Category: Announcements and Opinion Pieces
The Chosen has certainly already been a transformational series, and it's barely gotten off the ground. It has grassroots appeal and will likely grow into a larger and larger movement as time goes on. As the first multi-season Bible series to be created, it has the potential reach beyond traditional Christian audiences and transform the culture both inside and outside the church. The series' connections with real people in a Jewish cultural context as they encounter the Messiah are its biggest assets, so here's a helpful guide to help keep up with the core subplots we've seen through episode eight of the first season.
***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***
Simon, Andrew, Eden, and Dasha
In the second half of Season 1, we saw Simon and his family taking more center-stage than they previously were. Simon consistently tried to assert himself as a protector of Jesus and a leader of the other disciples, including trying to be gatekeeper for who could and could not have access to his Rabbi. At the same time, Simon tried to hide the illness of Dasha, his mother-in-law, from Jesus. However, despite her mother's sickness, Eden was glad for the turn of events in her husband's life and formed a special connection with Jesus. Simon and Eden appear to have rekindled their romance with each other. Andrew continued to play a background role for his brother, his sister-in-law, and his new teacher; he wanted to protect Jesus as much as Simon did, but Andrew showed he was a faster learner than his brother was. In the end, Jesus healed Dasha's malady, and Simon was forced to accept new things that were previously foreign to his culture, such as interacting with tax collectors and Samaritans.
Thus far, Simon, Andrew, Eden, and Dasha have either directly or indirectly crossed paths with Jesus and with all of the other current disciples and their families, with the exception of Matthew's family. Simon and Andrew have additionally interacted with Jesus' mother Mary and some of her close friends. Thus far, Eden and Dasha have only been seen in Galilee while the brothers have been seen there as well as Samaria.
Matthew, Gauis, Quintus, and Matthew's parents
Matthew's storyline and his related characters, including his parents, Gaius, and Quintus, have also been given more focus than before. Throughout the latter four episodes of Season 1, Matthew was consistently distracted and confused by the fish miracle he witnessed at the end of Episode 4, which was something that defied reality and could not be explained by his logical way of thinking. Thus, this drove him to seek answers from anyone who would listen; when his superiors passed it off as a trick, Matthew tried to get closer to Jesus and His disciples but had difficulty doing so. However, after witnessing the miracle of the walking paralytic and not receiving answers from a visit to his mother, Matthew made his decision and followed Jesus when the Messiah passed by his tax collector's booth. The new disciple left his affluent lifestyle behind and began chronicling what he saw. Gaius, his former bodyguard, was stunned at this decision because he had developed an attachment to Matthew and had previously been awarded a military promotion due to the tax collector's work. Gaius relayed Matthew's desertion to his superior, Quintus; Gaius also took Matthew's dog to Matthew's parents since the former tax collector had asked that he take the pet there to protect his parents' business from thieves. Upon hearing of Matthew's resignation, Quintus became angry and made it his goal to find Jesus, especially since Quintus was already frustrated about Jesus drawing a crowd at Zebedee's and Salome's house, which disrupted the arrival of an important Roman official who was Quintus' childhood rival. Before this, Quintus had assigned Nicodemus to meet with Jesus to find out His angle.
At this point, Matthew has encountered Jesus and all the current disciples besides interacting with his parents, Gaius, and Quintus. Gaius has also crossed paths with Matthew, Matthew's parents, Quintus, and Jesus for a brief moment. Quintus has had contact with Matthew, Gaius, Nicodemus, and Zohora. Gaius and Quintus have only been seen around Galilee while Matthew has been in both Galilee and Samaria.
Nicodemus, Zohora, Shmuel, and Yussif
Nicodemus' and Zohora's subplot remained relatively stable throughout the second half of Season 1. Zohora consistently wanted to return home to Jerusalem in order to once again live their affluent lifestyle and to meet their new grandchild. However, Nicodemus was intent on remaining in Galilee until he had solved the mystery of Mary Magdalene's transformation. In pursuit of this goal, he interviewed John the Baptizer and went to the areas around Zebedee's and Salome's house just in time to see Mary Magdalene and to witness the healing of the paralytic. This led to Nicodemus begging Mary for an audience with her Rabbi. Mary agreed to ask Jesus, and later, Quintus demanded that Nicodemus seek a meeting with the mysterious teacher. Jesus agreed to the rendezvous and gave Nicodemus earth-shattering teaching about being born again and about saving the world from sin rather than from Rome. Nicodemus appeared to be converted to Jesus' cause, and the Rabbi told Nicodemus to follow Him by meeting Him at a designated well before they departed on their journey. However, as Nicodemus gave it some thought and as Zohora convinced him, the esteemed Pharisee decided against publicly aligning himself with the controversial teacher and instead provided money for their expedition. Elsewhere, Shmuel played a much larger role in the second half of this inaugural season as he developed a very legalistic stance on the enforcement of Jewish law in response to his mentor's (Nicodemus) possible openness to seemingly new ideas espoused by Jesus. As the season progressed, Shmuel became a more extreme character who may play a larger role in future seasons, especially since he has already directly interacted with Jesus at the healing of the paralytic. After using Old Testament passages to argue that John the Baptizer and Jesus were advocating heresy, Shmuel informed Nicodemus that he intended to make his mark on Pharisaical history by specializing in studying false prophecy, possibly in Jerusalem. Further, Yussif continued to be a minor character throughout this season as he remained in the background during major events like the healing of the paralytic. His most major contribution was discovering that Jesus was having a dinner party at Matthew's house.
Up to this point, Nicodemus has only interacted with Quintus, Shmuel, Yussif, John the Baptizer, Mary Magdalene, Andrew, and Jesus. Zohora has only had contact with Quintus and her husband. Shmuel has been seen with Nicodemus, Yussif, and Jesus. Yussif has interacted with Nicodemus, Shmuel, and Jesus. All of these characters have only been seen around Galilee up to this point.
James, John, Zebedee, and Salome
The second half of Season 1 also saw the expansion of focus on the Zebedee clan. James and John became more main characters, and the audience saw a new side of Zebedee, along with the introduction of his wife, Salome. James and John went with Jesus and the other disciples to the Cana wedding, where they witnessed Jesus' first public miracle. Then, they returned to their own home to watch the miracle of the paralytic unfold before them. Later, John accompanied Andrew to protect Jesus while their Rabbi met with Nicodemus under the cover of darkness. Further, James and John accompanied Jesus and the other disciples on the journey to Samaria, where they witnessed the Lord's interaction with Fortina at the well. Zebedee and Salome only interacted with Jesus and His disciples in their own home prior to seeing the paralyzed man healed after he was let down through their roof. Zebedee appears to have mended his relationship with Simon, which was previously tenuous after Simon's underhanded plans. Also, Salome has already developed a special attachment to Jesus.
Zebedee, Salome, James, and John have interconnected with Jesus and all His current disciples. Zebedee and Salome have only been seen in Galilee while their sons have been seen in both Galilee and Samaria.
Mary Magdalene, Thaddeus, and James son of Alphaeus
After being set free by Jesus, Mary Magdalene became a slightly secondary character as she began following the Messiah along with two other secondary characters, Thaddeus and James son of Alphaeus ("Young James"). They all attended the wedding at Cana, where Mary revealed a little bit about her past while Thaddeus disclosed that he had met Jesus while working on a construction project. In a private conversation, Thaddeus told Mary that he became a stonemason even though his father was a smith because Thaddeus liked the fact that chiseling stone was more final and once the first cut was made, the block would never be the same. Also, it was suggested that Mary and Thaddeus might be forming a closer relationship with each other. Later, Young James disclosed to Simon that he was originally going to sing in a temple choir before Jesus called him.
Thus far, Mary's, Thaddeus', and Young James' storylines have all intersected with Jesus and with the other disciples. Mary has had personal contact with Nicodemus. Mary, Thaddeus, and Young James have all been seen in both Galilee and Samaria.
Thomas and Ramah
Thomas and Ramah were hired by Raphi and Dinah to oversee the preparation and distribution of food and wine at the Cana wedding. It seems to be implied that Thomas and Ramah are a couple and are running a business together. Once they arrived at the wedding, they discovered that there were far more guests than they had planned for and were soon running out of food and wine to keep everyone supplied. Thomas was extremely distraught at the situation since it would make him look bad. After dilution of the wine was a failed venture, Jesus' mother Mary alerted the Messiah to the plight, and He came to the aid of Thomas and Ramah. Jesus told Thomas to follow him so that He could show Thomas a new way to count and a new way to view time. Jesus wanted Thomas to meet Him in Samaria in twelve days. Thomas was very skeptical until he saw the result of Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine. Thomas did not think Jesus' directions would work, but Ramah was more than willing to supply the water for the miracle. When it was all over, Thomas told Ramah that he didn't know what to think about Jesus' offer, but Ramah told Thomas to not think for once.
Thomas and Ramah have only been seen in Galilee and have only directly interacted with Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary's friends.
Mary the mother of Jesus and her friends
Raphi and Dinah were implied to be longtime friends of Mary the mother of Jesus, which is why Mary agreed to assist them with their son's wedding in Cana. Mary had been previously introduced in the the Christmas pilot episode, and a flashback at the beginning of the Season 1's second half revealed a special connection Mary had with her Son. After inviting Jesus and His disciples to be her guests at the Cana wedding, Mary asked her Son to prevent her friends' embarrassment after the wine ran out.
Thus far, Mary and her friends have only been seen in Galilee, and they have only been seen with Jesus, Jesus' current disciples, and Thomas and Rama.
Other Characters and Notes
Blind man in the Red Quarter: Although we never saw the blind man from the Red Quarter in the second half of Season 1, but he may still appear again when Jesus and His disciples return to the area in later seasons.
Barnaby, Shula, Rivkah, and Mary Magdalene's other friends: Barnaby, Shula, and Rivkah had very small parts in Season 1's latter half as they asked Jesus questions while He was at Zebedee's and Salome's house and appeared at Matthew's dinner party. Abigail's parents also brought questions to the Rabbi. They will likely all return for more seasons, with Shula and Rivka possibly playing larger roles in the future.
Fortina, Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well: Fortina was introduced right at the end of Season 1 as Jesus and His disciples came to her Samaritan village. Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah, which prompted her to go tell others even though she was a social outcast due to living with a man who was not her husband and due to having multiple marriages and relationships throughout her life. It's implied that her story is not over yet, so she may be seen again in Season 2.
Abigail and friends: Abigail and her friend Jeshua were seen outside of Zebedee's and Salome's home when they offered Matthew a front row seat to witnessing the miracle of the paralytic. It's likely that they will return in future seasons.
Tamar of Heliopolis and her friends: Tamar witnessed Jesus healing the leper, which prompted her to bring her paralyzed friend to Him at Zebedee's and Salome's house. She and her friends fought to get to the Teacher and let him down through the roof so that Jesus could heal the paralytic. Jesus commended her for her faith and her perseverance. It's highly possible that some people from this group of friends will be seen in other seasons.
Old Testament flashbacks: One of the arguably best elements of Season 1's second half was the use of Old Testament flashbacks to enhance storytelling. Thus far, the viewers have been shown Moses and Joshua as Moses fashioned the bronze serpent on the pole and Jacob and some of his sons as they dug what was later known as Jacob's Well. It's highly likely that this Old Testament flashback trend will continue in all seasons of The Chosen.
January 13, 2020 January 14, 2020 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Opinion PiecesTags: 2019, Opinion Pieces, The Chosen series	Leave a comment
Box Office Sass on Christmas
Well its that time of year again. Every time I turn around someone seems to be caught up in the 'Christmas spirit' – buying presents for people
Not to mention the fact that most of those gifts will show back up at their original locations when the returns line at Walmart stretches all the way out the door and down the sidewalk. Anyway, I couldn't let Kirk Cameron and BORe have all the Christmas fun. I just had to get my two cents in!:) So let's take a closer look at what appears to be Christmas-themed fluff.
Christmas Floats/Christmas Parades in General
Picture it. You're standing or sitting in/on a lawn chair outside in the dark by a roped off stretch of the road. It's very cold and windy, and you think that might be snow that's starting to fall. Nope. It's sleet. Anyway, you've been waiting over an hour for your city's local Christmas parade to start, and you're getting a little antsy, and cold. In fact, you can't even feel your face anymore. But that's ok! Because you're not just here for you. That's right! Waiting for the Christmas parade to start symbolizes how the world was waiting for the Messiah to come! When the parade finally does start, remember – as huge trailers covered in inflatable lawn ornaments pulled by trucks wrapped in Christmas lights go by, and the suspicious characters on the 'floats' throw useless plastic necklaces and confetti in your face – the joy you feel when the parade finally started (or maybe it was relief) is the same joy all humanity felt when our Savior came down to earth as an infant to save us all. If you don't see anything that resembles the true meaning of Christmas in Christmas parades, don't worry! 'Cause
No, not that one (shudders in revulsion).
This one (shudders in slightly less revulsion)
I know what you're thinking, this has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. Well, put on your Kirk Cameron Worldview Glasses for a minute, and let's look a little deeper. Picture it. You're a parent who has jumped on the forming-new-traditions bandwagon. This year, despite your misgivings, you decided to hide 'that little elf thing' in various places around your house so your kids can go on a scavenger hunt everyday. Yet every time you do so, you wonder if there isn't more to Christmas than hiding and seeking a little bendable figure who always
Chestnuts Roasting
Ah, that old Christmas classic. What was once just a mediocre nut has become world famous all thanks to a Christmas song. First of all, who here has ever actually roasted a chestnut? Be honest. Alternatively, who here has ever seen a chestnut in it's original form? Leave a comment below. I for one actually live on a property that is home to several chestnut trees. Because of this, I know that a chestnut is not a cuddly little friend. How do I know this? Well, just take a look at this picture…..
Bet you didn't see that one coming, huh? Yes, it's true. A chestnut falls off the tree imprisoned in a creepy sea-urchin like casing. Did I mention that when a chestnut tree sheds its 'fruit', it sheds every last nut…in a thirty-foot radius. This wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for the searing pain that pierces your foot should you happen to step on one accidentally. Not to mention the swelling and stinging that occurs for days afterward. Anyway, let's just say I won't be singing any songs about chestnuts, because stepping on one is just as bad as stepping on a Lego.
Now, I think it's about time someone reminded us what Christmas is really all about.
That sums it up folks. Christmas doesn't need saving because Jesus already came and saved us all. I can't save Christmas, and neither can any of you (or Kirk Cameron). What we can do is donate all those inflatable lawn ornaments to Goodwill and celebrate the real reason for the season with those we love.
This Christmas season, despite my pride in thinking I wouldn't get caught up in all the madness I just criticized…I did. I got so focused on buying gifts, finishing college finals, and trying to do good works that I forgot Jesus already saved Christmas. This weekend, at a church service in a small local church Jesus has has placed us in currently, He reminded me of three things we all must do if we really want to experience peace at Christmas and all year. We have to (1) respond to His gentle nudging, i.e. slow down, (2) receive the gift of His love, which is all we need, and (3) remain in Him.
As the pastor at said church put it, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is there room in your inn for Jesus this Christmas?
Let earth receive her King!✝️
Box Office Sass (BOSs)
December 17, 2019 December 17, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Latest News on The Chosen Series
Derral Eves, executive producer of The Chosen, announced this week that the much-loved series is slated for seven seasons! The subsequent episodes will be filmed in Parker County, TX – Capernaum Village, etc. – and will portray the entire life of Jesus. Click this link to watch, share, and support the show! https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
October 5, 2019 October 5, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Aalok Mehta, Abel Becerra, Alycya Magaña, Amir Natan, Andrew Flagg, Anne Beyer, Bardia Seiri, Camila Carreon, Chad Gunderson, Christopher Maleki, Christopher Mekhail, Cory Jordan Phillips, Dallas Jenkins, Daniel Ross Owens, David Amito, David De Lao, Derral Eves, Donato De Luca, E. Jason Liebrecht, Earl Seals, Eve Butterly, Grey Acuna, Ibrahima Thiam, Jennifer Joseph, Joe Demonico, John Baran , Jordan Walker Ross, Josh Cavazos, Justin Tolley, Kassandra Marron, Loren Lester Nene Nwoko, Matthew Faraci, Michael Clemons, Nathan Araya, Nick Stevenson, Orlando Rojas, Rett Terrell, Ricky Ray Butler, Ryan Swanson, Ryan T. Johnson, Steven Shermett, The Chosen TV Series, Ulysses Montoya, Zara Majidpour	Leave a comment
Christian Animated Movies/Series That Are So Bad They Aren't Worth Your Time or Ours! (CAMSTASBTAWYTOU)
Remember all those hours you spent laboring over play dough masterpieces as a child? Only to have them turn out like this?
How about all those hours you spent coloring two-dimensional, jointless figures in Christian kids coloring books, like these?
Those sheep haven't been eating their vegetables! (who can spot the hidden sheep in the picture)
Well get ready to see your childhood sculptures, artwork, and failed Sunday school projects come to life in the five of the absolute worst Christian kids films and series, ranked from creepy to funny for all the wrong reasons.
#1 Jacob on the Road (2011?)
Oh boy. Where to begin. Jacob on the Road is by far the creepiest children's film we have ever seen. It beats out other disturbing titles on this list for whitewashing dangerous situations and shamelessly indoctrinating a NON-CHRISTIAN child who stated his belief (obnoxiously) that he originated from monkeys. You guessed it, he believes in evolution, NOT young-earth creationism. This child is portrayed as whiny and sinful (as best that can be done by the adult voice that plays most of the roles) throughout the film, and even though his CHRISTIAN schoolmates are equally obnoxious and militant, the film portrays their behavior as perfectly normal. The plot, if you can call it that, is best summed up in this quote from the Dove Foundation's website: "When a night guardsman falls along with dinosaur bones toward Jacob standing at the bottom of the animal museum suddenly Jacob has a dream about monkeys worshipping money and the god of Mammon. Only when a young boy named Jay comes to his rescue and Jacob has the dream does he realize that God indeed created His children."
We have several issues with this film. First, a boy is shown blacking out as a full-scale dinosaur skeleton falls on him, and ignoring the obvious implications of this situation
we proceed to a mystical world where evil monkeys worship the god of mammon (money for those of you who haven't read the Puritan doctrine Paradise Lost).
#Our Reaction!
You have got to be kidding me. What are kids even supposed to assume from this movie?
Lead Monkey: Hey guys do you have any idea what is happening? Response: Not a clue!
What are we supposed to get out of it? Second, if we completely ignore the sinister undertones and general weirdness, basically the writers' worldview in a nutshell is that Christians can be militant about their beliefs and judgmental of non-Christians.
#Writers be like: We'll teach this atheist child a thing or two!
Third, they also clearly communicate their belief that non-Christians who don't believe in young-earth creationism need to be re-educated by experiencing a perilous journey where they will be taught all the ins and outs of Christian science…!?!?!?
Finally, besides all the other issues we haven't even discussed, do some Christians really believe that Jesus would knock a non-believer out, force them to be saved, and isolate them to holding only one kind of scientific view!?
Apparently the answer is yes.
Overall we here at BoxOfficeRevolution were most disturbed by this movie and encourage people to avoid it all together.
#2 Jesus Wonder Series (there's 4 seasons! Yes we watched them all.)
Just for fun see how many duplicate people you can find in the crowd.
This series is only second in line because some moments are truly funny (even though they aren't supposed to be) and help to round out the general weirdness. If you don't have time to skim through this nonsense, imagine what would happen if your Sunday school flannel-graph characters came to life on the big screen filmed in stock motion with scene loops, and you have this series in a nutshell.
And their heads went…Pop…Pop…Pop!
This isn't even beginning to mention the soundtrack, where do we start, basically imagine three to four sound effects that don't go together, like odd booming noises, strings, piano noises and ENDLESS BELL TOLLING and that pretty much sums up the soundtrack of this madness. But wait, there's more! For your viewing pleasure we decided to include a special clip from the series. We challenge you to make it through the video below without literal ROFL-ing or sitting open-mouthed at the lunacy of what is happening.
Put your seat belts on!
#3 Bible Bees (2019)
(insert creepy laugh here)
Yes, you read that right. This frightening animated title came out earlier this year. It will soon become apparent that this title is third in line because it is weird in an ignorant sort of way and inspires a few moments of nervous laughter. Additionally, there are so many problems here that there was really no reason to give it a full review. First, the creators seem to be completely ignorant of modern animation techniques, a fact that is evidenced in the two-dimensional play-dough (or modeling clay) like figurines that float creepily across the TV screen. Second, all the characters speak in a weird tone of voice that is somewhere between sing-song and demented; this is both creepy and a complete distraction from whatever Bible lesson the creators were trying to teach. Third, the worldview in this mystical place is a bit off-putting. Bible Bees is basically teaching children that there's a platitude behind every rock and tree (quite literally in this case) that will solve life's problems (if you could call the first-world struggles documented here problems). Finally, it goes without saying that the storyline is indiscernible. But enough seriousness! Let's take a look at some still shots from the film.:)
Disclaimer: The following images are actual still shots from the film and are somewhat disturbing. Proceed with caution.
Hello everyone! I'm a BIBLE BEE! Wanna see me smile? Huh? Here I go, ready…..
(smiles)
Ha, if you think that's a scary face, wait 'till you see his smile close up!
(covers eyes in fear)
Probably your thoughts at this point
#4 Music Machine (1991)
Ok, what's happening here? This short is extremely unusual and seems more like a drug trip than a Christian kids film. The Music Machine is fourth in line because there's really not much memorable content to speak of. Other than one force-fed behavioral lesson that is aimed against 'wild' young people and lots of bumbling cartoonish behavior, its just meh overall. If you don't have time or don't care about watching this (just don't;) (watch veggietales instead;), let me give you a quick summary just for fun. The short starts out with two kids (who apparently have some kind of genetic mutation that causes co-joined eyeballs) wandering around outside with a kite. They briefly argue about who can fly the kite…blah blah…and are suddenly swept up in a strong wind and lightning storm while holding onto the kite string.
Kids: uuuuuhhhhh…….HELP!!!!!
After their apparent death (!?!?!) they travel through space and arrive in a mystical place called Agapeland (yes, the girl mispronounces it and has to be corrected by a wise rabbit).
Steve: "I knew it! The earth is round!" Nancy: "Yeah but they got the part wrong about us not being able to breath up here!"
Here they encounter tons of random animals and a weird looking interactive enigma called….you guessed it the "Music Machine".
This machine apparently eats kids!?!?!?!
This machine's function is explained many times throughout the plot, and I quote "just put something in it and music comes out". Well sort of, this feat is only accomplished after several honks, burps, bellows and colored-smoke-filled-snorts. Then if you're lucky you will be graced with a honky tonk 1990s christian track (if you know you know:).
Caution, too much use of this machine may result in this kind of behavior!
After an obligatory song, a random guy in a conductor's outfit (are those heart buttons cheesy or what?) wanders into the plot and has many wise yet distantly mysterious things to say. Shortly after this we encounter the most unconvincing villian ever who has three Flintstone-like henchmen.
World domination is within my grasp! AhHAHaHaHaaaa!
Must be a spin off version.
You guessed it, they're trying to steal the Music Machine. No, they don't succeed, and yes, the conclusion of this plot makes no sense. There's not much else to say here except WHY.
#Trying to think of reasons for why this movie exists.
In summary, this title weakly advocates for outdated Sunday school topics and assumes children are ignorant of all matters moral. Let's move on to something else.
#5 Character Builders (2008)
HIYYYEEE! I'm a HAPPY CHILD whose ready to learn!
HEY KIDS CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS LESSON IS ABOUT?
Uhhhhhhh, love?
We couldn't bring this post to an end without mentioning The Music Machine's spin-off, Character Builders. While there are many unusual aspects in this series, it is mostly forgettable; however, you'll never be able to forget the memorable parts. First, all the voices are played by the creepy old man narrator. It would seem that his voice talents know no bounds as he plays the boys and girls, men and women. Second, as per usual, the good children are angelic and the bad children are evil bullies who don't wear shoes.
We weren't kidding.
Third, there's always some corny child-is-bad set-up that leads to a "character-building" moment. The supposed spiritual lessons are made up of nails-on-the- chalkboard quality songs (that are usually sung by some unusual critter) and Full House style fatherly wisdom from a wise and perfect adult who never behaves badly. The show's philosophy for solving situations and teaching lessons is much like The Donut Man's:
Hey kids! I know your are just feeling awful about a situation in your life. Let's sing about it! That always helps!
Finally, in this riveting series of sixteen episodes (yes you heard right sixteen!) there are many different levels of insanity and madness like an endless dark sequence where you can only see Steve's (and a few others) eyeballs.
Well, at least my eyes aren't co-joined together like the kid's in that other series!
Not to mention a long creepy sequence of animal-like looking creatures staring deeply into each other's eyes!
Sheep #1: "I have the bluest eyes" Sheep #Duplicate: "Well since I'm your duplicate that fact is true"
How fitting that our post began and ended with sheep. We could keep going, but will restrain ourselves. In short, don't show these movies/series to your kids unless you want to give them nightmares, and don't watch it yourself unless you want a laugh. So what have we learned today? 1. Before making a kids Christian film or series, take a page out of a VeggieTales book and figure out why they were so successful. 2. Don't make something just because, make something that will first not treat kids like they're stupid. More importantly something that will point kids to Jesus and make a positive difference in the world.
September 22, 2019 September 23, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Box Office Revolution Animated	Leave a comment
Watch The Chosen for Free This Weekend!
The Chosen is airing all four episodes for free this weekend on Saturday June 15th and Sunday June 16th don't miss out! It is the perfect time to gather your family and friends together to watch a great uplifting series!
Go to this Page to watch all four episodes this weekend!
Go to this Page if you want to know more about The Chosen!
June 15, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Watch The Chosen for Free Next Week!
The Chosen is airing all four episodes for free on Friday June 14th at 8:30 PM don't miss out! It is the perfect time to gather your family and friends together to watch a great uplifting series! Also according to the creators, there will be a live chat and Q&A with the director Dallas Jenkins, and they'll also be announcing some exciting opportunities to own or share the show in new ways.
Go to this Page to watch all four episodes on June 14th at 8:30 PM!
June 7, 2019 June 7, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Calling all writers and authors!
If you're interested in a chance to be published as a guest contributor on Box Office Revolution, submit a writing sample to boxofficerevolutionary@gmail.com! You can write about any topic relating to the Christian entertainment world whether it's about something you'd like to see happen, an opinion you have regarding something that's already happened, or trends you've noticed in the field. We also welcome expert, insider takes on the nuts and bolts of the industry from producing, filming, directing, writing, and acting standpoints!
May 15, 2019 May 15, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews	Leave a comment
Guest Post on Our Blog!
This summer, we're inviting all bloggers, future writers, and anyone else interested to participate in our Summer Guest Blogging! We want to hear from you, the audience, and let you exercise your writing voices on our site! If you're interested, email a brief (about 1-2 paragraphs) writing sample to boxofficerevolutionary@gmail.com; your writing should focus on any topic in the Christian entertainment world…whether it's something you want to see happen, an opinion about something that's already happened, or overall trends you've observed in the field. Happy writing!
May 11, 2019 May 14, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces	1 Comment
Lessons Learned From Two Mainstream Romantic Comedies
Select mainstream romantic comedies have much to teach Christian filmmakers. The truth is that the Christian romantic comedy and or comedy genre(s) are sadly sparse. The movies that do exist in these genres are usually awkward and or obnoxious. While there are a few diamonds in the rough, such as Heaven Bound, Altar Egos, and The Matchbreaker, the norm is….well….if you don't know, then I won't torture you with the knowledge. Today we're going to take a look at two mainstream romantic comedies that got it right, and the lessons Christian filmmakers can learn from the same.
Screenwriters Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan gave this rom-com their all – a fact that is evidenced through many truly funny sequences and the time spent on developing a relationship between the main characters. The main characters are a purpose-driven, successful apartment stager engaged to a 'cardiologist', and an equally sarcastic and broody owner of a failing Irish pub. These two eccentric people drive the plot and have realistic dialogue and responses to life's curve-balls. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it is our belief that it is mostly misunderstood. While it cannot be classified as a Christian film – due to some language and a few scenes where characters are partially clothed – the screenplay contains some important lessons that many Christian screenwriters have yet to learn.
A true comedy is built on authenticity –real people
Audiences want authenticity. The most important step towards authenticity is creating real characters. A real character is someone who is neither an emotionless Hallmark clone nor a saintly, persecuted believer in a message-pushing Christian film. A real character is found in the messy in-between because real people are imperfect in a beautiful way. They mess up and say and do things they regret, but they are also capable of great love and good. Once this concept is implemented, the second branch of authenticity is real relationships. Real relationships don't follow a spreadsheet – but they're worth it. This movie establishes authenticity by paralleling an obligatory partnership and a real romantic relationship with the goal of showing the audience why the former is never worth it. As a screenwriter, whether you write the story or the screenplay, make the time to craft real people who have real relationships, the end results will be lasting.
Romantic comedies must have exceptional dialogue
This movie doesn't waste time on 'filler' dialogue. Every conversation is both humorous and meaningful to the plot. The main characters go through the perils and joys of each day, reflect on their past and present, and learn to accept each other's imperfections. What can a screenwriter learn from this? That real relationships are established through relatable dialogue. In this genre, conversations between characters should be neither high-brow nor punctuated with slang and cliches. Regular, average communication is what is needed – and a little sarcasm never hurt either. Overall, a screenwriter must remember that exceptional dialogue is paramount to building great characters.
My Fake Fiance (2009)
Howard March's romantic comedy/parody stands out from many other mainstream RC's because it contains truly comedic sequences. What is a truly comedic sequence? Something that is still funny the second time you watch the film. Additionally, his portrayal of self-loving opportunists and parody of dysfunctional parenting is nearly unmatched. The two main characters – a down-on-his-luck gambler on the run from the town thug and a cynical, single woman who has never quite lived up to her family's standards – drive the simple storyline and have many truly funny conversations. March uses authenticity and exceptional dialogue to build his characters, but his screenplay contains further lessons for screenwriters in the romantic comedy genre.
Self-awareness is the key to parody
A true parody is one in which the characters are self-aware of unbelievable, ironic, or unrealistic scenarios or situations. March's The Monkey character and his subtle trolling of Joey Lawrence through his corresponding character are examples of how to do this. Real people are self-aware, whether they admit it or not, and yes, when push comes to shove people are always looking for a way to benefit themselves. As a screenwriter, if you characters do not meet this criteria, then they can never be meaningful to the audience – they will never be real. I know that sounds like a quote from The Velveteen Rabbit, but its true.
Insecurity is the lifeblood of romance
A romantic comedy should be built around the insecurity of the characters. This may sound a little strange, so let me explain.
When two people love each other, they are forced to decide if they will open their hearts and break down walls that they have always held on to, or turn away in fear and remain in solitude. When someone is truly in love with another they are both afraid of and in awe of the sensation. They long for what they feel they cannot have or do not deserve. In the words of Emmett from the Lego Movie 2, "its easy to harden your heart, the hardest thing you can do is open it". This is a simple, but profound truth that a screenwriter should keep in mind when writing a romantic comedy. It is the center of everything that matters. It should be the underlying message in every romantic comedy. Ok, you get it.
In light of all this, what can we conclude? Simply this: select mainstream romantic comedies are more far-reaching and influential than most Christian films in the same genre because mainstream screenwriters understand real people. If Christian movie-makers start respecting their audiences by using real people and portraying real relationships in their storylines, then they will be following Jesus' command to, "in humility, value others above yourselves" (Philippians 2:3, New International Version).
May 6, 2019 May 6, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Box Office UniversityTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, authenticity, Box Office University, characters, Christian comedy, Comedy, dialogue, Lessons Learned From Two Mainstream Romantic Comedies, real humor, Romantic Comedy	Leave a comment
Following the Subplots of The Chosen (Season 1, Mid-Season Update)
The Chosen has certainly been a transformative series already, and it's barely gotten off the ground. It has grassroots appeal and will likely grow into a larger and larger movement as time goes on. As the first multi-season Bible series to be created, it has the potential reach beyond traditional Christian audiences and transform the culture both inside and outside the church. The series' connections with real people in a Jewish cultural context as they encounter the Messiah are its biggest assets, so here's a helpful guide to help keep up with the core subplots we've seen through episode four of the first season.
The series started off with a bang as Mary's demonic bondage was explored from multiple angles while at the same time providing key flashbacks to her character's core motivations. Her father taught her Isaiah 43:1, which she clung to during her darkest hours. After neglecting suicide to follow a bird to her only friend's (Sol) eating establishment, Mary encountered the Messiah, Who quoted her favorite Scripture to her before setting her free. She then set her mind to helping her friend at the hairdresser shop and re-adapting Jewish customs in her new life, including preparing Shabbat for local outcasts. It was there that she encountered Jesus again and first learned His Name.
Thus far, Mary's storyline has intersected with Jesus and Nicodemus. She has primarily been in Capernaum.
Nicodemus' opening scene–the journey to Capernaum with his wife Zohara–was interrupted by Quintus, a recurring magistrate character, who wanted the rabbi to assist the Roman Empire's effort to stop fishermen who worked on Shabbat in order to avoid Roman taxes. Nicodemus is a very staunch interpreter of the Torah, which is why another Roman official asked him to cast demons out of Mary Magdalene, who was causing havoc in the Red Quarter, where she worked as a prostitute. Nicodemus reluctantly went, but his exorcism was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, Yussif, a local Pharisee, later informed Nicodemus that he witnessed Mary in her right mind, so Nicodemus paid her visit again to see for himself. He learned her true name and discovered that his work had nothing to do with her freedom. Mary told him of Jesus' words to her, which prompted Nicodemus to wonder if his work as a rabbi was even honoring God anymore. After receiving word from the priests and rabbis of Capernaum that the radical preacher called John the Baptizer was speaking against the Pharisees and had been imprisoned by Herod, Nicodemus determined to ask the crazy man questions about the miracles he had heard about.
Up to this point, Nicodemus' subplot has crossed over with Mary alone. He has primarily been seen in Capernaum.
As an outcast Jewish tax collector, Matthew's closest human companion is his Roman bodyguard Gaius; he also has a stray dog for company. Matthew was shunned by his family for supporting the Roman enemy, but he appears to be nonplussed by this. He is a very conscientious accountant who challenged Quintus' scheme to relieve Simon's family's taxes in exchange for his turning in fishermen who worked on Shabbat to avoid taxes. Gaius advised against Matthew's resistance to Quintus, but Matthew ignored the social cues and faced the powerful official anyway. Quintus was impressed by his courage and ordered Matthew to follow Simon to see if the fisherman was going back on his word. As Matthew spied on Simon, he was able to witness Jesus' massive fish miracle from afar.
At this point, Matthew has also encountered Simon and Andrew; he has seen Jesus work from a distance. Matthew's work has primarily been in Galilee so far.
Simon, Andrew, and Eden
Simon made a deal with Roman magistrate Quintus to turn in any Jewish fishermen who fished or Shabbat to avoid paying Roman taxes in exchange for his family's taxes being cancelled, but Simon's brother Andrew disagreed with this plan. Simon hid his secret source of income and covert tax evasion from his wife, Eden, but she was suspicious of his unusual work hours, including his work on Shabbat. Andrew has been continually trying to keep his brother from getting into trouble with his in-laws and from using schemes to get ahead in life. However, when he was assisting the Romans one night with patrolling for Shabbat fishers, Simon changed his mind when he saw remnants of Zebedee's work since he and his sons were friends. Later, Simon confessed to Zebedee, James, and John what he had done and begged for their help to pay off his tax debts, but they refused. In midst of the turmoil, Simon had to tell Eden what was going on after her ill mother had unexpectedly moved in with them. Eden and Simon both agreed they needed a miracle to settle their financial situation, so he set out to fish all night. Eden asked Zebedee and his sons to help, so they brought Andrew as well to assist the colorful Simon with his bind. However, after catching nothing all night, the fishermen encountered Jesus on the shore, whom Andrew had already told Simon about. Jesus used Simon's boat to briefly teach before telling people to put out the nets one more time. This led to the miraculous catch of fish, which gave enough revenue to settle the debts. Jesus promptly called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him from there on out.
Simon and Andrew have interacted with Matthew, Zebedee, James, John, and Jesus. Eden and the brothers have only been seen in Galilee thus far.
Abigail and friends
Abigail is a young, assertive girl who accidentally discovered Jesus' makeshift carpentry shop in a clearing of the woods near her house. During the events of the first two episodes, Abigail took her friends to see Jesus each day, and He taught them rudimentary wood-working skills and reinforced His lessons for their lives. He shared with them some of His future teachings before letting them know it was time for His work to begin.
Abigail and her friends have only crossed paths with Jesus in the outskirts of Capernaum.
James, John, and Zebedee
Zebedee and his sons James and John are fellow fishermen with Simon and Andrew who heard of the Roman scheme to arrest fishermen who worked on Shabbat to avoid tax laws when Simon confessed to his part in it. At first, they refused to help Simon, but at the pleadings of Eden, they decided to help Simon bail out his debts. In doing so, they witnessed Jesus' miracle of the massive catch of fish, after which James and John were called to be His disciples.
Zebedee, James, and John have interconnected with Simon, Andrew, and Jesus and have only been seen in Galilee.
Blind man in Red Quarter: In the first two episodes, we saw other characters run into a blind man in the Red Quarter who is waiting for the Messiah to pass by, so we are likely to see this previewed storyline in a later episode.
Quintus: Quintus has been a recurring character who's crossed paths with Nicodemus and Matthew already, so it's possible we will see a larger role from him as the series progresses.
Gaius: Matthew's bodyguard has the same name as the recipient of 3 John, so we may continue to see his character developed as more seasons are released.
Shmuel and Yussif: These two Capernaum priests have thus far been in the background of Nicodemus' main storyline, but it's possible that we will continue to see more of them as their subplots break off from Nicodemus' to play the roles of future Pharisee characters who challenge Jesus.
April 22, 2019 January 5, 2020 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Opinion PiecesTags: 2019, Opinion Pieces, The Chosen series	3 Comments
What Mainstream Period Dramas Got Right
Many Christian audiences love period dramas, so why hasn't a Christian filmmaker made one yet? In the past decade, budding and established screenwriters have proven that a a period drama doesn't need sensationalism to be good. In other words, a tasteful storyline with superior character development is the name of the game. Instead of only creating movies for niche audiences or confining stories to certain genres, Christian filmmakers need to branch out and dare to be different. Here at BOR, it is our opinion that this is the only way Christian movies can breach the secular/inspirational divide and be just as good as the competition – while promoting an important message. To start off, let's take a look at a few exceptional period dramas that got it right.
Andrew Davies' depiction of Charles Dickens' little known story, Little Dorrit, is a nearly perfect series on all counts. Davies brought the semi-boring original storyline to life by writing character-driven story that held the audience's attention. From the first episode to the last, the story holds the viewer's attention and causes the audience to fall in love with – or dislike – each character as they are, for neither group is all good or bad. Arthur and Amy's complexly interwoven story is well-established through the use of flashbacks and engaging dialogue. Finally, while the ending is somewhat predictable, it is done in the best way through a healthy serving of ironic humor. Therefore, there are two main things Christian filmmakers can learn from this series.
Make your characters the first priority!
As a screenwriter, your characters should come alive on the page or they will never be engaging on-screen. From here, the screenplay should add further depth to already well-crafted characters. Throughout the remainder of the work, casting, filming, editing, etc., the characters should be give the first priority at all time. If your characters are good, then in this case, a pre-established storyline will follow their lead.
Please, don't waste time on 'filler' dialogue.
Every conversation between the characters needs to be meaningful. Audiences are smart and will become easily bored with generic dialogue between characters. Make your dialogue count – the audience will recognize the difference.
Sandy Welch's depiction of Jane Austen's posthumous work, Emma, is unsurpassed. Welch brings the characters to life by crafting excellent dialogue and clear personalities. Additionally, her humorous characters drive the plot and make this adaption stand out from it's counterparts. There are not many good British comedies, but this is one of them. While Emma has many lessons for filmmakers everywhere, there is one big statement that Welch and company make in this series:
Devote ample time to discerning/crafting the personality of each character.
Each character in a story needs a clearly defined personality, even down to the minor characters. There should be no such thing as a one-dimensional character. Emma proves that developing a character's personality brings a new level of depth and meaning to everything that happens in a story. There is much that goes into developing multi-dimensional characters, but developing a clear personality is a good start for any filmmaker.
Commit to finding a cast member that is perfect for each role
For every well-written story, there are actors out there who are perfect for the corresponding roles. In Emma, it is clear that time was devoted to finding cast members who were perfect for each role. Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller are strong leads because their portrayals of Emma and Mr. Knightley drive the plot. Because of the strong cast, this depiction of Austen's novel is the best to date. In Christian film, there is a need for stronger casting. If your cast is bad, your movie will not be successful and will reach no one. If Christian filmmakers ever hope to one-up their competition, they must be devoted to their characters from start to finish.
Doctor Thorne (2016)
Julian Fellowes' depiction of Anthony Trollope's little-known book Doctor Thorne is both brilliant and engaging. Fellowes' combination of excellent character development and witty dialogue makes for a clean, enjoyable comedy/drama that is palatable for all ages. Additionally, his subtle parody of social politics in high society adds much to the simple storyline. While there are many lessons to be learned from Fellowes' screenwriting, he makes two main statements in this series.
Self-awareness is the key.
Fellowes demonstrates through this series that a simple storyline does not limit a film's potential. Today's audiences appreciate subtle parody and self-aware humor, both of which are found here. Gone are the days of stiff and awkward theatrical acting and vanilla storylines – so please, stop using them. Recent Christian films have raised the bar higher than ever on acting skills and dialogue expectations. A perfect story has both joy and sadness, pain and peace, humor and lasting lessons – and a really good ending.:)
Respect the intelligence of your audience.
Audiences do not need obvious cues and product placements to understand the message of your story. Once again, subtlety is the name of the game. However, subtlety and loss of meaning should not go hand in hand, rather, subtlety should be used to establish meaning. For instance, in Doctor Thorne, much of the run-time is devoted to developing a real romance between Mary and Frank. Additionally, there is no Pureflix-style message-pushing. Preachy dialogue and a forced agenda disrespects your audience and isolates people that could have been reached by the heart of your message (if it had one). The Erwin brothers have proven that a real message reaches everyone instead of a select group.
In light of all this, what can we conclude? Simply this: mainstream content is more far-reaching and influential than most Christian films because, for the most part, good mainstream screenwriters adhere to these guidelines and others. If Christian movies start respecting their audiences and portraying real people in their storylines, then their love for others will prove to the world that they are Jesus' disciples (John 13:35, New Living Translation).
April 20, 2019 April 30, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Box Office University, Opinion PiecesTags: Andrew Davies, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Box Office University, Doctor Thorne, Emma, Julian Fellowes, lessons learned from mainstream entertainment, Little Dorrit, Sandy Welch	1 Comment
Support The Chosen on VidAngel!
This Easter season, as you enjoy your holiday weekend and spend time with loved ones, make time to support the new streaming series The Chosen on the VidAngel streaming service. This series alone is worth buying a subscription; the first four episodes are now available, and the last four of the first season will be available before the summer.
A full review of Season 1 will be posted here by May; have a great holiday!
April 19, 2019 April 19, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements	5 Comments
How to Lose Someone in 60 Seconds: Hallmark-Style
It's that time again…Witty Wednesday!
This edition's scenario:Let's say that you're a big business guru in the inspirational card-making, trinket-selling, and all around entertainment industry. Let's say that someone who works for you is suddenly caught in the midst of a massive scandal. Someone…..someone….like this:
Who did something like this:
As a big public figure, you can't very well condone their actions, even though you may agree with some or all of them. So, what is one to do? Oh, I don't know, the first thing that comes to mind is to put them in a box, then put that box inside of another box, and mail it to yourself. And when it arrives:
You're right! We must consider other options…I know! You could BANISH them from the face of the earth!
A third option, just for the sake of variety, would involve you stripping away all social/personal/any remote connections you had with said person and exposing their personal life to public criticism! HAHAHAHAHAHA….
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Her reaction: ^
However, if none of these options are appealing, you could start them on the path through a knock-down, drag-out, long, over-complicated, and never-ending court case!
But wait, I know! The best thing to do here is combine all of these ideas into one for the ultimate showdown/elimination of said person from the face of the earth.
Well, that pretty much sums up how to lose someone in 60 seconds…Hallmark-style.;)
Disclaimer: Please consult your lawyer or another legal authority before trying any of the above suggestions, we are not a legal representative and the above strategies are not to be considered as legal counsel.
April 10, 2019 April 10, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Comedy, Hallmark humor, How to Lose Someone in 60 seconds - Hallmark Style, L*** L****lin, Witty Wednesday	Leave a comment
MOST ANTICIPATED UPCOMING MOVIE/TV SERIES OF SPRING 2019
April 6, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements, Polls and Awards, Polls, Awards, News, and Interviews	Leave a comment
When Calls The Heart: Lip Reading Part 2
Welcome back to Funny Friday! Here is the second installment in this series of WCTH parodies! Remember to check out the rest on their channel! (Caution! The Following Has Been Rated (LL) For Sightings Of L**i L**ghlin!
April 5, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Entertainment Spoofs, Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Classifying B-grade Christian Movies
It's that time again – Funny Friday! Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time searching for quality Christian entertainment knows that B-grade Christian movies exist in abundance…and continue to be released! We here at BOR are well aware that many filmmakers struggle to raise money to support their dreams, however, we have also observed that some movies never needed to be made. It is these movies that are parodied below. Most or all of the following films can be found in the bowels of streaming services, on Pureflix.com, or for free on various websites (if you know what I mean). Enjoy!
Two words. Love Different. No one has made a movie like this to date. Let me break it down for those of you who haven't watched it. There's this single 'white' girl see, and she has a son. She applies for a job at a 'black' company who only has 'black' employees. This leads to many new experiences for white girl. From zany grocery store trips ending in her being carried out by her new black friend, to many scenes of awkward characters dancing and singing to their bathroom mirror while balancing toiletries on various appendages, this movie has a little something for everyone. Here's the viewing experience you can expect while watching Love Different:
Jenn Gotzon is dancing in the bathroom mirror, audience's response:
Anthony Hackett is rapping a song about lotion while looking in the bathroom mirror, audience's response:
Pan to Jenn Gotzon ranting about food stamps in a very awkwardly expressive manner at the grocery store, Anthony Hackett is busy laughing and making off-color racial jokes and bumps into her at the counter (panicky breaths):
But we can't forget another big category of Christian movies – end times movies. Oh yes, we're going there. Perhaps the most unusual one we've ever reviewed here to date is Sunday Morning Rapture. Basically you go from your average introduction to multiple characters to complete and utter mayhem…you guessed it, the RAPTURE. Pan to shaking furniture, explosions, car crashes, and people watching news on every possible channel available in the universal cable TV package especially made for this film. And then…the cliffs of insanity. Pan to people in church rolling in the isles (literally) and throwing themselves at the altar in some attempt to bring back those who were RAPTURED, viewer's response:
These films are easily recognized and can be identified by their zany, unusual, off-color, or just plain weird qualities. Obviously the most inconceivable movie in this category is yours truly, The Rev, we have honestly seen nothing like this film to date. Basically it goes from: Yo, three old guys are sittin' on a bench reminiscing about the good ol' days. Oh hey! Remember that one time…awkward thirty/forty-something white man appears on screen in a Walmart Elvis suit and eventually starts driving the movie donor's convertible around (where is that music coming from?). Then he starts picking up random people off the road, including a suicidal has-been singer and a 'prostitute' in a Party City costume. Somewhere in there we have singing and dancing sequences I've wiped from my memory. This movie is like used chewing gum in your hair – you can cut it out, but you'll never forget it.
Another movie that really deserves to be here is Tommy Blaze's finest work, Me Again. If you want to watch a movie where the most insecure white man ever goes on a zany psychological journey in which he becomes an old chain restaurant owner with a bad heart, this same guy's female housekeeper, an anorexic female model addicted to drugs, (it gets better) his own wife, a female baby, a goldfish, and his daughter's boyfriend (perhaps his most fitting role)….
…..then this one is for you.
What in the world can that be?
These movies usually feature a random appearance of an unexpected feature that in no way fits with the rest of the film.
You know when you're watching a Christian movie that is either totes boring, mediocre, pushing an agenda, or average with some obvious production errors, when all of the sudden….is that a PEZ dispenser?
(radio silence)
If you don't know which movie that generic gray-haired man was on, then I'll leave it for you to search out on your own. Let's just say he's from a movie that is so bad it made it into two categories in this post.
As if the chicken man isn't enough, there's one more finalist here that we couldn't resist featuring. The Adventures of Chris Fable . In some way, this film is trying to portray John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress….but we're not sure how or why. You see, Chris is just a downtrodden boy….who suddenly is called to go on a journey that will change his life forever! "On their way to freedom," he and his companions "encounter weird looking bugs, loud noises, shaking trees, a freaky CGI city, and a giant stomping robot." (our founder, 2017). While watching, you will soon ask: "Will I ever make it out of this movie?"
Yes, you're very smart. Shut up.
Recent evidence has shown that this category extends to both movies and series. For instance, Peculiar season 1. What in the name of wet sandwich bread is going on here? This one has it all: Oh I'm just the average Christian kid who wants to protect himself from the big bad world by going to a Christian university…but can't get in. This sticks me with going to a secular school who….has. no. sports. Oh no, now I have a sports-related injury and an evil atheist professor out to persecute me! What do I do? Why, sing, dance, and make weird jokes of course (in-between staged debates in front of the entire class with said professor). These parts of the movie will lead anyone with sanity to ask "Are you finished?" To which the professor will respond:
And when the student finally defeats the atheist professor, a fellow college student on a campus far, far, away will suddenly turn around and say to the camera:
Its obvious which movies fit in this category. For instance, A Matter of Faith, God's Not Dead, and End of the Harvest .
I don't think it means what you think it means
This post wouldn't be complete if we didn't take a look at the very best that B-grade Christian films have to offer: human trafficking, pro-life, and time travel films. First up, what do you get when you mix a few big-name Christian actors with an agenda-pushing storyline? Answer: Caged No More! Oh my word, this one is a real doozy. If you don't get tired fast enough of Kevin Sorbo playing twin brothers (one with a fake British/Australian accent), trumped up action scenes, or pass out from boredom, Aggie's voice will do the trick.
If you finish watching Caged No More, you are really committed to the cause and deserve to watch Alison's Choice! Otherwise known as the worst pro-life film to date. Here's what you've got: Bruce Marchiano playing himself a janitor with a Jesus impersonation complex, a pregnant teen who sees visions of her CGI unborn child at the touch of said janitor's hand, off-color racial 'comedy', and the 'black female' character. This agenda-pushing plotline is frequently punctuated with the phrase "choose life!"
We've saved the best for last: Time Changer. If ever there were a time travel movie that would go down as the absolute worst, this is it. Let's start out with a freeze frame from the film:
'Nuff said. Here's the skinny: a seminary professor writes a textbook that doesn't align with the morals displayed by Christ. His punishment? Travel into the future and be horrified at every turn by how terrible the world has become! Women wearing provocative clothing! Teenagers flushing their lives down the toilet! Matriarchy! Immorality! Card playing! Dancing…in church!!!
Somewhere in there he jumps around from past, present, and future, and somehow gets back to the present in the pursuit of finding the end of time. How did he get here, there, and everywhere?
That pretty much sums it up!
No more rhymes, I mean it!
You know when you're watching a Christian 'comedy' and it either turns out to be completely weird, funny for all the wrong reasons, or so stupid that you can't finish it? Well, this movie takes it to a whole 'nother level: Spent The best summation I can come up with for this film without giving too much away is this: Dad's dying, let's get his money (evil laugh). Oh wait, he's not actually dying….
Ok, so since he's not going to die naturally, time to come up with a backup plan! Hehehehehehehe. Hey Dad, guess what's for dinner? Your favorite! Pizza pie! (waits while he eats it) Did you like it? Yeah it was (interruption) Well good, cause it was your LAST MEAL
But we haven't even talked about Malibu Dan the Family Man Season 1 (it has two seasons!) or Hitting the Breaks! If you don't know what this is, all you need to know is this. In the gif below, the protagonist in these absurd series is Buzz, and the audience is Woody.
To conclude, to anyone reading this who is offended in any way, please know that this post is meant in fun and is not intended to shame or humiliate anyone. Current Christian filmmakers, if God was in the movie you were making, and you were not just doing it to please someone else or yourself, the audience and us will know. See our Hall of Fame for movies fitting this criteria.:)
March 22, 2019 August 8, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, b-grade Christian movies, Comedy, end times movies, Funny Friday, pro-life movies, time-travel movies	Leave a comment
Most Anticipated Upcoming Movie/TV Series of March-April 2019
March 18, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Polls and Awards, Polls, Awards, News, and Interviews	Leave a comment
Welcome back to Funny Friday here at BoxOfficeRevolution featuring even more WCTH parodies! Never fear for we have found more clever spoofs of everyone's favorite show! This series features yet another ingenious video creator on YouTube. Hilariously reading what the characters in WCTH appear to be saying according to their lip movements. As always we hope you enjoy these video's and if so remember go over to the creators channel and give them a thumbs up!
March 8, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Entertainment Spoofs, Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
When Calls the Heart Crack/Song Spoof #4
Sadly this is the last installment in this series of WCTH Spoofs. Enjoy and check the rest of them out on their channel.
And welcome back to "Funny Friday"! This is the third installment in this series of WCTH parodies. As usual don't forget to check the rest of them out on their channel and PLEASE beg them to make more!:)
February 22, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Entertainment Spoofs, Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Well it's "Funny Friday" again. You know what time it is? It's time for more When Calls The Heart Parodies! This is the second installment in this epic series of WCTH spoofs as before feel free to check out the rest on their channel. Also don't forget to beg them to make more of these please!. (P.S don't forget to laugh:)!
February 15, 2019 February 15, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Entertainment Spoofs, Movie Reviews, Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
This is an epic parody of everybody's favorite show When Calls the Heart, that a pure genius created on YouTube. The creator ingeniously makes a hilariously funny spoof of this show using only songs, sorry "hearties" but i believe that even you will be joining in on the laughter as well. Without further introduction see below this epic artistry and check out the rest on their channel.
February 8, 2019 February 15, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Entertainment Spoofs, Opinion Pieces	1 Comment
Unbroken: Path to Redemption Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to our winners! Thank you to everyone who entered!
Julian F.
Aaron K.
February 2, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
How to Spot an Amish Fiction Novel
Oh, where to begin. Ok, for starters, there are steps that you want to take when perusing the shelves of a Christian bookstore for the perfect Amish fiction title. Before you start looking, you'll want to narrow down your options. There's plenty to choose from, so let's dive right in!
Disclaimer: The books displayed below may or may not actually feature these satirical storylines. But they're close enough.;)
The Amish Woman has a secret life plot
Ah, the original point of interest for Amish fiction writers. First off, what you want to look for is an cover displaying a generic-looking woman staring wistfully into the distance while holding a quilt, doily, dishtowel, or other inanimate object. Next, you should flip the book over and look for something along these lines: On the outside, Mary Beth is the perfect Amish girl. She goes to meeting, sews her own clothes, and churns butter once a week. What her friends don't know is that she lives a very different life from the one they can see…..To be sure and certain, open the book to a random page and see if the main character is having an awkward conversation with someone who she thinks knows her secret. Even better, see if someone from her 'secret life' shows up in the Amish community and she has to awkwardly claim that they are someone they're not. Just for grins, flip to the final chapters and see if she has either been shunned, converted to an Englisher life, or rejected her wild fantasies of living in the real world and accepted her fate as a good little housewife.
The out of wedlock pregnancy ending in heroic romance plot
This one is a real doozy. First, you want to look for an eye-catching cover, like a pregnant woman in a field of flowers, holding/wearing flowers, and staring at her stomach. Hey look! There's one right up there! Then you'll want to flip the book over and scan the plot description, it should say something like: Will her secret be found out? Will her circumstances cause her and her true love to be shunned? To be sure, open the book to the middle. Something like this should be happening: the hero and heroine stand face to face as the moonlight/sunlight shines down on her flowing hair and his muscular physique. They lean forward for their first kiss….and…her water breaks! If this doesn't convince you that this plot is the real deal, flip to the final chapters and see if the hero delivers the woman's child outside in the rain, in the backseat of his buggy, or in the middle of an Amish church service. The hero may also be fighting with the heroine's relatives in the hospital room/waiting room, in a fistfight with the child's father, or passed out on the floor. The novel gets bonus points if the hero is an EMT/firefighter/policeman/conservation officer/doctor/nurse/midwife/nurse practitioner, or if the heroine almost dies in labor/has premature labor at least twice/is kidnapped by her evil former love/has a final showdown with her sadistic parents that causes her to go into labor.
The wayward/widowed daughter finally comes home and finds love again/finally plot
I see you, oh commonplace work of Amish fiction. This plot is considered standard for Amish fiction. First, you'll want to look for a generic book cover that doesn't stand out. Like a woman in all black with her face cut out of the picture standing in the forefront, with an Amish buggy creeping up on her that is probably driven by her eventual love interest. Oh look! I see one right up there! Next, you know the drill! Flip it over and check out the back cover. You should see something like: Susan just lost the man of her dreams. In pursuit of a better life for her son/daughter, she has reluctantly taken up her parents' offer to return home. While there, Susan will learn that the heart can learn to love again. You know what's up, now open the book and see if the protagonist if having a remember-when conversation with someone she knows from childhood upon returning to her hometown. Additionally, she could be weakly resisting the charms of her love interest, rebuking her matchmaking child, or helping her mother bake bread while enduring a lecture on why she never should have married her late husband. Just FYI, the actual advertisement for the above novel says: " Experience what it means to love without modern distraction" What does this even mean!?!?
The mystery ending in romance set in an Amish community at Christmastime plot
At last we reach Christmas with the Amish. If the front cover doesn't feature an Amish buggy in the snow, an Amish couple holding hands and laughing under the mistletoe, an old Amish woman in a rocking chair looking out a window while sewing a kapp, or a muscular Amish man chopping wood by a holly bush, don't waste your time. You know you have the right book if the back cover says something like: Christmas has come to Ella's small Amish community, but she just isn't into it this year. All she can think about is how her father died on Christmas Eve last year under mysterious circumstances while climbing into the hayloft, and how she can keep avoiding that cute Amish boy next door who wants to marry her. That cute Amish boy and her will have to work together to uncover the truth in the circumstances surrounding her father's death. To be sure, you can flip to the middle of the book and see if she and that boy are being held captive by her father's killers, only to be rescued by a handsome Englischer – who ultimately creates a love triangle. Who will she choose!?!?!?
The on-again off-again shunning plot.
I'm shunned. Now I'm not! Maybe now I am. Am I?
As we reach the end of this post, what better way to come to a conclusion but with the most common of plots among Amish fiction? This is the one that made it all happen. Keep in mind that there are many variations on the same idea that all come down to the same conclusion, so don't get confused! First you want to look for generic and uninspiring cover art, the novel pictured above is a perfect example. I like to call the art displayed above Confusion in the Midst of Order. Basically you want to look for a single Amish woman in a rocking chair looking wistfully past a hearth and daydreaming about the Englischer life, an Amish woman standing with her back to the viewer watching a sunset while looking at a graven image (a secret photograph of her fully clothed true love), a young Amish woman with her kapp cast aside on the ground standing alone with her arms crossed, or a 'rebellious' Amish teen holding an instrument of eternal damnation – a guitar, car keys, or a bottle of hairspray. Then you want to page through the first chapters and see if the character is secretly angry all the time, arguing with her (its pretty much always a female lead) parents, or berating herself for not adhering to the religion of their heritage. To be sure though, you'll want to look forward and see if she gives in to temptation and decides to commit the unholy trio of fictional Amish sins. 1. Take off her kapp and go out in public with hair not in a bun. 2. Hold hands with a man who is not Amish (and now for the unpardonable sin) 3. Shave her legs and wear a non floor length skirt! (shocked gasp). To be for sure and for certain, you can check the ending and see if the protagonist has either given herself fully to the ways of the world (marries an Englischer) or gone home to be a good little daughter again…until next time. At this point, you've read the entirety of all these books and should probably leave the bookstore before closing time! Otherwise you'll be locked in – surrounded by Amish fiction books…..f..o..r..e..v..e..r….
Or you could leave and never have to read another Amish fiction book again!
For sure and for certain!;P
January 9, 2019 August 8, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Amish fiction parody, book nerd humor, BOR humor, critic humor, Opinion Pieces	1 Comment
New Year, New Content and New Features!
We here at Box Office Revolution have been busy at work to further improve the quality of our site and to provide new features/content for our readers.
We have now added Genres to the Movie Reviews page! We have done this so that you (our readers) can easily search for the genre of movie that you are specifically looking for.
There is also a designated page for Series Reviews now! This page contains reviews for sitcoms, soap opera's/hope opera's, mini series, etc. You can find it here or by going to the main menu.
Also now available is a page designated for polls, awards, new and interviews. You can find it here or by going to the main menu.
We have many very exciting ideas that we are currently working on for the year of 2019. (Spoiler alert we are currently working on the idea of having a page designated for Animation/Children's christian film reviews, shhh!). Again we are very excited for what God has in store for us and our readers this new year. Don't forget to vote on your favorite christian movie from 2018 here. Also please feel free to take our readers survey so we can know how to better improve this site and to let us know what ideas you have, you can find it here or at the bottom of the home page. A very happy new year to all of you and remember the purpose of this site is to provide honest opinions and reviews of christian films and series. This is because we feel that some of these movies that are made in the name of Jesus and Christianity could use more work and or are not pointing people to Christ. However, if the gospel and the name of Jesus are shared and repentance is found, never mind the acting nor the quality of production and the budget. Repentance and belief in Jesus Christ is what matters. These are the kind of movies that we are looking for. Thanks and God bless!
January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 by Caleb0115 Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Does the World Really Need More Amish Fiction?
The sheer number of Amish fiction titles never ceases to amaze me. Every time I see an Amish fiction novel, I ask myself three questions. 1. Why is this considered Christian? 2. Why are all these plots the same? 3. How is this genre pointing people to Christ? I can only assume that the answer to the first question is along the same lines of reasoning that Christians use when they approve of Catholicism and similar faiths that claim to follow Jesus' teachings. When I consider the second question, I can only assume that companies want more books sold, and therefore approve of Amish fiction because it fits into the inspirational-I-feel-good-not-convicted corner. Next, I can find no evidence that shows how Amish fiction points people to Jesus. Instead, it seems to point readers to a fantasy world in which people live in an idealistic universe where only first-world problems happen. For instance, your kapp won't stay on right, no matter how hard you try! Not to be confused with the struggle of sewing your own clothing and getting up at the crack of dawn to milk cows. And how about that cute Englischer/Englisher that you saw on your monthly Walmart run and have been pining for ever since? Likewise, another explanation for the Christian obsession with the Amish could stem from the need to isolate oneself from the big, bad world out there. In short, secular culture makes me uncomfortable, let's retreat to the wonders of a Pharisaical religion with many rules and regulations that are sure to keep your kids home forever! In this world, my kids will marry who I say they will and do what I believe is best! None of this making your own decisions or having unique interests, because we're all the same! But before I get carried away, the main point I'm trying to make here is that Amish fiction does not point people to Christ. In fact, it points them towards the opposite of Christianity – the Amish practice salvation by works. The Bible states in Ephesians chapter two verses eight and nine: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast". Therefore, a non-Christian reader can assume that those who publish Amish fiction are accepting of works-based religion. If this is not their intention, then today's publishers should do their research before putting their name on any fly-by-night novel claiming the name of Jesus Christ.
December 27, 2018 December 30, 2018 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Amish fiction, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Christian publishers, Does the Amish Genre Point People to Christ?	2 Comments
Why the Erwin Brothers Should Make A Biopic About Chrissy Cymbala Toledo
The Erwin brothers' success with I Can Only Imagine and Woodlawn has proven that their greatest success is with biopic films. Today's audiences want real stories, and we here at BOR believe that true stories should be the main plot used by Christian movies. This is why we believe that the Erwins should make Chrissy Cymbala Toledo's life story into a great Christian biopic/epic film. Her book, Girl in the Song, tells the story of how she ran from God and pursued worldly pleasures before finally submitting to His will for her life. Toledo's story is raw, relatable, and teaches several important life lessons. These are the qualities that make a great film – qualities that are always found in an Erwin creation. As the Erwins often choose a central social issue as the driving force behind their films, they could portray the yet to be seen issue of ministry families that do much for the kingdom – but unintentionally neglect their family in the process. Additionally, it could portray the unique difficulties experienced by 'preacher's kids'. In summary, Chrissy's story speaks for itself.
This story is as is – there is no need for alteration. Her story has reached many in novel form, but would reach more as a movie. This is because teens and young adults are more likely to watch a movie than read a book. Her story needs to be told in film, will the Erwins tell it? Or help someone else tell it?
Dream Cast for Girl in the Song:
Chrissy Toledo: Susie Toledo, if she felt called to do so. If not, then Moriah (Peters) Smallbone has the right personality for this character. She would have to go blonde again, but this is a minor factor. Her performance in Because of Gracia has proven her acting skills.
Carol Cymbala: Chrissy Toledo, I think she can play her mother better than anyone else, and anyway, it would be cool to have her in the film.
Jim Cymbala: The Erwins could easily find someone to fill this role, as he would be more of a minor character throughout the middle of the film.
Jaye: Believe it or not, we feel that Joel Smallbone would be great at this role. We've always felt that he would be better at playing a bad guy, plus he certainly has the ego and self-confidence to portray Jaye's personality.
Young Lorna: Joy Brunson would make a great young Lorna. She has a great personality for this character and the talent to make her role memorable. Even though this is a minor role, she has filled this part well in the past (see October Baby). Plus, she could play the older Lorna's daughter later in the film if this is applicable.
Older Lorna: We would like to see a fresh face in the world of Christian acting for this role. This role needs to be filled by a woman of Jamaican heritage that's in her late thirties or early forties. She would need to portray a character that is both strong-willed and merciful, with a heart for those in difficult situations.
Al Toledo: Chris Massoglia fits the part because he is good at playing this personality, plus, he looks like the real Al Toledo.
Rina: Angelita Nelson needs to return to Christian film. She would be great for this part.
Extras: Jordin Sparks as a friend, Lecrae as any secondary role, or another young-ish Christian singer to draw attention to the film.
December 23, 2018 December 27, 2018 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Biopic/epic film, Chrissy Cymbala Toledo, Erwin Brothers, future Christian films, potential biopic/epic film material	Leave a comment
Why the Erwin Brothers Should Make a Mark of the Lion TV Series
Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion Series changed the way people looked at Christian fiction. The safe and meaningless romances of the past were challenged by her raw storytelling and love that arose from the ashes of pain, suffering, and heartbreak. Rivers fearlessly portrayed real life – everything, even the messy stuff. Likewise, the Erwin brother's recent blockbuster I Can Only Imagine – which is based on a true story – showed Christian audiences that the only way out of the dark is through it. Movies cannot avoid the hard things in life and focus only on hearts and flowers, or on sadness and worldly pleasures. No one will learn anything if entertainment continues to do this. Sadly, Christian movies often fall into the former situation, and if not, their portrayals of real life issues are often half-baked. For this reason, I continue to believe that Christian filmmakers should use the content that is already there. Rivers has proven that people can write relevant fiction based on historical fact, and the Erwins have proven that true stories revolving around social issues make the best movies. Therefore, the Erwins should use their new platform to make Christian miniseries/TV series based off of Christian books. They can start by bringing the Mark of the Lion to the big screen. This book series contains plenty of social issues to choose from – abortion, homosexuality, dysfunctional families, unhealthy relationships, slavery, etc. However, it would likely need the rough edges sanded off a bit for the big screen, for not all of Rivers' raw content would translate well to movie form. Likewise, some of the secondary characters – namely Marcus and Julia's friends – might need to be edited out or toned down. However, I firmly believe that the Erwins have the editing skills to make this happen. Second, I have no concerns about character development, for it is already there in the books, and the Erwins are masters in this area. Third, production would need great attention and some artistic flair. Additionally, they would need to branch out to a new filming location that at least looks like Rome and the surrounding areas. Finally, casting would need careful attention. I would suggest their usual mix of good secular and Christian actors, along with several racially diverse cast members that include some Israeli and other Arabic ethinicities to make the movie more culturally sound. I have full confidence that the Erwins could pull this off. Plus, a challenge would be good for them.
Dream Cast for a Mark of the Lion TV series
Hadassah: Keisha Castle-Hughes would make a great Hadassah. She is good at portraying a quiet, unassuming personality that hides an inner strength. Plus, she has already proven her acting skills in the Nativity Story movie.
Marcus Valerian: Joseph Fiennes is good at portraying men of Marcus' personality, plus, he has the look for it.
Mrs. Valerian: Nicole Duport would be perfect for this role in every way. She has the look (her Amy Grant portrayal) and the talent to pull it off.
Mr. Valerian: Olivier Martinez would be great at portraying this character. He has already proven his ability to portray a confident, strong-willed character who likes authority in Paul, Apostle of Christ.
Julia Valerian: I leave this character up to the masters of casting. The actress playing this role would need to have the ability to portray a selfish, thoughtless, impulsive, and strong-willed female who is up for anything that goes against her parent's wishes.
Alexander the physician: Jim Caviezel, he would draw attention to the film and is also good at portraying a prideful, self-confident character such as this.
Calabah: Shohreh Aghdashloo, I have no words for how well she could portray this character. She's a great villian/evil mentor.
Atretes: This role needs to be filled by someone of German or similar heritage who can portray a character who has emotional ups and downs – who gets easily angry and tends to go on emotional highs. I must stipulate that such an actor be cast not only for his appearance, but primarily for his acting skills. It would be easy to fill this role with a generic muscled man who can't act.
Caius (Julia's first husband): James Faulkner could fill this role, if he masked his British accent like he did in his most recent Christian film. Likewise,
Robert Bathurst has the perfect personality for this character – if only he wasn't British.
Theophilus: Ralph Fiennes has the look, talent, and imposing presence to fill this role very well. Though he is an English actor, he is not actually British. His family tree includes people from Irish, Scottish, and Norman heritage.
December 19, 2018 December 18, 2018 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Dream Cast, Francine Rivers, Mark of the Lion Series, Potential TV series material, The Erwin Brothers	Leave a comment
Unbroken Two-DVD Movie Giveaway!
We are giving away three copies of the Unbroken+Unbroken Path to Redemption two-DVD pack! All you have to do to enter the drawing is take our short survey HERE.
See our review of Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
December 10, 2018 December 31, 2018 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
How to get Cast in a Hallmark Christmas Movie
There are several things you want to consider when you're thinking about trying out for a Hallmark movie – especially a Christmas Hallmark movie. You'll want to consider the plot, your looks, the age of the character, their family structure, their love interest, your looks, the expectations for the character, your looks, and your looks. In the following satirical journey I will outline an epic guide for how to get cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
The Middle-Aged Divorcees Romance Plot:
Two middle-aged divorcees who knew each other in high school/college/pep squad end up married.
First things first, if you want to get cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie with this plot, you have to look the part. Notice the two middle-aged white people in the above photo, they are the very model of what a 'older' Hallmark couple should look like.
Are they white? Check.
Are they middle-aged has-beens from TV/movies gone by? Check.
Have they had at least one (or in their case several) plastic surgeries? CHECK.
Can they smile on cue? Yep. Is this a Colgate advertisement or what?
Are they awkward yet comfortable, distant yet close?
Do they have a somewhat vacant and uninterested look in their eyes? CHECK.
Are they blonde? Yup.
Is she wearing at least five layers of foundation? Check.
Is HE wearing at least six layers of bronzer? Check.
How about the outfits? They should say modern yet basic, young yet…mostly old. Hmm..on point!
Does the man wear a suit coat at all times? Check.
Is the woman miserable and too thin? Check. Although this one looks pretty good compared to, I don't know, this:
There we go! At least four bones of the body are visible in the above photo. Check!
And that's about all you need in the looks department for this type of plot! Moving on!
Fake Fiancees Turn Bride and Groom Plot:
Oops! I'm falling in love with him/her! It can't be true! (horrified emoji) This scene always happens at some point.
If you want to get cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie with this plot, you have to look the part. Notice the WHITE youngish couple in the above photo. They're perfect.
Is he in shape, or for double points, a bodybuilder in a tight, white button-up? Eh, he'll do.
Is she blonde and painfully thin? Yep.
Does he look like Dean Cain's cousin? Check.
Does she look like an off-brand Barbie doll? Good enough.
Can you dance? Or at least pretend to? You know, the old two-step? The jury's still out.
Are you prepared to act in a Western/country/southern/small town theme? Oh, they're perfect.
Are his sleeves rolled up? Check.
Is she awkwardly touching his chest/abdomen? Or in this case trying to unbutton his shirt? I'm surprised at you Hallmark! Check.
Are you prepared to interact with an annoying child actor? i.e. His/her little brother/sister/cousin/niece/nephew? Let's hope so.
Is the main character prepared to interact with an overbearing mother/father figure and or a needy grandparent? They'd better be.
Is the main character prepared for fake awkward/embarrassing moments when their parents interact with their fake fiance? For example: "Honey do you remember when Jane/John was a sheep in the church Christmas play and fell off the stage? HAHA!" Prepare yourself.
And that's about all you need for this plot! Moving on!
The Hometown ex-boyfriend/girlfriend competes with Big City boyfriend/girlfriend Plot:
The woman is pretending to be interested in but knows nothing about his hobby scene, this usually happens towards the beginning of this plot.
If you want to get cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie with this plot, you have to look the part. Fortunately, you don't have to be too young for this one. The late twenties to mid-thirties bracket is fine. As long as you are willing to wear stage makeup and or have a minor/major plastic surgery to correct the flaws created by aging. I hear those all-natural gold facials really work! You know the drill by now, let's go through the checklist!
Are they both white? What do you think? Although, this plot leaves a little more room for the imagination in the race category. If you have non-white or mixed race heritage, no worries! Hallmark is more forgiving to non-Aryans in this plot structure.
Are they child actors from a past popular sitcom/soap opera? Check. If this doesn't apply to you, just say that you are a big Full House or Growing Pains fan! It helps to have a tattoo of a Cameron sibling (i.e. Kirk, Candace, that nameless older sister who dances and was seen on Saving Christmas).
Are you prepared to constantly manage a love triangle? For instance, you can't pick one man/woman over the other until the end of the movie. Sorry in advance.
Can you sing, dance, play a musical instrument, ride a horse, or sell flowers? Perfect! They'll need this talent for the middle of the film.
Are you prepared to constantly deal with a matchmaking female relative? Good!
Can you portray a business professional who's tired of the big city life? Perfect!
Tired of being blonde! Okay! This is the one plot in which they allow different hair colors: Dirty blonde, red, light brunette, etc. Okay okay, I know the woman in the photo is blonde….
Well this plot is so simple there's really nothing else to say. Moving on!
The TBF (token black friend) tricks white female friend into a blind date:
Oh girlfriend if that ain't beautiful I don't know what is! (The guy is the TSWF (token single white friend)
If you want to get cast in a Hallmark movie with this plot, you have to be as awkward and white as possible, with the exception of the TBF.
Is the TBF extremely happy? Borderline on hysterical? Taking helium? Yep.
Is the TSWF as square and nerdy as possible, with a ridiculous stiff grin? Yup.
Are there magical elements? Yep. How do I know? Just look at those twinkly sparkly light things, and I'll bet there's a sleigh bells soundtrack in the background.
As an African-American, are you prepared to have your ethnicity demeaned to nothing more than an eternally happy character who does nothing more than crack jokes and spout cliches/platitudes and act sassy/annoying/obnoxious? You'd better be! Cause that's all you're gonna get from Hallmark baby!
As the single white friend, are you prepared to act awkward and mysterious while wearing fifty layers of foundation and a casual chic wardrobe? Pull it together! Its what the people want! Or is it?
As the TSWF, are you prepared to be the one who says something in a group conversation, only to have the group stare at you with vacant expressions, then laugh loudly? Lock away those emotions pal!
As the victim, otherwise known as the blind date, are you ready to go out and fall in love with a complete stranger who has a pet poodle and a busy corporate job? She may or may not actually love you, she's just desparate! In a noncommittal, I-don't-need-no-man sort of way.
Well that says it all folks. NEXT!
The Child Match-maker plot:
Like, you've totally got to go out with her, her bio says she's a fan of Friends, Full House, and Blossom.
If you want to get cast in this plot, you have to be completely clueless and have no self-respect or self-confidence whatsoever. That's about it. Onto the checklist!
Are you prepared to constantly interact with a control freak in the form of a demented child who thinks they have a career in matchmaking? They KNOW what you need. They KNOW who you love. They're. Always. Watching.
Are you prepared to be shamelessly manipulated by a child who has let a little dose of authority go to their head?
Are prepared to forcibly fall in love, kind of a captive-loves-fellow-captive type thing?
Are prepared to have a double wedding with….gasp….your mom and new step-dad!?
If not, I hear there's an opening in the Fake Fiance Turns Bride and Groom plot!:) Movin' on!
The Forbidden Love Plot: (rare)
Remember the goal people, no matter how much you hate your co-star, you must eventually kiss him. The fans will love it!:)
If you want to get cast in this plot, you have to look the part. This one is a real doozy. You know the type. The woman/man has to appear in public and say and do all the social requirements with his/her parents choice for a mate, while meeting their true love, a hairdresser, graffiti artist, or sculptor, at midnight in the snow with a streetlight shining on their faces. They draw close together, their eyeballs almost touching, and tilt their heads opposite directions ever so slightly….but before I inspire tempting thoughts, let's go through the checklist!
Does he look at least somewhat down-to-earth and normal? I guess. This goes for the female in the same role too. Good news! The forbidden true love character is allowed to look mostly like an average American.
Does she look like a girl from a rich family? You know, the parents avoid Goodwill like the plague, buy only designer clothing, and own a big bad business who hates on the little people? Meanwhile she's the angelic Belle character who loves everybody and hates money (totes unrealistic). Eh, she'll do.
Are you prepared to kiss your true love in the snow with a backdrop of way too many Christmas decorations? (as seen above) And your parents pick at a Christmas party full of old people and an artificial Christmas tree decorated with two-dollar bills, MAGA ornaments, and an Uncle Sam hat/Statue of Liberty on top?
Can you play hard to get, or in this case, easy to get?
Can you play either the female who feels bad about her plan to elope, or the male who doesn't feel good enough for his rich intended?
How about the climax scene where he jumps in front of the paintball gun…
Just kidding, this never happens.;)
That's a wrap folks! You will leave this post feeling one of two ways:
Hockey stick! (name that Christmas movie)
November 22, 2018 August 8, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, cardboard plots, Hallmark cliches and tendencies, Hallmark satire, sarcastic humor, sinking sand storylines	2 Comments
How to Identify a Religious/Inspirational Christmas Novel
This post is for anyone having trouble spotting a Christian-friendly Christmas book/books to fill the long winter hours. I will elaborate on several ways to accomplish this, and how to avoid secular content at all costs. I hope this makes you laugh.:)
Step One: Does the book have identifying marks/images on the cover?
Those looking for a Christian Christmas novel should first look for a religious/inspirational image on the cover of possible books. For example, if the cover doesn't feature a Christmas tree, piles of gifts, Christmas lights, Santa kneeling at the manger, mistletoe, holly with red berries in the center, the silhouette of a couple walking in the snow with room left for Jesus, a Bible, a grandma in her rocking chair knitting a baby Jesus Christmas sweater, a Nativity scene featuring the rare figure called "man with bread" sitting on the mantel of a house about to foreclose on Christmas Eve, A gingerbread house with the Holy Family inside on a grandma's kitchen table, Mary with a halo in any number of settings, or a house saturated in Christmas decorations in Kirk Cameron's front yard, then it is not Christian. Beware.
Step Two: Does the book have a safe and uncontroversial plot description on the back cover?
If step one doesn't work, take it a step further and check the back cover. If you don't see a plot description telling of a romance featuring a single woman desperate for a hot Christian guy, a man/woman who lost their job/had a death or injury in the family and had to come back to their hometown to find love and save the family farm/estate/business/food truck before Christmas, a lonely middle-aged divorcee with no kids and a pet Chihuahua who falls in love with a bodybuilder at a Christmas party, an elderly widow looking for a second husband at the senior center's Christmas game night, a blogger who pretends to be her best friend on a dating website to catch a man in time for Christmas, a pastor forced to deliver a baby in the back of a car/truck/wagon/sleigh on Christmas Eve in the driving sleet who in turn uses the mother and child as Mary and Jesus in the live Nativity he is late for (see Do You Believe, Marriage Retreat), then it's not Christian. Stay away.
Step Three: Is the book written by Lori Wick, Beverly Lewis, or their comrades?
If step two fails, then open the front cover to see the author's picture and bio. If the author is a middle-aged woman who is married with two or more kids (including adopted children), a foreign exchange student, six cats and three dogs, loves to knit/crochet/craft/bake/paint tables/re-purpose furniture, has a short haircut and too much or too little makeup on, is pleasingly (or not) plump, lives up North, likes Amy Grant, has a gluten allergy, and drives a Subaru, then this is the book for you!
Step Four: Is the book published by a legalistic publisher?
This step is the deciding factor in Christmas novels.
Step Five: WWJD?
Can you see yourself reading this book, snuggled under a blanket with a cat or dog under your feet, drinking a non-alcoholic beverage, with Jesus and St. John reading over your shoulder? If not, do not.
Step Six: Is the author associated with a big-name writer?
As a last resort, do a quick Google search to see if the author has ever written a book with/collaborated/shook hands with/collaborated/had tea with/gotten an autograph from/stalked a big-name Christian author, if not, steer clear.
And that's your Christian fiction guide, holiday edition! Remember, leave room for Jesus, in fiction and in real life! (sarcasm)
November 19, 2018 November 19, 2018 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, cardboard plot structures, cheap plot-lines, flaky characters, overused plot devices, prevalent irrelevance in the Christmas genre, the true meaning of Christmas	Leave a comment
Why the Christian Holiday Genre Should be Better Than it is
The Christmas season seems to start earlier every year, which in turn gives entertainment companies an excuse to sell more and more content as time goes forward. As a writer and book critic, it seems to me that this year has brought a certain influx of Christmas fiction in the Christian/Religious genre. I'm sure we've all seen posters like the one pictured above – these types of Christmas books are a dime a dozen. While I was compiling books to add to our Upcoming Christian Novels page, I had to wade through a bottomless pit of Love Inspired fiction and other cheesy Christmas themed books to find anything of substance. In the end, I caved and added a few titles that seemed at least somewhat promising. I wanted to give the authors I included a chance to prove me wrong. I have nothing against Love Inspired, but around Christmastime it seems like every one of their novels has the same plot structure. Furthermore, none of their books appear to be reaching anyone with the Gospel message. This leads me to the following question.
Shouldn't Christian fiction, holiday themed or otherwise, be held to a higher standard? I, for one, can see no difference between the Religious/Inspirational Christmas fiction genre and your average hometown Christmas film (I see you Hallmark Channel). Anyone claiming to be a Christian must know that Christmas is not about fantasy-based romance, magical colors floating through the air, or cheap sentiment, rather, it is supposed to be a celebration of our Savior's birth.
Do these novels preach this message? No, they do not. I say with great sadness that these novels are no different than a secular Christmas book. There is more to Christmas than boy-meets-girl in his/her hometown, cheesy suspense, saving the family business/farm/company/estate while trying to catch a husband/wife, and Christmas weddings/engagements/baby showers in the snow. I have nothing against the Christmas genre in all it's forms, as long as it points people to Christ. Books like Max Lucado's The Christmas Candle are a great example of how to create a well-written fictional tale that points people to the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas (he even manages to include miraculous elements without being cheesy). Authors, take a cue from this novel and others like it. Stop worrying about filling quotas and consider what the purpose of your writing is. Take an honest look at your manuscript, does it point people to Christ, or does it point them to temporary pleasures?
November 12, 2018 November 22, 2019 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Christian content should be better, Christmas, Love Inspired novels, quantity over quality in Christian novels, Religious/Inspirational Christmas genre, the true meaning of Christmas	Leave a comment
Why the Smallbone Brothers Should Make Redeeming Love a Film
Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love has touched many lives and reached many people as a novel, however, we are at BOR believe it would reach many more as a film. Many people do not understand this story in it's current form, and some may be repulsed by the many raw and honest characteristics found throughout the novel. Until recently, sex trafficking was not realized as a crime happening within U.S. borders, and I wonder if some still do not realize just how long the crime has been in existence. You see, in the 1850's and before, prostitutes were and are despised and rejected by society as bad people who could have done better. Those doing the rejecting gave no thought to the circumstances that led these women and girls to their present condition, nor did they offer help and freedom to those in bondage. In this era, and sometimes in the present, women with no husband or father often became so destitute and hungry that they were driven to sell themselves to survive. Furthermore, some poor families sold their children into sex slavery so that they could eat. In Redeeming Love, Sarah is the latter. She knew nothing but a life of being used and abused by men, and was afraid to escape because she would be beaten into submission. When a honorable man did arrive, she didn't trust him at first, and later was afraid to start over. It took a tragedy to secure her freedom, and many sacrifices to help her stay free. Similarly, the Smallbone brothers' landmark film Priceless has reached many people by proclaiming a "call to arms" of sorts for people to recognize and seek to help those currently in slavery. The film took a personal look at sex slavery by asking the audience how far they would go if it was their daughter, sister, etc. in bondage. Redeeming Love asks the same question, but in a different way. For this reason, I feel that the Smallbone brothers next project should be making Redeeming Love into an epic film. Think of it as the sequel to Priceless. We've seen slavery through the eyes of an impoverished woman and through the eyes of a father, but not through the eyes of a child who grew up a slave. There are very few that we would entrust with this task, for Francine Rivers' most popular book has the potential to change the culture. The Smallbones should do this, not because of their notoriety, but because they have already demonstrated a deep understanding of the topic, and a commitment to above par Christian films. Those who were not reached by Priceless would be reached by a film based on Redeeming Love. However, for this to happen, we have certain requirements that we believe must be met because they reflect the reasons why Rivers has turned down other filmmakers in the past.
Francine Rivers must work directly with the filmmakers throughout the entire process to ensure that the original plot content is upheld, casting is accurate, and that a strong commitment to character development drives everyone's actions
Redeeming Love should be an epic film that focuses on Sarah's life up to the end of the novel
The Smallbones should collaborate with the Erwins, as they have done in the past, to ensure maximum potential is reached
Cast members should be diverse in ethnicity, age, and circumstance, to ensure that people from all walks of life are reflected in the story
Time jumps should be minimal or nonexistent; the Erwins are masters of this technique
Finally, if the Smallbones cast themselves in the film, they must act alongside their wives
To conclude, the team at BOR has developed a dream cast for this film. These suggestions derive from a study of how these actors have performed in the past, and our belief in their untapped potential.
Sarah/Angel: Moriah Smallbone is the only actress that can portray the heart of this character with gravitas.
Michael Hosea: Joel Smallbone has already proven that he can act well, and fits the personality of this character. The Erwins could coach him to improve upon his performance in Priceless.
Paul (Michael's brother): Jim Caviezel would be great in this role. Paul's character is passionate yet bitter, and caring yet afraid to come out of his shell. He is overconfident yet yearns for more. Caviezel has proven his ability to portray diverse characters in the past, and would draw unlikely viewers to the premiere. Our only concern is his age, which is a bit too old. We would like to see the Erwins ideas for this character.
The Duchess: Shohreh Aghdashlo is quite talented at playing a villian, and could easily become this character.
Mr. Altman: Luke Smallbone is a good fit for this role because Mr. Altman is described as loving, protective, and gentle.
Mrs. Altman: Courtney Smallbone is very similar in real life to this character. She has a strong faith in God and acts as a role model for younger women and fellow mothers. Plus, she and Luke already have three kids that could play the role of Miriam's younger siblings.
Miriam Altman: Masey McLain would be great in this role. She has played several whimsical, artistic characters in the past, and can do it again. Plus, McLain and Caviezel would be a very interesting match-up onscreen.
Jonathan Axle: Believe it or not, I think Brett Rice could be really good in this role. He is an established actor in Christian circles, and is good at playing a gruff but compassionate 60-something male character.
Susanna Axle: Rhoda Griffis, because, why not? She's a good matronly character who adds sass and spunk to any movie she's in.
October 8, 2018 October 8, 2018 by amg16 Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Erwin Brothers, Francine Rivers, Moriah Smallbone, Redeeming Love, Shohreh Aghdashlo, Smallbone Brothers	6 Comments
Movies That Are So Bad They're Not Even Worth Our Time, Part 7 (MTASBTNEWOT 7)
In our vast Christian entertainment viewing experience, we sometimes come upon films that we can hardly justify writing a full review for. Therefore, for your convenience, so you don't have to go watch those free films that invade your suggested watch list in on-demand video services, we've provided a quick overview here. Someday we might post more, if we're fortunate enough to find more.
Lazer Us: The Legend of Jimi Lazer
In this strangely-titled film that appears to convey something about Lazarus, a guitarist named Jimi Lazer is depicted as he stumbles upon a magic guitar that gets him in contact with the Devil! As a musician, Jimi wants riches and fame just like the next guy, so he sells his soul to the Old Liar. Essentially, Lazer Us is a trippy, LSD-style drug trip from the 60s that has an unhealthy obsession with Satanism and tries to warn aspiring artists to stay away from Lucifer. Unfortunately, the time spent on Satan is disproportionate, and the storyline is overall extremely confusing and hard to follow, which is why it landed here.
Pocket Angel
As a basically unknown new film from this year, Pocket Angel is in a category all by itself–almost rivaling The Rev for cartoonishness. Apparently some reporter is assigned to a story in Mexico, so she takes her newly adopted son along. Most of her lines are overdubbed in the most horrible way, and she comes off as a cruel parody of a Hispanic character. Her son is kidnapped by the most childish cartoon villains you can dream of and held for random. As a majority of the film consists of ridiculous sound effects from Lost in Silver Canyon, it's easy to miss the creepy angel characters that peddle Pocket Angel figurines from a Christian bookstore to the characters. Basically, this film is mostly inexplicable.
A Wish For Giants
When a girl who just contracted brain cancer is given a chance to have her wish fulfilled by a non-profit, she does what every girl would do and wishes to see Bigfoot. The non-profit actually takes her seriously and assigns a summer intern to the case. This film is full of boring and drab sequences that utilize terrible production quality. There is also a lot of Bigfoot message-pushing and some vague reference to the Nephilim that are off-putting. It goes without saying that the acting is basement-level deplorable. As a whole, this movie is extremely strange and hard to follow, which is why it has found a home here.
Well that's all for now! Maybe we'll post another one someday…maybe not…
July 23, 2018 December 31, 2018 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: 2014, 2018, A.J. Dunbar, Aaron Dunbar, Alexa Mechling, Alexandria Sertik, Amanda Corbin, Amber Gonzales, Amy Landon, Anastassia Ash, Autumn Claypool, Ava Marie Hudson, Bill Rush, Blanket Hill Productions, Bridgestone Multimedia Group, Christopher Elliott, Cine Del Sol Productions, Colleen Unrau, Connor McClain, Corey Melton, CubeCity Entertainment, Curium Films, Curt Costanzo, Dan Haggerty, Don Swanson, Elijah Black, Frankie Skrzeszewski, J.P. Edwards, Jim Yorfido, Joe Dedon, Joe Fishel, John Beckett, John Claus, Kennedy Garvin, Kristine Neumann, Krystal Teal, Madalynn Eckman, Mann Munoz, Mark Clifford, Mark D'Errico, Martin Geiger, Mary Dunbar, Miq Munoz, Monica Sertik, MTASBTNEWOT, Naysa Altmeyer, Nicole Stewart, Pam Yorfido, Patrick Mitchell, Rebecca Dunbar, Robbie Beniuk, Robert Nowak, Robert Tanos, Roberto Munoz, Spruce Films, Stan Gordon, Tanya Rigley, Thomas Nelson, Tim Ash, Todd Johns, Todd Melville, Vee Russell, Victor Anthony, William G. Hobbs	Leave a comment
Congratulations to I Can Only Imagine Contest Winners!
Congrats to the lucky winners of our I Can Only Imagine giveaway!
Frances B
Charles D
Olivia S
Thank you for all who participated and keep participating!
June 20, 2018 December 31, 2018 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Strange….
For Such a Time
Why do we need so many Esther films? This one looks like it was recorded with a handheld camera for a church play. They obviously purchased all of their costumes and props at Walmart and decided to film a historical story in a modern house full of white people with too much makeup. Production is terrible in all aspects and nothing these people are doing resembles acting. This is so low quality that it doesn't even warrant creation.
Just taking some pictures of flowers
One of the wonders produced by Nasser Film Group, this one portrays Kristy Swanson and a whole bunch of other awkward cast members in a knockoff Hallmark movie about a group of people all hanging around the same property together trying to rehabilitate a dying flower business. With laughable references to the internet and technology and the most juvenile forced romances ever, only watch this one if you need a good laugh.
In another face-palmer from Nasser, Kris Kristofferson attempts to portray a fifty-year-old man with a teenage daughter, although he was close to eighty years old at the time of this movie's filming. Hardly anything can be focused on at all in this formulaic, stereotypical, and predictable horse-saves-the-farm story except for Kristofferson's terrible plastic surgery, constant grunting, and scenes of him pretending to ride a horse. Whoever keeps casting old coots like Kristofferson needs to quit film making.
April 6, 2017 January 10, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: Aaron Pritchett, Alberta Mayne, Alyse Merritt, Anne Wheeler, April Telek, Bible, Biblical, Billy Mitchell, Carlos Joe Kostas, Chelah Horsdal, Christophe Gauthier, Daniel Bacon, Danny Glover, David Bloom, David Orth, Ellie Harvie, Historical, Horse, horse stuff, Inspirational, Jeremy Guilbaut, Jocelyne Loewen, Jodelle Ferland, John Merritt, Kele McGlohon, Kelly Konno, Kris Kristofferson, Kristy Swanson, Mark Burgess, Mark Stouffer, Matt Mazur, Michael Shanks, Michelle Gold, MTASBTNEWOT, Nasser Entertainment Group, Nicola Cavendish, overdone costuming, Paul Jarrett, picking flowers, Sean Devine, Stephen E. Miller, Tender Shoot Films, washed up actors, William Dear	3 Comments
Living Water [2006]
From the obnoxious blaring harpsicord soundtrack to the generally terrible production quality, Living Water is possibly one of the worst films on record. Based entirely off of borderline offensive racial stereotypes, there is really no pot here to speak of except for a save the church concept and a bunch of heavy-handed radio preaching that drives the so-called story. As the movie goes from one juvenile drama to the next, the viewer (if they last through it) finds themselves either laughing or crying from embarrassment. A word of advice: steer clear of this one unless you're really bored.
Running [2015]
Made by a ministry of some sort, it's unclear whether or not the creation of this film was justified. The production money was spent on the wrong things, such as fancy vehicles, instead of spending it on practical things, such as better audio and video equipment. The story is very thin and empty—it seems like nothing is really happening except characters pretending like they're doing stuff. Finally, the acting is deplorable, rounding out a very uninspiring movie you probably won't ever get around to watching.
Only Once [1998]
Only watch this barely-one-hour Mormon movie if you like to laugh at extremely awkward and wooden teenage cast members trying to convey an otherwise important message. There is an unbelievable amount of silence in this film as mindless and empty characters just stare at each other and as useless montages go by. This story is overall childish and overly simplistic. There is no way to understand the end, much less what we're really supposed to get out of this. But if you want a laugh, have a go at it.
February 25, 2017 January 11, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 1998, 2006, 2015, Alisha Clingo, Austin O'Brien, Becky Harding, Ben Moore, Boregon Films, Bristone Films, Britt Leary, Corey Stills, Dan Garcia, David Jensen, Derrick Holloway, Dionne Carroll, Donlu Thayer, Douglas Caputo, Douglas Thayer, Evan Cleaver, George Michael Kostuch, God Will Provide International Mission, Harold Clarke, Inspirational, Jan Hanks, Jasmine Perkins, Jason Hewitt, Joe Salcedo, John McDougall, Josh James, Leonard Cook, Lisa J. Peck, Lisle Moore, Liz Johnson, Most Wanted Films, MTASBTNEWOT, Natasha Marc, Nolan Powell, Raquel Allison, Rocco DeVilliers	Leave a comment
One Year of Reviews
By God's grace, we've made it through one year of Christian movie reviews and opinion pieces! We've gone through over 200 movies and were able to find plenty of favorite films. A big thanks goes to the Box Office Revolution team for all the work they did in 2016: KCApproved, amg16, and caleb0114.
However, we're not anywhere near done. Our team has much planned for 2017. More reviews and columns are coming and more upcoming films. We can't wait to see what God has in store!
January 1, 2017 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	3 Comments
Movies That Are So Bad They're Not Even Worth Our Time, Christmas Edition (MTASBTNEWOT Christmas)
In our vast Christian entertainment viewing experience, we sometimes come upon films that we can hardly justify writing a full review for. Therefore, for your convenience, so you don't have to go watch those free films that invade your suggested watch list in on-demand video services, we've provided a quick overview here. For now, here's a collection of Christmas films that fall into this category.
It's very hard to explain
Beverly Hills Christmas
This is barely a Christmas movie at all except that it's based on the typically bizarre magic premise you find in many knockoff holiday films. Dean Cain and a Meryl Streep lookalike star in this movie that's filled with wacko works-based theology and abstract vague fantasy lingo and concepts. Apparently some dead woman has to get into heaven by making her spoiled brat daughter act good, so she decides to bring a nice kid back to life by shooting lightning into his skull even though Dean Cain told her not to touch people. It's a shame this off-the-wall movie wasted a decent character arc and a remotely interesting idea.
Look, a rose!
Natalie's Rose
Also barely a Christmas film (or a Christian one), this time about a horse named—guess what—Rose. Basically, this movie wastes an hour of your time on farm footage and sitting around talking before coming to the shocking conclusion: the horse is a "special" horse that turns into a rose. [ENTER GIANT FACEPALM HERE]. No joke. The production is terrible and most people won't even make through the entire slogfest to see the main character having hallucinations about glowing horseback riders at night. How this garbage gets made is beyond us.
DAX!
When you use kids with cancer as props and parade vain Christian actors and actresses in front of the camera in some kind of lame attempt to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital in a shameless commercial soliciting you for money, we don't have much respect for you. Sure, St' Jude's does some great things and helps families in need, but can't we just have a normal movie without all the advertising, drama, and pageantry? They didn't even try to make this true story a realistic plot. It's really shameful when you have characters telling you to make donations.
December 19, 2016 January 13, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 1998, 2015, Abby de Vos, Allan Creel, Andrew McKellips, Andy Cohen, Anita Renfroe, Boonie Publishing & Productions, Brandon Tyler Russell, Brian Skiba, Brooke Bryan, Bruce Marchiano, Burgess Jenkins, Candace Cameron Bure, Christian Nelson, Christopher Shone, Clayton Cannon, Dean Cain, Dee Smiley, Dendrie Taylor, Donna Spangler, Eric Jay Beck, Erin Bethea, F.D. Lewis, Five Arts Films, Gary Wheeler, George Newbern, God & Country Entertainment, Hayden Nelson, Heather Rezin-McKellips, Heidi Creel, Horse, Ian McKellips, Jeanne Neilson, Karl T. Wright, Kaya Millar, Kelsey Kupecky, Kirsten Lea, Lance W. Dreesen, Lynn Marie Sager, Mara Rydell, Mark Friedrichsen, Matthew West, Mike Rutkowski, MTASBTNEWOT, My Three Sons Films, Nicholas Shone, Oregon Pacific Pictures, Paul McKellips, Ravin Spangler, Remarkable Entertainment, Sam Taft, Satyricon Pictures, Simona Fusco, Sophie Sinise, Susan Rumor, Timothy McKellips, Uplifting Entertainment, Vincent De Paul	1 Comment
What Christian movies do you want to see us review next? Comment below and let us know what you want to see!
Silver Twins
The Golden Voices
The Power Couple, Season 1
The Dream Motel, Season 1
Little Notes to Heaven
The Father's Love
12 Days With God
Runnin' From My Roots
Joseph's Gift
David vs. Goliath: Battle of Faith
The Sin: From Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel
Ruth: The Musical
Praise Band: The Movie
No Place in This World
The Savior
Adams Testament
6 Hearts 1 Beat
Love 101: Freshman Class
Lost and Found: A New Beginning
Can I Get a Witness Protection?
Jacob's Ladder, Season 1
Signed Sealed Delivered, Season 1
Where Was God?
The Accidental Missionary
Treasure Blind
Why She Cries
Objects of Wrath
Great Gain
30 Day Promise
Seven Letters: Ephesus
Redeeming the Time
What About the Children?
A Flower From Heaven 2: A Perilous Journey
I Am My Sister's Keeper
Sustained
Beyond the Shield
A Cowgirl's Story
Cries of the Unborn
Church People
Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Season 1
The Sparrows Nesting
December 10, 2016 January 12, 2020 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	39 Comments
Box Office Revolutionary Saves Christmas
He knows when you're sleeping and stuff
After watching Kirk Cameron's infamous Saving Christmas masterpiece, I was left feeling both inspired and cheated. I feel like good ole' Kirk didn't go as far as he could have with this award-winning film. There are so many more elements of Christmas that need explaining and redeeming. Take note, Uncle Kirk: this one's for you!
Don't you want to build a snowman?
What is the Biblical-historical origin of snowmen, you may ask. Take a moment to talk with me down the historical timeline. Imagine darkness. Imagine a few stars peeking out in the cold Judean night as sheep graze on the countryside. Imagine gripping a wooden stick called a staff and staring off into the distance, wandering what your true purpose is. Then suddenly, you are knocked off your feet at the sight of mind-searing light coming from the heavens. The very fabric of the universe has been pulled back and you see beings dancing across the firmament.
That's right—snowmen represent the shepherds who went to see baby Jesus. Even today, when we build snowmen, we are still referring back to those lowly men who visiting the neigh-tivity scene. This is clear when you realize that snowmen just stand there, never moving, always watching…always watching you…
I can't think of a witty caption to put here
Go back to that Judean countryside. Walk with me as we enjoy the crisp evening. Look up to the heavens and see the millions of blinking lights across the celestial array. The panorama stretches as far as you can see. Each star is named by God and each one worships Him.
You are correct again—our modern day Christmas lights represent the stars that were there the night Jesus was born. Each star worshipped Him that night. So the next time you're hanging those annoyingly tangled things up around your house, remember that you are participating in the real meaning of Christmas: stars.
You know what kinda train this is?
Seriously, Kirk, you really let us down here after you waxed eloquent in the first opening sequence of your creative wonder. What does the hot cocoa mean? I mean, Tom Hanks and the Polar Express already tried to tell us something about it, but we need your wisdom as bad as Rusty Martin Sr.'s. I guess I'll have to try to fill your large shoes and explain this one for all the little people out there.
Imagine you are sitting in your house alone, pondering your future life with that dreamy carpenter down the street. You've picked out your new curtains for those modern windows in your first-century Jewish abode and you've even got a dress from Lydia of Philippi (it sure was expensive). Then suddenly, your entire world is rocked as you turn to see a creepy angel staring right through you. How did he get in here? Why won't he say anything as he stares blankly at you? What would Joseph think if he walked in right now? You suddenly find yourself bathed in warm light—so much so that you drop the tea you were drinking and it spills all over your new shawl.
We're really on a roll here. There's absolutely no question that Christmas hot cocoa represents the British tea the virgin Mary was drinking when the British angel showed up and gave her the skinny. So next time you're drinking that powdery dust from a mug with red and green scribbles and\or a fat Santa on it, remember that you are following in the footsteps of the Immaculate Heart herself.
The best non-Christian Christmas film to date
Think back to that neigh-tivity scene in that wooden structure we call a stable. The snowmen shepherds are there. Depending on your beliefs, the 'wise men' may or may not be there too. Baby Jesus lays in the feeding trough with a halo around his head. British Joseph and Mary are there too, each with their own halo. It smells so fresh in this ancient garage—like a cow farm. The animals are gathered all around, just like in that song we sing in church sometimes, looking at their Creator in their feed bucket.
Right again! The modern day reindeer are actually the animals at the neigh-tivity scene. They were all there to witness the birth of Jesus, just like a Disney movie. So the next time you see those red-nosed critters, think back to how the animals witnessed the birth of our Lord and Savior.
No, we've never seen this film and never intend to
Forget elf worship, these creepy little pointy-eared guys are nothing but bundles of Christmas cheer! Think back to the day (whatever day you think it was) when the wise men guys from the East Magi visited the baby boy Jesus and gave him like a million dollars worth of gifts. As they knelt in the stable house, they presented their gifts to the King of Kings.
In our modern Christmas ways, we think of elves as creepy little guys always watching Santa's cute little helpers, who assist the jolly ole' Saint Nick in body slamming liberal Christians delivering gifts to kids. Well, that's exactly what the Magi did! They brought gifts to Jesus! See, elves aren't so bad after all!
There, I did it! Where Cameron forgot to save Christmas traditions for you, I saved them! You're welcome.
December 10, 2016 December 10, 2016 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Christmas, Kirk Cameron	7 Comments
We're drowning in a sea of Mormonism
Rescued [2008]
In this special edition of MTASBTNWOT, we examine the three WisenQuest movies that were reproduced by Candlelight Media Group to put a Mormon spin on them. That's right: Island of Grace has a twin! All they had to do was change some of the evangelical themes to Mormon themes. But also for some bizarre reason, they changed all the names of the cast members, even though they are the same people. Apparently they thought that by changing the names, you would never know this was the same movie. How stupid do they think people are?
I'm totes converting to Mormonism now
Turn Around [2007]
It's just like Overcome, but with 'different' cast members and Mormon bishops! Instead of Jaycee Lynn, it's Jaci Twiss! Instead of Aaron Brown, it's Jordon Sorensen! It's also based on some kind of Mormon story about Alma the Younger (whoever that is) instead of loosely based on the Apostle Paul. But does anybody really care?
I'm Mormon now!
Beauty and the Beast: A Latter Day Tale
Once again, Matthew Reese replaces Matthew Davis (not really, they're the same guy). This fairytale now has a latter day spin on it! Seriously people, why would you pretend that it's a different movie by changing the title and the cast member names but not the character names (oh look at that: they didn't change Caitlyn E. J. Meyer's name)? What's the point of copying on top of another film just so you can have a version that suits your section of beliefs? Might as well copy all other Christian films and Mormon-ize them while you're at it.
November 23, 2016 January 14, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 2007, 2008, Arne Carter, Brian Brough, Brittany Wiscombe, Caitlin E.J. Meyer, Candlelight Media Group, D. Susan Luty, Dani Franklin, Dayne Rockwood, Everest Bishop, Falisha Fehoko, Jace Rowley, Jaci Twiss, Jason Osmond, Jordon Sorenson, Lindsay Bird, Matthew Reese, MTASBTNEWOT, Shea Potter, Summer Naomi Smart	Leave a comment
Our reaction to this film
Travel to a magical fantasy land where Dean Cain, that odd girl from Your Love Never Fails, and some other C-grade cast members discover the truth about the afterlife. When the kid from the previously mentioned Hallmark movie accidentally kicks a soccer ball into a tree, she discovers that the tree actually holds a portal into the heavenly dimension. If you don't believe her, then shame on you. Anyways, one thing leads to another and the girl's psychic grandmother reveals to her that she talks to the girl's unborn sibling (who died in a miscarriage) about how the portal will save her family from splitting apart or something. It's sort of like the teenage David A. R. White from Second Glance trying to save his family, but not really. In the end, they all have to learn that talking to the dead will tell you the future and that this is somehow a Christian movie[/sarcasm]. If you don't agree with this movie's message, then you're the Grinch who stole Hallmark cards.
Who knows what this cover is trying to convey
With films like these, we can see why garbage like Princess Cut wins awards at film festivals. If you can watch this film for five minutes without going batty from the incessant banging background 'soundtrack' and the constant fidgeting of several cast members, you can learn that the poor dying man lying in the bed with the trophy has cancer and he needs some seaweed to cure him. Also, he needs his friend to find his daughter for him. Any other dialogue was totally lost on us as we could not understand it due to the 'soundtrack'. God only knows what this nonsense is trying to convey.
Most readers will probably never even find this 'lost' film as it was exclusively sold at a local church (we reserve the right to not disclose how we came upon a copy). Basically, some lawyer guy likes to ride motorcycles with the 'guys' and his wife wants him to go to church and spend time with their son. But he decides to ride one last time and his son goes out on a dangerous bike and crashes (offscreen) and ends up in the church hallway hospital under the care of a local mafia leader rich guy pretending to be a doctor[/insidejoke]. There's not really much to be learned here since it's so short and shallow; the acting is so bad that this can barely be classified as a movie. We just had to include here for reasons.
November 14, 2016 January 14, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 2009, 2013, 2014, Dean Cain, Kaden Billin, MTASBTNEWOT	4 Comments
Unexpected Places [2012] (Movie Review)
Is that another Christian film group calling?
Pam likes to control her life. She likes to persuade her boss to give her more power in the workplace and she likes to control the lives of her sons, even though she doesn't agree with all their choices. One son, a delinquent druggie, is sent to live with her and her husband so that he can begin to turn his life around. The other son is living with his girlfriend and their child, with another on the way. Pam wants her life to look nice and neat on the outside, so she takes steps in her own strength to make this a reality. However, she quickly discovers that she cannot do everything and that she needs to look to God for her strength.
Production Quality (0 points)
Unfortunately, there is nothing positive to point out in this film. From low quality video to terrible audio quality to shaky camera work, this one is a doozy. Lighting is bad in a majority of the scenes, and the sets are very cheap-looking. An annoying Hallmark soundtrack clanks the entire time, sometimes louder than the dialogue. Transitions between scenes are very abrupt and some scenes appear to be missing. This horrid editing job is basically just cut and paste—even if it means key information is cut off or left out. It really seems like this crew had no idea what they were doing.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
We're at a loss as to what this movie is even about. With confusing dialogue filled with abstract figures and workplace lingo, it's like the characters are malfunctioning robots. The protagonist herself comes off a very dense and not connected to reality, even though she's very serious about what she does. The subplots are disjointed and appear pasted together from multiple different movie ideas. The conflict therein is mindless and isolating; audiences are not able to connect with the struggles of the characters. With no focus or main point, the storyline comes down to an empty ending that teaches a dangerous half-truth, which will be discussed at the end of this review. Essentially, there was little reason for this idea to be approved for filming, let alone release.
Acting Quality (0 points)
Crystal Creek Media has a penchant for casting very wooden actors and actresses. There is nothing wrong with using amateurs and they can certainly be coached, but coaching does not exist in Crystal Creek Media's budget. Cast members are emotionless throughout the film, delivering uninspiring monotone lines, like they're reading from cue cards. I'm sure they meant well, but it doesn't show.
When it comes down to it, Unexpected Places simply does not properly deliver whatever message it is trying to convey. What's worse, the ending preaches a very dangerous idea: that when someone becomes a Christian, their life is automatically turned around in every aspect. There is no question that when someone is saved by surrendering to Jesus, their life is totally transformed. Yet this film appears to suggest that salvation takes away all of a person's sin struggles; this is something that may confuse and frustrate those new to the faith. In the end, few will find this film even fully watchable, which is just another testament to the sad state of Christian film.
November 7, 2016 January 14, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Drama, Inspirational, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 2012, abstract figures, Aidan Baker, Amy Susan Heard, Angel Matheson, Angela Schneider, Benjamin Walls Sr., Chad Gibbons, Crystal Creek Media, Crystal Gibbons, Daniel Knudsen, Dawn Kent, Dawn Storey, Gerry Wiatr, Inspirational, Jeffrey Reseigh, Joey Santana, Jordan Miller, Kurt Hierholzer, Michael Brennan, Penny Carlisi, Reveal Film Group, Robin McCoy, Ryan-Iver Klann, squirrel watching, Tamatha Lee Egner, Terri Partyka, Tim Kaiser, Tim Torok, Wayne E. Brown	5 Comments
The Young Believers
If you want to see the cheapest church skit ever, view this gem. Starring less than fifteen cast members, a majority of the scenes consist of the four main characters awkwardly standing in front of a wall or a fence. They spit out preprogrammed lines that demonstrate an isolationist Christian view of the world, as well as the world record for the usage of the word 'dude'. There are more production errors that can be counted and the acting is just horrific. With no real plot to speak of, we decided that it didn't warrant a full review.
Our thoughts exactly
Raising Izzie
Borderline Christian films are the worst. Are they trying to be Christian or are they trying to make fun of it? Who knows. Regardless, this film depicts one of the most bizarre versions of Christianity we have ever seen, complete with magic blankets. Characters scream at each other in the most annoying ways and you really never know what's coming next. The plot is based on such weird pretzel logic regarding child custody that we don't even know who to believe on this one. Anyways, just steer clear.
On Angel's Wings
This one escaped from the Disney channel for sure. Featuring a teenage girl with first world problems conversing with the reincarnation of Peter Pan (yes, there is an actual flying scene in this film), this one is a real drug trip doozy sprinkled with Christian themes. Replete with music videos to the tune of free background music, this film is obviously disingenuous and one big joke, boasting one of the most half-hearted casts ever. Only watch this one if you feel like a laugh.
November 3, 2016 January 14, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews, Opinion PiecesTags: 2012, 2014, Aaron L. Williams, Andrew Okoh, Angel's Wings the Movie, Bill Cobbs, Bobbcat Films, Brandon Vielkind, Catherine Dyer, David Martyn Conley, Deetta West, Detra Bickerstaff, Eryn Moore, Fmi Visuals, Gabriel Newman, Gerald Webb, Han Soto, Jay Gerren, Jessica Garza, John Merchant, Kelsey Tanaka, Kyla Kenedy, La Quinthia Miller, MTASBTNEWOT, Natasha Gerren, Reginald VelJohnson, Rhonda Hodges, Ric Reitz, Robert Michael Szot, Robin Givens, Rockmond Dunbar, Roger M. Bobb, Ryan N. Taylor, Sean Huze, Sid Curtis, Tai Gerren, Taylor Faye Ruffin, Tyler Humphrey, Tyler Sadler, Vanessa Williams, Victoria Elizabeth Staley	2 Comments
Why We Need More Christian Series'
A failed Christian series
With the rise of independent entertainment, the increase of interest and quality in Christian entertainment, and the availability of on-demand video services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and even Vimeo and PureFlix On Demand, Christian creators no longer have any excuses. One does not have to look far to see that the popularity of Amazon Original and Netflix Original Series' is growing. Instead of being left behind in the entertainment curve once again, it is time for the Christian creative to stand up and seize the opportunity to change the culture. Starving artists no longer have to hope for networks to pick up their shows when they have the ability to market their ideas to possibly favorable on-demand video providers such as PureFlix On Demand. There are many advantages to the creations of Christian original series' and miniseries', as will be outlined in this article.
Opportunity for better character development and plot twists
Too often, independent Christian films are severely limited in funding, thus causing their otherwise good plots to be squeezed into a less than two-hour runtime. With series' and miniseries', this does not have to be. Running multiple 40-minute to 60-minute episodes about the same plot with the same characters provides ample time for deeper development and more complex plot twists. Naturally, funding is necessary for this to happen, but we believe it is possible.
Today's entertainment consumers want more, period. We all want more interesting movies, more things to laugh at, more effects to be wowed by, and more plots to enjoy. With series', we get to see more of the same characters following a common plotline across a continuum. Of course, this has to be done responsibly so that the series does not meander, but it is definitely possible.
Ability to make quick new ideas without undertaking a major screenplay
I'm no expert in the inner workings of what it takes to get a movie to the big screen, but I suspect that it's much easier to present a series, at least 'on trial', and to have it provided to viewers through the cloud than it is to work in the major movie distribution business. Especially since PureFlix On Demand is such an open network (you would think), someone with a good idea *should* be able to expose it to more people faster through such mediums. Of course, I could be wrong, but I'm going to bet that I'm not.
More popular with the younger generation
Perhaps most importantly, on-demand is simply the wave of the future. It's not that Christianity is outdated, it's that we've stopped listening to the younger generation (my generation) and stopped trying to make sure that the message of Christianity is able to be understood by all. In a more simple vein, I know for a fact that many professing Christians my age just swear off all Christian entertainment completely, and sometimes rightly so, due to the horrible reputation of Christian film that is constantly being added to. But what if a Christian on-demand series all of a sudden materialized? If done properly, it would be popular almost overnight. Just look at how much people desperately cling to When Calls the Heart, which is only a shadow of what a Christian series could be.
In short, if God calls us to be creative, then we have to be creative. We have to listen to people and pay attention to what they are doing so that we can know how to effectively reach people. It's been too long since the inception of on-demand series' for Christians to not have a voice there. But maybe that's a good thing up until now, so that the reputation is not tarnished by terrible productions. Yet the time has come for Christian creators to rise up, to make their mark, and to take their place in the Kingdom.
August 19, 2016 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces	Leave a comment
Are you an independent Christian film maker? Has your church made a movie? Send it to us and we will review it and get the word out about it!
Just upload your film to a video sharing site (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and email the link to boxofficerevolutionary@gmail.com. If you are unable to upload your film, email me at the same address to see if we can work something out. Please note that your film must be at least 30 minutes long for us to review it.
We can't wait to see what the hidden geniuses of Christian film have to offer!
August 4, 2016 January 16, 2019 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Movie Reviews	15 Comments
What Audiences Want
Per the Calgary Herald, When Calls the Heart fans, also known as #Hearties, are very much in love with the Hallmark series because it's family friendly and wholesome. At the beginning of the show, there was an attempt to craft meaningful characters, and fans still hold on to this, even though character quality has significantly decreased since the inaugural season. Michael Landon Jr. right hand man Brian Bird has said before that their show fills a deep desire in fans for wholesome entertainment.
So what does this mean? It means that however cheesy and disappointing WCTH may become, they still have a devoted fan base because there's nothing else. WCTH exists in a vacuum. They were obviously trying harder at first because they had to, but now they don't have to try because there's no competition in their genre. This is a sad reality, because there is so much potential in WCTH alone, but we firmly believe that this genre of TV series is largely untapped. What if there were even better family-friendly weekly series on television and on-demand services?
Christian and inspirational viewers may like certain aspects of non-family-friendly entertainment (this definition is very broad and subjective), they still desperately want wholesome entertainment. So where are the Christian creative geniuses? Entertainment still remains to be another area where western Christians have allowed other ideas to fill the vacuum. The inspirational genre is starved for quality creations. Hallmark, despite their flaws, would likely approve any series that marketed well and was crafted for their target audience. The vast world of on-demand entertainment remains untapped by Christians.
What we need is a generation of creative Christians to rise up and redeem entertainment by making better entertainment. Due to financial constraints, they would obviously have to start out small, but it's better to start somewhere than nowhere. If God wants you to create redemptive entertainment, then He will provide. We must be open to what God wants us to create, because as we have seen, entertainment has a profound effect on western culture and even the entire world. Christian entertainment has too long been dominated by low-quality and propaganda-ridden sediment, and it's time for that to change.
June 21, 2016 December 31, 2018 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Opinion Pieces, Polls, Awards, News, and InterviewsTags: Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Brian Bird, Hallmark, Michael Landon Jr., News, When Calls the Heart series	Leave a comment
On the 88th Academy Awards
While I rarely watch Hollywood awards shows and do not really keep up with any inside Hollywood information, I happened to watch portions of the Oscars last night. Therefore, I cannot actually comment on the entirety of the event, but I can offer my assessment of what I did see. What I saw was what I will term as 'bored Hollywood'. In my opinion, they, as a collective, have reached a point where they don't really have to try anymore. Some could say they are phoning it in. In the follow up to the event, there were many accusations of silent racism, and from what I saw, they were justified. Attempts to combat an all-white show were lame and obviously pandering. Besides this, it seemed to me like the same movies won all the awards. Overall, the 88th Academy Awards, I believe, demonstrated an overarching attitude in collective Hollywood–apathy and procedural overconfidence.
Besides Pixar, what studios and distribution companies are creating and carrying movies that are not remakes of old films? The Hollywood collective are obviously always trying to relive the good old days–and making a killing off of it–the days when special effects were in their early stages and when white actors dominated the scene. In short, I believe that originality left southern California long ago.
So where does that leave the Christian film scene? What is the application for us? Simply this: it's our time to rise up and prove that we can do it better. We can have more diverse casts than mainstream movies. We can create original plots rather than remakes and break into unique genres. We can be more professional and family friendly. We can speak about social issues in ways that people will listen. This is our call to rise up and take the opportunity we have to make a lasting difference in modern film-making.
February 29, 2016 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: 2016, 88th Academy Awards, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Oscars	Leave a comment
2015 in Review: The Turning Point for Christian Films
2013 and 2014 were billed as the 'years of the Bible' in Hollywood, but this never panned out. Unfortunately, barring a few exceptions, the Christian movies from these years were largely negative. Yet they did signal a sign of things to come. Before 2013, Christian movies were randomly and sporadically produced. No consistent creators existed save for the Kendrick brothers and other Affirm creators such as the budding Erwin brothers, the PureFlix conglomerate, and the remnants of Fox Faith. 2013 and 2014 also promised Hollywood-driven faith based and inspirational films and many movies crowded to seize on this new label, presumably to capture a consistent Christian audience. But in the end, little good came out of this push except for a promise of greater things to come and a blueprint on how to do it.
Fast forward to the year 2015, by far the best year for Christian films and the start of a new Christian movie era. With a record-breaking four Box Office Revolution Hall of Fame movies, it was a year for the books.
Early in 2015, rookie film maker Rik Swartzwelder burst onto the scene with a Valentine's Day alternate to the grotesque Fifty Shades of Grey, which is a move that Christians need to take note of the next time they complain about or embrace all the bad movies in America. Untested and unproven, PureFlix took a chance with Swartzwelder and cashed in big. Swartzwelder brought a fresh look at Christian romance, driven by quality production and Jane Austen-like dialogue. Old-Fashioned not only signaled the possible beginning of a new era for PureFlix distributed movies, but the beginning of a new Christian film era.
Beyond the Mask
In the underrated release of Pendragon, the Burns family showcased their ability to do a lot with small resources. Now, with better funding, better support, and a better cast and crew, they broke out with a rare Christian action adventure screenplay. Mask not only showcases a new genre but also demonstrates the ability to craft a complex non-typical Christian plot. We expect it to be the first of many Christian films to break into new genres.
Following their blockbuster Courageous and their exit from Sherwood, the Kendrick brothers' next release was highly anticipated and highly marketed. It lived up to its expectations, both in quality and box office success. War Room proved that the Kendricks are not done any time soon and remain the Fathers of Christian Film Making.
The Erwin brothers have always performed ahead of schedule, with their only three films all being Hall of Fame rated. They demonstrate expertise in assembling and directing highly talented crews and casts and in amplifying the strengths of individuals. Not to mention that they write some great plots. Woodlawn was heavily marketed as well and did not disappoint on the big screen. The future is bright for these Alabama brothers.
Honorable Mention: Do You Believe
Following their first box office success God's Not Dead, PureFlix sought to build on it with another inspirational film about the interconnected lives of individuals in a city. With increased production quality and interesting plot potential, Do You Believe continued a new era of PureFlix films. However, it still did not live up to Hall of Fame status. Nonetheless, it was something to build off of.
In summary, 2015 was a year that unexpectedly brought Christian movies to a new level—setting new standards for the industry. No one saw it coming, but it happened regardless. 2016 promises to bring films from new Christian creators to the scene, and we anticipate a fresh wind of creativity to blow across the Christian movie landscape. It's time for a new generation of film makers to stand up and redeem the field—the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
February 25, 2016 February 29, 2016 by Box Office Revolutionary Categories: Announcements and Opinion PiecesTags: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Announcements and Opinion Pieces, Burns Family Studios, Erwin Brothers, Kendrick Brothers, PureFlix, Rik Swartzwelder	Leave a comment