Movie Reviews (Netflix Resolution)

FALL FROM GRACE
This documentary is an in-depth look at in the infamous Fred Phelps. Most of you probably know him as the angry old pastor who's come under media scrutiny for his hateful speech and international protest against homosexuality. I was fully prepared to be shocked by Phelps and his family, but a few things surprised me.

Lack of Nuance
The most frustrating aspect of the movie had to be the lack of understanding on the part of the film-maker. I'm not talking about Phelps - I'm talking about the very obvious "lumping" of all Christians in the same group. Two groups were presented: Phelps (along w/ quotes by Falwell and Pat Robertson...frustrating.) and many local pastors in Kansas who dwell on the other, more liberal, extreme when it comes to homosexuality.

Lack of Hope
Phelps really doesn't want people to repent. He doesn't think they will. He thinks they'll burn. Those protests aren't intended to turn people from their ways...the protests, in Phelps' mind, are acts of obedience.

Even More Extra Crazy
I didn't know this documentary would hit on Phelps recent GOD LOVES DEAD SOLDIERS campaign. Phelps and crew have some of the weirdest, non-linear logic on the war that I've ever seen. Their position on the funerals of fallen soldiers was sickening.

This is a strange movie to recommend. There's very little hope in it, but I think Christians would benefit from looking closely at something so evil that's actually a part of the church, as the media sees it.

HECKLER
Heckler is a documentary from the mind of actor, comedian and writer, Jamie Kennedy. The film is initially a a documentary about "heckling" of stand-up comedians, but quickly reveals itself as Kennedy's pursuit to find out why critics have been so hard on him over the years. The movie is all over the place - a segment on heckling turns into a segment on critics and then morphs into something about bloggers and then circles back to critics again when Kennedy starts traveling the country to face down writers who've been especially harsh in reviewing his work. It's not paced well at all.

But that doesn't mean it's a bad film.

I was absolutely amazed at the honesty of this film. I don't know that Kennedy's is aware of it, but he's slowly revealing