy as a whole: I consider it a guilty pleasure. Not as offensive as the God’s Not Dead duology but, with its writing, acting, directing and special effects, nowhere near reaching the heights of post-apocalyptic fare like The Book of Eli, The Revelation Road films are, at their best, films to be laughed at in the company of friends, in the tradition of so-bad-it’s-good films like Birdemic: Shock and Terror.

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Watching The Sea of Glass and Fire, the second film in the Revelation Road trilogy, the best way that I know how to describe it is: It’s a raisin cookie. Ever take a bite of a cookie you thought was chocolate chip and think, “Ugh! Raisins!” but then just plow ahead and finish it because, hey, you already started it and raisin cookies aren’t half bad?

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Have you ever wanted to watch Mad Max  without the madness? Then Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End is for you.

When it comes to Christians movies, I know the hearts of the filmmakers are in the right place. And, perhaps this is envy speaking, but I wish I could do what they do: Have the talent and equipment to put their story on the big screen. My point is, Christian filmmakers, keep doing what you love.

Unfortunately, good intentions can only carry one so far. And as is the case with many movies made by Christians, Revelation Road is another example of this truth.

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In this episode, Tyler and Josh discuss Jon Gunn’s The Case for Christ and Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:00:50- Intro, Worth Watching
00:02:40- Logan article, Bob’s baseball article, Thimblerig’s Ark, Digisciple Me
00:08:15- The Case for Christ
00:47:30- 12 Angry Men
01:21:30- Episode wrap-up

One of the salient features of a particular kind of film marketed explicitly to evangelical Christians is the use of what Tyler Smith calls “the emblem.” Among other characteristics, it typifies what Tyler has classified under the umbrella of “Christian social drama” in his master’s thesis. Examples of this genre include movies like Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, God’s Not Dead, and Do You Believe. The form of the emblem varies from movie to movie, but consistently, there’s some monument or object that represents the characters’ commitment to family and faith.

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In this episode, Tyler and Josh discuss the emerging genre of Christian Social Drama.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:00:44- Intro, Bob Connally’s reviews, The Fear of God, Salty Cinema, Rogue One
00:03:55- Tyler’s paper
00:06:20- What is genre?
00:16:35- Christian Social Drama
01:07:10- Episode wrap-up

Tyler was recently a guest on The Wade Williams Show to talk about Christian film.

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