"Honk for Jesus" has Christians UPSET - My first impressions of the movie
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
- As a performer, I watch a lot of content that is borderline offensive. But when I saw the movie "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul," I knew it would have Christians UPSET. So here's my first impressions of the movie.
#HonkForJesus #ChristianActor #myfirstimpressionsofhonkforjesus
💥QOTD: Have you seen the movie or are you planning on seeing it? Let me know know in the comments below.
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GIRL. This is great commentary. I agree that this movie wasn’t made for believers who were looking for an encounter with God lol. My biggest issue is that this particular “mockumentary” didn’t have an ounce of sincerity to address why someone would still follow Jesus; it’s definitely only about how man has perverted the institution of church. Even down to baptism they made as a “joke”. If the intended audience is going to be full of people who just want confirmation that they don’t need to go back to any house of the Lord, this is it. I think that’s where my frustration came from - like, I can appreciate the depiction of church theatrics, performative marriages, and the artistic use of profanity to depict the walk of many Christians because it is necessary. But the absence of one redeeming moment was difficult to watch and fathom that someone who already doesn’t want anything to do with the Lord might watch and think all their church-going friends are clowns/people who are believers and think every pastor is corrupt are reaffirmed. Greenleaf, while a different body of work completely, at least explored redemption and character development. So I kind of hope non “church people” don’t see the movie just because it has Jesus in the title, and that church people go watch for reflection with adjusted expectations (it’s NOT funny) and consider how God is shifting and sifting the “church”. Then someone can try again next time with just as much star power and a title that draws people but hits them with Jesus in the substance. 😅 #wishfulthinking
VERY well said. The lack of redemption makes this almost unbearable to follow on a first watch and that’s a huge part of why I needed to sit with the content. My knee jerk reaction was disgust but after I calmed down, I realized that the shock and anger Christians will predictably feel…I knew there was more to it.
I don’t believe in getting offended over that which doesn’t apply to the sincere faith walk that so many of us have. But sadness is definitely apart of what I felt. I also think redemption is something in a true Christian’s heart for the people in the film but as far as I could tell from the fruit of the pastor and first lady’s lives, they weren’t serving Jesus. So that begs the question - does redemptive arcs in our lives exist apart from God? The failure of the church’s “resurrection” is enough to say otherwise.
The part where you said, "it didn’t have an ounce of sincerity to address why someone would still follow Jesus; it’s definitely only about how man has perverted the institution of the church. Even down to baptism, they made as a “joke” has helped to figure out why I felt uneasy about the movie.
probably cause there no redeming point about re-lie-gion and the church
This was very well said on your part. As a believer, I was apprehensive about seeing this movie. I was thinking it was going to be a whole lot of buffoonery. But, I decided to give it a chance (only because it was streaming)
I initially turned it off after the first 15 minutes. Then I decided to give it a chance. Thank you for letting me see it from another view. I am a believer.
This movie was actually about Church Leadership. I know that these things do happen. I was not offended by the movie. I found it to be very sad. Very dark. However as you stated, there was no Redemption mentioned in the movie.
However, it was not kind of movie. As you mentioned it will give the unbeliever (an excuse) NOT to go to church. We know as believers, the drawing of the Holy Spirit is stronger than any movie.
It is not the Father's will or way that we spend eternity in a bottomless pit. It is not his will that anyone is lost.
As far as Greenleaf goes. It is under the same umbrella. Fornication on Friday, preaching on Sunday (Grace). Or singing (Charity) on Sunday.
These things happen. It hurts, sometimes theraphy is needed. But God is good and we can be redeemed.
I pray that anyone who has experienced church hurt would heal. I pray that they will find a true Bible believing church where they can and will heal.
All "preachers/pastors" are not the same. All churches are not the same.Just as all black people Are not same. There is good and bad everywhere. We need to pray gir guidance.
Again I appreciate your post. God Bless.
You nailed it!
If your pastor is wearing Prada and driving a Bugatti and you are struggling making ends meet - maybe there is a bigger problem here.
Facts!
What if it's his money and not people's tithes and offerings?
What are they upset about? I have been in Church all my life and in leadership most of it. I didn't see ONE thing in that movie that I haven't seen or experienced myself in this Church System we have created. Anybody upset just wants the truth to continue to be hidden, which makes them a part of the problem and not the solution. All this covering up and pretending is played out.
Miming ?
It’s not that they want the truth to be hidden, they just don’t want it mocked in front of non believers who just need an excuse not to go to church
@@dejn8531church isnt mandatory. No excuse needed
This had Eddie Long all in it. Plus the modern day issues within the Black church. The materialism,the vanity and worldliness.
My thoughts, too!
I thought this movie was great!!! I think a lot of folks came in expecting a Medea type film with some laughs and got a harsh reality check to the point it made them uncomfortable. While not all churches are like this, a lot of us need to accept reality that these narcissistic, hypocritical, sexual predators can exist within the four walls of a church too and not just out in the streets and it's up to the people to keep an eye out for this and speak on it.
you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Folks came for Tyler Perry and got smacked in the face with that uncomfortable content. My mom and me often talk about how 2020 was an opportunity for the church to be on timeout since there was a lot of foolishness, hypocrisy, and sexual depravity going on unchecked. And we can't come back and return to the same old brokenness. Thank you for speaking on it!
Church is a BUSINESS! Plan and simple. Christians that don't see this have blinders on!
I watched this movie a few nights ago. I was amazed it was ever made. I have a Masters degree in Ministry, and I've been on the leadership side of churches just enough to gain some insight that others may not have. So, here's my input.
It's patterned after the famous comedy show "The Office" which was a mega hit that ran for nine seasons in the 2000's. So, I "got it" right away because I love "The Office."
it's not a "black church" thing, it's a church thing. All the dysfunctionality portrayed in this movie can be white, black, in between. It's the human condition.
I agree that it's not a feel good, get edified movie. It's more like those graphic passages in Isaiah where the Israel is being compared to a prostitute. You know, that stuff you'll never hear from the pulpit but have to read the bible yourself to know it's in there.
Church is mostly theater. It's a stage show put on by a few elite, always the same elite, to manipulate the believers. And, most all churches are cults. They're built around one person, typically a male, being the Voice of God on a certain day and time, provided they are preceded by the appropriate theatrics. It's a show. No, not a cult in the mind-control crazy way, but a cult as it it's really built around a pathological dependence on one person to fill the role that God Himself, His Holy Spirit, and your conscience animated by that Spirit are to play. It's humans worshiping human. Many preachers are narcissistic control personalities, and this system plays right into enabling them.
There is no "the Church" in America, just untold thousands of non-profit religious organizations competing, or not competing, for the time and money of those who believe in Jesus. Some are organized into groups of varying levels of conformity, and some are independent. Anyone can start a church.
very interesting insight! I think this movie really failed at its messaging, because I think if it had been marketed differently, it would have hit a little bit stronger in the satirical points.
I think that folks that hated it were expected a Madea - Tyler Perry movie. This was not that movie.
which is why its pretty good
Yep! you hit the nail on the head. Rude awakening for sure.
He humiliated his wife, but then on the flip side (enter unpopular opinion):
She was no victim. At least not in the eyes of those whom her predator husband had hurt or betrayed. I feel like wives in her position can really only be victims ONCE. But if after the second, third or fourth time her predator husband preys on & grooms members of his congregation, she still chooses NOT to withdraw her support from him, she becomes his ENABLER.
She's the one who's providing stability for his reputation, his homelife & the image he needs to continue being in position to prey on others. He won't stop destroying the faith of others until it irreparably touches his own home or he's permanently banned from pastoring because he has an addiction✨ And she knows if she leaves him, he would be humbled, embarrassed & more importantly, deplatformed. His influence over others would diminish significantly. He can't prey on others if he has no hunting ground. Wives like her who remain by the side of predators are not undeserving of shame & humiliation they endure. They captured that part beautifully when he convinced her to paint that ridiculous mask on her face & mime a proverbial facade on the side of the road for one of his victims to witness... Usually, actual victims only witness that in solitude, while everyone else decides its forgiven so it never even happened. She was confronted with the humiliation that she helped to usher in by trying to step over the unpleasant truth. She was shown to be just as oblivious & entitled about the harm suffered by his victims as her husband was. She was a perfect embodiment of a LOT of 'first ladies'🥀
I watched it and it was very good. Regina did an amazing job of showing what it feels like being in a position as a First Lady, as that is a thankless role, but requires a lot. I feel like the outrage comes from people who aren’t ready to accept that these things are happening more often than not when it comes to mega black churches. It may not always be to this extent, but scams are very prevalent in the black church, or any church for that matter. We’d rather turn a blind eye and keep serving the Lord. However, what I have noticed from church goers is that the bigger the pastor, the more we tend to praise him, and lose sight of why we are going to church in the first place. The movie was much better than I thought it would be. Honestly, I feel like the further along we got in the movie, the more the story leaned towards a First Lady and how much she has to suppress just to maintain that title, rather than a pastor who committed a crime that’s unforgivable and disgusting.
Thank you! I completely agree with what you said. As a Christian myself, I found it good and funny and truthful and hard to accept all in one. There are things that have gone on and are going on that we need to address. As someone who has done praise dancing for church, it was even funny.
Well said
I think the focus on the First Lady was also an insightful commentary on the normalization of abuse against wives/women in the Evangelical church. As an ex-Evangelical, I can attest to the perpetual gaslighting of women/wives, and how women are expected to endure almost anything, sans adultery or a straight up beating (and in many cases even in those situations are expected to “forgive” and “reconcile”), in marriage. ie “marriage is HARD”, “marriage is the CROSS.” As one of my sweet non-evangelical married friends once told me “It ain’t supposed to be that hard…”.
@@k.t.edwards True!
Valen, you have a fantastic point and that first lady analysis was so interesting to discuss! I agree 100%, her arc was heartbreaking and painfully familiar for those of us who have watched church leadership tasks fall to the wife of Pastor. I had a hard time thinking the movie was "good" vs. it bringing up some great points for consideration. I feel like the storytelling was clunky overall, but there was such a highlight on making gods of our ministry leaders, which is all the way out of order. And this woman had made her husband's position the idol in her life and needed for survival.
@K.T. Edwards you are confirming this with that perpetual gaslighting of the pastors wives -- and that goes into a larger conversation about what we do with setting our people up for failure in Christian Marriages. Not teaching them that reconciliation has to follow God's design and not some weird human expectations that we've set for people.
@TJ that praise dancing scene was both hard to watch and darkly funny at the same time! I was shook but also, I chortled.
They marketed this as a comedy but it was definitely drama. Also the story seem to be based on Bishop Eddie Long's scandal. Anyone who was of age at the time of that scandal knows how it rocked the black Christian community. I came in expecting to laugh and I was instantly drug back into 2011 and reminded of how disappointed I felt for the members of New Birth in Atlanta. I did enjoy the acting. Regina Hall's mime faced monolog was stirring.
Hi Marsha, you nailed it. I think they marketed this completely wrong. And I don't know why they would take that approach if they knew who their audience was. The Bishop Long scandal was so hurtful. I agree that the acting was on point and Regina really made an impression on me, too.
Yeah this was definitely a drama with some comedy thrown, but it was marketed as a completely different type of movie
I hadn’t planned on seeing it simply because I felt like the trailer itself was a jab !
You ain’t wrong! I would be curious to know what the Ebo Twins experiences were like to write something like this…even in seeing through the shocking content, this piece seems to have come out of hurt.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison that’s usually how it is
The Ebo sisters grew up in southern baptist mega-churches, you were saying not many people involved in production had been in that culture, though the writer Adamma had based the screenplay on her own experiences in that culture. Funny enough Adamma is still openly Christian to this day, not sure about her sister though.
Ooh! Thanks for the clarity point. I wasn't so much referring to them as not being involved as much as the lens perspective of their target audience, but I didn't know that Adamma was openly Christian. That's a cool thing to know.
Judgemental, without the research. Cogic,is not true Christianity.
@TiffanyByrdHarrison
As a 45 yr old man, who was raised in the Baptist church and has in all honesty, over the more recent years been turned off by the theatrics of the church (Let me be clear, not God, but the church).....I found this to be a very enjoyable movie. It made me uncomfortable in ways because the situations were familiar. This is a story that is loosely based on the behavior of Bishop Eddie Long (I was a member of New Birth Charlotte) as well a aspects of other pastors whether from mega churches or smaller ones that did what man was born and cursed to do in this world and that is sin and no man, no matter the title or cloth is above that temptation. This movie to me represented more of a character study of how some of our church leaders get into and deal with these type of scandals and how they do not so easily want to lose that power, influence and spectacle they have over their congregation. It shows the hardship and burden of being a 1st lady.....it shows how other pastors will use the moment for their own self gain to build a bigger congregation "in the name of our Lord." Yes, this movie was over the top in a lot of ways....but it also had a lot of honest and true moments about marriage, homosexuality, God's gifts within you being a blessing to others even though you living within sin......People that don't like this movie, in my honest opinion are folks that are blinded to the culture of "church" and how it is represented more than holding a mirror up to the church and themselves and seeing the mess that is actually within our churches. I encourage everyone to see this movie and be open minded to the offense that it presents and hopefully it will push us to do better within our kingdom building.
Took the words right out of my mouth. Perfectly stated.
WOW. You said a mouthful and all of it was perfectly stated. Thank you! I genuinely appreciate your thoughts on this and I really want to practice this nuance of seeing myself in that mirror that's being held up. I often have said, I know a mature believer when they see themselves as the Israelites in the desert complaining to God, rather than seeing themselves as Moses or Aaron. We must mature beyond being offended UNLESS we are going to use that offense to transform our community. Thank you so much!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Yes. That scene when they were driving back from the church singing Knuck If You Buck hit home hard. My reaction was visceral and I was taken aback until I pictured myself on the elliptical earlier that day singing along to Dior by Pop Smoke. Same lips blessing God then using the N word among others..
@@PHOENIX980567 Look at this vulnerability! You ain't wrong, and I have often had to ask myself, can fresh water and salt water come out of the same spring? Then why am I out her acting like God is not shining on the just and the unjust alike..Sheesh. Thank you for the conviction today, friend.
I must be the only one in the comments that loved this movie.😂 I thought it was dark and witty and so funny in a dry offbeat humor kind of way Black films don’t usually get to be and Regina and Sterling were magic. I thought Regina’s last scene should have been submitted for awards.
When that little girl said “I love theater” I was on the floor.
But I don’t have any particular reverence for the church. The most unrealistic thing about the movie was nobody showing up to their reopening because people keep going to churches where pastors are known cheaters and abusers all the time.
I thought this movie was hilarious and so clever. People who are offended by this movie need to chill. It was great commentary southern Christian culture specifically. I think conservative Christians are just mad because there was too much truth in this movie
I’ve watched it a few times on Peacock so that’s a sign that I enjoyed it and the more I watched it the better the movie became. It’s really a story not only about the church but what a First Lady goes through and the facade of being a First Lady….it’s a lot
A few times? Now I'm intrigued. it's a LOT and I don't know if I could watch it more than once without going into heavy analysis mode and taking notes so it feels academic. You're so right though, the track of the first lady was ROUGH.
Dark humor or not I saw a lot truths in how things go in the church. I remember being disappointed in the married pastor of my church having a girlfriend. It was more gossip than them being offended and bamboozled.
It might just be me, but as someone who is being more honest and critical of my experiences growing up in the church, I can acknowledge that my church was much better than this, and yet and still there are some extremely problematic things that happened there that remained unresolved. And that happens at mega churches a lot (it’s part of why they’re dying). Regina King was literally playing my mother, who got beaten by her abusive husband but wouldn’t leave him because that wasn’t the “Christian thing” to do and it hurt to watch but in a weird way it confirmed to me that I wasn’t the only person living through all of that, that it was something bigger happening in the black community. The church hates and I repeat HATES to be critiqued because the reality of it is uncomfortable and hard to look at. I wish folks would be more honest with themselves🤷🏾♀️
this the one ☝🏾
Thanks for covering this sis! I watched this film and I wasn't so much offended as I was saddened. Since I live in this world and support other pastors locally and regionally, the issues highlighted really hit close. I agree that many are offended because that's easier than dealing with the glaring issues the movie confronts. There were a couple parts that I thought were funny but it was definitely a dark comedy. Certainly not something I'd recommend to the holy rollers.
Wow. You too. SMH
@Vaughn yes, sad is exactly the feeling. I was really interested to know what local pastors feel about this sort of depiction since it can seem absurd but Ive seen with my own eyes, some of the foolishness that goes on. This type of dark comedy (imo) missed the mark since they buried the lead on what type of movie it would be. Poor marketing makes me think that they knew they would draw the church crowd but didn’t give them the opportunity to choose this day what kind of film they wanted to see.
@@BeeReadyToday not sure i follow your comment..can you clarify?
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Sorry. As @Vaughn stated, I also support local ministries and am sadden by what I am seeing. Hadn't seen the movie but am very sadden. Not because of the movie because I didn't see it. But being downhearted by how the Church is and is being depicted in the media. Its the sadness of the subject I relate too.
@@BeeReadyToday i totally hear you! It’s terribly sad but unfortunately, not surprising. Even in Jesus’s day, God’s Church was being bastardized and tarnished by the work of men who wanted to see its failure. That’s why i’m so passionate about us rising up in the arts! Cause I know that people expect Christian’s to be like film, and we must be the opposite.
My opinion of the film....The truth hurts....get over it
Exactly and if the film wanted to offend Christian's or any church, the pastor would have been having sex with male and females minors including married people. This movie is actually pretty good and well written. It's also original in a time where everything is being recycled and were seeing the same plots.
Appreciate both your thoughts here. @Deiona, I don't know if I'd say the movie was well written, but I am with you on the originality of the concept. They definitely thought outside the box to tell this story.
I liked it
The movie definitely was darker than I thought it would be. I knew it would be satire but it yeah... did not laugh. I wasn't offended by the film, but it does make me sad that so many people apparently resonate with the film. I've never been to a mega church myself, but I have moved around a bit so I've been to a few churches and I have met quite a few pastors who went out of their way to show kindness to myself and my family. I've had pastors gift my husband and I things we needed for our home, help with moving, helped my husband find connections for a job. There are good pastors out there who really want to help people.
Well said! I agree, I did not realize that it would be quite as dark as it was, and I don’t think I would rewatch it due to how uncomfortable I was the first time. But I will say that it does expose an underbelly of the church, that I think many of us have seen as isolated incidents, when it may actually be a greater symptom of mega churches, as a large. Not to say that mega churches are all bad, or that small churches are all good, but to say that maybe we need to spend a little more time understanding the scripture in regards to what God wanted for a body of people in meeting together. Thank you for your thoughtful comment and I appreciate your perspective.
There are good people out there but church is just a business
This movie spoke facts to me! Eddie Long, TD Jakes… am glad thee stories are being retold for all to just see what they do. I loveeeeeed it!
I found this movie intriguing, well acted and pretty well written…until the end. It wasn’t finished. Spoiler alert *-I was thinking maybe she would just snap and kill him (understandably lol)but when it just ended without one ounce of resolution I felt so depressed for her
I did, too! Definitely was expecting more in terms of the ending.
i feel like it’s true though?? i’m so late to this but most of the time those in a abusive relationship don’t snap one day and stay with that partner stuck this cycle of abuse. i get what you mean though i was left with so much questions after the movie.
It was a good movie...I thought it was going to be pure comedy.....but it was actually pretty deep...I'm really glad the movie shed light on these "fake Christians and fake Pastors"
That’s really interesting, Lynette! I agree that it sheds light but I wasn’t necessarily thinking it was “good”
as much as thought provoking. That’s why I like cinema - it is so subjective. Thank you for watching this and engaging with me!
I saw the movie after I subscribed to Peacock. I was somewhat offended. However, the movie just reveals some of the sin pastors become vulnerable to when they think of themselves as little gods.
Joy, you hit the nail on the head! I picked up pretty quickly that these folks didn’t know Jesus at all so this was all about maintaining their “kingdom”, hence why it failed at the end. But WOW, what an introduction to Peacock! did you cancel afterwards?
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison I'm going to keep Peacock for a month, I got the $1.99 special.🙂
@@joybanks4974 atta girl! 🦚
People were walking out of the theater. Many ppl refuse to see this film. I was the only one in this theater watching this film Honk For Jesus.
Hmm, not surprised but very interesting that you stayed! I imagine that refusing to watch the film was perhaps a noble choice on the part of those folks, and if they were protecting their spirits, I can understand walking out. Watching it for me, though, helped me deal with some uncomfortable truths in the Body of Christ...which is that we don't like anyone talking bad about us, but we aren't growing in the Lord. Thanks for checking in!
As someone who has grew up constantly in church and as also had trouble with my spirituality. Someone who has found it hard to be in churches, I saw this and felt the discomfort. My discomfort was seeing what I have seen a long time. I am deeply disappointed with church. I know there are exceptions. The church has always been my refuge but it has also been one of my biggest places of trauma. I do not place that on God. I am on my own journey of how to love and experience God in ways that do not perpetuate harm on to others or myself. Since people are complex and flawed in understanding sometimes the church as a institution needs re thinking. I feel we got some work to do and some of us don’t want to have to do it. Being told to do better is sometimes uncomfortable. Being told an institution that has helped us become and be where we are is harmful and dangerous is uncomfortable. That’s the point. We been to comfy and people has suffered. God wants us to do better and our fellow humans want us to do better.
Regina in support the girls as a former barback girl. I loved it and that brought me here. I loved as a victim seeing the scene with the victim facing him one on one because those moments are so rare in real life.
He humiliated his wife.
agreed. That was heartbreaking to think about.
If a film offends you, it touched you. The film couldn't touch you unless it got close to you. I appreciated your take towards the end, recognizing the authenticity of the film was that it focused in on how inauthentic so much of the church has become. There's definitely a lot of work to be done, inside and outside of the Church, in order to be more of what we're all called to be.
Thank you, Jay! I agree that "touching" sometimes is stepping on toes..or necks lol There is a lot of conversation to be had and I want us as believers not to be afraid of that discussion. I appreciate you for watching, brother.
It is an offense to our SAVIOR and we should NOT spend HIS money to support it. Let that meld in your SPIRIT.
@@Dale115 Hi Dale, I encourage you to watch my follow up video here: ua-cam.com/video/RUVkJeafqzg/v-deo.html
When I saw the preview, I knew this was one that I would NOT see. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
Lol Dee, I always can trust you will keep it real so i definitely feel you on this front. Thanks for checking in with me!
Watched it yesterday. It was a wonderful satire. I really am lost on why people are offended. Its satire!
Girl it’s got a “too true to be satire “ frame to it. Faith comes by hearing the word of god. The Bible says that. So With that being said as a Christian I enjoyed the whole movie.
Agreed.Watchd this yesterday and I found it nuanced ,insightful and very moving in parts especially the difficult instituion of. 'the first Lady. ' Regina Hall was breathtaking
I just seen the movie yesterday, I thought it was funny, fantastic, serious, and very necessary
Interesting, did you laugh out loud?
im a christian but i wasnt very offended because what they have in it is very similar to what bad churches do today. what i dont want to happen though is for this movie to make people believe all churches are bad.
Hey Jiovanni! I'm with you, I don't want the movie to make people believe churches are all bad either. Of course, the scripture tells us that the world is going to hate us because we are followers of Christ. But if they hate us because we are hateful or intolerable to be around, that's not aligning with scripture. That's the opposite of what God wants from us! Thank you so much for watching this.
As a former believer and now religious pessimist, this film simply explained exactly what I would expect from people who are self proclaimed, "holy." They are caught up in worldly things rather than enlightening. The end of the film made the woman look completely foolish in whiteface.
Omg girl!!!!! I will be there @7!!!!!!
All parties involved has lost all my respect!
As a teen challenge graduate, I appreciate how God worked through people to get me back to being a purified version of me!!! This film mocks those same kinds of people I’m grateful for????? How dare they! It’s already hard enough to turn people away from sex and drugs now!!! Yes some church people may come off as fake but how do we know how many peoples lives that they are saving behind closed doors???? I’m ashamed of this stupid film!
Hi Natasha! thank you for your comment!! I definitely hear you on mockery. As an actor and comedian, I have seen my fair share of offensive art, but I find that if i’m offended without purpose, than I might miss a message that a piece communicates. I felt like so many folks have been secondhand offended by this, they aren’t taking the time to look at ourselves as a Body of Christ to understand the issues that brought something like this out. I would love to know your thoughts on my commentary so thanks in advance for watching!
Growing up as a Christian, I always wanted to know what our spirituality was before colonization and why it was condemned as demonic. I loved the movie for exposing the clay feet of the false doctrine the Romans gave us and our People trying to live by it and make it true. I know we are a spiritual people and feel our spirituality deeply. This comes from our ancient ancestors that we have been taught to ignore and demonize. Our ancient people are not demonic or ignorant. The Romans stole christianity from Egypt. Check out Dr. Ray Hagin a Pastor who woke up to the truth. The divide and conquer spell has us believing that because we are not Roman Catholics we don't carry the mark of their atrocities. Whatever denomination you practice has it's root in Rome. They wrote your Bible and developed the doctrines you attribute to God. Time to wake up.
Hi Laverne! Thank you for sharing your perspective. I personally am not a fan of any belief system that will call us to "wake up to truth" when we can read the scriptures for ourselves, with the Holy Spirit's interpreting. And I am not denominational but I am interested in working out my salvation with fear and trembling based on the Word, rather than looking for other philosophies that focus on hidden meaning or new understanding. My prayer for you is that you would know Jesus (Yeshuah) for who He is, and don't get caught up in spirituality of African ancestry when our history is denoted in the genealogies of the Bible. Many blessings to you!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Research the Congress of Nicea 325 AD. I hear your sincerity. I know the divide and conquer spell has been broken and the oneness of the universe to include you and me is manifest. I see you looking down on your ancestral past as lesser than your current scripture faith. OK. All roads lead to the Goddess BigMama
The spell of the "one true god" is broken. One true God doctrine as well as the need for salvation came out of the Inquisition. Our soul is the immortal conscious essence that does not need saving only enlightenment and the truth.
I'd like to see a film that depicts the real challenges of a church that is operating the right way, made by similarly high caliber production companies and writing teams.
Yes sir! I want this too, and it's something I am actively working on to create a production company around redemptive stories and content that can handle the nuance in the right way.
I watched the movie and I found it to be sad. But, as a believer, I wasn't expecting a new revelation or some lesson in theology. I took the movie at face value. I went in knowing that these characters were a bit delusional and that it was a satire. What I found to be sad was the fact that the first lady was so determined to "get back on that stage". She was more concerned about her image than anything else. She obviously put up with a lot regarding her husband's transgressions too. I also thought that it was sad that the pastor felt responsible for "saving souls". Despite his best efforts to preach the Gospel, he wasn't repentant for any of his issues that created the scandal in the first place. He actually doesn't seem to want to turn away from his sinful desires. There was also the excess in terms of their lifestyle. We have all come to know about mega church pastors living lavishly. I don't think the film strays away from that perspective either. At the end of it, I saw two very flawed, very delusional people trying to return to their once prominent lifestyle that people had previously bought in to. It is a sad reality that we see in the church nowadays more often than not. The film actually did a great job at depicting this reality.
ON POINT.
@Ebony on point
I am soooo very happy that you made this video! My Husband and I both were wondering if we were the only ones baffled at the outcome and content of this film. I was very indifferent about how it made me feel for sure because like you said, I understand art and freedom to express, expose, and explore... Anyways glad I found you just searching for reviews about this movie! Be Blessed Sis
Hey lady! Thank you for popping in to watch this. Yeah, uneasy was my feeling towards the end of it, too and whew, I had a lot of uncomfortable feelings to sift through. But being offended isn't helpful unless you gonna do something with that feeling. Christians got to work through their emotions to get to the point of understanding...but we so often stop at being mad. Thank you for connecting with me though, I am so glad you're here!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Very well put Believers definitely need to elevate mentally for sure, we have Authority and many other benefits as being children of God.I am definitely ready to see more creative content about that! Prayer for all Believers of Christ
I been in church all my life and I have seen all of this., if your offended, the. You know it’s true. Wake up, this is how you get taken advantage of by closing your eyes
The title alone of that movie let me know all I needed to know. And discernment came in. Needless to say I didn’t watch it
We love a good discerning heart! Definitely understand that choice. I think most ppl glossed right on over that because “Jesus” was in the title.
Watched it last night and am not sure why church folk are soooooo outraged. There was satire and lots of nuance that frankly reminded me of lots of mega churches. The blasphemy is in taking God's people in vain. Yes some of it is caricature and could certainly could do better than some of the cheesy , mono dimensional stereotypes. We need to pray for the Church at large and lift up Black churches as they wrestle with generational and demographic shifts, young people who are exiting both the faith and the Black church, how churches are situated in modern political challenges and how we respond to sexual abuse, survivor support , true repentance and accountability of perpertrators
This is loosely based on an actual church scandal, and i felt it was on point, i grew up in the church
Oh dear, I am deeply sorry to hear this about your church. this must have been triggering for you... I do hope that you are healing from all of that! So much to put on a young person in Christ and when the pastors fall, it can lead to so many other people's falling away, too.
No it wasn't at my church, but the pastor had visited my church, our small church scandal didn't happen to our bishop but an associate minister, as soon as my bishop got wind of it, the minister had to step down, is wasnt hushed up, ppl but to much faith in these ministers they are a human being and subject to sin, nobody is perfect
@@reddykatrina Oh ok! gotcha. Still, scandal is scandal and it affects all of us. The cover up piece is what’s most difficult 😞 especially when the pastor in this movie was attempting to settle out of court with the victims.
Honestly it was something out of a movie, the associate minister was suspected of cheating on his wife with one of the female members, someone witnessed what they called inappropriate interactions and then thr person who "witnessed the interactions" tried to extort the church so they would keep quiet, and when the church didnt give in the final extortion letter was left in my bishop's bible inbetween services and when he went to preach the he found the letter in his bible, have the video ministry stop recording and he read the letter in front of everyone and that was the last we heard of it, and this was b4 cellphones with camera, that speech wud have def went viral if it had been in this day in age
I think the focus on the First Lady was also an insightful commentary on the normalization of abuse against wives/women in the Evangelical church. As an ex-Evangelical, I can attest to the perpetual gaslighting of women/wives, and how women are expected to 1. Prize marriage or being “Chose” above all else 2. endure almost anything in/for marriage, sans adultery or a straight up beating (and in many cases even in those situations are expected to “forgive” and “reconcile”). ie “marriage is HARD”, “marriage is the CROSS.” As one of my sweet non-evangelical married friends once told me “It shouldn’t be that hard…”.
I appreciate you posting this comment a second time, and I definitely can see how the normalization of abuse is a cycle that doesn't stop in the name of "serving the Lord." My prayer is that we would mature in our understanding of God's design for the Church and what it means to be in covenant in marriage..not in bondage to human ideas.
Thank you Ms Tiffany for your candid review. No I do not plan to see this movie.
CD, that is totally ok! Protecting your spirit should be first and foremost. Thank you for commenting and watching ❤️
I'm happy that someone else remembers Sterling from Army Wives. He did a good job in that show.
Lisa, I loved him in that show! Such a good role. I didn't care for the rest of them little girls, but their couple seemed authentic.
This Movie needed to be made
It was made for people to see THE TRUTH, and THEMSELVES.
This movie is also a WARNING⚠️.
The End of the Movie Spoke Volumes. This woman was Blind to her husband the whole time.
When he said he's back and everyone is showing up to see him, she finally got it....
I haven't seen it yet and not sure that I will anytime soon. With that being said, I appreciate your nuanced critique of the film. I like how you are growing to recieve art as it is. You don't have to "like" it and may not even by the target audience but you can take it as is, give personal opinion, and find great discussion points from it. The American church has many a issue to work through and double that for the black popular Mega church. Thank you for this! ❤️
Great point, Joe!! I don’t know that I would have this view point if I didn’t take a second and breathe it out..because initially, I was very put off by it. And that’s (i think) the whole point. The world be world-ing and it’s often trying to push our backs against the wall. But Jesus is not easily offended and neither shall we be. I want to practice compassion and understanding for broken people whilst still maintaining my full integrity with Jesus.
That said, I wouldn’t go back and watch this a second time, it wasn’t that good.
I really enjoyed this video! I saw the film with my mom and as someone that went to church seldom as child and eventually stopped going altogether (my parents asked me if I wanted to keep going) I could not connect as much to some of the satire presented and it came off as more intense, but truly enjoyed Regina Halls performance! I still identify as “Christian“ but I do not like attending church service in general.
I hear you, and I thought Regina's work was really well done. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience.
I love it Tiff! Thanks for your insight and interesting perspective. I'm definitely going to see it.
Buckle up, my friend!! it is uncomfortable watching but it is thought provoking.
Me too.👏👏👏👏
It is our relationship with God and not Religion. That is the reason I'm a Believer and not a Christain. We might be upset about a movie WHICH is clearly people acting. But okay about not operating in Love as God commanded us to do. We are more focused on judging each other, WHICH he clearly says not to do because he is the only one that knows our hearts. If I'm going to the movie theatre to know or better understand God, I'm in serious trouble. If we know who God is to us, personally, there is no way in hell, that any movie could change or offend my belief.
"If I'm going to the movie theatre, to know or better understand God, I'm in serious trouble" 💥 Absolutely agree with that! That said, the scripture says that we are to judge based on righteous means and that judgement is reserved for fellow believers. So I feel like this movie has to be discerned through eyes of understanding that it's not Christians or a christian perspective behind this movie. And that's true of so many things! We freak out because the world is world-ing which does not make a lot of sense to me. But I do think it's important to investigate offense to see what it reveals about our own hearts condition.
Thanks for your insights! Really appreciate your "thinking and living boldly" even in the comment section. Many blessings!
I just finished watching this movie. I remember it first coming out but really had no desire to see it, and now I wished I hadn't. I'm familiar with the whole megachurch thing and Eddie Long so it was a long watch for me. Thank you for your video about this, we have the same takeaways!
I totally hear that. It was not my favorite work - but i do think Christians can be very shocked by what the world thinks of us and this movie was a good example of how we are perceived, especially when theres major failure on the part of our leaders.
I haven’t seen the film but your insights, opinion and perspectives shared here, gives me an idea of what to expect. Not sure if I will be watching it though.
Welcome back Tiff, glad to have you back. I’m ready for some laughs.
Thank you, Chanty! So appreciate you. And not watching it is probably a good choice. it is a very HARD watch. I would not recommend for average viewing.
Originally I wasn’t planning on watching it! The trailer made me feel like it was going to be mocking God, but hearing this review gave me a new perspective and I’m considering watching it! I’d love to see a story like this have a redeeming and edifying end result. Great video sis!!
Hey brother! thanks for watching. Sooo.. im sorry if the review gave you an impression that this movie was redemptive…it’s not! sadly, that was not the impression I was left with. That said, in seeing it, I think it opened my eyes to two things.
1) The Church is really SLOW to acknowledge that “a little leaven leaven’s the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9) in other words, this movie shows the extreme depravity of some clergy and it felt so absurd that a lot of peoples knee jerk reaction is “ NOT MY PASTOR, NOT MY CHURCH, NOT MY BISHOP. etc.” as if to believe that God is not judging us for the false teaching we sit under or allow to continue in our midst.
2) The world HATES CHRISTIANS just as Jesus said they would. And if we were under the impression that we could receive any grace or compassion from people outside the church, we were wrong.
So i’m not recommending a watch unless you’re approaching it VERY prayerfully and expect to be shocked and appalled at some of the content.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison oh sorry for the confusion! I meant I knew that it wasn’t a redemptive piece but I was saying with a story like this it would be much BETTER if it did have a redemptive theme. I was skeptical initially by the trailer, believing it would be absurd and mocking to God, but it seems like it’s more of a depiction of the black church in a nonbelievers eyes. I definitely am watching it with an prayed up heart. I also believe that some in the church will be confronted by their ugly truths, but I knew initially that this wasn’t meant to be uplifting or even theologically sound.
I also wonder what experiences the writers and producers had with church to feel so strongly to produce this work. All in all, I believe the church needs to be quicker to address and correct things. Because the longer we stay silent, it gives more opportunities for the culture to produce more “Honk For Jesus”s 😂
I hope this explains my thought process more!
Thanks my sweet niece. I hadn't seen the movie, I'm one of those that felt it was going to be blasphemous. But after your commentary I'm ready to approach it with an open mind. And like you say, we as followers of Christ really need to take note of how the world is perceiving us.
Aunt Judy! Thank you for popping in and listening to my commentary. I totally get what you mean, about the movie potentially being blasphemous. I will neither confirm or deny that it is BUT i will say that it illuminated my naïveté about what people *actually* think of the church vs. how we see ourselves.
And that wide disparity is SO IMPORTANT for us to understand. How can we cross that divide if we don't understand its depth? It makes the parting of the Red Sea by God's own hand SO MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL, when we understand that that body of water was "438,000 square kilometres, and an average depth of 490 metres." (I googled that lol) but it makes what the Almighty did for the people of Israel unimaginable, and yet, increases my hope in a God who treated that miracle like light work. If He can do that, how much more can he do for entertainment and movie industry!
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison you are so amazing. I'm a strong advocate for your new dream. And though it was not much I felt compelled to invest in you. Don't ever stop growing. Wooo how the Grace of God is all over you!! Love you shug and love your tenacity. #teamtiffany
Wow I loved your review it’s exactly how I felt while watching
I watched this movie the other day and I was very disappointed. I thought too that it was going to be funny but it wasn’t.
The only thing that I can relate to is that pastor’s does depend on their wives for so many things.
Yes, it’s sad that many large churches have been through similar things that was in the movie.
I do hate that they didn’t show anything positive about the church.
I’m glad you created a video about this topic.
I can definitely understand the disappointment, flo! it was not at all what I was expecting and definitely surprising.
I’d be so interested to know how your life as a pastor’s wife would inform Trinitee’s portrayal as first lady. I feel like you have a lot of insight to offer on that.
I hear you on nothing good being shown, I think that we have had bad pr for awhile now as the Body, so we have to expect some backlash. Thank you for your honest thoughts and the great work you and your husband do for believers - we need more like you!
There was ZERO pay-off. I expected a moment-of-truth, "wake-up" event never happened. Heck, I thought the Pastor might even be killed since some of the dialogue ("Until I buried him, baby," "I would sooner kill him than leave him...") and some scenes (the baptism; the threatening car in the parking lot doing donuts) actually alluded to it. But NOTHING happened. The Pastor's wife finally unloads but she doesn't seem to touch on any of the things that we as the audience thought was actually experiencing. And when we thought Pastor Curtis was about to shed his theatrics, come to the truth and admit his sins.... nothing.
Best part of the film was when the convict on work release told Pastor Curtis how he had changed due to the pastor's sermons. But that moment was played for a joke and what might have been a powerful message was lost.
I think the point was to show that some people get so blinded by their faith, and to an extent, their marriage, that they will choose to live a life that most people would never deal with because thats all they know. sadly, there are a lot of people out there like that.
@@dapac09 If that's the case, that's some existential, Jean-Paul Sartre stuff right there.
@@monkeymouse8030 VERY existential and you brought up so many great points. I definitely got a L’étranger vibe from the whole work, and aside from the obvious bias of the piece, it lacked a solid execution in my opinion. That said, I think the arc of the pastors wife was an enlightening one. I would have been more intrigued had they actually let that have some sort of transformation but I figured out halfway through that wasn’t the direction they were going.
Thank you for engaging in the comments! I’ll invite you to check out my follow up video here.
ua-cam.com/video/RUVkJeafqzg/v-deo.html
This is a great commentary!
Hey bro, thanks so much for popping in!
Great review Tiff! I actually had absolutely NO desire to see this film. I honestly was offended just from watching the trailer and knew that this wasn't for me. I saw reactions on social media and was like, "Yep! This is exactly why I didn't want to see it." That being said, your review plus the fact that I'm currently taking a film class, I'm now intrigued and plan to watch it from a different, non judgmental perspective.
Also, I couldn't finish Greenleaf. It just became way too much for me. Too much of it just seemed like drama for no reason. A lot of stuff that could have been prevented, wasn't just for the sake of having drama on the show it seems.
Jay good comments. I never watched Greenleaf. Perhaps because of my church experience, I didn't need to see it on a screen. I don't intend to see this movie either, even if it was free---no thanks.
LOL Greenleaf was a trip and a half! It irritated me in so many ways. And it was absolutely drama for no reason. A message was in there, somewhere, but just like with this movie, you have to take in meat (the bit that there was) and spit out the bones.
I think your approach makes sense! See this movie is NOT delightful or entertaining for the sincere believer, as so many may have assumed it would be. And that assumption is what I'm challenging...we ain't do no kind of research prior to seeing this but then got upset that it wasn't a Tyler Perry style movie 🤔 i think we have to be careful to not expect the world to give us spiritually sound content...ever. But if we're looking for the hope in a message, we will find it. Thanks for taking the time to watch this!
I hear you, Dee and respect that choice wholeheartedly.
Solid video wanted to watch this before I see the movie ✊🏽
Wow 😯 “I love the theatre “ wow 😯
yep! the whole movie could be summed up in that one line.
Is this a comedy? More of a satirical expose. The folks that are upset are also in denial about the truth being put on display and the conflict between Black Christianity and homosexualism.
Good point, Vicky. Satire is a distinction that i’m not sure every person fully knew going in so the marketing led to a lot of confusion.
I agree with everything except the last line.. I beg to differ there. The film was about Black church culture, but not about homosexuality. Note that there are many homosexuals holding prominent positions in the church who haven't groomed or preyed on young people.
This film showed a PREDATOR who just so happened to be a pastor with a preference for young men, trying to regain his status in that community after being disgraced for grooming young congregants into inappropriate sexual relationships with him. They could've easily used young women instead of young men, or even a mix of men & women, & he still would've been portrayed the same way.
Great job!
Thank you so much!
Tiffany, YOU'VE BEEN MISSED!!!
Thnx, @Words & Pics, 😀
I told Tiffany th samething. 👍🏾
That me & her other subs miss'd her as well.🙂
Thank God she's back.
Aww, Thank you, so much!! I missed you all too!
Gdm. @@TiffanyByrdHarrison
YW>Yur welcme! 🙂❤️😘
I hope U miss'd us as well.
😀👍🏾
First off, great presentation (from the lens of a "Black American Church Goer"). To pull apart the putty that is the Black Church is always a massive undertaking-no matter how small of an effort we desire it to be.
Secondly, I will not be viewing the film. I have watched about 5 different reviews, and all of them combined lead me to guess that I don't NEED to see this because I still have a very real connection to the Black Church (scandals, tom foolery, and everything in between).
Lastly, I do stand beside you: to agree that a real truthful conversation has to be conducted around what we truly believe and how we "do church". Because the culture of the Black Church (at least in America) doesn't appear to rightfully reflect the professed faith of the Black Church (at least in America).
Hey brother! I always appreciate your comments because you do such a great job of grace in disagreement and critical thinking in peer pressure. Definitely respect your view of not seeing it, and I think the connection to the black church can be so hurtful, especially if you are still experiencing any trauma or lasting effects and then see something like this on film.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Exactly. When there is still a difficulty of forgiveness present watching such content will be triggering. Yet, also, like with me specifically, when all of us (within the body of Christ) stand "ready to shoot" because we all are seriously not ready to deal with the eternal ramifications of sin, we all might would want to avoid any form of commentary. Because as Kev On Stage spoke-concerning the film-humanity does fall short of the glory.
ANYONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE FORMER MEGACHURCH PASTOR EDDIE LONG...KNOWS THE STORY WAS ABOUT THEM/THAT. I WATCHED IT LAST NIGHT AND SOME OF IT WAS HARD TO SEE. I LAUGHED AT SOME OF IT BUT YEAH THEY DESERVE SOME AWARDS.
Whew, Leah. Eddie Long was a hard pill to swallow..and yet, it was not surprising when power in the pulpit has become greater than our fear of God. I chuckled a number of times, but I was thinking hard afterwards.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison IT'S A LOT. THE MOVIE IS A LOT. WE BECOMES ENTERTAINED WHEN WE WATCH STUFF BUT WHEN U KNOW THE REAL STORY BEHIND IT IT'S SHOCKING. SCANDLES LIKE THAT HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. NOT ALL BROUGHT TO LIGHT. THE EDDIE LONG ACTUAL SITCH smh VERY CRAZY. REGINA & STERLING BOTH DID GREAT. ALTHOUGH SOME OF IT DELIVERED A CHUCKLE AO MANY TIMES WATCHING. I 💭 POOR FIRST LADY. AND MY HEART WENT OUT TO THE REAL ONE TAKING ON THE PASTORS BURDENS EVEN WHEN SHE WANTED TO JUST BE DONE.
I literally just recorded my review on this movie & then I saw this on my recommendations. I wish I saw your video before I recorded because yours is my favorite review that I’ve seen. My video is more of a nuanced commentary of what I think is blasphemous, which isn’t what I think most people are articulating. I’m an apologist so I can’t help but go into great detail lol. Good job on your review, nuance and editing ✊🏾
ooh! I will definitely check out your review. I definitely think nuance is needed so I am sure you will have a great discussion. I am not a movie review channel by any means so thanks for hanging with me through my attempt. LOVE APOLOGISTS! Thank you for watching and the work you do.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison I think you did a great job, my personal favorite one. I even liked how you edited your thoughts into the video after the fact. Good job, keep up the great work! ✊🏾
I’m a Christian and a Baptist. Thanks for telling me about this movie 🎥
I didn't understand the ending. Only one guy showed up to their opening? I'm sooo confused by the ending.
Yeah, that's pretty unrealistic. One of the biggest negatives of church culture has been that whenever a pastor does anything egregious, especially in terms of sexual misconduct, the support that pastor gets is usually far more than they deserve. It's usually the OTHER party (or parties) that's left shamed, unsupported & on top of that, shunned & distanced, smh.
A person who's grown up in the church might've given a more accurate interpretation.
i’m soooo late to this but the way i saw it was kind of how the first lady was stuck in a loop, yk what i mean? realistically i don’t think that car came for church, i think they were just doing donuts but the way i interpret it especially how it cut to the first lady (i forgot her name) just staring at the car it was kind of how she’s stuck in this cycle of forgiveness. she repeatedly forgave her husbands behavior with multiple underaged boys and stuck to his side believing that leaving him wasn’t the “christian way” i interpret the ending of her realizing she’s stuck in this cycle and that she has trapped herself.
but then again idk🥰
Have you seen the movie or are you planning on seeing it? Let me know in the comments down below! 👇🏾
I haven't and, typically, I dont watch these types of movies. I too am a Believer and love "all" types of comedy. As a former Pastor, I have a deep heart affection for the people of GOD and HIS Church. But in my opinion, the Church has, in some respect, morphed into a distinct contest for "Who's coin is the shiniest" and "How many people can I get to follow me with the coin-glare?" type of worship.
@@BeeReadyToday i respect this response!!
Haven’t seen it yet!!! But this video geared me up for it!😩
Yes ma’am, happy to prep anyone to go in cause eyes should be all the way open for this one
I don't think it's showing in my country's commercial cinema. But great review. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Oh is that right! I feel like you'd have a great insight into this film, Fidel. Thank you for listening in!
I DON'T have to see the movie...the name was something to desire ALL by itself.
Facts! Lol you know what it was.
Hi! Thanks for sharing your opinion of this movie. I have not seen it and if I do see it.. I'll probably be so late viewing it that it will no longer be anything that anyone is discussing. Sidenote: I thought I heard you say COGIC..did you attend a COGIC church? Also, I watched Greenleaf..I would've liked to see another ending
Hi there! lol late viewing might be the better approach. I didn’t attend a Cogic church but I had family in that denomination. And Greenleaf, chile - we could have a whole other discussion on that one. I had a love/hate relationship with that work. thank you for watching!
This was a great analysis and opportunity for a paradigm shift. I did scream this is trash and I am upset because I went in expecting to get a deeper revelation of GOD like reading the Word. After talking about specific parts I realized that it promoted opportunities to talk about things that are foolishness in the church, as well as the need to address mental health issues in the church, which is my passion. The thing that stuck with me most was the despair on Regina Hall’s face as the movie ended because she had to be present, and supportive while finding an inner safe place to hide within herself to keep from falling apart. She definitely experienced a mental breakdown at the start of the scandal and continued to decline. I think people should get past the offense and give it a shot with your perspective in mind. The cursing was a little tough initially, but once I realized that they were truly replicating carnal Christians doing church as an organization and not in a sold out for Christ point of ministry. Some are sent, and some just went and opened up a church to do business. I got the biggest shock and kick out of her miming to my pastor’s song “Never Would Have Made It.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lisa!! your perspective was me - I am you. I was so irritated with the piece at first, but then I was like…”wait, wait there are folks in these streets making a mockery of the Christian life in REAL LIFE - why i’m mad they put it on display?”
is it cringey? yes. Very much. Are there people who will discard it for being over the top? of course. but this is the depravity our culture finds itself in and we can either meet it with the true light of Jesus or reserve it for ourselves and leave these folks to their own devices.
love your point about mental health and Regina Hall’s breakdown is so indicative of folks who are trying to build a life on the backs of sincere believers ..it never pans out!
“once I realized they were replicating carnal Christians” -- That part! This aint showing redemption, this is showing brokenness in the most severe way.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments!
I agree with your thoughts. I just left the theater. I’ll just say that it’s not something I would see again. It wasn’t good and the cursing and sex scene was a bit much. Just as I was getting into it, it ended. The ending could’ve been better. I left feeling like there should’ve been more. But on the flip side, that’s exactly how some churches are and they definitely did a good job in embodying this topic.
I think a comedy may not have been the right tone to reach more of the Christian audience. I'm agnostic, but I have a heavy religious background. I think a movie like I am Michael handles issues with the church better even though it's not about scandal. It's about an exgay pastor.
I appreciate your honest take. The theatrical aspect also reminded me of how everyone sort of look at you funny if youre not crying and jumping or doing what everyone else is doing.
That's a fair point! the tone was definitely off for the more sincere believer but it also wasn't for legitimate Christians but rather those who may be affirmed by this telling of broken leadership in churches. Thanks for weighing in.
To be perfectly honest with you Tiffany I was on the fence about this movie and didn't really have an idea as to whether or not. I would give it a chance, but your review has greatly interested me in watching it. Thank you so much. God bless
Yes, will definitely be going to this movie.
Be careful, it was a lot to take in
Tbh it’s not just the black church. I seen it in the Hispanic churches too.
I'm planning on seeing it.
Hey Yolanda! Buckle up for some heavy material…it can definitely be a lot.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison
Thank you 😊 I have a strong stomach.
Happy Tuesday 😎😇
I liked the acting and the story and how the characters where portrayed here. The actors did a great job and seeing their relationship sort of fall apart and their business also just not doing good behind the documentary filming. As a Christian Of course what they do against the religion wise is what I don’t like clearly and what the characters did but also their characterization was done well. I really liked it.
Yo i loved your review. I didnt know it was going to be this dark. Both leads killed these rolls though.
Thank you, Q! I so appreciate you watching. The leads were incredible. the story wasn't well written, just like you said.
My apologies…LONG REPLY ALERT
Loved the review. I agree 100%
Once I realized what type of movie it was-I appreciated it for art’s sake then let it go.
Would not recommend it for sincere believers and church goers-it’s Offensive-in every way
BUT if ya wanna know how some people see us? This is the movie for you!
Would not recommend for those who were serious victims of real events-very triggering
I Recommend it for people who have no love for the church& looking for confirmation bias
It is funny at times but not a comedy. It’s a documenter’s expose of a diversely abusive narcissistic pastor and his wife who lost their way that were trying to make a “come back”…like a Vegas act
The movie exposes the unfortunate reality of SOME (not all) MegaChurches
Acting-powerful!
Script-too vulgar…but well written and executed
Color palette was stunning.
you did a fantastic review!! I must direct folks to your comments because you nailed it without spoilers. I whole heartedly agree. And as for it not being a comedy, I feel that way too! I laughed a handful of times…but it was overshadowed by my shock and looking down at the floor with certain scenes.
A lot of the movie feels like a direct response to the church’s silence on many of these issues. Celebrity, wealth as a result of church business, Homosexuality in the church, lack of accountability in the pulpit - so boiling it down to some of that takes the initial sting out of the bite, but it still hurts.
Yes it is true christians should be aware of what people think.. Happy birthday Tiffany
Thank you, sweet lady!
It was awesome ❤️
Tiffany! Hey girl hey! Well I unfortunately watched this film already and at the end all I could do was yell out "this movie was trash!" 😅 I dont have a background in Theatre or theatre analysis and so I didnt understand that the Movie was more so a confrontation on the modern day church. Ive never ever ever seen a movie like this one. I was so confused at the characters but this video you did put alot into perspective for me now.
BAHAHAHA!!! imagining you yelling that at the screen made for a great laugh 😂 but yeahhh…this was not very good. From even a satire perspective, I felt like this could have been better executed and from a spiritual perspective, it fell flat in most instances.
Awesome review Tiff. Authentic and true
Hey bro, thank you for the comment and for watching! I appreciate that.
I'VE SEEN IT AND LOVED IT!!!
Very honest dialogue!
Girl, i wanted to say so much more but this bad boy was getting long as is. Thank you for watching!
I've definitely not watched the movie. To be honest, I'm not really interested in watching it.
I will say, good for the creative team on getting their film made especially as two black women. I can imagine what a big deal that is for them.
That aside, I think what's upsetting for me is as a Christian I'm tired of being picked on ... on the flip side, I get it ... unfortunately there are people who claim to be Christians who do act like it seems is being portrayed. Something tells me the messy people are the real target audience. Perhaps the film is a way to call out the foolishness which I think is needed. In that case, I'm currently not the target audience and that's okay.
When you mention the amount of vulgarity though ... it makes me wonder if the intention of the film was coming from a genuine " let's call out mess " place or more from a spiteful place.
“the messy people is the target audience” - whew 😰 you did the whole review right there darling! you are 100% correct! the target seems to have been confirmation bias or folks that want to have something nasty to say about the church, as another commenter pointed out.
I don’t think the vulgarity was warranted in a lot of instances. It seemed to be that the writing was trying to take a short film and make it feature length, but the easy choice was to add more shock value rather than develop anything.
I also felt this satire would have been more effective had the producing team been more sincere in the directing so that everyone portrayed felt more like real
people rather than caricatures. Your decision not to see it is a fair one, thank you for such a fantastic comment!
Hard pass, even though I can understand the reason for the creation of the film. I appreciate your review and it’s sound. Also I’m a new subscriber Hey👋🏽
Hey Ayrica! Love the way your name is spelled and definitely hear that. I am grateful for your subbing! ❤️ and way to discern the best decision for yourself.
@@TiffanyByrdHarrison Thank You Tiffany,☺️ your content and creativity is 💯. I saw your workplace with Jesus short, it took me back to when I wrote a story about Jesus not wanting to be Jesus but a dentist and left heaven in a low rider to pursue his dreams lol.
@@ayricaLC no way! I’d love to see your depiction because that sounds HILARIOUS 😂
The movie seemed like the Eddie Long Story to me.
my thoughts too!
Regina also wanted to be a NUNN back in the day😂😂 no seriously no bs
I know I'm super late maybe because it's Easter. However I feel like the advertising to open their church again was done very poorly. It was the 21st century besides just standing on the highway maybe if they put some work in then it would have got open. Then again I'm reading too deep it was just full of cliches it was an okay movie I love the actor so it made it better. The ending was horrible though it just left a lot of questions and it didn't fully close.
I saw the humanity of the characters and the state of the modern church. The church can learn some lessons and how they are perceived. The scandals reenacted have happened.
Yay, someone else who knows Sterling K. Brown from Army a Wives. ❤
I came upon this movie by accident I was watching a UA-cam video about something and it popped up as I was scrolling so I googled the movie and then watched the trailer for it and I want to go see it I'd rather own it a DVD copy of it however it intrigued me because I stopped being a Christian long ago and started my own study and yes I see the tomfoolery the games being played not only in mega churches but in mission churches and regular neighborhood churches as well and I noticed where they don't really follow scripture so yes I'm going to see this movie