The Second Chance - DVD –
Joseph Souder, 08/12/2009Great Movie with very slight reservations. However, I do recommend it to many. Let me be specific:
If you are looking for a Pharisee-ical movie that misses the forest for the trees, this ain't it. I will tell you this, this is the only movie in our house that has profanity in it, because the message is so pertinent and so important to the lukewarm Phariseeical Church of our day, and I can't see getting rid of the main thing for slight issues.
First, let me say this: Michael W. Smith's character DOES NOT live with his fiancee. They are building a home from the ground up that she lives in. Michael W. Smith's character does not live there. In fact, in one scene, he has to knock on the door to get in after a traumatic incident where he sought out his best friend to share with her. They did nothing wrong, she went back to sleep, leaving him on the couch. Again, she stays in the home that he is preparing for them after they are married. There is absolutely NOTHING Un-Christ-like in their relationship throughout the whole movie.
The other issues of sin are no worse than my preacher dealing with it on Sunday morning. It's not unnecessarily graphic at all.
The only issue you will have as a Christian is the language. The language used is the movie is the more offensive terms for BUTT (1X), DARN (a few), and HECK (a few). Again, all the words used you will find in the King James Bible, but not used in the correct context. They never use anything worse. Let me just say this, I wasn't THRILLED that they were left in, however, if you are going to let that ruin the wonderful message of this movie, you are missing out.
The one thing I do like about them leaving the profanity in is that it will expose the Pharisee-ical heart that we are supposed to shun as Christians yet all of us have in us if we let it reign. Let me explain: When you uses the profanity, you judge the Pastor's character, in spite of the fact, that the entire film you are watching a guy who is sacrificing just about everything for Christ, yet we are worried that he uses HECK and DARN out of context. Unfortunately, that's the state of our Church today. Can't see the forest for the trees. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why Steve Taylor left them in. How many viewers will miss the forest for the trees because of it? Sad to say, many - and this is what is killing our Churches. We didn't get saved by being perfect, we got saved Christ's grace. Our love is measured by our allegiance. We'll never be perfect.
As for the movie: Quality acting. jeff obafema carr's acting is top notch. Everyone else follows suit. The plot is great. Cinematically excellent. It is on par, quality-wise, with secular films. It is excellent and I highly recommend it, just don't watch it in front of the kids unless you have the Guardian.
This movie is WELL WORTH the price of admission. I won't give away the message because you should let it change you as the applicable Scriptures come to your mind and our mixed with the drama of this fine movie.
The Second Chance - DVD –
Debbie Goodwill, 06/24/2009Turned it off after the first curse word. Christian movies should not have curse words in them.
The Second Chance - DVD –
James Survance, 02/20/2009More cursing than a secular Hollywood film of this rating. Pastor played by Michael W. Smith lives with his girlfriend, not wife. Who sets the standards for Christian films? It should be the Bible. This is not a movie I would be comfortable showing to church friends, especially the unsaved, no redemptive message other than the washing of feet by someone offended at the use of vulgarity (which was the lightest incident of the whole movie). It addressed mega-church mentality, prejudice, and hypocrisy. These issues were overshadowed by excessive use of vulgarity and the almost subliminal "shacking up" by Michael W. Smith. I thought it was his wife the whole movie, then in the end he declared, "My future wife". While throughtout the movie there are scenes of him at home with his domestic partner and them shopping for china for their home. If this is Christian cinema, we are all in trouble.
The Second Chance - DVD –
Christopher Ouellette, 02/23/2008What Is It?
See a bit of it here!
After doing a direct to video comedy, “Newsboys: Down Under The Big Top” rumors were flying about a full length feature from rocker turned movie maker, Steve Taylor. After its limited theatrical release, Steve’s independent film, picked up by Sony, is now on DVD.
Michel W. Smith plays Ethan Jenkins, a charismatic Associate Pastor with a book deal, being groomed to take over at his father’s mega church. The board thinks the best way to “clip his wings” is to send him down to work under the Pastor of “The Second Chance.” This is a struggling inner-city church that his father ( J. Don Ferguson ) founded and is now run by Pastor Jake Sanders (Jeff Obafemi Carr). So, the squeaky clean preppy boy needs to learn to put his faith into action in a place that does not welcome him.
How Was It?
This is not going to blow the doors off Hollywood , but it is a good film. This is a Christian film and the message is for Christians. Despite the usual Christian fare, this film is Cheese free! (God Not Gouda) I don’t know if Michel W. Smith can act outside of this, but if nothing else, he was type cast well enough that it works. The movie is clever and interesting all the way through. It doesn’t resort to clichés, nor does it feel like they are doing something just for the sake of avoiding a cliché.
Is It Good For Kids?
This is a Christian film, which does not make it a Family Film. Though it is discussed that “God doesn’t like it” there is cussing (but never the Lord’s name). Sub plots deal with gang violence, drugs, as well as references to Abortion, genocide, and children taken from their family. It is all handled very well. There are biblical perspectives communicated about all of these issues, but they are there.
(I’m trying to “list” a little more because this movie is not on screenit.com.)
What about Spiritual Issues?
That is what this movie is about. The big question posed here is “If you are going to follow God, are you willing to take it all they way?”
This film is not here to challenge what you believe, but to challenge what you do with what you believe. James 2:17
What Is Your Recommendation?
Go rent it. You will definitely get the value of your rental fee out of this film. This would also be a good thing to kick off talks in your church about service or missions.
And if you don’t know Steve Taylor, check him out.
http://www.myspace.com/jesusisforlosers
www.onfritz.com
ps
The Music that did not make it on the Sound Track CD is from the L.A. Symphony!
The Second Chance - DVD –
moses ball, 09/11/2007Quality film. The acting of the two leads was excellent. I thought the overall story and production quality was good. Doesn't sugar coat anything, lending to the reality of this story. Rent it!
The Second Chance - DVD –
Diana Weaver, 12/01/2006Hollywood quality acting, writing, sound, and cinematography with deep and sincere Christian perspective of the Church. A very moving story that doesn't claim to know all the answers. I really liked this movie very much.
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