By 
By Roger Costa
PAUL, THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST
Considered one of the most intriguing characters in the Bible, Paul was the main leader who helped establish Christianity, facing the hatred secularism of the Romans, who imprisoned him while hunting down everyone who professed Christ’s name as the Lord. It introduces the audience to the man who persecuted Christians before becoming one of them. Accurate and supported by a coherent universal language that blends parts of the Apostle’s writings to Luke’s records and interpretations, using the days that led to his decapitation as the center of the narrative, director Andrew Hyatt’s conceives a luminous recount on the most influential Christian disciple, as he admonishes the practices of moral, marital and societal virtues. Though the film lacks enthusiasm and emotional empathy, it’s a finely crafted production, and develops an effective timely approach to religious freedom, an issue still causing massive deaths of believers around the globe. It’s also suspenseful to follow the group of young devotees hiding from the brutally violent guardians and how they’re constantly divided by wrongful ideas, and thrilling to watch how the Christians developed a connection with the Roman soldier, healing his fading-ill daughter, and delivering great performances by James Faulkner, as Paul, Jim Caviezel as Luke, and Olivier Martinez in a furiously convincing turn as the soldier Mauritius. These actors superbly contribute to keep the film entertaining, while the narrative fully engages on historical details, ignoring in parts, the needed emotional texture. (Sony. AMC Empire 25)
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
Based on the story behind the creation of one of the most popular Christian songs in modern days, this humble and honest tearjerker is the best option for a family reunion during this spring holiday. It’s a dramatically-charged transformative experience that depicts the traumatic and abusive relationship between an alcoholic father and his son, after they’re abandoned by the mother. Bart struggles to persevere on his beliefs, as he journeys the country with his band seeking a chance at the Gospel music industry with compositions reflecting to his traumas. Directors Andrew and Joe Erwin’s impressive tale of redemption and forgiveness, examines Bart’s affected emotions toward his girlfriend, his colleagues, and essentially his father, with preciseness and efficient heartbreaking moments. A beautiful, feel-good, God-inspired production that reminds us, no matter what or how we are, Jesus Christ is always willing and available to enter, enrich and transform any wounded heart. (Roadside Attractions. AMC Loews 19th St.)
🐰 🌻HAPPY EASTER 🐰 🌻
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