God's Country (2012)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

I don't write reviews (this is my first!), but I feel compelled because the obviously shill reviews for this movie convinced our family to waste our time to watch this movie. We enjoy faith-based movies - have seen some really good ones (War Room, Love Comes Softly series, Facing The Giants, Flywheel, God's Not Dead series, Hoovey, The Grace Card, To Save A Life, The Secret's of Jonathan Sperry, Believe Me, A Matter of Faith, to name just a few). We've also seen some really bad ones, but this may be the worst! The acting is painful and cringe-worthy. The writing and directing just awkward and disjointed. The "Christian" lines inserted in this movie make it seem like an attempt to "Christianize" a film to sell to Christians! Our family agreed - watching a movie like this gave us an appreciation for the art of making a watchable movie, let alone a good or great movie.Most of all, we feel cheated by whomever wrote all these "outstanding" reviews, and wasted our time on this movie. "Outstanding" compared to what?! We can account for different tastes in movie appreciation and reviews, but this is clearly not even close to an "outstanding" movie, and in fact - compared to the films listed above - not even passable. If this even was an earnest attempt at a Christian film (and that is in great doubt), the phoniness of acting, lines, plot guarantees delivering nothing "moving" about this film. The Spirit definitely "passed over" this one!

This family friendly film was a delight. It kept my interest all the way through. It has a good blend of humor and message. The desert was as much a part of the movie as the actors. Jenn Gotzon did a great job portraying an ambitious, money and power hungry broker. The directing by Chris Armstrong was excellent. He was able to take a predictable story and turn it into something that captures your interest throughout the entire movie. He expertly guided the filmography. The scenes of the desert become an integral part of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. I would highly recommend this movie for a family movie night.

I picked up God's Country at Wal-Mart this weekend expecting a feel-good family film and it did not disappoint.Jenn Gotzon plays Megahn Doherty - a hard driving investment banker that has her eye on the prize and keys to a beautiful Ferrari in her designer purse. Jenn has many credits to her name and she employs all of her skill in this film. Over the course of the film she transforms from a character with a heart that is cold and closed to one that is open and radiating life and love. Jenn plays the character brilliantly as the character rides a roller coaster of emotion as this rebirth occurs.Another featured member of the cast is Michael Toland who plays Eden Graham. His character is the owner of God's Country who is trying to cling on to his land and his ministry. Michael does a wonderful job playing the folksy and faithful Eden. He's convincing in his portrayal of a man that feels a connection to the land and sees it as an integral part of his commitment to God.Gib Gerard plays Eden's son Graham. I enjoyed his performance as well. In particular there is a campfire scene which he plays opposite of Jenn that is very good. In it is revealed that he is more than he appears and that he and his father have a grand plan for God's Country. Gib and Jenn play very well opposite of one another and their relationship unfolds very believably and organically over the course of the second act.The third act is also good, if a little predictable. What good is a feel-good family film without a feel-good family ending? I won't go into details but the only problem I had with it is how the financial situation is resolved. The logical side of my brain kicked in and had me wondering at some of the technical aspects but I'd say that's my problem more than a writing flaw. Even with that in mind the actors carry us through to the end in fine style.One final thing I would like to say is that I thought Director Christopher Armstrong did a wonderful job on this film. He captured some great performances and really set the stage for the most impactive scenes by utilizing beautiful desert locations to make every outdoor scene magical.I highly recommend this film to anyone with the desire to see a touching story with a great message in a beautiful locale.Synopsis: Investment Banker and self-professed workaholic Meghan Doherty (Jenn Gotzon) has a rewarding career ahead of her. She's got the clothes, she's got the car and now she has a BIG deal to close. Her boss, Mr. Whitaker (Daniel Hugh Kelly), has his eyes on a property about to go into foreclosure as the foundation for a huge casino/resort complex in the Mojave Desert. He sends big-gun Meghan out to close the deal before it goes to auction. Upon arriving she she meets Eden Graham (Michael Toland) the owner and operator of a spiritual retreat in this quiet corner of the world. Convinced that God has a plan for him, his son and the dream they have worked long and hard to build he asks Meghan to stay and witness their ministry in action. She doesn't realize it but her life will take a big turn over the next six days in God's Country.I don't think I've given too much away in that paragraph and I would encourage you to find out what happens next yourself!

5.0 out of 5 stars God's Country, an Excellent Film of Inspiration, April 21, 2013 By Dr. Fred "Dr. Fred" (Salem, VA) - One of the things that plagues independently made films of faith is that without big studio backing there will be problems with such things as lighting, editing, music and sadly even acting. There is no such problem with this film, it is positively brilliant and I have had the privilege of reviewing faith based and family films for years. This is a film that should have been featured in theaters as there is a wide open expanse of beauty that harks back to the great old days of the John Ford epics. Of course this is not a Western though it takes place in Western style territory. There are also scenes in the metropolis of LA and here is one of the areas the film shines in. You are taken back and forth from city to country, intercutting between scenes in a style often over looked in films today. Certainly the director Chris Armstrong, who put this together, deserves credit for knowing his craft. However, I have to single out one element in particular. Though the over all cast is good, this is a Jenn Gotzon film and were this theatrical we would be talking Oscar. Jenn Gotzon plays a top notch business woman who knows the art of the deal and is at the pinnacle of the ladder of success. Her assignment is to talk a preacher and his family into giving up his land, his dream, which is used as a campo for young people. The preacher challenges Jenn to wait six days and during this time... well I don't want to be a spoiler. I will just say that seldom has an actress had to make herself believable in so many settings and she pulls it off in the style of the great actresses during Hollywood's Golden Age. Of course it is a faith based film and you will see the hand of God throughout the story. The film is a miracle itself and I am thankful it was shown in a special preview screening. I will say I am not alone in my opinion as the film drew the audience in a way I have seldom heard of and there was applause at the end.