David Macniven Movies

Four people of faith must take it upon themselves to save the soul of humanity in this sequel to Left Behind. When millions of people around the world suddenly disappear into thin air, the entire globe is thrown into chaos, and in the midst of this confusion and uncertainty, Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie), international media magnate and president of the United Nations, steps forward as the leader who will guide all the world's nations in this difficult time. However, television journalist Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron) knows the truth behind what has happened -- the mass disappearances were the result of the Rapture, predicted in the Holy Bible as the beginning of the End Times, and Carpathia is, in fact, the Antichrist. Williams falls in with three remaining believers -- pastor and biblical scholar Bruce Barnes (Clarence Gilyard Jr.), airline pilot-turned-believer Rayford Steele (Brad Johnson), and Steele's headstrong 20-year-old daughter, Chloe (Janaya Stephens). Calling themselves the Tribulation Force, the foursome travel the world, attempting to spread the word about Carpathia and tending to the needs of the wounded; in the course of their work, Buck and Chloe fall in love, while Barnes comes to terms with the loss of his wife and child. But when sinister events occur in Israel at the site of the Wailing Wall, the Tribulation Force suspects Carpathia may have some more unpleasant surprises up his sleeve. Adapted from the popular series of Christian thrillers by Rev. Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force, like the first Left Behind picture, was produced by Christian production company Cloud Ten Productions; both films were first marketed on home video, and later released to theaters to widen their public profile. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Charlie Kate Birch (Gena Rowlands) is a peculiarly powerful Southern matriarch, an anachronism in the early 20th century. She's a self-educated woman who makes a good living as a midwife and holistic healer. One day, she saves a black man who's been lynched, and he thanks her by giving her a rabbit's foot, which supposedly "brings an easy life" to the person who carries it. Charlie's husband leaves her soon thereafter, but she had begun to think he was an idiot anyway. Charlie's only character flaw seems to be her attraction to unworthy men, and she passes that trait on to her daughter, Sophia (Mimi Rogers). Sophia's husband is an unfaithful lout, and he dies an early death, leaving Charlie, Sophia, and her daughter, Margaret (Susan May Pratt of 10 Things I Hate About You) to fend for themselves, which they do admirably. Soon, Sophia has another suitor, a divorced lawyer named Richard Baines (Geordie Johnson). Unlike her mother, Sophia has remained a romantic soul, and she loves Richard, and waits patiently for him to propose to her. Charlie, meanwhile, has an ongoing feud with the alcoholic town doctor, and tries to be a more cerebral influence on Margaret. But when, during World War II, Margaret falls in love with Tom Hawkings (Ken Mitchell), a wounded soldier, Charlie realizes that they're a perfect match. Charms for the Easy Life was adapted by screenwriter Angela Shelton (Tumbleweeds) from a novel by Kaye Gibbons. The film was directed by Joan Micklin Silver (Crossing Delancey) and premiered on Showtime on August 18, 2002. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide