Holly on Hollywood
“Paul Apostle Of Christ”
by Holly McClure
“Paul, Apostle of Christ” opens in A.D. 67, with Paul (James Faulkner) in his 60s being jailed in Nero’s darkest and bleakest prison cell, for his teachings and beliefs. The story recounts his spiritual journey when he was Saul of Tarsus (Yorgos Karamihos), a high-ranking, slayer of Christians – to Christ’s most influential apostle. It’s also the story of Christ’s disciple Luke (James Caviezel), Paul’s friend, physician and transcriber, who (at great risk to his own life) smuggles Paul’s manuscripts (detailing the birth of the church and Christ’s teachings), out of prison. Nero is determined to rid Rome of Christians gleefully executing them in the cruelest ways possible. Bound in chains, Paul has survived floggings, shipwreck, starvation, stoning, hunger and exposure and now, he awaits his death sentence. Mauritius (Olivier Martinez), the prison prefect, guards his famous prisoner with more kindness than most. Alone in the dark, Paul’s haunted by his past and feels forgotten, wondering if he has the strength to finish well.
The PG-13 is for some violent and brutal content with disturbing images of Christians being nailed to crosses, tortured, used as human torches at night (thus the term “Roman Candles) and brutally pursued by Nero. Because of the rating, much of it is implied rather than shown directly, including repeated visual references to the murder of a child and the execution of women and children for crowd amusement. The focus of the story is almost entirely on Paul’s final months in Rome and the creation of his biblical books. There are heated debates among the early peaceful Christian leaders (John Lynch, Joanne Whalley) who work to get their followers out of the increasingly dangerous city before violence erupts. Faulkner delivers his lines with dramatic conviction making the words of God come alive and penetrate with truth. Caviezel passionately brings Luke to life, with a stealth reminder of Jesus’ presence in the early struggle of the church. The scenic location of Malta adds even more gritty reality and reminded me of the movie “Risen”. This is a powerful story of one of the most influential men who penned the Bible and a testimony of how God can change even the most hardened heart, with the love of Jesus. Themes of perseverance, compassion, forgiveness and love.
“Remember to Choose Your Movies Wisely”
~Holly On Hollywood~
Holly_McClureHolly McClure is a multimedia personality with a career that spans over 20 years in the entertainment industry. Her background as a film critic, film and television producer, creative director, filmographer, radio and television host, author and pundit for family values, has established her expertise and made her a recognized advocate for family-friendly entertainment.
Holly was the first family film critic syndicated in over 365 newspapers with The Orange County Register. Her “Holly on Hollywood” movie reviews have been featured on TBN, Daystar and can now be seen on Uplift TV, The Word Network, UANetwork, Parables.tv and other affiliates.
In 2002, Mel Gibson asked Holly to come to Italy and film the behind-the-scenes interviews for The Passion of the Christ. She produced a one hour special, The Making of The Passion of the Christ (TBN, ION) and has since produced numerous press features for films like; Do You Believe, Dancer and the Dame, God’s Not Dead, The Frontier Boys, House, Thr3e, One Night With the King, Midnight Clear, The Visitation, Hangman’s Curse and others.
Holly is a charter member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and serves on the advisory boards of The Dove Foundation and The Parents Television Council. She is a proud mother, grandmother, mentor and Christian, and passionate about supporting and creating life-changing entertainment!
For more information visit Hollymcclure.com or IMDB.com
