Movie Review: 5000 Blankets

About the Movie:

Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS, is filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her husband has a mental break down and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city.

Buy tickets today to see 5,000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters December 12 &13 only!

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Watch the Trailer:

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My Thoughts:

I’m glad I took the time to watch 5000 Blankets, a family drama about mental health. Around the holidays it’s easy to become busy and focused on the seasonal hustle, but this movie challenges the viewer to look beyond his or her comfort zone to see those we sometimes try to avoid – the homeless, the broken, the lost, the needy. The movie was heartbreaking from start to finish with some heavy and dark moments, but it also held hope, love, and an inspirational message about finding purpose.

It’s important to note that 5000 Blankets received a PG-13 rating for thematic material involving mental illness. Bobby’s mental health issues included a suicide attempt and what appeared to be schizophrenia (though an official diagnosis wasn’t given in the movie). At times, the camera showed Bobby’s perception. It’s possible those scenes could trigger viewers struggling with similar symptoms.

5000 Blankets draws inspiration from a true story and the end shows the actors/actresses meeting with some of the family. I immediately visited the Phillip’s Wish Foundation online to learn more about its mission. While 5000 Blankets was not a “fun” movie to watch, it is a meaningful movie that brings awareness to the needs of the homeless and shows that anyone can make a positive difference.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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More about 5000 Blankets

• "Mommy,” he said. “Are you warm?” “Yes, baby, I'm warm.” “Is Daddy warm?” he asked. And then the then 7-year-old son asked about everyone else – the people on the street and in the shelters. His mom told him the truth: “No, not everyone is warm.”

• Phillip’s Wish is an organization that was founded by a little boy who saw a need in the world and decided to do something about it.

• Movie Website: https://www.5000blanketsmovie.com/.

• You don't want to miss this heartwarming story coming to theaters December 12 and 13. Get your tickets today at: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/5000-Blankets.

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. US only. Giveaway ends 12/13/2022 at 11:59 P. M. EST.

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Movie Review: Paul's Promise (In Theaters Now)

Movie Synopsis:

Set in the peak of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, PAUL'S PROMISE is the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield, former racist firefighter-turned-pastor who started one of the first integrated churches in the American South. It's one man's journey to hope and healing during a troubled time in our Nation's history that resulted in one man's decision to serve God and stand up to injustice - a story that continues to make a huge impact on the community to this day.

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Watch the Trailer:

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My Review:

PAUL’S PROMISE steps back to the 1960s with authentic stages, behavior, and props. I loved the women’s hairstyles and fashion. From the “Beehive” to the “Bombshell” and all the hair accessories, I marveled at how women did their hair back then. All the characters possessed strong Southern accents, with a few that seemed over the top. The stages and memorabilia reflected the decade and reminded me of my grandparents’ house before it was remodeled.

Sadly, the 1960s was also a time of seated racism and the uphill fight for civil rights. Racism always saddens me, and PAUL’S PROMISE made me cry a lot. Violence against Black men and women appeared on screen several times. The term Negro is used. Powerful hatred displayed verbally and created dangerous situations. Add to that domestic violence and end-of-life issues, and the movie is a heavy one.

Yet, PAUL’S PROMISE highlights the power of prayer and the miracle of a changed heart. Again, the movie felt realistic as Paul’s mama desperately prays for her son for such a long time. Yet, it is her terminal diagnosis that finally forces Paul’s addictions, racism, and bitterness to the surface. His character change is slow to come (as is often the case in real life). At the end, I wished that the story had continued beyond the expected climax to tell more of how Paul founded a racially integrated church. I think that would have created a more inspirational feel and lightened the heaviness of the movie.

PAUL’S PROMISE is not appropriate for young viewers due to the racism, domestic violence, hatred, smoking, and alcoholism that is presented. It is a movie that brings awareness to racism of the past so that Christians can (and should) do much better today and in the future. 4/5 Stars.

Many thanks to Damascus Road Productions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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More about PAUL'S PROMISE:

• An encouraging film about the power of a praying mama!


• This film is based on a true story!


• Buy your tickets TODAY to see PAUL'S PROMISE in theaters starting 10/21! Tickets available at: https://paulspromisemovie.com/  ©2022 Momentum.

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. US only. Giveaway ends 10/23/2022 at 11:59 P. M. EST.

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Movie Review: Lifemark

Movie Synopsis:

David's comfortable world is turned upside down when his birth mother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she's only held once. With the encouragement of his adoptive parents, David embarks on a journey of discovery that leads to a staggering truth from his past.

From exective produces Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers--creators of War Room and Fireproof--comes LIFEMARK, inspired by an incredible true story that celebrates the gift of life.

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Watch the Trailer:

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My Review:

Just from viewing the movie teaser for LIFEMARK, I expected to cry during the movie because adoption has a special place in my heart. LIFEMARK held my attention throughout the movie.  The mild comedy made me smile often, but the parent-child relationships and emotional healing were what I enjoyed the most. And yes, I cried at more than one scene.

LIFEMARK contains themes about trusting God, the importance of family, and the value of a life. The movie will appeal to the pro-life target audience but also aims to present adoption as the best option for women in crisis pregnancies. LIFEMARK is a brave foray considering the current social tensions over abortion rights.

Adoption, in LIFEMARK, celebrates the preservation of a life and the raising of a child. David’s adoptive parents are a loving family who have never withheld information about his birth parents. Furthermore, when David’s birth mother reaches out, his adoptive parents encourage David to respond to her. As the story progresses David agrees to meet his birth mom and both families embrace each other with great affection.

While this ideal picture of adoption entertains in the movie and gives hope for what adoption can be, not all adoptions go so well, even in Christian households. One character mentioned this at the end of the movie, but it is not a topic that LIFEMARK explores. Those who have experienced adoptive parents who are less loving or even abusive might find the movie’s rosy view of adoption unrealistic or triggering.

In conclusion, I liked LIFEMARK. The movie entertained and evoked emotion. It is a movie that I would watch again, though probably not with my children until they are teens. I have always hoped to adopt a child at some point in life and this story made my adoption-loving heart happy. I especially liked how the ending credits showed the actors with the family that inspired LIFEMARK.

Many thanks to WTA Media for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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More about LIFEMARK:

• LIFEMARK is a story of hope, of overcoming the obstacles life throws at us, reveling in the art of faith, grace, and perseverance.


• This encouraging and inspirational film is based on a true story!


• Buy your tickets TODAY to see LIFEMARK in theaters starting 9/9! Tickets available at: https://lifemarkmovie.com/

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. US only. Giveaway ends 09/13/2022 at 11:59 P. M. EST.

Enter by leaving a comment on this post that includes your name and email address.

Movie Review & Giveaway: The Case for Heaven

Movie Synopsis:

We all want to know what happens after we die. In THE CASE FOR HEAVEN, best-selling author and investigative journalist Lee Strobel explores the evidence for the afterlife in order to address man’s biggest fear: death. 

Inspired by his own brush with death, Strobel searches for answers to the most profound questions we all have, about heaven, hell, and Near-Death Experiences. Featuring interviews with experts and skeptics, THE CASE FOR HEAVEN will challenge, encourage and inspire as Strobel dares to probe the most important question. If there is a heaven, can we prove it?

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Watch the Trailer:

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More about The Case for Heaven:

• We are curious by nature. Taking on the big questions about heaven, hell and the afterlife, The Case For Heaven—a documentary based on the best-selling book by Lee Strobel—invites you to carefully investigate the knowable and respond with faith to the unknowable. 


• Featuring interviews with best-selling author John Burke, world-renowned pastor Francis Chan, the late Evangelist Luis Palau and more. 


• THE CASE FOR HEAVEN will be exclusively on Pure Flix starting July 15th! 


• "Viewers will be surprised, captivated and encouraged by 'The Case for Heaven,' a beautiful and compelling film. It will dispel many of their misconceptions about the afterlife. I’m thrilled with the enthusiastic reception the documentary has received so far – and I can't wait for an even wider audience to experience it.” -Lee Strobel


• Watch The Case for Heaven on Pure Flix today! https://www.pureflix.com/movie/the-case-for-heaven

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My Review:

The Case for Heaven tackles one of life’s biggest questions: What happens after death? Lately, this question feels less cut and dry than my childhood Sunday School lessons presented it. Based off Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Heaven, the movie addresses this complicated topic by presenting the author’s research and conclusions. Strobel himself explains his thesis (that a person’s consciousness survives physical death) and draws on the stories of others to add validity to his supporting points.

The Case for Heaven’s three main arguments for life after death are: the Soul (or consciousness) of a person, Near Death Experiences (NDEs), and Jesus’ death, resurrection, and present-day work. I won’t spoil the movie by giving away all its content, but I will share my responses to the different parts. The first section about the Soul moved a bit slow to me and was the least engaging, but it laid the foundation for the rest of the movie. The section on NDEs fascinated me with the survivor stories, including one from a person who went to Hell. The final section about Jesus easily held my attention and encouraged my faith.

The Case for Heaven left me with feelings of sadness (because we are talking about death, the physical loss of loved ones) and hope (because the best really is yet to come for believers). I appreciated that the movie kept to Strobel’s thesis and essential points. It left out church culture and legalism, instead focusing on Jesus as most important. Diverse interviews with both believers and former believers added authenticity. The movie did not give a step-by-step plan of obtaining salvation, but left the watcher to consider the evidence and seek Jesus, the One in whom we find the true answers to our questions.

I’d happily rewatch The Case for Heaven. Though a handful of slow scenes felt like unnecessary filler, the movie intrigued me with its content and the fascinating topic of Heaven. Now I want to read the book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

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Related Podcasts:

• Is there proof of Heaven, Hell, & life after death? Inside Lee Strobel's Shocking Investigation.


• Do people really visit Heaven and meet Jesus during near death experiences?

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive a 3-month subscription to Pure Flix. US only. Giveaway ends 07/21/2022 at 11:59 P. M. EST.

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Movie Review & Giveaway: Family Camp

About Family Camp:

When their pastor encourages the congregation to sign-up for a week away at family camp, Grace (Leigh-Allyn Baker) believes she’s found the perfect cure for her imperfect clan—even if they’d all rather be anywhere but at rustic Camp Katokwah. 

The first feature film from The Skit Guys—Tommy Woodard and Eddie James—FAMILY CAMP is a laugh-out loud comedy that is sure to touch the hearts and tickle the funny bones of every family member from eight to eighty. 

FAMILY CAMP is releasing in theaters on May 13th! Buy your tickets now!

Tickets: https://familycampmovie.com/tickets/

Website: https://familycampmovie.com/

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Movie Trailer:

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My Thoughts:

Family Camp made me laugh… a lot – and that’s why I enjoyed this movie. The movie’s humor hooked my attention near the start, in part because I related to the parenting struggles and kid actions depicted. Hilarious moments ensued throughout the movie as two, completely opposite families find themselves forced together at church camp.  Occasionally, the movie sacrificed plausible reality in favor of humor, but that didn’t bother me. I thoroughly enjoyed having a reason to laugh repeatedly.

Although Family Camp’s story is mostly fun and light, the latter half of the movie increases in seriousness as it explores family dynamics. The movie advocates the conservative view of the man as the leader of the family. I don’t have an issue with that, but others might. However, I was bothered by how an extremely manipulative character receives immediate forgiveness with no indication of healthy boundary setting.

Although the movie ended with more open-ended situations than I prefer, the major issues were wrapped up satisfactorily. Overall, Family Camp is a fun movie, suitable for tweens and up. I watched it alone, but I’m pretty sure my kids would laugh most of the way through this.

By seeing it opening weekend (May 13-15), you are letting Hollywood know that you and your family want more movies like this! BUY TICKETS now to see Family Camp in theaters!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Many thanks to K-LOVE Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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About the Creators of Family Camp:

The Skit Guys -- Tommy Woodard and Eddie James -- have been creating mini-movies for churches and youth groups for years, as well as performing live at events. Enjoy this interview with The Skit Guys and Jean of Momentum Influencers.

       

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive a $10 Amazon Giftcard.

Enter by leaving a comment on this post that includes your name and email address.

Pride and Prejudice: Book vs. Movie

After I finished reading Pride and Prejudice, I absolutely had to watch the movie. I had seen it before, but this time, I saw it in a completely different light because I knew all the background behind what the characters were saying. The movie does a good job of telling the story, but due to time constraints, it can not express everything as fully as the book does. As expected, the movie does deviate from the book in some parts, but I did not find any of its deviations offensive to the story. The main story line remained the same and there were parts that were verbatim from the book. I think I enjoyed the movie more once I had read the book than when I had watched it previously.

Whoever chose Simon Woods to portray Mr. Bingley did an excellent job. He acted just like the Mr. Bingley in the book and looked sufficiently like what I would have imagined him to look like. The other characters were also suitable to their counterparts in the book.

As almost always is the case, I liked the book better than the movie. However, this movie is still quite good and even more enjoyable now that I have read the book.