The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008)

Powerful

Memorable, crazy movie

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

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.

I loved it.A heart warming family movie. The journey of a man to a place we call heaven,the ultimate destiny of our soul.Dear friend the road to heaven is not at all easy,its full of pain and sacrifices but if you sail through on this journey with the hope and belief that God will pick you up when you fall,He will turn your pain into joy.He will be there to open the gates of heaven for you.The movie teaches us about all the good things each one of us can do.In the movie you see the words inscribed in the Bible in action.Forgiveness is the key to happiness.Mr Sperry you did the best you could,inspiring young souls,guiding them and teaching them the way to heaven on your way to heaven.Please give it a try it will not disappoint you.

Heart-warming and funny. A golden nugget and light-spirited. Great message to grasp and lesson to be learned. Definitely one to add to my collection. Not your usual movie about bullies, and the secrets of an aged man. This movie is filled with lessons, teachings, messages and warnings. However, there is one overall hidden positive message/lesson that I wonder if anyone has or will notice, between "Dustin" and "Tanya". I really enjoyed this movie and recommend it. Actually thought about using it for a bible study or my own personal teaching for myself. I know I could get a lot more out of this movie than what I have already watching it 5x so far. Unfortunately anything without explicit scenes or tainted by the world's cynical view of everything is very rare in this day in age. Acting is mediocre, but if that's all one gets out of this movie, than sorry but you really wasted your own time with this one.

Words can't express ... let's just say "Kirk Cameron loved it!" That's enough for anyone to stay far away from this film.But for deeper consideration - if you're the one of the few mind-washed true believers who wants to support faith-based film-makers, please put your money somewhere else. Communicating a strong message about one's faith is fine, but please find some writers who can write and directors who can produce more than simple god-is-great cardboard.On the other hand, throw your money down these types of rat-holes and keep self-feeding on your limited community! Eventually funding will evaporate and we won't have to be subjected to such cruel celluloid.Yes - I saw a prescreening - I was tricked into it and nearly duct-taped to my seat to see it through to the end because "I needed to hear it's message." Sheesh! If we're not intelligent enough to seek our own insights about the beauties of life, a film like this will destroy the last few brain cells left.I'd rather watch Love Boat reruns - at least I'd then get to enjoy the antics of Isaac, that wacky bartender.