2 must-see movies: 'Police State' & 'The Blind'!

My wife, Gena, and I saw two riveting movies that we think everyone ought to see.

The first movie is "Police State," produced and directed by the amazing Dinesh D'Souza. Out this week in theaters across the nation (Oct. 23 & 25 and virtual premier Oct. 27), it is a chilling new documentary on the overreaching and intrusive roles of government, and how your rights as a citizen are being stripped from you one by one.

Wikipedia defines a police state as "government institutions that exercise an extreme level of control over civil society and liberties." That pretty much summarizes life in the U.S. these days, right?

Postmillennial.com explained the real-life characters in the film: "Conservative podcast host Dan Bongino, House Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., are featured in the film and can be heard discussing the dire concerns about the United States Department of Justice being weaponized to go after political rivals, such as President Donald Trump, January 6 defendants and parents attending school board meetings."

On the movie's official website, Dinesh described the film's production this way: "'Police State' is a movie that I never wanted to make, because I never wanted America to get to a point where a movie like this needed to be made. I feel like the animal that alerts the herd to approaching danger, so we can take precautionary steps before it's too late."

Watch the "Police State" trailer here. Then find a theater near you and go see it. If you don't have a theater near you, you can always watch the virtual premier on Friday, Oct. 27.

The second movie we want to recommend is fun, compelling and inspiring. It's a little too rough for young kids in my opinion but has lots of lessons teens can glean with their parent's guidance.

Who doesn't know "Duck Dynasty," the 11-season epic reality television series and story about the Louisianian Robertson clan, and their adventures and escapades in hunting and life?

Well, here's something you might not know: The crazy, wild and redemptive real-life love story between their patriarch and matriarch, Phil and Kay Robertson. It is depicted in a vivid and transparent way in the new movie "The Blind," which is taking the country and world by storm.

As CBN reported, "A new feature film that tells the harrowing, real-life story of 'Duck Dynasty' stars Phil and Miss Kay Robertson's early marriage is raw, powerful and offers a unique lens into the family's origin story.

"'The Blind,' a deeply personal journey, stunned Hollywood observers over its [first] weekend, when it opened in the top five at the box office, despite being shown in fewer theaters than some competitors."

The Shreveport Times had to quack their hometown ducks by further reporting, "'The Blind' finished No. 5 overall and No. 4 among movies opening for the first time, generating $4.4 million in ticket sales [in the first weekend] despite being shown on just half the number of screens as the other films in the top five." [To date, the movie has grossed over $15 million, which is amazing for such a private film in its initial few weeks.]

Willie Robertson, the couple's son who produced the movie with his wife, Korie, told USA Today network: "The response has been phenomenal. … We feel with our limited theaters and hardly any push from mainstream media we are doing great. It's been a real grassroots effort from everyday people who are getting the word out that 'The Blind' is an inspirational message of hope. It's awesome that so many people are coming out to theaters to see this incredible redemption story."

The Times explained, "The movie begins with scenes from Phil's childhood in Dixie, a small town north of Shreveport, before showing the couple meeting at North Caddo High School. Phil's and Kay's romance advanced while he was a quarterback at Louisiana Tech University before the couple were married.

"After college, Phil's life began spiraling out of control. He lost a teaching job in Junction City, Arkansas, and then got lost in booze working at a bar before the couple separated, with Kay fleeing to West Monroe with their children."

As the official movie's website summarized, "Long before Phil Robertson was a reality TV star, he fell in love, started a family, and began to spiral out of control. 'The Blind' shares never-before-revealed moments in Phil's life as he seeks to conquer the shame of his past, ultimately finding redemption in an unlikely place."

For added insight, please watch Willie and Korie's interview about "The Blind" that they gave this past week to CBN. Willie said the movie was difficult to watch at times because it brought up the raw but inspiring prequel life and hardships his parents endured.

Phil and "Miss Kay," as Phil calls her, also directly shared their journey in a separate interview with CBN Digital. They, too, said opening up and being vulnerable about past mistakes wasn't easy.

"It was embarrassing for me … when you tell people your sins," Phil said. "You've already told them to God; He knew them."

Miss Kay echoed it was equally difficult to relive.

For her part, she described Phil as "hard," "distrusting" and a very "jealous" man before he came to faith in God – as he's readily portrayed in "The Blind."

"He just had some devil qualities … and I would tell the boys … 'That's the devil in him. He's a good man, but the devil has got a hold of him. He's living in him right now. And what we want is to pray for God to get him out,'" she recounted to CBN.

Anyone who doesn't have a polished past knows exactly what Phil and Kay are talking about. I certainly do, and so does my wife, Gena. We weren't always the "perfect angels" people see today. God had to do to a big work in our lives to get us where we're at. The same was true for Phil and Kay Robertson.

But they weathered through the storms of life and love – and relived them on screen – so that the rest of us would be inspired and find hope. And, boy, will you and yours when you see the movie!

I was blown away when I saw "The Blind," and you will be, too! It delivers a roundhouse kick about the power of love, mercy, forgiveness and "second chances." One of the most real, hope-filled and redemptive true stories on film I've seen in a long time.

Phil and Kay, as your Texas neighbors, Gena and I just wanted to thank you for being so vulnerable and transparent about your life, love and faith. We also wanted to thank you for being such a great inspiration, example and hope not only to your family but hundreds of millions of us around the country and our world.

Every American needs to see "The Blind," especially those who are enduring tough times right now. Watch the trailer here, then find a theater near you here that is showing this fantastic film.

Miss Kay couldn't have said it better: "God is always in the business of healing and restoration, no matter how bad the circumstances might be."

Content created by the WND News Center is available for re-publication without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

SUPPORT TRUTHFUL JOURNALISM. MAKE A DONATION TO THE NONPROFIT WND NEWS CENTER. THANK YOU!