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 

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 

Four Blood Moons now available on Netflix

Movie:  Four Blood Moons

Rating:  PG

2 hours 30 minutes

Grade:    B-

In a Nutshell:   This documentary was a one-day theatrical release in a limited number of cities back in March 2015.  Now it is available to everyone on Netflix and Amazon.  

Based on the New York Times Bestseller of the same name, author and pastor John Hagee explained,  “The thing that compelled me to write “The Four Blood Moons” was when I saw the scientific information that NASA was putting out:  that it (4 blood moons) happened in 1493, that it happened in 1949, that it happened in 1967 and was going to happen in 2015.  Knowing history, I knew that these 3 dates  applied to Israel and are the Jewish people.”   John Hague

If you don’t know history, those dates correspond with the expulsion of the Jewish people from Spain, the creation of the Israel nation, and the Arab/Israeli 6^th day war.  The movie walks you through each of those significant events, pointing to an equally important event to occur Fall of 2015.

Uplifting Theme:   

*  The Bible announces that God made the sun and the moon to be used as signs in the heavens.   “What we notice in science is the more you research the record of nature, the more evidences you find for the handiwork of God and so, it’s not a surprise that we see increasing numbers of scientists looking at that evidence.” – Hugh Ross, Astrophysicist/Author

*  The tagline for the movie is: Something is about to change.  If he's right, what are you doing to prepare?

          

Things I liked:

* I liked the variety of experts in science, history, and religion sharing their "take" on this fascinating symbolism.  The format of the movie is documentary-style interviews, followed by dramatic reenactments to illustrate each of the pivotal moments in history.

*  The information is extremely interesting and should leave you hanging with anticipation to see what unfolds within the next few months.  Pay attention to the news!

*  Writer and Director Keith Merrill has made several beautiful films for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; however, this is NOT a Mormon movie.  In fact, no LDS theology is even mentioned, focusing, instead on doctrine and symbolism explained by Jewish rabbis and pastor John Hagee, who founded "Christians United for Israel." 

·          

Things I didn’t like:

·    At the end of the movie, you see that the majority of the reenactments were filmed in North Carolina; however, you won't be surprised that the film was produced in the Middle East somewhere, because the majority of the actors look like Americans with bad wigs and fake beards.  The actors looked like they were recruited by a small casting company who only hired locals who wanted to dress up in costumes.  In other words, the acting was pretty bad.

*  The scientific and historical evidence is presented to an audience that is pretty much already Christian and Jewish "believers".  

*  There is no strong call-to-action at the end of the movie, only that "something" is coming.  I would have liked to learn about several theories that the experts think might happen and then hear their ideas on how to be best prepared for certain scenarios.

Interesting lines:

·         “The Talmud states clearly that the eclipse of the sun is difficult for the nations of the world.  The eclipse of the moon is difficult for the Jewish people and express a difficulty for the Jewish people.” – Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

·          

Tips for Parents:  

*  Young children will mostly be bored.  

*  Teens who are interested in the subject matter will learn a little bit more about historical events.  There are inspiring and miraculous stories that are reenacted, which could be a good launching pad for faith-building discussions.

·          

Would you like to know more? You can read the New York Times best-seller by John Hagee:

 

 Here's another one that is a fascinating read by Jonathan Cahn. You'll find a ton of interesting videos on YouTube by him as well:

 

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/

Other faith-building true stories:

The Theory of Everything introduces a new Stephen Hawking to the universe

Movie: Theory of Everything

PG-13, 2 hours 3 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  The movie illustrates the romantic spark between the leads, as well as Stephen’s search for the spark that started the universe.   It explores the struggle between body and soul and expands your own world of thinking.  Movie critic Tom Long from the Detroit News said it best: “It’s a brainy bio that exerts a gravitational pull on the heartstrings.” 

How fascinating that a young man who was only given two years to live has spent his entire lifetime trying to prove the theory of time.  He said “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to prove with a singular equation that time had a beginning?  Wouldn’t that be nice?  One simple, elegant equation that explained everything.  Only time, whatever that may be, will tell.”   Isn’t it wonderful that he has defeated that short death sentence to live to an astounding age of 72?  He’s still going strong and who knows how much longer he’ll live and what he’ll discover.  Only time will tell.

Uplifting Theme: “There should be no boundaries to human endeavor.  However bad life may seem, while there is life, there is hope.”  - Stephen Hawking

Things I loved:

·         Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables (2012) ) is simply incredible as Stephen  Hawking.  Oscar-worth in my opinion.  Felicity Jones (The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ) as Jane Wilde is lovely and an equal match in her starring role.

·         I loved the ending of the movie that showed, appropriately, their story going back in time and how quickly time really does fly.

·         I’m so impressed with the courage and strength that both Stephen and Jane have demonstrated all of their lives.  Shame on me for ever feeling sorry for myself or complaining about anything.

·         I loved the friendship and support that Stephen’s college buddies and professors extended to him for so many years.

·         I thought the film did a good job showing Stephen’s sense of humor.  His intellect, humor, and human passions were never affected by his disease.

*    I love that the movie poster is turned sideways, just like Stephen Hawking has done to various theories of physics and science.

      I admire how Jane waited patiently for Stephen to work out in his own mind and time how he felt about God.  She should have been knighted by the Queen for her many years of sacrifice and service to Stephen.  

Things I didn’t like:

·         It’s a bit slow-moving for some and young children will be extremely bored.

·       SPOILER ALERT:   Isn't it interesting that you can have an affair without acting on it physically?   

Interesting lines:

·         “This is not going to be a fight, Jane.  This is going to be a heavy defeat for all of us.” – Stephen’s father

Funny lines:

·         “I’m a Cosmologist.”  – Stephen Hawking, introducing himself to Jane

“What’s that?” – Jane

“It’s a kind of religion for intelligent atheists.” – Stephen

·         “You haven’t said why you don’t believe in God.” – Jane

“A physicist can’t allow his calculations to be muddled by his belief in a supernatural creator.” – Stephen

“Sounds less of an argument against God than against physicists.” – Jane

·         “I love you.” – Jane

“That’s a false conclusion.” – Stephen

·         “Now, I’d like to make a suggestion.  It might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve seen it work  wonders.  I think that you should consider joining the church choir.” – Jane’s mother to her daughter when Jane was having a tough time handling everything.

“Mum, I think that’s possibly the most English thing anyone has ever said.” – Jane

·         “So I said I have long been looking for a model of the universe.  I finally found her.” – Stephen  

Tips for Parents: 

·         Teens who loved The Fault in Our Stars and who are interested in learning about the mysterious Stephen Hawking they’ve always known to be in a wheelchair should enjoy this.

·         Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will enjoy seeing some familiar actors in this flick.

·         Young men should be inspired by the science geek who is persistent enough to get the pretty girl.

·         Stephen Hawking, apparently, subscribes to Penthouse magazine.

·         This could be a quick start to an interesting conversation with your kids about Quantum Theory and general relativity.  Here are some fascinating questions to discuss that Stephen asked:

-          What is the nature of time?

-          Will it ever come to an end?

-          Can we go back in time?

To learn more about their story, check out the following: