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.
FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM REVIEW-
When I was a kid, I loved old movies. I watched many and certain ones always stuck in my mind. Whenever I would run across one of those films on television, it didn't matter what point the movie was in, I would watch it through to the end. I thought it would be fun to revisit some of these oldies that I loved, and share some reviews.
The Long, Long Trailer
Starring: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
About the film (from IMDB):
Nicky and Tacy are going to be married. Nicky wants to save up money for
a house, but Tacy dreams of starting off with their own home on
wheels--a trailer. After the two are hitched, they hitch up their
trailer and begin their honeymoon. The humor comes from several
disastrous adventures the couple has while traveling including Tacy's
awkward attempt to cook dinner in a moving trailer, and a cliffhanging
ride through the mountains that nearly destroys their marriage.
My Review: The Long, Long Trailer is a movie sharing the honeymoon on wheels taken by Nicky and Tacy as they bring their trailer to their future home in Colorado. They pick a trailer because Tacy really wants to set up house with her husband not just an apartment wherever they need to temporarily rest their heads as he is a civil engineer who must travel and remain in various places for his career. Living in a trailer seems a dream come true to Tacy who really doesn't want much more than a nice home for her and Nicky.
As Nicky and Tacy embark on their honeymoon it all seems quite sweet and quaint. In fact, it can make a person kind of want a trailer home themselves, and then the difficulties begin. As idyllic as driving a trailer on a honeymoon sounds, it is a long, long trailer and moving it is not as easy as it looks, but there are great places to visit and fun and quirky people to meet. Troubles come and go sometimes with big laughs and other times with sweet charm.
What I liked: First of all there was not a lot for me to not like in this film. When I first saw it as a child, I was enchanted by the idea of taking a trailer on a honeymoon. As an adult I am charmed by old trailers and actually would love to get a nice small trailers for a little camping hop here and there (I would especially enjoy something vintage and quite similar to what Nicky and Tacy first look at when they are shopping). I know much of it was on a set and looked it, but it kind of made me appreciate not only the film but the time frame. That is simply how things were done then. For me it doesn't even take away from the film. It is like a time stamp. I loved looking beyond the story to the props (even the cookware). Lucy and Desi were a great team. They worked well with each other on film. I enjoyed the larger than life supporting cast too. They were all certainly characters and added to the fun of the film. The Long, Long Trailer really reminded me of what I like about old films and comedies. There is an innocence of the characters and the circumstances and although we know that historically there was certainly bad in the world, it is easily escaped by movies such as these.
What I didn't like: I am fairly certain that the movie was a bit longer. It was cut down, but I do not know why or exactly where. It was a long time since I first saw it.
I received this movie from my husband for Christmas. It was on my list for a very long time, and I was overjoyed when I received it. He's so awesome. :)
My rating: Four big smiles
Side note: The Long, Long Trailer was based on the novel by Clinton Twiss. I found it as a free download for Nook at Barnes & Noble. Of course I had to download it now. More gym reading. :)
There are lots of great films out there and some with awesome messages. However it can get harder and harder to find them. I like to make a point of watching at least one family friendly or inspirational film a week. I see it a little bit as modeling for my son but also it is important to me. Having been raised with a brother seven years older, I truly cut my teeth on Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson films. Yes, I too made guns out of Legos and whatever else I could get my hands on. I love romance, but action and thrillers get me every time. What also gets me, a story that touches the heart. You can find a lot of stories just like this if make a point of looking for them via streaming Netflix and Amazon.
Amazing Love - The Story of Hosea
Starring: Sean Astin, Erin Bethea, Sammi Hanratty, Savannah Jayde, Terrance Hardy Jr., Kenton Duty, Creagen Dow, Tehmina Sunny, Elijah Alexander, and Patty Duke.
About the film: When a materialistic, self-involved teen threatens to ruin a youth group
camping trip, the group's leader uses the conflict as an opportunity to
share the story of the Old Testament prophet Hosea, who inspires true
commitment and unconditional love.
My review: Ashley, Carrie, Cooper, Steve and Gameboy are all going on a youth group camping trip with their youth pastor, Stuart and his wife Beth. The kids are all pretty tight as many youth group kids are with the exception of Ashley. Ashley is a beautiful girl who has a bit of a self-centered attitude. She is going on the trip because her grandma is pushing her to go. Her attitude is to just get through it. This annoys Carrie to bits. She doesn't appreciate Ashley's snobbishness and has her own preconceived notions about the new addition. Steve however thinks that Ashley is just misunderstood and needs a chance. Of course with a big chip on her shoulder, Ashley doesn't make it easy for anyone to give her that chance. She feels no one understands her or what she has gone through.
Things don't go terribly well with the kids and Stuart decides to share the story of Hosea and Gomer with the kids. The story of Hosea is a story of God's love for His stiff necked, rebellious and disloyal people.
Amazing Love is two stories in one. The main one really is the telling of Hosea and Gomer. The secondary, story involving the kids really unfolds first. That part is good, but the real heart and soul that is going to get you is Hosea. What is cool though is how in the end, it all really intertwines so well together. Hosea learned how God felt when Israel turned their backs on Him and worshiped false idols. He felt it on the level of being a man married to and in love with a woman who was completely unfaithful to him. There was a line in the story that really hit home for me where Hosea is talking with God in anguished prayer not understanding how God would love this unlovable people who did not act loving toward Him. He said "You love us because your love is not dependent on us." Awesome right?
I am going to stop here in order to not give much away. Although let's face it, you can read Hosea and get the gist of that story, but this one is really told well. Yep, I kind of cried a bit.
The movie does not have difficult themes for kids. I would say it is another story that would be acceptable for about ages 12 and up. Just keep in mind that Gomer was not a very faithful chick. Nothing is seen but her unfaithfulness is obvious. Check it out on Netflix streaming. I give this movie four out of five big ole smiles.
I hope that Netflix continues to have streaming for family friendly films with a Christian message. It is so nice having the opportunity to watch films that touch the heart and offer encouragement. This weekend we watched "Set Apart."
Set Apart
Starring: Richard Roundtree, John Schneider, Ary Katz, Brandon Wilson, Sarah Lilly, Randy Gunn, Heidi Gunn, Marina Shtelen, and Ronnie Alvarez.
About the film: Pastor John Gunn sends a group of urban youngsters to spend a summer on a
working ranch, hoping they'll learn what city life can't teach them.
With his brother and sister-in-law and a tough-love ranch hand, the kids
gain some hard-earned wisdom.
My Review: Set Apart lightly highlights the ministry of Power Company Kids Club and their work with inner city youth. There are a few of the children that go to the Power Company Kids Club that are currently in what could be described as a high-crisis situation. Two brothers are struggling with gang participation, one young man is caught up in a cycle of theft, and a young girl has lost it all. When Pastor John's brother Randy and Randy's wife Heidi's ministry GunnPoint come near town for a cowboy mounted shooting event, John shares with them about these kids and their need to have a real life changing experience. John feels that some time spent away from the city and the problems in their lives and instead spent on the Gunn ranch and with their ministry would be a huge help to these kids. His brother agrees and the kids partake in a life changing experience.
Things do not happen easily at the ranch. There are new rules and new skills to learn. The kids draw closer together and closer to the staff. They begin to see themselves with a new confidence and working as a team instead of on their own brings a real change in their lives. They also draw closer to God.
The movie itself is well acted. There are some parts that my son described as corny, but it was sweet. It also drew some tears out of me when I least expected it. It is a low budget film with a good message that I think you'll enjoy. There are violent situations but more implied and threatened. This is not a movie for younger children. I checked out the Dove rating, and they said that it was suitable for ages 12 and up. I would agree with that. The fact is a younger child is not going to get the message that it is giving. It is not a film that a smaller child is going to relate to. I will find some of those though. :)
I would rate it four out of five smiles. :)
I watched Set Apart via Netflix streaming. It is also available for purchase at Amazon.com.
FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS - REVIEW
One of my favorite things about Netflix streaming is the opportunity to watch just about any variety of film that you want. I spend a lot of time catching up on my favorite sitcoms and series, but lately I have also been spending some time really focusing on finding family friendly films. With the new year here, I want to be more intentional about watching encouraging films. My hope is to not just find a family friendly film, but also a film with a message.
The Letter Writer
Bridgestone Multimedia Group
Starring - Aley Underwood, Bernie Diamond, Pam Eichner and Brandon Luke Bringhurst
About the film: When Maggy Fuller (Aley Underwood) receives an anonymous letter full of
praise and encouragement, she can?t imagine who would say such wonderful
things to her. After all, the rebellious teenager is practically
invisible to her dad and a disappointment to her mom. Her search for the
mysterious letter?s author leads her Sam Worthington (Bernie Diamond),
an aging man who tries to change the world using a pen name, a phone
book, and one handwritten note at a time. Maggy?s unlikely new friend
seems to know her better than anyone and inspires her to become a letter
writer, too, but a tragedy tests her faith, forcing her to continue her
search for her own purpose in life.
My Review:
Maggie is a pretty self-focused teenaged girl. She has dreams for her band and what is important to her. Her priorities though are pretty skewed, but she is young and sometimes the young just need a lesson in order to get on track. It can be exceptionally hard to get off the self track when you are in a single parent home and you are in your rebellious phase. At that point the very ones who love you most are often the ones you feel could care less and understand you the least. This is pretty much Maggy's view. Other than her band, she feels pretty much like a giant zero.
Then Maggy gets a letter in the mail. The letter speaks to Maggy in a way that seems like the author knows her and wants to encourage her. It reminds her that she is beautiful, gracious and has a unique purpose for her life. It acknowledges how difficult life is right now, but it is precious. The letter also encourages Maggy to share kindness with others. Of course I am just paraphrasing here, but the letter speaks to Maggy's heart, and though the letter is signed, Maggy does not know who the author is. She doesn't know anyone that would be so kind to her or write such great things about her. Maggy asks her mother and even reaches out to her estranged father to see if he knows who wrote this kind note. No one knows. Maggy looks on her own and finally with a little help, meets the man who wrote her the letter.
Maggy meets Stanley at an assisted living home. He is the mysterious letter writer. Maggy strikes up a friendship with Stanley aka Sam and learns how good it can be to share kindness and encouragement and your life with those who are kind and encouraging too.
I liked how Stanley taught Maggy the simple joy of touching hearts with a kind word. Stanley showed Maggy the importance of using the gifts and talents that God has given you to be a blessing to others. When you are blessing others, the rewards are great.
There were some great quotes by Stanley in The Letter Writer
that I would like to share. These are great quotes to live by really and great ones to share with your tween or teen.
"Life is like a mirror. Who you are is reflected by those around you." - Stanley aka Sam Worthington
"If you want good and helping people around you, be good and helping." - Stanley aka Sam Worthington
"Within every human being there's a God given ability, and if you find it and nurture it, you'll be able to bless the lives of others." - Stanley aka Sam Worthington
The Letter Writer is a simple film with a sweet message. If you pay attention, you just might walk away with an improved outlook on your own life or perhaps an inkling to find a special purpose.
Because we all like a rating system, and a good movie makes me smile. I'm giving my family friendly film rating of four out of five smiles.
The Letter Writer
