Writer(s): Matt Chastain, Meredith Johnson, Jarod O’Flaherty, Alan Tregoning, Micheal Willbanks
Director(s): Jarod O’Flaherty
Producer(s): Jarod O’Flaherty, William Carroll, William Curtis, Corey Cannon, Abby Wilkie, Micheal Willbanks, Michael Dennis, Candace Collier, Katherine Johnson, Kat Steffens, Nene Nwoko
Starring: Todd Terry, Peggy Schott, Emma Elle Roberts, Steve Mokate, Matt Holmes, Ben Davies, Venus Monique, T.C. Stallings, Cameron Arnett, Andrew Cheney, + more
Plot Synopsis: Vindication is an episodic faith-based crime-drama series that follows the small-town investigative work of Detective Travis.
The Delvecchios have always been a tight-knit family centered around their restaurant business, but now things are changing as their patriarch is stepping away from the leadership role he’s held for so long due to his failing health. As he hands the reins over to his sons, old wounds are re-opened as past sins and grudges are exposed once again. When the unexpected happens, will they be able to put things back together the way they once were?
Production Quality (1.5 points)
Inheritance is overall a surprising movie albeit a frustrating one due to its conflicting elements. One of these conflicts involves the production, which is seemingly unnecessarily low-quality. This is evidenced by some inconsistent lighting and some weird aspect ratios, which both seem unnecessary. While camera work is mostly fine, video is sometimes low quality. However, on the bright side, the audio quality is good, including an effective soundtrack. Moreover, the editing is slightly choppy at times due to a large amount of content being handled. Overall, this is a mostly average production that has elements holding it back that seem very avoidable. Had these issues been taken care of, we could be looking at a entirely different film.
Plot and Storyline Quality (2 points)
One of the most intriguing aspects of Inheritance is that it presents a very good study on family systems and generational patterns, which causes the characters to be almost good enough to sustain an entire miniseries. This makes this film a rare case in which character and plot development actually outshine other elements of the movie. However, there are still some issues here, such as a choppy plot presentation that is evidenced by scenes that randomly cut off with no warning at times. There are also times when subplots end very abruptly without any real resolution or understanding of why it happened the way that it did. Even still, there are some great attempts at ambiguity and the portrayal of imperfect, face-value characters without any major agendas to push. The dialogue is somewhat inconsistent, however, as it is sometimes quite good while too expository and shortcut-creating at other times. It’s almost like too much content was written in the initial creation of the film, which required cutting, which happened in some inconvenient places. This possible cutting also caused some unnecessarily steep character arcs that lead up to an almost too-perfect ending. Even so, there’s a ton of potential here that could be used in future projects.
Acting Quality (2 points)
For the most part, Inheritance contains a mostly professional cast of experienced cast members, such as Robert Miano and Andrew Cheney, even though Cheney’s fake accent can get a little annoying at times. This is easily one of Miano’s best performances, but there are also some other fake accent issues to contend with. Even still, line delivery is mostly on-point, even if emotional delivery is slightly inconsistent and overplayed at times. In the end, every cast member is cast appropriately, which rounds out an above-average film that could have been better.
Conclusion
Inheritance does what every low-budget independent Christian film should strive to do: craft a meaningful plot that outshines it budget, which will cause the film to stand out in the sea of mediocrity and possibly open new doors for the future. It’s not perfect by any means, but it does stand out, and it makes us want to see what else could be done with these characters if more money was put towards the effort. It’s highly possible that a series or miniseries format would have been better for this idea. Regardless, we can’t wait to see what this creative team produces next.
Sean Weathers is an up and coming dirt track racer who is obsessed with becoming the best and doing whatever it takes to do that. He feels like he is close to becoming the top dirt track racer, but when one rival stands in his way, Sean does the unthinkable to secure his position. However, tragedy sends Sean spiraling out of control as he begins to lose his sanity and everything he holds dear. The only path forward is to face the pain he is trying to avoid and to seek forgiveness in the hardest places.
Production Quality (2.5 points)
As a student of the Kendrick film model, Judd Brannon and his team have mastered professional productions skills early on in their careers, which will be a major advantage for them down the road. All aspects of Champion’s production are excellent—video quality is superb and camera work is very good as difficult action shots and outside scenes are executed nicely. Audio quality is also on par and the soundtrack is reminiscent of a Kendrick soundtrack. Sets, locations, and props are highly professional and appropriate, thus enhancing the film’s overall quality. The only minor issues to raise here are some editing mistakes that cause for a small amount of viewing confusion, but this is something that will be rectified with more experience. Overall, you can’t ask for a better production start than this.
Plot and Storyline Quality (1.5 points)
Judd Brannon and his team have also taken a page from the Kendrick playbook when it comes to plots, as they used a non-linear plot structure with interlocking subplots. This is mostly a good thing, yet there are a few too many unnecessary tangents that hamper with the storyline’s focus. The characters therein are realistic and the circumstances they encounter are also believable. However, they could use a little bit more deepening through better dialogue and more complexity. It is clear that a lot of thought and effort was put into this plot, and there is certainly great messaging that many audiences will enjoy. Yet this story is held back by its predictable progression and reliance on coincidences. But in the end, like the Kendricks, Judd Brannon and his team are making the most of the inspirational genre plot structure and have great potential for the future.
Acting Quality (2 points)
This is a professional cast, and for the most part, each cast member is appropriately placed in their roles. Andrew Cheney and Robert Amaya clearly know what they are doing. Yet some other cast members are not very convincing in their roles and sometimes come off as disingenuous. But overall, emotions are believable and line delivery is on point. This is a great cast to begin with.
Conclusion
The good news for Christian film is that the bar is being raised by new film makers entering the field. Although hardly anyone can make a freshman blockbuster like October Baby or Priceless, films like Champion certainly make for a great start in the field. You can’t argue with this type of beginning, especially since most viewers will enjoy it. We firmly believe this team has the ability and the resources to take that next step, as long as they add a little more complexity and creativity to their plots and make sure to avoid pesky acting errors. Regardless, Brannon and company are well on their way to greatness and will find great success in this debut, as it is certainly worth your time to see.
Jason Shaw is a photographer who always wants to capture the right moment. But what happens when the same moment repeats over and over again? After meeting Mackenna, his life is never the same as the day of their meeting continues to repeat itself. Jason tries to change the fate he is left with, but is unsuccessful. Will he be able to come to grips with the truth God is trying to tell him before it’s too late?
Production Quality (2 points)
EchoLight Studios and Liberty University clearly have the resources and know-how for crafting a top level production. This is evident in the professional camera work, video quality, sets, and locations of 77 Chances. However, there are some minor audio issues, such as an overbearing soundtrack. Also, editing issues plague this movie as there is too much wasted time and incongruence. But otherwise, this production is above average—we just feel that it could have been better.
Plot and Storyline Quality (1 point)
At this point, it’s likely that the Groundhog Day plot concept is a little worn out. There is little that can be done with this idea, and the story only ends up being filled with montages and copied or varied scenes. Therein, there is too much ‘silent’ dialogue covered up with music, which stunts the development of the few characters there are. Nevertheless, some of the ideas and psychological elements presented in 77 Chances are interesting and intriguing, albeit sometimes too mystifying and confusing. After establishing the repeating day and subsequently playing around with it for about an hour, a unique and creative concept is introduced with about ten minutes left to go. Due to time constraints, this idea is not fully developed or completed, thus leaving the audience with a half-hearted effort. This is frustrating to watch because there is actually a lot of potential here. But alas, we are left wondering what could have been.
Acting Quality (1 point)
Erin Bethea, Andrew Cheney, and Rachel Hendrix have all had their better movies, but this is not one of them. They come off as stiff, awkward, and flat. Scotty Curlee and Stephan Schultze are supposed to be Kendrick prodigies, yet their acting coaching comes up short here. Though not all is bad, this is another disappointing element.
Conclusion
We know that EchoLight has the ability to create a quality film, but the Liberty University team has even more potential they are sitting on that they are not properly using. Tracy Trost, Curlee, and Schultze all have the training and the talent necessary to take the next step into greatness, but they are stuck in mediocrity. As a side note, we would like to see this movie have a remake, if possible. The bottom line is that this creative team has more resources than many film makers dream of—they just need to use them properly.
Hudson is a young film maker in search of his big break as he tries to find a big story to film on the streets of Thailand. Then he accidentally stumbles upon an underground world of kids struggling to survive on the streets and to stay safe from the dark world of child trafficking. Hudson decides to film them for personal gain but soon finds that they are changing him. As he begins to care more and more, he becomes determined to do more to change their world.
Production Quality (2 points)
Shot on authentic international locations, Fourth World has an air of professionalism and tough realism about it. Video quality is clear, as is the audio quality. The soundtrack is effective. However, the docu-drama\reality show premise is used to take some production shortcuts, such as shaky camera work and inconsistent lighting. However, the editing is mostly average with a few minor issues. Overall, this is a good start for production, especially considering the international sets and locations. It will be interesting to see what this team does in the future.
Plot and Storyline Quality (1 point)
Fourth World is based on a good idea and built on a realistic premise that highlights important issues that need to be highlighted in film. There is no doubt that this film supports a very worthy cause, but the story leaves something to be desired as it seems to lack general focus. The storyline is somewhat simplistic and the characters need further deepening with more meaningful dialogue. There is also too much unnecessary narration that could have been used as transformative dialogue. However, the ending is touching and includes a slight twist. In the end, this is an adequate call to action, but we feel that the impact would have been deeper with a more complex plot and characters.
Acting Quality (2 points)
While there are fairly good performances from most of the cast members, this is unfortunately not Andrew Cheney’s best performance. A lot of the child actors and actresses are good and make this section overall above average. Also, care is given to make this cast culturally authentic. In short, this is one of the movie’s strongest points.
Conclusion
Human trafficking, especially child trafficking, is a serious issue that must be spoken about in the context of film, especially Christian film. Non-profits like Bring Me Hope are no doubt leading the way in ending this horrible practice. We know that this was a first time around film for them and we applaud them for taking a step of faith and making this. Fourth World is a great start and is something to build off of. We look forward to whatever else they have planned for the future.
Final Rating: 5 out of 10 points
Full disclosure: We were provided by the creator with a copy of this film in exchange for a fair and honest review
Every year, movies are released and cast members show off their talents. Writers and directors showcase their creativity. Films are separated into roughly three groups: the truly talented, the potentially great, and the others. At Box Office Revolution, we believe it is our prerogative to annually recognize those movie makers and players who have the ability to bring revolution to Christian entertainment.
Runners-up: War Room, Old-Fashioned, Beyond the Mask
Staff Choice Actor of the Year: Caleb Castille (Woodlawn)
Runners-up: T. C. Stallings (War Room), Sean Astin (Woodlawn), Andrew Cheney (Beyond the Mask), Rik Swartzwelder (Old-Fashioned), Nic Bishop (Woodlawn)
Staff Choice Actress of the Year: Priscilla Shirer (War Room)
Runners-up: Karen Abercrombie (War Room), Kara Killmer (Beyond the Mask), Elizabeth Roberts (Old-Fashioned)
Staff Choice Directors of the Year: Andrew Erwin\Jon Erwin (Woodlawn)
Runners-up: Chad Burns (Beyond the Mask), Rik Swartzwelder (Old-Fashioned), Alex Kendrick (War Room)
Staff Choice Writers of the Year: Paul McCusker\Stephen Kendrick\Brennon Smith\Aaron Burns\Chad Burns (Beyond the Mask)
Runners-up: Rik Swartzwelder (Old-Fashioned), Jon Erwin\Todd Geralds\Quinton Peeples\Mark Schlabach (Woodlawn), Alex Kendrick\Stephen Kendrick (War Room)
Staff Choice Soundtrack of the Year: Woodlawn
Runners-up: War Room, Old-Fashioned, Beyond the Mask
Brady Gray was always the favorite son of his hardened father, much to the dislike of his jealous brothers. Not only that, but Brady always had a special gift of knowing what is going to happen in certain people’s futures, based on dreams they have. However, his brothers grow tired of his special treatment one day and finally decide to do something about—force him to leave the family ranch and tell their father that Brady died. With nowhere else to go, Brady hitches a ride with an unlikely friend who takes him in and gets him a job at a prestigious business. However, Brady’s life continues to take unexpected negative turns one after another. Through the adversity, he is forced to truly look at what he believes about God and about life.
Production Quality (2.5 points)
For a first time independent film, Seasons of Gray is quite good. The camera and sound quality are both clear. The camera angles are above average. The sets and costuming have a slight indie-ish feel to them, but they are actually quite good considering the circumstances. A lot of time and effort were obviously put into this movie to make the production good. There are some minor editing concerns, but otherwise, this film is proof that first-time independent Christian films do not have to be low quality.
Plot and Storyline Quality (2 points)
Adapting a Biblical narrative to a modern setting is not a bad idea, but it is also not the most creative idea. However, for a freshman movie, it may be one of the better options. This particular adaption is done well, but Box Office Revolution would have preferred it if the Biblical adaptation had been kept secret until later in the film. Nonetheless, the plot is still above average. The characters needed more time spent on them, yet the dialogue is passable. Enough thought was put into this plot for it to be professional. One other caveat to raise is the movie’s rushed and anti-climactic end. But in the end, Seasons of Gray has a well-crafted plot that makes for an enjoyable movie.
Acting Quality (2 points)
Andrew Cheney is solid in his leading role, as he usually is. The supporting cast puts on above-average performances, but we cannot shake the feeling that there is more they could have done. The core cast is coached well and deliver emotions well, but they are not quite to the dynamic level yet. Some of the background actors seem inexperienced. Granted, this is an excellent start and far more commendable than many performances.
Conclusion
In the end, we are more than happy to watch a movie like Seasons of Gray, since it stands out among a desert of mediocrity and poor quality. Even though it was not all it could have been, it is still a film worth a round of applause. The Stehlik team is definitely not a crew to ignore—we expect to see even greater things from them in the future.
William Reynolds is not a good man. As an unofficial contracted ‘enforcer’ for the East India Company, he has committed many undocumented international crimes. That’s why his boss, Charles Kemp, enlists him and his partner to steal and replace an incriminating Parliamentary report that could shut down the entire company for unethical business practices. However, after this mission is complete, William intends to put his criminal life behind him. Little does he know that Kemp has other plans for him. After secretly surviving a failed attempt on his life, Reynolds is forced to take on the identity of the man who foiled the murder—a young vicar headed to a local parish. It seems easy until Reynolds must fabricate a knowledge of the Scriptures and come to grips with his newfound love for a local girl who has no idea who he really is. What Reynolds learns is that life in hiding is anything but straightforward, especially during the tumultuous political times of pre-Revolutionary War England and America.
Production Quality (3 points)
Burns Family Studios did an excellent job on the production of this adventure epic movie, including camera work, special effects, and historical costuming. It would have been very easy for this type of large scope movie to be cheaply produced, but this was not the case. The editing must have been very tricky, given the time that the movie covers, but it is done fairly well. There are virtually no errors here.
Plot and Storyline Quality (2 points)
However, the same cannot be said about the plot. Box Office Revolution believes talented writer Paul McCusker bit off more than he could chew with this historical epic. The movie covers at least two years of highly important content, and it walks the line of being too fast paced and being just good enough. In some respects, the plot moves too fast to develop the characters, but in other respects, it is a very exciting movie full of intriguing plot twists. It is creatively woven around historical events, yet BOR wonders if Mask should have been two movies or even a miniseries. At the same time, BOR realizes that money is always an issue with independent Christian films, so it is likely that McCusker and Burns Family Studios did the best they could with what they had. In short, the only real errors in this aspect of the movie are the fast paced plot and some small yet unrealistic action scenes.
Acting Quality (2.5 points)
Andrew Cheney and Jon Ryhs-Davies are obviously well-seasoned actors, and they are coached well. However, the ‘amateur’ actors are also coached very well. BOR noted that staff positions on the production of this movie were devoted to acting coaching, something that other Christian productions need to take note of. There are virtually no acting errors in Beyond the Mask.
Conclusion
In short, there are two ways of looking at Beyond the Mask, much like the masks of William Reynolds. Either McCusker and Burns Family Studios did the best with what they had or they did not do enough. BOR chooses to adopt a position in between these two options. Beyond the Mask is clearly above average and Paul McCusker has always been known as an excellent story writer. The movie is a breath of fresh air in the Christian movie industry and has made BOR very excited to see the future movies of Paul McCusker and Burns Family Studios.
Box Office Revolution 