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| The Second Chance | 
| Category: Movie
Buy New: $9.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 13334
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 103 minutes
ASIN: B000I8G5FS
Theatrical Release Date: March 22, 2006
Release Date: October 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 41-45 of 45 | | « PREV 1 ... | | |
 This film deserves to be shown in every theatre . . . July 29, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I saw Second Chance on a big screen when it debuted and immediately requested copies of the DVD for myself and friends. The film carries a powerful message that our nation needs to hear. Second Chance courageously confronts tough and relevant issues head on while providing great entertainment.
4 1/2 Stars...Colors and Glimmers July 28, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
With numerous examples of poorly made Christian films--and, even worse, preachy ones--I feared getting my hopes up for "The Second Chance." Though billed as something other than the churchy norm, the obvious setting of churches and pastors and pews made this an easy film for non-churchgoers to avoid.
Which is too bad, really. This is a movie worth being watched and discussed by those inside and out of "the fold."
Steve Taylor's story addresses issues of racism, class, hypocricy, and spiritual arrogance--and shows that all of these things exist on both sides of the economic/religious tracks. The story revolves around two pastors, both from similar church backgrounds, but having gone vastly different ways in their purposes and styles of ministry. When the rising suburban "pop star" pastor begins to truly involve himself in the community of his urban counterpart, his motives are tested. The relationship between the two ministers gets off to a rocky start, and, thanks to Taylor's directing, never seems too easily resolved. Eventually, they are challenged to find reconciliation by unexpected sources.
The photography in the film is nicely done. The acting drew me into each of the characters' lives (Carr is great, and yes, Michael W. Smith pulls off his parts with surprising ease and credibility). The music is understated, yet fitting. Although I would've liked to see a bit more grittiness in the gang-related scenes, I think the story captured the basics of urban life. And those who have complaints about any brief swear words are apparently far removed from the much harsher language that goes on in such settings.
Sure, the movie has a few glitches, but it has many things to be commended. It doesn't paint issues in black and white; instead it paints them in the very real colors of the human experience, with glimmers of Godly hope shining through it all.
**the DVD has nice extras, for those wanting a deeper look**
 Not one I'd show in the church sanctuary. July 25, 2006
This movie was pretty good but I had a couple of problems with it. I don't know if I could truly say this was a Christian movie because it had curses in it. Maybe it shows how far the church has gotten away from its roots. One of the main characters in the film is a preacher who has a problem with swearing. I mean he even does it in the pulpit. I know we all have our shortcomings, but I don't see how a Christian movie can have a cursing preacher because a preacher is supposed to be a trained orator. If you have a problem with cursing - especially when you're in the pulpit, then you have no business being licensed to preach. It may convey the message that in certain situations, using foul language and physical violence to solve problems is ok. But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
The cursing is not really excessive and I have seen other movies with Christian overtones such as "The Apostle" or "The Fighting Temptations" that had cursing in them and I didn't have a problem with them because that's what one would expect. But this is supposed to be a Christian movie and should be judged by higher standards.
The other problem I had with the movie was that it had about 3 or 4 unresolved issues. I think it should have been about a half hour longer so we could know what happened with certain characters, but that was left to our imaginations. And right at a very important point in the movie, it just ended. It almost seems like the producer ran out of money and didn't finish the movie but they put it out anyway.
Other than that, the movie was good. The acting was good and it didn't have that low budget Christian movie feel to it. It brought out some important issues concerning racism, church operations and politics, and classism that are so prevalent in today's Christian church. I didn't look at the clock once during the movie so I guess I can say that it wasn't boring at all.
I guess this movie would be ok to show to your Christian friends at home because it does bring out some good valid points, but please, not in the sanctuary.
There should be more films like this one. May 31, 2006
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
This is a very enjoyable film. I am a Michael W. Smith fan who was able to see the film in the theatre, and I found it to be very enjoyable. It conveyed a very important message while remaining lighthearted at moments. It is the kind of film that leaves you thinking for days and that you would not be ashamed to see with your family! Frankly, it seemed more like a PG than a PG-13 rating to me, and I was very relieved! I am so tired of movies filled with filthy content. This one was a breath of fresh air! I am very excited about the release of the DVD. The performances were strong.
THE SECOND CHANCE is not a perfect film, but it tries and it has guts May 6, 2006
51 out of 58 found this review helpful
When youre a Christian boy, whos outlook is a little skewed friends can be pretty hard to come by. In those moments of loneliness, when the television cant fill your time. You sometimes turn to the voices that make so much sense. For me it was Michael W. Smith and Steve Taylor. Smith I discovered when I was 10. His album Go West Young Man wore out my cassette player. I knew every word and sang every song, Id even put on silly little concerts in my room. The simple lyrics touched me, encouraged me, and I also found that at Bible camp if you can learn all those Michael W. Smith songs the girls will pay attention to you. My early teens were shaped by these lyrics and forever changed my world view.
But alas we grow up, my Christian tapes were thrown into a drawer and Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana became the music I rocked out too. I really started doubting if any of this religion stuff was worth a hill of beans and then Christmas 1994 came and I opened a brightly colored package that had an unusual video in it. It was Steve Taylors concept video called "NOW THE TRUTH CAN BE TOLD" it introduced me to a man who was one part Lenny Bruce, One part the Clash, and three parts John the Baptist. Steve Taylor was the one man I wanted to be like, the one man whose music answered questions and convicted me. I tell you I never would have survived my teenage years without him and weve never even met.
Then I grew up I got into Christian Radio and I have had an opportunity to meet many of the stars in the genre. Ive eaten lunch with Greg Long, had Bart Millard sign a banana I sold on Ebay, and Im on hugging terms with Steven Curtis Chapman. But when I got to meet Michael W. Smith at Radio City Music Hall, all I could say over and over again was it was an honor to meet you as my knees shook. I had become a thirteen year boy again. Dont ask me about what happened when I sat five feet away from Steve Taylor at a lunch sponsored by the film Im about to review. I was stuck in some pointless icebreaker exercise and I thought it would be rude to jump up and cause a scene, also I was shaking so much I dont know what I would have said if I met him anyway. So alas I havent gotten to talk to him yet. But one day I may be able too and that would be awesome.
All this to say I have been eagerly awaiting THE SECOND CHANCE. A film that was written and directed by Taylor and starring Smith. Imagine my two childhood heroes making a film together. It was too much for me to bear. Unfortunately my job pulled me away from the New Jersey premiere so I borrowed the DVD screener from work and watched it with my wife as the New York Metropolitan area got hit with 2 feet of snow.
THE SECOND CHANCE follows Ethan Jenkins (Michael W. Smith) a suburban pastor whose life is just getting comfortable. He had a successful recording career that ended in rehab, and has since taken the associate pastor gig at The Rock, his fathers mega-church deep in the heart of suburbia. When Ethans methods get in the way of the church boards plans he is sent to The Second Chance Community Church. Its a small inner city church Ethans father started when Ethan was a child and hes there to learn and observe. Second Chance is in the middle of the inner city and is presided over by Pastor Jake (Jeff Carr), a former pro basketball player who is trying to save his community from the plight of gangs and drugs. Its an uphill battle and he sees Ethan as just another suburban do-gooder that will leave when the going gets tough. Can these men work together? Will Ethan stick with Pastor Jake? Or will other insidious plans cause a rift in the hood?
THE SECOND CHANCE is a film with very lofty goals. Its a film that reveals one of the biggest problems that is plaguing the Christian Church in America: racial and class seperation. There is a problem with terms like "Black Church" and "White Church." and "Rich Church" and "Poor Church." Theyre false. There is only one church and we all should be invited. Ethan and Jake are two souls caught in the middle. Ethan is out of his comfort zone at Second Chance and Jake is tired of the Suburban church throwing money at his neighborhood problems and not helping out. Does the Second Chance film succeed in opening our eyes to the problems in our own backyard? It does.
Director Taylor fills his film with rich colorful characters. But at times his actors cant get into them. For instance I particularly loved the sassy women playing the choir leader. She has such a small role and yet she fills it with color and realism. Other performers just arent as skilled and the dialogues they have sound like dialogue and not real life conversations.
As for the two leads, Smith and Carr give competent performances. Both are first time film actors and against the odds grow into their characters. There are a few moments early on that felt a little wooden but as the film progresses I bought their relationship, and them as the characters.
The major flaw with the film is the long winded first act. The script dumps a lot of plot conflict on the story and the long walk around the hood confused me a little. But then there is this scene with Smith, a small child, and a paper plate. WOW! Taylor and Smith nail it. This was a small moment in a lot of disjointed clutter that was perfect. I hoped for more honest moments like that and they definitely came. If you are a Christian and are not moved by the foot washing scene that comes later in the film Id doubt your faith (oh Im just kidding).
I also liked that the film had a good natured sense of humor. There were moments when I saw Taylors wit and good natured ribbing poking out. Trust me you wont look at prayer and a lottery ticket the same way again.
But how will this admittedly "Christian Film" play to the unchurched masses? I dont really know. It feels more like an exhortation to the Christian Community and I wonder how someone on the outside would be able to follow it. That is not a negative. If this film gets the Christian community to enter into a discussion about how to fix a great divide between the rich and poor, between the Black Church and the White Church, then I applaud it. But it is also a good look into what goes on inside the Christian community and may cause those who dont quite understand to ask questions and there is nothing wrong with dialogue.
THE SECOND CHANCE is not a perfect film, but it tries and it has guts. Moreover its watchable and more importantly honest. I liked it an applaud all involved. Now everyone go to Amazon.com and clean them out of Chagall Guevara CDs, this was Taylors early 90's rock band. Trust me its the greatest album ever
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