MovieChat Forums > Bells of Innocence (2003) Discussion > Why do Christian movies suck?

Why do Christian movies suck?


Seriously, I'm a christian, but I like good movies. Don't use CG if you have no budget. Don't use crap actors just because they are cheap, someone out their has more talent in their toes than the jokes that end up on the screen.

I just wish they didn't suck so much, I want them to be good, this movie is an embarrassment to christianity.

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This particular movie, however, did not suck, and Chuck Norris isn't a "crap actor".

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I think Christian movies suck mainly because studios don't think there is a large enough audience to make it worth giving these films a real budget.

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Chuck Norris is the very definition of a "crap" actor.

The best part of waking up is Satan in your cup.

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Your full of it!! Just because it has a Chritian theme doesn't mean it's bad

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I am christian and an editor. I can not watch many Christian flicks because they have no production value. It is not even a budget thing because good movies can be made in all budgets if you see the end from the beginning. I think the main problem is that the production is burdened with not wanting to offend anyone and so the movie is wrote in such a way as someone "preaching to the choir", there is no attempt at making something that would appeal to the world so there is no competition. I believe most films just put something out knowing that youth pastors will plan an outing and the flock can hit a movie.

That said most Christian film makers live in a bubble because the world is very keen on media and will not tolerate garbage. They miss the point that their standards should be higher then worldly productions, yet the production value is in line with an early 60's Elvis flick.

All this said I have not seen this but someone has got to make a real movie that stands up. Let it offend the ultra denominational and take its message to the top. Movies can not be made for Ma n Pa Kettle and be taken seriously, there are some heavy biblical themes that could outclass any leftist Hollywood garbage any day of the week, that is if someone with purpose directed it,
Can I get an Amen?

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Amen

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Amen.

I'm a Christian actor and sometime director... the percentage of movies made by Christians that are terrible is very high. I think your're right with your comments above. The movies tend to be made as statements as apposed to art. My thinking is that we need to tell good stories and allow your faith to inform the story. But don't shy away from reality. The fact of the matter is that non-christians (and frankly Christians as well, me included) swear, make poor selfish decisions, drink too much, commit violence, etc. We dont have to glorify it but including the dark side serves the purpose of the story, and provides impact. Platoon was violent and raw but it certainly didn't make me wanna go to war. On the contrary it helped me to be horrified by war.
Listen I don't recall the Bible scrimping on detail. We need to include the warts and all otherwise we're not relevant.

Production values. budget wise help the look, but not always the story. If the story sucks - so does the movie. 9 times of 10 Christian stories movie wise suck, and considering the plethora of raw, at times offensive, unedited stories available to us from the Bible I think that's a travesty.

We need a Sufjan Stevens for the film world.

Any other comments?

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Amen.

Most Christian movies stink because of poor story writing. Bad CGI effects can be tolerated, such as in the film One Night With the King. However, when the plot is cheesy, clichéd, and lacking in any depth, my brain slowly dries out from the shallowness. Why must these films always possess the "Perfect Christian," who never does any wrong, and is in essence, the reincarnate of Jesus? Why is "PC" never shown to struggle with issues such as temptation, greed, lust, etc? Why is there always the non-Christian character, who has experienced a loss or hurt in the past, and now blames God, only to witness the "mercy of God" and become saved? Furthermore, why do these people always sound like they're reading their lines off a teleprompt?

Once-- just once-- I would like a film where: 1) The Christian character has some flaw, even if it's a toenail fungus, that makes him or her appear human, 2) the non-Christian character doesn't automatically get saved, but would rather like to ask more questions, and spend some time reading the Bible, attending study groups, before committing to Christ (hey, at least it's not clichéd), 3) the actors can actually act.

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PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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That's a good question. One I'm in no way prepared to answer. But here are two examples of good Christian movies:

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
This movie was fantastic. All the kids acted suprisingly well for their ages, and Liam Neeson kicks @$$ as Aslan.

Secret of the Cave
Great movie that threw people off in two ways: the little girl couldn't act for her life, and the happy feel good ending was way different than the rest of the moody film. But if you read the book first, the movie seems much better.

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Christian movies suck because they are Christian.

Hednahären leds av Vintersorg!!!

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[deleted]

How can you claim Narnia a Christian movie. In times when she had the power to do so, the church would have charged C.S. Lewis for heresy and burnt him on a pile with his books for the greater glory of God.
witches, speaking lions, satyrs, guess they were all on the list, when the church did smythe the old religions

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To quote a line from one Christian movie I did like (Revelation) "Let's back this truck up". First, the language coming from "Christians" on this site is amazing. Have you forgotten: "Let NO corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths, but that which is good for edification"? Or the fact that we are SUPPOSED to be salt and light in the world? Some of the language on this post by professing Christians is anything but. Now, moving on.

I do not believe there should be anything called "Christian movies" in the first place. Do they call movies with a clearly evolutionary viewpoint "evolutionist movies" or with a satanic POV "Satanic movies", etc? I think so-called Christian movies should just fall into the category they fit, whether drama, comedy, fantasy, sci fi, thriller, etc. Just because a movie is told from a POV of a Christian worldview, does not mean it should be singled out as Christian movie, anymore than the typical secular humanistic POV in a movie causes people to classify it as a Secular Humanist movie. get it?
Movies should be judged simply on their own merits and for the genre they inhabit. Anyone agree?

With that in mind, even as a strong Christian, I do not believe every CHristian movie has to clearly present the Gospel, as long as a realistic and believable story is told. I do believe, as the Bible says, we should glorify God in all we do, so movies MADE BY Christians should certainly do that, or at least that should be the main goal. I do believe there are MANY "Christian movies" that tell compelling stories, are made well and are worth seeing.

Some movies with some message of faith, based on Christian or biblical themes or derived from Christian literature that I consider anywhere from good to exceptional, with decent to solid acting include the following: The Passion of the Christ; Mercy Streets; Both Chronicles of Narnia (christian symbology throughout); Lord of the Rings trilogy (same); The Nativity; Revelation; Facing the Giants; Fireproof; Left Behind series; Ben Hur (both major versions); Ten Commandments; The Robe; The Apostle; The Patriot (strong themes of faith); Amistad (belief in the Bible clearly shown, surprisingly in a positive light); Amazing Grace; The Hiding Place; Moment After (1 and 2); The Ride; Prince of Egypt; Various versions of A Christmas Carol that emphasize Christian themes; Though None Go With Me; Saving God; The Climb; Signs (believe it or not, but it was a movie about lost and found GENUINE faith!); The Gospel...

There are others, but I am geting tired and need to get going, but the generalized statement that "ALL CHRISTIAN MOVIES STINK" is a ridiculous blanket statement. One must first define what one means by "christian movie". Does any movie that shows a positive view of faith in God stink? Are such movies "Christian"? I think a movie that presents GOd and faith in God as real is one with a positive message, and there have been MANY such movies done well. It is sad that so many people are so blinded by such tunnel vision as not to realize this.

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So murdering and persecuting "heretics" is a Christian loving honourable thing to you people? I'm appalled at such a concept. Jesus is not hateful.

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Obadiah Obadiah, Jah Jah sent us here to catch vampire

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Why do you say Christian Movies suck? They portray a good wholesome story with a moral theme. Have a good look at Facing the Giants and Fireproof and you will know what I am trying to get across. If you do not like a message with your movie then why watch it. Chuck Norris had a very hard life as a kid and young adult and unless you understand what he did go through in his early years well do not knock this film. He is both a fictional and true life hero to many prople. I met Chuck once through my Sensei and a more noble gentleman you could never wish for.

I am not a fully fledged Christian but I do believe in the teachings of Jesus and any movie that delivers a good message can't be all that bad in this day and age.

Rick :o)

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Well, 'Oh, God!' is a good movie and, um, yeah, I see your point. Still, it's nice to know that there's at least one good one out there.

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They just do.

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I can appreciate the disappointment a lot of people find in Christian movies but please don't write off the entire genre. I was not too enthused until a few years ago. I would watch them if they were available but did not go hunting for them. In the last few years the quality of writing, acting, directing, and budget for Christian movies has improved dramatically. As a variation of the saying from Field of Dreams, "If you make it, they will come". Beyond a faithful Christian audience, of which I am one, that will give them the benefit of the doubt, Christian movies have widened their appeal and attracted a lot of actors who probably would not have considered a part in such movies ten years ago. A lot of actors look at a part to see if it appeals to them regardless of the genre. Also, a lot of them would like to do projects that they can share with their families. One has to walk a find line between promoting a Christian agenda, the purpose of such a movie, and being too "preachy" which will turn off a lot of viewers before they even get very far into the movie. The subject matter also has to be something that the viewer can relate to in everyday life. I don't look at every actor in a Christian movie as a declared Born Again Christian and it is not my right to judge what is in his or her heart. I start with they are actor playing a part and go from there. In closing, check out what if available on Netflix and I think you will be surprised and maybe delighted on the quality of today's Christian movies.

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Because the actors they use in Christian Movies haven't sold their souls like the bigger richer actors,that is why they are smaller actors,and I think they do have talent.You also have some bigger actors that say they are Christians but they never once do a christian movie,what is up with that??

We know who the True Christians are!


Accomplishments Have No Color.

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