I Am... Gabriel

It was late in the afternoon, it rains and creates some gloomy atmosphere. I'm trying to find a movie on youtube,which I wanted to set up (Gabriel from 2007). Because of the similar title, the second one appears to me, I see a blue-eyed boy who says, "I'm Gabriel" and I'm starting to watch a movie. And for the first time it happened that I was completely caught. I saw a very bad movie, the scenario is so naive and predictable, but what's happening? During the entire film I cried because he succeeded in his little and ordinary intent that he had ,to cause feelings, and wake up something in me. I don't know. Whether it was because of the rain that was falling, because of some sensitivity brought to me by this day or is this simple message given by the film, was a trigger that found the right way to my heart. The film is completely pathetic, just like this note, but whether the quality of this film is that it managed to send this little message, that we always need someone when it is difficult time for us to comfort us and that he is always there ? With his child's naivety, with his defense of what we don't see, and which we either perceive or reject in the moments of despair, a good motive from the New Testament is inserted into the film, which is reduced to one, either believing or not believing.

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." "The Gospel of John (John 24-29).

And that's it.If you need a good motivation, honest and pure emotion-then this is a movie for you, if not, don't believe in my review today.

a religious film in Protestant style. not bad but it remains obvious lesson. or only forced propaganda. and it is fundamental error. a galloping script creates bizarre atmosphere. a not gentle manner to present delicate things. a movie about faith, miracles, hope and new beginning. but as salad or brutal demonstration. a boy. a town. a meeting. as seeds of a metamorphose. a good work in crisis time. but... so many strange things - Muslim pray mat, dialog with Down syndrome young man etc. but its heart is important. naive but important. in a profound way. it is like a child drawing. not perfect. but touching. just nice. precious as fruit of real good intentions. and that is only fact who matters.

First of all, the title alone gives the whole movie away if you've ever learned anything about Christianity. This movie is well-intentioned, sweet, and yet watching it feels like you've already seen it. For some reason though, I watched it until the end, even though I rolled my eyes upon seeing exactly what I expected to be the climax of the film.

For those out there who'll lament that its a Christian film and speaks of God...well just don't watch it and don't b*$#@h about it! I'm always amazed how people can be OK accepting concepts in Star Wars like "The Force", and "Use The Force," yet be totally not OK with the parallel concept of God and Prayer. Really...what's the difference? Anyway, I'm not here to rant or preach, I'm just saying that if you don't like stuff like this, don't watch it and then write a complaint about it. If you do like heartwarming Christian themes, this movie has them--it just has a far too predictable storyline to make it a really good movie. It's more of Christian fairy tale than anything else--but then a whole lot of us grew up loving fairy tales, didn't we? Watch it with the kiddies, the ultimate message is good whether you believe in the delivery or not.

I like a good Christian movie. I really do. I thoroughly enjoyed many that were panned as marginal like "The Encounter." When I checked the reviews on this one and saw they were so bad I was still quite hopeful that it was just the usual anti-Christian bias and that the movie would be enjoyable even though the rating on IMDb was under four.

Boy was I wrong. The movie was just as bad as the other reviewers said. The acting and story were painfully bad. The kid couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. Gavin Casalegno as Gabriel was just out of his league. He might be fine for bit parts and he might develop into something but now, he was obviously barely remembering his lines. Likewise, the husband (Carey Scott) was particular over his head.

The script also was too predictable and painful.

I hate doing anything that discourages Christian independent film makers. We need more of them. But a good Christian movie needs to also be a good movie.

Of course its a B movie most people don't react well to Blockbuster movies about Christianity. This like Joshua 2002, Left Behind, people scoffed and then they stopped making the LB movies, when HOPE and FAITH are what we need most in these trying times. Bravo to all participated in sharing this message. I truly appreciate movies that inspire us to be better than we are to trust and hold to what true. Sometimes the tech no blockbuster stuff takes away from the message so we need something simple and straightforward like I am Gabriel so that we can see more clearly

---BELIEVER IN Christ