Steve Pulaski As one can maybe infer from the title, I'm in Love With a Church Girl exists in that strange little subsector of American cinema that I probably should be getting tired of, but still find myself weirdly interested in - contemporary Christian cinema. Every year, especially 2014 for some reason, we are given one or two of these low-budget films, sometimes boasting names we recognize, and other times, coming completely out of left field. The films are sometimes less films and more long-winded sermons that, by the end of their runtime, have done nothing but tirelessly preach to the choir and can be metaphorically compared to a preacher who gets so wrapped up in what they're preaching they circle back to their point several times as they race around the stage with their face bathed in sweat and their voice getting more and more raspy as time goes on.At least with the abundance of Christian films that seem to center themselves on storyline improbabilities and contrivances, at least this one seems more focused on dealing with a grimmer reality than many other films of the genre. Similar to King's Faith - a film I thought quite highly of thanks to the use of reality and honesty rather than sugarcoated simplifications - this film doesn't hesitate to offer depictions of rough gangs, pessimistic forces, and, ultimately, tries to come to a conclusion as to why people join gangs in the first place and, more importantly, why they remain involved despite the massive amount of things that could go wrong.The film focuses on Miles Montego (played by rapper Jeff "Ja Rule" Atkins), a wealthy and loyal drug dealer, who meets a nice Christian girl named Vanessa Leon (Adrienne Bailon) at a party. The two begin a relationship, but the immediate difference is that Vanessa is a devout believer and a loyalist to her local church and community while Miles simply strikes deals around the local church and thinks of the community, as a whole, as a haven for paying customers. Despite Miles moving away from the local drug scene, Vanessa still wishes Miles was more involved in a faithful life.For Vanessa, he decides to adopt a life more geared towards reading the Bible rather than ignoring it. However, Miles realizes his time may be limited due to the fact that persistent DEA agents are watching him like hawks, specifically Agent Jason McDaniels (Stephen Baldwin), who is just waiting for Miles' next false move.Admittedly, despite acknowledging certain realities in the world that are unable to avoid (there is no such thing as the purebread, normal, American family and issues like drug addiction and social irresponsibility are hard to ignore in modern American films. However, director Steve Race and writer Galley Molina still make the misstep almost all contemporary Christian films make, which is their inability to portray the non-believing community as people who are moral and functioning well despite a lack of outspoken beliefs. Consider Miles, who's life is magically turned around after he meets Vanessa, a good Christian girl and decides to assume a life of faith. I anxiously await a Christian film that shows us that even if someone is an Atheist that doesn't immediately make them a bad person, incapable of making wise, moral decisions.The film does get other additional fields down, however, despite some glaring miscalculations still present. Atkins and Bailon are both pretty good actors, and their ability to spark watchable chemistry that never treads the line of boredom is actually something that keeps the film interesting overall. On top of that, even the film's runtime - which is two minutes shy of two hours - doesn't feel that long in retrospect, as it shows a gradual change in Miles, even if the change is a questionable one. I'm in Love With a Church Girl qualifies as, something I call, "a major-minor movie," or a film that is gravely underestimated and receives a barrage of negative reviews but just so happens to have several good qualities, even if it isn't perfect. In the realm of sermons disguised as films, this is one of the better ones you could watch.Starring: Jeff "Ja Rule" Atkins, Adrienne Bailon, and Stephen Baldwin. Directed by: Steve Race.

KATO-SUBZERO 18 April 2014As soon as I heard the title and saw the poster, I knew that I would like this movie. This movie was great from start to finish. I saw it in the theater last year. Now I have the DVD. I liked it so much that I saw it twice in the theater. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this movie an 11.I love this movie for several reasons.1. It is positive about showing a former bad guy how to turn his life around and come to God. God uses a pretty Hispanic/Latina to as a vessel to bring him to God. The Holy Spirit of God and Christ works in people to reach others the same way as Satan uses people.2. It has NO profanity. Any age can see it. 3. It has NO nudity, NO rape or violence on women. That alone is great. 4. I love and support All positive Interracial Love stories between men and women. 5. Another reason I liked it was the fact that the lovers are Interracial and I and my youngest married son can personally relate to love between the lead African Black American and the pretty Latina because we live it. However, we just never were involved in any criminal activity like the main guy in the movie.Hollywood and this country needs more positive movies like this one and movies that any age can see such as "God's NOT dead", "Courageous" and "Heaven Is Real".

James nunez 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.

Jazzie-too This movie blind-sided me. I'm not a "faith" person, but wish I could be one of Vanessa's friends or in the family. Such standout faith. And there are people like this. I don't know how it happens, but it does. What is wrong with "good". Loved the feeling I had at the end of this movie. I knew the reviews and comments would not be favorable, for all the reasons that make soul-less reality TV so much a part of people's lives. Thank you, whoever conceived this story, and I hope more people will feel what I felt. Wish I could cross-over like this. Just see this film. Oh right, any review requires 10 lines of text. I find this not a productive requirement. Wish this site would re-evaluate this policy. Just SEE this movie. Oh, yes, don't shout either.