Movie Review - Fire Proof

SAVE your money! SAVE your time! Don't go to see the newly released movie, Fire Proof.

This movie, produced by Alex Kendric, starring Kirk Cameron (remember him from Growing Pains?) portrays the struggle of a young married couple who have drifted apart. The beginning of the movie shows some quite violent screaming matches between the husband and wife. Later, the father of the son offers some help as he conveyed that he wanted a divorce (although he didn't say he wanted one, but that his wife was "doing" this - it was all her fault.). The father tells him to give it 40 days and to follow what was written in a leather-bound book, the Love Dare, he gives him.

So he begins - although it appears he is only going through the motions. Through out the experience we see his relationship with a colleague, as they begin to talk faith. On the flip side we see a "weak" wife who is cuddling up to a colleague of her own, a male (who we learn later is also married). The husband finally "dives in" after he says he "wants in" - into the "Jesus club" (although that is never spoken.) There is an assumption that he "asks Jesus into his heart" and now all will be good.

In the end the husband wins the battle, but only after his wife finds the book. She asks to do this too. The happily-ever-after end scene points to the strength that is found when Christ is at the center of your marriage, when Christ is what brings you together (probably the only theological piece I did squirm with.)

In the end the message was that with Christ at the center, we all begin in the right place. All other starting places provide no real strength to withstand the "fire" of life. I get that and affirm that.

BUT, the acting was SOOOOOOOO bad! Really! I know this film was done on a great budget, but really is was BAD.

Not to mention the overarching gender issues that I had with this piece.

So save the money and the time. Imagine two young pastors in the back row gagging through the whole piece - with about 6 other people in the theater.

Give your money to the poor. Give your money to a local social service issue. Give your money to the dog walker. Or better yet, give your money to your faith community. But don't waste your money to go see this movie.

Donald Miller on Faith and Politics

Tonight my friend Kate and I ventured to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA to hear Donald Miller speak, along with the faith director of Barack Obama's campaign. I don't know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.

This wasn't a lecture, but truly a conversation. Donald spoke about his recent visits with various college groups to break the silence or unknowing around some particularly important issues, that become one issue issues for some voters. (Check out his post on his blog that describes a lot of what he spoke about tonight and throughout his "tour.")

What surprised me was how sincere he was as he simply responded to every one's questions, not from a script but from his soul, his heart, his gut. He truly seems like the kinda guy I would love to have a beer with.

And just think it was okay to talk faith and politics. It was a good day.