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Reviews
The Chosen (2017)
Yes. 10 Stars...
Many have said that the Bible and its account of Jesus is the "greatest story ever told". Well, whether one chooses to believe that or not, the creator, writers, actors and entire crew have made the pages of a very, very old book come alive and relate to anyone living today... as if it were written yesterday. Movement from scene to scene and person to person is the antithesis of stiff and predictable. Check out Episode 5 and how Mary and Jesus greet each other, or in another episode how one of the disciples and his wife chat after work. Many could imagine these exact interactions in their own lives. And well, they do highlight some pretty familiar miracles; that can be a bit predictable - how they performed them, however, pierces the heart (or perhaps at least intrigues the mind.) Aside of that, and most importantly, this show focuses on how folks interacted with Jesus - how they, in a very human and common way (similar to how we do now) react to someone genuinely concerned with their overall and long-lasting well-being despite where they had come from or what they'd done. Umm...who doesn't want that??
As far as the acting, music writing/direction and project directing and script writing is specifically concerned, this show can hang with any other on prime time. For real. This "Jesus show" feels like someone took the time to think about what makes good tv; what makes for interesting audio and engaging visuals; what would make an audience watch week after week. This is not junk or leftovers kids. Nor did they pick unskilled and dispassionate artists for this project. The Chosen tv series is a contender for plain old, good art!
Those viewers active in their faith by prayer, thanksgiving and Spirit-led study of Scripture will enjoy this show because they will recognize the gentle, purposed, ever-wise, accessible, reasonable and so, so loving way Jesus spends time and communicates with people. He's never pushy. My guess is that the seekers/skeptics/ not interested in believing will appreciate the professional look and good-natured humanitarian feel of it all. However, anyone just watching (for FREE) Episode 7 when Jesus speaks the most renown verse in the Bible, John 3:16, "...for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that *whosoever* believes in Him should *not perish*, but have everlasting life." (Emphasis mine.) will see that Jesus is gracious, patient, accommodating and wanting to engage, invite is us all to wonder and be amazed unto belief, yet He always leaves the choice completely up to us.
To anyone still reading, God is not a God of gloom and doom. Sure. He does allow us to feel the consequences of our own (and/or even someone else's) selfward actions or schemes. Many parents, bosses and governments do that, right? However, (and a big fat however) Jesus proves time and time again how He can and *wants to redeem Any situation or Any person* for our ultimate good and to a recognition that only He can. I personally attest to this truth. By the way, Episode 4 tells just how bad it was for someone - how they were ruining many lives, trying to fix it themselves. Unbeknown to the mc Jesus was waiting for the right time to truly fix it *when* they chose to act "by (His) word".
I sure hope you watch and become a fan. I sure am!
Forensic Files II (2020)
Interesting despite predictability AND Addicting!
As soon as we found out Forensic Files II was coming out, we set a reminder! LOL ...it's how we go to sleep at night. Hearing the about the loved one and why they were so loved, but getting a "whodunnit" (ok, many times we know already...) mixed with "wow... that's crazy how they got caught!" is really interesting for character study and scientific application.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020)
A Little "History" and a little hip hop
A co-worker mentioned this to me and in a single evening we binged what I believe was the entire series. Not everything was perfectly historical. Whatever fudging played out, it was more than made up for with creativity, solid writing and excellent acting - especially from Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood and Garrett Morris as Cleophus. We really enjoyed the storytelling and tenacity of Madam C.J.Walker.