CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Dark_Lord_Mark This movie was good. Nothing wrong with a good natured family film.I see many atheists are bum-hurt over the movie message about belief and miracles. What I have come to realize is atheists are the most intolerant folks on the planet. They especially hate Christians but some reason love Islam.This movie had a message of hope and has a family theme. It has the familiar TV characters and if you do not like a Christian family movie, avoid it. It's funny that atheists preach tolerance but if anyone dares oppose their view, their proverbial fangs and character fault shows.Good movie for what it is 7 out of 10. This movie shows the follies of non-believers and why hope is better than none.

Jerome McCollom Awful, simply awful. The atheist who returns to the town after 20 years, seems like an embittered and angry man, out on a personal vendetta against the heroic Christian mayor.The premise is that the mayor is building (and using some city funds) to build a stand outside of the town's city hall, for Christmas. There will be Christian decorations displayed along with more secular Christmas decorations. So this evil atheist type files an injunction to stop work on this stand.Now, atheists aren't the only people who support keeping government and religion untangled, many Christians (though usually not evangelical types) also favor that. Atheists aren't out on personal vendettas against some Christian mayor or politician when we do so. Also, the "Merry Christmas" banner is moved because of this injunction. Frankly, no atheist has ever objected to a "Merry Christmas" sign, even in front of a courthouse.In fact, I don't know if any church/state or atheist group would even object to this stand, unless it solely has Christian symbols. Atheists just want neutrality or at least, an open forum. Have Christian symbols such as a nativity scene, fine, but allow a display of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.The Christian mayor in one scene recites the free exercise clause of religion, which for some reason makes this evil atheist type, say touché. That seems to imply the atheist knows he is violating the free exercise rights of the residents, but there is of course no free exercise right to have the government put up a display, even if not centered around Christian images solely.This movie was produced by people who seem to have never met an actual atheist in their lives. Full of fear and straw man. If I could give a negative star, I would.

jsstevens This movie was done really well. I loved the message about taking Christ out of Christmas. I was equally pleased with the presentation of the Bible. There were only 2 parts in this movie that I think could have been written more accurately to portray Christianity. The first situation was at the beginning when the family was talking about the book that they were reading (vampires falling in love) which is easy to see as supporting the Twilight series. This to me is distasteful and didn't need to be in there. Any other thing could have been discussed between mother and daughter instead of promoting Twilight. If you truly love God, why would you want to put this demonic stuff in a Christian show? The second situation I wish was rewritten was the part when the dad was talking with the son about his "girl" friend. The father asks his son if she's cute. He responds with a yes. Then the dad (without knowing anything about the girl) comes back with, "That's my son!" This portrays to all boys that you should look for a good-looking girl and to all girls that acquiring physical beauty is important if you want to find a guy. What does it say in the Bible about beauty? Beauty is deceitful, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. If these 2 scenes were taken out of this movie, I would have rated it probably a 9. I am just tired of seeing weak Christianity portrayed on television. Now, Courageous is not a weak Christian film and I would give that a 10!

drjimberger Having been a pastor in Alaska for 15 years, I can tell you that this state is the most un-religious state in the union. This movie portrays it as Texas-North. Sorry Brad Stein and the rest of the cast, but the reality is that you do not re-write reality for the sake of a screenplay. Yes, there is the conflict between church and state. But nowhere is that more evident than in Alaska.My experience was far different from that of the scriptwriters. The reality is that the Christians were fighting to get the creche on to public land. We learned to put it on church property, and ask the public officials to come to the dedication. In return, we would give an invocation at the community Christmas tree lighting. And yes, we use inclusive language, since we have Christians, Jews, B'hais and atheists in attendance. In towns of 4000, or 3000, you know who believes what. And you can choose to respect that, enter into dialogue and work on long-term evangelism, or shout at them in the local cafe, and go backward for the next 20 years. In a small town, there are long memories. And the stupid tirade of a pastor at the funeral of tragic death of a family, or the histrionics of a Brad Stein-character are remembered far longer than the loving grace freely given in a time of tragedy or crisis.The conflict between church and state portrayed in this film is a Texas or lower 48 phenomenon. The norms are reversed, to fit the screenwriters' ideology, not the reality of Alaska.Contrary to the characters' wishes, the First Amendment is still the First Amendment. Because Alaska is part of the United States of America. And we abide by the Constitution of the United States of America. In Alaska and the lower 48. Do you? Rev. Dr. James R. Berger Fort Myers, FL