First of, this is not a movie, nor is it a documentary, this is simply a sermon like feature where Kirk Cameron tells the story of Creation and the bigger plan behind it all from the eyes of a Calvanist. Now for someone like me who does not agree with Calvanists at all, because I believe in Liberal free will, this "sermon" did not make that much of an impact, but that does not at all mean that I didn't learn anything from it. In fact Kirk Cameron approached a question (which should not be a question in my opinion) with love and in a way that most Calvanists cannot even imagine to do. The question is "Why does God let bad things happen to good people" and any Christian who has ever opened a bible would know that there only ever was ONE good person, and He volunteered to let the bad happen to Him. So that's the answer, bad things don't happen to good people, they happen to bad people. But Kirk doesn't conclude with this. Rather he tells the story of creation and by removing free will from the first sin, he makes a good attempt to answer the question with the conclusion that EVERYHING that happens is because God has some end plan He wants to reach. Even though this is a lazy way of living and thinking, because it implies that Jesus went against The Father's will when He healed the sick and raised the dead, Kirk did make an interesting case that helps us see exactly how the Calvinist views God. I bought the DVD, watched it, and I'm glad I did. Don't think you are buying a film though, it's a mini sermon inside of a Liberty University awareness campaign. Be warned
... View MoreImagine creating a reflective docudrama (it seems to be something like that) for a person likely to consider going to a Protestant seminary or Bible college. Well, that's a noble thing on face value. But what kind of review on IMDb could one expect? That's probably the best way to frame "Unstoppable." Apart from a massive spiritual awakening, the film was destined for meager critique kudos.But for those curious about a question as old as, "Why did this bad thing happen," and for those who are curious about what the Bible says about that--for someone prepared to wade through the inevitable complexities and theological nuances--this is a pretty darn good effort.Let's be fair, most theology comes from talking heads. Most efforts to indulge in the most basic questions of life are either vague, artful pondering from dramas (as old as Job) or they're deadly dronings from puffy-haired evangelists or monotone professors yapping. This is neither.God's redemptive history is not going to be easily packaged in a digital wrapping with the pace of Transformers or Jurassic World. It can't be. It never will be. But if I have to ponder, muse, reflect or meditate on personal loss, this does as well as anything at straddling that line between style and substance. Frankly, the topic has more substance than most people want to digest, but I have a feeling that Kirk Cameron and John Bona understood this going in.The answer to the question of "why bad things happen to good people" is found in stepping back and defining, "good" and "bad." From a Christian perspective, much of that is found in the book of Genesis--a colorful, gritty and profound story of human beginnings. And if you can't stomach that, you won't like this. If you aren't the kind of person who can spend an hour in a church services, you won't get this. Let's face it, most Westerners don't go to church anymore. So, what could we expect from this effort.At any rate, you cannot deny a man his personal story. You can't invalidate the reality of his pain, his confusion or the resolution he finds. I respect Kirk Cameron for this effort--a visually compelling, but difficult reflection on an essential human question. May we all learn to spend more than 10 minutes a year on such questions and may we have men and women willing to help us do so.
... View MoreWe knew this was a documentary and not a Christian movie like Fireproof. What it looks like is a long commercial for Liberty University and a well-meaning but undelivered movie about crisis in faith. At the beginning Kirk is talking with two administrators with Liberty University. The best part is next: a Vietnam Vet in a wheelchair and the father of a Navy Seal that died in Benghazi share their faith experiences. Then a guy plays a beautiful song. After that the "movie" starts and the boredom begins. I really wanted to like this movie and support this Christian film but I feel that their attempts to film it in an "edgy" style made the movie drag terribly. There were lulls in the film, such as when Eve is getting ready to eat the apple and when Cain is killing Abel. I was getting restless with boredom. I know that Kirk can do better than this and I'm sure his next project will be more developed. He meant well...it just didn't work for us.
... View MoreThe adverts and trailers intrigued me, as I have often wondered why God allows bad things to happen to good people. I have heard so many opinions and views from so many people on the topic and thought I would give it a shot.The first 30 minutes were simply advertisements for Liberty University, a song by a woman that wasn't very good, and a few other speakers that really had nothing to do with the movie itself.The movie, was finally being screened, was just a brief video representation made based on Genesis. I can tell you right now the question was NOT answered in any way. I get the feeling this was just Kirk Cameron trying to make a few bucks for his family of 6 kids and for $$ to put gas into his huge SUV. Other than that, this was a waste of time and money, and from the reaction I heard from the sold-out theater as they left the screening, I was far from alone in my view.
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