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We rented a movie called "The Note" tonight. I must say, overall I was very impressed. The story line was impressive, the quality of footage was quite good as well. I do admit that a couple of handheld shots had a little non intended camera shake in two or three places, but it did not really distract and I doubt of anybody but me noticed it. Acting varied between actors from good to excellent, and I suspect for many it was their first time on screen.(To be confirmed.)

Let me just say, that if you read this and you have not yet watched it, then legg it over to the Video Rentals and watch it.

Yes. It's that good. The Note.

The last couple of movies I watched in the ranks of Fireproof, Faith Like Potatoes, Facing the Giants, Hansie and The Note definately lifted the bar a little for Christian movies. Unfortunately, it does seem to me that we are not there yet. It's like the giant woke up, but his eyes are still not focussed properly.

In fact, this might turn into a movement in the movie industry. A whole new Genre. Why should it be boxed, or labeled? Not the type of movie that that makes you feel like you rolled in the mud, or the ones you need to see the shrink for after you watched it. On the contrary. These movies have a strong moral message, and don't always end up in a "nice" way. The characters go through real stuff. And they deal with it, and they overcome their obstacles dispite the odds. These characters are not superhuman cyborgs or beings from outer space, but they are real tangible people like you and me. Behind all these movies you will most certainly find a Church or a Christian Production Company. I believe that the Church is starting to wake up and smell the coffee in the movie making industry. It's about time. About time. Funny thing is, it seems to me that when there are actually technical excellence in these movies, people are way more "religiously" tollerant to stuff in the movie. You have to go and tell everybody it's a Christian movie. Forget the box. If the movie is good, it will spread like wildfire. Heck, if you have to go around and tell people you are a Christian since they can't realize it by observing you, then you better change your conduct.

To my distress, there is a "school" amongst some Christians that's okay with sub standard stuff. I've heard people say; "It's okay if it's not perfect, because we don't have the budget and we're doing it for the Lord and not for men anyhow." That drives me crazy! Who do you think is going to watch the flippen movie? GOD?! Since when should movies be substandard because Christians made them? Who said that if you mention God or Jesus in a movie and it is not as a swear word that your movie will be corny? If the Church wants to be even more relevant in the media and in the movie industry, we should maintain integrity and moral standards and get the technical side up to par. Very often it is thought that movies should be watered down morally to give it mass appeal. What should really happen is that the story should be in your face, blatantly honest and real. Let's face it, not all woman have for instance Angelina Jolie's body. It is expected of the leading lady in a movie to have a hot body,since more sex appeal results in more men to watch the movie which results in more sales. But real people don't look like Angelina Jolie. Do you look like that?! Angelina probably doesn't even look like that in real life! The media keeps on pitching these impossible characters to us, and the world has just about had it with those characters. For years, the Church has been pitching a Jesus to us that looks like the lead glass characters in catherals. No wonder the world is not taking the Chruch serious. The movie industry has fallen into the same trap though.

We are all tired of movies with heros that are fake. Come on. What we want is reality. Real people that deal with real life, who are able to live above their circumstances. With all the bad news and talks of resession and whatnot, we need good news. Not only fake "feel good" good news, but we need news that's going to really uplift us. Hope.  Media not driven by fear, but driven by Faith. Faith, hope and love is  a far more appealing and stronger driving force than fear, hatred and unforgiveness. In this world of hatred and suffering, there is still good to be found. There is still a miracle out there for those who believe, and miracles are also there to surprise those who deny their existance. There is still a chance for a Slum dog to become a millionare. 

The Church has the answer, but we need to believe in it and live it ourselves, so that when we tell a story in the media, be it a movie or an article or a CD, we do a proper job. We should not loose credibility because we make excuses for our message or out technique. 

This is a challenge to all Chritian Moviemakers out there. Get out there and make good movies. Don't comprimise, if the budget or time is finished.  Rather get more money, reshoot, re edit and do it over and over untill it is top quality and does not stand back against other movies. One bad movie is about all it takes to destroy your career. A great story and great acting does not neccesarily need a huge budget. How about a proper action movie? Anybody?  We are not there yet, but it's getting the closest it has gotten in hostory. And who said you can't get the budget if you really have the right story to tell? Was that faith or fear that said that? Now do it. The world is looking for the results.