Review: Every Hidden Thing

Reviewed by Doug Phillips

I personally know some of the principals involved in Every Hidden Thing, from writer/producer/director Fritz Green.

Fritz wrote the first draft of this script many years ago. Then, after he came to Jesus Christ in real life, he revised the story and gave it a new direction. Fritz shared some highlights of his script with me at the Real-To-Reel filmmaking seminar in Oklahoma City, June 2005. In turn, I shared a suggestion or two; I don’t know whether my suggestions had any impact on the final draft. In any case, he started filming in July of 2005 and finished around Christmas. After a couple of years in the editing room getting things “just right,” he premiered the film at the 2008 Script-To-Screen Film Festival in Tulsa, picking up Best Feature, Best Actor, Best Actress and Audience Choice awards. Since then, he’s released a revised edit which I think is an improvement on the original release.

I worked with lead actress Victoria Esher in Zero Hour, and have seen her in several other films. She makes a bad film watchable and a good film better. And Every Hidden Thing is a good film. I don’t really know starring actor Rob Boyd; I’ve just met him casually a couple of times. But his work here was well deserving of a Best Actor award.

Let’s talk about the film itself.

Jeremy Saunders (Boyd) is a nondescript businessman with a loving wife named Brandi (Esher), and good friends Rick and Melinda Jones (Michael Bush and Susan Burris). But Jeremy’s life changes radically, the day he has an experience of traveling fifteen minutes backwards in time. In the weeks that follow, the same phenomenon is repeated at random. Light flashes, which only Jeremy can see, always mark the beginning of the fifteen-minute period that’s going to be “erased.” So, once he figures out how the flashbacks work, Jeremy has the unique temptation of being able to do anything he can imagine…knowing it’ll all be wiped out. Obviously, he could engage in illicit … Continue Reading

Christian Movies: Is the message or the story king?

The Ten Commandments 1956

In a Christian Movie, is the message or the story king?  Obviously the King is King (and I’m not talking about Elvis.)

But this has been a topic of great debate.

I know some filmmakers that will not “water down” the message of Christ in their films, and have very strong overt messages that come across to many as a sermon wrapped in a movie’s packaging.

Then there are others that focus on the story, only the story.  They hope that the message will come out through the telling of the story, and claim that this is how the Christ Himself taught, through parables.

There are arguments for both philosophies.

Some argue for films with a devout and overt Christian message which is the trademark of veteran, and very talented filmmakers, like Rich Christiano (Time Changers, Unidentified, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.)

While yet others argue for story, story story.  The point being that movies are, or should be, stories that inspire the viewer to … Continue Reading

Movie Review — When Love Walks In

When Love Walks In

Film Review

“When Love Walks In”
Available on DVD from paladinpictures.com
Reviewed by Doug Phillips

I attended the World Premiere of this wonderful Indie film, and met the Williamson brothers, at the Bare Bones International Film Festival in Muskogee, OK, in April 2005.

The film won four awards at that festival: Best Actress (Terri Moore), Best Clean Flick, Best Soundtrack (it features clips of 19 songs by Indie musicians, including several from Virginia artist Terri Allard) and Best Marketing (in addition to several other means of getting their message out, the Williamsons had a low-wattage radio transmitter in their vehicle).

Since then, the film has picked up awards from other festivals, and was granted the Dove Seal of Approval.

The Williamson brothers’ company, Paladin Pictures, is dedicated to producing quality, positive films.  They deal mostly in doctrinal and documentary material.  To my knowledge, this is their only foray into dramatic narrative film.

The plot is a variation on a common romantic-genre theme.  The lead couple is attracted to each other, but something keeps them apart until … Continue Reading

Principal photography begins on Soul Surfer – Bethany Hamilton’s Story

Bethany Hamilton's story will be told in SOUL SURFER

Sony Pictures Entertainment Company and Affirm Films have announced the start of filming on “Soul Surfer” – Bethany Hamilton’s story of loss, courage, and faith in God.

The A-list cast includes Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, and AnnaSophia Robb.

Transporting a real-life tale of adventure, tragedy, courage, and a story as impressive as Hawaii’s most famous waves, principal photography began this week on the North Shores of Oahu and Kauai, on Soul Surfer.  The inspirational film is based on the autobiography of 19-year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who, for over six years, has defied all odds to compete and win professional championships after losing her arm in a shark attack at age thirteen.

Soul Surfer stars Golden Globe nominee Dennis Quaid (as Bethany’s father Tom), Academy Award winner Helen Hunt (as Bethany’s mother Cheri), Young Artist Award winner AnnaSophia Robb (as Bethany Hamilton) and four-time Grammy winner and platinum-selling music artist Carrie Underwood (as Church Youth Leader Sarah Hill) in her film debut.  The cast also includes Lorraine Nicholson (as Alana Blanchard) and Kevin Sorbo (as Holt Blanchard).

Newly launched Mandalay Vision and Brookwell McNamara Entertainment and Life’s A Beach Entertainment present Soul Surfer, a Sean McNamara Film, distributed by Affirm Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, financed by Enticing Entertainment and Island Film Group.  Sean McNamara will direct from a screenplay by McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk based on the best-selling novel Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton.  Contributors to the screenplay include Ron Bass, Jen Smolka and Kara Holden.  The film is produced by Douglas Schwartz, David Brookwell, Sean McNamara and Roy Dutcher Hofstetter and executive produced by David Zelon, David Tice and Dominic Ianno.

Chronicling the rise of a promising young athlete, a debilitating tragedy and one of the greatest sports comebacks ever, Soul Surfer is a poignant story about the heart and soul of a champion.  Hawaiian native Bethany Hamilton entered her first major surfing competition at age eight, going on to win contests such as the 1999 Haleiwa Menehune Championships and competing in the National Scholastic Surfing Association circuit.  By thirteen she was well-respected in the surfing world, but her dream of becoming a pro surfer was interrupted, on October 31, 2003, when she was attacked by a 14-foot … Continue Reading

Casting Announcement: Claud in A CHRISTMAS SNOW From Trost Moving Pictures

Many of you have been closely following the casting process for A Christmas Snow, to be filmed next month in Tulsa by Trost Moving Pictures.

We are pleased to announce that the role of Claud has been cast! You may recognize him because he auditioned on Facebook during our online casting call!

Check out the video below for the casting announcement from HOSFU’s Eric Highland: