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Movie Review: Pastor's Kid

Pastor's Kid is a raw R-rated film based on a true story of Riley, a college student who struggles with drugs & alcohol and deep wounds from her dysfunctional childhood filled with neglect and religious hypocrisy. Growing up with an alcoholic mother and having to be the one to raise her little brother put a huge strain in the relationship between Riley (played by Courtney Bandeko) and her mother, Karen (played by Krista Morin). A "good Christian girl" becomes an out-of-control partygoer who lives in meaningless pursuit of worldly pleasures, always looking for the next fix (a temporary bandage for her pain & misery) and teetering on the brink of nervous breakdown. I'm glad that's not the end of Riley's story. God loves all the prodigal sons and daughters. God loves the broken and the messed-up. God's unstoppable love never gives up on them. Pastor's Kid is a compelling story of faith, redemption, forgiveness, and healing. It shows God's tr
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Movie Review: Ordinary Angels Plus $10 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

I've always loved movies based on true stories. I was so excited to review Ordinary Angels . It is based on the incredible true story (taken place in Louisville , KY, in 1993) of Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank), a struggling alcoholic hairdresser who's determined to do all she could to save the life of a critically ill young girl who just lost her mother. Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower, works tirelessly to make ends meet for his two daughters (8-year-old Ashely and 5-year-old Michelle), while desperately hoping for a liver transplant for Michelle who has a rare medical condition. God brings Sharon into Ed's life at such a crucial moment for both of them. The former (a single mom who's shunned by her only son) discovers a renewed purpose in life and the latter (a widowed dad whose faith is being tested) discovers that God uses caring people to help and carry one another's burdens. Sharon's compassion and tenacity are remarkable. Never underestimate what one person o

Film Review: What Rhymes With Reason

I am thankful and excited for this new family-friendly film, What Rhymes with Reason , which addresses the important & sensitive issue of mental health among teens and young adults. The statistics of young people around the world (not just in the US) struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts is truly alarming. What Rhymes with Reason is an adventure-drama story of six teens (four male and two female) navigating through the wilderness and their own darkness in order to find a legendary landmark and hope. It tackles some tough topics such as fear, anger, grief, pressure (from parents, peers, social media, etc.), identity, self-worth, unrealistic expectation, life's purpose, life's burdens, and more. It is also a beautiful story of friendship, reminding us all that we need each other, and we are better together. " Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. " (Galatians 6:2) We Christians are to love one anot

The Prince of Egypt: The Musical Plus $10 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

You are probably familiar with Dreamworks' animated movie, The Prince of Egypt , which is about the story of Moses in the Bible. It has been turned into a live stage production and filmed professionally. It is now available to buy or rent digitally starting December 5th. Check it out! This is the epic musical to watch with your kids to spark priceless family conversations about Moses & the Old Testament! Filmed live at the West End's Dominion Theatre, London, the show features a cast and orchestra of 60 performers, making it one of the biggest musicals ever staged. The Prince of Egypt: The Musical is the must-see event for all fans of musical theatre. Based on the classic DreamWorks Animation film the classic story has been brought to life by Stephen Schwartz’s “miraculous music” (Time Out), including Academy Award®-winning song ‘When You Believe’ and Sean Cheesman’s “astonishing choreography” (The Guardian). This epic, critically acclaimed production tells an inspiring

Book Review and Giveaway: Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennett

  " Wounded Tiger " is the true story of three lives that intertwined in an incredible, unexpected way, against the backdrop of World War II. The author ingeniously presents the narrative about Mitsuo Fuchida (an overambitious Japanese pilot who led the Pearl Harbor attack and hated America, driven by revenge), Jake DeShazer (an American bombardier and a prisoner of war, who's determined on retaliation against Japan after the Pearl Harbor attack), and Peggy Covell (a college student and the eldest daughter of an American missionary family who spent time in Japan and the Philippines). The story unfolds before, during, and after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The author, T. Martin Bennett, spent 18 years conducting extensive research to ensure the historical accuracy of the events, people, and stories. The book is a thick book that includes over 300 black and white photos of people, places, planes, original telegrams, letters, maps, documen

Movie Review and Giveaway: The Shift

The Shift is a dystopian drama and sci-fi thriller, inspired by the Book of Job. It's the latest film from Angel Studios (that made The Chosen and Sound of Freedom), releasing in theaters starting tomorrow, December 1st. In an alternate dimension/reality (think "multiverse"), Kevin Garner (Kristoffer Polaha) encounters "The Benefactor" (Neal McDonough). Kevin smells lies and deception from this mysterious, nefarious adversary right away; he refuses to work for/with him and his offer of wealth and power. Faced with infinite worlds and endless possibilities, Kevin fights to find a way out in order to be reunited with the woman he loves, Molly (Elizabeth Tabish). Personally, I am not a fan of sci-fi, multiverse movies, but I enjoyed The Shift . I like the message within the movie that touches on Christ's resurrection, eternal hope, test of faith, God's truths vs. Satan's lies, light vs. darkness, life and death, agape (selfless & self-sacrificial l

Review and Giveaway: Surprised by Oxford

Surprised by Oxford is a romance-drama based on a true story. I have never read the book (same title) by Carolyn Weber , which is a memoir of an intellectual unbeliever who became a Christian. I did not know what to expect but I was surprised by Surprised by Oxford in a good way. Caro Drake (played by Rose Reid), a brilliant and driven American student, receives a full-ride scholarship to study for her PhD degree on Romantic Literature at Oxford University in England. Culture shock, a charming & chaste young man (played by Ruairi O'Connor), and Christianity surprise her and intrigue her at the same time. As an agnostic, she grapples with many questions about God and spiritual matters. As a feminist from a broken family, she struggles with being vulnerable and maintaining a relationship with a chivalrous man. Caro is introduced to C.S. Lewis's memoir about his conversion to Christianity, Surprised by Joy , and is greatly impacted by it. She sincerely searches for truth and