Dave Mackey on the Movies
(With a Focus on Family/Christian Films)
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Title: The Wager.


Rating: NR.
Film Companies: PureFlix, Amaris Media International, Blazing Sun Productions.
Cast: Randy Travis (Young Guns, The Rainmaker, Baby Geniuses, Texas Rangers, The Visitation), Jude Cicollela (Shawshank Redemption, Star Trek Nemesis, The Terminal, The Manchurian Candidate, Sin City, 24), Bronson Pinchot (Beverly Hills Cop, Perfect Strangers, Courage Under Fire, Second Best), Nancy Valen (The Heavenly Kid, Baywatch), Nancy Stafford (Judging Amy), Candace Cameron Bure (Full House, Sharon's Secret, The Krew), Doug Jones (Hellboy, Doom, The Outer Limits, Galgameth, Hocus Pocus), Kelly Overton (All My Children, Desperation, The Ring Two)d, Mike Gallagher, John Hagee, Matthew W. Barnett, D. David Moran, Riley McCan, James Molina, Rich Hutchman, Charles Grey, John Gilbert, Carey Scott, Russell Wolfe, Bill Myers, Monte Rex Perlin, Boston Stergis, Christine Scholle, Thurman Dalrymple, Brad Heller, Leticia Robles, James Gilbert, Collette Wolfe, Andrew Stergis, Rob Adams, Doug Folsom, Christopher M. Jones, Clint Brandel, Justin Allen, Carolyn C. Glaner, Tara Erdo, Ryle Eddings, Brent Tyler, Daisy Lewis Garcia, Gioia Marchese.
Crew: Bill Myers (Author, Co-Producer), Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Russell Wolfe, Elizabeth Travis (Producers), Judson Pearce Morgan (Screenwriter, Director), David Christie (Co-Producer, Byron Jones (Co-Producer, Production Designer), Michael G. Maurer, Adam Doench (1st Assistant Director), Ji Na Song, Brian Hambel (2nd Assistant Director), Briana Jorgenson (Costume Designer), Nick Tortorici (Production Designer), Todd Baron, Lisa Stacilauskas (Directors of Photography).
Synopsis: Michael Steel (Randy Travis) is an actor about to receive an Oscar for Best Actor when life takes a sudden turn. His wife leaves him and a perceived scandal undermines his career, while a disagreement over his upcoming film puts his career on hold. Steel is a struggling Christian seeking a way to serve God in difficult circumstances. Based on the book by Bill Myers - which is a modern retelling of the biblical book of Job.
Review: PureFlix recently released Hidden Secrets, a funny and thoughtful Christian comedy, I looked forward to much of the same. Unfortunately, while The Wager is decent it feels a bit more like a TV movie than a theatrical release. This isn't due to a lack of talent - veteran actors Randy Travis and Jude Cicollela lead the pack reinforced by a number TV acting talents. It seems the weakness is in the story, which at times feels a bit stilted. Thats not to say it isn't a decent film, but put this one on your B-list. One other quick note that irked me throughout the entire film - Jude Cicollela wears a too small hat throughout the entire film which reduces his effectiveness in the film. An unfortunate choice in my opinion.
Theatrical Release: 2007 Completed.
DVD Release: Available.
Bibliography:
Jude Cicollela - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_Ciccolella.
Bronson Pinochet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronson_Pinchot.
Nancy Valen - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0883940/.
Candace Cameron Bure - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0121026/.
Doug Jones - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427964/.


Other David Mackey Sites:
Church Resources. - Free Computer War and Strategy Games. - Koine Greek Open Source Audio. - BetterNeighbours.Com. -
GameSecretary.Com - W.R. Hutsell's Games. - Wandering Mind's Quotation Collection. 
- Civil War Search Directory.

Copyright 2004-2008 by David Mackey. All Rights Reserved.