Bless the Child

Rating:
Summary: Bless the Child, Bless the World
Review: Bless The Child is a theatrical tribute to the current world's situations plagued by an intoxicating need for quick solutions to problems no matter what the cost. The film shows how some will give up their lives, and their souls, in order to fulfill their needs instead of conquering their battles themselves.

The movie starts with a single and middle-aged Maggie (played by Kim Basinger) meeting her long-lost-sister, Jenna (Angela Bettis) ,who brings, and leaves her newborn to her Brooklyn apartment for her to take care of. Persistent in finding out what is wrong with the child, and disagreeing with the doctor's diagnoses of autism, Maggie places the child, Cody (Holliston Coleman), in a Catholic school where she hopes she will come out of whatever is causing her problems.

A case of murdered children in the area brings federal agent and former seminary student John Travis (Jimmy Smits) to Brooklyn to help the police investigate the murders. With a specialization in occult mysticism, Travis informs the police that they are not dealing with a comic-book psycho, and the crimes are meant to attack God, not man.

Maggie is greeted by her sister once again, six years after her startling departure. She is occupied with her new husband, Erick Stark (Refus Sewell), founder of the New Dawn which provides the city with a rehabilitation center for those who abuse drugs or alcohol. Of course the New Dawn also welcomes those who are confused about who they are, and need some stationary brainwashing. Insisting she is well enough to take care of her child, Maggie is caught off guard with the request of Stark to take Cody with them to their home, promising she would receive the best medical attention under the most prestige's doctors. When Maggie declines their request, she learns Cody has been kidnapped.

Maggie quickly goes to the police station and explains what has happened but insisting it is a social worker's custody issue, she is blown off. Detective Travis ushers her back to his office and explains that he has had an eye on Stark for some time, but protected by the best lawyers-he is legally well-protected. Frustrated, Maggie leaves the office and ventures into Stark's New Dawn building to solve her problem herself. Littered by "There is no God, but you" pamphlets, Maggie acts interested so she may e-mail Stark directly on one of the message boards, requesting another conference with him.

Experiencing some exhaustion from the current circumstances, Maggie walks into one of the rooms at the hospital where she is a practiced nurse. Here she meets Sherry Post (Christina Ricci) who explains her friends shot her up and left her to die. While having a conversation, Sherry accidentally blurts out that Maggie looks like her sister, revealing she knows who they are. Being summoned by a doctor to assist him in another room, Maggie has to run out after Sherry tells her "Don't let them get the girl. You know she's special, don't you?"

When Maggie arrives back at her apartment, there is a message for her from Sherry telling her to meet her at a diner. Upon arrival, Maggie hands Sherry some cash for a bus fare out of the city. It is here that Sherry explains to Maggie Cody will lead people to God, and Stark will do whatever it takes to stop that. Spotting some of Erik's minions outside the diner, Sherry slams a gun on the table wrapped in a small piece of paper which includes the address of Stark's home, and runs away. Maggie chases her into a metro station where she is knocked out by one of the goons, and left for dead on the tracks while it is far too late for an oncoming train to stop.

Fit-up, Maggie goes to Stark's home where she tries to take Cody back with her, but is drugged by one of Stark's accomplices and placed in a car on the wrong side of the road on top of a bridge. Swerving to avoid cars, Maggie hits the side and forces the car to titter-totter off the side.

Finding help from a nun and a reverend that have experience helping people out of Stark's occult, Maggie ventures into the dentist office where Cody is having her teeth cleaned. Sneaking in and out, Maggie grabs Cody and runs out into the street. Chased by the dentist, minions, and the nanny, Maggie takes Cody into a nearby metro station and runs to a train just as the door is shutting. A shy woman with an umbrella calmly places it between the closing doors, opening it, and allowing them to escape on the train just before the nanny runs to the train and bangs on the side-revealing her demonic form to Cody and Maggie.

Upon the reverend's advice, Maggie takes Cody north to a church in upstate New York where she will be safe. Noting Maggie's tardiness, the nuns begin to pray for the safety and well-being of Maggie and Cody. Cody is once again kidnapped, and Maggie once again chases after her, resulting in herself being held against her will in an abandoned church. Finally being able to see one of Stark's ceremonies first-hand, Maggie notes the flying dragons and thousands upon thousands of rats which form a brief, but graphic Lucifer.

This dramatic and heart pounding adventure brings people of all backgrounds under the realization that "there is a spiritual battle happening every second of everyday. All of our actions influence the outcome of this battle."

Rating:
Summary: Its a good movie....but...
Review: Bless The Child portrays the prototypical story of Good vs Evil effectively....to a point.The acting is hit & miss for the most part. Rufus Sewell portrays the role of a cult-leader nicely without going over the top. Jimmy Smits doesnt seem too inspired in this film, but nevertheless gives an okay performance. Holliston Coleman, the girl who plays Cody, does an excellent job in her role. Kim Basinger comes off bland throughout most of the movie, and the role Christina Ricci plays shouldve been extended to more than just two short scenes.The plot has obvious major holes that drag the movie down if you sit & disect them. And some scenes are ridiculously laughable / over-the-top. For example, a bird flys head-first into a Catholic-school window as Cody looks on. Next thing you know, all of the children are outside gathering around Cody as she holds it, while the nuns and Cody's aunt (Basinger) watch and laugh whole-heartedly, not caring about the health issues that could arise from a 6 year old girl holding a seemingly dead bird she picked up off the ground.Little things..Characters always being in the right place at the right time. Smits' character always finding clues and evidence that the dozens of cops at the scene seem to always overlook. Basinger not handing over key evidence that could save the child 30 minutes into the film, instead opting for the role of superhero and trying to infiltrate the premesis of a cult all by her lonesome. These along with other noticeable things bring down the film a few notches.However, the film is entertaining.If you sit and watch it just for the entertainment value and not for realism or disecting the plot, you should enjoy this movie. Its a solid story of good ultimately triumphing over evil, with a few thrilling moments along the way.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable religious thriller
Review: Wow, I really enjoyed this supernatural thriller. Kim Basinger plays the guardian of a very special chosen little girl. Rufus Sewell plays the devil. Interesting film, scary effects, recommended. Beware a few swear words and a decapatation. The rest is blessed! Good acting and great story.

Good to see a hollywood film that honours God instead of blaspheming Him.

Rating:
Summary: A Supernatural Thriller of Hope
Review: This teriffic thriller offers a message of faith in the battle of good vs. evil in the modern world. Director Chuck Russell (The Mask, Eraser) created this believable, low key, and exciting thriller highlighted by a great performance from Kim Bassinger in her best role since "L.A. Confidential".

The film begins during the week preceding Christmas as a star which has not been observed since the birth of Christ coincides with a series of ritual child murders. Maggie O'Conner (Kim Bassinger) is a nurse living by herself after being deserted by her husband after two miscarriages. Her confused and drug addicted sister Jenna (Angela Bettis in a nice turn) shows up with her newly born baby Cody and promptly runs out on her. The next few years are filled with love and apprehension as she becomes "Mam" to the sweet but withdrawn red haired little girl. Maggie can tell there's something more than a form of autism involved in her daughter's quiet behavior and she is right. Cody has the gentle and life affirming powers of Christ and has been born to lead people back to God.

John Travis (Jimmy Smits) is the Federal Agent and former seminary student leading the investigation into the muders of these now six year old children being killed because they were all born on December 16th. They also have an occult symbol carved into their arms in opposition to God, and pointing to "Black Easter".

There are unusual occurances surrounding the sweet Cody (nicely played by Holliston Coleman). It is obvious that evil is after her but it does not deter her from her gifts. She lights all the candles at a church alter and brings tears to the religious statue. She also heals a dead bird who has flown into a window, witnessed by Sister Rosa (Lumi Cavazos), who sees how special Cody really is.

Rufus Sewell (Dark City) perfectly plays Erick Stark, Guru of "New Dawn", a network of devil worshipers spreading all across the country in the guise of self empowerment for teens, taking them out of drugs and the streets straight into a cult of evil. He hooks up with Maggie's sister Jenna so he can get to Cody. He suspects she is the child they have been searching for and plans to turn her towards 'the opposite of religion' or kill her. When Maggie refuses to give her up and she is kidnapped, both Maggie and Federal Agent Travis attempt to close in on Stark and his minions and save her.

But the star means something special has come from God and they are helped at pivotal moments by people who then disappear, leaving no doubt they were Angels. Christna Ricci gives another great performance as Sherry Post, who is being sought out by Stark's followers as well and tries to help Maggie find Cody before it is to late. There are some tense and exciting moments of suspense with one shocking chase scene in a subway you'll not soon forget. As Maggie gets her back and then loses her again amidst images of winged demons and Stark's minions, Sister Rosa and Reverend Grissom (Ian Holm), a scholar censured by the Vatican, aid her in her desperate search to save her daughter.

This is all handled in a low key and effective manner of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances, which adds to the suspense. There are some underlying messages about faith in God scattered throughout this teriffic film. Cody's refusal to be 'turned' by the crafty Stark is heartrending. There is a very suspenseful and faith affirming climax with a nice epilog of Good having grown to strong to be overpowered by evil.

This really good film is the opposite of most films dealing with this subject matter and is very engrossing and thought provoking. Bassinger, Smits, Ricci, and Holliston Coleman as Cody are all teriffic in this fine thriller with a supernatural slant, and a message of hope. If you didn't catch this one at the movies you'll want to pick it up now. It's a keeper....

Rating:
Summary: Bland, and much more.
Review: Yes, this movie is pretty typical of those other Satan/church movies. I had some other problems with it though...

Like for example, the fact it expected us to think an old woman was a frightening enemy. And also the idea that limos are great vehicles for car chases.

Poor goths...they keep getting a bad rap in movies. I've known lots of goths, and very little of them worship Satan and go after little girls with razor blades.

Rating:
Summary: Predictable but genuine
Review: Unlike most movies in the religous horror genre, Bless the Child manages to get the theological aspect pretty right, (even though a vision of a child as antichrist or, as in this film, a new savior, have no basis beyond "The Omen"). It seems to take that aspect seriously, and so much the better.
There is a good story here, well told for the most part. Things generally remains subdued yet manages to create some creepy moments. The cast is strong. Kim Basinger seems to have a great connection with Holliston Coleman, who plays little Cody. Rufus Sewell makes a smart and compelling villian. And Jimmy Smits makes a good showing here to. The visual side of Bless the Child is workman like, but certainly thoughtful and professional. And the effects, though obvious, are certainly effective.
Despite these good marks, there are quite a few questionable ones. Just as the acting is good, it's also uninspired. There doesn't seem to be a high level of passion among anyone involved. And there are quite a few side characters, namely Christina Ricci, who are meakly realized. Some of the horror elements divert from the films tone as well. I'm always up for some gore, but it needs to be well utilized. There are some scenes here that seem outright goofy in relation to the rest of the movie, if not just a little illogical. The end is also something of a let down. It's not bad but it does seem a little shallow. I just felt there should have been a little something more.
Still, I must recommend Bless the Child. Though there are faults, director Chuck Russell obviously took this film very seriously. It's a tale told with care. That always shows.
Even if the absolute glee that some of the classics in this genre exhibit, isn't apparent here.

Rating:
Summary: The title intrigues
Review: me. I haven't seen the movie but i think its about Kim Baysinger is the mom of Christina Riccii and they dont get along but then Christina gets sick and as she is dying in the hospital the mom cries and says she was bad, but loves her and Christina forgives her and the mom says "Oh lord, please bless this child" and it is a very sad ending.

that is my review of the film Bless This Child.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Movie.
Review: Along with those here, who have given favorable reviews to "Bless The Child", I totally agree.
It's easy to be critical of the content of this movie by the crirically minded, but take a second look if you will.
Here are actors portraying a story, of good versus evil. It's done with an honest moral story, of two brave people, working with the odds against them.
It's my understanding, that when Kim Bassinger was offered this movie, she turned it down with a comment she did not want to do a movie showing children being exploited. But when she was asked just to read the script only, she changed her mind with a great conviction that it was an outstanding story theme.

You don't have to be religious to see the basic struggle of this movie, and the rescue of a child, with all the people portrayed helping out as best they can to save the little girl, meaning nun's, a cop, a nurse aunt, and the use of prayer to cover the two people involved saving this child. And prayer was a key to the victory in this story.
It would be great to have more individuals like this we see portrayed in the movie in our country today, from all walks of life, not afraid to to take on evil and injustice around us, in all forms. Apathy only lets evil win, and the people in this movie were determined to fight it, at any risk to themselves.

Rating:
Summary: THE GOOD SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH
Review: Hey...look a movie where Catholics aren't the villains! No bad priests, no psychotic nuns. For once, the devil is the devil!!!An FBI agent who actually carries a bible and was a former seminarian, but is not fanatical. BLESS THE CHILD worked for me because it was about good vs. evil, and good wins out. Critics blasted the movie, so what? It's an entertaining and ultimately frightening movie with some classic scenes. When Kim Basinger confronts the evil Rufus Sewell who says she wouldn't shoot him in front of her niece, she says "Close your eyes." And when Sewell has the little girl on the roof and mocks the temptation of Jesus by Satan, and tells her to jump from the roof and see if God or his angels rescue her, she sits and says "After you." Jimmy Smits, Ian Holm and Angela Bettis lend expert support and in a brief role, Christina Ricci proves what a dynamic young performer she can be.
Cliches? Not really. The use of the special effects I feel was justifiable and creepy, and uplifting with the angels.
Want a feel good movie? This is it, folks.
There be angels....

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!
Review: DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ABOUT THIS MOVIE!!! THIS IS ONE AWESOME MOVIE! IT'S BASICALLY ABOUT THE FIGHT BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL(OR GOOD AND EVIL) AND JUST HOW UGLY THAT BATTLE CAN GET. IT IS ABOUT A LITTLE GIRL BORN TO A DRUG-ADDICTED MOTHER WHO HAS SPECIAL GOD-GIVEN ABILITIES. KIM BASINGER PLAYS THE GIRLS AUNT MAGGIE WHO ENDS UP RAISING THE GIRL NAMED CODY AFTER THE MOTHER ABANDONS HER. I HAVE TO SAY THAT BOTH KIM BASINGER AND JIMMY SMITS(TWO OF MY FAVORITE ACTORS OF ALL-TIME!) ARE ABSOLUTELY AWESOME IN THIS MOVIE. RUFUS SEWELL WHO PLAYS THE HEAD OF THE SATANIC CULT WHOSE GOAL IS TO KIDNAP THIS "SPECIAL" CHILD CODY AND USE HER POWERS FOR THEIR EVIL PURPOSES ALSO GIVES A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE. IT GETS VERY INTENSE IN PARTS BUT THE END RESULT IS WELL WORTH IT ALL. IF YOU BELIEVE AT ALL IN GOD OR SATAN OR MIRACLES OR EVIL YOU REALLY SHOULD WATCH THIS MOVIE.---ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE GOOD! IT IS ALWAYS SATISFYING TO SEE GOOD TRIUMPH OVER EVIL. AND WE KNOW THAT ULTIMATELY IT ALWAYS WILL! WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO RENT OR BUY THIS MOVIE AND WATCH IT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!! I WOULD GIVE THIS MOVIE FIFTEEN STARS IF I COULD!--IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD!!