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God’s Not Dead: Kevin Sorbo deserves an Oscar for this one!
This awesome review is from Tracey in Michigan. Love it, Tracey! And I agree… Kevin deserves an Oscar!!
I saw “God’s Not Dead” the day after it opened. (The theater) was packed and I was afraid I wouldn’t find a seat for my 10-year-old granddaughter and myself. 
A young lady stood up and waved at me to come on up the aisle to sit with her and her father. They moved the whole row down to make room for us. That just amazed me that so many were willing to make sure everyone had a seat and was able to view the movie.
It is so true that those who do not wish to believe in a higher power are trying to change America. Our forefathers founded this nation on freedom of speech and religion in our First Amendment rights decades ago.
This movie brings all that into question for the believer and the non-believer. When a young college student (Shane Harper) challenges a professor (Kevin Sorbo) about a written statement he wanted the whole class to write, this young man stood his ground and said no.
The professor decides to give the student 20 minutes in the next three classes to prove there is a God because he wanted to crush the young student for being a Christian. Something that the professor had deep-rooted from his youth caused this hatred to burn its fire in his heart and soul.
As a result of the truth being told to the class and demonstrated by the young student, they were able to choose for themselves what was true and what was not.
My granddaughter said, “Grandma, how come people don’t know that God is real?” I told her because they choose not to, honey. It is called free will. God gave us that choice when Jesus died on the cross. He gave the Gentiles a chance to be adopted into the covenant of Abraham along with the Jewish believers. I am so thankful he did.
All I can say is God bless America, and pray it returns to morals that were first instilled in all of us.
This is a powerful movie, and if you have any young adults starting college, then this is something they really need to see before starting and selecting their classes.
l am so happy that this film came this year; so many are trying to remove God from our country. America was founded on the freedom of speech and religion.
God bless the actors for taking on this challenge. Kevin Sorbo deserves an Oscar for this one!
(Images and video courtesy of “God’s Not Dead”)
God’s Not Dead: A positive message that left you upbeat at the end
Kevin Sorbo’s recent film, “God’s Not Dead,” is an amazing work with a great script, fantastic acting, Christian values and a wholesome message. It is powerfully moving, and elicits laughter and tears for many reasons.
I wish to feature fan reviews as well as my own to shed light on this wonderful production, give Kevin the recognition he so overwhelmingly deserves, and urge you to see it if at all possible. Also, I, as well as Christians everywhere, want to send a message to Hollywood and the world over that we want more films like this!
Here is the first review from Susan Murphy, a writer in WA, who kindly gave permission to post this. Thank you so much, Susan!
I had a chance to go see a really good, family-friendly movie this weekend called, “God’s Not Dead.” The writer in me wishes they had cut back on at least two of the side story lines to better focus on the main premise and character development.
But, that said… it was so nice to see a movie that didn’t swear at you constantly, that had an intelligent script, some great acting – particularly by Kevin Sorbo, who convincingly played a character that was the absolute antithesis of who he is as a Christian – and a positive message that left you upbeat at the end.
There was one line in particular that really stood out for me. When one character (played by Dean Cain) asks his mom who has dementia what all he
r praying has gotten her (he’s rich, powerful and successful without having any faith), she replies: “Sometimes Satan allows a person a life without trouble so that they won’t turn to God.” I never really considered that take before, but it makes complete sense to me.
So, if you’re looking for a movie you can actually take your kids (ages 9 and up) to without worrying what they’re going to see or hear, go see “God’s Not Dead.” We need to show Hollywood that movies like this CAN be wildly successful, and perhaps they’ll start to think about making more like them (rather than “Noah,” which, aside from the main character’s name, apparently has nothing to do with God or Noah).
Please read a more detailed, extensive review entitled, “God’s Not Dead — Much to Hollywood’s Surprise,” on Susan’s awesome An Average American Conservative blog: http://anavgamericanconservative.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/gods-not-dead-much-to-hollywoods-surprise/
(Images courtesy of “God’s Not Dead” movie)
Kevin Sorbo says his movie, God’s Not Dead, will make people think…
Pure Flix Entertainment’s faith-based film, “God’s Not Dead,” starring Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” “Andromeda,” “What If…”) opens this Friday, March 21, in the U.S. Its stellar cast also features Shane Harper (“High School Musical 2,” “Flipped”), David A.R. White (“Six: The Mark Unleashed”), Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”), and special appearances by Christian super-band Newsboys and Willie and Korie Robertson (“Duck Dynasty”).
The upcoming cinematic release, written by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman and directed by Harold Cronk, strikes at the hearts of religious believers and non-believers when a dogmatic, argumentative, atheist college instructor, Professor Radisson (Sorbo), states on his class’s first day that he requires his philosophy students to disavow the existence of God or face a failing grade.
“This semester,” says Radisson, “I propose that we refuse to waste our limited time together debating the existence of the ‘Big Man in the Sky.’ Fill in the papers I’ve just given you with three little words: God is dead.”
Freshman Josh Wheaton (Harper), a devout Christian, maintains that he cannot conform to Radisson’s request by openly declaring, “I can’t do what you want… I’m a Christian.”
Radisson then challenges Wheaton to a classroom debate: If Wheaton wins he will pass the course; if he fails, his below average grade will forever tarnish his scholastic record.
This sets the stage for the exciting movie that brings to the forefront Christianity versus Atheism in today’s world fraught with spiritual questions.
Sorbo kindly provided a few insights regarding “God’s Not Dead” in a recent interview with this writer.
“I don’t want to preach to the choir about this movie,” said Sorbo. “I hope the choir goes to see the movie, of course, but, I really want to reach those fence-sitters out there. This is a movie for all faiths and all of those who don’t believe. It is a good story that will touch those who are looking for something but don’t know what that something is.”
Sorbo, who is not unfamiliar with the faith-based movie genre, having won the Movieguide® Grace Award for “Most Inspiring Performance in Movies in 2010” for his astounding portrayal of Ben Walker in “What If…” and was nominated for two Movieguide® awards for the movie, “Soul Surfer,” explained what attracted him to this controversial role.
“As it is with all scripts I read,” Sorbo stated, “it has to hold my interest. I give scripts 20 pages. If I am not hooked by then, I pass on the project.
“I loved the (‘God’s Not Dead’) story, the message (and) the character. (It was) fun to play a man that is so far from what I am that I couldn’t resist.”
Sorbo, a devout Christian who was reared Lutheran, clearly overcame his antithetical character. How?
“(It) wasn’t that difficult,” maintained Sorbo. “I have atheist friends, and I just tapped into the conversations I have had with them. And it is a very well-written script, so, that made it pretty
easy as well.”
Sorbo is well-known in Hollywood’s Christian faith circle, having appeared on the television ministry program, “Hour of Power,” that broadcasts from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA, and the 700 Club. What does he hope to accomplish with “God’s Not Dead”?
“Because it will make (people) think,” the former Hercules strongman replied. “It will create conversations on all sides of this issue and, hopefully, make those who are non-believers at least consider the possibility that there is something out there that is bigger than they are.”
Please see the “God’s Not Dead” website here: http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/
Check out this awesome video!
(Images and video courtesy of “God’s Not Dead” movie)
Kevin Sorbo is a fabulous actor! He should be back on TV!!!!!
Elisheva from Canada describes how and why she became a Kevin Sorbo fan in the second of two great stories. (Please see the first one here: http://tinyurl.com/ooyld54.) Many thanks, Elisheva!
**On a personal note, I think we all wholeheartedly agree that Kevin Sorbo is a fabulous actor! He is grossly underused, underrated and overlooked, and someone who would bring millions of fans (ratings AND dollars!) the world over as he has previously proven and continues to prove to ANY project in which he is involved, especially on TV!! Are you listening ABC, CBS, NBC and CABLE STATIONS??? PUT KEVIN SORBO BACK ON TV!!!!!**
First, a little bit about myself: more of the observing Think Tank who prefers to be happy-go-lucky, loves talking to people and exploration, (has) many interests, and loves life.
How did I become a Kevin Sorbo Fan?
I came to see him via “Andromeda.” It was not (on TV) every day, nor was the series brand new. I most often start watching a series well into its life… with few exceptions. “Merlin,” the BBC series, is one of those special shows due to the fact (that) I love the King Arthur Legend.
I almost instantly fell in love with the TV series, “Andromeda,” for many reasons. Truly, it was “partly” Captain Dylan Hunt. It was more than his role, more than the story line, more than the comic, sarcastic humor. Kevin Sorbo is a fabulous actor! It was more than that, too.
It was a great person putting everything of himself into what he was doing. I love that! The episodes (in which) Kevin was doing or saying something he didn’t like, I could tell… But, he did a more than a fabulous job even then to get through the episode.
The more I watched “Andromeda,” the more of an impact he made on me. I never forgot that! It was easy to see that he was a person who cared about the world around him. Life went on, and so did my access to TV off and on… I had things to do, places to see, people to talk to… But, I always wondered how my Captain was doing, and I always wondered if my impressions were accurate… I tell you, though, any chance I had to see “Andromeda,” it had my full attention! In fact, some of my own sarcastic humor was Kevin’s influence… lol… I liked it and “borrowed” some of it! Mind you, that was always a part of me and a part of 
my life.
Now, I didn’t know about his big break, “Hercules,” until being on his Official Facebook page. The two things I have NEVER told anyone are my love for the Hercules Legend and (that) Kevin Sorbo is yummy… Now, try putting the two together! La-ti-da-ti-da, whistling quietly… lol!
I still haven’t watched “Hercules,” but have seen photos now… I don’t think that I could ever express either “openly” to anyone, even if asked directly: #1 I am a shy Christian, #2 Gooodnessss, a strong Christian woman liking a guy who could easily pass as a “pin up guy!” Shame, shame on me… lol!
Putting my sarcastic humor aside, there are so many different reasons (why) as a person Kevin impresses me. And that is why I am a devoted fan – it is important to me. Others realize I am a good Christian, even in my thoughts, (and) even though it is a normal “Human Thing” to very much like an actor and a legend, most would likely laugh reading that… lol!
I can’t remember when, but at one point I decided to see if Kevin Sorbo was on Facebook. I was curious…
There he was! And I have been a follower and participant since… and dreadfully missing “Andromeda” and no access to any of Kevin Sorbo’s movies or TV series… Life goes on…
And at least I can occasionally talk to Kevin, and I can hear what he has to say. At least semi-regularly he makes (me) laugh or posts something reallllllly interesting… and I can interact with some of his other fans…
Kevin Sorbo is amazing. In real life he is so much more than a great guy whom I recognized in “Andromeda.” He truly embraces that he is a human being, and I love that!
I also don’t worship him and don’t worship every word he says. But, he is a wonderful husband, devoted father (and) great person. He genuinely wants to talk to his fans and hear what it is they think.
Kevin is very aware and very intelligent, too. He is one person whom I would be very proud to have as my friend (celebrity or not…). Kevin is one of those rare actors who genuinely cares about his country/world around him and DOES something about it. For this factor alone, he will forever have my respect and support! Go, Kevin, Go!
Signing off… a devoted and content fan – Ellie.
(Images courtesy of Kevin Sorbo)
Put Kevin Sorbo back on TV! Another Bobby Cannon review…
Continuing my quest to get our beloved Kevin Sorbo (Hercules in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and Captain Dylan Hunt in “Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda“) back on TV, here’s my review of his fantastic 2005 pilot, “Bobby Cannon”… Enjoy!
“Bobby Canno
n” is a long-lost, almost-happened television situation comedy (sitcom) pilot starring Kevin Sorbo, Kate Walsh, Rocky Carroll and Kevin Michael Richardson in an excellent ensemble cast comparable to “Seinfeld” that networks and cable stations ignored back in 2005. Pity… it’s not only their loss, but also the viewers’ who won’t see this well-acted, funny show come to fruition.
Written and directed by Barry Kemp, the genius behind “Coach,” “Newhart” and “Taxi,” its premise follows a popular, aging National Football
League (NFL) star quarterback, Bobby Cannon (Sorbo), who owns an eponymous bar and is well-loved by his many fans. A book publisher contracts him to pen his memoirs, but the writer, London (Walsh), isn’t thrilled about her assignment because she has different ideas about what makes a great book, and self-absorbed, egomaniac athletes like Cannon isn’t one of them.
The two stereotypical, dichotomous, yet engaging characters – he, a sports jock and she, a book geek – eventually meet on common ground following the current NFL draft of a new, young quarterback, Dallas (Thad Luckinbill), who will presumably replace Cannon about which the star knew nothing until he, London and his bar patrons witness the draft on his bar’s TV. And whereas London has sought the “valleys” (low points) in Cannon’s charmed life in order to create a more sellable book, he disavows anything until clean-cut, virgin Dallas visits the bar to shake hands and even “carry the jock strap” of his football idol.
Cannon cannot relate to nor accept Dallas and leaves the bar in a huff. London delivers a compelling speech about camaraderie following his exit, stating that “An American icon has fallen. A man who has never lost anything has suddenly lost everything.” Then she appears at his door…
What ensues is typically described by TV critics as “sexual tension” as the pair meanders through verbal volleys and innuendo that, frankly, leave me wanting more… Are you listening, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CABLE STATIONS???
Yes, Cannon is a self-absorbed, womanizing, seemingly shallow egomaniac, but he is also a very real person. We see his public persona in the bar, not unlike athletic and celebrity stars of today, but his humanness surfaces when London invades his personal space and forces him to admit t
hat perhaps she is right when she maintains, “You said you didn’t want to write a last chapter that ends like this… …This book could make millions of people feel better about themselves… People think you’re invincible, and they’re mere mortals. This proves that you’re no different…”
Sorbo is well-cast, and in many ways seems to take shots at his own career and life, such as women perpetually fawning all over him, his having been an all-star athlete (excelling in football, basketball, baseball and golf), and possibly having to step aside in Hollywood in favor of younger action heroes. He, like Cannon, writes an autobiography (True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal–and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life). I wonder: Did Sorbo choose Bobby Cannon or vice versa?
Great performances by the supporting cast led by Carroll as Cannon’s and Dallas’ agent and Richardson as Lincoln, Cannon’s biggest supporter and former teammate, help solidify this pilot’s tight script and ensure its flawless, even flow. I particularly like the interaction between Sorbo and Richardson because they’re just two guys hanging out at the bar… old friends who are very loyal to each other.
“Bobby Cannon” also offers interesting sets, costumes and props that appropriately define the show. Everything fits like a finely-crafted puzzle, especially Cannon’s automated-via-remote-control apartment from which London cannot escape when she tries to work the remote, and instead ignites the fireplace, activates romantic music and dims the lights. She then declares, “God, I’m seducing myself! How do you work this thing?!”
Sure, “Bobby Cannon” might be a throwback from the mid- to late-1970s and later sitcoms, reminiscent of womanizing characters like Fonzi (Henry Winkler) in “Happy Days” and Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta) in “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Some reviewers compare it to “Cheers.” I understand and appreciate those points, but don’t see them negatively. Ideally, I don’t care about any of that! And, even if they’re correct, is that so bad? I love those shows that were hits for many years!
Some might even say that Kevin Sorbo’s “Bobby Cannon” may by today’s standards need some tweaking to accommodate the current politically correct crowd since it was first filmed in 2005, that it’s too sexist or no longer relevant for sensitive audiences. Oh, please… Based on its entertaining pilot,“Bobby Cannon” would be a welcome, refreshing change from the dreadful, formulaic sitcoms and banal rehashing of useless reality show tripe that unfortunately plague our viewing choices.
“Bobby Cannon” is a great project with stellar leads, an amazing supporting cast and a tight script. And maybe Sorbo’s current status is slightly beyond believability as an active, aging quarterback, but perhaps the story could be altered for him to be, say, a former star who is now a quarterback coach whose job is on the line unless he delivers? And maybe Cannon’s ego still sees him as the star so that when Dallas arrives as his equal or better, the story continues from there?
I believe that however this pilot could be updated, and should this excellent program ever be produced, Kevin Sorbo would bring hi
s usual exciting energy, enthusiasm, humor, honesty, sheer joy of acting and perfect yet grossly underrated comedic timing to create another award-winning sitcom in Barry Kemp’s stable.
I, for one, would absolutely watch and record every single moment of “Bobby Cannon” because, well, it’s KEVIN FREAKIN’ SORBO who is an incredible, underrated, under-used actor… But also because this interesting, funny, skillfully written and acted program would be well worth my time and efforts to enjoy again and again and again…
Catch the “Bobby Cannon” trailer here:
(Screen caps by Jan; video courtesy of Teresa)
Kevin Sorbo’s Bobby Cannon sitcom by Barry Kemp should be on TV
Hands up all those who want to see Kevin Sorbo back on TV! If I had more than two hands, I would surely raise them! What about you?!
To that end here is the first of two reviews of an excellent pilot Kevin filmed in 2005 with the hopes that a major US network would notice called, “Bobby Cannon.” This is from our good friend, Rhonda in GA, who states what we’re all thinking: “ABC, you had the chance to pick up a great sitcom, and you blew it!”
“Bobby Cannon”: The pilot ABC didn’t pick up
In early 2005, Kevin Sorbo signed a development deal with (the American television network) ABC. He had just finished his second syndicated series, “Andromeda,” and was looking to do a series on network TV. From the development deal came a pilot for a sitcom called “Bobby Cannon.” The pilot was filmed in May, 2005, in Los Angeles, and a number of Kevin’s fans attended the taping.
Thanks to Kevin, I got a DVD copy of the pilot and loved it. Unfortunately, ABC didn’t feel the same, and decided not to add it to the 2005 schedule, and, to this day, I still don’t understand why.
Part of the reason they gave for not picking it up was that it was too much like “Cheers,” which was a hit for NBC, and “Coach,” an ABC hit produced by Barry Kemp (who also wrote and produced the “Cannon” pilot). ABC, what were you thinking?
The premise of the show, for those of you who haven’t seen the pilot, has Kevin playing the title character, the star quarterback (qb) of the (National Football League team) Chicago Bears. He also owns a sports bar and grill, which his younger sister runs for him. The Bears, as is the rest of the NFL, are preparing for the football draft.
In the bar, Bobby and his friends are gathering to hear about the Bears’ first pick. A book editor named London comes in to talk to Bobby about writing his autobiography. He’s not too keen on the idea, but he is very interested in her, so he goes along with it in hopes of getting closer to her.
At that point a sportscaster on the bar television announces that the Bears have drafted a quarterback named Dallas. This can only mean one thing: Bobby’s days as a quarterback are numbered.
To make matters worse, his agent also represents the new qb and never told him. So, it appears that Bobby will have to help train the new qb, which is quite a blow to his ego.
Dallas comes to the bar to meet Bobby, whom he idolizes. Bobby tells him that, while they will be teammates, they will never be friends then he retreats to his apartment located above the bar to drown his sorrows. London follows him and convinces him to go ahead with the book (because) his story will be very inspiring.
He wants her to spend the night with him, but she quickly tells him he’s not her type.
The next morning, Bobby shows up at the bar with a strange new attitude after a jog – he will fight with everything he has to keep his job as the Bears starting qb.
Had the pilot been picked up, the sitcom would be in its eighth season now, and would have been a huge hit, not just with Sorbo fans, but with football fans as well.
It’s a shame that ABC didn’t give it the chance it deserved.
BTW, of the sitcoms ABC did pick up that year, only one-“Freddie,” starring Freddie Prinze, Jr.-lasted a full season before being cancelled. The others only lasted a few episodes. I’m quite sure ABC is privately regretting this decision, and while the rights to the show have reverted back to Kevin and his then-manager, Eric Gold, Kevin has said that he is too old to play the part now.
ABC, you had the chance to pick up a great sitcom, and you blew it.
(Screen caps by Jan)
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