Movie Diary 1/7/2009

Not Easily Broken (Bill Duke, 2009). Another one from the pen of mega-evangelist T.D. Jakes, who wrote the novel basis of Woman, Thou Art Loosed, an amazingly lurid melodrama. That description is meant as a compliment; the 2004 film is like something from another era, or planet. This one, alas, is toned down and tamed. Jakes doesn’t take the preacher role this time; he plays a wealthy prospective home buyer — “Gospel of Prosperity,” and all that. (full review 1/9)