Mongrel Media Film Review- I Still Believe

Based on the real-life story of Christian rocker Jeremy Camp (R.J. Apta) and the love of his life Melissa (Britt Robertson) that he meets when he leaves his Indiana home to go to bible college in California. The story opens in 1999 with Camp leaving home to head off to school. His younger brother (Nicholas Betchel) is tethered to his phone while the youngest disabled sibling Josh (Reuben Dodd) is having a hard time with the departure of his big brother. Jeremy arrives on campus after the long bus ride with only one bag and his guitar over his shoulder. He is soon at The Kry amphitheater, the centre of campus life catching the eye of Jean -Luc (Nathan Dean) a former student that has made it but still comes back to his roots to play a gig and keep an eye on Melissa who he also has a thing for.

Directors Andrew and John Erwin who go by the moniker of the Erwin Brothers use the source material of Camp's print version of his story. The film starts out light in the realm of any new student on campus burgeoning romance but moves to something more as the faith-based participants put in natural boundaries then the rug is swept out when Melissa is diagnosed with cancer while Jeremy is back in Indiana on Christmas break.

The strength of the film is in the three lead performances of Apta, Robertson, and Dean. They are in a love triangle but all are so kind and friendly there is truly no villain. The audience feels happy for each of them when they hit a high point and a kinship with any of the trio on a low whether it be small, moderate or in Melissa case large when a lump the size of an orange is discovered in her stomach.

I Still Believe is a bright, wholesome eternal love story despite the turn to stark reality at the opening of the second act that later dominates the third. The lead actors keep the audience engaged in a story that has some good hard lessons on positivity, friendship, forgiveness, and following your heart as you pursue your dreams. It's a real tear-jerker that at the end has the audience leaving with a smile on their face.

*** Out of 4

I Still Believe | Andrew Erwin /Jon Erwin | U.S.A. | 2020 | 115 Minutes.

Tags: Christian, Bible University, Singer, Cancer, Love Triangle, Demo Tape, Wedding, Funeral, Second Chance.

Vertical Entertainment Film Review - Blood On Her Name

Leigh (Bethany Anne Lind) has just made a catastrophic mistake. She is in her auto repair shop Tiller's Auto with blood on her that's not her's staring at a body by the car hoist as a growing pool of blood forms. She is not unaccustomed to trouble. Her husband is in jail, her son Ryan (Jared Ivers) has to meet regularly with his parole officer and pee in a cup plus her dad works for the Sheriff's office but has fractured a serious rule on more than one occasion. Leigh grabs her cell phone to call 911 but stops. Deciding instead to get rid of the body sets in motion a series of events each making it harder to escape her inevitable fate over the likely result if she had made the call.

Director Matthew Pope who along with Don Thompson wrote the story of a series of desperate people living on the fringes in flyover country. Money is tight, prospects are worse and the players seem doomed to follow the behavioural patterns of the generation that came before. The writers put a sharp edge on the narrative that gives it bite. The wardrobe is mechanic grease and sweat-stained with the beverages of choice being domestic beer and whiskey.

Bethany Anne Lind gives a strong physical performance as Leigh. She does a lot of heavy lifting but has an underlying sense of justice that can lead her astray. Will Patton is cut straight through to quick as Sheriff Department Officer Teller. He sizes up a situation ready to act whether the intended course adheres to or is against the law. Elizabeth Rohn is drawn into this conflict late as the victim's wife holding her wits well against the seasoned foes opposing her.

Blood on Her Name is a story that will hold interest throughout its brisk 85 minutes run time. It starts in the middle of the central event then introduces the well-composed core group of characters who have depth seemingly from the moment they appear on the screen. It's a weighty presentation by a first-time feature director that I can recommend.

*** Out of 4

Blood On Her Name | Matthew Pope | U.S.A. | 2019 | 85 Minutes.

Tags: Running Cars, Mechanic, Auto Repair Shop, Murder, Shrinkwrap, Parole, Necklace,  Colorado.