Dream In Soul

“Honor Begins at Home,” is the tagline for the new film Courageous from Sherwood Pictures, creators of the movie Fireproof. The movie explores the topics of manhood and a father’s role in the family; I think it’s commendable for this theme to be addressed both in a convicting and honoring light. Are you planning to go see the movie?

Courageous Film Synopsis
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they’re quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God … and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

For more information about the film and for theater listings visit: http://www.courageousthemovie.com

Watch the Trailer for Courageous Below:

I haven’t seen the movie yet myself but thought the first scene was captivating.

Watch the Opening Scene from the movie Courageous Below:

“What If…” the movie, directed by Dallas Jenkins and starring Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, Debby Ryan and John Ratzenberger, will be airing on GMC (DIRECTV Channel 338). You can also purchase the DVD online at www.thewhatifmovie.com.

Other Air Times on GMC
Monday, January 31 at 9 pm et
Tuesday, February 1 at 11 pm et
Friday, February 4, at 8 & 10 pm et
Sunday, February 6, at 5 pm et

The film has a powerful cast who effectively portray the message about the decisions we make in life, and the only ones that will matter in eternity:

“What If…” Movie Synopsis:

What if… tells the story of Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), who fifteen years ago left his college sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson), and his calling to be a preacher, in order to pursue a business opportunity. Now with a high-paying executive gig, a trophy fiance’, and a new Mercedes, he hasn’t considered a family nor felt the need to set foot in a church.

But God has other plans. While on a thrill ride outside the city, his new car mysteriously breaks down, and he’s visited by a tow truck driver named Mike (John Ratzenberger) who claims to be an angel sent to show Ben what his life would look like had he followed his true calling. Suddenly Ben wakes up in the middle of domestic chaos as his “wife” Wendy and daughters (including Disney Channel’s Debby Ryan) are getting ready for church, where Ben is the new pastor.

Before he can get back to his old life, Ben must first embrace this reality and discover the value of faith and family, and perhaps restore his love for those who were heartbroken fifteen years ago: Wendy…and God. In the tradition of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Family Man,” What If… is a story of finding your true purpose in life.

Watch the trailer for the movie below:

Dallas Jenkins on Filming “What If…”

In this interview with Christian-Movie.com Jenkins talks about filmmaking and lessons he learned while filming “What If…”

“I’ve noticed a new level of enthusiasm from people about the quality of the film compared to previous films, and that’s always nice, but the comments that really stand out are about personal impact. One man pulled me aside and spoke through tears about how the movie touched him because he felt he’d missed his calling years ago, and he realized it wasn’t too late to make a change.”

“…Making this movie has actually changed my life because I’m so much more trusting in God now and working harder to stay out of the way.”

- Dallas Jenkins, director of “What If…” in interview with Christian-Movie.com

The movie To Save A Life (now available on DVD) and the accompanying resources are powerful tools for youth leaders, parents and churches to present the importance of reaching out to those who are hurting:

To Save A Life is more than a movie — it’s a feature-length film with powerful follow-up opportunities to get youth, their friends and family engaged in this life-altering movement. It is a powerful indie movie about the challenges and choices of real teen life, and it dares to deal with real issues like acceptance, hurt, love, social divisions, school violence, cutting, suicide, underage drinking, teen pregnancy and divorce…

The music is blaring, the lights are low and hundreds of young people are on the move, filling their nights – and cups – with crazy, “harmless” fun. It’s a typical night in the life of a college student… right?

Not for everyone. Stephanie Rodnez saw scenes like these when she entered college six years ago and felt a stirring in her heart when witnessing many of her friends falling away from their relationships with God. So many students who had been committed to Him gradually took their hearts back to engage in “college life”- consisting of everything from getting drunk and partying hard to being promiscuous – and anything else movies and TV deem is normal.

Nearing graduation Stephanie felt God telling her to change her career plans and use her talents to glorify Him. Despite initial hesitation she heeded the call, and her independent film company Christ Effect Entertainment was born. The company presents Christian media for young adults that encourages them to stay firm in their faith no matter what the culture and media throws at them. There are two films already in distribution and plans to expand into television, books, and even a nightclub.

Now finishing up her graduate degree in business at Nova South Eastern University in Miami, FL, Stephanie is rallying up other young people with a passion for God to battle the messages and lifestyles bombarding young adults today. With her warm, joyful personality and creative, youthful productions Stephanie draws others in to see the truth of God’s love, and she’s striving to make a mark for “Godlywood” one young audience at a time.

In Take 1 of the interview Stephanie chatted with Dream in Soul about how and why she got started with Christ Effect Entertainment, the growth of the Christian film industry, and about the work she hopes has a powerful effect for Christ in this generation:

Dream in Soul: Hi Stephanie, thanks for speaking with me today. I wanted to first ask you when did you feel the calling to make films?

SR: Ah, well it’s actually really cool. I was 14 or 15 and was in love with journalism, in love, in love, in love… I didn’t want to do anything else. I did this internship at the Sun Sentinel (a local Florida newspaper) for six weeks, and I fell even more in love with it. So I’m like alright Lord, this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life, I’m going to write stories for newspapers.

One day I’m sitting in front of my TV screen at home in the summer, and I was just flipping through the channels and I was like wow, there’s not a lot of stuff here for young adult Christians. I heard the Holy Sprit telling me – that’s what I want you to do.

I was like, I am not doing movies. I already have a job lined up at the Sun Sentinel and I don’t even like making movies that much. I was like no way, Lord if you want me to do this, you have to make me love it. So when I got back to school in the fall I started working on my own film and I fell in love with the whole process. And the rest is history (laughs)! He put me on the path, He taught me what I needed to know, and now, praise God it’s everything I’m passionate about, and I love doing it.

Watch Stephanie in action as she’s planning her upcoming movie “Youth of Christ,” in this webisode from her day-in-the-life of an indie filmmaker series:

DS: So how did it go from making the film to starting your own business? Tell me about Christ Effect Entertainment.

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If you haven’t seen it yet be sure to check out the film Preacher’s Kid, produced by Gener8Xion Entertainment and staring LeToya Luckett, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, Trey Songz, and Essence Atkins. The story is based on the ‘Prodigal Son,’ with a contemporary urban twist. Check out the website www.preacherskidfilm.com for theater listings and to request the film in your area.

Movie Synopsis: Tired of being a Preacher’s daughter and longing to experience more of life, 20-something ANGIE KING strikes out on her own for the very first time and joins a traveling gospel show. In this modern-day rendition of the fable of The Prodigal Son, she soon discovers life on the road is tough but fears going home with nothing to show for herself, or worse, to a father who no longer loves her…