I'm in Love with a Church Girl (2013)

Such a frustrating disappointment

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The only bright spot in this movie is JaRule. He does a pretty good job of acting, but the rest of the cast is pathetic.

Well-intentioned, but uneven story. The beginning is very contrived, with meet cutes between Myles and Vanessa, and it was very preachy. Vanessa's father in the story was very bland, and far too trusting to let a "thug" get close to his daughter that quickly. Even Vanessa was too trusting of Myles, a bad message to teach our children- the believer rarely wins over the non-believer in real life.As a Christian, I really wanted to love this movie. Too many Christian films try to hammer the message home so obviously, they become caricatures.The latter part of the movie gets better, there is more genuine emotional turmoil. I don't know why they used a random car accident later in the story, when it would've been better if they used a violent gunfight to put Vanessa in jeopardy. I do like the scene with Myles and Vanessa's mom towards the end. I think having the FBI agent McDaniels talk about his own faith was a little late in the story, and seemed contrived. The message of redemption is great, but events just seemed to fall into place too easily. Not a bad film, but not very good either.

I rented the DVD and watched the extras before seeing the movie because I was familiar with the back story of Gally Molina. This was someone who is the perfect example of what someone can do with a second chance in life. I found out in an interview he gave, he had turned down other studios who offered to buy his story because they wanted to glamorize and emphasize his drug dealing past. Gally was more interested in the character's redemption than highlighting his past lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, while the movie does show some materialism in a fancy lifestyle, it's focus is on more of the characters themselves. This is a faith based movie so that should eliminate anyone else who isn't sure what type of movie they're watching. While the acting was amateur and seemed like a more a rehearsal reading, particularly of it's female lead Bailon. She comes off more annoying as the central theme to how reformed bad boy Ja Rule finds God. Still, the movie wasn't that bad. Ja Rule is the headline here, and he doesn't do a bad job with what he's given. He has the star potential to carry a major motion picture and it shows here. I was a little disappointed with the lack of music from it's other musical stars Toby Mac and T-Bone, in supporting roles, but will admit the soundtrack is catchy. The movie is not bad for a faith based movie and there is nothing here to offend anyone. Ja Rule is Miles, a drug dealer who has all the toys anyone could ever want in life. His crew is made up of Toby Mac and T-Bone, also drug dealers who are fronted as a concert promoters. They find themselves under the watchful eye of cops Stephen Baldwin and Michael Madsen. Throughout the movie there are some lessons learned in humility and redemption. The message here is second chances and forgiveness. I was really moved by this movie and with a little better acting, this could rival some of the bigger budgeted movies in Hollywood today. This is an inner city story of faith and forgiveness that I think a lot of people can relate to. Gather the family around, sit back with the family, and enjoy yourselves with this one. Don't forget to come as you are.

The whole movie is a success story, a true story that is well organized and played on screen. It teaches how no one is left out of the sight of God. Most importantly, there is a God who watches over everyone and is seeking us all. No matter what, just come as you are, God is not waiting for you to be perfect neither is He asking for you to be, Just show up and say Father here I am, I surrender..Playing the guy (Galley Molina) whose life the movie is based is rapper Ja Rule, who also had legal issues. The realness of this movie goes a long way to helping many lost souls know Christ and turn to him.It is an excellent movie in every sense of the word. Though a faith based movie, but it is not corny a little bit, filled with a lot of humor at the same time teaching morals.