My review is about a month-late, but I felt it was worthwhile to post my thoughts on this somewhat controversial (only in Christian subcultures) flick.

Jess and I were able to take this one in on a date-night provided by her parents who agreed to watch Ella for us while we shared a few hours of us-time! We saw this one at the Majestic theater – a theater that we will be visiting often!

First off – the movie was great! I loved it. We loved it! We laughed out loud at parts and so did most of the crowd.

I came in to the theater with pretty high expectations and those were met and exceeded! Steve Carell as Evan Baxter fit the lead very well – his family (wife and three boys) not-so-much. Morgan Freeman as ‘God’ just as in ‘Bruce Almighty’ proved comical and entertaining – with a hint of ‘reverence’, too!

The problem that I DID have with the movie that I couldn’t quite pinpoint until a conversation just a week-or-so ago is that this movie was literally “marketed” to the church! As a pastor, this film was promoted by Christian organizations for me to simply “take my whole church to see”.

I disagree with anyone who would claim that “Evan Almighty” (or “Bruce Almighty”) is a ‘Christian’ film. It’s not. It is much-more an ‘Ecological Green’-film if it has to be labeled at all. The theme of Noah’s Ark is an obvious Biblical one, but the movie isn’t about God wiping the face of the earth clear of sin by drowning every man, woman, and child with a flood. It’s about saving forests and animals and stuff – we’re talking tree-hugging, NOT Gospel-presenting.

That said, there ARE some great “Spiritual Lessons” found in between the lines of “Evan Almighty” – and these SHOULD be pointed out and applauded for making their way into a Hollywood film. Lessons about prayer, faith, and love are promoted in positive-light via “Evan Almighty” and it’s off-the-wall plot, but promoting the film as a “Christian Film” was a mistake; and organizations like Interlinc and Youth Specialties should be embarrassed for doing so.

Christians need to watch out for marketing ploys from Hollywood attempting to target them – not to increase their faith and strengthen their walk with Christ – but to gain access to their cash. It seems as though after Gibson’s “Passion”, everyone is attempting to market to “those rich Christians” who have nothing better to do with their money ‘cept buy Testamints and Jesus Action Figures (complete with water-into-wine jugs!).

stevansheets.com gives “Evan Almighty” a 4 out of 5.

Back in July I had the privilege of taking in an evening showing of Transformers with my Father-in-law while he and Mom Garrett were here visiting us in Mukwonago.

Growing up as the kid who only had the knock-off versions of the legit Transformers (probably “Transformables” or something…), I was always VERY impressed with the “real thing” – especially the cartoon on Saturday mornings. I wasn’t ‘that kid’ that knew all their names or even which guys were on the good or bad side, but I remember nearly fainting as a young boy standing next to an Autobot at a Toys ‘R Us store grand opening and having my picture taken.

With even that wacky of a ‘history’ with Transformers, I am one of the wannabe fanboys that was let down by this movie.

Plot-holes, stupid lines, terrible acting, and other ridiculousness made this movie less the “shock and awe” I was looking for and more the “I could have waited to rent this” feeling.

My father-in-law, too cited the fact that it seemed as though we sat through a 2-hour GMC/Hasbro commercial.

It was entertaining, but not to the caliber I was hoping and expecting from the buzz from other moviegoers.

stevansheets.com rates Transformers a 2.5 out of 5.