Liz is a journalist who just hates God with a passion. Her entire job consists of writing anti-God articles in the paper. Liz is clearly bent on evil, so she doesn’t believe a strange message that she hears from a mysterious messenger who claims to be from the Lord. The message is that Liz will die at a specific time on a specific day, which was why she needed to get saved. Liz laughs this off, but as the day gets closer, she becomes more and more uncertain of what she believes. Will be turn to Christianity before it’s too late???
Production Quality (0 points)
As a 1990s production, The Appointment is just bad, even for the time period. Video quality is cheap, lighting is inconsistent, and camera work is random, including silly mid-shot zooms. Audio quality is disrupted by weird sound effects, noticeable background sounds, and an overpowering, in-your-face soundtrack. Further, very abrupt cuts and transitions sometimes completely cut off scenes in abrupt and shocking ways. Needless to say, no points can be awarded in this section.
Plot and Storyline Quality (-1 points)
In the most propaganda-level fashion, the Christiano team made sure to craft one of the most offensive portrayals of Christians and non-Christians known to Christian entertainment. The “bad” characters are downright evil pariahs who are bent on destroying Christianity. Many other characters are generic and vanilla due to blank dialogue, but almost every conversation is used to push agendas, preach at people, and force ideas down the viewers’ throats. Some scenes are very short and punctuated. In general, the writers seemed to have a really bizarre obsession with the main character dying, which further contributes to a portrayal of Christianity that will repulse people. In the end, due to offensive elements, this aspect of the film must receive negative points.
Acting Quality (0 points)
The performances in The Appointment are either generic or overplayed. Some cast members are trying too hard to be interesting, which sometimes comes off as overly theatrical. Forced line delivery and emotions don’t help matters. Further, cheap costuming caps off a section that lacks any substantial potential.
Conclusion
As we’ve said time and time again, trying to scare people into being saved is one of the worst things that a Christian can do. This is not the objective of our faith, yet some Christian creators seem to think that it is. Though older than other movies, The Appointment still tarnishes the reputation of Christian entertainment. The one hope is that we are now past these dark days.
Adam was one of the cool kids in high school who didn’t want anything to do with Christianity. However, he’s forced to examine the faith when people around him begin following Jesus. Nonetheless, Adam still wants nothing to do with Christ until it’s too late for him.
Production Quality (1 point)
Even though this production has okay video quality and camera work, the audio quality is quite weird, including loud sound effects, obvious overdubs, and a distorted soundtrack. Sets, locations, and props are average, but lighting is inconsistent. Editing is also passable, but there are too many concerns to award this section more than one point.
Plot and Storyline Quality (-1 points)
It seems like that the entire purpose of this plot is to try to scare people into becoming Christians, which is a ridiculous tactic. The message-pushing is extremely obvious and doesn’t allow the audience to decide anything for themselves. The narrative is full of expository conversations and manufactured dialogue that make for cheesy characters, including absurd strawmen non-Christians and overly perfect Christians. There’s also quite a bit of talk about off-screen happenings as well as mindless sequences that accomplish nothing. The story concludes in a very dark way, and due to the propaganda nature of this film, this section has to receive a negative point.
Acting Quality (0 points)
Unfortunately, this section doesn’t yield any positive results either as most of the performances seem overly staged. Line delivery is unnatural and overly practiced, and it makes matters worse that the cast members frequently talk over the top of one another. Further, emotions are mechanical, rounding out a zero-potential effort.
Conclusion
We’ve said it before and will say it again: propaganda screenplays always fail. There’s just no potential in them. Setting off to push an agenda on the audience is always the wrong motive, and it will be inevitably exposed. There’s simply no sense in contributing this sort of garbage to the market.
When Dave Patterson returns home after three years of drugs and rehab, his brother, an aspiring local politician and trusted church leader, is skeptical of his change and even envious of how his father accepts Dave with open arms. Thus, Dave grows bitter towards his brother and seeks to share his side of the story in counseling. Will they be able to reconcile their differences before it’s too late?
Production Quality (1 point)
Probably due to a limited budget, this production is slightly cheap in its presentation. The lighting quality for most the film is strange and camera work is very random. Audio quality is also inconsistent and soundtrack is very standard. Sets, locations, and props are mostly okay but still reflect the limited nature of this production. Furthermore, editing is fairly choppy as it is hard to understand what this story is trying to convey sometimes. In the end, considering the limited resources here, this is an okay production, but it begs the question of necessity.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
Though this is an interesting idea and is a more creative take on the typical prodigal son idea, it is still unfolds in a vague and confusing way. Though this movie also actually portrays counseling in a realistic way for a chance, there are too many unnecessary plot tangents that waste too much time, even though there’s just barely an hour of runtime. This causes the story to ump all around with no real focus, and there are too many random and unrelated characters. The dialogue is too flat, thus causing the story to not hold the attention. The ending is also slightly abrupt. It seems like this film would have been better suited to be a short film. Regardless, it needs a lot more development.
Acting Quality (1.5 points)
Though this cast is slightly amateurish, they appear to mean well. They are sometimes unsure in their performances, but they put forth a decent enough effort. There aren’t really any glaring errors, but they aren’t really dynamic enough. Overall, it comes out as average.
Conclusion
Even though the creators of this film were likely honest in the creation of it, unfortunately, this movie is definitely going to slip through the cracks of the market and be easily forgotten. This story is interesting and has potential, but it needs a lot more deepening and creativity to make it. The production needs better funding and the acting needs to be more dynamic. But perhaps this was just a test run and there are better things in store.
With the new cast of the 7th Street Theater finally settled down, the team begins to face new challenges that they must face. New social issues are in desperate need of being addressed by the cast through their bland skits. But more importantly, a new threat arises to their business model as a disgruntled rival theater owner seeks to destroy their work. With the 7th Street Theater be able to survive the onslaught?
Production Quality (1.5 points)
The newest and final (?) season of the 7th Street Theater has really no unique or surprising elements. The only notable difference is some slightly improved camera work. Otherwise, everything else is pretty much the same. Video quality and audio quality are typical. The Jasper Randall soundtrack is still intact. There are still no locations and the same old limited sets are utilized. Furthermore, there is really no editing to speak of. In the end, if this is the end of this series, it’s an anticlimactic one.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
Another season of this series brings another one full of forced drama and fake conflicts as everything in this universe centers around the happenings of the theater with no care about what the characters do outside of it except for a lot of references to off-screen content. This third season continues to grasp for content as it constantly exhibits the limited and isolationist worldview of the Christiano brothers. Even more so this season, they adapt a Christians versus the world approach and complain about common cultural problems rather than offering real solutions. They are still lost in their own world in thinking this concept is actually interesting or even sustainable. The ending really makes no sense, yet it appropriate for this saga, which remains empty and wanting.
Acting Quality (1 point)
As the same cast members continue to phone in their performances, there is really nothing new to mention here. Emotions are still plastic and line delivery is still lazy. There are fewer cast member changes this season, yet it’s really hard to believe that they were able to keep at least half of this cast together for so long. What were they really getting out of this?
Continuity Quality (.5 point)
It’s very hard to believe there are over sixty twenty-minute episodes in this saga. That’s a lot of dedication for not much return. Yet this season’s continuity quality has slightly improved due to some slight attempts at continuation and arcs. However, it’s not really enough to make any real difference.
Conclusion
It seems like this series is now over, and it has done so in the most non-dramatic fashion. There is truly no way to understand how and why this series was made for so long except for the fact that it was extremely easy to make. It’s very difficult to see the true benefit of this saga due to its out-of-touch portrayal of people and apparent lack of understanding of real life and real people. If a Christian series is ever to be successful, that’s a big if, then reality needs to be portrayed in a way that engages audiences rather than bores them.
Though the cast of the 7th Street Theater is constantly changing, their messages are still the same. They continually create plays about Christian topics over and over again and present their plastic worldview to supposedly sold out shows. Since they are committed to doing the same things all the time, the only drama they have to contend with is constantly changing cast members.
Production Quality (1.5 points)
The production of the second season of this series is more stable than the first, but it basically comes out the same. Video quality is fine and camera work is regular. Audio quality is also fine, despite a pedestrian Jasper Randall soundtrack. There are once again no locations to speak of and the same old severely limited sets are utilized in this lazy production. Editing is mostly off the table as well. Basically, as if the first season of this series was pointless enough, this second season is even more so.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
There is literally nothing new about this season that hasn’t already been discussed.  The same old one-dimensional characters are paraded around—even when the character changes due to cast changes, it makes no difference. Every episode feels like a repeat of an old one as they constantly repeat the same ideas, sequences, and conversations. Still the biggest plaguing issue in this saga is the fact that it lacks true connection to real people as they spin their wheels and grasp for content. A series can only be sustained through top-level characters and realistic circumstances—it would be nice to have some arcs too. However, 7th Street Theater lacks all of these skills.
Acting Quality (1.5 points)
As previously mentioned, the only difference with this bland cast from the first season is the fact that they are constantly switching some of them around. However, it doesn’t help the fact that these cast members, though they may mean well, are too overly practiced in their delivery. Emotions are hardly ever believable. Essentially, there is not much unique to say about this season.
Continuity Quality (0 points)
Once again, there is no continuity in this season as each episode is presented with no real relation to the others, except for a few lame attempts at ‘cliffhangers’ that no one is interested in. There are still no character arcs and no story arcs. There was little to no point in making season, much less this series.
Conclusion
While in some way the Christianos might mean well in what they do, they are still not good at communicating the messages they want to communicate. However, some of the things they do communicate are off-putting and paint an impossibly perfect view of Christians who have no real struggles. This series doesn’t exist in reality and thus is never going to make any real difference.
When a Christian businessman decides to invest in a Christian drama theater, he hires a stage director, Rudy, an office manager, Johanna, and five cast members, Travis, Jon, Jamie, Kelly, and Andi, to put together weekly plays centered around Christian themes. As the actors and actresses write the shows and rehearse them to perform them, they learn life lessons that they intend to teach their audiences. They also do life together and form a community with each other.
Production Quality (1.5 points)
Since this series is entirely based on a bunch of people sitting around in two to three theater sets, you can imagine how cheap and limited these sets are. There are no locations to speak of, and props are kind of silly, although this concept is also embraced as normal. A lot of production shortcuts are taken and are justified by the format. Early in this season, video quality is blurry, but this improves throughout. Camera work is relatively stable. Audio quality is fine throughout, but Jasper Randall delivers his same old silly soundtrack that can be found in any given Christiano production. Finally, editing is almost nonexistent as most scenes drag on way too long to pump the runtime. Every episode also ends with an annoying freeze frame. Basically, though this is an average production, it has a lot of work to do.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
The Christiano brothers have never been known for their subtlety, and the 7th Street Theater saga is the most obvious messaging ever. This series is a venue for them to push their forcefully fundamental ideas through extremely scripted and childish dialogue. It’s full of typical goody-two shoes Christian characters who don’t make any ‘bad’ mistakes, as well as a few strawman non-Christian characters and allusions to ‘bad’ things that can’t be talked about. This series overall demonstrates just how much the Christiano brothers live in their own little world, especially with the priceless episode that serves as apologetics for that horrid thing called Pamela’s Prayer, which is an entirely different topic that space does not permit a full analysis of. Basically, this series is everything you can imagine from the Christianos, and worse.
Acting Quality (1 point)
With a severely small cast, over 400 minutes of runtime is too much to see them over and over and over again. They are extremely bland and overly practiced in their delivery. They come off as fake, plastic people and even have weird racial undertones. Though there is some improvement throughout the season, this is a very poor job.
Continuity Quality (0 points)
This saga is allergic to continuity. As one thing after the next happens, there is an extreme amount of redundancy and repetition. There are zero story arcs and absolutely no character arcs—everything stays relatively the same throughout this pointless season. Thus rounds out an unfortunately unsurprising failure.
Conclusion
Though there is probably some part of the Christiano brothers that means well in their entertainment, they have no idea how to subtly communicate a Christian message or even how to relate to real people. In their world, Christians are goody-two-shoes plastic people who are insulated from ‘bad stuff’ and exist in a bubble where they all tell each other how good they are. But when you think about it, this is probably just another day in the life for most Christian film makers.
When Courtney Smith-Donnelly, an inexperienced coach, is given the job as the new cross country coach at Orange Hills Christian Girls Private School, many parents are skeptical of her ‘unusual’ training methods. She insists on not wearing the girls out, but the parents want a winning team. Under the threat of being fired, Courtney pushes forward and encourages her girls to remember the goal no matter what.
Production Quality (2.5 points)
At least since they have been making films for nearly two decades, the Christiano brothers have learned how to craft a professional production. Video quality, camera work, and audio quality are all what they should be. The soundtrack is a bit silly at times, but outdoor locations and indoor sets are on market standard. The only real issue to point out here is the slightly poor editing job, which manifests in too many sports montages. But in the end, at least the production quality of this film is fine.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
Unfortunately, after all these years, the Christiano brothers have not been able to figure out how to craft a plot that relates the real people and real circumstances. They still demonstrate a trite and sometimes childish outlook on life, which includes a silly and plastic handling of otherwise important issues. The characters are also extremely thin and one-dimensional due to mindless dialogue. There is hardly any content in this plot except for sports sequences and lingo and there are a lot of disjointed subplots. But perhaps the most memorable part of this plot—for all the wrong reasons—is the forced and confusing parallels between Christianity and cross-country, as well as the ridiculous persecution the main character undergoes for training her team in a supposedly controversial fashion. This component dominates the film and is downright laughable, not to mention all of the quick fixes in this film. Basically, there is still nothing good to say here.
Acting Quality (1.5 points)
Though the Christianos mostly departed from their usual cast in his film, there are still issues here. The lead actress is often overly practiced yet unsure of herself at the same time. Other cast members are fine, but emotions often seem forced. Overall, this is an average performance.
Conclusion
Remember the Goal is a departure for the Christianos in that they have finally allowed a female character to take a lead role in a plot that does not involve them being confined to the house. Yet it still contains a lot of their typical shallow elements and their limited outlook on life and faith. Unfortunately, they’re not going to improve until they learn how to relate to real people and stop thinking that everything is a persecution ploy. But after all this time, why would they change?
Alex Montoya has backslidden from his Christian faith, and now he finds himself under the weight of financial debt. Desperate for money, he agrees to help his friend scam church members for money using a false charity front. However, a kind man named Jacob soon sees through their scheme, yet wants to offer Alex a second chance. Will Alex turn away from his double life and back to the faith he was raised in?
Production Quality (.5 point)
Though the video quality of this production is okay, it is really the only good element to it. Camera work is fairly shaky and audio quality is relatively poor. The soundtrack is loud and amateurish. Sets and locations are mostly limited and need a little bit more work done on them. Furthermore, the editing leaves something to be desired as there are too many montages and extended flat scenes. Overall, there just seems like there’s a lot of corners being cut in this production, which is unacceptable in a film this new.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
Redemption of the Heart follows a very predictable and stereotypical plot line. Things happen because the pre-determined plot mold determined that they needed to happen; thus, the characters are swept along in inevitability. Yet sometimes the premise is too vague, making it hard for the audience to understand what is happening some of the time. There is a lot of off screen content mentioned, along with a lot of confusing dialogue that creates cardboard characters. There is an attempt at a plot twist at the end, but it is introduced so late that it only leaves the viewers scratching their heads. In the end, this story is so formulaic that it is unlikely to be easily remembered.
Acting Quality (0 points)
Unfortunately, many of these cast members look very fake and unnatural. A majority of the line delivery is very stilted and awkward, with some of the lines being very indiscernible. Any emotions seem very forced and empty. Alas, this section rounds out another disappointing effort.
Conclusion
Redemption of the Heart is one of those films that will be forgotten shortly after it is watched. It is a prime example of why it’s never a good idea to slap together a project just for the sake of releasing another Christian film. The market doesn’t need to be flooded with more and more half-hearted attempts at Christian movies. We say this all the time, but it still remains true: taking your time on a movie to make it quality, making sure you have the proper funding, writing a complex plot with good characters, and coaching your cast members well always, always, always pays off in the end.
After her mother died tragically, Pamela’s father threw himself into obsessing over how he was going to raise her. Though they prayed together every night, Pamela’s father micromanaged nearly every aspect of her life and kept her in a fundamentalist bubble. He determined that God’s will for her life was and wouldn’t let her date anyone until he hand-picks the first guy who comes to work for his archaic film ministry for her to hang out with. After being brainwashed all her life, Pamela goes along with it, even though this relationship has no substance, because she too must be the guardian of the fundamentalist-patriarchal flame.
Production Quality (0 points)
If you’re going to make a movie about patriarchal propaganda, the least you can do is make the production good. But no, Pamela’s Prayer sports a medieval production quality reminiscent of Bob Jones University’s Unusual Films (that’s not the only reason this movie is similar to those). It’s very cheap overall, including grainy video and audio quality, very pedestrian camera work, and an extremely clanky soundtrack that sounds like it was recorded in some tiny Bible Belt church (no offense). The sets and locations are severely limited (just like the minds of the writers), and there is absolutely no editing as the condensed life of an unsuspecting girl raised in a cult-like atmosphere is portrayed in just under sixty minutes. But that’s not all that’s wrong with this disaster.
Plot and Storyline Quality (-1 points)
Pamela’s Prayer is not a fitting enough title, since this story is entirely centered around normalizing a creepy ideology of patriarchy that seeks to control every aspect of a girl’s life. Using completely empty and one-dimensional characters, including extremely perfect white Christians and very bad ‘worldly’ Christians (like Timothy Chey’s carnal Christians), the patriarchal worldview is shamelessly shoved down your throat. If you want people to convert to your cause, at least try to depict real people, not cardboard cutouts the spew talking points. also, try to actually write a realistic story that is accessible to most people, not some alternate universe portrayal of life. Nevertheless, this film is very legalistic propaganda that aggressively pushes an agenda and has no place in Christian entertainment. Hence, negative points are warranted.
Acting Quality (0 points)
Once again, the Christiano team shows us how to distribute propaganda in the worst fashion possible. Choosing the most extremely white and awkwardly stiff cast possible, they fed the cast members lines and made sure they looked like good little white Christians, and that was about it. Line delivery and emotional delivery are very wooden and robotic, but this was probably mission accomplished for the Christianos. Yet people wonder why people cringe at the thought of Christian films.
Conclusion
After watching a movie like this, one can only conclude that the people who push this sort of legalism on others also believe that those who are not perfect little white Christians cannot be redeemed or restored. The type of parenting that is portrayed in this film as good is exactly the reason why young people ‘fall away from Christianity’ or ‘lose their faith’. God didn’t tell Christian parents to keep their children in little fundamentalist bubbles all their lives or to micromanage every aspect of them, but to create a loving environment where the children learn Who God is (based on actions more than words) and how they can follow Him. Of course children need to be protected from harm and wrongdoing, but raising them in a cult-like atmosphere is equally detrimental. We need Christian families that actually care about each other, not dictate lists of specific rules to follow that are geared toward patriarchy and are designed to create little ‘perfect’ robots. If there’s one reason why a lot of people dislike Christianity, this movie embodies every aspect of it.
When Peter King’s parents die, he is tasked with going through their possessions before the house is foreclosed on. However, in the midst of sorting through things that remind him of his strained relationship with his father, Peter stumbles upon a secret room he was never allowed to enter as a child. Inside he finds a myriad of audio recordings his father secretly recorded in this childhood. As Peter wrestles with anger and bitterness towards his father, he will have to come to grips with the faith he was always taught.
Production Quality (1.5 points)
Unfortunately, this production begins very rough, with a dizzying opening sequence and shaky camera work. There are also some odd camera angles and poor lighting at first. Audio quality also has a tough start, with loud sound effects and a very random soundtrack that is sometimes good and sometimes not. There is basically only one set, but it is used to its fullest potential. Yet despite this raw beginning, the production overall improves as the movie goes on, as if the first part was just a demo reel they forgot to fix in post. The improvement begs the question why they couldn’t go back over the first part, but there is improvement nonetheless in all production areas. In the end, it would have been nice to see the entire movie look like the second half, but the production becomes average when all is said and done.
Plot and Storyline Quality (2 points)
Despite the odd comments and asides and typical remembrance dialogue that is something wooden and empty, the story of Between the Walls highlights some interesting and unfortunately not too unrealistic family issues unfortunately too many can relate to. Though there are a lot of nothing scenes and unnecessary attempts to be creepy, there are some interesting plot twists that make this story worthwhile. Since there are few characters, we would have liked to see them developed a little bit deeper, but they are adequate as they are due to the unique and creative use of flashbacks and psychological elements. Sometimes the messaging can be a bit heavy-handed, but the plot overall carries an effective Christian message that is actually meaningful and accessible. This is an above average plot, but imagine how much better it could have been with better funding.
Acting Quality (1.5 points)
Though this ‘amateur’ cast is sometimes overly practiced and robotic, their performances improve as the movie goes on. Emotions tend to be immature at first but improve throughout the runtime. They are a small cast, but demonstrate a lot of potential. They executed the multi-level flashbacks where some casts would have failed. In the end, this is another average section.
Conclusion
We can’t help but feel that Between the Walls left a lot of untapped potential on the proverbial field, even though there were plenty of intriguing elements included. We really wish it could have been Hall of Fame, yet it needed better funding and plot refining in order to achieve this. Nonetheless, this film is an example of what a raw, underfunded Christian project should look like: demonstrable creativity that makes the most of what is available. We hope that the Staron brothers have plans in the future to continue their film making careers, because they definitely have something to offer.
Matt, Scott, and Jess are college buddies just trying to work for the Lord in the oppressive world around them. The atheists seem to have all the fun—they even have their own philosophy club (not God’s Club). Scott decides to challenge them to a debate when he discovers a groundbreaking paper written by a former student decades before that could upend everyone’s worldview. It tells of how the end of the world will come and though no one believes him at first, that’s about to change somehow.
Production Quality (.5 point)
As a late 90’s production, End of the Harvest is very underwhelming. While camera work is okay, the video quality is very grainy and audio quality is less than inspiring, including weird sound effects. The soundtrack is loud and annoying. The sets are severely limited and cheap-looking. There is also no editing present as the entire story is presented at face value, with useless panning and zooming sequences. Essentially, with such low quality, there is little justification for this film being made, except for the fact that the Christianos needed an outlet to push their odd agenda.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
The first half of this film depicts characters sitting around talking about what’s going to happen in the second half of the film—thus, nothing much happens except for the same old rehashed conversations over and over again. The entire movie is less than sixty minutes long, so there’s not really much of an idea at all here. The second half of the film externalizes the bizarre worldview of the Christiano brothers that is mostly ripped off from Hal Lindsey and focuses on trying to predict the end of the world based on stupid Bible ‘codes’ and loose associations. They pick random verses here and there to use to their advantage but then passive-aggressively say they don’t really know if that could be true or not. Besides the fact that these stupid ‘scare people into Christianity’ arguments and absurd Biblical insinuations will convert no one, the characters are juvenile and the portrayal of atheists is embarrassing. This is the kind of garbage that makes people (including professing Christians) roll their eyes about the term ‘Christian movies’.
Acting Quality (0 points)
As this film utilizes the typical lineup of David A. R. White, Kevin Downes, Brad Heller, and Lance Zitron, the acting quality is as good as can be expected. They seem like they are barely trying as their line delivery is rambled, slurred, and generally incoherent. Emotions are inconsistent and random. With such a small cast, there’s really nothing good to say here.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned, there is no point in this film except pushing an agenda that is basically propaganda. This view of the end of the world is ridiculous and indefensible. It adds nothing to what should be the mission of Christian entertainment and only further detracts from it. The problem is that movies like this one are not from just some random, fly-by-night movie creators. The Christiano brothers are regarded as pillars in the field, for some reason. It won’t be easy to change this image of Christian film, but hopefully it is happening sooner than later.
In one moment, millions disappear and in the next moment, millions are left to wonder what just happened. As the government tries to sort out the pieces, they send out FBI agents to investigate those left behind (haha). Adam Riley and Charles Baker are just the agents for the job and they soon become caught up in an intrigue involving trying to find a mysterious former Jewish rabbi who seems to have special powers. In the end, which path will they choose as the world descends into chaos?
Production Quality (1 point)
Made in the late 1990s, The Moment After 1 has considerable production deficits. Though video quality is decent and audio quality is okay throughout, there is a lot to be desired here. Sets and locations are pedestrian and action camera shots are not what they should be. The soundtrack is also very standard. There is really no editing present as the plot slogs from one thing to the next. In the end, this is just another below average production that does not live up to full standard.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
Another year, another carbon-copy apocalyptic film. Likely a precursor to every unfinished PureFlix apocalyptic idea (Jerusalem Countdown, In the Blink of an Eye, and the Revelation Road series), The Moment After 1 really has nothing to offer. Empty characters, stock dialogue, and a predictable apocalyptic progression. Rapture, fallout, Christian explanations and lingo, government takeover, blah, blah, blah. This film offers nothing special and adds nothing to Christian entertainment.  It’s inevitably continued and offers no real surprises as Kevin Downes and David A. R. White interview a bunch of people about stuff.  Basically, if you watched any of the above mentioned films, you’ve probably seen this one.
Acting Quality (1 point)
Though Brad Heller posts a better performance than usual, David A. R. White and Kevin Downes are their usual action-here-wannabe selves. Though there are no truly embarrassing performances, there are no dynamic ones either. Line delivery and emotions are below average and don’t really inspire. Like the rest of film, this is just unimpressive.
Conclusion
Apparently there was a point in Christian film when creators thought the only action or suspense plots that could be made had to involved the Rapture and another apocalyptic lingo and concepts. The LaHaye pre-tribulation theory has been conceptualized in film too many times to count, and the The Moment After 1 simply adds to the pile. There is simply nothing interesting to note in this film and you’re definitely not missing anything.
When Michael goes on a business trip and leaves his very pregnant wife at home, he never anticipated the series of events that would occur. The business trip turns out to be something he never expected to happen and this is compounded when his wife goes into labor and begins having complications. In route home, Michael becomes stranded in the middle of nowhere and feels like all hope is lost until he begins to remember the faith he has easily forgotten about. Will he be able to reconcile his past hurts and help those around him before it’s too late?
Production Quality (2 points)
Though the budget and the team were limited in what they could do with this film, it’s obvious that they were trying to create a quality production with what they had available. The highest marks go to the excellent video and audio quality. Camera work is also highly professional and the soundtrack is adequate. The sets and locations are limited, but they are utilized fairly well. However, some scenes have poor lighting and there are generally not enough extras. Yet the editing is fine and rounds out an overall above average production effort. It’s clear that this team cares about what they are doing, so it will be interesting to see what they create in the future.
Plot and Storyline Quality (1 point)
The biggest downfall of Love Covers All is its simplistic storyline, though it does have a meaningful message. The writers did the right thing with a limited and pedestrian storyline: craft authentic and believable characters built on great developing dialogue. The dialogue is one of the main saving graces of this film—without it, the story would be nothing. The life circumstances the characters experience are very realistic and accessible, and the Christian message hits home. However, we would have liked the plot to be a little more complex and creative than this. But still, this is a non-typical storyline that deserves recognition.
Acting Quality (2.5 points)
This is a very strong casting job that lifts the film away from total mediocrity. With recognizable Christian actors and actresses, each character is cast very well. There is clear acting coaching present here as they deliver their lines and emotions with only minor errors. This is a job well done.
Conclusion
The Praise Pictures team, like many budding creative teams, it poised to take the next step. They have the production and casting skills necessary to create a top film—now they just need a bigger budget and more complex plots. As a side note, the Christian message of Love Covers All is quite profound and we hope it is transferred to another film.  In short, there is so much potential here that is just waiting to be brought out, so we can’t wait to see what they have planned next.
Keith and Brad work for a magazine that is more prominent its own mind and when they are sent by their supervisor to investigate some UFO claims in some obscure small town in Texas, they can’t believe it. They think it’s all pointless, especially when the locals refuse to talk about the sightings. But when their friend Darren invites them to take a different look at the UFO phenomena, their whole world is turned upside down.
Production Quality (.5 point)
Sometimes the Christiano brothers put together a respectable production, but not in Unidentified. The okay camera work is the only positive quality to speak of. The video quality is quite cheap and there are too many cheesy special effects littering the film. Though the plot goes all over the country, the sets and locations are fairly limited and mostly focus on the office set. Finally, the editing is extremely choppy in a failed attempt to be dramatic. In short, there are not enough redeeming qualities to make up for the rest of the nonsense in this movie.
Plot and Storyline Quality (-1 points)
The Christiano brothers might as well have not even tried to make this a fiction plot, because it’s mainly a docu-drama filled with regurgitated UFO documentary talking points. There are tons of disjointed subplots that are nearly impossible to follow and that are based entirely on coincidences. Things happen because they need to as the dialogue is filled with information dumps and consists of long and drawn out conversations. There is also tons of off-screen content. A clear agenda is being pushed here, placing this plot in the propaganda category. Even though there may be some truth to what is being said here, it comes off as disingenuous and is mostly clouded with legalism. As usual, opposing worldviews are treated offensively, thus warranting negative points. Finally, this film has the weirdest end since Decision that you have to see to believe.
Acting Quality (.5 point)
Except for a few small positive elements, this cast is very unprofessional. It’s not only a very awkward cast, but they are not coached very well at all. Their line delivery and emotional delivery are overly practiced and robotic. Some cast members come off as lofty. In short, this rounds out a very embarrassing effort.
Conclusion
It is clear that the Christiano brothers have a legalistic agenda to push both in this film and in others like Time Changer and A Matter of Faith. The sad thing is that spiritual issues like the ones alluded to in Unidentified need to be discussed on Christian film, yet people like the Christianos are the only ones who seem to do this, and always in the wrong way. There is some truth to the UFO phenomena, but no one is going to learn it from this film. Unidentified only serves to further solidify a Pharisaical and sometimes bizarre image in Christian film, especially Christian sci-fi, which is a needed genre. Who will stand up to reverse this trend?
After Dave is left behind and divorced by his wife, he begins to think about what could have been. As he begins to pine after an old high school girlfriend of his, one of his friends advises Dave to go to a church support group for divorced people. There he meets a creepy woman who takes it upon herself to vicariously live Dave’s life and to help him in going back to meet the old girlfriend he’s pining after. As Dave finally plans to go meet her, the suspense builds as he drives back and forth outside her house and borderline stalks her. Will he ever get to talk to her again?
Production Quality (1 point)
This awkwardly-titled film has one good merit, and this is some production quality. While the video quality and camera work are good, as well as some of the sets, it’s beyond us why anyone would spend money on such a useless piece of entertainment. Audio quality is also okay, but the soundtrack is snore-inducing. There was clearly no editing in this film as tons of useless and empty footage was included, probably in an effort to make this painful slog longer than it was. Besides a few production high marks (which should be standard), this movie is all downhill from here.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
In perhaps the most useless and pathetic plot we have ever seen, immature conflicts dominate the silly dialogue as a bunch of middle aged people whine about what could have been in high school. As the scenes progress from melancholy to melodramatic to boring, nothing really happens as we are forced to witness Dave drive around, go to work, talk on the phone, go to support group, and hang out with a creepy and desperate woman. Sometimes there are huge gaps without a single spoken word as characters just stare at things while the piano music plays. Besides all this, there is no way to make this sort of plot interesting or palatable, so why make it at all?
Acting Quality (0 points)
As usual for Christiano casts, the cast members are overly practiced in their line delivery. The emotions are empty and they generally leave much to be desired. Unfortunately, the cast is so small, there is really no potential here.
Conclusion
What was even the point of making this plot? The idea literally has no potential and is so absurd that we have to question whether going after (married!) old flames should even be encouraged among Christians. Was this really all the Christiano brothers could come up with? We would expect something much more sanctimonious and pious than this. Where is the potential in watching a middle aged man pine after his old girlfriend, who’s now married? Don’t even get me started about using divorce support groups as a dating service. We can’t even comprehend the motive behind this film and must just leave it as a useless movie you shouldn’t waste your time on.
We should go back to the good ole’ days…when old white guys ran everything
My time machine is far too complex for you to understand
And over here we have an even larger selection of horrid Christian films
Plot Summary
The year is 1890. Dr. Carlisle does the unthinkable and writes a seminary textbook advocating for the teaching of morals apart from Jesus Christ, Dr. Andersen sees fit to stall his vote for the book’s endorsement until Carlisle comes and sees his time machine invention. When Carlisle finally stops moping around and agrees to meet with the mad scientist, he is roped into travelling through time to the future so that he can learn what supposedly happens when society teaches morals apart from Christ. What he finds is a shocking new culture he’s not familiar with in many ways. Will he ever make it back so he can sell his textbook?
Production Quality (.5 point)
Time Changer is one of those films that is very memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. While the production team should get some slight credit for attempting to dress characters in historically appropriate attire, there are too many other negatives that outweigh the small amount of positive. For starters, money was wasted building ridiculous time travel contraptions that look like they belong in a 1980s sci-fi film. The camera work and video quality are okay, but the audio quality is inconsistent, including a very annoying soundtrack. As usual, the editing is all over the board and is basically just a pasting together of heavy-handed scenes that demonstrate the Christiano brothers’ ridiculous worldview. Unfortunately, the production isn’t the worst this film has to offer.
Plot and Storyline Quality (-1 points)
Time travel plots are always going to be a problem. There’s rarely an instance when this concept can be justified. But when you merge this mind-bending sci-fi premise with an extreme fundamentalist Christian worldview, disaster occurs. There is no plot present here, since the Christianos are content to shove their unwanted opinions on the state of humanity in your face at every possible turn. Who believes that if some crazy professor from the late 1800s discovered time travel, he would use it to ‘solve’ the world’s biggest theological nitpick? Time Changer is entirely built on the incorrect assumption that the ‘good ole days’ were better, when old white guys made all the decisions, women were not allowed to do anything but sit at home, and religious idolatry reigned. Thus, the dialogue is chock-full of religious jargon and fundamentalist talking points while at the same time making a mockery of anyone who opposes the assumptions of the writers. Besides this, in an attempt to be ‘historical’, the dialogue is also overly awkward and cumbersome. Because of this, the characters are extremely programmed and robotic, just waiting to spew their lingo when the time is right. There are also subtle racial stereotypes and jabs at modern women’s roles throughout the film. The ending of the film is borderline bizarre, as it quietly depicts the nutty professor trying to find the ‘end of time’ using his contraption. Not only do the writers silently let you know that they think the end of time occurs before the year 2050, but they also show disdain for Jesus’ own words in the Scriptures, which state that no one knows the time or day when He’s returning. In short, there is nothing good about this storyline, and it even goes far enough to be rated in the propaganda category. It’s purely preaching to a small audience that already agrees with these narrow-minded views and accomplishes little else.
Acting Quality (-1 points)
As can expected, the acting is as outdated as the ideas in this film. Line delivery is forced and awkward and emotions are not present. Male cast members are overrepresented while female cast members are painted in a strange light. As previously mentioned, there are also some subtle racial stereotypes. But what else is new about this film?
Conclusion
This movie is a wide open window into the disturbing worldview of the Christiano brothers. In the end, they blame all of society’s ills on Hollywood. There may be some truth to this, as there are other nuggets of truth buried throughout the sludge of this film. Immoral Hollywood movies have certainly contributed a great deal to the corruption of society, but the world is always going to do what it does best—recede into sinful entropy. It is up to the Christians to stop this slide; we cannot expect the world to fix itself and pat us on the back for it. What people like the Christiano brothers really want is a return to their idea of a comfortably religious society. But what they don’t realize is that today’s culture is a reaction against that older worldview. If a white patriarchal religious utopia built on ivory tower theology was the answer to the world’s problems, it would have never ended. The problem is that those who claimed the name of Christ tainted His Name with their actions, not those who do not claim His Name. Jesus is the answer for culture’s problems, not some Pharisaical dominion. And when it comes to movies, if you don’t like what you see, make something better. So far, Christiano brothers and everyone else who complains about the state of Western culture, you have not produced any movies that are better or more worthwhile than the Hollywood alternative. So shame on you.
Back in the Dark Ages of Christian film, when David A. R. White was a fresh new face on the scene and when the Christiano brothers competed with Bob Jones University and WorldWide Pictures for control of the market, this movie was borne. Depicting the iconic struggles of a perfect Christian teenager in an evil fallen high school world, Second Glance has been called ‘the best Christian film ever’ by dubious critics. This teen feels like he’s not making any difference at all, so he wishes the unthinkable—that he wasn’t a Christian anymore. He wakes up with this wish come true, so guided by a creepy angel, he is forced to take a second glance at his life.
Production Quality (0 points)
In this barely one-hour length extended short film, production errors are aplenty. Camera work is bad, including a lot of awkward tight shots, and video quality is very poor. The audio quality is replete with background noises that often drown out dialogue. Also, a stupid soundtrack blares constantly. The sets and locations are severely limited, and characters are awkwardly placed in them. Editing is virtually nonexistent, since they basically cut nothing from this film. They needed all the wasted time they could get to stretch this glorified skit into an hour-long ‘movie’. In short, there is nothing positive to highlight here.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
This movie might as well be called Randy’s Party, because that’s the focal point of the entire plot. This illustrious event, and that creepy King-James-Version-only angel that keeps following David A. R. White around are the highlights of the film. In this character-based coming-of-age biopic, the characters are extremely shallow. The high school kid White plays is extremely perfect and holds his universe together while everyone else is either beholden to his wisdom, neutral, or obviously wicked. This makes the entire premise of this film absurd and unrealistic. The dialogue that can be discerned is uninspiring. There’s really nothing else to say here except that this It’s a Wonderful Life plot concept has been thoroughly worn out at this point. Next time, please think through your idea before forcing it to happen.
Acting Quality (0 points)
As previously mentioned, easily half the lines are unable to be deciphered, partially because of background noises and partially due to mumbled delivery. Emotions are awkwardly delivered, as with most things involving David A. R. White. Behavior is extremely obvious and forced, trying to drive home concepts that should be subtle (gee, that sounds familiar). As with everything else in this film, there is nothing good to note here.
Conclusion
This is such a half-baked idea that it doesn’t even warrant creation. Couldn’t they have just dumped this one in the early stages? But no, Christian movies must be made at all costs! If you stand in the way, you are a persecutory extremist humanist atheist propaganda machine bent on controlling the minds of children. The world in this movie is portrayed as very bad and oppressive to Christians (an early David A. R. White concept), and Christians must stand up against it or something. Second Glance could almost be a prequel to Holyman Undercover. There is really nothing learned from this work, so unless you just want to watch the infamous final scene (depicted above), don’t waste your time.
When Rachel Whitaker heads off to a ‘secular’ university to pursue a degree in pharmacology, she is immediately met with a challenge to her Christian faith as a biology professor informs the class that human life evolved from apes. Though she wavers in her convictions, her father quickly discovers her dilemma and confronts the professor, only to have the professor challenge him to a university debate on the issue of creationism versus evolution. As Rachel tries to talk her father out of the debate, he finds support from an unlikely ally as he digs deeper into the intrigue surrounding the professor. In the end, which side will triumph?
Production Quality (1 point)
For its many faults, at least A Matter of Faith scored one point for production quality. This is awarded for clear video quality and pretty good camera work. However, this is where the positivity ends. Audio quality is okay throughout, but some scenes are louder than others. The sets and locations are pathetic and scream low budget. The surroundings feel very plastic, like the characters are living in a textbook suburban city with no feeling at all. The soundtrack is glaringly amateurish. Finally, the editing is deplorable, just splicing a bunch of random scenes together that we’re supposed to believe are related in some way. Unfortunately, this isn’t where the negativity ends.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
Haven’t we had enough of the plot where the student is singled out for their faith by an atheist professor, especially with allegations of copying flying around? A Matter of Faith seems to go out of its way to create a false dichotomy between ‘creationism’ and ‘evolution’ and throws ‘science’ around like a Frisbee. The subtle message in the title seems to suggest that the creators don’t care about facts, just about destroying the atheist viewpoint at all costs. Don’t get me wrong—there’s plenty of problems with ‘evolution’ and we need a meaningful dialogue on this topic, but this film only insults people who oppose its worldview and attempts to scare those who might agree with it. Besides the philosophical concerns, there are many other problems wrong with this plot, which is actually just a collection of disjointed and unrelated snippets and scenes, mostly infused with an out of touch portrayal of life at a ‘secular’ university. The storyline does not flow at all as it hops from one thing to the next. The characters therein are highly stereotypical of a fundamentalist Christian worldview, depicting a controlling father figure, a wallflower mother, a confused younger woman, a heroic younger man, ‘bad boys’, and that evil atheist professor—basically the cast of Princess Cut on a college campus. The premise of the film is trumped up and makes a strawman of the atheist. However, the one thing that keeps this plot from going in the tank is a slightly interesting character concept that is wasted by the overbearing ‘plot’. But in short, A Matter of Faith is a mess that doesn’t even seem to try to be discreet or polite to those who oppose its viewpoint.
Acting Quality (0 points)
This film has accomplished a rare feat. Whereas many independent Christian films are notorious casting actors and actresses without giving them any coaching, the cast of A Matter of Faith seems to be coached too much. This is evident in a general sense of over-acting, such as overdone enunciation of words and overly practiced body language. Cast members say their lines like they’re reading cue cards for a public service announcement. In an attempt to avoid glaring errors, the Christiano crew actually did not come out any better by turning their cast members into robots.
Conclusion
Did the Christiano brothers actually expect to convert anyone to their viewpoint with this film? Is asking someone who believes in evolution if any of their family ancestors looked like apes (yes, that’s in there) truly a productive tactic to use? Is attacking psychology out of left field a winning strategy? We find it hard to believe that A Matter of Faith will even grow any Christians in their faith, as many are still confused as to what the real dichotomy between Biblical creationism and Darwinism (the truly dangerous philosophy) is. Creating a strawman out of ‘evolution’ is counter-productive and confuses people. Real people cannot relate to the events of this film, so it is likely that it will do nothing more than further fuel the fire of contempt between fundamentalist Christians and atheists.
Dustin, Albert, and Mark are friends who stick together and solve the deeper problems of their 1970s small town. But one particular summer, they find themselves with a deficit of activities save for fishing and mowing lawns. That’s when they inadvertently cross paths with Jonathan Sperry, an elderly local man who takes it upon himself to teach them fundamental principles for living—including the truth about Christianity. Unknown to any of the three friends, their lives will forever be changed by the secrets they learn from the enigmatic Mr. Sperry.
Production Quality (2 points)
Jonathan Sperry had a higher-than-usual budget, and it mostly reflects in the production quality. The camera work is pretty good, especially considering the high amount of outside scenes. The video quality is solid, as is the sound quality. Sets and locations were well chosen and props give the film an authentic historic feel. The musical score could have been better. The real thing lacking here is a game-changing factor. The editing is considerably good, but each production element just doesn’t quite live up to top standards. Something intangible is missing, yet it cannot be denied that Jonathan Sperry is still a step above most Christian films when it comes to production.
Plot and Storyline Quality (1.5 points)
Adapted from true events, the plot of Jonathan Sperry has a lot of great elements.  The characters are authentic and many will be able to relate to them.  The dialogue is simple yet profound.  The events and circumstances they experience are believable and accessible.  The storyline is non-linear and has some minor twists and turns.  There is a clear Christian message throughout.  Yet this being said, one could consider Jonathan Sperry to be overly realistic and too slow for viewing.  There is some truth to this.  The film lacks a dynamic punch that will really capture the widespread attention of audiences.  Great care was obviously taken to be realistic, and this care shows, but we have to wonder if it is too authentic for its own good, so to speak.  Nevertheless, the movie offers a poignant lesson for those who watch it and those who likely calm artistic plots will not find themselves disappointed.
Acting Quality (2 points)
Similar to production, an air of professionalism is very evident. Â The actors and actresses are coached fairly well. Â Since the cast is small, it carries a large weight, and it does not necessarily stumble under it. Â However, there are some minor errors that could have been corrected and thus keep it from being all that it could be. Â But nonetheless, the acting puts many Christian movies to shame.
Conclusion
There is a place for movies like Jonathan Sperry in the Christian film world, but unfortunately, films like this one will never be blockbuster.  The truly unfortunate thing is that movies like this one are not the baseline of Christian-themed movies.  This should be the starting point, not the improvement.  Regardless, Sperry is something to build off of if only to showcase that the Christiano brothers understand the common man and that the only place they can go from here is up.
Grace has had her share of heartache when it comes to romantic relationships. She feels like men have played games with her heart, even though she desperately wants to find the right man to spend the rest of her life with. She looks to her parents for guidance, but she also wants to be her own woman. After she finally hits rock bottom when a man treats her in a way she does not feel is appropriate, she decides to make changes in her life and to stop seeking men. Little does she know that true love could be right around the corner.
Production Quality (1 point)
The production of Princess Cut is its one redeeming quality, but that still isn’t saying much. The video quality is clear and the camera work is passable, except for in-shot zooming. The editing is decent, but the sound quality is the biggest detractor here. Many scenes are obviously overdubbed because of the lack of a boom mic. Some sound is hard to hear and there are quite a few musical montages that cover up what could have been valuable dialogue. Also, the sets are severely limited; too much content takes place off screen. In short, we realize that Princess Cut had a very small budget, but it seems like more could have been done here.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
There is an underlying philosophy in this plot that is slightly commendable, but there are so many negative issues. Good principles of dating are talked about, but they are also forced down the throats of the audience through robotic paragraph dialogue. Also shoved in the viewers’ faces is a far right Christian-ese worldview based on patriarchy, matronly women’s roles, anti-psychology ideals, and self-help books. The female characters are portrayed as empty-headed and clueless. ‘Bad’ characters are over-the-top strawmen. As previously mentioned, there is no real dialogue that builds the characters—most of the time, the characters seem to be reading self-help books verbatim. The plot is choppy and leaves out many key parts, some of which are made up for with extremely awkward and strange dialogue. Intended humor falls flat. In summary, this plot contains only a small amount of positive amid a conglomerate of strange philosophies and robotic characters.
Acting Quality (.5 point)
We felt like there was some potential in this cast—Rusty Martin Sr. and his son has both demonstrated good acting skills before—but it was not tapped in Princess Cut. Ashley Bratcher seems like a good actress, but she is not given any help. Unfortunately, most of the line delivery is emotionless and very stodgy. If coaching had been employed, the acting quality could have improved.
Conclusion
It’s great that more independent Christian film-makers are making movies and are able to make them, but what is the cost of these sorts of films? Princess Cut portrays Christians as living in their own bubble, owning a farm that the men run while the women slave away in the kitchen all day and knit. People outside of this bubble are portrayed as bad, and psychology is a definite no-no. Yet at the same time, the Bible is not given near as much attention in this film as self-help book product placements. What type of philosophy is exactly being espoused here? It is wonderful to portray healthy dating, but if you’re looking for that, we highly recommend Old-Fashioned, not Princess Cut.
Box Office Revolution 