Afouotos
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
TrueHello
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Sameer Callahan
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Ella-May O'Brien
Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Hannah Evans
In July I was privileged to be invited to a prelease of 'The Lamp'. It is based on the book by Best-Selling Author Jim Stovall. Mr. Stovall is an awarding winning author of 14 books, four of which have been made into movies. Mr. Stovall's last movie 'The Gift' was released last year and as of July was still was one the top selling movies of our nations. Mr. Stovall had a dream to play pro football. While in college, Mr. Stovall degenerative eye disease and was told he was going blind. After a lengthy battle of accepting his blindness, he became an Olympic weight lifting champion. He has won an International Humanitarian of the year in 2000. Because Hollywood was unwilling to make Mr. Stovall's family films with the messages that he intended he developed the Emmy award winning Narrative Television Network. The movie stars an academy award winning Louis Gossett Jr., along with some familiar faces that you all will recognize from the hit television shows like NCIS, Lost, and 7th Heaven. The handicap children portray their own disabilities, as Mr. Stovall said "It is much better to hire a child who already knows how to run their wheelchair, instead of buying a wheelchair and then teaching a child how to operate it." Also be on the lookout for cameo appearances by Steve Forbes, and the blind Mr. Stovall as the limo driver. Although I won't tell you all the details, I will tell that it will be wonderful family movie with twist and turns along with a great message. The story involves around a family consisting of Lisa (Meredith Salenger, Annie) and Stanley (Jason London, 7th Heaven) were just your average middle class family trying to rebuild their shattered life riddle with anger and guilt over the death of their five year old son. Next door to the foster home is filled with children which a constant reminder that they no longer have a child. Miss Ester (L. Scott Caldwell, Lost) gives Lisa a very unusual Aladdin type lamp. Lisa shines the lamp and Mysterious Visitor (Louis Gossett Jr.) makes his appearance in the movie. Stanley meets the groundskeeper (Muse Watson, NCIS), at the ballpark, as he is watching Josh (Cameron Ten Napel), foster child as she plays baseball.Louis Gossett Jr. and Muse Watson's characters in this movie work through their various emotional issues toward finding healed relationships. Through the ups and down of the relationship of Miss Ester, the foster kids, Stanley and Lisa brings hilarity, sadness, anger, joy, frustration love, and compassion throughout movie. Even though I enjoyed watching this film, it had a good message about believing. This family film will be enjoyable for all ages. The film will be release September 20, 2011 on DVD. You can find more information about Mr. Stovall at his website at www.jimstovall.com. Recently 'The Lamp' was aired nationally on the Inspirational Network. The original article can be found here: iamhannahevans.tumblr.com
shead23
Lovely heartwarming film, good pace, simply done but big subject of grief, belief, trust and all the ingredients of life!! Acting very good and not 'cheesy' in any way. A film for all to watch, clean, good straight forward storyline with a little magic thrown in. Don't know why this has a low rating as all reviews are very good??? The learning curve for a grieving dad who blames himself for his son's death and his relationship with his wife is delivered at a good believable pace. With a need to feel empathy for him and the grieving mother is well delivered so the ongoing happenings are a joy to you, the viewer, and you share the storyline. It needs at least an 8.5. Albeit there are only 5 reviews to date I know and 'I believe' you will enjoy!!!!.
Golidog
I admit it, I'm a bit of a snob. I tend to look a film up on IMDb before I watch it if I have the chance, anything much below a 5 out of 10 doesn't get a look in. I watched The Lamp as it's on my satellite film channel and I had nothing else to do at the time, then I came on here to see where I had seen the male lead before and was shocked by the rating which inspired me to write my own (and first) review to right a wrong. I won't try and appraise the uncomplicated plot as it it well described already.The Lamp is a real feel good film helped a lot by some convincing acting by Jason London. Though the story doesn't have much in the way of twists, turns, explosions, shootings or martial arts it does do exactly what it says on the tin - I felt genuine affection for the characters and shed a tear or two in the highs and lows of the plot, although if my wife ever reads this review then I was coughing *honest*. I should point out that she was blubbing like a human shower which she likened to her experience of watching Marley and Me ;PPersonally, a good film for me is one where I don't feel aggrieved for the time I spend watching, the next criteria is whether that time could have been spent asleep for the same value, the final and probably the most important is that I am not shouting at the screen after the finale because of a rushed or incomplete ending. In all cases The Lamp passes the test, it has a beginning middle and end and after the end you can walk away feeling that this particular saga is complete without pondering on any loose ends or unfinished business.So, if you like a movie that gives you a warm feeling with all loose ends wrapped up, watch The Lamp. There won't be any sequels and I doubt whether they will release it on 3D Bluray but I'm damn sure its worth a better score than it has at the moment especially when you compare it with other films with much larger budgets and higher scores.
TheAE
I saw the IMDb rating for this picture (3.9!), and almost decided not to watch the film. Thankfully, it didn't stop me. This was a pleasant surprise.The Lamp starts out pretty slow. You have the oft-used "funeral" beginning and a family grieving, fighting, struggling to re-enter life. I was getting a little weary.However, the story took some surprising and satisfying twists. By the end, I was smiling and pleased with the movie. You won't finish it in a bad mood.8.5 out of 10 stars.