MOVIEWISE — June 2 2017

[notice]Pieter Pohl, founder of Innovation Films and marketing manager of CMD Entertainment Africa, sheds some light on the latest movies.[/notice]

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UPCOMING MOVIE RELEASE
THE CASE FOR CHRIST — IN CINEMAS ON JUNE 15!
The Case for Christ — a movie that shows the life of Lee Strobel and how he did everything in his power to prove that there is no God. Within his quest to prove God doesn’t exist, he experienced the love of God and found Jesus to be real and that changed his life for the good.
For more info visit www.cmdafrica.com

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FAITH AFFIRMING MOVIES NOW AT CINEMAS!

ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST
Movie trailer & more info: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3GAQDIIR4
PG12

Synopsis:
Ted and Lynn Murphy lead a simple suburban life. They have three wonderful children, their own small business, and good relationships with friends and neighbours. But that life is turned upside down when Ted signs a petition advocating traditional marriage. It is a small act of civic duty in his mind, but to others in their community it seems like an act of heartless bigotry. Ted and his wife become the focus of a local project that threatens not only to destroy their business but to suffocate their religious freedom as well. Is it enough for a Christian man to mind his own business and build his happy life, even when controversy is thrust upon him? The Murphy’s wrestle with that question as a firestorm threatens everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

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Dove Review:
The Accidental Activist is a terrific story about standing up for your rights. It is a story based on actual events. A man named Ted is asked to sign a petition which supports traditional marriage and its values. His name, along with the others, winds up in the local newspaper, and he undergoes great persecution for his belief. One result is that he loses his T-shirt business.

He undergoes “hate” treatment from others even though he is told he was the one that hated others. Ted winds up standing with his church and they hold a rally to reinforce the concept of holding onto one’s convictions.

We are pleased to award Accidental Activist our Dove Seal for ages twelve plus. This movie has earned five Doves from us, our best rating. — www.dove.org

SUNDAY BLOCKBUSTER
(Sunday June 4 2017: MNET 101 20:05)

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE
Movie trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WWzgGyAH6Y
13VL

Synopsis:
Fearing the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on the man of steel, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. With Batman and Superman fighting each other, a new threat, Doomsday, is created by Lex Luthor. It’s up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences along with Wonder Woman to stop Lex Luthor and Doomsday from destroying Metropolis.

Dove Review:
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a dark super hero-comic book movie, whatever you would choose to call it. Batman (Ben Affleck) is very much a dark, brooding, masked vigilante in this picture. There was a lot of anger among many fans when Ben Affleck was cast in this role but, to his credit, he does a good job. It is just unfortunate that the writers don’t allow him to be charming in the movie. He is dark and grim throughout. On the other side of the coin, Superman (Henry Cavill) is usually upbeat but he even begins to lose the faith at one point in this shadowy film of evil and villains. He tells Lois Lane in one scene, “No one stays good in this world.” And yet, isn’t that what Superman represents? Goodness? Isn’t he supposed to be a role model to kids? To be fair, Superman comes through in the end (and pays a heavy price for his victory), but this movie is not for kids. In fact, sorry to say, it is not going to receive our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal due to the heavy language and violence. Part of this violence includes Batman putting his brand on sex offenders, leaving them with a bleeding bat wound. He tells Alfred, “We’re criminals Alfred. We’ve always been criminals.” But isn’t Batman supposed to fight the criminals?

Superman and Batman misunderstand one another and have a great battle between the two of them. But one thing happens that makes Batman realise they are both on the same page. I won’t plot spoil but the last 45 minutes of the film are, to me, the most enjoyable, with the good guys (including Wonder Woman) taking on a comic book villain of epic proportions. As already mentioned, Ben Affleck does a good job as Batman, as does Henry Cavill as Superman, but I found Jesse Eisenberg to be a weak Lex Luthor. He talks fast but doesn’t showcase the charm that some other actors have in the role (Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville comes to mind as does Gene Hackman of the old Christopher Reeve Superman films). And of course, Amy Adams is always a delight and turns in a good effort as Lois Lane.

But, once again, the darkness of this film is heavy. At one point a figure of Superman is burned in effigy as a statement by those who have been tricked into believing he is responsible for the deaths of many people. It seems as if the man from Krypton has out stayed his welcome — or has he? It is too bad that the filmmakers chose to go the way of strong violence and language, as a movie with more humour, lightness, and Superman fighting for “truth, justice, and the American way” would be more palatable. Instead, we have a film that many parents won’t go see, let alone take their kids to. Sadly, no Dove Seal for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. — www.dove.org