First off, I am a Christian, but I tend to stumble on my walk of faith, and I'm not afraid to admit I'm a sinner. But this movie has a powerful message behind it, and a really great movie to show to your youth group/church camp/etc. But there were a few complaints I have to say about the movie though. 1. The acting: Of course, it's an independent Christian movie, but the acting could've been a little better. While watching the movie, I felt like I was watching a church skit except it was made into a movie. The way that some of the characters brought out their lines were kind of corny and cheesy at times, but all I can give for the acting is a 4.5/10. 2. The logic: I know it's a fictional movie, and it's in a fictional universe, but there were a couple of scenes that were a little ridiculous at times. Like the part where Rob's car breaks down while on the way to town, his OnStar (which is only available to GM vehicles, not Mercedes Benz) only tells him that there is only one gas station nearby. Surely, there could have been other gas/service stations within the area, but it's a movie, and logic doesn't work there. There are other scenes that were ridiculously "screw logic", but the Christian message in the film paid it off. Logic rating: 5/10 Everything else in the film was perfect, only the two complaints I have listed above should have been fixed. But other than that, Ring the Bell was a masterpiece!
8 Reviews
Good movie with a clear presentation of the Gospel
n-swiger12 January 2014
Got this from my sister for Christmas and my wife and I really enjoyed it which is why I am reviewing this after one reviewer had very little good to say about this movie.
You cannot compare a movie like this with Hollywood and the budgets they work with. God's simple message of Salvation in Christ does not and should not be about the latest and greatest effects out there. Moses spoke with a speech impediment, the disciples all ran and hid when Jesus was arrested and Peter denied him 3 times. All this to say the movie was made on a shoe string budget but did a good job with what God provided and I really want to stress what God provided. To complain about this by saying it had a good Gospel message but the quality is poor is saying God did not provide the best.
Let's compare this with other Christian movies, some do have a higher quality and some don't but the what does God want. God in my opinion is using this movie. The disciples came to Jesus and said a man had been casting out demons in Jesus name and they told Jesus they told the man to stop, Jesus told them to leave the man alone as he who is with us is not against us.
Forget glitz and glamour, those things kill, but the Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation.
If you have a hang up on the quality, it may be that you are self centered and this message needs to be reviewed once more.
You cannot compare a movie like this with Hollywood and the budgets they work with. God's simple message of Salvation in Christ does not and should not be about the latest and greatest effects out there. Moses spoke with a speech impediment, the disciples all ran and hid when Jesus was arrested and Peter denied him 3 times. All this to say the movie was made on a shoe string budget but did a good job with what God provided and I really want to stress what God provided. To complain about this by saying it had a good Gospel message but the quality is poor is saying God did not provide the best.
Let's compare this with other Christian movies, some do have a higher quality and some don't but the what does God want. God in my opinion is using this movie. The disciples came to Jesus and said a man had been casting out demons in Jesus name and they told Jesus they told the man to stop, Jesus told them to leave the man alone as he who is with us is not against us.
Forget glitz and glamour, those things kill, but the Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation.
If you have a hang up on the quality, it may be that you are self centered and this message needs to be reviewed once more.
Ring the Bell is a Divine Disappointment
Mrtide229 July 2013
On April 28th, 2013, I had the opportunity to attend a screening of this film. It was a church event and I really wanted this film to be good. However, I was disappointed that Christian film makers still fail to live up to their secular counterparts.
Before I begin panning this disaster, I will say that first and foremost, this is a wholly Christian film with a biblical foundation and a clear message of salvation through Jesus. However, this does not necessarily qualify it as a good movie, as so many Christians have been duped to believe.Therefore, I will put my faith aside and judge this movie with the same scale as any other.
The first thing I noticed that went horribly wrong was the script. The entire time I was watching, I was waiting for a plot twist, or a left turn, but this never occurred. The script was overall quite bland and predictable. Also, this movie failed to bring out any emotion in me, though I am certain there are scenes where this should have happened.
Secondly, the acting in every role is overdone to the point that I couldn't take any of the roles seriously. It's so overdone in fact, that I could not empathize with any of the characters. Part of the reason that I couldn't empathize with any of the characters is that they are non relatable and they are all taken to the extreme of their character.
Thirdly, the fact that this is marketed as a sports movie could be considered false advertising. There are approximately 10 minutes of baseball throughout the course of this movie. The longest scenes are " alter calls ", and by the third alter call, I was beginning to lose my mind. This movie is so redundant that it seems like almost every conversation lasting more than a couple minutes ends in an alter call. This is over saturation.
In conclusion, the only positive thing I could accredit to this movie was it's Christian message, and for that, I give it three stars. I would not recommend this to anyone. If you're looking for a faith based movie, try the apostle.
Before I begin panning this disaster, I will say that first and foremost, this is a wholly Christian film with a biblical foundation and a clear message of salvation through Jesus. However, this does not necessarily qualify it as a good movie, as so many Christians have been duped to believe.Therefore, I will put my faith aside and judge this movie with the same scale as any other.
The first thing I noticed that went horribly wrong was the script. The entire time I was watching, I was waiting for a plot twist, or a left turn, but this never occurred. The script was overall quite bland and predictable. Also, this movie failed to bring out any emotion in me, though I am certain there are scenes where this should have happened.
Secondly, the acting in every role is overdone to the point that I couldn't take any of the roles seriously. It's so overdone in fact, that I could not empathize with any of the characters. Part of the reason that I couldn't empathize with any of the characters is that they are non relatable and they are all taken to the extreme of their character.
Thirdly, the fact that this is marketed as a sports movie could be considered false advertising. There are approximately 10 minutes of baseball throughout the course of this movie. The longest scenes are " alter calls ", and by the third alter call, I was beginning to lose my mind. This movie is so redundant that it seems like almost every conversation lasting more than a couple minutes ends in an alter call. This is over saturation.
In conclusion, the only positive thing I could accredit to this movie was it's Christian message, and for that, I give it three stars. I would not recommend this to anyone. If you're looking for a faith based movie, try the apostle.
Home-run! (no pun intended)
felinelime5 May 2013
This is my new FAVORITE faith-based movie! I enjoyed the characters and how they interact. Interesting and likable, but not over-the-top stuffy or prudish as so often Christians have been depicted. Just real, down-home folks. Most of all they portray a wonderful message of values and what's truly important in life, but in a way that feels fresh and fun and a little different than a lot of other faith-based movies that I have seen. Might even make you re-evaluate some of the choices you have made or are going to make in your life. A great movie for the whole family. You'll want to watch it over and over again and share it with friends! (I know I have!)
Ring the Bell
mrman7927 December 2015
I received this DVD as a gift for Christmas this year. The movie is has a sports theme that will catch the attention of most Americans because we are mostly all are sports minded. I agree fully with n-swinger. The movie is encouraging, especially in a time where Christianity is being downplayed by the media and Americans are told that Americans are turning away from religion and traditional beliefs.
The movie beings with a Jerry McGuire type feel to it but ends with with the main character knowing redemption. People can and often change for the best. This movie shows it can and often happens. Problem is that the media does not show it because the media wants to report bad news rather than good news.
The movie beings with a Jerry McGuire type feel to it but ends with with the main character knowing redemption. People can and often change for the best. This movie shows it can and often happens. Problem is that the media does not show it because the media wants to report bad news rather than good news.
A Cable Access Film
jrodway15 December 2014
Why oh why can't a Christian made/themed film also be a well done film??? I say this as a Christian. There's nothing wrong with a movie that promotes Christian values - I wish there were more - but why do they have to be either poorly made or so ridiculously over the top that it makes Christians sound like idiots.
It's really tempting to trash the film on all levels from the script to the directing to the acting but I won't do that.
Ironically the best part of the movie - which falsely claims itself to be a sports movie - is about two minutes of pitching. It's believable - the action not the acting/dialogue - and engaging. The flashes to the agent in the crowd are comically bad but the field shots are really good.
That's pretty much it other than the Casting Crowns performance which is great music but feels like a music video inserted into a movie. Not very effective. Frankly the whole film would have better served its intention of promoting Christ by making a Casting Crowns concert movie.
I'm sure everyone was very well intended - hence at least 3 stars - but Ring the Bell is at best a cable access channel movie.
Christianity is wonderful, beautiful, exciting, scary, humbling, powerful, amazing and more. Sadly NONE of that translates into this movie.
One day there will be great Christian movies. Today is not that day . . .
It's really tempting to trash the film on all levels from the script to the directing to the acting but I won't do that.
Ironically the best part of the movie - which falsely claims itself to be a sports movie - is about two minutes of pitching. It's believable - the action not the acting/dialogue - and engaging. The flashes to the agent in the crowd are comically bad but the field shots are really good.
That's pretty much it other than the Casting Crowns performance which is great music but feels like a music video inserted into a movie. Not very effective. Frankly the whole film would have better served its intention of promoting Christ by making a Casting Crowns concert movie.
I'm sure everyone was very well intended - hence at least 3 stars - but Ring the Bell is at best a cable access channel movie.
Christianity is wonderful, beautiful, exciting, scary, humbling, powerful, amazing and more. Sadly NONE of that translates into this movie.
One day there will be great Christian movies. Today is not that day . . .
Direct no pulled punches
jdonalds-515 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I rated this movie 8/10 due to simple dialog and second rate acting. On the other hand I thought it was one of the better Christian movies.
Most Christian movies are dull, flat, lacking in emotion, with shallow story lines. This is no exception but it came with a big difference.
Almost every other Christian movie dances around the subject of Jesus as Savior and Lord, Jesus as the Way and the answer. This one hits it directly head on and pulls no punches. It won't appeal to many people but at least it is an honest in-your-face approach which I very much appreciated.
Do people really behave like most of the towns people in this movie. Yes they do. People change when they come to believe in Jesus as God of their lives. I changed and I know many other people who changed as well. They cease to be self-centered, caring about others. They have a peace about them. It may come across as fake to people who don't understand, but it is real.
Perhaps someday there will be a movie like this that has good dialog and good acting. In the meantime this is one of the better Christian movies in my opinion.
Most Christian movies are dull, flat, lacking in emotion, with shallow story lines. This is no exception but it came with a big difference.
Almost every other Christian movie dances around the subject of Jesus as Savior and Lord, Jesus as the Way and the answer. This one hits it directly head on and pulls no punches. It won't appeal to many people but at least it is an honest in-your-face approach which I very much appreciated.
Do people really behave like most of the towns people in this movie. Yes they do. People change when they come to believe in Jesus as God of their lives. I changed and I know many other people who changed as well. They cease to be self-centered, caring about others. They have a peace about them. It may come across as fake to people who don't understand, but it is real.
Perhaps someday there will be a movie like this that has good dialog and good acting. In the meantime this is one of the better Christian movies in my opinion.
Not Ashamed to Name the Name Above All Names
GaryPeterson6724 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I am a born-again Christian and big fan of Christian films. Yes, many are disappointing, especially ones promoted as "Christian films" that are simply wholesome, clean and family-friendly but which are ashamed to name the name of Jesus Christ. RING THE BELL is refreshingly not ashamed of Jesus or his life-giving Gospel. I was especially impressed by how well and how thoroughly the Gospel was proclaimed throughout the movie. That evangelistic message coupled with a great story catapulted RING THE BELL high on my list of favorite Christian movies.
Yes, the plot is the familiar fish-out-of-water story and one can predict its trajectory after the first few minutes. That's by no means a bad thing, however, and the journey from opening titles to end credits is thoroughly inspiring and entertaining. Ryan Scharoun as Rob Decker really shines, striking a perfect balance between playing the money-mad egomaniac and the sympathetic guy making up for something lacking within himself. I hope his strong performance here lands him more leading man roles in Christian films (as great as they are, David A.R. White and Kevin Sorbo can't do 'em all!).
Speaking of Sorbo, I will admit that when Rob's fancy sports car breaks down on the road I was immediately reminded of Sorbo's movie WHAT IF..., to which RING THE BELL bears similarities in story and theme. However, after the car breaks down in WHAT IF... the movie veers into angelic-fueled fantasy, while RING THE BELL always stays grounded. It's a pretty sober-minded movie, with the humor mostly coming from Maggie, the eccentric desk clerk of the bed-and-breakfast where Rob is staying. (Her "Middletown Meltdown" is cute, but I don't see it ever supplanting high-fives and fist bumps.)
I did wonder whether the sober-mindedness of Daisy, Scooter, and Sean would turn off non-Christian viewers. Daisy especially comes off poorly in the scene where she's hanging laundry. There wasn't a winsomeness in her interaction with Rob; it was more like disdain and left a chill. Ashley Anderson-McCarthy is a fine actress, however, and her scene at the climax sharing the Gospel with Rob was very well done. For those who complain that Christian movies are formulaic, this one does upend the convention of boy meets girl, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. There are hints of a Rob and Daisy romance early on, but it never sparks. I don't know whether that was refreshing or disappointing. I think I was hoping for love to bloom and for Scooter to sign on with Rob. And who knows? Maybe all that happened after the credits rolled.
Theologically, the film does counter prevailing evangelical teaching that a Christian can serve God in every good endeavor (to plug Timothy Keller's book). Sean and Scooter react to sports agent Rob Decker's offers to play in the big leagues as if it were a pact with Satan himself. Rob approaches ace high school ballplayer Sean (who boasts a 4.0 GPA, academic and athletic honors, and aspires to be a doctor) with a million-dollar signing bonus, but Sean rebuffs him because he has a scholarship to Stetson College. A couple years in the MLB would not preclude college, and would sure help cover the cost of medical school. Another promising prospect, Scooter, has a similar reaction to Rob's offer, implying playing baseball professionally would be a compromise and a rejection of God's call on him to ministry (yet Scooter states he admires Tim Tebow, which struck me as contradictory).
Rob at one point mentions that Middletown is a lot like Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. I suspected the producers were paying homage to that classic sitcom by having the gas station run by a trio of latter-day Goober Pyles and by making the barber shop the hub of town gossip. Small-town life is very much romanticized here with church picnics, high school baseball games, and the Casting Crowns concert to which the whole community parades through the street and into the 1940's-style theater to see. Middletown presents a very appealing vision for how life could be lived and serves as a sharp contrast to the cutthroat corporate world Rob Decker inhabits and perpetuates.
Rob's transformation happens fast, but is thoroughly believable. When he hears Mark Hall's evangelistic message (a high point of the film) he feels the stirrings of conviction but doesn't act on them. Later, hearing the Gospel again from Daisy, Rob teeters on the edge but doesn't step out just then either. These should be encouraging scenes to aspiring and struggling soulwinners because they more realistically show how the Holy Spirit works in and on the hearts of people as opposed to the popular Billy Graham and Chick tract depictions of people rushing the altar or falling to their knees saying the sinner's prayer after a single sermon or walk down the Romans Road.
Casting Crowns fans will appreciate the generous screen time dedicated to its performance and to Mark Hall's stirring message. It was fun seeing several baseball players in cameos, as well as CCM stars Matthew West and Steven Curtis Chapman. Chapman does a fine job playing Pastor Steve, even if his protracted recounting of the story of ill-fated missionary Jim Elliot felt shoehorned in, not fitting snugly into the narrative.
A fellow reviewer scored RING THE BELL low on logic, and yeah, it didn't make sense that the only gas station in what appeared to be a bustling town was in a shotgun shack set back and off of the main road. It was also illogical that a band as big as Casting Crowns would play in a one-gas-station town, but these are things you just gotta roll with to enjoy the movie on its own terms. And it was a thoroughly enjoyable movie, one that draws you in and makes you care for the characters and to sincerely rejoice whenever that bell is rung.
Yes, the plot is the familiar fish-out-of-water story and one can predict its trajectory after the first few minutes. That's by no means a bad thing, however, and the journey from opening titles to end credits is thoroughly inspiring and entertaining. Ryan Scharoun as Rob Decker really shines, striking a perfect balance between playing the money-mad egomaniac and the sympathetic guy making up for something lacking within himself. I hope his strong performance here lands him more leading man roles in Christian films (as great as they are, David A.R. White and Kevin Sorbo can't do 'em all!).
Speaking of Sorbo, I will admit that when Rob's fancy sports car breaks down on the road I was immediately reminded of Sorbo's movie WHAT IF..., to which RING THE BELL bears similarities in story and theme. However, after the car breaks down in WHAT IF... the movie veers into angelic-fueled fantasy, while RING THE BELL always stays grounded. It's a pretty sober-minded movie, with the humor mostly coming from Maggie, the eccentric desk clerk of the bed-and-breakfast where Rob is staying. (Her "Middletown Meltdown" is cute, but I don't see it ever supplanting high-fives and fist bumps.)
I did wonder whether the sober-mindedness of Daisy, Scooter, and Sean would turn off non-Christian viewers. Daisy especially comes off poorly in the scene where she's hanging laundry. There wasn't a winsomeness in her interaction with Rob; it was more like disdain and left a chill. Ashley Anderson-McCarthy is a fine actress, however, and her scene at the climax sharing the Gospel with Rob was very well done. For those who complain that Christian movies are formulaic, this one does upend the convention of boy meets girl, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. There are hints of a Rob and Daisy romance early on, but it never sparks. I don't know whether that was refreshing or disappointing. I think I was hoping for love to bloom and for Scooter to sign on with Rob. And who knows? Maybe all that happened after the credits rolled.
Theologically, the film does counter prevailing evangelical teaching that a Christian can serve God in every good endeavor (to plug Timothy Keller's book). Sean and Scooter react to sports agent Rob Decker's offers to play in the big leagues as if it were a pact with Satan himself. Rob approaches ace high school ballplayer Sean (who boasts a 4.0 GPA, academic and athletic honors, and aspires to be a doctor) with a million-dollar signing bonus, but Sean rebuffs him because he has a scholarship to Stetson College. A couple years in the MLB would not preclude college, and would sure help cover the cost of medical school. Another promising prospect, Scooter, has a similar reaction to Rob's offer, implying playing baseball professionally would be a compromise and a rejection of God's call on him to ministry (yet Scooter states he admires Tim Tebow, which struck me as contradictory).
Rob at one point mentions that Middletown is a lot like Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. I suspected the producers were paying homage to that classic sitcom by having the gas station run by a trio of latter-day Goober Pyles and by making the barber shop the hub of town gossip. Small-town life is very much romanticized here with church picnics, high school baseball games, and the Casting Crowns concert to which the whole community parades through the street and into the 1940's-style theater to see. Middletown presents a very appealing vision for how life could be lived and serves as a sharp contrast to the cutthroat corporate world Rob Decker inhabits and perpetuates.
Rob's transformation happens fast, but is thoroughly believable. When he hears Mark Hall's evangelistic message (a high point of the film) he feels the stirrings of conviction but doesn't act on them. Later, hearing the Gospel again from Daisy, Rob teeters on the edge but doesn't step out just then either. These should be encouraging scenes to aspiring and struggling soulwinners because they more realistically show how the Holy Spirit works in and on the hearts of people as opposed to the popular Billy Graham and Chick tract depictions of people rushing the altar or falling to their knees saying the sinner's prayer after a single sermon or walk down the Romans Road.
Casting Crowns fans will appreciate the generous screen time dedicated to its performance and to Mark Hall's stirring message. It was fun seeing several baseball players in cameos, as well as CCM stars Matthew West and Steven Curtis Chapman. Chapman does a fine job playing Pastor Steve, even if his protracted recounting of the story of ill-fated missionary Jim Elliot felt shoehorned in, not fitting snugly into the narrative.
A fellow reviewer scored RING THE BELL low on logic, and yeah, it didn't make sense that the only gas station in what appeared to be a bustling town was in a shotgun shack set back and off of the main road. It was also illogical that a band as big as Casting Crowns would play in a one-gas-station town, but these are things you just gotta roll with to enjoy the movie on its own terms. And it was a thoroughly enjoyable movie, one that draws you in and makes you care for the characters and to sincerely rejoice whenever that bell is rung.
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