Cast: Jim Caviezel, James Faulkner, Olivier Martinez, Joanne Whalley and John Lynch 
Director: Andrew Hyatt 
Rating: PG-13
 
Synopsis: James Faulkner stars as the Apostle Paul who suffers alone in a Roman prison, awaiting his execution under Emperor Nero. At significant risk, Luke the Physician (Caviezel) visits the aged Paul to comfort and tend to him—and to question, to transcribe and to smuggle out Paul’s letters to the growing community of believers. Amid Nero’s inhuman persecution, these men and women will spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and change the world.

Reviewer:  Laura J. Davis
 
In a world where persecution towards Christians has grown at an alarming rate, Paul, Apostle of Christ, provides a much-needed example of how today’s church should be reacting to those who oppose her.
 
Director Andrew Hyatt has produced a movie of hope that will stir the hearts of those who call Jesus their Saviour, to a new level of commitment. From the opening scenes, it is hard not to make comparisons of the brutality of Nero’s circus, to the current level of persecution towards Christians from terrorist groups like ISIS. And while much of the cruelty Paul and the early churched endured was horrific, it was their faith, dedication and obedience to Christ in the face of such adversity that makes this a movie you don’t want to miss.
 
While the movie centres on Luke (Jim Caviezel) visiting Paul (James Faulkner) in prison during his later years, we are still given a biblically accurate flashback on how he came to Christ, leaving those who are unfamiliar with Paul’s story with a clear sense of who he was and why he changed his ways. The knowledge that Paul himself was a terrorist out to destroy Christians is not lost on the viewer, making his conversion all the more moving and relevant.
 
The only drawback to the film was the sound. I found myself straining to catch every word as it seemed that in almost every scene the actors tended to whisper. So if you are hard of hearing, you may want to watch this in a theatre with closed captioning.
 
Despite that, I found Paul, Apostle of Christ, to be filled with moving performances and a script that drove home the fact that Christians are known by their sacrificial love for others, making this movie all the more poignant in the face of increased animosity towards the church today. It opens March 23, just in time for Easter. You don't want to miss this one!

Film has been provided courtesy of Sony Entertainment Releasing Canada (Affirm Films) and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

UPDATE 2017-10-12: Right now I am blubbering like an idiot. I was just sent an exclusive preview of the movie by PureFlix Entertainment and my oh my! GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! But take a box of tissues with you - you'll need them. The trailer above gives you an idea of what this movie will be about, but what happens in the movie toward the end, isn't even hinted at and I was unprepared for the waterworks that it evoked in me.

The acting was superb and while the beginning of the movie had a bit of a rocky start, I was soon caught up in the story and the relationship between Debbie Hall and Denver Moore and how her gentle approach to showing Jesus' love changed not just one man, but an entire community.

Same Kind of Different as Me is the true story of Ron (Greg Kinnear) and Debbie (Renee Zellweger) Hall, who had everything they could possibly ever need or want - except for a loving marriage. When Debbie finds out that Ron has been unfaithful to her, she decides to give him a second chance, but only if he remains truthful and does what she asks of him. She asks him to help her serve the homeless at an inner-city rescue mission. He objects of course, feeling that he could just write a check and that would do just as well. But Debbie was a wise woman and wouldn't let her husband off so easily. If he wants to make their marriage work, he has to help out at the shelter. And that's when his life (and hers) are changed forever.

Debbie encounters a violent man, known as Suicide to all, but whose real name is Denver Moore. He is brilliantly played by Dijimon Hounsou. Debbie realizes with a start that he is the man she had a dream about so she tries to befriend him and urges Ron to do the same. The result? All three lives are changed forever. This movie also stars Jon Voight, who puts in a marvelous performance as Ron Hall's drunken father. The entire movie will make  you look at people differently and give you a glimpse into how to show Jesus' love to someone who is different. The real Denver Moore was quick to say, "He was a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody that can save everybody." His mantra was to say, "That we are all homeless, just workin' our way home." 

Same Kind of Different as Me comes out October 20 and is one movie you do not want to miss. If you are Canadian check out the following link to see if it will be playing near you faithfilms.ca/same-kind-different-october-20-2017/. If you are in America check out this link to see where it is playing tickets.samekindofdifferentasmemovie.com/

For my American friends I have the pleasure of offering two free movie tickets to two lucky winners to go and see Same Kind of Different as Me. Click on this link to enter to win! Contest closes October 16, so enter now!

I have had the pleasure of making readers aware of the new movie All Saints, starring John Corbett for a few weeks now. At first I had to base my assumptions that the movie would be good on the movie trailer, but today, I was sent a link to preview the film and I am, quite frankly, overcome with emotion.

All Saints is the true story of Michael Spurlock, an Episcopalian (Anglican) priest who was sent to close down a failing church but ended up saving it with the help of Karen refugees from the region of Burma. With a solid cast featuring John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Cara Buono, Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure), Chonda Pierce, Nelson Lee and Gregory Alan Williams, All Saints is one movie you don't want to miss.

The combination of good writing and moving performances made this film a delight to watch. Filmed at the actual All Saints church and featuring the Karen refugees from that church, this inspirational movie will help you to believe in the power of God, faith and community.

When Pastor Spurlock meets the refugees he believes God is calling him to help them. When he learns that they are farmers and will work to save the church, he feels God telling him to build a working farm on the church property that will contribute to mortgage payments and feed the Karen people. But everything that could go wrong does and he begins to question whether he really heard God speaking to him. But God always works in mysterious ways and this little church community of twelve people would grow not just in numbers but in their faith as well.

An exceptional movie, with an incredible message of hope. Make sure you go see it on August 25!

Visit http://www.allsaintsmovie.com/ to learn more and watch the trailer below!

What do you do when you believe God's will to be one thing and than find out it was so much more?

All Saints is the true story of Pastor Michael Spurlock who was ordered to shut down a tiny church but ended up saving it with the help of refugees from Southeast Asia. I can't wait to see this movie because it is clear from the trailer that with hope and faith in God, miracles can happen and they can come from the unlikeliest of places.

Starring John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) All Saints will be sure to inspire you to believe and trust in God when making your prayer requests. As Pastor Michael Spurlock states, "Everything that was ever provided for us, was in answer to prayer." And I believe this film will help people see that God is ready to answer if you ask. 

But it is also the story of Ye Win a Christian refugee who was instrumental in saving this little church. This is a film you will want to take your family and friends to. It opens in theatres August 25, 2017. Mark it on  your calendars because you won't want to miss it! And oh - one more thing - I will have two free tickets to give away! Enter to win at www.interviewsandreviews.com/allsaints. 

To find out more about the movie visit ​http://www.allsaintsmovie.com. And watch the trailer below!

As a Featured Contributor of Sony’s ALL SAINTS Influencer Program, I received the value of two movie tickets in exchange for an honest review on my blog. 

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Is it possible that the first eleven chapters of Genesis literally happened? Did God create the world in a few days or did it take billions of years? Are we descended from apes? Or did God create us instantly in His image? Was there a global flood that destroyed the earth, or was that a myth? In other words - Is Genesis History?

These are just a few of the questions Dr. Del Tackett seeks to answer as he visits with geologists, paleontologists, microbiologists and more in this in-depth and utterly fascinating film.

I was thrilled when I found out Dr. Tackett was involved with this project because of his work on The Truth Project.  That series was so interesting I took it twice when my church offered it! And in the process I came to trust this man who methodically and rationally leads his viewers to not only deeper understanding of the truth of God's Word, but how it applies to the world around us. This is what he, and all those involved in the Is Genesis History project have done and the results will leave you astounded.

It all comes down to two competing views of history. What is our true history? What actually happened?The conflict as Dr. Tackett points out, is not between two views of science, but between two competing views of history. One of the many topics covered is of course the story of the world-wide flood in Genesis six to eight. A reasonable question to ask is - if there was a world-wide flood wouldn't there be evidence of it? From there Dr. Tackett visits with Geologist Steve Austin, a scientist who had spent over four years studying this question. From there we are given a glorious view of the Grand Canyon and we get to the truth of whether or not a global flood actually occurred.

One of the Bible verses that kept going through my head while watching this film was 1 Corinthians 3:19, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God..." because even when presented with hard evidence that proves there was a global flood or evolution, the scientific community refuse to acknowledge or see it. It boggles the mind.

Is Genesis History is one film you need to pick up. View it with your family. Use it in church, in your cell groups (definitely pick it up for your church library) and get out your Bibles because this documentary will get you excited and if you doubt that God exists it will take that doubt away.

Learn more about Is Genesis History? at ​http://www.isgenesishistory.com/ where you can download resources for discussion and buy the film. Leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a copy of this incredible movie!

Make sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you should you win!

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

If you are looking for a wholesome, light-hearted, moving family comedy, then you need to watch The Resurrection of Gavin Stone.

Directed by Dallas Jenkins and starring Brett Dalton (Agents of Shield), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (MadTV), Shawn Michaels (WWE), D.B. Sweeney (Two and a Half Men) and Neil Flynn (The Middle), this is one movie you want to add to your "must watch" list.

Brett Dalton plays Gavin Stone, a washed up, self-centered former child star who is given community service hours to work off in a church, after trashing a hotel room. Dalton gives a believable performance as an unbeliever trying to convince the pastor of the church (D.B. Sweeney),  his daughter (Anjelah Johnson-Reyes) and the members of the congregation that he is a Christian - all because he wants to play Jesus in their church play. It beats having to clean washrooms for community service (the alternative).

But his lack of knowledge about Jesus and Christians in general is what makes this movie so funny. As a Christian myself I found it hilarious when he searched the internet to learn "Christian ettiquette", which ranged from how to speak Christian -  "Blessings! Blessings to you!" is recited repeatedly on his first Sunday morning visit to church - to Communion and the offering - he takes a handful of communion wafers and says, "No thanks!" when the offering plate is passed. These were just a few of the many comical moments in the movie and Dalton played them admirably.

My only complaint is that there should have been subtitles for when the deaf girl signs, especially at the end of the movie. The character of Stone laughs and I had no idea why.

As for the standard redemption theme, it was done so well I was crying by the end. And yes there is a love interest (he falls for the pastor's daughter) and she dislikes him instantly, but as both characters grow we see not only how forgiveness works, but also grace and especially redemption.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it!

Movie has been provided courtesy of Mongrel Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.