Same Kind of Different As Me will help you see the homeless differently

Movie Title:   
Same Kind of Different As Me

Grade:  B+

Rating:  PG-13, 119 minutes

In a Nutshell:   Based on a true story, this movie will make you want to do more for the homeless to let them know they’re not alone or invisible.

Tips for parents: 

• Some profanity, including racist slurs.
• Discussion of the Klu Klux Klan and racism.
• After watching the film, you should talk to your kids about the homeless and maybe even plan a special service project to help the homeless in your city!

                             

Uplifting theme: 

• “While the journey of the homeless may begin in a hopeless place, it didn’t have to end there.” – Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear)
• “God is in the recycling business of turning trash into treasure.” – Denver (Djimon Hounsou)
• “Sometimes you just gotta bless the hell out of people.” – Denver
• “It’s kind of incredible what a little love can do.” – Chef Jim (Thomas Francis Murphy)

                                       

Things I liked:

• Without the lead actors, it may have felt like just another sappy Christian movie, but the superb performances by Renee Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Djimon Hounsou, and Jon Voight  elevate it to so much more. 
• I liked Debbie’s sweet, soft voice.  What an angel she was.
• I really liked the idea of “catch and release” friendship.  How do you treat your true friends?
• The scene with the yellow roses was very sweet.  Wouldn’t we all like to have such an impact on others?
• I always love seeing pictures and video clips of the real people at the end of a movie about them.

                                   

Things I didn’t like:

• I’m still not used to Renee Zelwegger’s new face.
• One of the first times we see Denver, he flies into a rage, but we’re never told why.
• I’ve never seen people clap and give a standing ovation for a eulogy at a funeral.  Have you?  It seemed odd and a bit inappropriate to me.
• It's pretty predictable.

Funny lines:

• “You wanna be my friend?” – Denver

“Uh huh…” – Ron

“I’m gonna have to think about that.” - Denver

Interesting lines:

• “I’ve done things I’m not proud of.” – Clara (Ann Mahoney)

“We all have.” – Debbie

• “I just don’t know how much a million dollars is worth anymore.” – Ron
• “When you’re as precious to God, you’re important to Satan.” – Denver 

I hear the book is different from the movie a bit, so if you’d like to dig in deeper, you can buy one with this link! 
                                               

  

                                          @trinaboice 

Heaven is for Real movie is simple and inspiring

Movie Title:   Heaven Is for Real

PG, 1 hour 40 minutes

Grade:   B

In a Nutshell:  This is a simple movie with a simple message, and yet it is very powerful.  Perfectly timed for Easter, this faith-building film is based on the New York Times best-selling book Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo, the father of a boy who saw heaven during a hospital operation when he was only four years old.

I heard a recent interview with the “real” Colton and his dad on the radio.  Colton is now a teenager.  He continues to share his simple message that heaven IS for real. 

I thought it was interesting that Colton’s parents (in real life) had such a hard time believing their son, especially considering Todd Burpo was a pastor and his wife was a believer.  I suppose it’s easy to believe IN Jesus Christ, but harder to believe Jesus.  What this film does well is get Christians to really think through what they believe, rather than try to convince non-Christians to believe.

Uplifting theme:   

• Heaven is real.
• God is real.
• We live after this life.
• When Todd Burpo gave his final sermon at the end of the movie at church, the notes that he used were only a few bullet points: “Only faith heals wounds” and “God is love.”

Things I liked:

• I’ve always loved Thomas Haden Church ever since he was a young actor in the old TV show WINGS - Seasons 1 & 2
• Greg Kinnear always gives a solid, charming performance.
• The Burpo’s friend, Nancy Rawling, had a beautiful indoor garden filled with flowers and lovely plants.  Nancy is played by Margo Martindale, who always does a great job as a believable character.  I loved the conversation Nancy and Todd had at the cemetery about their sons.  It was truly touching and profound.
• Connor Corum, who played the young Colton Burpo, did a fantastic job and was absolutely adorable.  He has a bright future in Hollywood.
• I loved the scene when Colton casually mentions to his mother that he saw his unborn sister in heaven.  Tears streamed down the mothers face, as well as mine.  I had several miscarriages and shared the pain and sorrow that Sonja Burpo felt.  My heart ached for my little unborn babies.  After my first miscarriage, I found a book that really helped my heart to heal.  The author (Sarah Hinze) and I are now Facebook friends!  It’s called Life Before Life : A Collection of Mothers’ Experiences With Their Pre-born Children. Since then, Sarah has written several other books about life before life that are very inspiring.  I have read many life after life books based on people’s near death experiences, but Sarah’s books take us on a journey in the opposite direction that provide insights that teach us that this mortal life is only a part of the whole story. 
• The movie is about what Colton saw in heaven, but it also illustrates how precious this time on earth is.

Things I didn’t like:

• I was proud of the child actors for holding that tarantula, but I certainly wouldn’t do that for a sticker!  EEK!
• I think British actress Kelly Reilly is so beautiful and feminine, but her singing voice didn’t add anything, unless director Randall Wallace was going for a home-towny feel for the church with small talent, but big heart.
• David Blaustein from ABC News Radio recently said about the movie “The earnest performances aren’t enough to elevate the vanilla narrative from a faith-based film that will only preach to the choir.”  While I tend to agree, the movie still made me cry and reflect on the wonder of life and death.

Inspiring lines:

• “If heaven is for real, wouldn’t we all live different lives?” – Todd Burpo
• Did Colton go to heaven?  Yes.  He saw the heaven Jesus wanted him to see.” – Todd Burpo
• “God crushed my pride and opened my heart to love and all I have to do.  The one thing love requires is to let others know they’re not alone.”  - Todd Burpo
• “You don’t have to save the world, Todd.  I believe that’s already been done.” – Nancy Rawling
• Todd Burpo (played by Greg Kinnear) explains to his son that some people might be afraid of what Colton said he saw in heaven.  “What are they afraid of?” asks the innocent Colton.  His dad replies “That there might be a heaven or that there might not be.”
• Colton’s sister punched a kid at school who was making fun of her brother .  Her parents encouraged her to be more Christian and “turn the other cheek.”  Cassie says “I DID turn his other cheek when I hit him.”

Things to look for:

• Every time there is a scene that takes place in the church, blue is a prominent color.  Of course, the wall behind the podium is blue, but so is the pastor’s shirt, the children’s choir bows, and many of the other people’s clothing.  I suppose director Randall Wallace wanted to use blue to depict a calming, heavenly color.
• I loved the cool birdhouse in their yard and the view from their home in the heartland of Nebraska.

Things we learn about heaven through Colton’s experience:

• "Jesus has a horse."
• Angels have a sense of humor and laugh.
• "In heaven, everybody’s young"
• "Nobody wears glasses in heaven."
• People are always singing in heaven.
• You feel love and peace.

Tips for parents:  This movie is very family-friendly and a safe place to begin a discussion about death with your children.