Freedomland

—1. Overview
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters (Julianne Moore)
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads

Another Friday at the movies, my favorite day of the week. My manager said I could get off an hour early so I could catch the matinée showing of Freedom Land at the mall theater. I had to watch this movie because my car was at the mechanics and a walk down a crowded mall on a Friday night is a lot easier than a walk downtown to the local multiplex. As I was walking out of the store I received a phone call from the mechanic. My car needs it's engine rebuilt. I would be better off getting a new one...

Samuel L. Jackson and Julianne Moore star in Freedom Land. Samuel L Jackson plays Lorenzo Council, an African-American detective who polices the low class projects of New Jersey. When Brenda Martin's (Julianne Moore) son is kidnapped it is quickly up to Lorenzo to find him again. Even if it means placing an entire neighborhood under marshal law.

This movie intrigued me because of it's incredible actor line up. Samuel L. Jackson, Julianne Moore and Mrs. Soprano herself Edie Falco. When you have a cast of such caliber all you need next is a good story. And I thank it's that good story that made Freedom Land an intriguing thriller. While this movie may have some unanswered subplots and confusion it was well worth the ticket.

The constant mystery of finding Brenda's kid was able to keep my interest. The movie had several questions that needed to be answered. Is he still alive? If so where is he? If not who killed him? Julianne more did a wonderful job portraying a traumatized mother who was put in a position the likes of which I cannot imagine. The thought of losing your kid to a stranger is beyond comprehension. Karen Collucci (Edie Falco) was the leader of a group of mothers who helped look for lost kids. Her role made it clear that you can't understand this situation unless it happens to you.

The beauty of this film is that it is not just about losing your kid, it also involves other issues as well.Why does a white woman blame a black man for the disappearance of her son and an entire neighborhood gets shut down because of it?

Then there's Detective Lorenzo who has personal issues of his own to deal with, he is persecuted for siding with the "white cops" and he has a son in jail, but he is ok with it. He has faith. Lorenzo's faith is not a key role in the movie and whether or not he has it would not affect the final outcome or it's overextended ending. But it does make for some really inspiring theological quotes, that ask why God lets bad things happen?

"I believe in God, whatever happens, the good things and the bad things, happen because God wills it...Let go and let God." - Lorenzo Council

I haven't heard that great of a line from Samuel L. Jackson since he pondered the disappearance of his super suit in The Incredibles. While focusing on this movie my current automobile situation was on the back of my mind. But I couldn't help but be comforted upon hearing those reassuring words. "Let go and let God."

The apostle Paul wrote about hard times and struggles.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." --2^nd Corinthians 1:3-4

I should praise God in my time of struggles, thank him for what he is going to bring out of it.

When I have the very person who spoke all of creation into existence on my side, I should treat car troubles like I would a rainy day. I don't even care about my car now, God has another used one waiting for me in someones front yard, He just needs to show me the classified ad.

My suggestion: Give all of your struggles, be it missing children, financial problems, medical struggles, or a really screwed up Oldsmobile to the One with all the answers, and see how he surprises you.

— Overview