SEAN Astin
Don’t look now, but this is shaping up to be a season for religious or spiritually inspiring film and TV productions.
On Holy Week, expect to watch not just the nth reissue of “The 10 Commandments,” “The Robe,” “Quo Vadis” and “The Passion of the Christ.”
Watch out indeed for relatively new religious films like “Risen,” “The Young Messiah,” “Do You Believe?,” “The Encounter,” “God’s Not Dead,” “Amazing Grace” and “Faith of Our Fathers.”
“The Young Messiah” is a fictional depiction of a 7-year-old Jesus, who tried to discover the truth about his life after he returned to Nazareth from Egypt, based on a speculative novel by Anne Rice.
“Risen” is a film about the events after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of a Roman centurion.
“Do You Believe?” focuses on a pastor who is shaken by the faith of a street-corner preacher. He is reminded that true belief requires action. His response initiates a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.
In “Masterless,” an architect has a kindred spirit, an 18th-century ronin, who wanders through a parallel netherworld. When tragedy strikes, the architect embarks on a journey of faith with the ronin—and they both face many battles along their interweaving roads to peace.
In “Me Again,” things don’t go as expected when a disenchanted pastor wishes for a different life.
“Billy: The Elderly Years” is about the youth and young adulthood of evangelist Billy Graham.
In “Amazing Love,” Stuart (Sean Astin) shares with the group the touching story of the Old Testament prophet, Hosea, when his youth group is rocked by conflict.
“Healed by Grace” is a moving tale of faith, friendship and love, set in the darkest of times when they most need to come together.
In “God’s Not Dead,” a college philosophy professor is challenged by a new student, who frequently believes that God exists.
In “The Encounter,” five strangers with nothing in common are forced to come together at a remote roadside eatery, due to a road closure.
In “Amazing Grace,” the idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way around Parliament, determined to end Britain’s transatlantic slave trade.
After a childhood friend’s death, a star athlete must change his life—and sacrifices his own dreams to save others’ lives, in “To Save a Life.”
When a tragedy strikes close to home, four police officers struggle with their faith—and make a decision that will change their lives—in “Courageous.”
In “Faith of Our Fathers,” two men embark on a trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, guided by the letters their fathers wrote while serving in the war.