The Instant Critic plays golf in Orlando
Greetings, fellow film enthusiasts!
In case you missed last week, we took a break from movies to remember the High Rise flood.
This week, we are hitting the green and heading to Disney World.
SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA (G, 98 minutes – featuring Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, Deborah Ann Woll and Melissa Leo)
I usually cringe at the thought of a faith-based movie. Since faith-house cinema almost limits itself to “gems” such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof, the average Christian film buff finds the situation dire when looking for a movie with a deeper meaning.
Thankfully, Seven Days in Utopia rises above the usual faith-based fare to offer viewers an uplifting tale of finding yourself in the most unlikely of places.
The story centers on Luke, a disgraced golfer who stumbles upon a small Texas town after a minor car crash. While there, he meets a former golfer (Duvall) who helps to give Luke the training he needs to continue in his career.
Going in, I had no idea that the film held a Christian base, but I was surprised and pleased that I enjoyed the film at the level I did. Sure, a few moments of genuine corniness are in store, but the earnest approach made those moments strangely tolerable. As a Christian, I’m glad to see a good movie from our side every now and then.
On the acting side, Duvall can never be bad in a movie, and up-and-comer Lucas Black manages to hold his own with the screen vet for the second time.
If you are looking for a film that you can safely watch with the folks over Spring Break, Seven Days in Utopia easily takes the cake.
This film and the upcoming Blue Like Jazz (a film I thoroughly enjoyed) give faith-house cinema a bright future.
DISNEY PARKS: UNDISCOVERED DISNEY PARKS (TVG, 43 minutes)
As a longtime advocate of Disney World, I found this short television special to be a must for those considering a trip down to the house of the mouse anytime soon.
While I’ve never been to the West Coast, I can say that I have been to Orlando fourteen times (the next trip steadily approaches).
Even I learned a thing or two watching this informative special.
Disney Parks: Undiscovered Disney Parks gives you exactly what it promises. Viewers are taken backstage to see some of Disney’s best-kept secrets, whether it is a private restaurant or an inside look at the mechanics of a certain electrifying parade.
Sadly, some of the information in this special will be old news for longtime park-goers, but for those new to the Disney experience, the short episode offers a great deal of intriguing information about the theme park and its surrounding resorts.
If you are headed to any of the major Disney parks in the foreseeable future, I recommend you give this television special a try. It may not be a movie, but it’s easily worth your time.
What say you? What’s your take on the current climate of faith-based cinema? Are you more of a Universal Studios type of person? Let me know in the comments section.
You know the drill. Recommendations are more than welcome and can be placed in the comments section as well.
Next week, the Instant Critic and his fantastic readers will be receiving a well-deserved week of rest.
Until then, may your sunscreen be effective and your break wonderful.
The Instant Critic
The Instant Critic 
Both of these movies sound wonderful! I would really like to see them!
I agree Robet Duvall is always a solid actor. I remeber him from Gods and Generals all the way back to Second Hand Lions and always love him. The utopia movie sound like a flick worth checking out
I think that faith based movies need better actors in them. Facing the Giants and Fireproof are good movies with good messages… but frankly the acting stinks. If we could get some good actors in them then that would bring faith based movies to a whole new level. I have not yet seen Seven Days in Utopia or Blue Like Jazz. But since you said they were good I will have to check them out.
I agree with you on the faith-based movies. I enjoy them and appreciate the efforts involved, but they usually aren’t very high-quality. It’s good to hear about a faith film that is a better movie. I look forward to watching Seven Days in Utopia.