The Masked Saint

I wasn't sure when I first started this one. A pastor who wrestles at night? It's a little strange upon first glimpse, but after beginning to watch it, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a good reminder that God reigns over every square inch, even professional wrestling. Any Reformed Christian would appreciate this one.

The wrestler Chris "The Saint" Samuels (Brett Granstaff) has his leg broken in his final game against The Reaper (James Preston Rogers). The result was arranged by his manager Nicky Stone (Roddy Piper) since The Saint will retire to dedicate to be the pastor of the Baptist Church in a small town in Michigan. He moves with his wife Michelle Samuels (Lara Jean Chorostecki) and their daughter Carrie Samuels (T. J. McGibbon) to a decadent church in an awful neighborhood in Michigan. When they miss their arrogant sponsor Judd Lumpkin (Patrick McKenna), Chris realizes that he needs to return to the ring to get money to support his church and his house. Meanwhile he helps his outcast neighborhood of prostitutes and drug addicted people nad gives their dignity back.

"The Masked Saint" is a religious film with some attractions. Maybe, the first one is that is based on a true story of a wrestler that turned into pastor of the Baptist Church that has returned to the ring to help his church. The second is that is the farewell of Roddy Piper, an average actor that has been brought to the spots with his lead in the cult "They Live". Lara Jean Chorostecki and T. J. McGibbon are excellent in their roles. "The Masked Saint" is enjoyable since the cast is very charismatic and provides good messages. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "O Vigilante Mascarado" ("The Masked Vigilante")

All the negative reviews didn't dampen my heartfelt love for this film! Besides, I recognized Roddy Piper in the cast -- surely just before his untimely death. Although it was so good to see Rowdie Roddy again, the story has warmth, heart, and all sorts of Good Stuff. So when you get tired of the nonsense that Hollywood typically wants to fill you with, tired of ray guns, monsters, and the like, give this film a look -- you won't be disappointed.

Brett Granstaff plays Chris who is an ex Professional and masked wrestler. He retires to become a Pastor in a parish that is on the wrong side of the tracks. Once there he sees the crime and violence and a church in the grip of a megalomaniac and a congregation that is dwindling beyond the point where the church could be economically viable.

So he resurrects his old job to help his new community. This film is based on the true life of such a Pastor – so is the film any good? Well yes and no, it is watchable in a very basic way. The good guys wear white and the bad guys black. There is no subtlety here at all of ambiguity that would help to give the plot any kind of authenticity.

The acting and dialogue is terrible in places and the direction is almost missable. It is though the story that lacks credibility and the idea of marrying a Christian story with the violence of 'wrestling' seems a bit incongruous – and it is. It is funny – when it is not meant to be and cringe worthy when it tries. If you like a guilty pleasure of a film though this sort of works. I found it to be watchable but no one was preparing an Oscar acceptance speech whilst this was in production.

This is a great movie for anyone!

It has a very interesting story that's full of positive life messages on topics of bullying, domestic violence, faith and acceptance.

Nice to see a good wholesome movie without curse words left and right.

This is Brett Granstaff's 1st lead role in a movie that he co-wrote and worked hard training to do his own stunts-which is quite amazing in itself.

It was entertaining, has great acting, I cried, I laughed and I loved the wrestling too!

It was quite intense as if I were in the ring with The Saint!

This is a movie you should get out to see!