by Phil Boatwright
KANSAS CITY, Kan., March 14, 2019 (BP) — Two new films and a DVD are being released this month, each containing quality technical aspects as well as entertaining story lines steeped in the Gospel message.

“Faith, Hope & Love” (distributed by ArtAffects Entertainment, in theaters March 15, rated PG)

Dance instructor Faith Turley, newly divorced from an unfaithful husband, is on the verge of losing her studio. During this stressful time, she enlists the help of Jimmy Elpidas, a widower with two daughters, to partner with her as a twosome in a “pro-schmo” dance contest (that’s a coupling of a professional “hoofer” with a novice). With the dance floor as a main setting, our two leads discover friendship as well as a new commitment to God.

The rom-com dance-a-thon stars Peta Murgatroyd (“Dancing with the Stars”), Robert Krantz (“Back to the Future”), Natasha Bure (daughter of Candace Cameron Bure), Corbin Bernsen (“L.A. Law”), Ed Asner (“Lou Grant”) and Nancy Stafford (“Matlock”).

Both funny and touching, Faith Hope & Love is a celebration of the human spirit, with a genuineness in both performance and story and a clear perspective: There is a need for God in each life.

Noting that the leads pray over dinner and whenever they face life struggles, and that the ending features a baptism as a life is turned over to Christ, may give you an appreciation for the film’s intent: To stir viewers to center their lives on the Lord.

“Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy” (presented in theaters by Fathom Events nationwide today and on March 16 and 19, not yet rated)

If you’re not big on romantic dance movies, perhaps this thoughtful documentary addressing the writings of Moses might be of more interest.

In Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy, award-winning filmmaker Timothy Mahoney (“Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus”) takes on those who proclaim Moses not to be the true author of the first five books of the Bible.

“In my own search for the evidence, I had to ask myself if I believe the Bible because it’s true, or because it’s just what I believed because of my upbringing,” Mahoney says. “Since the rest of the Bible is based on the writings of Moses, the credibility of the exodus and the rest of the Bible is directly connected to the question of Moses’ authorship.”

Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy features interviews with some of the world’s leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew, religion and archaeology. The documentary asks hard questions as it seeks to determine whether Moses could really have authored the Torah.

I recommend the film to mature viewers. If you’re studious in nature, I think you’ll find this production fascinating and spiritually rewarding.

“100 Yards” (became available on digital and DVD from RLJE Films on March 5, not rated)

Rich Porter (Steven Brewis) had a bright future as a quarterback until he suddenly quit football in order to search for his mother, who went missing while visiting in a remote area of the Philippines. His attempts to find her were met with one frustration after another. And Rich’s troubles didn’t end there. Soon he was falsely accused of abusing a woman and then was diagnosed with cancer.

He’s in another country, alone, despondent, angry and fearing death. It pretty much looks like life’s detours keep leading him to the end of the road. (I know, it sounds like a downer, but wait….) Rich is also soon to discover that our Creator is a God of second chances.

While at the hospital, a terminally ill boy befriends Rich. Coupled with the attention of a compassionate nurse, this child, who is gifted with more spiritual insight than most adults, directs our protagonist to the realization that no one escapes problems. Accepting this reality leads Rich to an understanding that there must be some ethereal reason for these inescapable adversities.

100 Yards is based on a true story and addresses issues such as guilt, fear and finding redemption. It moved me and reinforced my belief that God, despite our failings, continues to shower us with second chances.

Phil Boatwright is the author of “MOVIES: The Good, the Bad, and the Really, Really Bad,” available on Amazon.com.

Related articles at XPian News: https://xpian.news/category/film/

The original story can be found at: http://www.baptistpress.com/52566/movies-new-films-hoofers-moses-and-second-chances

Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.