By Tommy Acosta
Sedona, Az –Former Sedona Mayoral candidate Samaire Armstrong has triumphantly returned to Sedona as a movie star in a Hollywood feature film titled “God Is (not) Dead: In God We Trust,” where she plays a hard-core campaign manager for a Christian pastor making a run for Congress.
Samaire delivers a solid performance as the ruthless campaign manager who tries to convince the pastor to play dirty while he wants to keep it clean because of his faith – a classic confrontation between good and evil.
From the get-go, the movie sets the stage for the battle between those wishing to combine church and state in the governance of the country against those wishing to keep God out of it at any cost.
Samaire, narrowly lost her election bid for Sedona mayor when she ran two years ago brings to the camera an intrinsic knowledge of what it means to face dirty tricks inherent in politics.
Except in the film, the shoe is on the other foot as her character indulges in political shenanigans and dirty tricks in hope of defeating the pastor’s opponent.
One thing the film makes clear is that sometimes the true power of an elected official is the campaign manager behind them.
Should God be involved in earthily politics or not is the basic theme of the film and Samaire’s role as a formidable political hack provides fodder for the pastor’s need to be fair in the eyes of God versus Samaire’s need to win regardless what God thinks.
The film makes no bones about its stance promoting the concept that religion and politics can work together for the benefit of the country but falls short of proselytizing or actually calling for Christians across America to rise up and vote candidates of faith into all branches of government.
The rest of the actors in the film do a great job and the arguments delivered by the representatives for both sides, those who want to keep church and state separate versus those who are for unification, are intriguing and thought provoking regardless of where one stands on the issue.
The star-studded cast that includes David A.R. White, Dean Cain, Scott Baio, Charlene Tilton, Ray Wise and, of course, Samaire Armstrong, deliver powerful messages, their characters calling upon believers to stand firm in faith and make their voices heard; or, telling God to mind his own business.
For those in Sedona who know Samaire, this movie is a special treat because her superb acting skills makes you forget that it is her in the film as her character develops, comes to life, and she becomes her.
This is one movie that is not to be missed as it could actually be predicting what is coming to this country in the not too distant future. It’s a primer to a blueprint America could soon be following.
“God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres. Showtimes will be Sunday and Monday, Sept. 15 and 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 17, and 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.
20 Comments
The movie was very intriguing and Samaire was stellar in her command of the character Lotte. Bravo Samarie Armstrong!
Love the title. This country was NOT founded on religion it was secondarily founded by Anglo’s to escape it. God was NOT part of the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954 and In God We Trust was not our “motto” until 1956/57. It was NOT any part of America’s second founding. America had just emerged from both WWII and the Korean War (ongoing) where GI’s fought fascism and communism and now we have MAGA American’s who support Fascist, Fascism and Communism hiding behind “God” and “Country” while they hand the country over to Anti American, Anti Democratic forces and NO God has anything to do with it because it isn’t a good thing in any way shape or form.
Interesting piece. No opinion, re the merits of the film, but to say she “narrowly lost” her election bid😳? It was about a 2-1 loss, as I recall. Given what’s happened since, one could argue whether we are better off, or not…but it was by no means a narrow defeat.
Terrific film, of good and evil
SAMAIRE did a great job. Recommend it to all.
Leave it to TJ ro go on a political rant. Anyone surprised?
The Political film review demands Political commentary whether you like or dislike the movie or its content. You just have issues with comments that justifiably criticizes the use of God as a Political message by a former Political Candidate and Actress. Too bad you only see and hear what you choose and are not open minded enough to accept factual criticisms.
Leave it to MAGA members to force opinion upon others they disagree with like TJ who was clearly stating historical fact and not Evangelical nonsense.
Ok Laura. You believe the nonsense in the film like you likely did the Vin Caweasel film that was based on lies and hypocrisy of a former FBI Agent who was portrayed as a hero cracking down on human trafficking while he was secretly engaging in sexual misconduct.
https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/new-court-filings-detail-tim-ballards-discipline-with-lds-church
These movies are Alt Right Evangelical MAGGOT Propaganda and nothing less and only a MAGGOT would defend the one sided hypocritical Propagandist messaging they present.
My response is Political in nature. TJ was just stating historical M’erican political fact not a political message like my response to a Political movie by a Political Activist Actress.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaire_Armstrong
I didn’t create the facts I posted, history did! The movie is political evangelical nonsense message. Sorry if the truth hurts but too damned bad because it’s the truth!
If it were a true portrayal of good vs evil it would highlight the good people do without the crutch of organized religion and focus upon the evil of today’s world like the rise of wannabe dictators like Trump, Orban, Putin, Meloni, Le Pen, Assad, Xi and Un. Not some Harry Potteresque story book nonsense!
How could you not make it political? Every single person the article name posted is a right wing loony!
Scott Baio, what in the hell has he done since being a child actor? Oh thats right a TRumper. How that going for him?
Religion has no place in politics! SIMPLE! I almost wish a Atheist would win! Hey lest bring Sharia Law into Congress, how would you like that!
Lets not forget Mike Hukabe that fraud, and fake Christian….You people are priceless
A movie with a local celebrity……………………..Ooooooooooooooooooooo Im so exited.
It’s a political film with far right Evangelical Conservative overtones. I didn’t create that fact nor the facts I have stated here -Surprise!
TJ and BJ you are both going to Hell. You are persecuting innocent people that only want God to have his rightful place in our country. Now, more than ever we need Christian values in our government. I’m sure neither of you saw the film. Yet, you attack God and His defenders. You should not attack God’s children unless you want to bring His wrath upon you.
God is going big-time in our country and this time around we can be sure He will have his way and ensure we vote for candidates that truly love Him and are willing to unite to bring evangelical representative into our government.
God, please forgive TJ and JB for they know not what they do.
How Christ like of you Mary Conspiracy Anne! You have no clue as to the life I have led nor what if anything will happen to anyone in any theoretical afterlife.
America was NOT secondarily founded upon Religion by the so called “Pilgrims” or even our forefathers! Historical evidence shows the exact opposite! America was founded by Indigenous people who were grounded in nature and the preservation of all living things. Some of them believed in a creator but their belief in a creator did not come from a fictional story book like those creators of organized religions that are responsible for more death and destruction than all of the wars fought in their name. Wars I have seen first hand where religion was the cause not the solution, just as it is with the current war Israel is engaged in. The secondary founders of this nation used “religion” as an excuse to commit genocide, forced religious conversion, family separation, slave labor and other un Christian horrors upon the people who rightfully occupied this country in order to take it from them.
The MAJORITY Americans decided and voted upon the separation of church and state long ago. Just as they did Roe vs Wade. And the MAJORITY of Americans stand by those decisions no matter how much a nut job fringe extreme ALT RIGHT religious conspiratorial group uses it to chip away at our Democracy and rule of law!
Keep your GOD to yourself as we the MAJORITY do NOT want to hear nor see your bullshit nonsense anymore than you want human rights or freedom of ALL Religions or the freedom to be non religious!
Forgive me “GOD” for I know EXACTLY what I am doing! And it’s not destroying our Democracy by forcing my religion upon others like your ilk does by shoving it in peoples faces without regard for their rights and beliefs. HELL is a Fascist led Pseudo Evangelical nation devoid of rights for all under MAGA control and insanity!
“God is going big-time in our country and this time around we can be sure He will have his way and ensure we vote for candidates that truly love Him and are willing to unite to bring evangelical representative into our government”
My coffee just shot out of my mouth and nose as I read your horseshit nonsense! You actually think that the Orange Draft Dodging Insurrectionist ids a true Christians? ill Douchebag has like most Pseudo Christians, broken every commandment in your silly story book and then some, like defacing bibles to sell them or make conspiratorial films to GRIFT his constituents. And GRIFT they BIGLY Do! Why don’t you ask the women whose pu@@use the Orange idiot has grabbed how Christian they think the Treasonous Insurrectionist Commie Lover truly is?
Warning, they’ll likely shoot whatever they may be drinking out of their mouths and noses and on you if you have the courage do so!
JB, what shot out of your mouth and nose were your brains. (:->
Could be butt at least I have a brain, think for myself, don’t parrot Rusher Propaganda and don’t pretend to be Christian as you do while attacking others for their factual comments about other people as you have and do.
Please don’t attack my Penis again. I can’t handle such harshness from a so called Born Again Christian who claims to also be a Born Again M’erican that believes every word she’s told via propaganda like your Chinese Military Battalions secretly based in the US!
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Poor little JB
Sat on a wall.
Poor Little JB
Had a great fall
All of Trump’s horses
All of Trump’s men
Will make sure his wee wee
Never stiffens again
rst Amendment Fundamental Freedoms Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-1/
Could you point out the part about your silly religion? While your at it, show me in the bible about abortion…..LOL
I know when I stand at the pearly gates, I have a lot to say about Christians thats for sure!
“rst Amendment Fundamental Freedoms Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“
LOL! You don’t believe in freedom of all religions! You only believe in yours (which you do not practice by attacking others) and wish to force upon people of other faiths and beliefs. That is NOT “making no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;” it is the hypocritical interpretation of the Constitution to suite the needs of EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY over the expressed freedom of ALL Religions to include Buddhism, Islam or Judaism.
If you believed in the Constitution and Rule of Law you would RESPECT the Separation of Church and State and RESPECT the FACT that other Americans (whose ancestors also helped secondarily found and forge this country) have different faiths and beliefs other than your own or that they have the right to practice whatever they may believe just as much as you think you do! But you clearly don’t see that part of the written words of the Constitution! And ALL Americans have the RIGHT not to have any religion shoved in the faces or down their throats as you would have it.
LOL Mary Conspiracy Anne!
You don’t believe in freedom of all religions! You only believe in yours (which you do not practice by attacking others) and wish to force upon people of other faiths and beliefs. That is NOT “making no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;” it is the hypocritical interpretation of the Constitution to suite the needs of EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY over the expressed freedom of ALL Religions to include Buddhism, Islam or Judaism.
If you believed in the Constitution and Rule of Law you would RESPECT the Separation of Church and State and RESPECT the FACT that other Americans (whose ancestors also helped secondarily found and forge this country) have different faiths and beliefs other than your own or that they have the right to practice whatever they may believe just as much as you think you do! But you clearly don’t see that part of the written words of the Constitution! And ALL Americans have the RIGHT not to have any religion shoved in the faces or down their throats as you would have it.
It is interesting how facts are made up, or conveniently ignored. I am of the age when the pledge of allegiance was “One Nation, indivisible for liberty and justice for all”. That’s when I was in grade school. As we know, Eisenhower changed it through an act of Congress.
Some on this post choose to use the pledge as a “talking point” as they never went to civics class. Or it is a “convenient argument” – so they think. It is not about the pledge. BUT, if you have money in your pocket you might want to look at “In God We Trust” which is printed on your bills stamped on your coins. If that offends you, cool, I’ll be glad to take it off your hands so you won’t be a hypocrite. Especially your $100s.
In the Declaration of Independence, there are three references to God. And each one is different. “Nature’s God, “Creator” and “Divine Providence”. You can look up the context. Our founding fathers ran from religious persecution, which is why the church is not the basis for our Republic. (And PLEASE PLEASE STOP using the word DEMOCRACY. Learn the difference, our politicians certainly do not know the difference, especially the ones currently in office.) But they’re trying to fool the public – which is easy these days.
The US Constitution never explicitly mentions God or the divine except in the signature clause:
“Done in the Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September (tomorrow) in the Year of our Lord”….which was 1787.
I guess someone somewhere believed in Jesus Christ or we would not have a calendar.
STATE CONSTITUTIONS (yes, every one of us is bound by those)
However God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. The divine statements of some states are “Supreme Being”, “Supreme Ruler of the Universe” or like Hawaii, “grateful for Divine Guidance”. ALL state Constitutions reference either God or the divine.
Suggest seeing the Movie at Mary FIsher Theater.
9/16 4PM
9/17 7PM
9/18 7OM
Our own Samaire Armstrong who was raised here has a major role and did an excellent job. She plays a single mother, in politics and a campaign manager. And that is pretty much her in real life. Very cool.