An Old Fashioned Movie Review

Well, crumb . . . I just realized this post got stuck in my drafts. Boo! While it's not at the theaters anymore, it would still make a great date night rental!

I posted a few days ago and shared some of my concerns about the movie Fifty Shades of Grey. I decided I needed to do more than simply discourage people from seeing a movie that has no redeeming qualities and needed to put my money where my mouth was. So Hubs and I cast our vote for positive, uplifting, clean, godly films by going to see Old Fashioned on Valentine's Day. I wanted to be sure to share my thoughts on the movie with y'all, so maybe you'll be encouraged to do the same!

About the Movie
A romantic-drama, OLD FASHIONED centers on Clay Walsh, a former frat boy who gives up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. There, he has become notorious for his lofty and outdated theories on love and romance as well as for his devout belief in God. When Amber Hewson, a free-spirited young woman with a restless soul, drifts into the area and rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas, which are new and intriguing to her. And Clay, though he tries to fight and deny it, simply cannot resist being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life. Ultimately, Clay must step out from behind his relational theories and Amber must overcome her own fears and deep wounds as the two of them, together, attempt the impossible: an "old-fashioned" and God-honoring courtship in contemporary America.

Official Movie Site  |  Find a Theater Near You

My Thoughts
Hubs and I saw the movie Old Fashioned as part of our Valentine's Day date. I was excited to see that the theater was full (there were even people sitting on the front row!). This definitely bodes well for those of you who want to see it in the next few weeks!

I can't really think of another movie to compare Old Fashioned to. It's very different from any other movie I've ever seen—even other "Christian" romance films. The pace is a bit slower. There's not a ton of "action." However, the characters develop at a steady pace, as does the romantic connection between the two leading characters. This isn't how a lot of romances develop on the big screen, but I found that I really enjoyed this different approach. By the end of the movie, I was completely giddy over the depth of the romance.

This movie was sweet and deep and tender and romantic. What a beautiful picture of a biblical way to approach dating and marriage. Have a great date night and then share this movie with your teenagers. [4 stars]

The Drop Box (A Movie Review)

I went tonight with some girls in my small group to see a movie called The Drop Box. I immediately came home and emailed a ton of people to tell them they just HAD to go see this incredible movie. And if it's good enough to share with my contact list, it's surely good enough for me to post about over here, isn't it?!

The Drop Box is only in theaters March 3-5, which means that THURSDAY (either tomorrow or today, depending on when you're reading this) is the last day you'll be able to see it. Please, please, please do not miss this movie!

About the Movie

The Drop Box tells the story of South Korean pastor Lee Jong-rak and his heroic efforts to embrace and protect the most vulnerable members of society. It is a heart-wrenching exploration of the physical, emotional and financial toll associated with providing refuge to orphans that would otherwise be abandoned on the streets. But The Drop Box movie is also a story of hope—a reminder that every human life is sacred and worthy of love.

South Korea is not the only country grappling with the issue of orphan care. Around the world, there are more than 150 million orphans waiting for forever families to call their own.

An award-winning feature-length documentary, The Drop Box will be released as a theater event across the nation for three nights only on March 3, 4, and 5, 2015. Audiences will learn of Pastor Lee’s story, how he one day came upon a newborn who has been abandoned on a cold night in a Seoul alley. That experience prompts him to build a “baby box” at the front of his church—a warm, safe place where desperate mothers can leave babies that would otherwise be abandoned. Many of the babies who are left in Pastor Lee’s baby box have developmental or physical impediments.

After the movie screening, audiences will watch a group discussion featuring the film’s director Brian Ivie; musician Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth; and Focus on the Family President Jim Daly addressing issues related to adoption, orphan care, and the sanctity of human life. A portion of the film’s proceeds goes to support the ministry of Pastor Lee.

The Drop Box is being released by Pine Creek Entertainment in association with Focus on the Family and Kindred Image.

Official Movie Site  |  Find a Theater Near You

My Thoughts

The Drop Box is a documentary about a pastor in South Korea who has installed a "drop box" where people can leave their babies instead of abandoning them on the streets, where they are likely to die before they are found. I was heartbroken to hear stories of men and women who can't take care of babies born with severe disabilities. Young girls are especially vulnerable around the world, and the intense shame they feel upon learning they are pregnant often leads to suicidal thoughts. God gave Pastor Lee a vision for giving people a safe place to give up their children. No, it's not a perfect solution, not even close! But God is using Pastor Lee, his "drop box," the church in South Korea, and a host of volunteers to save the lives of hundreds of babies.

After volunteering in an orphanage for several months following my college graduation, anything about orphan care is understandably near and dear to my heart. However, my enthusiasm for the movie is about much more than a passion for the subject. The movie was incredibly well made, and  the message was powerful. It's a hopeful story about a family's complete dependence on God to care for whoever comes across their path. The overarching theme of the movie is the truth that every life is valuable. 

I watched the entire movie with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. If you don't have plans tomorrow evening (Thursday, March 5), please go see this movie! [5+ stars]

"Son of God" Movie

Have you seen the trailers for the upcoming release of the movie Son of God? From producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, Son of God brings the story of Jesus to theaters nationwide this weekend!

Hubs and I are hoping to go see it this weekend, so I'll let you know what we think.

The Three Deadliest Words in the World

I saw this documentary trailer recently and was floored.

I mean. I knew that gendercide was a common practice in some places in the world. I even went to a conference held by a local law school last year. This video put a new spin on it for me.

Hearing from women who are faced with this decision directly.

From their own mouths.

Defending their decision to kill their baby or to let her live.

It's just horrible. Horrible!

I have no idea if this film is made from a faith-based vantage point or not. Either way, it's an important topic.

[Get the details about this documentary.]

Bloodlines by John Piper

John Piper's latest book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian is now available. I haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet, but I feel like based on the topic and the author alone, it is probably one of the most needed books of our time.

There is a 19-minute documentary detailing John Piper's personal experience with racism in the South in the 1960s. It's pretty powerful.

Bloodlines Documentary with John Piper from Crossway on Vimeo.

Genocide. Terrorism. Hate crimes. In a world where racism is far from dead, is unity amidst diversities even remotely possible?

Sharing from his own experiences growing up in the segregated South, pastor John Piper thoughtfully exposes the unremitting problem of racism. Instead of turning finally to organizations, education, famous personalities, or government programs to address racial strife, Piper reveals the definitive source of hope—teaching how the good news about Jesus Christ actively undermines the sins that feed racial strife, and leads to a many-colored and many-cultured kingdom of God.

Learn to pursue ethnic harmony from a biblical perspective, and to relate to real people different from yourself, as you take part in the bloodline of Jesus that is comprised of “every tongue, tribe, and nation.”

A friend of mine recently reviewed this book, so feel free to check out her review if you're curious about what someone who's actually read the book thinks!

Last Chance Weekend

This weekend is your last chance to see October Baby until it releases nationwide this spring. It's really important for as many people as possible to go see the movie so that it will be released in more theaters this spring. Here is a letter from John Erwin, one of the writers and directors of the movie.

To the October Baby family,

I wanted to write a personal note to everyone and say THANK YOU for all your support for October Baby. It's the film and message Hollywood said no to, but you have said yes! Thousands of people have seen it over the past two weeks and it's amazing to see the impact it's having. Post abortive woman are finding the healing they need, young girls are being inspired to make good choices, and the faith community is rallying together to say WE BELIEVE IN LIFE!

Now I am asking you to help us finish strong. Because we are planning to release the film nationally next Spring, we have decided that this will be the final weekend for the October Baby limited release. Theaters and film bookers don't look at anything but the numbers, so a strong final weekend will prove that the film is sustainable and help us get into hundreds of theaters in the Spring. We've had an amazing run so far, but we desperately need an incredible finale! So please consider this a personal invitation from me to join the October Baby family and stand for life together this weekend!

Thank you again and I'll see you at the movies!
Jon Erwin
co-writer, co-director
OCTOBER BABY

* They are also offering discounted tickets ($5 per person) to groups of 15 or more who go see the movie this weekend. Email octoberbaby (at) erwinbrothers (dot) com if you're interested. So get a bunch of people together and go see the movie!

October Baby

This has been a super-busy week and tomorrow will be even busier! Before I check out of the blogging world for a couple of days, I wanted to let you know about October Baby and ask you to please, please, please go see it this weekend if it's showing near you.

This movie is incredible. Both pro-life and pro-adoption, it's a beautiful, faith-based movie. Hubs and I saw it last weekend and thought it was so, so good.

It's only showing in a few theaters in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Memphis, TN area. If you live in one of these areas, please go see it. The better it does, the more theaters it will be shown in!

About the Movie
October Baby is a coming of age story of Hannah, a beautiful 19 year old college freshman. In spite of her energetic (if somewhat naïve) personality, Hannah has always felt like an outsider. Something is missing. She has always carried a deep-seated sense that she has no right to exist.

When she discovers she was adopted it comes as a shock, but Hannah's world is rocked even more when she learns why she was never told before – because she was the survivor of a failed abortion. Desperate for answers, she embarks on a road trip with some friends (including her oldest and closest friend Jason) to find her biological mother. In the process she unexpectedly discovers hope, love and forgiveness.

This uplifting and beautiful film may change the way you look at the world, your loved ones ... and life.

180

This movie is totally worth 33 minutes of your time.

I don't have adequate words to express what this movie made me think/feel.

So watch it for yourself.

Please.

Now that you're done watching, check out these websites for more information:

180 movie

heart changer

living waters

Blog Tour: Moving From Fear to Freedom

Has fear kept you awake at night? Has it hindered you from saying yes to a new opportunity? Has it caused you to make impulsive choices you later regretted? If so, you’re not alone! Fear is a big deal for many women. If left unchecked, it can prevent us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. So, what’s the answer? How can we move beyond fear into freedom?

Author Grace Fox has partnered with Stonecroft Ministries to write a small group resource titled Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman-to-Woman Conversation. This resource addresses women’s common fears and gives biblical and practical strategies to move beyond them.

Fear seems to be an ever-present theme throughout the Bible. Describe the difference between healthy and unhealthy fear.

Healthy fear steers us toward wise decisions and actions. It promotes self-preservation. For example, we look both ways before crossing the street for fear of getting hit by a car. In contrast, unhealthy fear hinders our ability to fully embrace life because it consumes us with negative thinking and what-ifs. The effects can literally make us sick.

How does destructive fear stunt our emotional or spiritual growth?

Destructive fear—the fear of rejection, for instance—might keep us from admitting to someone that we’ve been physically or sexually abused. Without receiving the help we need to deal with those issues, we never experience freedom. Our struggles might seriously hamper our ability to truly love and receive love in a marital relationship. This is just one example among many of how our emotional growth is affected.

Spiritually, fear can cause us to say no to God-given dreams or assignments because we’re afraid of personal inadequacy or financial insecurity. If we never step out in faith, then we never experience God’s ability to equip and provide in amazing ways. Spiritual growth comes when we say yes to God and “do it afraid.”

You suggest we need to place our focus on God and not on fear. In practical terms, how do we do this?

Several strategies that I’ve found helpful…

• Memorize Scripture promises and meditate on them throughout the day and as we fall asleep at night. We are transformed as our mind is renewed.
• Fill our homes with praise and worship music.
• Spend time in God’s word on a regular basis, not just when we’re in a panic. The more we do so, the more familiar we become with His promises and the better prepared we are to face frightening circumstances when they come.
• Talk to the Lord throughout the day. Invite Him into the mundane. Practice His presence. The more we get to know Him, the more we’re able to trust Him in the face of fear.

Most of us feel inadequate at times. You suggest we cannot use our inadequacies as an excuse for not participating with God’s purposes. How do we get past this?

We get past our fear of inadequacy by admitting we have it. Then we need to retrain our thinking to focus on God’s adequacies rather than our inadequacies.

• Tell God how we feel. "Help! I don't think I can do such-and-such."
• Tell a trusted friend and ask her to pray for us.
• Move forward. Do it afraid and expect God to equip us.

Describe this resource and how participants can receive the greatest benefit as they use it.

It’s a seven-week study filled with biblical teaching and personal anecdotes that can be used easily by either a small group of friends in a private home setting or a large women’s ministry. Each session begins by viewing a 25-30 minute teaching video. When the video ends, participants follow suggested Table Talk questions for about 15 minutes. Then they do the Bible study questions together. Each participant uses her own guide book so she can take notes and write answers. Facilitator’s notes are included. The study covers these topics:

• an overview of fear
• fear for our loved ones' well-being
• fear of personal inadequacy
• fear of rejection
• fear of facing the ghosts of our past
• fear of the storms of life
• fear of the unknown future

Where can I buy this study?

It’s available through your local Christian book store, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, STL Distribution, Wine Press Books, and of course, on Grace’s website, where group discounts apply. Visit Grace’s website for more information about her other books and speaking ministry.

For more opportunities for a FREE copy of this DVD & Study Guide set of Moving from Fear to Freedom, please follow this CSS Virtual Book Tour on Twitter (@Christianspkrs) or on Facebook.

I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD & Study Guide set from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services.

The Grandfathers DVD

 

The Grandfathers is an hour-long documentary which builds on the familiar story of Nate Saint. Nate Saint (and Jim Elliot and three other men) was a missionary who was killed by the tribe he went to minister to.

Remember the movie (which was originally a book) End of the Spear? That's about them. Anyway.

The Grandfathers is told from the perspective of Nate's grandson Jesse who has a hard time identifying with who Grandpa Nate really is - beyond all the fame of being a martyr. Jesse narrates the movie and talks about the difficulties of moving to Ecuador with his family and learning to live alongside the people who murdered his grandfather.

This would be great for kids (and grown-up kids) of most ages. It gives lots of background information about Ecuador, the Indian tribe, and the well-known story of the martyred missionaries.  Additionally (and more importantly), it highlights the relationship between Jesse and his Ecuadorian grandfathers, which gives an excellent picture of God's grace lived out in the Saint family.

At times the film is more educational than entertaining. However, it would be a great addition to anyone's video library. The film is rated PG.

I received a free copy of this movie from The B&B Media Group in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Love me some Christmas movies!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Christmas movies! If people wouldn't think it was weird, I would watch them year-round. But alas, I must save them for the month of December. Here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order).

1. The Holiday
2. Christmas Vacation (This is one of our family traditions!)
3. Miracle on 34th Street (the old one or the new one)
4. Home Alone
5. Mickey Mouse's A Christmas Carol
6. Christmas with the Kranks
7. The Santa Clause
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas
9. Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer
10. Elf

And the movie I most want to see that I've never seen ... White Christmas. (Yes, it's a tragedy. I know.)

What are some of your favorites?

The Least Among You

The Least Among You is a great movie! Based on a true story, it tells of a young man who goes to seminary in order to escape the life of the ghetto. What he doesn't know is that he's the first black student at the seminary. He faces prejudice from classmates and teachers alike and struggles to get through the first semester. Along the way, he is changed and the people around him are as well.

I thought the movie was very well-done. It caused me to consider how each of the characters felt. It was both thought-provoking and moving. It deals with tough topics in a positive way. The movie reminded me of movies like Finding Forrester and Glory Road. I was also impressed that the movie wasn't "cheesy" like many Christian-themed movies are. Well done! (I'm also not sure why the movie is rated PG-13. Perhaps for some of the issues they addressed?)

4 stars (out of 5)

I received a free copy of this movie from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Little Town of Bethlehem

Little Town of Bethlehem is a documentary produced by EGM films, who also produced End of the Spear (2005). The film shines a light on a non-violence movement that is spreading through the Middle East. Three young men from completely different backgrounds are featured throughout the film. They tell their personal stories, talk about their families, and share their religious backgrounds.

I thought this was an interesting topic and, having recently been intrigued by other documentaries, was interested to watch this one. The film is a little slow at the beginning and was a little hard to follow throughout. However, after a little while, I felt like I was able to follow along a little more easily - although the story never really got off the ground. The three men brought different and unique perspectives to the table. They talked a lot about the difficulties that they faced, but were fairly matter-of-fact about these things. I did like the "insider's view" that the film presented and felt like I got past the tourist vantage point. It would have been helpful for me to have had a better grasp of the history of the conflicts in the Middle East over the past 30-40 years before watching this movie. If the goal is to bring awareness, I felt it assumed a good bit of previous knowledge and understanding. It probably would have been helpful for me to watch this with someone and discuss as we watched.

Check out the press release for more details about the content of the film.

3 stars (out of 5)

I received a free copy of this film from The B&B Media Group in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Is Peace in the Middle East Really Possible?

There is no shortage of opinions, emotions, and actions regarding finding “peace in the Middle East.” While some are familiar with the issue and others are personally impacted by the conflict, many more are unaware, uninformed, and unconcerned about this critical global issue. Little Town of Bethlehem is a groundbreaking new documentary that shares the gripping story of three men—a Palestinian Muslim, a Palestinian Christian, and an Israeli Jew—born into violence and willing to risk everything to bring an end to violence in their lifetime.

Filmed on location in the West Bank, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, Little Town of Bethlehem brings awareness to a growing non-violent movement in the Middle East that rarely, if ever, makes international headlines.

Sami Awad is a Palestinian Christian whose grandfather was killed in Jerusalem in 1948. Today he is the executive director of Holy Land Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes Palestinian independence through peaceful means. Yonatan Shapira is an Israeli Jew whose grandparents were Zionist settlers who witnessed the birth of the Israeli nation. Today he is an outspoken advocate for the non-violent peace movement, both in his homeland and abroad. Ahmad Al' Azzah is a Palestinian Muslim who has lived his entire life in the Azzah refugee camp in Bethlehem. Today, Ahmad heads the non-violence program at Holy Land Trust, where he trains others in the methods of peaceful activism.

Little Town of Bethlehem honestly and respectfully shares Sami’s, Yonatan’s, and Ahmad’s stories. With all three men referencing both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi during individual interviews, it is clear that their words, thoughts, and actions on nonviolence are still profoundly impacting today’s nonviolent movement. The images of these three men standing firm in the face of overwhelming opposition are inspirational, but Little Town of Bethlehem is not just about inspiring viewers. The filmmakers also raise the question, “Can the cycle of violence be broken?”

Little Town of Bethlehem was produced by EthnoGraphic Media (EGM), an educational non-profit organization exploring the critical issues of our time. Other feature films and documentaries from EGM include The Grandfathers (2009), Miss HIV (2008), and the award-winning End of the Spear (2005) and Beyond the Gates of Splendor (2002).

Like all EGM films, Little Town of Bethlehem was created with a global youth audience in mind. But this film will connect with any viewer who desires a deeper understanding of conflict resolution. “The major themes in the film are universal and timeless. The desire to end violence through nonviolence is not a demographic phenomenon, though often it is youth that mobilize. The theme of this film is appropriate for anyone who deals with conflict. This hopeful message of equality is for all,” says Jim Hanon, chief creative officer at EGM and the film’s director. “Little Town of Bethlehem doesn’t focus on who’s right or who’s wrong. The focus is on three men from different places and with different backgrounds who struggle together toward this common goal through nonviolence. We feel that the nonviolent approach promoted by the film is a humanitarian message with the power to transcend religions, nations, politics, languages, and cultures.”

Letters to God

I watched Letters to God over the weekend and it was a great movie! I just had to share ... The movie really speaks to what a lot of the books I've blogged about talk about. Every person is important. And every life matters. God can use anyone to make a difference in the world. Check it out!