I enjoy reviewing movies from a variety of genres. Horror, comedies and thrillers are my favorite, but I do enjoy all different types of movies.
On genre that I am sometimes “iffy” about are religious films. I am a religious person, but I don’t like films that try and push religion into viewers faces. Hopefully you know what I mean.
When it comes to reviewing religious based films I accept screeners on a case by case basis.
I received a screener for the film I’m In Love With A Church Girl. The film will be available for purchase tomorrow (January 14, 2014) where ever movies are sold. I saw the trailer for this film. There was something different about it. I was curious to learn more about the film.
Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
I’m In Love With A Church Girl stars Jeff ‘Ja Rule’ Atkins as Miles Montego. Miles did a lot of bad things when he was younger, including drug trafficking. Miles and his childhood friends scored hundreds of thousands of dollars buying and selling drugs.
Miles decided to make an honest living and gave up the drug scene and started a concert promotion company. He remained friends with his childhood friends, even though he knows that they are still up to no good.
Miles drives a very expensive car and lives in a huge house by himself. It’s hard to tell if he was afforded these expensive things when he was dealing drugs, or if these are possessions he acquired after he put all that behind him and started his successful business.
Miles is close to his parents. His mom is very religious and wished her son would go back to church, not only because it would be good for him but also in hopes he would find a nice girl and settle down. Miles used to go with his parents when he was little, but he confessed to his mom that he found the songs lame and the service boring. He only went because afterwards they would go to his favorite restaurant.
One afternoon Miles attends a barbecue at a friends house. There is lays eyes on a beautiful young woman name Vanessa Leon (Adrienne Bailon). Miles and Vanessa are instantly attracted to one another. Vanessa attends church regularly and is surprised to find that Miles does not attend church. Even knowing that Vanessa falls for Miles and the two start to date.
Vanessa’s mother is not quick to accept her daughter’s new boyfriend. She is especially put off by the fact that he’s not into reading the Bible or going to church.
To make Vanessa and her parents happy Miles agrees to go to church one afternoon with Vanessa. There he meets Pastor Galley. Pastor Galley looks like someone from the “mean streets” and not a pastor. He wears street clothes, fancy jewelry and sneakers. Miles finds that interesting.
Vanessa and her family give Miles a Bible for his birthday. He does the best he can to understand and relate to what he is reading but he still has his doubts. He can’t understand why God would allow for things like disease, death and war.
As Miles tries hard to come to grips with God and the Bible, he falls head over heels in love with Vanessa. Vanessa also falls in love with Miles.
Unbeknown to Miles he is being stalked by the Feds. They want to catch him on something so they can bust him for drug trafficking.
Vanessa knows about Miles’ past and believes that he is a changed man. That is until tragedies’ strike and Miles’ new found faith is put to the test.
What tragedies occur that change the course of everything? Will Vanessa still love Miles if he’s busted by the Feds for drug trafficking, even though he swore to her he was a changed man? Can Miles find a happy ending? To find out you need to pick up a copy of I’m In Love With A Church Girl, available tomorrow where most movies are sold.
I loved this movie. I was worried it might be overly religious, but it wasn’t.
Ja Rule and Adrienne Bailon both did a terrific job. From the moment they met I was rooting for them in hopes that they would have a happy ending. Both did an excellent job and really made you feel for their characters.
This is a powerful movie. It is about hope, faith, love, family, religion and friendship all rolled up into one. It’s also the kind of movie that makes you feel good. It’s not just about “fluff”. This movie really pulls you in and leaves you feeling good and inspired afterwards.
I’m In Love With a Church Girl is loosely based on the life of Galley Molina. Molina wrote it during his time in prison for dealing drugs. He also plays the part of Pastor Galley in the film. Knowing that this is based on a true story makes the movie even more inspiring. Molina was able to turn his life around in such a profound way.
There are some bonus features with the DVD including a behind the scenes look at the film, cast interviews, deleted scenes and the film’s trailer.
If you are looking for a “feel good” movie with a powerful message, check out I’m In Love With A Church Girl.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.