Church People DVD

 CHURCH PEOPLE is a Christian comedy about the megachurch megaproduction sub-culture and getting back to the simplicity of the Gospel. The film has a powerful message about rediscovering your passion for Christ. Starring Christian comedian Thor Ramsey, Erin Cahill, Michael Monks, Stephen Baldwin, Donald Faison, and Joey Fatone (NSYNC), this is the first feature film directed by Christopher Shawn Shaw. The DVD has just been released! Buy yours at https://churchpeoplefilm.com/#buy
 

MY REVIEW: Church People is one of my favorite films! Not only does it have many hilarious moments, but it also has a significant message that resounds with me. I don't often cry in movies, but this one deeply touched me. It brings the viewer back to the heart of worship and the true meaning in the message of the Cross.

When Church People was released in 2021, one of the major concerns and questions I saw was, "Does this movie mock Christians and megachurches?" Absolutely not!! It does address the "rock star" celebrity that sometimes takes over, but it does so with love and a huge dose of humor. And reminds us that the simple message of the gospel has an eternal impact on the lives of others... even without smoke machines, swag, stunts, and superstar leaders.

I love all of the actors involved, the writing is fantastic, wonderful soundtrack, and the director is amazing! (Trivia: Director Christopher Shawn Shaw makes a cameo as a stagehand.) Scroll down to read a synopsis of "Church People."

Giveaway: One DVD copy of Church People! You can enter by commenting #ChurchPeopleMovie on the blog or another Social Media Platform post with my review.
(Note: This giveaway is limited to US winners only.) The DEADLINE to enter is February, 18, 2022.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

SYNOPSIS: Guy has been on a tour to promote his new book, but begins, encouraged by his money-focused agent, to embrace the gimmicks over the gospel to bring in the crowds. Burned out, he returns back to his church and his duties as the Youth Pastor.

But, Pastor Skip Finney, the tie-dye wearing lead pastor who loves bringing in crowds by coming up with new stunts and ideas, has gone too far with his newest crowd-baiting scheme for Good Friday.

Blaise, a zealous new Believer in Youth Group, is determined to be a part of Pastor Skip's dangerous and blasphemous scheme much to Guy's dismay. Then there's the unexpected love interest in the Senior Pastor’s daughter and being a new father to his grown daughter. You've also got Joey Fatone as the Worship Leader AND rival for the affections of Carla, Stephen Baldwin as the ultimate church greeter, plus William Baldwin and Chynna Phillips as clueless parents.

Guy ultimately rediscovers and puts on a powerful presentation of why we all need to put our hope in Jesus and not in ourselves.

You will want to own a copy of this film. Click HERE to buy.

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Church People

Weary from the showiness and materialism that has

overtaken his ministry efforts, Guy (Thor Ramsey) goes on a journey to get back in touch with the heart of ministry and be a real role model to his youth group kids. He makes the difficult decision to cut short his speaking tour managed by his money-focused agent (Donald Faison) after realizing that his reputation has become more fame based than Gospel-driven.

But when Guy attempts to return to regular youth ministry, he is thrust into the throes of dissuading the youth group from performing a strange and potentially blasphemous stunt for the upcoming Easter service, starring a young, zealous new Believer, Blaise. In attempting to manage his youth group while navigating an unexpected love interest in the Senior Pastor’s daughter (Erin Cahill) and being a new father to his grown daughter, Guy ultimately rediscovers and puts on a powerful presentation of why we all need to put our hope in Jesus and not in ourselves.

MY REVIEW: Church People is a film I have been looking forward to and it lived up to my hopes. A laugh-out-loud comedy that touches on some absurdities but also highlights the heart of the message of following Jesus. While most of the action and humor of the film are exaggerations, there is a problem in some ministries with "rock star" personalities who can develop a cult-like following, losing focus on the simple message of salvation. Thor Ramsey is wonderful as the Youth Pastor who sincerely wants to teach about Christ, but finds himself getting caught up in his own popularity.

Pastor Skip Finney (Michael Monks) is the tie-dye wearing lead pastor who loves the crowds and coming up with new stunts and ideas to fill every seat in his huge church. When he goes too far with a Good Friday/Easter production idea, it's up to Guy Sides (Ramsey) to try to bring Pastor Skip and his encouragers back to the heart of worship and the true meaning of the message of the cross. Toss in a romantic interest with the pastor's daughter, a rival (Joey Fatone), a zealous new Believer, and the unexpected reunion with his long-lost daughter... and chaos ensues.

You've also got Stephen Baldwin as the ultimate church greeter, plus William Baldwin and Chynna Phillips as clueless parents. Director Christopher Shawn Shaw pulls all of the characters together into a fun tale I enjoyed watching. As with all good satire, there is some truth mixed in with the exaggerations, and a lesson to be learned. Church People has also been selected as 1 of 5 films nominated for a "K-LOVE Fan Award" for Best Film and Television Impact.

Virtual Screening thru May 31, 2021

Host a Church Screening thru June 30, 2021

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BTFS 2013

What are the viewers saying? ..."Intense." "Riveting." "Raw Emotion." "Forgiveness." "Powerful." "Honest." "Hard-Hitting." "Real Life." "No Boundaries." "Today." "Gut-Wrenching Truth." "Genuine." "Perfect." "Twists and Turns." "Unexpected." "Hits Home!"

Those are just a few comments made by audience members who have seen a preview screening of Beyond The Farthest Star. Watch the video for a few of their reactions:




I remember seeing a clip from the first screening of the rough draft and a critic said he got so caught up in the film that he forgot he was there to critique it. That said a lot to me. I always need to see a film twice because the first time I watch one, I miss parts due to distractions and wishing I could ask the director, "WHAT were you thinking when you made THAT decision?" (As a side note, one reason I love dvd commentaries is because my questions sometimes get answered. Sometimes I revise my opinion, sometimes I still dislike what I saw.) Telling me a film made you cry is telling me nothing unless you also tell me why it made you cry. So, I am always happy to see comments other than "tear jerker".

There was also an announcement made that actor/producer Benjamin Dane will be part of a panel of filmmakers that includes Christopher Shawn Shaw, Sean Johnson Jr., and LaMarcus Tinker. This online event will be hosted by Tommy Kendrick (actor and host of Actors Talk) on Wednesday, January 16th at 9P CST. Fans will have opportunity to Live Chat and ask questions about BTFS and other projects the panelists are working on.


 Look for a new BTFS website, new art and the film's release in 2013! It will all kickoff with a countdown to the trailer reveal on the redesigned website in the coming weeks. You can also check out the fan page for any photos, videos, music, etc. that they revisited as a look back at 2012 in a nearly week-long 6 Days of 12 event. I know I have talked about this film (and book) quite a bit in recent months, but with this new year, I can only quote from their page: "NOW, it gets exciting!"

Here are several places you can check out Beyond The Farthest Star for yourself:
Like Beyond The Farthest Star Facebook page
Watch/Subscribe BTFS Youtube Channel 
Follow BTFS on Twitter
Beyond The Farthest Star IMDb pageBeyond The Farthest Star on CFDb
Sign up to BRING IT!

Like the pages...and join in the anticipation of a film many are looking forward to seeing. Andrew Librizzi has written a story that caught my imagination from the moment I first read about the film and I truly cannot wait to see what is BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR!