Category: Movies

Church People

Post author By Chris M. Day
Post date April 8, 2021

Last Saturday afternoon (between Good Friday and Easter Sunday) I watched the movie “Church People” online. Here’s the trailer:

The movie is only available for streaming online via their official web site, and it costs a hefty $19.95 to watch it during a specific 4-hour viewing window. If it were not for the pandemic then this would have probably been at the movie theatres nationwide during this past season of Lent. (There always seems to be at least one faith-based movie showing at the multiplex during the weeks leading-up to Easter.)

I believe the original title of this movie was “Youth Group” based on the “behind-the-scenes” segment after the movie and before the closing credits rolled. It could have very well been titled “Megachurch”. I won’t give away much and spoil it, but it’s about a megachurch that has drifted far away from preaching the Gospel, and now they rely heavily on gimmicks and stunts. (I’ve been to a few megachurches like that.)

The crazy “rock star” Senior Pastor has come up with the most outrageous idea of them all for Good Friday. It takes the Youth Pastor to set him straight. You’ll see what happens if you purchase and stream this movie.

YES – There are several quirky characters in this movie that resemble the “Church People” that may or may not populate your church – if it’s big enough and youthful enough. I did laugh throughout the movie; although, some of the jokes fell flat on me. There were definitely some missed opportunities. The storyline was a bit rough at times and hard to follow. Nevertheless it was an entertaining 1-hour and 45-minute experience.

I recommend it. As I stated earlier $19.95 is hefty, but if you had gone to a movie theatre to see it you would have spent far more than that if you went with someone else or with your family or friends. Gather a group with you to see this online !

Tags Christian, Church, Comedy, Movie

Blogging Christian Church God Ministry Movies

Small Group The Movie

Post author By Chris M. Day
Post date January 21, 2021

Welcome to a fresh new weekend of good old-fashioned blogging here at #CountUp – where weekends always start on Thursdays !

This past Monday I streamed a wonderful movie via Amazon Video. It’s called “Small Group The Movie”. It’s about a guy and his wife who join a small group within a large church, but all is not what it seems. I won’t reveal much more about this movie, but it is full of laughs (a lot of insider church humor), drama, even action (some of it scary), and most importantly – God’s Grace, Mercy, and Truth. There are a lot of twists and turns in this movie, and I was attentive – even riveted at times – all throughout it.

As a member of various small groups for about 8 years at my first large church – it brought back fond memories of that experience. I could relate to the tongue-in-cheek humor of it all. I was also reminded of its importance as part of this fantastic journey.

I started receiving sponsored / targeted ads on Facebook for this movie a few days ago, and my interest in it was immediately piqued. I had never heard of it before the ads, but as it turns out this movie was actually in a few select theaters way back in October 2018 ! Now it’s available digitally or via DVD. (I actually rented it via Amazon for $4.99.)

You can check out more about this movie – and watch the trailer as well as a half-dozen movie clips – at their web site – http://www.smallgroupmovie.com. You can also check them out on Facebook.

2000s Blogging Movies Music Radio

My Top 5 Hits RETRO – 2000

Post author By Chris M. Day
Post date October 16, 2020

Every 2ND, 3RD, and 4TH Friday of the month I post the Top 5 of one of my classic hit music charts based on personal preference and influenced by radio airplay from either 15, 20, or 30 years ago this weekend (rotating each week).

It’s the 3RD Friday of the month, so I go back 20 years ago. Here it is – for the week ending Sunday October 15TH 2000:

“Country Grammar” – Nelly
“You’re A God” – Vertical Horizon
“With Arms Wide Open” – Creed
“It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi
“Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” – 98°

Well that was quite the eclectic Top 5 back in 2000. I had raunchy hip hop at the top (cleaned-up for the radio), 2 songs about God almost 6 years before I knew God, Bon Jovi’s final big chart hit, and a Latin-like ballad from boy band 98°. That Bon Jovi track still sounds great 20 years later. I hear it almost every day via my iPod Shuffles at work. It was my # 4 hit of all of #Y2K. It spent 26 weeks in a row on my chart from June to December.

At the movies I saw the memorable “Meet The Parents” back on October 21ST 2000. It was 1 of 27 movies I saw in 2000 – a new record up to that point. So far in 2020 I’ve only seen 2 movies – the lowest since 1995.

This is my final “look back” at 2000. Big changes are coming to RETRO starting next month and into December. I’ll be removing 20 years ago from the monthly rotation, and I’ll be adding 25 years ago and 35 years ago. My hit music chart began 35 years ago next month in England, and 25 years ago this month it was resurrected after a 3-year hiatus. The beginnings of both of these distinct eras are intriguing, and I’m looking forward to looking back at these music memories of my life.

It’s halftime my friends. I’ll be back on Sunday and Monday with 2 more blog posts for this weekend. Enjoy your Saturday. Thanks for going RETRO with me !

Tags 2000, Music, Radio

2000s Blogging Movies Music Radio

My Top 5 Hits RETRO – 2005

Post author By Chris M. Day
Post date October 9, 2020

It’s the 2ND Friday of the month, so I go back 15 years ago. Here it is – for the week ending Sunday October 09TH 2005:

“Don’t Lie” – The Black Eyed Peas
“Gold Digger” – Kanye West
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day
“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
“Feel Good Inc.” – Gorillaz

After a string of forgettable songs on Top 5 charts from the underwhelming year that was 2005 – finally – a collection of memorable hits on a chart with great variety.

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” is one of my favorite Green Day songs. I usually play it in heavy rotation on my iPod Shuffles all September long, and then when September ends – I remove it from rotation. This year was no different. It was their 5TH and final hit on my chart between 1996 and 2005.

Just Like Heaven

At the movies I saw “Just Like Heaven” back on October 22ND 2005. It starred Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. It received good reviews by critics and moviegoers, and it was a box office hit. I rated it as 3.5 stars (out of 4).

Big changes are coming to RETRO starting next month and into December. I’ll be removing 20 years ago from the monthly rotation, and I’ll be adding 25 years ago and 35 years ago. My hit music chart began 35 years ago next month in England, and 25 years ago this month it was resurrected after a 3-year hiatus. The beginnings of both of these distinct eras are intriguing, and I’m looking forward to looking back at these music memories of my life.

It’s halftime my friends. I’ll be back on Sunday and Monday with 2 more blog posts for this weekend. Enjoy your Saturday. Thanks for going RETRO with me !

Tags 2005, Music, Radio