Sorry, this movie sucks

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

Amateur movie with Big budget

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

And dripping with, drenched in, and hopelessly mired in Protestantism. I didn't make it more than 45 minutes into the film, though the graveyard scene had 'cult!' screaming in my head. I can just picture this old man being arrested for that--taking three tweens into a graveyard, leaning over behind each kid, and saying into their ears--in grand ghoulish fashion--find Jesus, you're gonna die. Creepy. All the little hairs on my arms stood up and quivered in unison. I'm Orthodox, and I'm sure Orthodox and Catholics alike will run screaming up the aisles of any theater that would show this film. It's horrible.My library had it, and I checked it out. This kind of film with its deranged content has no place on the shelves of a public library. As this movie is labeled "Christian," I should be able to speak in those terms. The whole 'moral' of the story is Born Again-ism, which has no Biblical base and propagates heretical teachings. John 3:7 does not indicate that there is a whole ritual or even formal process for being 'born anew,' that there is a magical phrase involved--if there was, the Bible would have told us--or that any man or church holds the gate key. It's something between God and that one man, and has to be witnessed by no one. And it's not supposed to be scripted by other men. The main reason is it's dependent upon the utterance of this made-up phrase which appears nowhere in the Bible. Proof? Orthodox and Catholics have all asked Jesus into their hearts in their own way, at every single liturgy, and yet are not recognized as 'saved' by any of the false churches that propagate this heresy. Protestant churches put themselves between men and God.Churches script this phrase--that means it's not coming from the heart. It's also not said in worship but rather to summon the favor of a deity. That means it's an incantation--also known as a charm or a spell. And it's witnessed by members of the church. God needs man to witness whether another is 'saved'? So man administers it. Satanic. You shouldn't be able to label a thing 'Christian' if it contains false teachings, and this movie is absolutely dripping with them.

When this movie was released, the radio ads I heard led me to believe it was a 19th century mystery with Christian overtones. In reality, it was like the picture of your favorite DJ, who looks nothing like you envisioned him. My wife and I watched the DVD last night. I found it to be a well-done, well-acted movie about sharing the Gospel. Mr. McLeod is superb as the lead, with Robert Guillaume complimenting the nicely chosen cast. The props and settings are accurate and nostalgic. It made me long for the innocence of that time. With Easter approaching, we should all reconsider the claims of Jesus on our lives. This movie will cause you to do that.

There is no need to be intolerant or suspicious about The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.If you're uncomfortable leaving your personal bias at the doorstep, and watching how others teach their children by example, then don't watch this movie.On the flip-side, if your children are not quite getting their Sunday school lessons, then this is a marvelous movie for them to watch. Because that's what The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry feels like, a Sunday school lesson.Jonathan Sperry doesn't teach anything out of the ordinary. If you don't want to be lied to, then don't lie to others. It's that simple. It's your choice. Do you need God in your life to follow these simple principles? No. However, some prefer that God be part of their lives.Jonathan Sperry acts as a guide to several young boys in his community. Sperry and the boys all belong to the same church – they all know one another. Jonathan Sperry practices what he preaches. He teaches the children by example; examples they can understand and put forth.We are a society with deep crevices of division – religious, societal, educational, race, and on and on. Sperry takes his little community and one by one, helps to fill those crevices. He passes on what he knows so that hopefully the division will become less and less. So when Sperry's wife dies in a car accident caused by neighbor Mr. Barnes, played by Robert Guillaume, does Sperry hire OJ's powerful lawyers and sue? Does he lament on a daily basis? Does he forever point his finger? Does he cry "poor me"? Nope. He kills Mr. Barnes with kindness. Why? Because Sperry needs to feel better. How does he feel better? By helping Barnes to feel better. And damn, isn't this a concept some people just can't wrap their heads around? Some people call the concept forgiveness. Others call it healing.Sperry's lesson is division within a community, clan, schoolroom, family, boardroom, or society, is not healthy. It causes chaos. Do you need the Bible, or the Tao to teach you about chaos and how to handle it? Well, if you don't have common sense, then perhaps you do.So, when a bully comes on the scene, Sperry shows the boys how to deal with the bully and shows the bully how to overcome what's eating him.I think it's brave, brilliant, and wonderful that the Christiano brothers used their energies and creativity to try and fill in those crevices and make our children's world a more solid place to live in.Gavin MacLeod is a delight to behold. Mr. Guillaume will have you bringing out the Kleenex.The movie is well-written, well-paced, well-acted, and touching.Great job tying up Dustin's loose end with Tanya. Wasn't expecting that one!!

Here you're going to read a lot of unfair commentary on this film that is largely based on hatred of basic Christian values. That's come to be expected and that point is even made in the film. If you want to be entertained by a family friendly comedy about a kid who learns a valuable life lesson(in an unexpected way) without having to worry about the obligatory negatives of the average theatrical release then you won't be disappointed. I think you'll find as I did a great story and surprisingly professional grade acting among the young cast members and outstanding performances among the senior members. I was surprised by the quality of this film and I expect you will be too.