Canaan Land

I unfortunately saw this movie while flipping through streaming shows. It is about a grifter saved by a fellow churchmember, but in reality this entire film feels like a grift to take money from christians for a horrible movie that totally missed out on jesus's teachings. If you are a christian and looking for a good feel good movie with morals this isnt it, this is just a scam to take your money from you. Do you wonder why there are so many 10/10 reviews yet the movie has a total rating of 2, its because all those reviews are not real, they are just part of the scam of the movie, make you think its a good quality christian movie when it is nothing of the sort.

Anyway, from the covert art and screen image it looked like it was a fun parody on televangelists vs real christians so i thought lets give it a try. And i really wish i had that hour back in my life, i honestly feel dumber and just dirty watching this scam of a movie.

First off, there is a not a country on earth this movie could ever be considered a 10, and it just goes to show how dishonest and brigaded the reviews are. You are telling me this show is better than citizen kane, the godfather, 12 angry men, the shawshank redemption, and i could go on and on and on. These 10/10 of new reviews are nothing but a farce meant to trick viewers into spending money and watching something that is a horrible movie in every regard.

The plot makes little sense and seems to change throughout the movie but i guess that happens when you are the writer, director, star, producer and your name isnt clint eastwood. This is just some rich guys vanity project and it shows. Second is this a parody, a comedy, a drama, i just cant tell its so completely over the top and ridiculous. Parts are filmed like its a 10 year olds tiktok video and other parts look shot on a vhs camcorder. I even tried appreciating this movie as one of those movies so bad its good, aka MST3000 but even viewing it with that perspective it was a bomb.

Characters and character development are all over the place from completely non-existant, to utilizing every stereotype in the book, its gets to the point where its honestly just embarassing. The whole sister thing is just weird, and why does she dress up like the second she leaves church she is out ready to walk the street corners? Also, whoever did the ward robe on this should be fired instantly, its like they got a discount on every costume not used in the last 20 years and said i will take them all.

Overall this movie is absolutely horrible. If you want to watch a Christmas or religious movie then there are a thousand better. To me this is just a grift, a cheap homemade movie made out to be Christian themed but its not. Its made to take christians money and not deliver on anything.

Richard Rossi deserves a Best Actor nomination for Brother Billy. He carries the film from beginning to end in the sense that I can't stop watching him and wanting to know what happens next. I saw on Fox News a commentator express concern that Netflix has spent millions on ads in The Hollywood trades to make sure their candidates are the ones predicted to win and also keep with the quotas of rectifying the Oscars being mostly white in the past, so the Best actor nominees the trades are predicting are all black actors in Netflix projects. I think it's highly unfair to Rossi, but his work is so stellar I am hopeful Academy members look past the politics and give Rossi the nomination he deserves. Also strong in the film is Rebecca Holden as Sister Sara. She is perfect casting for the part and has already won a Best Actress award for her acting in the film. (I saw this on the film's official website). Speaking of black actors, Isaac Bar-jonah deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination for playing Laz. One of the best scenes in the film is when he and Billy talk over the ethics of what they are doing in conning people. Laz conscience is bothering him and Billy talks him out of the guilt he is feeling. I read that Jozy Pollock and Rosetta Walker are also under consideration for their excellent Supporting Actress work. This film has a multi-cultural cast, well-balanced of different races, ages, and ethnicities. Judge the film on its merits and whether you like it or not. Don't discriminate because of its small budget or because of racial factors.

I rarely watch movies these days. Not because there are no movies which are produced well. All the money and craftmanship put into them, all the visual effects are impressive, but I'm still bored. I repeat it, I'm bored. Because my soul is not touched. I'm looking for stories where my human experience and also my deepest longings as a human being are explored. I'm looking for credible portrayals of redemption, of a "much, much greater love" (song at the end of Canaan Land), lifting my spirit, amazing me, making me think. I'm looking for characters that show me what love and life are all about. Canaan Land is such a rare film. It's been made with a tiny budget, but I prefer it over so many multi-million dollar productions because of that.

Such good plot twists throughout the film I was at the edge of my seat. Rebecca Holden nailed her performance and completely sold the story as did the main character. Hope this film gets more attention it rightfully deserves. I'll be sure to recommend this to my friends and family. Canaan Land rocks.

This was truly a labor of love for an issue that is deep on the hearts of the churched and unchurched but not openly discussed.. there is something in this movie for everyone...Richard is bold enough to take on this largely indiscussed topic of con men in the church arena and gives a great performance.. it will help tear down the boulders that have been erected for those who have been hurt by hypocrisy... and bring healing and insight on distinguishing a fake faith from the real thing.