Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
In a society where the problem of Bullies is less seen as just an acceptable part of life than what it might have been before, it is often not doing anything which can be more harmful than taking some form of action. On that note it is also interesting how quickly we as a species forget our so called cry to defend the weak when the effort exceeds our immediate boundaries of comfort.
Now I admit it is a rare individual who might go to the same extremes as the person this movie is based on, but it does pose this interesting question of how much injustice can we tolerate before we do more than just talk about what we believe in. This man’s solution may or may not even be the right answer to that particular problem, yet it’s a rare genuine look at confronting the worst of humanity. “Machine Gun Preacher” will not pull any punches, but if you can look past the rough exterior it does offer audiences a potential film gem.
The story itself follows to some extent the real life journey of a man named Sam Childers (Gerard Butler), who starts off at the lowest of the lows as a drug/alcohol addicted biker bitter from crime and his time in prison. It seems he is destined for an appropriately dire ending until a split second bad decision causes him to reconsider the path he has taken thus far.
It is when he agrees to attend church with his wife, Lynn Childers (Michelle Monaghan), someone who was pretty much in the gutter with him until she found salvation, that a domino of change takes place. This transformation though positive will continue to offer tests for him to overcome, the biggest of which include creating an orphanage in war-torn Sudan with friend Deng (Souléymane Sy Savané) and discovering what the consequences are of crossing each line. It is at times extremely heartwarming and others difficult to digest, sure to at least cause a few to examine their own spiritual side.
It’s hard to say who exactly to recommend this to with graphic language and other content not exactly church friendly, though if you’re not too thin skinned I’d say it offers plenty of good lessons in the message. I’ll at least say kids aren’t quite mature enough to handle some parts of it, but I know I’d gladly show it to my adult friends and plan on picking up a permanent copy eventually.
Some viewers will certainly feel perfectly comfortable tamely going to Sunday services with little impact to their own life after watching, others perhaps inspired to do something a little more as a result. In any case, I salute the film makers and actors for at least reaching me with a portrayal that is hard to forget. This earns “Machine Gun Preacher” four out of five prayers.
DVD rental courtesy of Family Video of Pauls Valley.
Arts
Related Photos
-
DVD art for "Machine Gun Preacher." Apparatus, Relativity Media.
Discussion
‘Machine Gun Preacher’ a blunt advocate against apathy
DVD Review
- Arts
-
-
‘Silver Linings Playbook’ finds structure in mental script
Only in Hollywood magic land can the stressful and never hilarious situation of dealing with violently mentally ill family members be turned into one of the most beloved comedy creations ever.
-
‘Iron Man 3’ proves nothing is sacred with fresh twists
In a time when God-like status is granted to those who can obtain the franchise tag for a film series, the true test of creative power is not falling flat when that third or later chapter is born.
-
‘Oblivion’ starts off vague, but delivers constant thrills
There may never be a day where science fiction is fully given the attention and praise it deserves from the highest and mightiest of award shows, but for moviegoers it continues to deliver some of the most celebrated moments in cinematic history.
-
‘Olympus has Fallen’ a perfect fix for action addiction
Gone may be the era when moviegoers could freely revel in an overtly cheesy patriotic action fest without being accused of having a political agenda.
-
‘The Host’ under-appreciated at the box office
For all the hype and worship expressed over the past several years for a certain glittery nightmarish treatment of vampires, it doesn’t make much sense that the same audience wouldn’t break down theater doors to see an example of the same author’s next work, especially with actual talent from the lead actress.
-
‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ improves, but still lacks substance
Cue my childhood: A mix of early morning animated adventures and 80s/90s action films, followed by their recreation in the dirt battlefields along the backyard fence.
-
‘Seven Psycopaths’ finds balance in quirky comedy
Looking back on the amount of time I’ve dedicated to escaping the world for the embrace of quirky comedy, one element most things hilarious have attempted to tame is insanity.
-
‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ monumental, though more TV friendly
Unless you had about the most soul crushing upbringing possible, there isn’t a child that hasn’t let their imagination wonder when thinking about the world above the clouds.
-
‘Life of Pi’ an example of artsy done right
As the day the Oscars tell you what movies were better than the ones most people thought were the best inch their way ever closer, I thought it only appropriate to try and at least squeeze in one more of those chosen in the top nine.
-
‘Hope Springs’ cast saves audience from potential geriatric horror
There may be no one thing more disturbing for those still in their youth to hear of any sort of intimate relationship between elderly couples.
- More Arts Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
