I haven't seen it, I have heard about it from HWSF. What is it about? Is it by the same people who did Fireproof and the others, I can't remember their titles right now.

*wants to see it* Anyone know when the DVD comes out?

"Courageous," which opened in just 1,161 theaters this past weekend, depicts four police officers who share a commonality both as fathers and in their effort to become better ones. The movie and its characters, played by amateur actors and members of Sherwood Baptist are enveloped in various ways in a devastating tragedy.

According to boxoffice.com, which tracks movie response nationwide, put "Courageous" at the fourth position for the weekend with gross revenues of just over $9 million. The fifth- and sixth-place movies ("50/50" and "Dreamhouse") both opened at far more theaters but did not come close to the weekend box-office income of "Courageous."

"Courageous" takes on a timely topic - fatherhood.

The National Fatherhood Initiative, an organization dedicated to "educating and engaging fathers across the country," lists wide-ranging adverse affects that correlate to children growing up in fatherless households. Fatherless households are common in the United States, and there is no causal evidence linking fatherless households to increased suicide rates, incarcerations, aggression, behavioral disorders, delinquency, criminal activity, confused identities, low achievement, and criminal activity.

But the correlating evidence is so strong that in a country where the most recent census lists 24 million children - one in three - living apart from their biological fathers, it is remiss to discount it.

"No matter what your scenario is - you're single or married or whatnot - we want to really inspire and encourage men to see the value of their role as a dad," says Alex Kendrick, the co-writer, director, and actor who plays the character Adam Mitchell in "Courageous."

Kendrick, who co-writes with his brother Steven, says, "The reason we put it in a law enforcement setting was that, as you know, a motto from law enforcement is to serve and protect, and then we drew a correlation to what a father is supposed to do."

"We drew that correlation and said, 'Wouldn't it be interesting if we put this in the context of police officers who are also dads, and they may be heroic on the streets but it also takes courage to be a great dad - not just a good enough dad.'"

Ken Bevel, who plays Nathan Hayes, a sheriffs' deputy in the film, says that everyone has a dad and can relate to a fatherhood story. "We just pray that this movie resonates in the hearts of men and women and families across the globe," he says.

"If you go to Sherwood (Baptist Church) on any given day you will see a bunch of people that are in the movie," says Bevel, who played Kirk Cameron's fellow firefighter in "Fireproof," the last film from Sherwood Pictures.

"Our desire is not to become the next movie-making sensation or to make millions and millions of dollars at the box office," he says, "our desire is to see hearts changed and families touched."

Kendrick's character, Adam Mitchell, makes a general statement over grilled steaks to his fellow officers in the movie: "Half of the fathers in this country are already failing," he says, "and I don't want to be one of them."

The Christians at Sherwood Baptist Church, says Kendrick, "want especially men to walk out of the movie theater saying, "This movie makes me want to be a better dad and really a better man as a model and mentor to my children.'"

"You will see a difference and it will make a difference in our culture," he says.

Very good movie. I've been following the movie's progress ever since the guys announced they were going to begin production and sent out for men and women to pray for the production from day one. I loved getting all the updates on how things were going, seeing sneek peek clips, and I knew it was going to be good. It was. I went opening weekend.


I think it is impossible to compare the kendrick movies, myself personally. Their stories are very different. They impact people differently. They will change the lives of different people.

In fact, I would say that this movie disturbed me more than their other one. I recognize it is because I've been in the position of Alex's family. I know what they are going through. I've have the same thoughts, the same dreams that make you wake up in bed crying. So I think the cringe worthy parts were actually more. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to sit through the movie. And I know people who didn't think they were going to be able to sit through Fireproof or Facing the Giant because they were so personal.

I loved the ending, though. Alex’s presentation was awesome, and every person in our sold out theater rose out of their seats and clapped when it came to the end.

These are my favorite quotes...


"Do you have kidney problems?" "No..Do you?!?"


"I'm going to get some fries, and maybe even a milk shake!"


"What's his full name?"

it made things feel strange when the boy (forgot his name XD) saves Nathan from being shot because he was 'Jade's daddy.' *shrugs* I just felt that whole plotline was lacking.

So. I definitely liked Courageous. Kait, I must confess and hand in my tough guy badge. I cried. Multiple times *shrugs* Some parts just hit me hard. =P

Emily's death was really unexpected to me - I thought it was really well done and they had the gospel all through that part! *sighs happily* It just felt so...different to go into a movie theater and hear that! Probably my favorite part of this movie was that the cross of Christ was involved so much more than the previous ones (I felt).

but like Sui said, the movie should have been three hours to fit in all the stuff we wanted them too =D

Shane was underdeveloped, I felt. The drugs issue came up sort of out of the blue and wasn't foreshadowed hardly at all (Sui and I found one place: Shane was over-eager to sign the resolution once Adam came up with it, probably because he wanted an alibi for the drug problem). I just felt like Shane's character wasn't developed enough to make us care that he got put in prison. Again, the movie would have been better in three hours. *grins*

Xavi was great. Beyond great! =D "Do you have a kidney problem??" I really liked the flair he put into the movie and it was nice having a non-cop in there still having trouble. And the Snake King was absolutely hilarious! "Eu vou comprar uma batida!" Our entire theater was busting up at that point =D

I did feel that the working on the shed coincidence was a little bit too coincidental, but it led to some great dialogue! =D Xavi's promotion at the Coats and Clark (that's very Georgia, BTW! Toccoa has two C&C, though they're both closed down =D) was pretty predictable that it was a test, and he was going to get promoted. Still *shrugs* I liked Xavi. A lot. =D

I want to see it in theater to see the trailer for Act of Valor on the big screen.
I'll end up seeing it at some point, my sister is a huge fan of these movies.

As an officer, part of his job was to bust drug dealers. He was supposed to stop drugs from spreading, and he talked the talk. But secretly, he's stealing the drugs and selling them. He became a hypocrite just like his father.

@Celestria: Good points about Shane.

Uh, heehee, sorry. I just can't help but rave.

Ana, I loved that scene too. And there were many men in our theater who rose when the call was made.

And the Snake King was absolutely hilarious! "Eu vou comprar uma batida!" Our entire theater was busting up at that point =D

Well, yes, he only met him one time, but you must remember he's been hanging out with the daughter at school. Jade loves her Daddy, even though she doesn't always agree with him. I'm sure she mentioned him more than once. My Daddy comes up in conversation a lot.

I think they had a sufficient reason for why he protected her father. I think they could have done better in showing the why, but there were a lot of storylines they were trying to balance.

I must confess and hand in my tough guy badge. I cried. Multiple times *shrugs* Some parts just hit me hard.

Ahem...if you have not yet watched it, DO SO!!

I was choking back sobs through the whole movie. Except for when I was laughing, and the funny scenes just made me crack up.

Now, I'm surprised that nobody has done a rave about the first scene, so I will here. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE YET, DO NOT PEEK UNDER THE SPOILER. DON'T.
Okay.
I found it understandable that Nathan would yell and run after his car a little, but, when he jumped halfway through the window and refused to let go, even out on the highway, I started thinking, "What? He is just being so stupid. Come on! The car is not worth your life, everyone knows that! Let go before you kill yourself!" And then...the car crashes...he crawls over...opens the door...and there is his baby boy, crying in his car seat. Wow. A cold chill flowed over me. Didn't it do that to you? Wasn't that the most amazing scene in cinematic history?

You are wanting to click the spoiler, aren't you? You're thinking to yourself, "Oh, it won't do any harm to get it spoiled for me." Well, YES IT WILL. Watch the movie, or at least the first scene, then you may click the spoiler.

Aemi Kurisuchan wrote:
Ahem...if you have not yet watched it, DO SO!!

I was choking back sobs through the whole movie. Except for when I was laughing, and the funny scenes just made me crack up.

Now, I'm surprised that nobody has done a rave about the first scene, so I will here. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE YET, DO NOT PEEK UNDER THE SPOILER. DON'T.
Okay.
I found it understandable that Nathan would yell and run after his car a little, but, when he jumped halfway through the window and refused to let go, even out on the highway, I started thinking, "What? He is just being so stupid. Come on! The car is not worth your life, everyone knows that! Let go before you kill yourself!" And then...the car crashes...he crawls over...opens the door...and there is his baby boy, crying in his car seat. Wow. A cold chill flowed over me. Didn't it do that to you? Wasn't that the most amazing scene in cinematic history?

You are wanting to click the spoiler, aren't you? You're thinking to yourself, "Oh, it won't do any harm to get it spoiled for me." Well, YES IT WILL. Watch the movie, or at least the first scene, then you may click the spoiler.


That is one of my favorite scenes.

There was one thing that I didn't like, but it must just be American humour. I was like.... and Mother didn't like it either.

What thing are you referring to?