I am not religious but I thought this was a dandy film. Sony had a trailer for it in another DVD I took out from the library. Even from the trailer it was obvious that this was a Christian film. I was surprised it has major studio support. As Dan Webster says on YouTube, "Who knew?" All you need to know is that this film cost 2 million and grossed 34 million. Yeah, 17 times return on investment. Lets see Avatar top that. I am duty the production company thinks its god's work.Now sure its preachy and a little corny. Don't be like the Hispanic mom reviewer who hates it because the Hispanic mom character is a stay-at-home mom and not identical to her. If you are that much of a narcissist, just stare in a mirror for two hours. Wear a T-shirt that says "My mother says I'm special." Yes you are.Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.One wonderful aspect of the film was how they conveyed it does not matter what race you are if you worship Jesus. Umar had a similar policy only it was in 642 not 2011, and it was the Persian empire not the American empire, and it was if you were Muslim, not Christian. One reason we kicked butt in WWII was Hitler and Tojo were all into that racial purity BS and we were all about "Hey everybody, lets go kill some Nazis!" Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.Now I did find offensive the theme that people must be obedient. I have to think of the great Reverend Ike, who would shout "Throw your money to the wall, that what sticks is for god, that what falls is for the church." I don't think anybody should obey that little instruction.Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.Also a admittedly bothersome was the "Man runs the family" stuff. I guess this all part of that Promise-keepers ethos. In fact, research shows that successful families form when the man does all our struttin' high-tone BS, until we find the best women that will have us, and after marrying her or moving in, the man just does every single thing she tells us to. I bet that is the kind of obedience that Hispanic reviewer wants. I can just picture her waging her finger in my face saying "Oh no you didn't." Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.One thing surprised me was how good no-name actors can be. Now maybe these are all famous Christian actors, but they were no-name to me. It was pretty funny that in addition to a set decorator, and prop-master and continuity girl on set, they have a "Prayer Team." Oh Puuuleeeze.Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.Even the most jaded reviewer here had to pause when the black cop asks the black gang-banger what he was doing in trouble, and the kid says, "I got nobody." Anyone has to admit the good that all organized religion does, as well as the bad. Watch Eugen Weber's The Western Tradition over at Annenberg/CPB if you want to see the impact of Christianity. Until I watched the 26 hours of Eugen Weber, I did not realize that "Western" is a historian's euphemism for "Christian" but not any old Christian, it is Roman Catholic and Protestant and maybe even the Anglicans. Orthodox Christianity is Eastern, and can't get any credit for anything other than the war in Croatia.If you like schmaltzy Lifetime TV movies you will love this.Lets recap-- 2 million in, 34 million out.

Courageous (2011): Dir: Alex Kendrick / Cast: Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Ben Davies, Robert Amaya, Kevin Downes: Fantastic and very complex Christian film about fatherhood. Alex Kendrick plays a veteran cop who is married. He has a son who participates in running events while his daughter is a daddy's girl. Tragedy strikes when their daughter is killed by a drunk driver and he rethinks his position as a father and makes an attempt to improve himself. Ken Bevel plays an officer transferred to his hometown and the film opens with his pursuit of his stolen truck. After a gruelling chase the truck hits a tree. The gangster flees but Bevel is only relieved that his infant son is okay. His keen eye keeps his daughter from getting involved with a guy involved in a gang. He also arrives at forgiveness for the father whom he never knew. Ben Davies plays a rookie cop who tells of the four year old daughter whom he never met and how he wishes to make things right. Robert Amaya plays a Hispanic struggling to find employment and after praying to God his prayers are answered in a most humorous way. He will eventually be put to the test where passing with flying colors means everything. Kevin Downes plays Kendrick's partner who also goes through his own dilemma that costs him much in the end. Kendrick also directs and weaves together several subplots, all of which works. It is a Christian film but anyone who is a father will learn a valuable lesson from it theme. It teaches that being courageous starts with your very influence in the lives of your children. Score: 10 / 10

Are these characters even human? They're so Christianly perfect it's impossible to relate to them. Apart from having no clear protagonist this movies gives us four perfect characters that could pretty much apply for Jesus. As a Christian I am challenged to stay true to my faith everyday. That's what makes it stronger in me. There is no internal conflict in these guys are inhumanly stalwart. You don't see them be tempted, and overcome these temptations. Even the guy that turns to the dark side is automatically evil, it's totally out of character. How can we be expected to be moved by a movie when it's characters are perfect cardboard cut-outs that we cannot relate to?

The first 10 minutes I really enjoyed, but it all went down hill from there. This was the first Kendrick Brothers film I have seen, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. It slyly passed itself as a regular run-of-the- mill drama but in all reality it is nothing more than a Christian movie...too preachy and predictable. The acting and screenplay wasn't the biggest problem I had. Let me first say again the car jacking in the beginning was fantastic, but after that, the acting was too stiff and forced, robotic like. Secondly, how stereotypical for their Mexican- American friend to be a poor construction worker with a thick Spanglish accent. And also that youths are bad because they don't have fathers...plenty of "thugs" had fathers, get over yourselves. Third, from what I understand of Christianity, the Christian god is not a genie, the film (along with other Kendrick Brothers I've seen after this) portrays their god like such: "If I pray, God will give me this." No, that's not how the real world works, if you want something work for it. The movie has an unrealistic approach, right down to the dialog. Though I am not religious, I wanted to like this film for its potential, but I couldn't bring myself to liking it. You either love the message of the movie or it is nails on a chalkboard.