More

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
HuffPost Social Reading
Jackie K. Cooper

GET UPDATES FROM Jackie K. Cooper
 

Courageous: A Faith-Based Film That Entertains (Video)

Posted: 10/ 1/2011 12:43 pm

Jackie K. Cooper Show - Interview with the Kendrick Brothers from Cooper Productions on Vimeo.


In Albany, Georgia there is a church called Sherwood Baptist. On staff as Assistant Pastors at this church are Stephen and Alex Kendrick, two brothers who had a vision of their church making faith based movies. Their first effort was Flywheel, followed by Facing the Giants and then Fireproof. Now they have Courageous, a movie that speaks to fatherhood and commitment while at the same time being entertaining and involving from start to finish.

Courageous concerns four police officers on the Albany Police Force. They are Adam Mitchell (Alex Kendrick), Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel), Shane Fuller (Kevin Downes) and David Thompson (Ben Davies). They are all supportive of each other and each man has a child or children in his life. When tragedy strikes one of the men, the other three rush to his side. Out of this tragedy is born a new commitment, not to be just a "good enough" father but to be the best father possible.

The story of each of these men is revealed as their lives relate and interrelate to each other. They are also joined by Javier Martinez (Robert Amaya), a man who comes into their lives either by accident or by divine providence. Once there he becomes an integral part of the group.

The movie has it all. There are moments of great joy, great despair, great humor and great harmony. This is a film that is profound in many ways but is not preachy. Best of all it never forgets to entertain. The religion that is included in the film comes from the lives of the men. They are all Christians of one degree or another and this fact is presented as part of their story. It is as much a part of them as whether or not they are tall or short, thin or fat.

Alex Kendrick is the star of the movie and he directed it as well. He is very effective in the role of Adam, delivering a fierce portrait of a man on a mission to do better. Also outstanding is Amaya who brings subtle humor to his role. Opposite him Angelita Nelson is a standout as his wife. These two have a warm chemistry and camaraderie that draws you to them on screen.

The script by Alex and Stephen Kendrick is powerful. There are certain sentences and phrases that resonate with the audience. Long after you leave the theater you will remember the words that were said.

The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and drug references.

Courageous isn't just for Christians. It is for anyone who loves a good story full of emotion, humor and drama. This film has it all and delivers every aspect of the story in a tremendously entertaining fashion.

I scored "Courageous a brave 8 out of 10.
www,jackiekcooper.com

 
 
 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 8
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
02:44 PM on 10/03/2011
I have to say i saw 'Fireproof' and while i thought some of the acting was below par and the film itself was a little too long it surprised me how much i wound up liking it. It did not hammer home Christian dogma and the comic moments were very genuine - there were also scenes about how families relate that really got to me.
I think Kendrick & co have latched onto the same formula that works so well for Tyler Perry - identify your audience but dont assume that they are your only audience, develop a script that can be shot without the high cost ad-ons like CGI, A list actors (if there are any anymore), expensive locations. They come in with a decent film that people like and always make money. And isnt that the formula people who make films are going for?
06:02 PM on 10/02/2011
I saw "Facing the Giants".
Very poor acting.
11:36 AM on 10/02/2011
It sounds like a very spiritually and emotionally uplifting movie...it should do very well!
photo
BlackJAC
It's better to be a black king than a white knight
04:57 PM on 10/01/2011
My only problem with the Kendricks is that they don't pay their crew.  Granted, the crew volunteered to work on it, but paying them is just the right thing to do.
12:56 PM on 10/01/2011
I don't see how any media that promotes the idea that the only way of perceiving a human self is by holding on to the fairy tales of childhood is ever a good thing. The fact that a film, book, play (or whatever) "entertains" isn't necessarily a plus, as all propaganda seeks to entertain, thereby manipulating emotion. Desperately holding onto gods in the 21st century is a very likely terminal tragedy for the human race.
06:48 PM on 10/01/2011
I didn't think atheists liked zealotry.
09:16 AM on 10/02/2011
"terminal tragedy for the human race"

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Hmmm...who's desperate? Those who simply believe or those who rant like you? You sound like a miserable person who could use some god in his life.
09:41 AM on 10/02/2011
And then there are those who "believe" and who also "rant."