Catching Faith 2: The Homecoming is the continuing story of the Taylor family as they navigate the dips and turns of life by relying on their faith. Alexa feels like the world is caving in as she steps into her dream job, but still has to care for her mother with Alzheimer's and her son has just lost his career while her daughter gets engaged to her ex-best friend's son. Thankfully she has a Bible study and support group and her husband valiantly tries to help Alexa calm down and be reasonable. As each member of the family goes through their trial, they turn to each other and to faith to keep them grounded and moving forward.
This movie was a good example of how life quickly can spin out of control. But as the family in this story learned, not letting the circumstances take away your joy, but grow character in you, that is the foundation of faith. Although, I did feel this family needed a bit more guidance and direction, I did seem them come together to celebrate life in fun and positive ways despite all the setbacks.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review from Edify Media. All opinions are my own.*
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It's Christmas in Hope Valley! The townsfolk each have their own needs, wants and desires. Elizabeth is planning a Christmas play but the train with costumes gets delayed. Jack wants to give a family a home for Christmas with a working stove and a warm welcome. Pastor Frank is worried for a young widow and her son who left the town quite suddenly. Rosemary and Lee return from their honeymoon and Lee wants to surprise her with a special gift which Rosemary finds "by accident" and is disgruntled. Abigail tries to reason with Henry Gowan as his accident has caused him not to be able to carry out the regular mayoral duties. And Cody wants to give a little girl a special present. Now, Sam is a traveling peddler and he seems to be a secret "Santa" to all these seekers of hope. He might be able to help them!
This was another sweet episode that showed the gentle and good hearts of the people despite the difficult situations. I would have liked to see more interaction in the romance between Jack and Elizabeth as well as the other budding couples, but there was a surprise at the end that was very special. This is another movie that will charm your heart and give you the hope you need to make Christmas magical for the friends and family in your life.
This DVD also includes a Bible Study along with clips from the film.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review from Edify Films. All opinions are my own.*
The Student Body is a documentary by Bailey Webber, a young journalist with a determination and voice for the youth in America. Lawmakers decided to pass a mandate to force students to participate in school BMI testing. Letters were then sent to kids enclosed in their report cards with the results. Many of these letters indicated that children were obese and did not fall into the accepted range for body mass. A young sixth grader in Ohio felt bullied and tore up her letter. Bailey Webber stepped in to investigate and bravely undertook the controversial topic and pursued answers from government officials and other professionals.
Bailey Webber interviewed many experts and law makers to get their input on the unfair testing of BMI in the schools. The kids being tested are feeling shamed, but the government insists that the tests are helpful to show which kids are at risk for obesity and other health issues. Parents were confused and not sure how to handle this information. They did feel that childhood obesity needs to be addressed, but maybe not in this way. Bailey's research found that it was not helping the obesity problem, but creating a negative psychological effect on youth.
This documentary shared some great information and tackled a very sensitive issue in a very understanding way. Bailey interviewed many people and after each interview she invited them to step on the scale for their own BMI testing. About 95% of the time she was turned down. She would laugh and say it was OK, but she knew that kids were not given that same choice in the schools. One interview that was very intriguing was with Senator Kearney. Bailey was unable to secure a live interview with him for over 7 months. After many phone calls and unreturned emails, she finally went to his office and made an appointment. In the interview Senator Kearney contradicted himself many times. He too was asked to step on the scale and he was in for a surprise.
Bailey Webber did an excellent job on her first documentary film. She gave an honest evaluation of the controversial debate and uncovered some interesting facts and reactions.
"Apparently, they are willing to speak for us, but not to us." -Bailey Webber
Alison's Choice is a film about life. Alison is a young girl who discovers she is pregnant. Her boyfriend doesn't care and Alison feels scared and anxious. She turns to the only option she sees: Abortion. As she spends the morning at the clinic she encounters many people of differing opinions and bits of wisdom. The sweet receptionist allows Alison to get some fresh air. The eager counselor wants Alison to consider all her options. The inner city girl urges Alison to go for it until her boyfriend shows up and she changes her mind and invites Alison to her baby shower. A nurse finds Alison waking up from a bad dream and convinces her life will be so much better without having to care for a child. A doctor sweetly persuades Alison to think about the procedure in scientific facts. Alison's mind begins to doubt and have questions and then a janitor begins to chat with her. She finds out that he is Jesus! He's come to plead with Alison for the life of her child. When the receptionist finally calls, "Alison, we're ready for you." What will she choose?
I can just imagine all the feelings and emotions that are flooding through Alison in this tense situation. She feels out of control and has to make a life altering decision. She is bombarded by so many voices, but I love that she continues to listen to voice of God throughout. She sees that despite all the ideas and beliefs being presented to her, she can ultimately make the choice that Jesus so desperately is asking her to make. This film is an excellent way to share with teenagers, young women and any other woman who is considering abortion. Choose life!
When Calls the Heart: Hearts in Question is another gripping episode of the ups and downs in Hope Valley. Jack's mother, Charlotte, comes to visit and ends up staying with Elizabeth who is uncomfortable with her habits, her adventure and the fact that her son has still not completely made a permanent decision with Elizabeth. But then there is a collapse of the Silverton Mine with many of the settlers needing to vacate their homes and take refuge in Hope Valley. Rosemary and Lee are planning their wedding, but the needs of the town surpass the coming party and Rosemary gives many of her precious bridal dresses and dinners to help the cause. Mayor Gowen and Nora try to "escape" Hope Valley, but get caught in the storm and Jack tries to save a young girl from the flood waters, but he gets swept away and Elizabeth desperately searches for him. Will Hope Valley be able to help the misplaced settlers and will Jack survive his accident in the raging river?
This was a very intense movie, but it also showed again how the town of Hope Valley works together to help others and make sacrifices for the sake of others. I especially like Abigail's tenacity and courage to help others in their storms. She shows a strong spirit and a loving heart. I am anxious to see how Jack and Elizabeth's relationship will progress as he shows her a piece of land that he has just purchased.
*I received a copy of this DVD for review from Edify Media. All opinions are my own.*
Once again, Hope Valley is in transition. Jack has decided to help a young mom living with the settlers to get back together with her husband. He also is looking at land on which to possibly build a home. Abigail's world gets turned upside down when Cody's sister Becky returns and a blood relative comes to town and seeks to take the children home with her. Rosemary is ecstatic when a producer decides to cast her in his film. But is she ready to move and leave Lee whom she loves? And Elizabeth finds a way to help Becky achieve success in a very important school project and to personally rise above her physical disabilities.
This episode had a lot of wonderful moments of accomplishment as well as some heart warming moments between Abigail and the children. It is always enjoyable to watch how the town of Hope Valley looks after each other and cheers each other on. Come enjoy another episode of the people of Hope Valley and the ups and downs of their lives.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review from Edify Media. All opinions are my own.*
Caged No More is the story of one woman's fight to find her adopted granddaughters who were sold into slavery by their father. Aggie is desperate to find her granddaughters who seem to have disappeared. She goes undercover and finds an ally to help her in her quest from the wealthiest family in New Orleans who is also related to the father of the girls. She discovers that the girls are being "sold" thinking they are performing in a beauty pageant. There is danger everywhere and the girls are rescued in a dramatic emancipation.
This film exposes the horrors and dangers of the underground sex trafficking industry that is taking over in every country, even the United States. There is a great need to keep girls and boys from being taken and exploited. This film shows the way people risk their lives for these girls. It is daring and courageous work. This is a real fight we need to fight.
The reality of this is very scary for me to think about. I hope this film helps others find a way to help and create more rescues for these women and also men who are being strangled by this horrible industry. There is hope and help!
When Calls the Heart: Heart of a Hero is the next movie in Season 3. Pastor Frank is back in his position, but he can't seem to encourage a trusting relationship with Abigail and the Garrison Gang still is trying to get Frank to join back with them. Lee injures his foot and Faith Carter, a nurse from Hamilton, arrives to care for him. Elizabeth is jealous of Faith and Jack's friendship and makes it clear to Jack that she is not happy. And Mayor Gowen continues to make life hard for the new settlers when he raises the rent. A new girl comes to town and is not interested in making friends at school. Elizabeth gets advice from Rosemary about how to promote kindness in her classroom. Bill Avery makes Dottie Ramsey a birthday dinner and Jesse is still trying to win Clara's heart even if he used to run with a dangerous gang of outlaws. Relationships in Hope Valley are soaring high and low and there is still some mysterious things happening at the mill. Faith Carter is torn between becoming a wife and running an infirmary in Hope Valley. She makes a decision that will affect her life in Hope Valley and her friendship with Jack. Will Elizabeth be able to make peace in her classroom and in her heart with her feelings for Jack?
Chloe Davenport is a photographer and innocently picks up a Memory Book at a Swap Meet. She thumbs through the book and decides to buy it. She takes it home and begins to try to unravel the mystery of the couple in the pictures. They seemed so in love and kept special memories of their times together. She meets Gabe who is a willing friend who likes adventure and decides to help Chloe track down this mysterious couple. They go all over San Francisco to places from the pictures. They also meet a lot of special people along the way that give them moments to enjoy with them and with each other. Gabe begins to fall for Chloe who is still unsure about love. Then they finally meet the mysterious couple, Sarah and Jonathan. Their story of a wedding that never happened gave Chloe an idea. Will Chloe open her heart to Gabe and will this couple make love come true even after all these years?
Check out The Memory Book DVD from FishFlix online. This sweet Hallmark movie is sure to tug some heart strings. I really enjoyed the special moments and fun adventures that Chloe and Gabe experienced. They really connected in making a mystery come alive. I really enjoyed the ending and I love the idea of creating my own Memory Book. This movie was romantic, adventurous with some laughs and also a few heartaches. It's one to please any romantic soul.
You can also get a $5 coupon to FishFlix.com if you join the email list. Join by visiting www.fishflix.com/5gift or texting 5-GIFT to 44222.
*I received a complimentary copy of this DVD from FishFlix.com. All opinions are my own.*
When Calls the Heart Season 3 is full of more than enough surprises. Elizabeth wants to move into her own house, but Jack is starting to get serious about her because he has been planning on building a house for both of them. Rosemary sticks her nose in Lee's business and finds out that he is taking out a loan on his business. She begins to "help" him scrimp on every little convenience- no heat (wear a coat), and only allowing him one pencil. And then there's Jesse, who has come into town looking for Pastor Frank Hogan (aka Matt Landry). When Abigail sees his picture on a Wanted poster she tries to understand who Pastor Frank really is. Will Jack make advances in his relationship to Elizabeth, is Lee really in financial difficulty and who is Pastor Frank and why does Jesse keep threatening him? Find out in When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts in Season 3.
I really like the characters in this show. They live simple lives, and they truly love to help and protect each other. This episode featured some funny moments as well as some tense moments. And as always I am anxious to see the development of Jack and Elizabeth's relationship. She is so independent and I think Jack needs to make a move soon. If you enjoy When Calls the Heart, this is another episode not to miss.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review. All opinions are my own.*
A family tragedy. A little girl gone. Two brothers ripped apart. Grace and forgiveness buried. Or not?
Pastor Jonathan Matheson is leading a large church and his brother continues to need to have someone bail him out of jail. On the day of his daughter's birthday, he brings his brother home and a tragedy occurs. The family is torn apart not only by the death of the precious daughter, but by the bitterness between the brothers. They both harbor secrets and lies and betrayal. Jonathan's wife is thrown in the midst of a storm not only with her husband, but also with her son. Instead of grace, there is guilt all around. It's not until the secrets are revealed and repented that grace begins to transform the family.
This was a heartbreaking film at the outset. And it seemed like every situation was worse than the first. It was also interesting to see how the brothers, one a pastor and the other a drunk, both fit into the same mold of being fools. However, as time went on I saw how each had to come to a place of brokenness and eventually seeking forgiveness and restoration. The outcome of redemption is so positive and uplifting. I thought this movie had a powerful message and it really showed how the sin nature of man can be so prevalent even in someone who follows God. No one is immune to the workings of Satan. This movie was loosely based on true events.
This movie has death, grief and alcoholism. I would recommend it for teens and above.
*I received a complimentary copy of the DVD for review. All opinions are my own.*
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Christina Noble is a hero and rescuer to millions of lives. She came from the slums of Ireland and chose to go to the slums of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. When Christina was a young girl, her mother died and all the kids in her family were sent off to different places. She dreamed of becoming a singer and she never gave up on anything she put her mind and heart into. In high school she was gang raped and had a son who was taken from her. She married a smart, handsome man who broke her heart and abused her. When she was in this dark place, she had a dream that she was to go to Vietnam and rescue the street children after watching a news piece on TV.
In 1989 she went to Vietnam under no agency, but of her own free will. She started to connect with the street children and even though she didn't know the language she used her gift of song to bring them hope and life. She joined forces with the native people who wanted to help these kids and with a lot of effort, determination, rejection and eventually support she was able to build a new building to take care of the many basic needs of the children. In doing this she rescued many children from danger, hunger, and a host of other things young children should never have to endure.
Christina Noble was truly a noble woman who saved many generations of young people to help make a difference in one of the unreached areas of Asia. She never looked back, never gave up and always kept moving forward. She just wanted to give kids their childhood.
This movie was incredible. It was amazing to see the courage of this woman who worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of children that others did not think mattered. But she knew that this mission was given to her by God and she took it seriously and with great determination. I could not believe all that she went through in her own life and how God used her to make positive changes in her own life and in the lives of others. Christina made it a point to connect with people and to make a difference. There was a funny scene with a man who she told that by the time she moved out of the building that she would make him smile. And she did! This movie was riveting, inspirational and one not to be missed!
They broke everything but her spirit. They took everything but her dream. NOBLE, the award-winning feature film, is the incredible true story of a fearless Irish heroine driven by her daring vision to escape the slums of Ireland and risk everything on the streets of Vietnam.
The town of Hope Valley is never immune to danger or romance. When Season 2 ended, Charles was on his knee in front of Elizabeth while Jack watched from the doorway. Elizabeth tries to convince Jack that Charles is a friend and she could never think otherwise. Rosemary enters a contest to showcase how a real frontier family celebrates New Year's Eve. The town comes together to make quite a successful event but Rosemary still has to admit she is not what she claimed to be to the reporter who covers the story. Bill Avery wants to prove to Jack he's not the counterfeit thief, and goes to great lengths to capture the real culprit. And a young drifter shows up to cause trouble for Pastor Frank. Yes, it's a place of hope, adventure and family friendly fun.
Be sure to check out Season 3 Movie 1 It Begins With Heart!
In this movie, Elizabeth is still trying to juggle between her life in Hamilton and her new roots in Hope Valley. She chooses Hope Valley and the people in it. This episode also features some touching moments with children. Cody and Becky are two orphan runaways who are taken in by Abigail and Elizabeth. Becky is very ill, but she supports her younger brother Cody in a touching moment during the New Year's Eve party. And Laura is a young girl without a mom and a father who has no joy or hope. When Laura submits her drawing into the New Year's Eve contest, a touching moment softens the father's heart and opens up Laura's sweet inner need to have hope and love in the new year. I really like how the people of Hope Valley really pull together and create special memories to last for years in the community.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for my review. All opinions are my own.*
Based on a miraculous story about the power of faith, Captive is an "amazing, inspiring" drama about the spiritual collision of two lost souls, Brian Nichols (Golden Globe Nominee David Oyelowo), on the run from police and desperate to make contact with his newborn son, takes recently widowed mother Ashley Smith (Kata Mara) hostage in her own apartment. Fearing for her life and desperately hoping to see her daughter again, she turns to Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life for guidance. Ashley and her captor face a crossroads where they discover hope and light in the midst of despair in the moving film that Dick Rolfe, CEO, Dove Foundation hailed as "powerful."
DVD Release Date: January 5, 2016
Runtime: 96 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic elements involving violence and substance abuse)
Captive is a compelling true story about a young widow (Ashley Smith) held by her own prison of drugs and the loss of being the mother to her little girl and Brian Nichols, a man accused of rape and an escaped prisoner with 4 murders in his wake. These two are thrown together in a thriller drama that shows the power of redemption.
One rainy night in Atlanta, GA, Brian Nichols grabs Ashley Smith outside of her apartment and holds her hostage for 7 hours. In that time he takes the drugs she still has in her new apartment but she refuses. She calmly tries to talk to him and eventually she ends up reading parts of the book The Purpose Driven Life to him. They are two desperate people and Ashley saw how broken Brian was and he saw the hope that she had within her. Both were imprisoned by their choices, yet, God chose to redeem them in miraculous ways.
Ashley believes that God saved her that night in March 2005 and she has been drug free since. Brian Nichols surrendered to the police without a fight and now is in prison for life without parole. Both realized that light can shine through the darkness and this movie showed just how messy lives can be, but how no one is too far away from the God who saves.
I really enjoyed this movie. It was powerful and thought provoking how God can use such broken people to come to him. Although Brian is not "saved" he surrenders to the police which ultimately ends his flight peacefully. There are a few drug scenes and some violence with gun shots and punching, but this drama was also full of hope and humanity that we all face things that imprison us and God can use any circumstance to bring us out of that pit. This true story is worth watching.
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I know many of you are "Hearties!" It's so nice to see a show that is family friendly and also has a good story line as well as some romance, mystery and adventure. I've reviewed all of Season 2 episodes that were put on DVD, but you can get all these and more in this exclusive set for Season 2.
Synopsis from the back of the package:
Elizabeth Thatcher is a strong-willed teacher who has foregone the life of the big city and found a job, a home and a bit of unexpected romance with a handsome Mountie named Jack in the small frontier town of Hope Valley. But life on the frontier can hand you many tough turns and so it is for Jack and Elizabeth as they face their very different upbringings and pressures put upon them by family, rival suitors and even various criminal counterfeiters and kidnappers in their quest to find their place in this remote and rugged land.
This is the last movie in the second season and definitely leaves you on the ledge at the end. Elizabeth is now back in Coal Valley full time and trying to navigate life with Jack. She can't quite figure out where they stand since their little confrontation in Hamilton, but she is determined to make amends. Meanwhile, Abigail is still trying to avoid Bill Avery who continues to want to talk with her. She is very angry that he lied to her. She is also doing fun outings with the new pastor as well as cooking dinner for him. Could there be a spark? And Rosemary is jealous that Lee has started seeing Molly since she didn't exactly give him a reason to stay with her. She tries very hard to win him back. Elizabeth goes to Jack's office to write him a note and accidentally leaves the door open and Rip the dog escapes. She and Jack run off to the mine to find him. They end of spending a very intense night talking and discussing their relationship. They both finally begin to understand each other. But when they arrive back in Coal Valley a surprise awaits both Jack and Elizabeth.
This is going to be a long wait for Season 3 to begin!
*I was given this DVD for review. All opinions are my own.*
I must say that I like all the different story lines and angles. It's interesting to watch how the new characters connect with the old. I still have a sweet spot for Jack and Elizabeth, but I think they are still trying to figure out what will work for them. I'm interested in the all of the intrigue with Bill Avery and how his ex wife is involved. But I guess I will have to wait for the next episode. Until then, keep watching When Calls the Heart!
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review. All opinions are my own.*
A community is rocked when a superstar high school football player never wakes up one morning. His friends are wondering why this happened to such a promising young man. The football coach whose son happened to be a good friend of the young man that died felt that his father favored the one who died more than his own son. It was tragic to hear their conversations and even more when the son needed to decide which parent he should live with. A young lady who knew the boy who passed tired to ignite the need in her family to see others for who they truly are and to be aware of the needs of others instead of focusing on themselves. These two young people experienced pain and separation in the midst of a crisis in the community, but they eventually did find hope and peace.
This movie was full of regrets and hurts, but eventually as hearts were healed, relationships started to mend and true healing began. This movie made me think about how I live my life and what I need to do daily to keep God first and give my family the best of me. It was interesting to see how one person could affect a whole community. Each person had to find a way to make sense of the situation and deal with the upheaval in their family. This movie had a good message of hope in the midst of sorrow.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD for review. All opinions are my own.*
As the second season of When Calls the Heart begins, Jack and Elizabeth travel back to Hamilton to take Elizabeth home to help care for her mother. They do not anticipate Charles, a family friend, to start to rekindle a "romance" with Elizabeth. Jack returns to Coal Valley, a trial begins to clear Noah Stanton's name in the mine tragedy and Abigail suspects Bill Avery of not being completely honest about his past. Rosemary pokes her nose in everyone's business and becomes interested in the new man who comes to start a logging business in place of the mining business. There are love triangles, mystery and uncertain moments for all characters as this new season starts.
I am so glad to continue this journey with Jack and Elizabeth, but in these two DVD's they were not really together at all. I did see lots of other people adding to the mix of characters that can add some excitement and maybe some frustration for the leading couple. I am very interested to find out what happens with Abigail and Bill Avery. Abigail does a fine job of giving a cold shoulder to a very dishonest man who continues to pursue her. I would totally do what she does! I think Elizabeth is very naïve in her relationships with men. She seems to really like Jack, but spends a lot of time with Charles in intimate conversations and she doesn't seems to think that he has much interest in her beyond being a friend. Oh, I know how I want things to end, but I guess I will have to wait.
*I was given a complimentary copy of these DVD's for review. All opinions are my own.*
