Life seems to tear us down sometimes, beat us up, and leave us looking for hope. Here at Christian Cinema, we offer up a list of films, some true stories, some inspired fables, that will build you up and point you back to our great hope in Jesus Christ.
Captive (2016, Blu-ray, DVD): Captive is based on the true events that occurred in Atlanta, GA., on March 11, 2005. Brian Nichols, who will be played by David Oyelowo, broke out of a courthouse jail and shot dead the judge assigned to his case as well as a court reporter, sheriff’s deputy and FBI officer. While eluding a statewide manhunt, Nichols took Ashley Smith (Kate Mara), a single mother struggling with meth addiction, hostage in her own apartment. Over the course of her ordeal, Smith used a book she had been given, Rick Warren‘s The Purpose Driven Life, to reason with her captor, with surprising results.
Living Hope (2015, DVD): In 1999, John Thomas, a pastor of a local church in Cape Town, South Africa, realized that an entire generation of his neighbors could soon be lost to HIV/AIDS, and poverty. The action he took not only changed his city, but attracted the attention of foreign dignitaries, rock musicians, and U.S. Presidents. This is a feature-length documentary film that tells the inspirational story of John and the hundreds who came alongside him to fight poverty and disease in South Africa. Filmed in a visual style comparable to a National Geographic feature, “Living Hope” takes audiences on a cinematic journey to Cape Town, where they follow alongside a group of amazing individuals who have devoted their lives to serving the poor. “Living Hope” offers a seldom-seen perspective of the joy, heartache, and passion of missionaries in Africa.
New Hope (2012, DVD, Digital on Demand): Mike Evans (Samuel Davis) is less-than-thrilled to start his seniour year of high school as the new kid in town. He’s even less enthusiastic about joining the basketball team, especially when Mike makes an enemy in the hot-headed Lucas (Ben Davies). Fiercely loyal to the memory of his brother, whose tragic death deeply scarred the community, Lucas accuses Mike of trying to replace Chase, funneling all his anger and grief into making Mike’s life miserable. Mike finds solace in his friendship with Jasmine (Perry Frost), Chase’s longtime girlfriend, who is still trying to find her own peace.
Hope Bridge (2015, DVD, Digital on Demand): After his father’s shocking suicide, Jackson (Booboo Stewart) begins a search for the truth behind the devastating decision his father made. A violent outburst at school crosses his path with a counselor, Eric (Kevin Sorbo) who wants to help Jackson deal with his grief, and Sophie (Rebecca Robles) a girl with a troubled past of her own. With Sophie’s assistance, Jackson travels down a twisting road leading to a decades-old secret that could destroy him. As Eric’s guidance falls on deaf ears, Jackson’s quest for answers is only breeding more questions. Will he be doomed to repeat the same cycle, or will he choose to journey forward and find hope for his future?
The Hiding Place (1975, DVD, Digital on Demand): Starring Julie Harris, Eileen Heckart, Arthur O’Connell, and Jeannette Clift in her Golden Globe nominated role as Corrie ten Boom. With the Nazi invasion of Holland, the Ten Boom family joins the underground resistance to help save persecuted Jewish families. But when they are arrested and imprisoned in concentration camps themselves, they’re left with nothing to cling to but their faith.
Where Hope Grows (2015, Blu-ray, DVD): Calvin Campbell is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is in a slow downward spiral when it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce, a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store.
Miracles from Heaven (2016, Blu-ray, DVD): When Christy (Jennifer Garner) discovers her ten-year-old daughter Anna (Kylie Rogers) has a rare, incurable disease, she becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. As Christy searches she befriends Angela Bradford (Queen Latifah), who helps bring everyday joy and hope back to the Beam family. After Anna has a freak accident, an extraordinary miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family’s faith restored and their community inspired.
God’s Compass (2016, DVD, Digital on Demand): Suzanne Waters (Karen Abercrombie) has just passed the baton as the principal of the local high school. Having spent a lifetime teaching life lessons, the journey into retirement is about to bring her one of her greatest lessons. her lesson plan will come from a troubled young man, Eli, as she invests in his life. Suzanne also becomes a first-time grandmother, and the new life of the baby brings renewed hope to the family as each member discovers their core value in God’s path for their lives. As Suzanne reflects back on her life of faithfulness, we are reminded that there are no accidents in God’s Kingdom, no chance meetings, no purposeless steps taken.
