Fireproof

2008

Director: Alex Kendrick

Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films / Sherwood Pictures

My Review:

This. Is. My. Favorite. Movie.

Gosh, where to even start.

The message of the movie is that love isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

We have to work at loving, even when we don’t feel like it – the way Caleb has to serve Catherine in different ways each day.

And it takes sacrifice – the way Caleb gives up his dream for a boat to pay for Catherine’s dream of taking care of her mom.

And it takes self-discipline – the way Caleb destroys his computer to stop a porn habit that hurt Catherine.

A big part of the story is, in fact, discipline – learning to “lead your heart.”

But this discipline is balanced with the realization that we cannot truly love the way we are supposed to without Christ. It is through a relationship with him that we find the strength love requires. He is the ultimate role model.

I also liked the importance placed on the role of fathers in this story – even when the children are adults.

And it's great how porn is identified as a destroyer of marriages. It’s not a topic addressed often enough, but porn is tearing our world apart.

So in short, this movie matches reality with truth in a moving and effectively creative way.

Love. This. Movie.

Interesting note: A book based on the movie has already gained wide popularity for mending strained marriages in the real world. The movie’s message works.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• I want you to hold off on the divorce for 40 days. I’m going to send you something in the mail. Take one day at a time. Then see what happens.
• Everyday has me adding a new concept to the way I treat her.
  - My advice is: Go all out.
• You got to beg God to teach you how to be a good husband. And don’t just follow your heart – You got to lead your heart
• A real man’s got to be a hero to his wife before he can be to anyone else – or he ain’t a real man.
• Marriage isn't fireproof.
  - Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it.
• How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?
  - That's a good question.
• So, what day are you on?
  - Uh... 43.
  There's only 40.
  - Who says I have to stop?

Stills:

Amazing Grace

2006

Director: Michael Apted

Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films

Key Elements: Characters - Lines - Message

My Review:

An educational and instructive telling of the life of Wilberforce, the movie not only introduces us to the source of the famous hymn, Amazing Grace, but makes the case for the dignity of all humanity.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.
• No matter how loud you shout, you will not drown out the voice of the people!
  - People?
• I want you to remember that smell... remember the Madagascar... remember, God made men equal.
• You still have passion! That matters more!
• As your Prime Minister, I urge you caution
  - And as my friend?
  To hell with caution.
• No one of our age has ever taken power.
  - Which is why we're too young to realize certain things are impossible - Which is why we will do them anyway.
• God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms. Drip. Drip. Drip.
• I'm against flowers in church. What have you to say?
  - I am for them.
  … As am I.
• You found God, sir?
  - I think He found me.
• In my heart I want spider's webs!
• Because after night comes day.
• When people speak of great men, they think of men like Napoleon - men of violence. Rarely do they think of peaceful men. But contrast the reception they will receive when they return home from their battles. Napoleon will arrive in pomp and in power, a man who's achieved the very summit of earthly ambition. And yet his dreams will be haunted by the oppressions of war. William Wilberforce, however, will return to his family, lay his head on his pillow and remember: the slave trade is no more.