Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Directed by Elizabeth Banks
Written by Kay Cannon, based on characters created by Mickey Rapkin
Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Hailee Steinfeld

After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform.

This film did not miss a single beat, no pun intended, from it's predecessor. Where many sequels try to explain where the group has been since their last journey, and bore the audience with unnecessary back story, this movie just jumps right into the plot without hesitation.

In her feature length directorial debut, Elizabeth Banks shines at the helm of this film. She created a fun and humorous sequel to the 2012 film in which she had a small, bit part. Her talent as a director is unquestionable in my mind after witnessing this enjoyable musical ride.

What else is there to say about this movie? I mean, it doesn't have any deep, well thought undertones. It doesn't have any kind of agenda or opinion to give. It is just a fun, enjoyable movie. Despite my disdain for watching people sing solos (it makes me very uncomfortable), I found myself laughing and tapping my feet after those solos were over. And that's all this movie really wants to accomplish.

My Rating: 7/10

Believe Me (2014)

Directed by Will Bakke
Written by Michael B. Allen and Will Bakke
Starring Alex Russell, Zachary Knighton, Johanna Brady and Miles Fisher

Four fraternity brothers in need of cash to pay off various bills create a fraudulent faith-based non-profit organization. They find themselves in over their heads when they agree to tour with a much larger missionary organization and are asked to preach the faith they don't believe in.

Before I get started on this review, know that my opinion may very well not be yours when it comes to this movie. While not an entirely religious film to the likes of Kirk Cameron, this does have heavy Christian themes to it. And I know due to that, not everyone will enjoy it as much as I did.

That being said, this does right in what every other faith-based movie does wrong. It creates real, imperfect characters. Characters who either struggle with their faith or have none at all and are the protagonists, rather than the supporting characters the protagonists try to persuade to turn to God.

That in itself is the reason I love this movie. Having grown up and being raised by a Pastor, I have seen a lot of Christian movies. And most of them are terrible. Their characters are too perfect and never question their faith. This starts with imperfect and frankly, terrible people and focus on them in a faith based world.

Just terrible, terrible people.

Filled with jokes that church going people will find funnier than non-church-goers (see image below), it is truly a movie made for Christians who are tired of faith-based movies making us all look bad (I'm looking at you, Kevin Sorbo!). I'm not confident everyone will enjoy this movie. But I'm pretty sure most Christians will.

Jesus Jesus

Jesus Jesus

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My Rating: 7.5/10