As a movie buff and a thoughtful Christian, I have often railed against the “faith-based” movie genre. They are usually market-driven treacle with little artistic worth and are often too preachy and navel-gazing. Movies like God is Not Dead or Heaven is Real embarrass me as someone who knows that religion has inspired some of the greatest art in history.
But I’m looking forward to this film, All Saints (release date 8/24). I’m actually quite psyched about it. It’s a true, feel-good story that I am fortunate to have witnessed. Some of my friends, members of All Saints Church, are extras. The cast includes John Corbett and Barry Corbin, who I like. It was filmed on location in nearby Smyrna, Tennessee at the real All Saints Church. I’m just pleased that there is a movie coming out that is pro-church AND pro-immigrant, that hopefully expresses the openness and inclusivity of the Episcopal Church that I know.
So, anyway. I’m not one to make a habit of shilling movies that I haven’t seen and haven’t yet been released, and this is the kind of movie that I would have been tempted to skip based on the studio name and genre alone. I hope people give it a chance (or at least read the real story linked to above).