Movie Review - Camp

There have been lots of faith-based films that I have wanted to watch recently but haven't had the time.  After catching "God's Not Dead" FINALLY, I decided to get back on board with spending some more time with uplifting films.  With that mind, I could not wait to watch and share "CAMP."

MOVIE REVIEW:  CAMP Roebuck Media, Word Films
Written and Directed by:  Jacob Roebuck
Starring:  Miles Elliot, Michael Mattera, Asante Jones, Michael Otis, Grace Johnston, Janet Wood, and Matthew Jacob Wayne.
PG-13

SYNOPSIS(Christian Film Database) -  CAMP is the latest film from Jacob Roebuck. Inspired by true stories, we meet Ken Matthews (Michael Mattera), a hot shot investment banker doing whatever it takes to make a good impression with a wealthy client, including becoming a camp counselor. Ken is partnered with Eli, a kid thrown away by his parents and in foster care, for a week he won’t soon forget.
MY REVIEW:  When I decided to watch CAMP, I thought it would be a simple tale of an adult having their life turned about by a child's need and love.  Was I wrong!  It was so much more.  CAMP is a story of hope and it is a story of a real camp called Royal Family KIDS.  Royal Family KIDS is a week long camp that serves foster children for a week in the summer.  Many of these children are living in group foster homes which means they share most everything yet receive so little.  This is the case when there is simply not enough to go around.  This camp is the opportunity for each child to be cared for and treated as special as they truly are.  Hope and love is abounding at this camp.

Now don't get me wrong.  CAMP is not some long documentary or even a docudrama about the Royal Family KIDS.  It is a story that combines the story of many of these campers over the years Royal Family KIDS.  This film focuses mainly on Eli.  Eli is like so many children who has had so much promise, but with life handing him a rough deal, he needs hope so much more.  Ken is assigned to Eli.  Ken could use some hope himself.  Ken is a self-absorbed investment banker who has his eyes on the prize and that prize is all about getting bigger, better and wealthier clients.  This week at camp is a means to an end.  Sometimes though, God has bigger and better plans.

CAMP is a film that has heartbreaking lows and beautiful highs.  If you are willing to open up, you will find a true jewel here.  Realize the film starts hard and ends soft. 

SIDE NOTES:
- Remember that CAMP is PG13.  There is some foul language.  It is not something that goes on and on, but there is some swearing here and one crude gesture.  Nothing that is negative is done for any purpose other than to offer truth with minimal shock value.  This is not a full on feel good family film.  There is some violence that is primarily not seen but referred to.  There are some rough moments, but this is sharing truth that does exist for many children in the system and those who are not...yet.  It is not remotely as bad as reality, but there are some themes you should be aware of first.  I would watch it before sharing it with my family.  I think the age of 13 is where I would begin. 
- Don't stop when it is over.  The end credits include interviews with counselors and former campers turned counselors.  From this we find that many of the stories are based on experiences at the camp.  It is beautiful.  This is the time I needed tissue like you wouldn't believe! 
- I watched CAMP via Netflix streaming.


Learn more about Royal Family KIDS here.  You might even find a camp near you that you can give your time to.

Check out this clip from CAMP.

Movie Review - Unconditional

Today I am reviewing a faith-based film with a strong message.  Although many parts are family friendly, it does deal with some very mature issues.  Because of this, I strongly recommend watching it yourself before watching it with your children.  There are amazing parts that are great for the whole family.  I would not plan on watching this with a child under the age of 13, but again, you know your own children and seeing it first would be a good way to go.  Normally, I put a recommendation like this at the end, but because of some of the events, I feel it is important to put it up here.

Unconditional
Harbinger Media Partners


Cast: Lynn Collins, Michael Ealy, Kwesi Boakye, Diego Klattenhoff, Bruce McGill, Cedric Pendleton, and Gabriella Phillips


About the film (from the website): 

Samantha Crawford is living a storybook life: she's happily married, she lives on a ranch where she keeps her beloved horse, and the stories she's told and illustrated since childhood have become published books.
When her husband Billy is killed in a senseless act of violence, Sam loses her faith and her will to live. But a death-defying encounter with two children leads to a reunion with Joe, her oldest friend. Inspired by true events, UNCONDITIONAL stars Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man, Barbershop) and Lynn Collins (John Carter, X-Men Origins: Wolverine).
As Sam watches "Papa" Joe care for and love the kids in his under-resourced neighborhood, she begins to realize that no matter life's circumstances, God's love is always reaching out to us.


My Review:

Unconditional starts with a bit of Samantha Crawford sharing about her life.  Her love story and her loss.  Samantha had it all.  She was living a life many would dream of with a career using her God given talents and a wonderful marriage, but all that is taken away in a senseless act of violence that takes away her husband and a very large part of herself.  Her world has crashed around her, leaving Samantha empty, alone and hopeless.  

The action moves swiftly in the next few moments.  Samantha is consumed by pain and loss.  Samantha is not reaching out, but visiting a dark place.  At that moment two children enter Samantha's life when unknowingly she needs them as much as they need her.  Through this, we meet Sam's old friend Joe.   

The story unfolds sharing where Joe and Sam are now and where they both have been.  Joe shares stories of how Samantha has not just impacted his life with her friendship when they were both children, but how she truly even saved his life.  As Samantha and Joe reconnect, she learns more about the life Joe has lived in the time they have been apart.  Joe openly shares how God used Joe's mistakes to reach him and open his eyes to purpose and God's love.

Unconditional is a reminder to us all that as dark as life may seem, you are not alone.  God has a purpose for each up and each down.  All we need to do is look for it.  If we ask, we will truly see it. Sometimes it just takes a moment for us to stop thinking about where we are and instead where can we be used.  

 

Unconditional is a powerful movie in story and in imagery.  The characters are truly drawn beautifully and fully.  There are times when I have seen a film that has seemed forced and manipulative.  Unconditional is not one of those films.  It takes time with the characters and story, allowing the viewer to fully connect in a very real way.  
 
What I liked:  

I liked that Unconditional immediately pulls you in.  It was a great change from films that I have seen recently that manage to drag the viewer along for an hour before anything significant happens or the points that do happen really have no bearing on the movie whatsoever.  That is not the case with Unconditional.   Every plot point mattered.  
 
Here is a great example of how quickly the film pulls you in.  This afternoon, I was working on a devotional, and my husband was watching television.  When he was finished, he said he was going to go into the bedroom and upload some pictures he took while we were out yesterday.  I thought "GREAT!  I really want to watch Unconditional!  I'll put it on now."  So I took the remote, put on Netflix streaming and began to watch the film.  My husband was about to get up.  He stopped and settled back down.  He NEVER got back up.  Yep...that is how quickly the movie got going and that is how good it was from the get go. 

My rating:  I would and did give Unconditional five out of five stars.  Unconditional completely met and exceeded my expectations.  I would watch it again and do plan on purchasing it.  It is a movie that I would feel very comfortable sharing.  

Inspired by a true story:  

Papa Joe is a very real person.  He works with under resourced children in Tennessee.  He and his wife Denise give of themselves daily to see that these children are loved and cared for.  There are many fatherless children in this world, and Papa Joe has done what he can to positively impact these young lives in a very real way.  You can learn more about Papa Joe here.   

I watched this film via Netflix streaming.  Again, I cannot say enough about  how much I appreciate that Netflix offers uplifting Christian films.  Below is a little clip.  Check it out.

Movie Review - The Book of Esther

Esther 4:14 
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”


The Book of Esther
Pure Flix Entertainment
Starring: Thaao Penghlis, Marco Khan, Joel Smallbone, Jen Lilley, Mark Irvingsen, David Pires and Hadeel Sittu.

About the film (from Christian Movie Database):
The Book of Esther – Good battles evil in this timeless story of Biblical heroism.
When Ester becomes King Xerxes’ queen, her Cousin Mordecai and that despicable Haman engage in a dangerous game of intrigue for control of the young Persian King Xerxes.
It’s not secret that Haman plans to exterminate the Jews, but Haman’s plan include something horrible for Mordecai and his people.  It is up to Mordecai’s cousin Esther to win the affection of the King, unmask Haman’s treachery and save the Jewish people.
Can Esther convince her husband to spare her people – even though she may be putting her own life at risk?
Based upon the book of Esther, this delightful retelling emphasizes the value of courage, faith and obedience.

My Review: 

The movie "The Book of Esther"takes some liberties with the bible's "Book of Esther" but it truly does admit such and does stick with the purpose of the story.  Viewers are advised from the get go to read for themselves the whole story. My hope is that anyone seeing this film, would be so moved because although the book does honor the truth of the story, it is a bit diluted by the first half pretty much covering Esther and her overly strong desire to be married (literally she harps on it a tad too often) and some terribly corny jokes.  For example, a neighbor woman, Judith often jokes about her marriage to her husband Jacob.  Thankfully we never see Jacob enter the film for if he were, I am fairly certain it would be an "Everybody Loves Raymond" marriage of the bumbling husband and the long-suffering wife.  In my opinion, "The Book of Esther" suffers from these moments of comic relief. 

The second half of the film is far more redeeming.  God's purpose for Esther's marriage to King Xerxes is finally revealed during this part of the film, and it is very well done and well acted.  This is not to say that the first half isn't well acted, it is.  I really felt more that I was enduring the first half of the story while waiting for the good stuff. 

All in all, I am glad I watched the film.  I know there is another film on Esther, and I do plan on watching it as well.  I do admire Esther a great deal, and have learned much from that book in the Bible.  The truth in  Esther's actions being incredibly dangerous and heroic doesn't come out as strongly as I wish it would in this film.  Because of the position God placed Esther, she was able to literally thwart a plan of genocide against the Jewish people.  That is HUGE!  This is a good film.  There is just something lacking.  I felt more like I was watching a film of a play rather than a film that takes you into a different place and time.  I would give this film a light 3 stars.

Personal Pet Peeve:  I find bad wigs incredibly distracting in films.  It would be much better to see an actor with short hair or no hair have either their natural locks or lack of rather than see obvious wigs in a movie depicting this time period. 

Side Note:  I watched this film via Netflix streaming.  I am so thankful that Netflix has such a great selection of Christian films and family friendly films.

Movie Review - Real

One of my favorite things about Netflix streaming is the abundance of various films.  My favorite is Faith & Spirituality.  I am always looking for something good, and when I find it, I have to share.  The film trailer for this movie is below. 

Real
Pure Flix Entertainment
Starring: Stephen Krist, Danelle Simpson, Marty Lathrop, John Horstmann, Erwin Smith, David Krist, and Paul Wampler 

About the film (from the Christian Movie Database):
All of our lives we’ve been told that life isn’t fair, yet no one has ever bothered to tell us why.
Is life merely a culmination of our own failures, compounded one after another, or are things truly beyond our control? Is there a God? If so, is He truly out there, looking on us lovingly, or does He despise us and laugh as we stumble around in the darkness of our own humanity?
The lives of four individuals unravel as they face a world of consequences both thrust upon them and as a product of their choices. Either way, reality is the result.

My Review:  "Real" tells four different stories of lives.  The stories are not far fetched in their possibility.  We all probably know at least one person who has lived a life quite similar yet different in their own way.  We all make choices and we are impacted by those choices.  The results from those choices is ours, but the chance to do something different is also ours.  Change is not easy.  Doing something different from what we did to get us to where we are is a process that is usually less than a good time, but with God all things are possible.  Living in a rut of the results of bad choices is not living the life God created you to live.  He has so much better for you.  This film shows you this. 

If you are looking for a high budget film, this isn't for you.  The message however is well worth it.  God cares about you and wants to be there for you.  Even with the most difficult circumstances, there are often two choices...choose life.   "Real" is well acted.  The message is pure and clear and delivered in an honest way.  Not everyone has a great budget, but that doesn't mean a film doesn't have a great message.  Give it a chance.  I believe you'll like it.  I did.

This is a faith based film with a great message.  As I often review family friendly films, I want to stress that I would not watch this with a young child.  There is some violent imagery and some grown up subject matter.  Things are done tastefully, but still I would not watch this with younger than say age 14.  And I would watch it with them so you could discuss it afterwards.  Watch it yourself first though, because you know what you would allow your child to see.

I give "Real" four out of five stars.  


 

Movie Review - October Baby

Today's review is a movie with a message.  The subject matter is probably not young child friendly.  It is a film that I have wanted to watch for some time, but I was not sure if I was ready for the subject matter.  I watched it via Netflix streaming (one of my favorite ways to watch faith-based films).

October Baby
Provident Films

Starring:
Brian Gall, Carl Maguire, Chris Sligh, Colleen Trusler, Corey Winston, Don Sandley, Jasmine Guy, Jason Burkey, Jennifer Price, John Schneider, Joy Brunson, Lance E. Nichols, Maria Atchison, Mary Tolley, Rachel Hendrix, Robert Amaya, Rodney Clark, Shari Wiedmann, Tracy Miller

About the film (from Christian Movie Database):
OCTOBER BABY is a coming of age story of a 19 year old freshman named Hannah. Hannah has always felt like an outsider. Something is missing. Although she is an incredible stage actor with a lovable naivety, She has always had a deep seated feeling that she has no right to exist. Because of escalating health and psychological problems her parents reveal to her that she was adopted and was never told because of the shocking and heartbreaking circumstances surrounding her birth.

With her identity and world thrown into turmoil she sets out on a spring break road trip to New Orleans with her best friend Jason, his girlfriend and a host of misfits piled into a decrepit VW minibus. Everyone else is on the ride for good times, but Hannah is determined to use the opportunity to return to the city of her birth and find the answers she craves -
something her overprotective father has forbidden her to do…

My review:
All in all I liked this movie, but I really had to work at it.  Now, I may be overly picky, but the first hour drove me nuts.  I did not like Hannah. Hannah is pretty rocked when she finds out she is adopted.  I imagine I would be as well, but considering the circumstances, it is no surprise that they kept it from her.  It is not something easily told without an impact that could sway the most well-functioning individual, and Hannah is already going through issues (which are hard to understand when we see a clip of what looks like pretty fun times as a young child and we know she was raised by two loving parents).  Why she feels she has no right to exist is kind of a lame label.

The solution to go on a road trip to get some answers made some sense to me, it was the cast of characters along for the very short ride that did not.  It was something added into the story that really could have been omitted other than the fact that they probably didn't want us to see Hannah intentionally  just take a road trip with her guy best friend.  It just did not add to the story in any way that mattered, and really just took away from it for me.  Like I said, I was struggling.  I was waiting for it to get better. 

Jasmine Guy's performance was incredible, John Schneider's was also awesome.  I actually started to like the movie more once Jasmine Guy came into the film, but honestly it swept the good right back out quickly when Hannah continued with her bratty moments as well as a few from her friend Jason, as a parent, I wanted to smack him.

In the long run, the pay off was really nice.  The finally half hour was great, well acted, and had really good moments.  I think the film would have been much better if the beginning and middle were thought out better, and if people paid some attention to how other people really act and talk to one another.  There were a lot of moments where I thought, "who has conversations like this?"  There were points where it seemed they were trying too hard for comic relief.  There were lines that just blew me out of the story like when Jason says to Hannah "Remember when we were like nine?" and she says "When you were nine I was 8 1/2."  WHAT?  That made no sense.  Maybe if he talked about his 9th birthday which still would have not made sense.  It was just an addition in the dialogue that bugged me and thus pulled me out of the film.

Anyway, I digress.  I liked it, but that is to say, I liked what it was attempting and I liked the last half hour quite a bit.  I held off watching it for a while, because a friend of mine who was adopted told me that after seeing it, she was glad she never met her birth mother.  That gave me pause as to what I would get.  

Lastly the music was wonderful!  The soundtrack was extremely well done.

I would rate this three out of five smiles.  I liked the message of forgiveness.  I enjoyed the performances of several of the actors.  Will I watch it again?  No.  I did not enjoy it enough for that. 

Lastly, this is a film that has a Christian pro-life message.  Some reviews I have read expressed issues with that.  I think because of the very important message it had to convey, they should have worked out the kinks a little more.  It is a film that I would share with my son, but I know he would be bored long before he heard the valuable message in this film and felt its impact.

Family Friendly Film Review - WWJD II: The Woodcarver

I love finding family friendly films that I can feel good about, I like it even more when they are of good quality.  Faith-based films are my absolute favorite.  Today we watched WWJD II: The Woodcarver via Netflix streaming.  There is a clip of the film at the bottom of this review.

What Would Jesus Do
Nasser Entertainment

About the film:
Matthew is a troubled boy from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church’s beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

Starring: John Ratzenberger, Dakota Daulby, Anthony Harrison, Stephen E. Miller, and Nicole Oliver.

My Review:
Matthew's world is crumbling around him, and he is lashing out in every way he can think of.  He has quit school, is withdrawn, and has destroyed church property.  Ernest is a man who is still reeling from his own loss.  Matthew destroyed much of what Ernest built for the church and has started working with Ernest to fix the damages on the outside of the building and the inside of his heart.  

The story is done quite well with really excellent acting on all sides.  From the beginning opening music to the flow of the story, I was drawn in. Sometimes a faith based film can seem rather cheaply done, poorly written or badly acted.  That was entirely not the case for this film.  Ernest and Matthew develop a bond immediately, and the older man helps the teen deal with the pain from his broken home and the teen and his family show the elder wood carver that God indeed has a purpose even now for his life even without his bride by his side.  

I would strongly recommend this film for any family member.  There is a great message.  It is appropriate for all ages, but in my opinion I would probably look at the age to start at around 8 or 9.  This is a good time for them to get a message of deciding what Jesus would do in their own circumstances.  It is a very clean film.  

My rating of smiles would be to definitely rate it a five out of five smiles.  It is truly well done.