Love, Kennedy requires a box of tissues when viewing

Movie Title:  Love, Kennedy

Grade:  B

Rating: PG, 92 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Based on a true story, this movie requires a box of tissues when watching.  The touching film will break your heart and fill it with love at the same time.  Written and directed by T.C. Christensen, it’s perfect for LDS families whose faith will be strengthened, but also uplifting and inspiring for those not of the Mormon faith.

 

Uplifting theme: 

• Love one another.
• “God has bigger plans for your family.” - missionary 

Things I liked:

• I love watching Jasen Wade in all of his movies. Partly, I think it’s because I think he’s handsome, but mostly because I think he does a great job evoking real emotion. His acting is believable and flows easily.
• 5 year old Kennedy, played by Scarlett Hazen, is absolutely adorable.
• Teenage Kennedy, played by Tatum Chiniquy, is so pretty with such a gorgeous smile, perfect teeth, and the long, beautiful hair I wish I had.  She did a great job and glows with the beauty from within, which is even better than the outside.
• I was impressed when someone said something unkind about Kennedy and her father patiently explained her illness.  When the person apologized, Kennedy's mom simply said, “That’s OK.  You didn’t know.” Oh, that more people were kind and forgiving like that.
• Kennedy’s little brother’s name is Beau, played by Brennin Williams.  I have a son named Bo, so I immediately liked him.
• I loved seeing pictures and videos of the real people at the end of the movie.  Keep watching during the final rolling credits.
• Many of the scenes were actually filmed in the Hansen family’s real home, as well as other locations where Kennedy’s experiences took place.
• I was impressed that Jason and Heather Hansen's faith never seemed to waiver.  I'm sure that in real life, they often struggled with the unique challenges that their family faced, but they held tightly to each other and their faith, so they were able to bear it all so beautifully.

Things I didn’t like:

• Viewers who aren’t Mormon won’t recognize LDS Primary songs or Book of Mormon stories that are referenced in the film, but they aren’t crucial to understanding the story.
• The movie can get heavy with sad scenes, one after another.  There is an attempt to include some lighter moments, but overall it’s a really sad movie.

·    This will never be a big Hollywood blockbuster, but it’s a touching story that will make you hug those around you a little tighter.

• It feels a little bit more like a loving eulogy than a feature film, but that doesn’t mean it won’t tug at your heart.  It lacks tension and arc that are the time-tested formula for great films; however, this sweet tribute to a remarkable young woman and her family is respectful and inspiring.

Funny lines:

• “Maybe it’s a part of the plan.” – Heather Hansen (Heather Beers)

“I’d like to see a copy of that plan!” – Jason Hansen (Jasen Wade)

• “She thinks she's the best cheerleader in the world.” – Jason

“She is!” – Heather

Interesting lines:

• “Get aggressive!  That’s how we stand up to a bully!” – Jasen

“But Daddy…why not just love her?” – Kennedy

• “Today’s going to be a great day.” – Heather

“It always is.” – Kennedy

• “Can anyone tell me why Kennedy doesn’t have any challenges?” – coach

“Because she doesn’t see them that way.” – cheerleader

• “When you hug her, you can feel the goodness, the beauty she has inside.” – coach          (Wow, I'd love it if people felt that way about me when I hugged them!)

Tips for parents: 

• This movie is 98% sad, so be prepared.  Your teenage daughters will bawl their eyes out.  Your sons will make up some excuse to leave the room.
• To learn more about Batten Disease, go to www.bdsra.org
• If you want to cry some more, check out the book based on the true story  Kennedy's Hugs
• No profanity or objectionable material at all.  Thank you!
• There is, of course, a lot of discussion of death.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

Saturday's Warrior makes a comeback

Movie Title:  Saturday's Warrior

Grade:  B-

Rating:   PG, 119 minutes

In a Nutshell:  I first saw this stage musical when I was a little girl.  I LOVED it and immediately began memorizing all of the songs day in and day out.  It was turned into a schmaltzy movie in 1989, so I was excited to see this new remake, directed by Michael Buster. 

I’ve been a huge fan of the talented Lex de Azevedo for many, many years.  He added 3 new songs to this version, which are great, but also removed some from the original fan favorites.   If you're unfamiliar with this story, know going in that it's super cheesy and melodramatic.  If you're a fan of this Mormon legend, feel free to sing along.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Life on earth is going to be difficult.” – Heavenly guide   (Alex Boye)
• “Truth is truth.” – Mack (Carlton Bluford)
• “Freedom is knowing who you are.” – Pam
• “Nothing is impossible.” – Tod (Mason Davis)
• There is more to this life than what you see. 

Things I liked:

• I got a kick out of the “There” and “Here” clocks in heaven.  
• The “Captain Uchtdorf” announcement at the airport made me laugh out loud.  That was awesome and hilarious.  You gotta be LDS to appreciate that one.
• They did a great job with 70’s costume design and home décor.
• A new song was added when Jimmy’s band, “Warrior”, played for Capitol Records. 
• I liked the new song “There’s Got to be More”.  What a fun addition to include the Piano Guys.  I love those guys.
• I thought Pam (Anna Daines) was lovely and I'd like to see more of her in other movies.  I felt the same way about the actress/singer who performed in the original stage play and soundtrack.
• Julie (Monica Moore Smith) has a really beautiful voice, although she over-acted like she was on a big stage.  
• The ending actually had true emotion, unlike most of the other scenes that felt over-acted.
• Keep watching as the credits roll to see Jimmy sing his version of “There’s Got to be More” with sweet Emily watching from the side.
• Mason Davis, who plays Todd, is also an artist, like his character.  All of the artwork you see Todd make was really made by Mason Davis himself.  He looked like a Ken (Barbie) doll to me.

Things I didn’t like:

• It feels like a stage play.
• It's super corny with very low production value.
• The technical dubbing issues were extremely distracting.   

• You can see what looks like microphone packs on the backs of the performers quite often.
• Non-Mormons won’t get some of the jokes or even the pre-mortal world scenes.
• Why is Emily (Abigail Baugh) in a yellow dress in heaven, while everyone else is wearing white?  She sure is adorable.
• Julie says, “I’m going to miss this beautiful place” while she and Jimmy are standing in a building with old, brick walls.  That line would have been more accurate if they were standing in a beautiful garden or something.
• There is an odd, unexpected, funny “gay” moment during the family’s concert towards the beginning of the movie.
• There are a lot of artificially white teeth.
• What happened to the song “He’s Just A Friend”, “Dear John”, and “Daddy’s Nose”?  Why did they take those songs out of the original?
• While everyone else looked "normal", Jimmy (Kenny Holland) always looked like he had a ton of make-up on. His boy-band nasal voice started to really grate on me.
• I recognize I had very high expectations, but I felt a bit disappointed.

Funny lines:

• “Stake President material for sure.” – Elder Greene (Morgan Gunter)

“Maybe one of my counselors.” – Elder Kestler (Clint Pulver)

Tips for parents: 

• I counted 3 times that people were slapped.
• No profanity.  Thanks Mormons!
• There are a lot of "downer" scenes that make the movie feel pretty heavy.

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

The Case for Christ challenges viewers before Easter

Movie Title:  The Case for Christ

Grade:  B+

Rating:   PG, 112 minutes

In a Nutshell: Perfectly timed for Easter, this Christian film attempts to demonstrate that Jesus Christ lived and was resurrected by challenging viewers to explore the evidence for themselves.  

Based on a true story and the book by Lee Strobel called The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (Case for ... Series) , the film walks you through one man’s journey from atheism to Christianity.  As he says in the beginning of the movie, “The only way to truth is through facts.”  When his wife becomes a Christian, he resists violently, beginning his personal quest to prove religion wrong.  As a journalist by profession, he realizes he can no longer dispute the growing evidence.

So many people, including members of my own family proudly proclaim “I believe in science”, yet won’t take an honest look at what science has said about the existence of Jesus Christ and the resurrection.  This film addresses some of those pieces of evidence.  It also illustrates that you CAN believe in science AND God.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Believing in God…not believing in God.  Either way, it still takes a leap of faith.” – Kenny London (Mike Pniewski)
• “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis (as quoted by Kenny)
• Believe plus receive equals become.” – Leslie Strobel (Erika Christensen)
• “Open your heart and take a chance.” – Pastor (Jordan Cox)
• ‘If you look expectantly for whispers, you’ll hear them.” – Pastor
• “When is enough evidence enough?” - Ray Nelson (Brett Rice)

Things I liked:

• I’m glad that the number of Christian films out there is on the rise.  They are generally improving in quality and it gives those who want to watch “clean” films in a fun movie theater environment a good option.
• The movie shows an experience that reminds us that God uses us to bless others, to answer people’s prayers.
• It was good to see Faye Dunaway in a movie again.
• I always like it when information about the real people in the movie is shown at the end.  You get to see pictures of Lee and Leslie Strobel and learn about their books, ministry, and even what their children are doing.
• It shows flawed Christians. In other words, just because you're Christian doesn't mean you're perfect.  "Church is a hospital for the sick, not a museum for saints." (Abigail Van Buren)
• It does a good job illustrating that conversion is a process and an ongoing one at that, not a one-time event.
• A psychologist in the film, played by Faye Dunaway)  talks about a phenomenon called a “father wound”, which she says all of the famous atheists in history had.  It refers to some kind of dysfunctional relationship with their biological father, making it difficult for them to believe in a loving heavenly father.  Interesting.

Things I didn’t like:

• Lee and Leslie Strobel argue a lot about Christianity.  I never enjoy watching people fight and bicker in real life or in the movies, so that became exhausting to watch.  Marriage is hard, but if each spouse supports the journey of growth and discovery that we all take during our lives, marriage would be so much easier.
• Like a lot of Christian films, this one is pretty slow moving.
• Atheists always get so angry with Christians.  Why is that?  They scream for tolerance, yet they don’t offer any to those who think differently than they do.  Of course, this is just a movie, but I’ve definitely noticed that attitude in real life.  
• There is mention of the “Christ Cult”, which is just plain offensive to Christians who are doing their best to be good people.

Interesting lines:

• “There is no ‘what if’ with God.” – Alfie Davis (L. Scott Caldwell)
• “Listen?  Do THAT.” – Alfie
• “Churches aren’t perfect.  Pastors aren’t perfect.  That’s not God.  That’s people.” – Pastor
• “It’s not luck.  It’s Jesus.” - Alfie
• “In his time and in his way, God always keeps his promises.” – Alfie
• “I missed the truth.  I didn’t see it.” – Stroebel

“You didn’t want to see it.” - James Dixon (Renell Gibbs) 

• “What if it IS true?  Wouldn’t you want to know that?” – Leslie Strobel (Erika Christensen)
• “Shouldn’t we go to church?” – Lee (referring to where he should have his first prayer)

“Right here.  Right now.  This is church.” – Leslie

• SPOILER:  “I don’t know everything.  I never will know everything.  But I know enough and I believe.” – Lee Strobel (his touching prayer at the end of the movie)

• Tips for parents: 
• There is a graphic conversation when a doctor discusses flogging and crucifixion and shows images.
•  Young children will be bored.  There is a lot of "talking" and no action. 

@trinaboice 

The Shack gets polar opposite reviews of A and F

Movie Title:  The Shack

Grade:  B

Rating: PG-13, 132 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Based on the best-selling New York Times novel by Canadian author William P. Young, this lovely film can heal your heart if you let it.  Lose the cynicism at the door and just allow yourself to feel the love. 

It’s filled with beautiful symbolism and metaphors, yet movie critic haters have given it an extremely low score of F on Rotten Tomatoes.  Christians and fans, however, have given it an A rating on CinemaScore.  You be the judge.  (You being the judge is a strong theme in the movie.)

Uplifting theme: 

• “Pain has a way of twisting us up inside and making us do the unthinkable.” – Mack Phillips (Sam Worthington)
• There is no quick fix to problems. 
• “Don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” – Sarayu (Sumire Matsubara)
• Forgiveness, hope, love, faith, patience
• “Everything bares consequences.” – God
• “You’re not stuck because you can’t; you’re stuck because you won’t.” – God
• “With every act of kindness, the universe changes for the better.” – Jesus (Aviv Alush)
• “What do I do?” – Mack when he was a kid

“Talk to God.  He’s always listening.” – family friend/Papa

Things I liked:

• I love how God is revealed how the character can best accept him/her.
• Beautiful imagery of baptism when he goes under the waterfall.
• Lovely scenery and images.
• The colorful image of the father and son together, forgiving each other was touching.
• I loved the image of Jesus and Mack running across the water together.
• I was impressed with Nan Phillips, the wife, (played by Radha Mitchell) who never blamed her husband once.  What an incredible example of forgiveness and understanding she was.
• Octavia Spencer makes a wonderful God.  Her award-winning movie Hidden Figures is still playing in some theaters.  I also thought it was interesting to show God as a wise, old Indian father, played by Graham Greene. 
• How many of you still think of the movie Avatar whenever you see Sam Worthington?  Did you know Disney’s newest attraction Avatarland opens in May 2017!  My friend, who has the dream job of a Disney Imagineer has been working on this project for months!  I'm so excited to see it!
• Amelie Eve is adorable as Missy Phillips.
• Singer Tim McGraw has been showing up in Christian films quite a bit recently.  Good for him.
• I thought casting Aviv Alush as Jesus and Sumire Matsubara as Sarayu (Spirit) were fascinating choices.
• When Mack asks, “Which one of you is God”? all three characters say, “I am.”  I liked that portrayal of three personages with a singular purpose.  I also love that he spends time with each one as a friend.
• The way the central problem in the story is resolved is a biblical one that may seem too simple, yet is very powerful: trust in God, even when you can’t see or understand what God is doing.
• SPOILER: There is a lot of abstract philosophysing, but Mack is able to apply the principles and put into practice what he has learned.

Things I didn’t like:

• The story jumps back and forth in time a lot in the beginning.
• I think almost every parent has experienced that terrible feeling when you can’t find your child, even if it’s just for a few minutes in the grocery store when your toddler dashes down a different aisle.  The experience in this movie will touch every parent’s heart.
• There are few bad editing moments.
• For some who are currently experiencing grief in their lives, this can be a healing experience or one that is still too painfully raw.
• Most of the music is super cheesy.
• SPOILER: He never has to atone for his own sin of killing his father.
• SPOILER:  A dream?  Really?  Isn’t that the worst cop-out ever?  I didn’t read the book, but I’m told the author didn’t stoop that low.

• Interesting lines:
• “If God’s always with us, why does he care if we’re late to church?” – Missy Phillips

“God cares, because your mom cares.” – Nan Phillips  (great answer)

• “Son, when all you see is your pain, you lose sight of me.” – God
• “Why would you keep working on me?” – Mack

“Cuz that’s what love does.” – God

• “Don’t forget – we love each other.” – Nan
• “Dreams are especially important.  They’re a way of opening a window and letting the bad air out.” – God
• “You misunderstand the mystery.” – God
• “Love always leaves a mark.” – God
• “I don’t need to punish people; sin is its own punishment.” – God
• “When a star twinkles, a prayer is heard in heaven.” – Mack

“Wow, Papa sure is busy.” – Missy

• “Religion is too much work.” - Jesus
• “You want the promise of a pain-free life.  There isn’t one.” – Wisdom

Funny lines:

• “I always pictured you with a white beard.” – Mack

“I think that’s Santa.” – God

• “Honey, you have no idea how much I’m doing right now!” – God
• “Do you like Neil Young?  I’m especially fond of him.” – God
• “Serei can be very persuasive.” – Jesus

“If only I were smart enough to understand a word she says.” - Mack

Tips for parents: 

• The film addresses child abuse, abduction, murder, domestic violence, alcoholism, hypocrisy, religion, Christianity and other heavy subjects.
•  Mack says, "OMG!", but God immediately forgives him; otherwise, no profanity in this movie.  Yay! 

@trinaboice 

Miracles from Heaven encourages Christians not to lose their faith

Movie Title:     Miracles From Heaven

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG, 1 hour 49 minutes

In a Nutshell:    Based on true events, this inspiring story is geared towards Christians who sometimes struggle with their faith when when hard times come. 

Jennifer Garner plays Christy Beam, who explains, “A miracle is defined as something not explicable by natural or scientific laws.  But then, how do you explain it?  How does it happen?  Who or what is behind it?”  

Uplifting theme: 

• “It’s alright, Mom.  Not everyone is going to believe.  They’ll get there when they get there.” – Anna Beam
• Albert Einstein said there are only two ways of looking at life: one is as though nothing is a miracle and the other is though everything is a miracle.
• “Miracles are goodness. Miracles are God.  Miracles are God’s way of letting us know He is here.” – Christy
• Faith is peace.

Things I liked:

• Jennifer Garner does a wonderful job as a faithful mother.  I felt her pain.  She made me weep. Since filming this faith-based movie, she has become more vocal about her own Christian beliefs.
• It's interesting how a tree provides healing, like the symbolism of the biblical tree of life.
• It’s always a pleasure to see Queen Latifah. 
• The mom has a sweet tradition of going into each of her daughter’s bedrooms at night to ask them if they want to share any of their prayers with her.  They chat about what’s on their hearts and what they talked to God about.
• I can relate to a mother who fiercely fights for her children.  Doctors don’t know everything.  I loved it when the mom refused to accept the various doctors’ diagnoses, because she knew that something was wrong.  Mothers know their children better than anyone.  Thank God...literally...for mothers.
• You get to see parts of beautiful Boston.  I love that city!
• I was touched by the many good people that came into the Beam family’s life just when they needed supportive friends the most.  We can be there for each other.  We need to be there for each other.
• At the end of the movie, you get to see video clips of the real Beam family who experienced this story.
• How wonderful to have such a loving, kind caregiver as Dr. Nurko, played by Eugenio Derbez.  He reminded me of the lovable Patch Adams played by Robin Williams.
• The lovely Kylie Rogers plays Anna Beam.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing her in many more movies.  She did a great job.

Things I didn’t like:

• The film is a bit slow moving.
• I'm simply dumbfounded that there are still Christians in the world today who think that if God doesn’t heal a person that it means someone has sinned.  
• It would be nice if we just had to have enough faith and then everything would be OK.  Sometimes things don’t work out. it's not as picture perfect and our challenges aren't always wrapped up neatly in a pretty bow. Here’s the deal though…we still need to have faith.
• I wish we could have seen more about Anna's experience in heaven.  I have always been fascinated with “Near Death Experiences.”  This story reminded me a lot of the movie Heaven is for Real , which was produced by the same peeps.  You can read my movie review for that film here.
• The movie preaches a little bit to the choir, but that’s OK.
• A lot movie critics hate this movie.  Sure, it's not a big blockbuster with mind-blowing action and CGI.  Yes, it's cheesy and preachy.  So.  It's nice to have a simple faith-building option in the theater.

Interesting lines:

•  “Why do you think God hasn’t healed me?” – Anna

“There are so many things I don’t know.  But I do know that God loves you.” – Christy

• “We need a solution and we need it now.” – Christy

“We’ll get it.” –  Kevin Beam

“Oh, yeah?  How?” – Christy

“By not losing our faith.” – Kevin Beam (Martin Henderson)

Inspiring lines:

• “There’s a common phrase: No pain, no gain.  And it is, of course, attributed to the sculpting of our bodies, but the same principle can be applied to the sculpting of our character and the deepening of our spiritual life.” – Pastor Scott
• Faith is really the only true shelter.” – Pastor Scott
• Just because things aren’t ok, doesn’t mean there isn’t a loving God.” – Pastor Scott
• Christy and Kevin Beam always tell each other “It’s a good life.”   Studies show that if we’re grateful and positive, we will see the good in our lives and actually feel happier.
• “You either roll with it, or you get rolled on.” – Angela (Queen Latifa)

Funny lines:

• “You know you could go to hell for swearing.” – Abby Beam“I’m not going to hell!  Hell is in California.” -  Adelyn Beam

Tips for parents:   

• There’s a scene where a bunch of people are outside at a BBQ.  It shows everyone having a great time socializing, and then it scans past a table of teenage girls who are all on their cell phones, ignoring one another as they text other friends.    Ask your kids if they noticed it and use that opportunity to talk about cell phone etiquette. 
• No profanity.
• This is definitely a family-friendly film.
• Death, pain, and suffering are big topics.

If you'd like to learn more about the Beam family's experience, you can read it in:

 

90 Minutes in Heaven spends more time on pain than miracles

Movie  90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life

Rating: PG-13, 2 hours 1 minute

Grade:    C

In a Nutshell:  I wanted to see heaven, not a hospital room.  This sluggish film of faith takes a lot longer than 90 minutes to finally reveal what Don Piper saw when he “died” in a car accident.  The majority of the true story  features the pain and suffering Don experienced after the crash, making the film kind of a pain to watch.  I was eager to get to Don’s “sacred secret”, which turned out to be a disappointing payoff for sitting through all the boring, dreary scenes about pain.

That being said, the Christian film isn't without merit. There are some inspiring messages that will leave you with increased faith and hope.

Uplifting Theme:

·         In the words of Don Piper: “God still answers prayers.  God still performs miracles.  Heaven is real.”

·         “Choose to be better, not bitter.”  - Don Piper

·         “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” – Don Piper

·         People care and want to serve.   They are blessed through their service, so never deny someone that opportunity to love and grow.  The people who surround Don are true heroes in this film.

·         Wear your seat belt.

·         God answers prayers.

Things I liked:

·         I love true stories that build faith and inspire goodness.  Christian audiences have proved that they want them and are willing to pay for them.  Keep ‘em coming.

·         Country music star Dwight Yoakam branched out into acting in the 1990’s and plays Cecil Beaumont, a slimy attorney.

·         I always like seeing the real person who movies are about.  You get to watch the real Don Piper give part of a sermon at the end of the film when he triumphantly states “I have been beaten up, but not beaten.”

·         You will learn about the Ilizarov apparatus, which is a fixation device used to connect bones back together.  It’s truly a medical miracle, but looks extremely painful.    

·         Don’s family has a little black and white Papillon named Butterfly.  (Papillon means butterfly in French.)   I have a little black and white Papillon too!  Here’s a picture of mine.  His name is Blaze.  By the way, a “blaze” is what you call the stripe on a horse’s muzzle (nose).

·         The goal of the movie is to help non-believers have faith in an after-life.  Unfortunately, the movie preaches to the choir.

     - I was very touched by the preacher who prayed over Don's dead body.  

     - There were quite a few miracles that occurred during Don's car accident. I loved that Don thanked the preacher for holding his hand, only to learn that it wasn't the preacher who held it...

         I thought it was sweet that the first thing Don did when he returned to his body was sing.

Things I didn’t like:

·         I think Kate Bosworth is gorgeous, but her acting felt stiff and forced in this film.  She goes to bed with lipstick on and doesn’t dig deep enough to show sincere emotion.  Look closely and you’ll notice that her left eye is blue and her right eye is hazel brown!

·         Most people may not recognize Hayden Christensen, who plays Don Piper.  Director George Lucas rocked his world when he made Hayden Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith .  Hayden is thinner and mostly horizontal in this film.  Interestingly enough, Hayden portrays both Anakin and Don as mopey.

·         The acting isn’t particularly good.

·         The screen would show a bright light and I would get excited, thinking I was finally going to see heaven, but it would just be a transition from one boring scene into another. 

·         The music was super sappy throughout the entire film.  Lee Ann Womack’s hit song I Hope You Dance should have helped a dance scene in the movie become a climactic moment, but the song was cut off and the scene never had time to build into much.  What could have brought the audience to tears came resulted in a ho-hum scene without much energy.

·         Cranky nurses should really be fired and forced to find another line of work.

·         I thought it was super sad that Don’s mother couldn’t pull herself together enough to visit her son in the hospital. 

·         I wish Christian movies were awesome.  As a whole, they’re getting better and always share a message I’d like everyone to hear, but this one just wasn’t up to par.

Interesting lines:

·         “You know, you did something Baptist preachers never do…finish a speech early.” –Jay B. Perkins (played by Fred Dalton Thompson)

·         “We’re going to get through this together as a family.  That’s what families do.” – Eva’s dad (played by David Clyde Carr)

·         “David was my best friend and, like me, an ordained minister.  And by far the most loving human being I’ve ever known.” – Don    -   What a wonderful thing to say about another person.   I hope that someone will be able to say that about me some day.

·         “You know what they say about faith?  You can have hope without faith, but you can’t have faith without hope.”  - Jay Perkins  

·         “Sometimes what inspires you isn’t what you end up doing.” – Jay Perkins

Tips for Parents:

·         The car crash scene is intense and you see Don in a bloody state, which might be frightening for some children.  In fact, you see the car crash scene over and over again.

·         Most children will be bored and tired of waiting for the “good stuff.”

Christian movies to hit the big screen recently...see my movie reviews for them by typing their names in the search bar:

The Cokeville Miracle is profoundly powerful

Movie:    The Cokeville Miracle

PG-13, 1 hour 34 minutes

Grade:    B+

In a Nutshell:   Remember Films and T.C. Christenson present an inspiring movie based on a true story about a miracle that happened in an elementary school in a small Wyoming community in 1986.  It’s a story of lost faith and found faith, the power of prayer, life after death, and that God really does watch over us.

Keep watching as the final credits roll, and you will experience something truly amazing.  The audience stays glued to their seats, watching pictures and video interviews of the children as grown-ups with their own families.  The theater is oddly silent, except for a few sniffles.  Rarely have I seen an audience react with such reverence and awe.  While not perfectly executed, this film is powerful and profound.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Just like the cross-stitched picture in the kitchen of the Hartley family says, “Life is fragile…handle with prayer.”

·         “We should recognize God’s hand when we see it.” – Claudia Hartley (played by Sarah Kent)

·         2 Kings 6:16   “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

·         When tragedy strikes, what do you see?

Things I liked:

·         True story.  That’s always a big plus for me.  Because it really happened, its impact is immense.

·         There is a surprising amount of humor during such tragedy.

·         The song the children sing at church at the end of the movie is a favorite Mormon Primary song called “A Child’s Prayer.”    There is a sweet video of it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb29gVgaHcY    You can also hear it sung by BYU’s award-winning Vocal Point at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE-p2nZmdso

·         Although the small community in Wyoming was predominantly Mormon, faithful people from all religions will be inspired by this film.

Things I didn’t like:

·         I would have cast the wife of wacko David Young differently.   She looked too squeaky clean, like she was the director’s Sunday School teacher who just got her teeth whitened.   Maybe this is too stereotyped, but I thought she should have looked more weak and victimized.

·         The script has some awkward lines that halt the flow of natural-sounding conversation.

·         Not that I wanted any children harmed in the making of the film, but the flames in the fire looked totally fake.

·         It feels like everyone is acting.  Some of the kids actually looked bored. The best actor in the film is Jasen Wade, who also starred in the beloved Mormon pioneer movie 17 Miracles .  Nathan Stevens does a good job as the unhinged David Young.

Funny lines:

·         “This will be our mark.” – David Young

 “It smells like somebody else just made his mark.” – Penny Young

·         “I just proved how I can die and come back to life.” – David

“That’s just fantastic.  He’s been working on that for hours.” – Doris Young

·         “What is the capital of Wyoming?” – Claudia

“Easy.  It’s W.” – Claudia’s son

·         “I was just looking at your guns…pretty cool guns…I was just wondering why you didn’t get an AK-47?” – Kam Wixom  (Anson Bagley)

“An AK-47?  That would be illegal.” – David Young

·         “Your breath smells like peaches.” – Hartley boy

“Well, I haven’t been eating any.”  - David Young

“Peaches is my dog.” – Hartley boy

·         “Hey lady, is this your first time kidnapping helpless little kids?” – Kam Wixom

·         “Do you have to get the kids all riled up at bedtime?” – Claudia

      “No, I don’t have to….but I want to.” - Ron

Interesting lines:

·         “It’s just too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence.”  - Ron Hartley

·         “Who else would care about us more than our own family?” –  Claudia when explaining that each of the children’s protecting angels were their very own ancestors.     To learn more about your own ancestors, check out www.FamilySearch.org 

·         “Hatred towards them is a dead-end journey.  It’s like drinking poison and hoping it’ll kill them.” -  Bishop John Teichert

Tips for Parents:

·         There was an audible gasp by all of the moms in the room when the mother left her child in the car and said “I’ll be right back.”   Never, EVER, leave your child in a car alone!

·         Young children may be frightened by the kidnap scenario with guns and a bomb.
-    One thing that is missing is foul language.  Thank you!

To learn more about some of the real people who experienced this remarkable event, begin here:  http://lds.net/blog/faith/belief/tragedy-triumph-talking-cokeville-bombing-survivor/

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