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For the first film review I have chosen the recently released film “Do You Believe?” which – by way of pedigree (although that doesn’t always guarantee a good movie) – comes from the creators of ‘God’s Not Dead’.

Do you believe

One of the most important and indeed difficult things about writing film/movie reviews – I believe – is doing so in such a way as it a) informs (in general) the reader as to the film’s main storyline and b) accurately expresses your response and opinion of the film whilst c) not giving away too much of the film or spoiling it for others.  And so the following review is written with these things in mind.

Let’s begin by looking at how ‘imdb.com’ describes this movie’s storyline(s)…

When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.

And certainly I would have no difficulty agreeing with that description.  And yet this film is about so much more than that.  As it presents – as the DVD sleeve advises us – very real and very plausible portrayals of..

A  dozen different souls – all moving in different directions, all longing for something more. As their lives unexpectedly intersect, they each are about to discover there is power in the cross of Christ.

In essence this film is real.  It is plausible and believable. It is inviting and it is encompassing.  And even more than that it is inspiring and challenging!  It offers – as the Christian Post comments…

Fast-paced, solid acting and an amazing musical score.

And what else would you expect with such actors as Sean Astin, Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd and Ted McGinley – to name but  few?  And trust me, as someone who has seen many a Christian movie, ‘solid acting’ within Christian films is – in the opinion of this writer – more of a recent thing and is such blessing.  And also something which is so very important if it is – as this film certainly is – to afford you the viewer a chance to connect with the characters and thus the message.  Which in this movies is well worth connecting to.

If I were to have any concerns about this film/movie (and trust me it is an extremely small concern).  If there were to be any potential criticism, it would possibly be that the main focus seems to be on the cross of Christ and not on Christ Himself.  But it should be remembered that not only is the cross of Christ extremely important but that when it comes to many a non-believer, considering the cross of Christ is far less controversial than considering Christ Himself.  And thus the focus on the cross of Christ is, I would suspect a means to an end – or as I hope and pray – a means for many to a new beginning.

do-you-believeTitle:              Do You Believe?

Written By:   Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon

Directed By:  Jonathan M Gunn

Starring:        Mira Sorvino, Sean Astin, Alexa Penavaga 

Lee Majors, Cybill Shepherd, Ted McGinley

Genre: Drama, Christian

Released: March 20th 2015 (USA)

Runtime: 120 mins

Age Rating: AA Appropriate Audiences

Violence: Next to none

Controversial Language: None

Nudity and/or Sexual Content: None

Potentially Disturbing Scenes: Next to none.

For Faith and Ful-film-ent Rating: 9/10 Highly Recommended. ††††††††††