God's Not Dead: In God We Trust

"God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" is the 5th movie in the faith-based GOD'S NOT DEAD franchise.

Synopsis: "In God We Trust" is set amid political and spiritual turmoil. When an incumbent unexpectedly dies weeks before an election, Reverend David Hill (David A.R. White) is persuaded to run for Congress. Battling against Peter Kane (Ray Wise), who aims to erase religion from policy, David's fight becomes a beacon of hope and optimism for people seeking moral leadership in a divided world.

The film stars David A. R. White, Isaiah Washington, Dean Cain, Samaire Armstrong, Ray Wise, Scott Baio, Charlene Tilton, with guest appearances by Governor Mike Huckabee and Newsboys, plus Kevin Downes, Brad Heller, and Paul Kwo. Vance Null is the director and the writer is Tommy Blaze. "God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" opens in theaters September 12th. BUY TICKETS HERE!

My Review: I enjoyed it. Using the same premise as the previous 4 movies, this story can be ripped from current headlines. The movie is more 'good vs bad' than reality, but the makers know their core audience. Not everyone is going to like or agree with the story being told but many will find it encouraging and inspirational. "In God We Trust" takes a serious story, but tells it with touches of comedy that I find appealing. I also like seeing some of the same characters as well as the introduction of new ones. It's not a documentary on American politics, but it opens the door to a conversation that we should be having, especially among Christians. How involved should we be in choosing our leaders? Should Christians stay out of politics? It's a question we must ask ourselves. Do you believe your voice and values should be heard?

Don't miss your chance to witness the inspirational and powerful story of
"God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" in theaters! Experience the faith, hope, and triumph of this film and be moved by the message to stand up and be heard in the public square.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

LINKS:

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BONUS VIDEOS:
Newsboys - "In God We Trust"

Jean Thomason’s interview w/ female lead, Samaire Armstrong:

Miracle at Manchester

 

MIRACLE AT MANCHESTER is a powerful film based on the true story of a high school student and the power of prayer! Brycen Newman (Kory Getman), a star athlete at his high school, suddenly starts experiencing headaches that grow increasingly worse. The hospital doesn't believe they signify a serious threat but Brycen's father (Eddie McClintock - who also directed the film) turns to a neurosurgeon (Dean Cain) who finds an aggressive form of cancer and insists on immediate surgery.

The community rallies around Brycen and his family, including one of his nurses (Kathy Patterson). She is married to Ed Hanson (Daniel Roebuck), a car repair owner, who keeps Bryce's hopes alive by getting his input into the '66 Mustang Ed is rebuilding. His school also has a huge prayer rally with all students and staff gathered at their football field to pray for his healing. This film is a wonderful reminder of God’s strength and sovereignty.

Watch on PureFlix, beginning April 1st!

 

My Review: A very heartwarming film on the power of faith and prayer and a strong reminder that God still performs miracles. I do love that the movie is based on a True Story and that Brycen and Richard Newman are co-writers of the movie. It would be easy to think of this as one of the regularly used formula plots in many faith-based films, so their inclusion makes it much more personal. There are several wonderful elements that make this an outstanding selection for a Family Movie Night, leading to discussions on faith, prayer, helping others, and community involvement... not only as an outreach but as building a stronger faith for ourselves and others.

There is also an organization, Miracle at Manchester Foundation, that was created by Brycen after his miraculous survival of brain cancer. His top priority and passion is to help other kids dealing with cancer.

Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix! The deadline to enter is April 8, 2023. Requirements include your FULL NAME, email address, USA residence and not to have won a subscription in the past SIX months.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

LINKS
Pure Flix

IMDb 

MiracleManchester.org 

JC Films 

Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

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Bible Verse

Whatever is pure … what is admirable … think about such things – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

 

Paul's Promise

 

Set in the peak of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, “Paul's Promise” is the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield, former racist firefighter-turned-pastor,
who started one of the first integrated churches in the American South. It’s one
man’s journey to hope and healing during a troubled time in our Nation’s history
that resulted in one man’s decision to serve God and stand up to injustice - a story that continues to make a huge impact on the community to this day.

The film will open in select theaters across the U.S. on October 21, 2022. Look for the theaters nearest you when you Click HERE! Check daily on the same page for additions; you can also request a theater. Learn more at PaulsPromisemovie.com and you can watch the trailer below:

My Review: One of the most important messages you can receive from "Paul's Promise" is the power of a praying mama! Linda Purl gives a moving performance as a woman who is determined to spend her last days praying for her son Paul (Ryan O'Quinn) to commit his life to Jesus. Paul's story is told in real time (1967) and flashbacks about the influence his father (Zacciah Hanson) had on his life and why Paul turned against his childhood best friend, Jimmy.                                                               

Paul turned to resentment,

but Jimmy (Josef Cannon) chose forgiveness and faith. My favorite lines in the film is when Jimmy tells Paul, "We all get lost sometimes. The important thing is what we do with our life when we find our way back."

Shari Rigby as Paul's wife and Suzanne R Neff as his sister are welcome additions to the cast as is Dean Cain as Paul's boss. But my favorite character was the strong and sassy Judy, played by Nancy Stafford. Not only was she a source of strength for others, but provided the touches of humor always needed in serious films. Director Matthew Reithmayr and writer Vitya Stevens are both to be congratulated for bringing Paul Holderfield's story to life.

Giveaway: One $10 Amazon gift card will be given to 1 person who enters by using #PaulsPromiseMIN in a comment on this blog or another Social Media post. Deadline is 10/29/22. Must be a resident of the USA.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Damascus Road Productions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Additional:
Behind the Scenes of Paul's Promise

Faith on Film TV #135
(Isaac Hernandez and Holly McClure interview Paul's Promise star Ryan O'Quinn.

Buy your tickets TODAY to see PAUL’S PROMISE in theaters starting 10/21!

Meant To Be

When 20-year old Nathan Burr (Bradley Dorsey) loses his career and his girlfriend, he questions his purpose in life. Compounding his struggle, Nathan grew up in a foster home and never met his birth mother. Nathan sets out on a quest to find his mother and somehow come to terms with her rejection of him. His journey begins by flying to the city where he was born. Upon his arrival, Nathan checks into a hotel and meets Mave (Della Reese) the hotel's housekeeper. Encouraged by Mave's wisdom and the help of a hotel guest, Shelly, (Kristen Renton) Nathan finds the address of his mother, Linda Dixon (Erika Eleniak). Linda is a social worker who agonizes over the decision she made with Nathan 20 years ago. In an effort to admonish the guilt of giving up her son, Linda is caught up in the life of a teenage mother, Tori (Erin Sossoman) who is conflicted by the decision to abort her baby... 

 My Opinion: Meant To Be is a pro-life film, but one with a twist. I admit that I can be the biggest critic of films that have scenes that I think are illogical, but it's easier for me to grant a bit of leeway with films that aren't meant to accurately portray reality. So I did have a few qualms in the beginning with why the husband (Dean Cain) seemed so harsh and other little things that seemed odd. However, the message of the story was so powerful that it made me more forgiving of what I initially considered flaws. I felt the writers of the film (Bradley Dorsey, Lori Marett, and Marshal Younger) were very effective in asking the viewer to pause and consider her actions. I recommend this film, especially to teens, in hopes they will think before they do something that will always stay with them...and consider their options. It also has a strong message to others who protest from the sidelines, but do no more.

I Am Gabriel

Gavin Casalegno

I am Gabriel is the story about Promise, Texas---a town that no longer seems to hold out a promise of hope to the people who live there. With the economy failing and teens just waiting to grow up and move out, the town is slowly dying and discouragement is rampant. The current drought only adds to the misery of the inhabitants who feel as parched within their souls as the soil  that cries out for refreshment.

Things begin to change though when Joe and Ellen Murphy (Carey Scott, Elise Baughman) find a child in the middle of nowhere. The sudden appearance of this mysterious boy (Gavin Casalegno) soon stirs up controversy through the miracles that occur and his message to the town: there is no hope without Christ, and Promise can only be remade through earnest communion with the Father.

Dean Cain/ Jenn Gotzon

As these miracles begin to occur, the town embraces the boy and begin to grow hopeful, but not all trust what is happening. The town's sheriff, Brody (Dean Cain), is shocked when he hears news reporter Monroe (Jenn Gotzon) on the phone with Frank Pierce (Benjamin Dane), telling him about what is happening in the town. Monroe is trying to impress Frank and get a story on Gabe. Brody, however, just wants to find out who the boy is and keep his town under control.

Benjamin Dane, Elise Baugman, Gavin Casalegno, Jenn Gotzon

Of course, speculation on the boy's identity and reason for showing up in Promise continue to rise with each unexplained miracle. When Frank comes to town to see the boy for himself, and determine if this will make a good cover story, he is stunned to witness one of the miracles right in front of him. The town becomes more divided: Some believe he is heaven-sent, and others believe he is a false prophet. Other skeptics claim he is simply a runaway. However, with the death of the beloved town doctor (John Schneider),  it is time for a showdown and for the boy to reveal who he is.

Mom's Cafe

Btw, I want to make a special mention of the song in the trailer. It is "Streets Of Broken Promise by Jenna Vitalone. I love it!

Another interesting note, is this movie was filmed in Justin, Texas due to a "chance" (I say, it's a God-thing) encounter between Mike and the co-owner of Mom's Cafe . Read all about it in ThisJustinTexas.com.

Mike Norris and stars of I am Gabriel

Directed and written by Mike Norris (with Kaci Hill and based on an original story by Neal Odom),  I am…Gabriel is a lesson in connecting with those that really matter, the importance of prayer, and touches on why bad things happen to good people. This film is most certainly in the faith-based/redemptive category, but these are themes that are sure to resonate with any audience.

Cast of "I Am Gabriel" rally for a photo — with Becky Davis Turner, Carey Scott, Mike Norris, Benjamin Dane, Dean Cain, Rebekah Kennedy, Larry Jack Dotson, Lynette Elliot, Stephanie Peterson, Elise Baughman, Jenn Gotzon, Gretta Norris, and Gavin Casalegno. 

(My apologies to the 4 people I could not identify. If I find out, I will add their names.)



This film is distributed by Echolight Studios.
LIKE I am...Gabriel on Facebook.
You can purchase a copy on at several locations including Walmart.com and Amazon.
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At the time I originally wrote this, I had not seen the film, so it was merely a general write-up. However, I now have a copy of my own and I really liked it. As a Christian, I felt it was a great reminder that we are to have a relationship with God, and that we can communicate with Him through prayer. Also, a reminder that no matter how dismal our situation may seem, God will NEVER leave nor forsake us. It is directed more toward believers, in my opinion, but we need good films to watch. Great story of hope and faith.
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Jon and Michael

Added note: Since this is part of my series on films featuring Jenn Gotzon, I want to add a side note on Michael Gardner (pictured on the right with fellow I am...Gabriel cast member Jon Yowell). Michael has mentioned several times that Jenn encouraged him greatly on the set and impacted his decision to get serious about his acting. He has referred to Jenn as his inspiration for pursuing his dream.
Read Michael's story by clicking on his name.

A Mile In His Shoes

Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in A Mile In His Shoes, part of the Thomas Kinkade Presents series. From the director of Angels In The Outfield comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Based on the novel The Legend Of Mickey Tussler by Frank Nappi, this is the story of Mickey Tussler (Schroder), a boy with Asperger Syndrome ( a form of autism), who is also a fantastic pitcher. When Arthur "Murph" Murphy (Cain) is out to visit a potential new recruit, his car goes into a ditch near the Tussler's farm. After observing his incredible pitching ability, he persuades Mickey's reluctant parents to let him join the team. This is a film that shows the power of faith, friendship, and determination to overcome obstacles.

This is a fairly good film for the entire family to watch. Some parts of it didn't ring quite true with me, but I think it was due to making it more of a family-friendly film. I read some reviews of the book and it was set in the 1940s and the father was abusive. The film is updated, and many of the darker aspects are glossed over. You suspect the father is abusive, but I think they went a bit too far in trying to give him a better image. It is another of those things that may have just been my mood at the time I viewed it. Of course, I think the film sounds more to my liking than the book would, esp for sharing with the kids. Some scenes are a bit intense, but more is inferred than shown. There is no foul language or sex, but there is a bit of violence. I would call this more "family" than "faith"-based, though. I remember seeing a Bible, but faith is not overly emphasized. Overall, though, I would recommend it as a film for your personal family library.

Website: http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/mile-his-shoes#biography

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mile-In-His-Shoes/270101973014772?sk=wall

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4

 Dove Foundation Review:  http://www.dove.org/reviewmasterframe.asp

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