One morning recently, as I was lingering over my breakfast coffee in front of the TV, I saw a program (maybe “The Today Show”) that listed the top movies by attendance for a certain period. Obviously I forget lot of the details, but I do remember the top box office draw that day was named “War Room.” I thought it was probably a movie about World War II and Churchill’s war room, which I have seen.
I could not have been more wrong. I was surprised to learn later it was a blatantly Christian movie and the “war room” was a closet dedicated to prayer. It was created in desperation by the wife in a family in crisis. The marriage was on slippery slopes. Not only was the husband’s eye wandering, but he was guilty of unethical and even illegal practices in his job.
The movie was one in a series written and produced by the brothers Stephen and Alex Kendricks of Albany, Georgia, where my sister lives. I was familiar with a couple of other movies these men had produced when they were pastors of the Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany. I was amazed at that time that church amateurs could produce such polished movies.
My favorite was “Facing the Giants,” a football drama. I also saw “Fireproof” from the same church. They had done two others, “Flywheel” and “Courageous.” Something unusual was clearly going on. Not many churches get into the movie business, and their faith-based productions were successful and making money. Profits go to the National Christian Foundation.
Of course, Hollywood has produced its religious films, “The Ten Commandments,” “Ben Hur,” “The Passion of the Christ,” to name a few. But I like to think that this is the first time that rank amateurs have broken into the big listings. Neither Stephen nor Alex has ever been to film school. They credit their success to prayer.
Brent Land of Variety calls them “the Stephen Spielbergs of Christian cinema.” Their names above the title announce firmly that their movie is pitched to the faithful, and the faithful seem hungry for their message. And appreciative. I do not go to many movies, although I enjoy them greatly. I would even argue that American movies are this country’s big contribution to world art. I have at least seen a lot of movies in a long life. The first time I recall hearing a movie audience applaud at the end was for “War Room.”
Audiences have not only applauded, but groups have gathered to sing and pray in the atria of movie complexes. Ticket sales for “War Room” have soared. However, Stephen Kendrick says,”Our goal is to impact people, not make money.”
Professional reviewers have ridiculed them. Michael Recthshaffen of The Los Angeles Times called the film “mighty long-winded and wincingly over-wrought.” It received an 18 percent “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But people still flock to its showings.
I have an idea. I think people have suffered so long from a plethora of violent, over-sexed, cynical, perverse, trite theater — no matter how much talent is utilized — that they yearn for a little inspiration. The Kendrick films (and, to be honest, a few others) do offer a choice.
Now for my disclaimer: If I have offended any readers with my Christian bias, I really cannot apologize for it. I just am what I am.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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