Poster of "Fireproof"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
“The Love Dare”

Every once in a while a movie comes along that treats religion with respect. Such a movie is “Fireproof,” which is out on DVD this month. It is the latest film from the people who created both “Flywheel” and “Facing the Giants.” The makers of these movies are the staff and congregation of the Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. The masterminds behind the scenes are the Kendricks Brothers, Stephen and Alex. They have been called the Christian Coen Brothers and based on the success of their efforts this is an appropriate nickname.

Alex directed “Fireproof” and he and Stephen co-wrote the script. The script is one of the major reasons for the success of the film. It contains drama and humor as well as a dash of romance. The other key ingredient is former “Growing Pains” star Kirk Cameron. Anyone expecting a surface only performance is going to be surprised at Mr. Cameron’s depth and talent.

He plays Caleb Holt, a firefighter in Albany, Georgia. His marriage to Catherine (Erin Bethea) is falling apart and he doesn’t know if he really cares. His father (Harris Malcolm) tells him of problems he has had in his own marriage and challenges his son to follow a book called “The Love Dare.”

Caleb begins to woo his wife but it seems it is too late. Catherine has found herself attracted to someone else and now it is she who is not ready to save the marriage. Whether or not the marriage can be saved makes up the crux of the film.

All of the actors in the movie are non-professionals except for Cameron, but you would never know it. Bethea is especially effective as Catherine and many in the supporting cast are outstanding – especially those who help provide the comic relief.

There is a good look to the film and the action sequences are harrowing and suspenseful. It is a little preachy in parts but this is a movie made by a church so you have to expect some of that.

One flaw of the film is that it has three endings. There is a scene between Caleb and Catherine at the firehouse that should have been the end of the movie but the film goes on for two more endings. It was as if the Kendricks just couldn’t bring themselves to shut it down.

The people behind this movie know how to appeal to their audience. Who knows they might just get some new converts along the way.

If you like danger adventure and winter sports, though not necessarily in that order, then you ought to really enjoy the new DVD “Deep Winter.” This movie involves all three as it tells its story about two friends, played by Eric Lively and Kellan Lutz, who travel to Alaska to ski a mountain that is deadly in its twists and turns.

Robert Carradine and Michael Madsen also star in this film. They and the other actors will hold your interest from start to finish and the skiing and snow boarding will give you even more thrills and chills. So don’t miss “Deep Winter.”

Can you believe it has been forty-five years since you first laid eyes on “Mary Poppins”? Well it has to be since there is a new DVD out and it is called “Mary Poppins Forty-Fifth Anniversary Edition.” 

This new edition features the movie plus tons of extra material. A lot of the “extras” are focused on the Broadway play which is based on the movie. Then there are added songs and scenes which we have never seen before, and it is all on this DVD. So get to know Mary again and thrill to the fun and delight of the movie and the play.

The bond between granddaughter and grandfather has not been explored that often in movies, but the new DVD of “Charlie and Me” is a story about just that. Tom Bosley (the beloved Mr. C of “Happy Days”) stars as Charlie. He has a granddaughter named Casey (Jordy Benatter) who is the apple of his eye.

When illness comes into their lives Charlie realizes there is still a lot he wants to teach Casey, but the surprise is how much Casey can teach Charlie. And there won’t be a dry eye in the house. “Charlie and Me” is a family film you have to watch.

Not meant for the family is “Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger.” This DVD is the full HBO special Rock did based on three of his concerts plus commentary and behind the scenes footage. It all ties in to Rock’s unique form of comedy that strikes out at a range of subjects. And most of it is delivered in very adult language.

Chris Rock is a funny man and this DVD showcases him at his best. You will want to see it all from start to finish.

Finally there is “The Children of Huang Shi,” a movie based on a true story. It takes place in the 1930’s when China was involved in a war. There were sixty orphaned children who had to be rescued and it took the combined efforts of a journalist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a nurse (Radha Mitchell) and a Chinese politician of sorts (Chow Yun Fat) to save them.

Getting the children to safety is the core of the film and it is not an easy task. They had to travel many miles over arduous terrain. But they did it and were better for doing it. This is another excellent movie available on DVD this week.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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