Movies On mission

Can You Widely Impact the World with Just the Purchase of a Movie Ticket?

Sound impossible? Check this out!

Entertainment is America’s second largest export; rather a startling fact in itself. Television, film, music and games are shipped around the globe from America for the world to consume. We’ll be focusing here on movies.

Each year there are 20,000 movies made in the world. Out of those twenty thousand made across the world, 3,500 are created right here in the USA. Of those 3,500 movies, 150 actually make it to the BIG screen for a theatrical release. And each will garner about $5 million. Out of these 150, approximately 31 will bring north of $100 million and capture blockbuster status. These 31 movies bring in 60% of the world’s box office revenue and 40% of all the USA box office revenue in one year. As a result, these 31 films command the attention of the world!

So what film content is the world consuming? Well, it’s a smorgasbord of entertainment that is often unfit-for-consumption. With a buffet of crude humor, violence and graphic images that no one of any age needs to see.

Now, think about this reality. A movie with a message of faith comes long and captures the attention of the church and beyond in America and becomes the #1 movie in the USA. It edges out the movie “Straight Outta Compton” and brings in $68 million in ticket sales. Or the movie is “The Passion of the Christ,“ “I Can Only Imagine,” “October Baby,” “Woodlawn,” “Heaven Is For Real,” “Jesus Revolution” or a host of other faith-based films that have crushed it at the box office?

Keep following my train of thought here please; Because of the success in the USA, other countries are asking for these films to be released in their countries – places where we might have a difficult time setting up a missionary outpost, are now open to a film that carries a message of hope and inspiration. These movies now become an export to the world and delivered to both believing and skeptical audiences in theaters, on streaming platforms and on DVD.

Ponder this for a moment; Movies about prayer, miracles, the resurrection and more, positive themes are now available for the masses to see in a country that may not allow a missionary into their country! But because of the success of the film in the USA, the film arrives in theaters around the world. And people are inspired, hope is restored, minds are changed, and people are saved. I’ve see this happen time and time again from one scene or one sentence spoken in a move. And this simple revolution is speeding up and catching on more broadly and more frequently. And you, personally, can positively affect this ‘Movie Movement.’

I want to challenge you to think differently when you choose what movies to spend your money on at your local theater or recommend to your family, friends, peers, and congregation. Remember this; the next time you buy a ticket to a faith film, you are supporting a film release that will become a global entertainment missionary to countries around the world and will deliver a message of hope in a world that desperately needs more than an offering of graphic violence, crude humor and inappropriate relationships.

So, can you as an influencer, single handedly impact the world with your purchase of a ticket to a movie? Yes you can. YOU BET YOU CAN!

Dave, the Movie Guy- Dave Almgren – FaithandFamilyFilms.info

Message In Motion

What do Amiee Semple McPherson, Pine Wood Studios London, World Wide Pictures, the Salvation Army, hippies during the ‘Jesus Revolution,’ and the Erwin Brothers have in common? The answer: They have all utilized ‘the-media-of-the-day’ to reach the masses with the Gospel.

Aimee used ‘illustrated-sermons’ when she preached at Angelus Temple Foursquare Church.

In 1915 a missionary group noticed that the silent films of the day were not wholesome. So they countered by launching Pinewood Studios, London, to create family-friendly content.

Billy Graham made the Gospel come alive via World Wide Pictures. The Salvation Army, Australia, used film to present the Gospel.

During the ’60’s and ‘70’s the hippies of the Jesus Revolution used music and gospel tracks to communicate the love of God and the Gospel message.

The Erwin Brothers have produced motion pictures presenting stories of hope worldwide.

Film, especially motion pictures, is the most powerful ‘media-of-our-day’ for telling stories. And telling stories is a powerful way to communicate ‘Truth.’ There is nothing like a motion picture to engage the senses. We see life-like images on the screen. We hear the music, conversations and sound effects. We feel the emotional connection to the characters. It is a magical mixture that can drive the audience either in a positive or negative direction.

I have been in the faith and family film industry for more than a decade and can say unequivocally that film in the ‘faith space’ moves audiences toward hope and the Good News. This Movie Guy has seen a multitude of Pastors embolden their congregations to attend faith-based films and have seen positive and dramatic life responses. I encourage those of you who have not utilized this powerful tool to try this media-of-our-day very soon.

Movies produced by dedicated, Christian filmmakers like the Erwin’s, move audiences from contemplation and reflection to life-changing actions; films like: October Baby, where some expectant mothers walked out of the movie with changed minds, deciding to have their babies rather than seek an abortion. Mom’s Night Out reinforced that ‘the JOY of the Lord is our strength. Woodlawn brought a message of hope and salvation to high school football teams across the U.S.A. And I Can Only Imagine showed us the hope of Jesus Christ in the middle of tragedy.

Their new film, The Jesus Revolution, will arrive in theaters in February 2023. It’s a true story about the sea of young people who descended on Southern California in the ‘70’s, intent on redefining ‘Truth,’ through Rock and Roll, drugs and newfound love. But by a ‘twist-of-faith,’ the Jesus Revolution became the greatest spiritual awakening in American history and changed the world.

Maybe there are people in your community, Pastor, that desperately need to hear the Gospel. And it just might be presented via the ‘media-of-the-day,’ Faith-Based-Film!

Dave, the Movie Guy- Dave Almgren – FaithandFamilyFilms.info

A new movie from the Smallbone Brothers

Multi-Grammy Award-winning duo FOR KING & COUNTRY officially announced their second feature-length film and is coming to a theater near you April 26th, 2024. ‘Unsung Hero’ is billed as The Dramatic True Story of an Immigrant Mum and Her Family.

“Many of you have heard our family’s story over the years, but never quite like this- after a devastating financial loss in Australia during the 90s, our Mum and Dad made an incredibly courageous leap to pack up their six kids (with one on the way) and 16 suitcases to move halfway across the world in hopes of a new beginning in the United States,” the duo shared in the announcement. “This is a film about our Mum and motherhood, family and miracles, sacrifice and faith… A film for YOU…It’s been a pretty outrageous undertaking these last few months, but it’s a story we’re incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to share it with you.” said the Smallbone Brothers.

FOR KING & COUNTRY’s first feature film, titled Priceless, opened in theaters in October 2016, received positive reviews and feedback from audiences, and was the #1 independent film during its launch weekend.

Word on the street is that this film is produced by Josh Walsh and Kingdom Story Company and co-directed by Joel Smallbone from For King and Country. The cast includes Joel Smallbone and Terry O’Quinn plays the part of Grandpa Smallbone ( Terry has a long list of TV and film credits, including Lost, Hawaii Five O and many others roles).

Check out the trailer below and movie website for additional information and updates at unsungheromovie.com.

Jesus revolution is coming!

Jesus Revolution is coming to a theater near you starting February 24, 2023, and YOU DO NOT want to miss this movie.

Jesus Revolution is a moving film that captures the essence of a troubled time in the late 1960s and the early 1970s. It was a time when the youth were looking for truth in all the wrong places. Eventually, many (over 400k just in California) of the 60’s generation had an encounter with God, and their lives were changed and transformed. The Jesus Revolution changed the course of history in America, and the country was radically altered for the better.

Here is the synopsis of the story:

Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUTION tells the story of a young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) raised by his struggling mother, Charlene (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), in the 1970s. Laurie and a sea of young people descend on sunny Southern California to redefine truth through all means of liberation. Inadvertently, Laurie meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher, and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), who have thrown open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to a stream of wandering youth. What unfolds becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history. Rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith lead to a JESUS REVOLUTION that turns one counterculture movement into a revival that changes the world.

Jesus Revolution, the movie, is from Kingdom Story Company and will hit theaters everywhere starting February 24, 2023, and early access Wednesday night, February 22, 2023.

Click here for a link to theaters and tickets

Check out the trailer for the movie;

The wind and the reckoning is a must-see film!

What would you do for your family if there was a threat to your survival? Would you sacrifice everything? Would you lay down your life? Those are a few of the questions I was left to ponder after watching the new film from director/producer David L Cunningham called “The Wind and the Reckoning.” David has produced numerous films, including Running with Grace, To End All Wars, Path to 911 and After.

This is a story that I thought I was familiar with, but I came to find out I knew very little about the history and nothing about the personal stories behind the island of Molokai. I was very intrigued to see this film, and I moved, inspired and have grown to love the Hawaiian culture. The movie was beautifully shot in Hawaii during the pandemic, as the cast and crew all lived in a bubble for the duration of the production.

What is the story about?

1893.  Based on real-life historical events as told through the memoirs of Pi’ilani herself. The Hawaiian Kingdom has been overthrown by a Western power just as an outbreak of leprosy engulfs the tropical paradise. The new government orders all Native Hawaiians suspected of having the foreign disease banished permanently to a remote colony on the island of Moloka’i that is known as ‘the island of the living grave.’ When a local cowboy named Ko’olau and his young son Kalei contract the dreaded disease, they refuse to allow their family to be separated, sparking an armed clash with brutal white island authorities that will make Ko’olau and his wife, Pi’ilani, heroes for the ages.

This movie is an entertaining, moving and an inspirational film that everyone should take the time to see. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this film on the BIG screen and to experience the story and the majestic island of Hawaii.

The Wind and the Reckoning opened November 2022 in Hawaii to great success and is releasing on the mainland in May 16 in Dallas, Portland and LA and in NYC May 26th 2023.

Click here for theater showtimes and locations: https://www.windandreckoning.com/

Check out the trailer below:

Did you miss this Announcement?

This past week Kingdom Story Company and the Erwin Brothers announced their next film coming to theaters in February of 2023.

The new film is called “Jesus Revolution,” and this movie has been on a long journey to bring the story to the BIG screen.

Here is the synopsis of the story:

Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUTION tells the story of a young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) raised by his struggling mother, Charlene (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) in the 1970s. Laurie and a sea of young people descend on sunny Southern California to redefine truth through all means of liberation. Inadvertently, Laurie meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher, and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) who have thrown open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to a stream of wandering youth. What unfolds becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history. Rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith lead to a JESUS REVOLUTION that turns one counterculture movement into a revival that changes the world

Jesus Revolution is a moving film that captures the essence of a troubled time in the late 1960s and the early 1970s. It was a time when the youth were looking for truth in all the wrong places. Eventually, many (over 250k just in California) of the 60’s generation had an encounter with God, and their lives were changed and transformed. The Jesus Revolution changed the course of history in America, and the country was radically altered for the better.

Even though this film is a nostalgic look at what God could do in the past, it is also a reminder that if God did it before, he could do it again!

Jesus Revolution stars Joel Courtney, Anna Grace Barlow, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Jonathan Roumie, and Kelsey Grammer. The movie is directed by Jon Erwin, and Brent McCorkle and will hit theaters on February 24, 2023. Click here to check out the Jesus Revolution website.

The Hoffman’s are back!

After a three-year break from the grind of Gold Rush, Todd Hoffman is back with a new show called “Hoffman Family Gold.

Hoffman Family Gold, which premiered March 25th on Discovery and discovery+ will have a total of 10 episodes that takes the Hoffmans back into the Alaskan wilderness with father Todd, son Hunter, and grandfather Jack (and a few other faces with Andy and Thurber) showcasing three generations of gold mining grit as they try to secure enough gold to pay the bills and win a mining lease. But according to Todd Hoffman, it’s family time and Jack’s dream that has fueled the family’s decision to sign up for another high profile and high-risk adventure. We hope that there will be a season two and three and so on. Ok, you get the idea. We would like to see the Hoffman’s stay around on Discovery for a few seasons.

Todd Hoffman would be the first to tell you that he’s far from perfect, but he has the chance to share his faith on TV, and it allows him the opportunity to provide hope to anyone who is watching.

“The show’s not going to show perfect Christians, but it is going to show our faith and that we do love Jesus Christ and we are sold out on the saving grace of Christ,” said the reality star, who became a Christian when he was young. “We want everybody to be encouraged in that. We want everybody to know that God has already won.”

So join the Hoffman’s on this new adventure to find some gold and how they work together as a family. Check out the trailer below and set your clocks for Friday nights at 8:00pm.

Dave Almgren – Faith and Family Films

A Movie, Interview and A Craft Idea

I know it’s only October. But I am really excited about the holidays and a change of pace from the craziness of 2020.  So, I wanted to let you know about a wonderful movie that from Sony Pictures Animation and Affirm Films that is now available on DVD and streaming services for this Christmas.  The movie tells the story of the first Christmas and is a well done, animated movie, that is fun, funny and full of adventure. The best part is there are no elves. It’s the real story behind the meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus.  I believe this is a movie that is going to be a wonderful theatrical experience for the whole family.

The official synopsis from The Star web site describes the story as follows.

” A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.”

Check out what a few ministry leaders are saying about this new movie.
“Okay – bit of a scoop. Last night me and my 3 boys (6, 10 and 13 y/o) went to a preview of The Star movie. I was pleasantly surprised – it was really good! Each of my boys (who usually prefer Marvel movies to animal movies) loved it, and I did too! it was hilarious – plus I really liked how they portrayed the nativity story. Would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a family friendly movie this coming Christmas season.Mark Millard The Lads Band 

“The Star is a delightful movie that does an incredible job of portraying the struggles Mary and Joseph went through and the merciful love of God that guided them through it. Just like in the Bible, The Star will point your family towards Christ.” Jeff McClullough JumpStart3

I love that this is a Christmas movie that families can watch in November, because families can see the movie and then spend the Christmas season unpacking the messaging in the movie around the dinner table, during bedtime conversations, at church and spontaneous moments during the Christmas season. The Star represents a gift for humanity in the promise of the Savior Jesus. After seeing the film I would encourage families to come up with a few ways in which they can be a gift at school, work, family members or to complete strangers in their communities.

Here are some suggestions for families:

1- The 12 days of Giving;  Establish 12 days of giving as a family and come up with different ways as a family you can be a gift and a blessing to someone in your community.

2- Make The Star cookies as a family and share them with a neighbor, a retirement center, a homeless shelter as an unexpected gift.

3- As a family, create some memories by making Star ornaments or a star tree topper for the family tree (see the video example below).

4- Continue to talk and discuss the story of Christmas as a family thru out the Christmas season and unpack ideas on how each person can be an example of a gift to their community.

Check out the video below of an interview with the Executive Producer of The Star, Devon Franklin. Devon talks about the movie and why he decided The Star was an important story to share with the world this coming Christmas season.

The Star is now available on DVD and is a wonderful idea as family to see the film to start the celebration of the Christmas Season.

See you at the movies!

David Almgren – The Movie Guy

Just added . . .  Download The Star Movie Family Discussion Guide.

TheStarMovie-FamilyDiscussionGuide-031018(1)

Check out this “How To” Video idea for a family Activity;