Pure Flix gives a strong contender in "Samson"

Samson’s​ ​(Taylor​ ​James)​ ​strength​ ​amazes​ ​onlookers​ ​in​ ​Pure​ ​Flix’s​ ​exciting​ ​new​ ​film,​ ​"Samson."[/caption]

I had an opportunity to preview the new movie "Samson," which will be released by Pure Flix in theaters across America on Feb. 16.

The movie is from the creators of "God’s Not Dead" and "The Case for Christ." It is a wonderful portrayal of the Old Testament character who killed 600 Philistines with the jawbone of an donkey; caught 300 foxes, turned them tail to tail, put a firebrand between their tails, and let them loose in the Philistines corn fields; and carried off the huge gate of the city of Gaza.

The exploits of Samson read like the adventures of a modern day superhero, but Samson’s feats cannot be classified as fiction, but as fact. Though there are scenes of violence, the movie is remarkably well done and should provide good wholesome family entertainment. Parents, however, may want to shield their small children from the violence that is a necessary part of the biblical narrative.

Samson’s​ ​longsuffering​ ​parents​ ​are​ ​played​ ​by​ ​Rutger​ ​Hauer​ ​(Blade Runner)​ ​and​ ​Lindsay​ ​Wagner (​The​ ​ Bionic​ ​ Woman​ )–in​ ​"Samson." @2018 SAMSON MOVIE PRODUCTION​ ​​LLC[/caption]

The movie is a masterpiece of cinematography. The casting is perfect. The acting is exceptional. The costuming is excellent. The script is exceedingly well done. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The directing is brilliant. The action shots are realistic. The family-friendliness is a breath of fresh air. And I am neither Gene Siskel nor Roger Ebert, but I will give this movie two thumbs up.

I am from the Cecil B. DeMille era of move directors and actually remember seeing his rendition of "Samson and Delilah" starring Victor Mature as Samson and Hedy Lamarr as Delilah back in the early 50s. It was good, but the current one is better.

You will recognize some of the actors in the new version of Samson. Taylor James, with the physic of a modern day Hercules, plays the part of Samson. Lindsay Wagner, who was television’s The Bionic Woman in the late ‘70s, plays the part of Samson’s mother. Other well- known cast members are Billy Zane, Jackson Rathbone, and Caitlin Leahy.

The​ ​Philistines’​ ​King​ ​Balek​ ​(Billy​ ​Zane)​ ​plots​ ​against​ ​the​ ​Israelite​ ​hero​ ​in​ ​Pure​ ​Flix’s​ ​new​ ​film,​ ​SAMSON. @2018 SAMSON MOVIE PRODUCTION​ ​​LLC[/caption]

The moral of the movie is although Samson breaks his vow to God he is often repentant and prays again and again for God to give him forgiveness and strength. He sacrifices everything to avenge his people and finishes well in his desire to fulfill his mission on earth.

I have heard it said that we are what we eat. I think it is more appropriate to say that we are what we read and what we see on television and in the theaters. We have been fed a diet of movies that have not improved our values and spiritual lives.

There are some folks in the movie industry, however, who are trying valiantly to reverse the flood of movies that appeal to the baser instincts of humanity. Each year there are some wonderful family-oriented movies made and released that audiences completely ignore.

When Mel Gibson came out with "The Passion of Christ" in 2004 the movie earned $370,782,930 in the United States alone. That movie demonstrated that people could be motivated to watch something that is spiritually edifying. When good, clean, wholesome movies that have redeeming qualities are made, people of faith should consider patronizing them       

Going to see Samson, which is a worthy portrayal of the Old Testament judge, may very well be worth your time.