Sunday I will begin 25 Days of Christmas Movies. Some will be faith-based films and others will just be old school charming. Before I head there though, I just had to share Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass And Fire.
I watched the first in this series, Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End a while back and absolutely loved it. PureFlix Entertainment is really bringing some great faith-based films to the table. After seeing the first, I could not wait for the next...but I had to. I'm excited to share it with you now.
Movie Review: Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire
Pure Flix Entertainment
Starring: David A. R. White, Brian Bosworth, Eric Roberts, Andrea Logan White, Jen Lilley, and Steve "Sting" Borden
About the film (from Amazon): Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire continues the thrilling
odyssey of Josh McManus, as he struggles to return home to his wife and
daughter. Helping Josh on his epic quest is the local Sheriff, Beth, his
over-eager sidekick and Cat, a renegade biker. And, chasing Josh at
every turn is the brutal outlaw Hawg and his rolling gang of killers.
My Review: What do you do when everything you know has been turned upside down in a blink of an eye, and you are far from your own?
This have changed dramatically for Josh, and it is a lot more than the absence of electricity. After a brush with an outlaw biker gang leads to an incredible night of chaos and a brush with the supernatural, Josh just wants to get home to be with his family, but the getting there is not going to be an easy road but at least it wont be lonely with Beth (with her own mission) by her side.
Revelation Road 2 picks up where the first left off, and fulfills two purposes one is to give the viewer some more background on Josh with answering the question of why is he the way he is and is he aware of it? We also get a little recap on exactly went down in the first movie and get more of an understanding on the relationship issues between the biker gang's leader Hawg and on Cat who seems so tortured through both films. The viewer also sees how God has had a hand on their lives in a unique way for a unique purpose and even the negative parts can be used in a positive light.
Revelation Road 2 has a smooth running plot that gives us some steps forward with some strong looks back. As with other films like this, there are people who are reeling after an obvious rapture scenario with most not understanding what went on and still others who do get it and know full well that somehow they truly weren't the believers they thought themselves to be. This always gives me food for thought. The actors and actresses did a great job. You will often find people who are a bit more canned, but not in this film. The cast definitely took the time to really grow into character which for myself was greatly appreciated especially because I am one who is often disappointed when I see a Christian film come out with a wonderful message but the message is relayed by actors who are wooden, and everyone I try to share it with just shakes their head. This is a film of quality with many wonderful moments. Check it out.
Watch the official trailer here:
Haven't seen Revelation Road? Catch my review here: Movie Review - Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End
Watch the trailer here:
I purchased Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire Blu-Ray at Family Christian Store as part of their Black Friday special. It was $5! I actually made a special trip just to get it. So needless to say, nothing impacted my opinion. I saw the first one for free and paid for this one, because the first was that good.
I love that we now h ave DirectTV because it means with have the UP Channel which used to be GMC. A few weeks ago I set up the movie "The Perfect Summer" for a little weekend viewing. The weekend got away from me though. So here's a ittle review time.
The Perfect Summer
Swirl Films
Level Path Productions
Word Entertainment
Up Entertainment
Starring: Eric Roberts, Sidney Penny, Adam Horner, JD Banks, Katie Garfield and Jason Castro.
About the movie (from UP site):
In The Perfect Summer, fatherless teenager Jake (Adam Horner) was happy
living in Chicago, until his mother (Sydney Penny) decided to uproot
them to a small surfing town where her estranged father (Eric Roberts),
Jake’s grandfather, lives. The transition isn’t easy for anyone and it
seems everywhere he goes, Jake manages to make enemies, including the
town bully, Tyler (JD Banks), who doesn’t like the new interloper or his
interest in young surfing prodigy, Kayla (Katie Garfield). Stuck in the
beach town with no friends and no knowledge of surfing, Jake has
nowhere to turn until Cody (Jason Castro), the local surf shop owner,
reveals that Jake’s grandfather is a surf legend. Tired of feeling like
an outcast, Jake asks Lou to teach him about surfing. Jake learns to
face his fears, push through inhibitions and realizes that winning the
respect of his new peers – and Katie’s heart – might mean facing the
biggest challenge of his life.
My Review:
I love a good summer movie. Add a real message, and it gets even better. There are several messages touched on through various characters in the film. One of the most important is to keep trying and not quit. Jake learns this as he battles learning to surf and learning to care about making a life in his new surroundings. The story isn't all about Jake though. We also get an opportunity to see a little bit of mom and grandpa's struggles as well.
Jake has moved with his mom from Chicago to Carolina Beach. Now you might think that this would be a complete dream come true, but it is never really easy being the new kid. Add the fact that you are leaving all you know and have suffered a pretty strong loss, baby steps are needed as well as lots of understanding. Jake is not a surly teen, but he is definitely out of his element and not afraid to share that with his family. Compounding the troubles of moving to a new town is the stereotypical bully who has set his jealous sites on Jake.
Jake's mom is just trying to get back on her feet. They are making a new start with her dad, but it is still all new. She doesn't have a very strong relationship with her father. Letting go just might be difficult. Of course the task of just getting a job is at the forefront of her to-do list.
Grandpa has some time on his hand. He uses that time to volunteer at his church and eventually to teach his grandson the finer points of surfing.
What I liked: I liked the scenery. I liked that everything wasn't perfect from the get go. As a person who has done her own bit of moving, I appreciated the realness of the struggle, but also that things can be worked out with some effort. I liked that Celebrate Recovery is also featured in the film. I have friends who are part of Celebrate Recovery. It is a wonderful ministry that truly helps people with all sorts of hurts, habits and hang ups. I enjoyed the music featured in the film as well with artists I enjoy like Jason Castro, Big Daddy Weave, and Dara Maclean.
Favorite quote (from Jake's grandfather): "The man you'll be tomorrow depends on the man you choose to be today."
Rating: I would give The Perfect Summer 5 out of 5 stars for a TV movie. The casting was well done. The story was told nicely. There were definitely moments that I could really feel.
Final note: Currently I have only been able to watch The Perfect Summer on UPtv. I do hope that at some point they will release it to video. It is definitely one to watch.
Side note: I was thrilled to see Sydney Penny in a film again. I remember when she was in "The Thorn Birds" when I was a kid and a Clint Eastwood movie called "Pale Rider" WAY back in the day. She has always been a favorite of mine.
FREEBIE - Download Jason Castro's song "Good Love" which is featured in the movie by heading over to his website via this link. No idea how long that will last so head on over.
