DAVID OYELOWO TURNS KILLER IN 'CAPTIVE'

The story is amazingly true, as I was living in the city of Atlanta when it happened and not too far from the apartment complex where Ashely Smith was taken as a hostage. It was a scary and surreal feeling knowing that this man, who had gone a killing spree was in the same area as me and my family and that a women was being held captive. The screenplay for Captive, which based on the memoir "Unlikely Angel" by Ashely Smith was written by famed show creator Brian Bird of the Touched By An Angel series. Smith is played by Kate Mara (House of Cards), a hostage held in her apartment for seven long hours. Smith reported to the news that she read chapter 32 of The Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren's book 'A Purpose Driven Life' to Nichols, her captor played by Oyelowo. Smith says reading that chapter of the book was an influencing decision to release her from captivity and her life being spared. She later admitted that she had also given Nichols crystal methamphetamine to pacify him.

Nichols went on a murderous rampage after breaking out of county jail, he killed 4 people including the judge that was to sentence him before taking Smith hostage. Smith says the ordeal helped her to realize she had a drug problem. The movie is set for release in September, but if you're interested in a more current date there will be a screening at the Biola Media Conference on Saturday May 2nd. Entry into the Biola Conference is pricey, unless you are a Christian filmmaker with interest, in faith & film as purpose, no pun intended. Though I am not excited about all of the pieces that came together for Captive, I'm looking forward to the release of this film, as well as more from Oyelowo who has been very public about his belief and allegiance to God. With the release of the Oscar nominated Ava DuVernay film Selma this past year, Oyelowo played another Atlanta native on the opposing side of the Nichols Captive spectrum and did so fantastically. With his portrayal of non-violent civil rights activist the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., I have to say he deserved an Oscar nod in my opinion, no doubt. With all that said on a personal note, I am sincerely praying that this film will have an impact on the hearts that see it as well as the industry that is distributing it. These cinematic strides help pave a way for other filmmakers with similar convictions that desire to tell great stories that not only showcase talent, but more importantly plant seeds of faith, and maybe, just maybe those seeds will produce new believers in Jesus Christ, after all, that, is really all that truly matters.