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Today’s Prayer Focus

Brian Banks

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for thematic content and related images, and for language.
Moral Rating: not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Biography Drama
Length: 1 hr. 39 min.
Year of Release: 2018
USA Release: September 22, 2018 (festival)
August 9, 2019 (wide—1,240 theaters)
DVD: November 12, 2019
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Relevant Issues

False accusations / lies

The injustice of being convicted of a crime one didn’t commit

Difficulties and injustic in the justice system

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Prison

Fighting to reclaim one’s life

Courage

How to deal productively with a life full of major impediments

Paradise or Pain? Why is the world the way it is?
Why is the world the way it is? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? (filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty) Answer
Is Jesus Christ the answer to your questions?
Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Click here to watch THE HOPE on-line!
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.

Fear, Anxiety and Worry—What does the Bible say? Answer

Helping people who are down-trodden and need help

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Featuring Aldis HodgeBrian Banks
Greg KinnearJustin Brooks
Sherri ShepherdLeomia
Tiffany DupontAlissa Bjerkhoel
Melanie LiburdKarina
Matt Battaglia … Pete Carroll
Dorian Missick … Mick Randolph
Xosha Roquemore … Kennisha Rice
Gino Vento … Manuel Rojas
Jennifer Pierce Mathus … Reporter
Dean Denton … Coach Jaso
Morgan Freeman
See all »
Director Tom Shadyac
Producer ShivHans Pictures
Gidden Media
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: Bleecker. Trademark logo.
Bleecker Street Media

“A broken system. A man who wouldn’t break.”

Here’s what the distributor says about their film: “The inspirational true story of Brian Banks (Aldis Hodge), an All-American high school football star committed to USC who finds his life upended when he is wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit. Despite lack of evidence, Banks is railroaded through a broken justice system and sentenced to a decade of prison and probation. Years later, with the support of Justin Brooks (Greg Kinnear) and the California Innocence Project, Banks fights to reclaim his life and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NFL.”

  • Violence: Moderate— • forceable police arrest • playing football • prison murder aftermath (brief) • prison intimidation and a hard punch
  • Profane language: • G*d d*mn (2) • H*ll (4) • d*mn (2)
  • Vulgar/Crude language: • f-word (2) • s-words (several) • d*ck • a** (several) • p*ss / p*ssed
  • Sex/Nudity: Moderate— • kissing with some groping • cleavage • shirtless male • dialog related to rape accusation
Volunteer reviewer needed for this movie

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments

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Secular Movie Critics
…This is beautifully subtle film acting… a powerful film… Aldis Hodge plays a young man falsely accused of rape… He is powerful in scenes of anger, but he may be even better in purely silent moments where his unspoken reactions are eloquent. …
Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter
…As Banks’ prison mentor and spiritual turnaround wizard, Morgan Freeman brings the gravitas, while Shepherd (as Banks’ devoted mother) brings the gravitas plus the fervent Christian overlay ever-present in the movie. …
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
…So, where do Shadyac and Atchison expect audiences to direct their frustration at such a miscarriage of justice? Well, that’s what makes “Brian Banks” special: It is not an angry film, but one that preaches forgiveness in the face of such adversity. …
Peter Debruge, Variety
…touches on the plight of the felon and the impossibility of finding work… From a macro level, “Brian Banks” should just be a social justice film, but as we peer into the life of Banks himself, you’ll see a deeper and more profound story. …you’ll feel a tiny sliver of hope for our world in the end.
Alan Ng, Film Threat
…A skillful rendition of a wrongful conviction… it’s an inspirational and uplifting story featuring a powerful lead performance by Aldis Hodge in the lead role… Morgan Freeman cameos as a prison teacher/counselor who pleads with Brian to let go of his anger and says the only thing one can control in life is how one RESPONDS to life. …[3/4]
Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
…more tense and involving than might be anticipated …
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times