The Second Chance
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Movie Reviews of The Second Chance
Movie Review: Amazing movie
Summary: 5 Stars
A really inspirational movie that helps you analyze what really matter in life, it helps to valuate in what you believe.Movie Review: The Second Chance
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really great movie. It should be viewed by everyone, to give them hope and trust in mankind.Movie Review: Religious Films
Summary: 5 Stars
A great buy for the fans of Michael W. Smith. A great christian selection. Great for the whole family.Movie Review: A Good Film -- Worth a Second Glance
Summary: 4 Stars
I watched this film with pretty low initial expectations... hoping that this so-calleld "Christian" movie would finally break the "Christian movie" stereotype I had come to... well... loathe and expect. With Steve Taylor at the helm... I thought, "Maybe. Just maybe..."
Truthfully -- it exceeded all my expectations. Smartly written, smartly directed, and even well-acted... for the most part.
(I shouldn't even label it as a good "Christian" movie. It's just a good movie. Period. I think a lot of people will enjoy this film.)
Michale W. Smith does a pretty good job playing the talented music minister, Ethan Jenkins -- the son and successor-to-be of the successful Pastor Jeremiah Jenkins, senior pastor of The Rock (Mega)Church and founding pastor of the inner city church, The Second Chance.
Smith plays an interesting character. While his own road to success may have been paved by that of his father, he wants to do the right thing and has a good heart. A bit naive, perhaps, in his view of life and ministry, he is greatly affected by what he sees and experiences at The Second Chance Church when he is sent there by a miffed church board as "punishment" for being a little to loose with the church's live television broadcasts.
Jeff Carr is very charming and convincing as the passionate - "in your face" - and somewhat jaded-by-reality Pastor Jake Sanders. He believes strongly in the ministry of the Second Chance Church in his community -- but he's allowed his anger and his temper to cloud some of his decisions and judgment. (Sanders' tongue is actually what gets Ethan Jenkins in trouble when Jenkins gives him some air-time on the The Rock's live televised program -- "Well, then... you can just keep your damn money!")
Jenkins and Sanders are then forced to work together. Sanders' inner-city method of "ministry" is sometimes more than wide-eyed, open-mouthed Jenkins can swallow... (When Sander slams a drug-pushing gang-member up against the fence and threatens to break his arm if the gangster doesn't let his little brother "out" of the family business... well, Jenkins hardly knows what to do with himself.)
Both Jenkins and Sanders go through some pretty significant yet believable changes as they learn from each other -- perhaps Jenkins moreso from Sanders. And even Ethan's father, Pastor Jeremiah Jenkins, has to face the reality that even though his ministry at The Rock has gone global, he has forgotten where it all started... leading the movie's climax to a heartfelt and satisfying "conclusion."
Pick it up. It's a good flick.
Movie Review: Edgy in some ways, maddeningly cliche in others
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me get this out of the way: I do not automatically give all Christian movies 5 stars merely to "give them support." As the leader of my church's drama ministry I believe we are responsible to pursue and promote excellence in the arts. Poor craftsmanship implies poor effort and lacks credibility. Trust me, the makers of this film feel the same way.
When I saw this was a film by Steve Taylor, I knew I had to see this movie.
When I heard Michael W. Smith was in the lead role, I wasn't so sure I wanted to see this movie.
Well, I was pleased with much of it, challenged as a Christian by parts of it, and disappointed with lots of it. As with his cutting edge music, Taylor pushed some buttons that definitely needed to be pushed (punched and smashed, too) about the marketing mentality within the church, the social laziness we ignore, the racial ignorance we tolerate (on both sides), and the flawless facade we try to project. As for the occasional swearing the pastor does, that's just real life. Preachers are fallible.
As for Smitty, all I can say is, "He obviously worked very hard on this and there were times when he was very effective." That's nicer than saying, "Don't quit your day job." And more honest, really. He truly didn't stink at it. But I doubt he'll ever be on Martin Scorsese's speed dial.
jeff obafemi carr (the lowercase thing is his idea) is pretty darn good, though. Hope to see him again.
The great, glaring weakness of 'Second Chance' is in the retreaded plots: Plot A: A small, faithful inner city church is financially strapped and the administrative board plans to shut it down if its fortunes don't turn around, so the congregation rallies to save it. Plot B: A rebellious, successful son is resistant about taking over the reins of a church from his kindly old father, the senior pastor who is beloved by everyone. Heard either of those plots before? Sure, in just about every story about a church that you've ever seen from 'The Preacher's Wife', 'Sister Act,' and 'The Gospel' to dozens of episodes of 'Highway to Heaven' and 'Touched by An Angel' to half of the Christian novels ever written. Is there no other story out there?
I really feel Taylor missed an opportunity by not trying for a more original story to tell, one that the average person could identify with. And hadn't seen before. But this is still a good first effort by Steve.