The Encounter

The constant use of 'God' and 'Jesus' became a little bit overbearing. Ultimately, though, the film delivers a powerful message - not only from a religious perspective.

I enjoyed the setting in the diner on a dark and stormy night. I enjoyed the various characters. The acting in general was very good. Bruce Marchiano, especially, was believable as Jesus. He certainly sold the character to me. We also see Steve Borden (wrestling star Sting) in a very different role, which he does wonderfully.

Whether your religious (Christian in particular) or not, this is a feel-good, inspirational film (despite being one-dimensional).

The premise is intriguing, but from the beginning,this was clearly Hallmark card territory.

We're introduced to some stock characters: the Couple That Have Grown Apart, the Sad But Tough Runway, the Materialistic Businessman, the Woman Who Settles for Less.

Spooky music tells us that something is afoot as the rain pummels them in their cars (except for the runaway, who is hitch-hiking). A washed-out bridge leaves them stranded together in a diner run by none other than Jesus.

Jesus freaks them out by serving only water to drink, but food is another matter. Cue Arlo Guthrie: You can get anything you want at Jesus's restaurant. Jesus knows what you want, both on the plate and out of life. He preaches Joel Olstein Lite. The characters exchange dialog out of a "How To Witness to Unbelievers" comic book.

That's where I lost interest and stopped watching.

Hallmark Channel fans, and readers of "Chicken Soup for the Soul," will probably enjoy this. Those looking for meatier fare won't find it in this diner.

Many a times we blessed with Christian movies that take you down a path of character change, showing you the strength of holding on to faith and never letting go.

With movies like Facing the Giant and Fireproof, these movies touched the lives of many by setting for them examples in which they could follow but The Encounter is different. The movie just deals on remembrance, here is a movie that the main Character is Jesus himself (played by Bruce Marchiano) and all his is trying to do is to make people remember that he has always been with them and to make them understand that all that they have been facing in life was leading to this moment, where he will call them to live the darkness and come into the light.

The movie does star Jaci Velasquez, who is a notable Pop and Gospel singer, I actually expected mediocrity from her but I have to say that her acting was quite good enough for me to respect and say that was not bad. Also in the movie is the wrestler Sting (Steve Borden), who has publicly declared that he is a Born Again Christian. Sting who has already had many acting experience his acting was in a way head over shoulders above everyone.

But the Character that gets your smile is the man who played Jesus (Bruce Marchiano) he did a good job his smile was just beautiful.

The movie plot is about 5 people all heading down a road way when a storm caused them all to divert and stay in a diner, where they met a man who claimed he was Jesus. His claim stood as he was able to tell each one intimate secret about them. The 5 people were: 1. Kayla, who is a runaway teenager that Hank refused to pick even after he heard a still small voice telling him to. 2. Hank, who is a God fearing Christian but he allows his wife to take control of his life and his marriage 3. Catherine, who is Hank's wife, she is a controlling lady that wants to leave Hank and chase after something she will never have 4. Melissa, who was heading to go see her boyfriend, hoping to receive a proposal, she too is a born again Christian like Hank and she obeyed the voice and picked up Kayla. 5. Nick, he is a self made millionaire who doesn't want to have anything to do with God.

Like most Christian movies the antagonist is the devil. The movie did have some flaw in the cinematography area, but you do have to cut them some slack, as most Christian movie makers have to source for finances independently, but that is not saying that what is worth doing is not worth doing well. The cinematography is a low 4/10.

What can I say, a good Christian movie to me is one which I am able to learn something from, here I learned that all sin has their root in pride and that God has placed in front of us the path of love and worship and the degree which we can experience this love is the degree in which we are willing to bend to his will.

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"Hank, do you really think that you're going to save, let alone restore your marriage, by putting your wife's wishes above mine? She wants to break up your marriage, Hank. I want to save it."

That... is a line stated unironically by Jesus in this Christian film by Christians for Christians. I have to suppose that neither the writers nor any producers nor the director nor the actors nor the camera man, nor anybody else involved in this production stopped and said "that doesn't sound like something a good person would say".

Some people talk about production values. I'm ready to set that aside in the case of a well done story or, where it's a part of discussion or meditation on a topic, a well done discussion or meditation. This was not well done as a meditation or a discussion.

The matters being touched upon include the problem of suffering, the problem of Hell, and biblical atrocities. That would be all well and good if this movie was at all interested in any of those things beyond coming up with a quick excuse for the almighty. These are questions that have to be struggled with, not just passed off.

I imagine that lack of intellectual depth is why Jesus says things that, if anybody had given half a moment to think about, would be far more at home in the mouth of a deceiving demon than a true wise healer.

And, the characters are similarly lacking in depth. Matters such as an identity crisis and severe abuse exist only for the Jesus character to pass them off as less important than himself, thus adding to the feeling of an evil Jesus.

As to the acting... well, in the part of Jesus I suppose that soft voice might have worked better had the writing not given him such evil to display. But, as it is, it sounds far less like compassionate wisdom and far more like a being that's desperate to seem compassionate despite the, again, evil he's speaking.

It's a shame because the premise has potential for the intent. This could have been done much better. It would have taken people who are more ready to struggle with their theology.

Christians, if Jesus ever says the things to you that he said to these diners, it's not Jesus and you tell that being "Get thee behind me".

This movie was amazing! It is different then what we normally watch, but in no way was i left feeling disappointed. The story was a 10/10 but the acting had a little to be desired. The meaning and purpose is very clear.

I am purchasing this DVD, I watched it twice on online and now I find myself wanting to watch it again and again. Both times, I was left feeling very comforted and loved. After watching I can imagine what it would feel like to spend some time in Jesus presence and how much he loves me.

It is great family movie, also recommend for one trying to find their way to Jesus (or even if you already know him). I rank it as my favorite feel good movie. Highly recommended!