Catholic Media Review

Movie Review: Haywire - R

2012-01-31T12:56:00.003-05:00

Mallory Kane is an operative working for a government security contractor.

After freeing a hostage in a successful operation, she is double-crossed and left for dead by someone in the company. Mallory must figure out a way to stay alive and how to catch whoever betrayed her.

There is plenty of action, but there is a really implausibility created by her beating up people twice her size.

Content warnings are some language and violence. I found it particularly disturbing to watch several scenes where a man is punching a woman half his size.

It was an 'okay' film which did not live up to the expectations set by its previews.

Leticia Velasquez - A Special Mother is Born

2012-01-28T19:09:00.000-05:00

Movie Review: A Mile in His Shoes - PG

2012-01-24T12:20:00.004-05:00

Based on a true story.

Arthur Murphy, "Murph" (Dean Cain) is the coach of the River Rats, a minor league baseball team. He discovers a great pitcher in Mickey Tussler. Mickey has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey's parents to let him join the team and he really takes Mickey under his wing.

Most of the team is very supportive of Mickey. He also contributes to the team, both in terms of winning and by raising the team spirit and motivation.

A very entertaining, heartwarming and inspirational story. The whole family will enjoy this.

Book Review: "Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson

2012-01-18T15:08:00.003-05:00

Washington's water supply has been contaminated, and the President's son and daughter have been kidnapped. Despite the fact that some pretty influential people want to exclude him, Alex Cross finds himself involved in both investigations.

The question is, are theses two events related? Regardless, time is running out for both. Alex must try to find the President's children, while preventing another attack in the nation's capital.

Two stories are told simultaneously, resulting in a "can't put it down" thriller. One of Patterson's better Alex Cross stories.

My interview with the Long Island Catholic

2012-01-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

I lived most of my life on Long Island, NY. I told the reporter the story of how my book,
"A Special Mother is Born" came to be.

Here's an excerpt;

Velasquez said “A Special Mother is Born,” “my own story of Christina’s birth,” was first published in Faith & Family magazine in spring of 2007. “I received so many letters in response from women who had the same epiphany of being surprised by this powerful joy, this encounter with Jesus in the person of their special needs child, that I knew I was on to something,” she continued. “I began collecting stories from mothers three years ago, and was delighted to meet many courageous faith-filled women.” Reading former Senator Rick Santorum’s story in The Philadelphia Inquirer about his daughter with special needs inspired Velasquez to ask fathers to contribute to the book as well.

You can read it on their website.

October Baby - In Theaters March 2012!

2012-01-05T21:31:00.000-05:00

October Baby - In Theaters March 2012!

Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin (2011) - PG

2011-12-31T05:30:00.000-05:00

Young reporter Tintin obtains a model ship which contains part of the secret to the location of a sunken treasure. On this search, he is accompanied by his dog snowy, and Captain Haddock. They are helped by the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson, and pursued by Ivan Ivanovitch.

The search takes them halfway around the world, and there is a lot more adventure than you'd expect in an animated film.

The animation is superb, and it's easy to forget the characters are not real people.

The story is more complex than expected, but not too much so for kids to enjoy. My nephews, ages 11-14. really enjoyed it.

A very good, enjoyable family film.

Movie Review: Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol - PG13

2011-12-27T16:42:00.004-05:00

Ethan Hunt and the IMF are framed for a bombing of the Kremlin and disavowed by the President, who invokes "ghost protocol". Now they have a dual mission: to clear their name, and stop a madman terrorist from launching a nuclear missile and starting a war.

The acting is top motch, especially Tom Cruise and Michael Nyqvist (who is quickly becoming a favorite of mine).

A very engaging plot and intense action scenes. Several plot twists add to the excitement.

Warnings include some language and violence.

2 words: SEE IT!

http://www.missionimpossible.com/

Christmas Blessings, 2011

2011-12-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

Win a DVD/Blu-ray copy of "Dolphin Tale"

2011-12-23T11:40:00.000-05:00

Christmas giveaway, leave a comment below to be entered in our "Dolphin Tale" giveaway.

Read the review of this fine family film here.

Review of "A Dolphin Tale"

2011-12-23T11:37:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for that elusive film which the entire family can watch without scandalizing Mom or boring the teens, look no further. "A Dolphin Tale" is wholesome family fare with an inspired theme. I was raised on "The Wonderful World of Disney" on Sunday evenings, so I know a good animal story when I see one, but "A Dolphin Tale" is more than just that. It combines inspirational human stories times that of Winter, the dolphin who was found on the Florida beach near death, tied up in ropes for a crab trap.
Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) is a middle school boy living alone with his single mother, is upset to be stuck in summer school at the same time his role model, his cousin Kyle (Austin Stowell) is leaving for a tour of duty in Iraq. Life has given Sawyer precious little to care about, and now he's losing his best friend.

Riding his bike along the beach to school, Sawyer sees a fisherman calling for help after discovering a dolphin beached on the shore with its tail entangled in the lines of a crab trap. Sawyer calls for help and while awaiting the ambulance, forms a bond with the dolphin, who communicates with him. He is disappointed that their relationship is abruptly ended by the ambulance's departure, however, when he walks into the Marine Rescue Center, he meets Hazel ( Cozi Zuehlsdorff) the girl on the ambulance, again and she sneaks him into the pool where her father Dr Clay Haskett's ( Harry Connick Jr) is supervising her rehabilitation. Hazel notices Sawyer's unusual bond with the dolphin she named Winter and convinces her father that this may be Winter's last hope to pull through her ordeal. What she doesn't realize is that her father's hospital is also on life support, and a miracle is needed or Winter will be homeless.
What touches the heart in this film is the parallel between Kyle's ordeal when he is wounded in Iraq and faces losing his future as an Olympic swimmer, and that of Winter whose life depends upon her accepting a prosthetic tail. Many disabled children have drawn hope from this uplifting and true story. Delightful acting from Morgan Freeman as Dr Cameron McCarthy, the Veteran's Hospital doctor who give wounded soldiers a second chance.

.The entire family watched it together, and look forward to seeing it again.
No nudity, innuendo or foul language.

You can purchase the film on Blu-ray or DVD here.

Review of "Motherhood Matters" by Dorothy Pilarski

2011-12-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

“I can pay somebody to do your job” I was once told by a family member, reducing my vocation as mother to a low-wage job of combined babysitter and housekeeper. I was devastated by that comment, replying, “Sure, anyone can do laundry and cook. They can even watch my children and keep them fed, warm and safe. But no one can be their mother but me.” I believe in the value of my vocation to mother my four girls with all my heart, and have happily dedicated the past 20 years to it, yet I know all too well, that to hold such a belief is swimming against a strong current of popular opinion these days. Opinion which says that motherhood is overrated, antiquated, and even oppressive. There are countless movies and TV shows about overbearing mothers, but you rarely see a show about the pain caused by absent moms. About children who cry at naptime in daycare for mommy, learning to self-soothe at way too tender ages. I saw it for years as a home day care provider. Where was mom? Sometimes, she had no choice, but too often she was out ‘fulfilling herself’, contributing to the family income, not ‘wasting time’ at home. One mother of two preschoolers admitted she preferred a low paid position as a bank officer to staying home with her boys. She made no money beyond daycare expenses, and hardly saw her two delightfully boisterous boys awake. She had no idea what she was missing.

Dorothy Pilarski does. Her book, “Motherhood Matters” is a warm-hearted, encouraging conversation about this vital issue. Motherhood Matters” is a series of essays, quotes, prayers, and letters from a woman who has been on both sides of this issue. Dorothy Pilarski has a staggeringly successful career as a businesswoman, motivational speaker, ministry leader, saleswoman, and TV show host. She has also a devout Catholic mother to a son and a daughter, and she knows which is more important.

If you have had attacks on the value of being a stay-at-home mom, or feel guilty for only working part time so you can be home when your children walk in the door from school, this book will act like a tonic on your soul. It will reaffirm your decision to honor the vocation you took on when you gave life to your babies, and heal your heart from the barbs you receive from those who don’t value your vocation. If you are working full time and doing the bare minimum raising your children, as I did, teaching school for a year when my oldest was a toddler, this book will reawaken your inner yearning to be a full time mother, and help you find the courage to explain to your spouse why motherhood matters.

Pilarski offers advice on raising your children to be passionate Catholics. She offers practical, time-tested hints on how to get your children to attend daily Mass with you, think Catholicism is cool, or pray the rosary as a family. “Motherhood Matters” is precisely what the Catholic mother needs; a reminder of her irreplaceable role as first teacher of her small children, and role model of our powerful Catholic faith, challenging teenagers to see themselves as part of the Church.

Pilarski wasn’t always an advocate for devotion to motherhood; before she was married, she thought there was nothing better than jet setting all over the world on business. An encounter with a mom of many at the Honolulu Zoo opened her eyes, “Call it providence. Gwen helped me see how jet-setting from one city to another was robbing me of something very important. While standing in front of large audience required courage, it didn’t require as much courage as dedicating your life to marriage and children.”

Some women bristle at taking advice on mothering, but Pilarski’s disarming humility, her stories about her own faults and need for confession show that her intent is to mentor not to lecture. I particularly enjoyed the story of the lamp she bought on impulse, hiding the cost from her husband because she just had to have it. Eventually she had to agree with her family that it was ugly, consigning it to the basement, where it serves as a lesson that we don’t have to give in to every desire. Such a humble, loving and good-humored teacher as Dorothy Pilarski can mentor me any day!

“Motherhood Matters” reads like a bit like a blog, with somewhat of a disconnected flow between stories. This is why I found it helpful to read it a couple of entries at a time, as an evening meditation, to make the most of the spiritual richness and say the unique prayers specially written for mothers. Each reading becomes a mini-retreat, and I found myself wanting to write a prayer journal of the reflections it inspired.

Pilarski relates stories times she followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit to connect with people in her daily life, from neighbors watering their gardens while she is out walking, to well-dressed, lonely women wandering the mall, to a bishop from the Philippines who needed a church to say Holy Mass. She has deep commitment to evangelize, a zeal for souls, and a generous heart to love others as Christ. The mission of her women’s groups, her TV show on Canadian “Salt & Light” network, and her book is simple;

“We need a new generation of valiant, energetic, passionate women that will do whatever it takes to mother their own children—women who refuse to broker their children into the care of others, women who do not want to see their babies in their early years on a webcam. I am talking about women who will storm heaven and Earth to stay at home with their children.”

Give “Motherhood Matters” to your favorite mother this Christmas, but keep one for yourself. Keep in at your bedside for inspiration on those days when you feel like it’s not worth it to stay home, a paid babysitter would do just as well.

You can purchase Motherhood Matters and read Dorothy's blog at Gutsy Catholic Mom.

Book Review: Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure!

2011-12-06T16:15:00.001-05:00

It's winter, and the winter snow inspires Cooper and his friend Bella to go sleigh riding on a toboggan.

They are having lots of fun, until they get lost. Importantly, they stay together until another friend helps them find their way home.

An entertaining story with an important lesson for kids, teaching them what to do if they get lost, and also the importance of friends helping each other.

A very good book :)

http://www.cooperandme.com/

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Movie Review: HUGO - PG

2011-12-05T11:12:00.001-05:00

Hugo is an orphan living secretly in a Paris train station. He keeps the big clock working, and he is very skilled at fixing things. He is also trying to unlock a secret left by his father.

This is a very difficult movie to review: I found the first half of the movie very difficult to watch. I was appalled at how cruel several adults were toward Hugo. However, the second half was quite different, redeeming itself by the good that Hugo's quest brings about, and how he impacts the lives of others, changing them in a very positive way.

The special effects were pretty good, and there were a few very tense scenes, but the fact that the camera was too close-up on adult's faces at times, while probably done for an intimidating effect, only gave it a creepiness.

I did not care at all for how the story was told, but I acknowledge that the story itself is a worthwhile one. Also, I took my two nephews, almost 14, and they enjoyed it.

Book Review: "Don't Blink" by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

2011-11-30T12:11:00.001-05:00

Warning: potential spoilers

While conducting an interview at New York's famous Lombardo's Steak House, reporter Nick Daniels witnesses a murder and accidentally captures a key piece of evidence. This immediately makes Nick a target of both law enforcement and organized crime. The main question is: who will get to him first?

Not only is Nick on the run, but he must also try to protect those he loves: his sister, his niece and his girlfriend.

This is the fastest-paced James Patterson story I've read (and I'm a big fan, so I've read quite a few). It is full of plot twists...you won't know who to trust until the very end.

Content warnings include mostly language, some violence, and two particularly gruesome murders (two victims have their eyes removed).

A thrilling story you won't be able to put down.

Music Review: "One Silent Night" by FFH

2011-11-20T19:43:00.001-05:00

Just in time for the holidays....A very good collection of Christmas music, both old and new.This CD includes classics, such as "Baby it's Cold Outside", "Jingle Bell Rock", and "I'll Be Home for Christmas". FFH performs these as we're used to hearing them, thereby bringing back lots of memories. You'll also appreciate some new songs such as "The Birthday of a King" and Glorious Impossible". Although they are new, they sound as those they're also classics, like we've known them all along.I especially enjoyed the vocals. The songs are also enhanced by sound effects, like the sound of horses pulling a carriage, and sleigh bells.An excellent collection of music to get you in the Christmas spirit!

http://ffh.net/

http://www.facebook.com/FFHmusic

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I

only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Little Angels DVD Giveaway Offer

2011-11-18T17:22:00.001-05:00

To promote the launch of Roma Downey's new children's DVD's "Little Angels" (see my interview with Roma where she describes the series in detail) Learn more at the Little Angels website.
I have four copies of" Little Angels Animals; God Loves All His Creatures" and four copies of "Little Angels ABCs: God's Love Goes from A To Z".

Add a comment if you want to win a set of two, one of each type of DVD. Four winners will be chosen soon and will be sent in time for Christmas gifts.

Parents beware: ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn’ features disturbing treatment of abortion

2011-11-16T17:16:00.001-05:00

Parents with children who are thinking of watching the latest Twilight film, Breaking Dawn – Part I, should be aware that it features disturbing discussions about abortion that carry ambiguous, if not openly anti-life messages, according to a professor at a Canadian college.

In this fourth film, set for release on Friday, heroes Bella and Edward get married and then are shocked to discover on the honeymoon that Bella is pregnant. The story appears to carry a strong pro-life message, as Bella quickly realizes that her life is at risk but chooses to keep the half-vampire, half-human child despite strong pressure from Edward and other characters for her to obtain an abortion.

“All Bella wants is for that baby to survive and she’s willing to kill herself for it,” comments actress Nikki Reed in a promo video.

In a society that largely accepts abortion-on-demand, let alone abortion to save the mother’s life, the storyline comes across as strongly counter-cultural. Indeed, the book sparked fan protests over a perceived “anti-abortion” theme when it was released in 2008.

story

Music Review: Revolution Worship Live

2011-11-08T10:53:00.001-05:00

"Revolution Worship" starts off with "Revolution", which calls for a change that will bring us closer to God, and an evangelization, in which we promise to be the voice, hands and feet of the Lord in spreading His word. I loved this analogy :)

My favorite is "Your Name" because of the reverence with which God is acknowledged as our creator, redeemer and savior.
Another excellent song of worship is "We Lift You Up", because it recognizes God's mercy and approaches Him humbly.

But it all begins with saying "Yes" to the Lord's love and His will for us. This is an excellent album, because it is filled with songs of true worship of the Lord. A lot of Christian music tends to focus on "us" and our wants and needs. "Revolution Worship" stands apart because it focuses on true worship of God, incorporating humilty and gratitude.An excellent album that will bring you closer to the Lord :)

http://www.facebook.com/MyWorldRevolution

Movie Review: In Time - PG13

2011-10-31T16:04:00.001-04:00

Set in the future, people stop aging at age 25. To stay alive beyond that, you either earn, inherit or steal more time. Time becomes currency. There are time zones set up to separate people who have little time left (the poor) and those who have plenty of time left (the wealthy)

Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) receives a large amount of time from a stranger who is tired of living (he is 105 with a 25 year-old body and allows his own time to run out). Because of his windfall, Will is pursued by a cop (referred to as a timekeeper).

Throughout the story, time referred to as currency. A quick example:

Will's mother gets on a bus, and the driver says "that will be two hours"

She says "last week it was one hour"

He says "price has gone up"

Also, someone asks Sylvia "What's your father worth"? She responds: "eons"

Will tips a waitress and says "keep a week for yourself".

Will and Sylvia are on the run, and are trying to right the wrongs of the system. They are sort of like Robin Hood, distributing time to those who can't afford it. There is plenty of action and some violence. Content warnings include one scene where Sylvia is in her underwear, and some language.

In addition to being very entertaining, it was very thought-provoking. I kept thinking if this were real, how many people would get bored after hundreds of years of living and just let their time run out? As a pro-lifer, the prospect of so many suicides, and poor people running out of time, would greatly concern me.

Justin Timberlake is excellent in his role. The ending left it wide open for a sequel, and I definitely hope they make one!

A very cool movie... see it!

http://www.intimemovie.com/

Movie Review: The Christmas Lodge - G

2011-10-29T22:07:00.002-04:00

On a trip to the mountains, Mary finds herself at the Christmas Lodge, which she had visited as a child. As Mary and her family help to restore the Lodge to its former beauty, she begins to believe in, and find, true love again.

Family is the center of the story, how family inspires each other and helps each other. One part that struck me was that Mary went away with her boyfriend, and they got separate rooms! Unfortunately, in today's culture, it is often taken for granted that dating = sleeping together, and it was refreshing to see that some people still have values. I felt that Mary's character was played a bit stiff, but I like the values she personifies.

A very family-oriented Christmas story that is appropriate for all ages.

http://www.christmaslodgethemovie.com/

Roma Downey discusses her new video series "Little Angels"

2011-10-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

Interview with Roma Downey, actress and Executive Producer of “Little Angels” DVD series.

Little Angels are a DVD series in which preschoolers learn the basics like the ABC’s in the context of Bible stories told to preschool twins in their bedrooms by little angels who come down from a painting of Heaven on their ceiling. At the end of each lesson, Roma Downey has an informational chat with the parents about how to complete the character lesson, for example to encourage children to complete their chores or help them overcome irrational fears.

The graphics are a bit lower quality than children are used to, and the angels in sneakers were jarring at first to this Italian art fan, however, my daughter didn’t mind the modern angel costumes, and she loved the music, she got up and danced! I thought that the Bible stories are well told, and the character lessons creatively incorporated into the story. Roma’s segment was a wonderfully reminiscent of her role as Monica on her runaway hit series “Touched by an Angel”. She is just as lovely and sweet as ever, with her lyrical Irish brogue. It was a pleasure to listen to her describe her latest project. She is the Executive Producer of this series in which she appears at the end giving advice to parents.

This would be a great Christmas gift for the preschoolers in your family.

Two DVDs will be released on Nov 1^st.

Velasquez: I loved the series “Touched by an Angel” where you played Monica. Of the nine years you acted in the series, share with us a memorable moment.

Downey: We did a show in Salt Lake City. We had the community show up as extras pretending to play the community. It was just one of those moments of profound connection, each to the other, where grace is present, it never ceases to move me. It was fantastic.

Velasquez: Do you have any stories of people who were touched particularly by the show?

Downey: I think that many times we had actors come in to us whose lives in some ways echoed the journey that the character they were playing were on and there was always a sweetness to the coincidence of that. We had a line that was in one of the early shows, which said, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

Being on the show was just a fantastic experience for all of is, and for myself in particular, was my relationship with Della Reese. The relationship was what you saw between the character of Monica was really echoed by our off screen relationship and we remain close and loving, to this day, she’s been such a wise, loving mentor in my life, she’s been like a mother to me all these years. I’m particularly grateful for her and for her love.

When I was a little girl, my mother died when I was ten. I grew up in Ireland, tragically, while we were working together, Della’s only daughter died. I remember, not long after, she took me in her arms. And she said, “You know, God is so amazing, Roma, I always knew he brought me into your life because you needed a mother, I just hadn’t realized He was brining you into my life because I was going to need a daughter. Will you be my girl?” and I said, “yes!” and then she answered, “Then I am your Momma!”.

Velasquez: Such a gift to give someone to be needed, its wonderful you did that for one another. I was wondering what have been your favorite projects since “Touched by a Angel?”

Downey: Well, one of most favorite projects had been raising my family and they have been such a true joy for me. And I think that there might have been a moment when I might have just kicked my feet back, and thought, “I’m loving this”, but you know, I love God, I love angels and I love children. And so I had this opportunity to produce, nurture, help to shepherd the script, the animation, and we’re bringing “Little Angels” to market next week. The animated DVD series was developed for preschool children. It’s like all roads have led me to this place, this project. It was such a privilege to be the messenger for all those years, and to deliver a message of God’s love for millions of people, and here we are, we get the opportunity to do that again, it’s the same message but this time we’re bringing it out for the little children, for the wee ones. So it’s a beautiful, heartfelt project.

Velasquez: I watched it with my daughter and she got up and danced to the music its lovely. There’s a positive critic! Are Alex and Zoey based on real children?

Downey: They’re not, but they cover the gamut of experience and they face all the challenges that any four year old kid is bound to deal with. They’re siblings, so there’s a little bit of rivalry and jealousy, a little bit of lack of cooperation. We tried to deal with many of those themes throughout the episode, we’re releasing on November 1^st “Little Angels ABC”, and “Little Angels Animals” and we’ll be following in the spring with “Little Angels 123” and then we’re hoping, down the pipeline to bring colors, shapes and so on. They also have a couple of books coming out in the spring and a couple of toys in production.

Its just very exciting, anybody that’s seen it, anybody that’s experienced it, see the potential for it as a brand, there’s nothing quite like this, and the marketplace that combines the desire to educate our children with practical life, practical learning skills. But it also introduces them to timeless Bible stories, and engages parents to discover fun ways to encourage their children to live by timeless Christian values.

I know as a working mom, I’ve been a working mom, most of my life, Leticia. It’s hard as a mom sometimes, you know, we all need to buy ten minutes; twenty minutes to get on the phone to deal with the plumber; to deal with a business call or whatever. I used to try and find a little space to deal with something. And it seems to me if you’re going to put them (your children) down in front of something, wouldn’t you rather they be put down in front of something which you knew you could trust for content? And that you knew was going to fill your child’s mind and their heart? Fill their mind with learning and their heart with how to be in the world: how to be kind, how to share, how to overcome your fears; the power of prayer?

And also its so fun; we have eight little angels characters as you know and they come down (from the nursery ceiling) when the mom and dad aren’t around. They each have very unique personalities, and one of those personalities is Uriel, he’s the angel of creativity. And he’s a painter, and he speaks in Dr Seuss-like rhymes, he paints pictures for us in the nursery, and then, its almost in a dream the angels take the children into the picture, transport them back in time to the Bible. Suddenly our kids are able to observe Noah building his ark, or being in the belly of the whale with Jonah, or see how Joseph’s brother’s treat him badly because they were jealous of him. And they were able to use age-appropriate telling of these Bible stories, to reinforce these little life lessons that we’re teaching the kids. And when the kids come back into the nursery, the angels sort of reinforce that lesson for them. And then there’s a moment at he end of each DVD where its called “Little Life Lessons with Roma” where I speak directly to the parents and I continue to deepen the life lessons we’ve just explored in the DVD. I describe ways to further these with learning opportunities, engage in conversations with your preschoolers fun ways to engage your preschoolers’ imaginations and so on. That was great fun for me to do.

Velasquez: Parents are getting advice from so many different areas, its good to know its coming from a Christian perspective.

Downey: Absolutely. I don’t know if you know the MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) group at all, but this has received endorsements from MOPS. We know how busy moms are when they’re shopping, too and how great to be able to pick up our DVD or CD and see that golden seal of approval right there on the cover. If they had any doubt at all that this is something they should be getting for their kids, you know there’s so much junk out there, our kids really learn through visual means these days. We parents have to control what comes into them, that content. And so I’m very proud, this is something I have been working on for 18 months and I’m a person of faith myself, so I’m very proud to bring this out. I really believe in it and think its going to be a very valuable teaching tool for Christian families. And I also think its funny, its great. Let’s face it, if it isn’t funny if the kids don’t feel compelled to watch it, it doesn’t matter how good the message is. We’re not going to keep their attention. Its got the best writer, we have Phil Lawler, its got the best animation. Its been great for me to shepherd the animation process, to see the designs grow and emerge. We tried to keep the angels contemporary, we have them in sneakers, and jean, we wanted them to be relatable to our children. And sure you’ve noted Dina, the angel of learning she has a little Ipad. That made her very “of the moment”. There hasn’t been a screening group that we’ve shown it to that they haven’t gasped in delight when they see Dina’s Ipad. And you know we’re coming out with some apps on Itunes, and some really great games, they’ll be a daily prayer you can get for your child, we thought that was also a very great way to introduce prayer to your child’s life that you can go and say that prayer together. We’ll be following up with recipes, where the final ingredient will always be a “little sprinkle of love”. I just think its going to be fantastic, I’m heading on the road to do a tour between now and the end of Christmas, so now going out to try and spread the word. Where are you located, Leticia?

Velasquez: In Connecticut, I’ll be giving you the Catholic Media Review sign of approval for these DVDs as Christmas gifts. Thank you for what you do with Operation Smile.

Downey: Its an opportunity to plug their work, and my experience asking people to help is that sometimes everybody gets paralyzed at the enormity of need in the world. And Operation Smile really does offer the possibility that we just change it one smile at a time. I really feel that somehow that becomes more manageable that if we all did something that way we could change the world.

Velasquez: Thank you and God bless you.

Music Review: "Love All the Way" by Brittany Hargest

2011-10-27T16:32:00.002-04:00

"Love All the Way" is Brittany's first solo album after having been with Jump 5. I'd say she's off to a good start :)

Some thoughts on specific songs:

Brittany starts the album off with "Critical", which is a stark reminder of the problems our world faces and the need for faith and action to address them.

My favorite is "Miracle", which contrasts how we see ourselves with how God sees us. We tend to focus on our shortcomings and what's wrong in our lives, but God sees His perfect creation in us.

"I believe in You" has a great beat and professes her faith in, and worship of , God. This is followed by how when she was looking for a spark, God lit it "Like a Fire" within her

"He Can" is a blend of encouragement and faith that when we can't, He can!

Brittany has employed a consistent style and upbeat tempo throughout the album which allows her to highlight her extensive vocal abilities. It was a pleasure listening to, and I look forward to her next work!

http://www.brittanyhargest.com/

Review of "John Paul II; The Man, The Pope, and His Message"

2011-10-22T07:23:00.005-04:00

Review of John Paul II; The Man, The Pope, and His Message

By Alberto Michelini

Leticia Velasquez

Catholic Media Review.

Volume 8 I Am Your Voice: The Pope on Human Rights

Catholics have long enjoyed the work of papal videographer, Alberto Michelini. Now under a special arrangement with the Vatican, what was formerly available on video has been converted to a four DVD set containing five hours of dramatic documentary footage, organized by topic into ten 30 minute films. Each film focuses on a different aspect of the pontificate of Blessed John Paul; including youth, children, the poor, the family, Marian devotion, historic events, a day in the papal apartments, and the working world. The series is available in English, French, and Spanish. The companion website wwwjohpaulseries.com for this DVD set has free downloads of companion discussion guides for leaders and participants for each volume with tools for group discussion. This makes this series an ideal tool for teachers to use in Catholic school, CCD, and parish adult ed programs. Study groups could use these films in private homes. Homeschooling mothers from the JPII Generation will find this ideal for teaching their children about the legacy of Blessed John Paul.

Volume 8 “I Am Your Voice” is the powerful film on human rights; Pope John Paul is seen interacting with and addressing poor, sick and persecuted people from every corner of the globe. A heartbreaking cry of misery is documented in this film; from the slums of Latin America and Calcutta, the prairies of Canada, the plazas of South Korea, the Australian Outback, the savannahs of Africa, and the shipyards of Gdansk. The desperation of the members of the human family who are callously denied basic human dignity are heard by the man who himself suffered under two oppressive regimes. South Americans who are living forsaken in squalid slums while neighbors enjoy luxury, occupying land was stolen from them. African lepers whom the government has forgotten, living in filth, workers who are deprived of just wages and political freedom, aboriginal tribes whose numbers are decimated yet remain proud of their culture. The Pope listens to their pleas with love and tells them “The Church hears your voice”

He responds to such pain with tears of compassion, embracing the disconsolate and dying, and railing with righteous indignation at the perpetrators of injustice at the rich who ignore the hunger of the poor, and the violence between protesters and police in Chile while he shouts to the multitude, “Love is stronger, Love is stronger!” John Paul speaks unflinchingly in defense of human rights at the United Nations in 1979, attempting to awaken the powerful of the world from the somnolence of egotism. He prays with profound sorrow at the grave of murdered Polish priest and Solidarity activist Fr Jerzy Popieluszko. Not taking sides for political purposes, as he is often accused of doing, the Pope is consistently on the side of the downtrodden, pointing out that the Church cannot be silent when human dignity is at stake.

During this moving footage, the narrator adds context to the scenes, and quotes from John Paul’s numerous encyclicals dealing with social justice; allowing viewers to grow in understanding of the Church’s position on human rights issues, as a preferential option for the poor, while avoiding the errors of Liberation Theology. He says that Christ came that we might have life abundantly, yet does not favor one political solution over another, rather, he attempts to stir the consciences of those in charge of the world’s economic systems, both left and right. For this he receives criticism for “dabbling in politics”.

Today there are protests of increasing intensity around the world, expressing frustration with injustices both political and economic. The Holy Father addressed this in his speech at the United Nations in 1979 when he said, “wars develop when inalienable rights are violated.” His warning was fulfilling the prophetic duty of the Church, to be the voice of the oppressed. He exclaims “the Church cannot be silent when human dignity is at stake”. One of the most emotionally charged moments of this documentary is when John Paul II upbraids his fellow Poles in 1991 in Kielce when he reminds them, shortly after the Solidarity Movement brought freedom to those behind the Iron Curtain and there was a movement to tell the Church to get out of politics with regard to abortion. He reminded his countrymen that a child is a gift from God.

No human being is forgotten in John Paul’s passionate defense of the dignity of mankind from birth to natural death. These films are compellingly narrated using the best of John Paul II’s encyclicals to educate the public about why Pope John Paul is called the Great and why millions attended his funeral shouting “Santo Subito!”

Don’t miss this outstanding series which offers an unparalleled opportunity to relive this extraordinary pontificate, and grow in your appreciation of the historical legacy of soon to be St John Paul.

In the spirit of the Gospel as well as out selfless Pope, It is “better to give than to receive”, CCC of AMERICA is hosting a contest: JPII They Love You. People who go to the Pope Series website to complete a brief web form in order to enter someone of their choosing to win a DVD set (valued at $49.99). They will have only 50 words or less to say why they are entering that particular friend, relative, neighbor, CCD teacher, Priest, etc to win a copy of the series.

More information may be found at this website; wwwjohpaulseries.com

Snowmen (2011) - Official Trailer

2011-10-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

Book Review: Cooper and Me by Monique and Alexa Peters

2011-10-19T14:45:00.000-04:00

This is the Story of a little girl who is nervous about her first day of school. She can't bring her beloved dog Cooper with her, but she doesn't like going without him. Fortunately, her mother comes up with a solution that lets her bring a "little Cooper" with her. Then, she is looking forward to school and making new friends.

Written by Monique Peters and her daughter Alexa, kids will be able to relate to this story: Many kids are nervous about the first day of school, for various reasons. This book helps it seem less scary for them.

Children with find it entertaining and encouraging.

http://cooperandme.com/

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I

only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: "A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms"

2011-10-16T21:55:00.002-04:00

A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul (Ave Maria Press)
by Lisa M. Hendey
Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2011

There are many wonderful books about Catholic saints available. Most of you probably own some of them. Perhaps you even have some collecting dust in your home. They looked so interesting, but you never found the time to read them. So, why should you purchase another one? Because in the new “A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms,” Lisa Hendey has put together a very inspiring, practical guide to the saints designed especially for Catholic mothers.

Hendey, the founder of CatholicMom.com, wrote this book as the follow-up to her best selling “The Handbook for Catholic Moms.” In that book, she focused on the “importance of nurturing ourselves as moms in four components of our lives: heart, mind, body, and soul.” In this resource, she has profiled 52 saints and highlighted which of those four components they speak to in our lives. This book can be used on a week by week basis with the focus being on one saint per week, or one may simply wish to focus on a saint that speaks to whatever area of one’s life is in need of a little extra help at the moment.

For each saint, Hendey offers a variety of topics: a brief biographical sketch, reflections on lessons learned from the saint, popular traditions associated with him or her, a quote from the saint, a week’s worth of Scripture verses that are associated with the spirit of that holy person, activities to do either alone or with your children, a prayer asking for the saint’s intercession, and questions to ponder throughout the week. Of course, one is under no obligation to do or reflect on all of that information, but it is good to have options. Each person reading this book will find something that appeals to her and her preferred way of learning and praying.

The variety of saints that Hendey profiles should also be noted. Beginning with our Blessed Mother, “the first and best Catholic mom,” she includes many of the well-known saints you may already know and love, such as Teresa of Avila, Sebastian, Maria Goretti, Patrick, Martha of Bethany, John Paul II, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. But, she does seem to have made a concerted effort to focus on saints that are less well-known. It is possible that readers may find some new friends in the communion saints as they read and reflect on individuals such as Josephine Bakhita, Isidore of Seville, Louis and Marie-Azelie Martin, Chiara “Luce” Badano, and André Bessette.

In “A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms,” Lisa Hendey has compiled and created a very useful and inspirational book. It can be used alone, with your family, or as part of a Catholic women’s book club. No matter how it is used, your life will be enriched as a result.

- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

Where to find wholesome Catholic youth literature

2011-10-14T15:14:00.001-04:00

Do you realize that our youths are facing a darkness of epic proportions? Go to any bookstore and what do you see offered on the children’s/YA shelves? Darkness, the occult, evil. The covers are all black, creepy. Either that or the characters are in skimpy clothing. This is what our youths have to choose from today when they are in the mood for a good book. And some parents are so thrilled that their children are actually reading instead of texting or playing video games, that they either look the other way or bury their heads in the sand. It’s reading, after all. It can’t be that bad, right?

Wrong! If we want to teach our children about God, about values, about standing up for the truth and the precious gift of LIFE, then we need to give them the tools they need: Spiritual armor to fight the battle. Knowledge about our faith. The difference between good and evil. Instead, they are being sent out to fight the battle after reading about vampires, witchcraft and the occult, and stories that celebrate immodesty, disobedience, selfishness, pride, and teen sex.

As a publishing industry insider and award-winning children’s author for pre-teens, I see too often how our kids are being led into the darkness. Much of the material publishers are offering is unhealthy for their spiritual, emotional, and physical development. Harvey House Publishing was founded to provide our children with material worthy of their great dignity and also the tools they need to live joyful, happy lives of true Christian witness. Our precious youth need good, solid role models in order to fight the good fight: The Saints!

Children respond strongly to being introduced to St. Therese, a sweet, yet very powerful saint they can identify with and emulate, who can intercede for these youngsters and pray for them as they make their way through adolescence.

Olivia and the Little Way and its pro-life sequel, Olivia's Gift, are being used in Catholic-school curricula across the U.S., as well as homeschools , Catholic clubs and church groups. Pre-teen readers, teachers, and parents are raving about the series, and are eagerly anticipating the third book in the series.

"While Olivia's Gift is a Catholic story by nature, this is a story of the human spirit and the fact that teenagers and young adults are already experiencing their own profound stories of faith and God...It is a refreshing and realistic reprieve from what teenagers today are currently very distracted by—vampires,” says the Catholic Press Association.

A mom of two pre-teens writes, "I've searched so long for truly Catholic fiction for the preteen set: a fun story that teaches values. I have finally found it in these books! My children are now following the Little Way and love St. Therese. Thank you!”

The next time you are at the bookstore or library, take a good, hard look at what our youths have to choose from, and remember a quote from one of the greatest saints of modern times and Doctor of the Church, The Little Flower: "My sword is Love, and with it I must drive out the stranger from the land, and establish Thy kingdom in souls."
Nancy Carabio Belanger
Publisher, Harvey House Publishing

www.harveyhousepublishing.com

Punky a cartoon with an exceptional star

2011-10-14T09:22:00.000-04:00

Interview with Emilio Estevez, Director of "The Way"

2011-10-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

Interview with Emilio Estevez

Director and actor in “The Way”

by Leticia Velasquez

Catholic Media Review

Velasquez: My fans are very enthusiastic that they are going to hear from you and hear your side of the story behind “The Way”.

Estevez: Excellent.

Velasquez: Would you tell us about your own personal faith journey?

Estevez: I grew up in a house, where, as a boy, we lived in New York City for six years, my mother was raised Southern Baptist, and my father was a devout Catholic. And, as a boy, I heard nothing but arguments about religion, and it was very, very confusing to me, and, as a result it left a very distasteful feeling for me. Where I finally ended up, is that all of the children were Baptized, but we were not practicing Catholics, in fact, my father fell away from the Church for quite some time, and then came back in 1981, there was a reconversion. So, for me, this has been a long journey, my mother likes to call me a work in progress. And I am that, and I think the film is a reflection of my spiritual journey. Its often said that the proof is in the pudding, but I like to say that its in the eating of the pudding. And if you’ve seen the film then its pretty clear where I’m at in my spiritual path.

Velasquez: How does the Camino figure into your personal story? I understand you’ve walked it.

Estevez: We spent a lot of time on it, my son lives in Spain. He was traveling to Spain with my father in 2003. And they stopped on the Camino in a town called Burgos. And my son met a gal, and fell in love, and he married her years later. He’s been married about 8 ½ years. So I obviously have a close connection to Spain through my son. But also through my grandfather; he was from the North of Spain, from Galicia. And I dedicate the film to my grandfather, Francisco, whose presence I felt every day, every step of the way, not only through the planning of the film, and in the shooting of it, and obviously as we’re continuing our American pilgrimage now, the spirit of my grandfather is very strong in my life.

Velasquez: I remember your father sharing how it was very moving to him when he saw the dedication to your grandfather for the first time at the screening. So what do you hope that your audience takes away from “The Way”?

Estevez: We live in a very interesting time. Our culture, and especially the media, whether its mainstream or commercial media, the message they’re sending every day is “take this pill, you’ll be happier” or “go on this diet, you’ll be thinner and happier”, “go visit this plastic surgeon, change the way you look and it will change your life”, “have your teeth whitened and people will love you more.” And its really a bunch of nonsense, because all the things you do which are outward will, I believe, really change you. The change comes from within. And I think the theme of the film is “how about we are OK with being exactly who we are, and we don’t try to change ourselves so that other people love us more. That we are all wonderfully imperfect; that is our common bond. Our wonderful imperfections; we’re these beautiful, gorgeous messes. All of us, myself included, right? And that is really what bonds us.

Velasquez: You described several miracles which took place during the filming?

Estevez: That’s right, first of all, the miracle that the movie got done in the first place. When you look at pictures that are driven by CGI (Computer Generated Images) vulgarity, violence, overt sexuality, its hard to get your message across if it’s a gentle, that’s about people and about relationships, so that was the first miracle, that we actually got this picture completed.

But we were warned against shooting in the north of Spain at the time when we were shooting. They said, “its going to rain every day”,and “you’re never going to make your 40 day schedule”. So, we went out there anyway, and we started rolling. It rained twice, and both days we were filming indoors, doing indoor scenes. It was definitely a blessed shoot!

There was also the miracle of getting access to the cathedral. We were not allowed in, up until 48 hours before we were to film in the cathedral. (Cathedral of Santiago de Campostella) I had the entire crew lighting candles, getting involved with their intentions to allow filming, because. Without getting inside the Cathedral at the end of the film, I had no ending. I had no movie.

Velasquez: Did you have trouble finding a distributor for the film?

Estevez: What we’ve done is we’ve put together our own studio. There’s a company called BDA here in New York City, who were responsible for releasing the Banksea film last year. The exit through the gift shop?????? So they came on board to help out. We got another company called Arden (?)releasing. They’ve been very helpful in securing deals with AMC Theatres and with the Walmart retail chain. We also have a contract with Comcast. So what we’ve done is create partnerships, built the studio without the brick and mortar, if you will, and bring consultants on from every walk of life to help us get this message out, get the theatres, and make sure the advertisements get on the air and the newspapers. It’s been an education that I didn’t ask for, these last couple of years, buts its been absolutely invaluable.

Velasquez: And you’re marketing the film with your father (Martin Sheen) in a coast to coast tour.

Estevez: That’s right, we’re on a tour bus, we don’t have a $50 million ad campaign but we have a $ 50,000 bus. We’re on it every day, we started six weeks ago, from California, and set out for the East Coast, and we’ve arrived here (NY). We’re going to head back, I believe on Sunday, we’re going to go to Toronto for a bit, head over to Ann Arbor, Indianapolis, and I think we’re going to end in Cincinnati on Friday. So we have another week on the road, and then we’ll head back to LA and do some LA press.

Its been very exciting. We’ve been screening the film and doing Q&A’s in each town, sometimes two a night and its been very gratifying. The people who attend are given a microphone and are free to ask any question they like. We don’t pre-screen anybody, and people have been giving testimony, been witnessing. And saying “thank you for making this film”and “thanks for making something that we want to see”.

Velasquez: Did making this film draw you closer to your dad?

Estevez: He and I are very close, my mother and father are together 50 years, we live right down the street. So we are close in proximity and close in our hearts. I consider them my best friends, and the film is really an extension of that and it was a joy to put it on film.

(Martin Sheen plays Emilio’s father in “The Way”)

Velasquez: My readers are very grateful that you made a film showing the Church in a positive light and giving the unborn a voice. We want to know what’s next for you?

Estevez: I’m thinking about a family sports themed film in the tradition of “Mighty Ducks”. I’ve written a film about the world of competitive harness racing which I’m a fan of, so that may be next. I’m potentially shooting that next year.

Pre-orders for my book "A Special Mother is Born" are now being accepted!

2011-10-10T13:23:00.002-04:00

Great news for those of you who have been wondering when the books will be available!
WestBow Press has informed me that my books are coming within three weeks!

I am taking pre-orders here on my blog, as well as on my other blogs, Causa Nostrae Laetitiae, Cause of Our Joy, A Special Mother is Born and Keep Infants with Down Syndrome. .

Just click the paypal button in the margin on the right and leave your shipping information and your secure payment of $22.50 ($19.95 plus $2.55 shipping for a total of $22.50) by credit or debit card, and I will ship your book to your home in one month.

Book Review: "Agent Undercover" by Lynette Eason

2011-10-04T14:18:00.002-04:00

DEA agent Paige Ashworth is undercover, investigating murders that may be related to a drug ring. She tries to protect the victim's son, Will, who may know something about it, but hasn't spoken since his mother was killed. Soon Paige finds herself not only caring about Will, but also being attracted to his uncle, Dr. Dylan Seabrook. It isn't long before all three find themselves in real danger. Although Paige hasn't prayed in some time, she finds herself asking God for help and guidance as she tries to protect Will and find a killer.

I enjoy Christian-themed mysteries, and Ms. Eason has delivered a well-written, suspenseful story; she demonstrates that you can write a good mystery without the sordid and objectionable content that is so prevalent in today's media.

I highly recommend!

Interview with Robert Guillaume, the voice of Rafiki in "The Lion King"

2011-10-04T10:46:00.002-04:00

"The Lion King" has just been released in 3D as part of a Blu-ray/DVD set.

Velasquez: My readers remember you best as “Benson” and wanted to tell you they enjoyed it. What was your favorite TV series?
Guillaume: My favorite show was “Soap”. I felt that the character was outrageous. There was something about it that was free-swinging. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy doing “Benson”. I felt that “Benson” was a little curtailed.

Velasquez: So you started out on stage after the Army. How did you get into acting in the first place?

Guillaume; When I was a kid in school I would always sing. I found a voice. I was a singer. When I was looking around and saying, “Well, what do I do?” I was in my twenties, I had this idea, I said, “well, maybe I should go on the stage.” I couldn’t see myself becoming a doctor or lawyer or that sort of thing. And I gave that (acting) a thought. And I though about it long enough to continue in that direction.

Another thing that I almost went into was writing. I loved writing.

Velasquez: That’s great that you pursued your dream.

Guillaume: I was lucky that the industry gave me encouragement. I was there (Broadway) for 15 years.

Velasquez: You toured the world in “Guys and Dolls”

Guillaume: I did enough touring in my time.

Velasquez: One of my favorite roles of yours is as the Dr Napier the school superintendent in “Lean on Me”. I was a teacher when that came out, and watched it every year before school began.

Guillaume: Oh, I had a great time doing that! Do you remember the argument between Morgan and me? We were allowed to improvise it, and one thing led to another and we were going at it, and we worked it up to a fever pitch. We worked it up to the point where in any other situation we would have to go to war, to fisticuffs. We really didn’t know how to end it. We felt “how do we get out of this?” So I said, “come on man, let’s get some lunch”. It was a way of taking the tension out of the scene with a little humor

Velasquez: That was an amazing scene. I appreciate the diversity of characters you have played. Was that deliberate?

Guillaume: I don’t know how that happened; I wanted to do different things. I was never comfortable thinking the same thing over and over.

Velasquez: You never seemed to be typecast. For example, you were the voice for Rafiki in “The Lion King”. How did you come up with that voice?

Guillaume: Well, we talked about it, since I could only act with my voice. We said, “What would a monkey sound like?”

Velasquez: It’s a very distinctive voice.

Guillaume: It was something I had been clowning around with at parties and with my wife. I would answer in that voice, it always tickled me,

Velasquez: We loved to imitate Rafiki’s voice in our house too!

Guillaume: (laughs) Oh yeah?

Velasquez: So did you mind it when “Lion King 1 ½” poked fun at the wisdom of Rafiki?

Guillaume: No, no.

Velasquez: You stayed with the role of Rafiki for three movies, seven cartoons and even video games. That was one of your most enduring characters. You’ve been acting for half a century. What are some of the changes that you’ve seen in Hollywood?

Guillaume: Well, I’m not sure. . . Particularly, I wanted to be more aware of the impression they were making on young black people. I think we’ve finally got to that place.

Velasquez: What films have convinced you of that?

Guillaume: Well, many of the films Denzel (Washington) has done and Laurence Fishburne, I know I’m leaving people out. Some of that work is impeccable.

Velasquez: So you didn’t want the stereotyping of black youth or the bad examples?

Guillaume: Yeah, I wanted to try and get away from that. It was within our power to change things, to inspire black youth to see the world in a much broader way than previous characters played by black people.

Velasquez: Do you have any comment on the moral climate of Hollywood overall?

Guillaume: No I think its pretty much the same as its always been, lackadaisical morally.

Velasquez: I see that lately you’ve been doing narration for a lot of children’s film, fairy tale narration.

Guillaume: When I was coming up, I remember feeling left out of fairy tales. My images were images of white people, if you will. I don’t want to sound like I’m on some great kick, but I was only interested in changing what I could.

Velasquez: Disney just did a version of “The Princess Frog” based in New Orleans in the twenties, using black characters. It’s a delightful film.

Guillaume: Yes.

Velasquez: A study came out that children are watching media for 7 ½ hours per day. So the role of the actor is even more important. Children spend more time listening to actors than their parents, with earphones in most of the time. Are you involved in any electronic media?

Guillaume: I don’t participate in anything that happened after 1920!

Velasquez: What would you like to consider your legacy?

Guillaume: You take me too far afield to talk of legacy and all that. If I did something which influenced people of my era, I’m very happy.

Francis Woke Up Early

2011-10-03T19:53:00.000-04:00

Written by Josephine Nobisso

Illustrated by Maureen Hyde

GingerbreadHouse Books

One of the most vivid childhood memories is sitting in my parish church, gazing up at a large fresco of the Child Jesus and St Joseph working in their carpentry shop. I wondered what the pair discussed amid the rasping of their tools and fragrant wood shavings. My childish faith imagination helped me forge a deep bond with the young Jesus and St Joseph which has never left me.

The same bond is recreated in “Francis Woke Up Early”. No saint outside of the Bible is as widely known as St Francis of Assisi, yet he can be little more than a garden statue in children’s minds. “Francis Woke Up Early” gives children a chance to enter into a day in the life of the child Francis. This is not a biography; it’s a meditation on the character of the boy who became a saint. “Francis woke up Early” helps children see that all saints began life like them, seeking outdoor adventures, and loving their family, yet, his future spiritual greatness is foreshadowed in this enchanting book.

What is best known about Francis is his bond with animals, particularly his sermon to the birds and his befriending the fierce wolf of Gubbio. Using these events as inspiration, author Josephine Nobisso paints a charming yet thoughtful portrait of the young saint. Imagine a sunny morning, which awakened Francis at dawn, and coaxed him to venture outdoors past a sleeping household in search of a breakfast of goat’s milk, all frothy and warm. Dramatic storytelling paired with brilliant illustrations fires imaginations both young and old, and will lead to many a discussion of the life of St Francis.

Each painting is a work of art worthy of framing; these captivating paintings of Assisi were completed over a period of twenty years by artist Maureen Hyde who provided the idea for the story.

“Francis Woke up Early” will become a family favorite, and would be a delightful Christmas gift for preschool through third grade children.

Review of "Courageous"

2011-09-30T00:30:00.001-04:00

A police station in Albany Georgia is populated by men of all races and personalities. There is one tie which binds them, a tie which reaches even deeper than the bond shared by police. They are all fathers, yet most of their fathering falls short of what their wives and children long for in their loneliness.
That is the theme of "Courageous" which is another film by the Sherwood Baptist Church which brought you "Fireproof" and "Facing the Giants". Sherwood Baptist Church is a unique phenomenon, a movie-making Baptist Church, but they have come a long way since their first film, "Flywheel", and "Courageous" is proof that an openly faith-based film can be riveting. Although I had a long day at the Catholic Marketing Network trade show, and viewed another film before it, I was emotionally involved the entire film,and noticed, when it was time to leave, that my sides ached from laughing and my eyes were wet with tears.
Courageous is not all sermons, however, it has several interwoven stories of the policemen's families in need of healing because of the failure to father. Its a story so many of us see all around us, where fathers are missing either in body or in spirit from their families. Courageous seems to touch on most popular scenarios; the workaholic dad, the missing dad, the absent but loving dad, all called to account by the dedicated dad whose relationship with his family and his God is built on solid ground.

Courageous is riveting if preachy (I don't mind a bit of preaching in a film if they tell a good story) film which touches the heart of the crisis in society, which is the source of crime, drug abuse and misery in the ghettos; absentee and uninvolved fathers.The film makes no bones about wanting to start a movement of men supporting men in their fatherhood, and I hope, that as they did in "Fireproof" they succeed ("The Love Dare" the book used in the film was a bestseller) The good news is that that Catholics like the National Catholic Register's Tim Drake were brought in as consultants during the filming, and the follow materials are geared towards Evangelical as well as Catholic viewers.
If it does become a movement, Courageous could go a long way toward healing millions of broken hearts in our country.Action scenes are tightly directed, and meaningful though violent. There is no profanity, or nudity, though some scenes may be too intense for little viewers.
Highly recomended for children over ten, but don't take the kids yet. Go for the first time as a date with the man in your life, this film is a real conversation starter.

See the trailer here.

Movie Review: Abduction - PG13

2011-09-25T19:19:00.001-04:00

While working on a school project, Nathan (Taylor Lautner) sees himself on a missing persons website and discovers that the parents he was raised by are not his real parents. And there are several people trying to stop him from finding out more about his real parents.

There is plenty of action, mostly chase scenes and fight scenes, all driven by a very compelling and suspenseful story.

Content warnings include some violence and a few curses.

There is one open question at the end which leads me to believe there will be a sequel.

An excellent movie!

http://www.abductionthefilm.com/

Dolores Hope and Mother Angelica

2011-09-23T13:16:00.000-04:00

In memory of Hollywood Legend Dolores Hope! EWTN will re-air Mother Angelica’s poignant interview with the late wife of Comedian Bob Hope.

Find out how you can be “in the world, but not of it.” Airs 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 24 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Book Review: "The Queen" by Steven James

2011-09-20T15:06:00.001-04:00

Patrick Bowers is called to investigate a double homicide in Wisconsin, and the investigation soon leads to a much larger conspiracy, one which threatens many lives.

As Patrick races to stop a disaster, this story reveals more of his personal life: Patrick's brother Sean and his wife Amber live in Wisconsin, so we get to meet them. Patrick's stepdaughter Tessa is preparing for college, and Patrick and Lien Hua continue their relationship.

Steven James is a Christian author, and there is more discussion of faith in this story than in earlier ones, specifically in regard to forgiveness; there are several characters in need of forgiveness.

Mr. James' storytelling is captivating, and the way he weaves together multiple plots is masterful. The suspense builds exponentially, to the point that you won't be able to put it down.

An excellent book...Mr. James' best to date!

http://stevenjames.net

2011-09-19T23:25:00.000-04:00

"Dumbo", many of us remember it from our childhood, it probably helped shape our opinion of what a Disney movie should be; replete with charming characters, singable music and a gripping story line. It's about to come out now in a 70th Anniversary Edition DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, replete with the fascinating back stories that make you appreciate what a uniquely sensitive film this is. It is called the most emotionally potent Disney animated feature, and it deserves the title.

Take another look at this film, as a parent, and you will be moved in ways you haven't anticipated. There is serious moral theme running throughout the film, a lesson in not allowing the negativity of others destroy your life. In a time when kids are facing bullies both in person and online, they can learn from the example of a courageous little fellow who faced up to the bullies and won.
Dumbo is a baby elephant, who, from his delivery by the stork, faces rejection because of his enormous ears. In the circus which moves from city to city by train, where everyone has an 'act', Dumbo's means of proving his worth is first to risk his life in a dangerous stunt, and ends up the laughingstock of the circus, as a clown, with a smile painted on his tearful face. His mother is jailed for trying to save her baby from the cruelty of the mockery he endures, his fellow elephants turn their backs on him, and his only ally is a compassionate little mouse, Timothy, who takes it upon himself to give Dumbo a reason to smile.
Few mothers forget the heartbreaking scene where Dumbo's mother is in chains and can only rock her little baby through prison bars, as the haunting "Baby Mine" is crooned. What mother hasn't felt the agony of seeing her child in pain over what happened at school, or on the playground, and feels helpless to remedy it?

I am not a fan of surrealism, so the pink elephant drunk scene is one I skip by on the DVD, however the scene where Timothy and Dumbo are awakened by the crows in the tree is hilarious.So are the crows, who were modeled on the stage acts of black band leaders of the thirties, like Cab Calloway. An interesting cultural note, the crows were depicted as blacks for a reason which goes deeper than stereotypes of the time, they represent a marginalized group who understand what rejection feels like, and how great it feels to overcome prejudice. The scene where Timothy preaches to the crows about having compassion for Dumbo is one of the most powerful religion-insprired scenes you'll see in Disney animation.
So, give the little elephant with the big ears a chance to recapture your heart, and that of your children.
Leave a comment below for a chance to win your own Dumbo DVD. Appropriate for all ages, scenes of cruelty may be hard on sensitive little ones.

Music Review: "Furious" by Jeremy Riddle

2011-09-15T14:25:00.001-04:00

"Furious" will be released 9/20/11.

The title Furious does not convey anger, as one might infer.

In the title track, Furious refers to the strength and intensity of God's love ("Your love is furious"). Some thoughts on other tracks:

"Love Came Down" is the best track on the CD, telling us how because of the overwhelming love of God, we are forever His.

"Always" reminds us to make room and make time in our lives for prayer.

"Glory to the Lamb" speaks of Jesus' victory over death and His call to us.

A very inspiring and enjoyable CD.

I've found that some Christian singers, in their zeal to incorporate their faith or a message into popular music genres, sometimes inadvertently conceal that message within the music; listeners enjoy the music, but don't even hear the message. The quality that makes Jeremy Riddle unique is that he is very clear in what he is trying to say, the message he is trying to share.

http://www.vineyardresources.com/equip/content/furious-cd-jeremy-riddle

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

'Warrior' director explains film's spiritual inspiration

2011-09-13T09:49:00.001-04:00

The director of the critically-acclaimed film “Warrior,” which achieved a top box office ranking during its $5.6 million opening weekend, has provided CNA with an exclusive look at the spiritual friendship that motivated the movie.“My friend Charles 'Mask' Lewis died last year just as I was preparing to go into production on my film 'Warrior,' for which he was an indispensable help and supporter,” Director Gavin O'Connor recalls in the Sept. 12 column. “I dedicated 'Warrior' to Charles and wanted to mark the occasion of its release by sharing the story of our brief but magnificent friendship.”Lewis founded the popular “Tapout” clothing line, which gave popular exposure to the world of mixed martial arts in which “Warrior” takes place. He also offered O'Connor, who comes from a Catholic background, with a faithful perspective that shaped the film's story of conflict and redemption.“We drove to Vegas together one weekend and I was surprised to see Bibles strewn all over the back of his car,” the director remembers. “He was on a path and it inspired me. He spoke about his Christian faith in a way that touched my heart and rekindled the embers of my own Christian upbringing.”“This big dude, this larger-than-life personality who often wore face paint, was brimming with the love of Christ and it was infectious.”

story

Movie Review: Contagion - PG13

2011-09-11T18:44:00.001-04:00

Gwyneth Paltrow contracts a deadly disease on a trip to Hong Kong and unknowingly brings it back to the U.S., in Minneapolis. It is frightening how quickly the disease spreads world-wide. The CDC, DHS, and MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) are all trying to find the origin of the disease, contain its spread, and develop a vaccine.

The spread of the disease, which is so far fatal, leads to public panic and unrest. That only serves to complicate efforts to contain the disease.

A very well-told story with stellar acting performances. Everyone was very good in their role, but Jude Law was particularly good as a reporter trying to benefit from the story. Laurence Fishburne was very good as Dr. Cheever, the head of the CDC.

A gripping story with plenty of suspense.

Content warnings include some language and one brief autopsy scene (a couple of minutes, and certainly not worth missing the movie over)

Two words: See it!

http://contagionmovie.warnerbros.com

Music Review: "Get In, I'm Driving" by Ginny Owens

2011-09-08T16:15:00.001-04:00

Ginny's newest CD, to be released Tuesday September 13, is a soulful combination of R&B and jazz. There are 11 tracks, here are some thoughts on a few:

"Get in, I'm Driving" - The best song on the CD - Reminds us that God is in charge, so there's no need for us to worry.

"Mystery of Grace" is about how precious we are in God's eyes. This message is further emphasized by how we are "Joined at the Heart" with our God and Creator.

"Before You Fly" tells us to never give up and keep trying.

I have heard quite a few CD's that include different styles, but Ginny is one of the best at blending R&B and Jazz and making it all flow seamlessly; yet each song delivers a unique message in a distinct style. The music and the lyrics are both beautiful.

One word: awesome! I look forward to Ginny's future music!

http://ginnyowensmusic.com/
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity

2011-09-08T14:08:00.000-04:00

Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
Fr Jason Worthley's podcast of a hymn for Our Lady's Nativity.

Enjoy.

Video Review: Theo Presents

2011-09-08T11:29:00.000-04:00

http://www.theopresents.com/

This is a children's DVD containing two short lessons:The first is "Saving Faith", which teaches the importance of having faith by telling the story of God's promise to Abraham (and a couple of cute mice who are trying to get Theo's cookies :)

The second is "Good News", which teaches that sin separates us from God, but that Jesus is the Way back to Him. I really liked the directness of this lesson; it didn't sugarcoat the consequences of sin.

I wish the lessons were a bit longer; they were very clear and direct in their message. You can get the DVD at the above site, and you can also get a fee app for your iPhone and/or iPad!

The Way - Official Trailer [HD]

2011-09-07T17:46:00.000-04:00

Movie Review: The Debt - R

2011-09-04T17:12:00.002-04:00

In 1966, three Mossad agents pursue and capture a war criminal. Thirty years later, as they are still considered heroes for their mission, the truth about the outcome is about to be revealed.

The story is told during two time periods, and the sequence of events is unclear at first.

Much of what happens is the direct result of decisions made at that moment; as a result,character development is very good, as the story reveals much about them.

A very suspenseful, captivating story with a few interesting plot turns.

Content warnings: The main warnings are for violence, and the F word is used multiple times. There is a scene where Rachel, the female agent, visits a fertility doctor. There is no nudity, but I was really uncomfortable when she was laying there with her legs in the stirrups. It was necessary to the story, as that was how they got to the man they were pursuing; but it could have been handled better.

http://focusfeatures.com/the_debt

Movie Review: Apollo 18 - PG13

2011-09-03T12:21:00.001-04:00

Warning: Possible spoilers.

Set in 1972, two astronauts (a third is orbiting in the ship) travel to the moon.

Apollo 18 is told from the perspective of being filmed during the actual mission, which it is NOT. I did not care much for this technique.

The first two indications that something is wrong are that they find a dead cosmonaut. and they are mainly communicating with the Department of Defense, more than NASA..

There was plenty of anticipation, and not necessarily in a good way. I found myself constantly waiting for something, anything, to happen. It did, as the two astronauts discover that they are indeed not alone.

Much of the scariness is accomplished through surprise (and through the creatures that attack them) and it was successful, because my nephews, age 13 and 11, told me it is the scariest movie they've ever seen.

Content warnings include scariness and some gore.

An interesting story, but it could have been done better.

http://www.apollo18movie.net/

Book Review: "Dead of Night" by Brandilyn Collins

2011-08-31T14:11:00.000-04:00

As a serial killer has her town in fear, sketch artist Annie Kingston draws the faces of the victims and tries to help solve the case. Annie not only wants to help stop a killer, she is also afraid that it may involve the trouble her son Steven has recently gotten himself into, particularly when the killer strikes close to home. The whole town is praying that the killer will be caught.

A very suspenseful story of good vs. evil that personifies the power of prayer and faith.

If you enjoy a good murder mystery without the sordid and offensive content that is so prevalent in today's media, I urge you to try Ms. Collins' novels. She manages to provide Christian-themed murder mysteries you won't be able to put down.

Review of “Stealing Jenny”: A Novel by Ellen Gable

2011-08-29T21:32:00.001-04:00

I have reviewed Ellen Gable’s first two novels “Emily’s Hope” and “In Name Only” on this blog, and have eagerly awaited her third novel. Ellen is a pro-life writer who writes in an engaging manner, with keen personal insight and always a hopeful and pro-life message.

After enduring three miscarriages, Jenny is expecting her sixth child. Denise is her neighbor, who secretly envies Jenny her ability to pro-create and watches her and her children from across the street. She is plotting to kidnap Jenny and steal her baby.

Unknown to Denise, Jenny has a complication that requires a caesarian section. Although the title gives away the main event of the novel, the reader is kept in suspense, as the well-being of Jenny and her baby are held in the balance.

At home, Tom takes care of his five children, praying and hoping that Jenny will be found and returned before she goes into labor. Kathy is the police detective who follows the scanty clues to try to find her whereabouts.

“Stealing Jenny” departs from the Ellen’s previous novels in style in that it is modern, without historic elements, and more of a thriller in its genre, with out-of- the ordinary events happening to the heroine. However, the undercurrents of faith, hope, and marital love present in the first two novels are the same here.

The self-analysis that the characters go through in her first two novels is also a big part of the book. Ellen writes in the omniscient third person, bringing the reader into the thoughts of each of her main characters. At times, the characters reminisce, letting us know what has happened in the past to cause them to act or think the way they do in the present. Ellen does this skillfully and seamlessly.

Why anyone would be so ignorant and blatantly disregarding of human life to try such a scheme, Ellen explains by giving Denise’s history. Ellen’s attitude toward the protagonist is a Christian one, hating the action but showing sympathy toward the sinner.

Any woman who has ever really wanted to conceive; any woman who has been through a miscarriage; and any woman who has been through a difficult pregnancy, will sympathize with Jenny, even before she gets kidnapped. Her condition adds a heightened dimension to the plot of a kidnapping.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes suspenseful novels. If you are going to give this to a teenager, you should read it first. The book deals with such topics as premarital sex, abortion, and labor in an unusual situation. The moral viewpoint is Catholic and pro-life.

“Stealing Jenny” will be available from Full Quiver Publishing and Amazon.com on September 15, 2011.

Look for my review of “Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship”, edited by Ellen Gable, in the coming weeks.

For more information about the author Ellen Gable and her books:
www.ellengable.com
www.fullquiverpublishing.com
www.twitter.com/EllenGable
Editor, Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship www.comemybeloved.com
Author, "Emily's Hope" www.emilyshope.com (Honorable Mention 2006 IPPY Awards)
Author, "In Name Only" www.innameonly.ca (Gold Medal winner 2010 IPPY Awards)

Movie Review: One Day - PG13

2011-08-28T19:40:00.004-04:00

Warning: Potential Spoilers

At their graduation, Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. Over the next 20 years, they go their separate ways: He becomes a TV host, she is a teacher aspiring to be a writer. They have different partners, but they remain part of each others' lives. Neither of them seems to achieve true happiness.

I found "One Day" disappointing on several levels:

The story really seems to drag on.

It was disappointing how cavalier their attitude toward sex is.
There is a tremendous amount of drinking, especially by Dex.

The ending is not only anti-climactic, but falls far short of what is anticipated.

To be honest, I left the theater very depressed.

One word: a Downer

Movie Review: Conan the Barbarian - R

2011-08-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

I saw Conan on Sunday, and have been debating whether to post a review. (I didn't want to provide any sort of publicity)

I have decided to post instead a warning.

I expected some violence, but the level of gore was excessive and unnecessary (literally blood and guts).

There was also a sex scene including nudity, which was completely unnecessary to the story.

I strongly advise anyone considering seeing it to NOT see it.

Book Review: "A Little Way of Homeschooling"

2011-08-22T21:53:00.001-04:00

A Little Way of Homeschooling
by Suzie Andres
Hillside Education, 2011

Sometimes the perfect book comes along right when you need it. This was the case with me and "A Little Way of Homeschooling" by Suzie Andres. Andres, a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College with a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Notre Dame, became known as an expert in Catholic Unschooling after writing "Homeschooling with Gentleness" (I recently read that book as well and will be reviewing it shortly). That book chronicled her own journey towards unschooling and explored whether a Catholic could unschool and still be in keeping with Church teaching. Her answer was a resounding "yes."

In "A Little Way of Homeschooling," she asked other Catholic families to share their experience of unschooling. All of their stories are informative and informational. The first nine families profiled are true unschoolers. The remaining four "integrate elements of unschooling with more formal approaches to learning." I personally like Karen Edmisten's description of herself as "The Unschooler with a Plan."

Andres is honest about the doubt that comes hand-in-hand with all homeschooling, but especially unschooling. "We may write long books and thoughtful internet posts proclaiming the goodness and freedom of unschooling; at the end of the day we still lie in bed exhausted and wonder if our children are learning what they should." She advises us to "Trust God and be gentle with ourselves."

In her epilogue, Andres relies on the wisdom of St. Therese and St. John Bosco, who many consider the unofficial patron saint of unschooling. He stated "without confidence and love, there can be no true education." There are also four appendixes filled with useful information including recommended books, internet sites, and prayers.

Andres and the contributors to this book offer much wisdom to all homeschoolers, not just unschoolers. I highly recommend this book, especially if the burden of homeschooling is becoming increasingly heavy. It is important to always remember that we are not the ones ultimately in charge. As Andres writes, "What is learned and achieved is extremely individual to the child - and directed by God. Parents and teachers can assist, but they are not the ones primarily in charge."

SAINTS ALIVE! NEW Teaser Trailer.

2011-08-20T21:19:00.000-04:00

movie Review: Cowboys and Aliens - PG13

2011-08-14T19:28:00.000-04:00

Set in Arizona in 1873. A stranger (Daniel Craig) arrives in the town of Absolution with no memory of who he is or how he got there. The only hint he has to his past is a mysterious shackle on his wrist. About the same time, Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) and his gang arrive in town looking for Dolarhyde's son, who was arrested by the sheriff. When the town is invaded by aliens and several townspeople are abducted by them, the townspeople must team together with Dolarhyde's crew, a band of outlaws, and a group of Indians to battle the aliens and try to rescue their abducted loved ones.

The unique scenario of combining the old west with aliens certainly creates an interesting story. I wouldn't use the word 'entertaining', because at times the story seems to really drag on.

Overall, character development is weak: aside from Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, there are no strong standout characters. The exception to this is Ella Swenson, played by Olivia Wilde, a woman from Craig's past who helps them in the battle against the aliens.

Content warnings are for lots of violence, and some gore.

http://www.cowboysandaliensmovie.com/

Book Review: "Now You See Her" by James Patterson

2011-08-09T20:34:00.002-04:00

Nina Bloom is a successful lawyer and loving mother. Her past contains a dark secret which she has successfully kept from her daughter, her friends and her firm.

But now an innocent man is about to be executed for a crime that Nina knows he didn't commit. Since she is literally the only one who can save him, will she risk everything she has achieved to save him?

A very suspenseful story that will keep you guessing...you never know what's coming next. The characters are very well integrated into the story. Nina is a pretty sympathetic character. It is admirable how she sacrifices for others.

One of Patterson's better stories. Main conent warning is there are a couple of violent scenes.

My review of "Finding Fatima"

2011-08-09T11:04:00.002-04:00

Is up at Catholic Online. Check out this new type of docu-drama on Fatima.

COURAGEOUS Movie Trailer

2011-08-08T21:42:00.000-04:00

The Catholicism Project - NEW TRAILER

2011-08-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes - PG13

2011-08-07T20:26:00.001-04:00

Warning: Potential Spoilers

As a result of research into a cure for alzheimer's, an ape named Caesar is born in a lab and is 'adopted' by Will Rodman, the scientist who was trying to cure his own father. Caesar has greater intelligence & cognitive abilities than other apes. As Caesar grows, so does his desire to be free. The main plot involves Caesar's ability to lead his fellow apes, and how far he will lead them.

There was more emotion infused into the story than you'd expect, particularly a sympathetic aspect to Caesar's character. Also, there is some resentment toward Rodman's character for creating the dilema they all find themselves in.

The story was both entertaining and captivating, mainly because the writers gave an implausible concept an air of plausibility.

The only content warnings are for some violence.

http://www.apeswillrise.com/

Movie Review: The Mighty Macs - G

2011-08-05T09:45:00.000-04:00

In Theaters October 21. Based on a true story.

Cathy Rush becomes the head women's basketball coach at Immaculata College, a small all-girls college run by nuns. Actually, the team has no place to practice, hardly any equipment to speak of, and minimal support from the administration. She gets plenty of support from the nuns....Sister Sunday becomes her assistant coach, and the rest of the nuns become a sort of booster club for the team.

Cathy eventually pulls it all together and leads the girls' team to three straight national championships. Since this time, Immaculata has gone coed and become Immaculata University. (check out the real team's site below :)

A real family movie that is both entertaining and inspirational!

Immaculata Women's Basketball

http://www.themightymacs.com/

CRISTIADA - Film on the Brutal Liberal-Masonic Persecution Against the F...

2011-08-02T07:56:00.000-04:00

Movie Review: Zookeeper - PG

2011-07-29T22:41:00.002-04:00

Griffin Keyes is the head zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo. He loves caring for the animals, and they love him because he is kindhearted.

Griffin keeps thinking about Stephanie, the girl who rejected him 5 years earlier. When he gets a second chance with her, the animals break their silence to help him get her back.

It was really cool how the animals talking was made to look so realistic. A lot of humorous moments, and lots of fun. It was all about being yourself, and appreciating what you have.

Overall, a very entertaining movie. The only part I didn't like was about peeing to mark your territory. Aside from that, a very family-friendly movie. My nephews, 11 and 13 loved it.

http://zookeeper-movie.com/

Music Review: "I'm All In" by Robert Pierre

2011-07-25T13:20:00.001-04:00

. I'm All In" will be released July 26.

This is Robert's second album

After listening to the first few tracks, the overall theme of total commitment to the Lord, as evidenced by the title "I"m All In", becomes apparent. The first track, "I'm All In", talks about total commitment to Christ.

I especially like "Who R U", where he says "you're either hot or your cold, either yes or no"; there is no halfway commitment to Christ.

Other songs such as "Greater is He" and "I Trust in You" focus more on acknowledging the greatness of God.

The music and tempo of each song seem to be particularly well suited for its lyrics and its message. Overall, this makes "I'm All In" an effective evangelization tool. It is very uplifting to listen to.

I think Robert has very noticeably improved since his first album "Identity"

http://robertpierre.com/

Movie Review: Captain America: The First Avenger - PG13

2011-07-25T10:55:00.000-04:00

Steve Rogers is so eager to serve his country during WWII that he volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into a super soldier known as Captain America. At first, he is mostly symbolic, inspiring patriotism during the war, but he soon finds himself battling the NAZI HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull.

Unlike other super heroes, Captain America doesn't really have a 'secret identity'...everyone knew he is Rogers. This may seem a minor point, but I found it significant because it blended his real identity and his Captain America identity in a way that I haven't seen in other super hero movies.

I found Captain America more nostalgic than I expected, and I wish that Americans still had the level of patriotism I saw in the movie.

There was more story than I expected, but also plenty of action.

A very good movie. My nephews, 11 and 13, also liked it a lot.

http://captainamerica.marvel.com/

Review of "Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children".

2011-07-24T15:50:00.003-04:00

Review of “Be an Amazing Catechist; Inspire the Faith of Children”

By Lisa Mladninich

Our Sunday Visitor Press, 29 pages

I have been a catechist and a teacher for over a dozen years. When I began my career as a catechist, I was an enthusiastic high school student who had helped her mother teach CCD for years. My years of experience and Master’s in Education, taught me a lot about how to reach the hearts and minds of children with the timeless truths of our Faith, teaching them how to love Our Lord and Our Lady, and live a life of grace through the sacraments.

How much trial and error could I have been spared if I had been given this wonderful book at the outset of my journey as a catechist! It’s not necessary to have a Master’s Degree or twenty years in the classroom to reach the hearts and minds of children. If you love the Faith, and are eager to learn how to impart it effectively, read this book, which should be given to every new catechist along with their textbooks. Its easy to read, engaging from beginning to end with a good mix of visuals, and many specific ideas of how to use what every catechist has at their disposal; a Bible, their Catechism books, and a computer.

In a concise yet conversational style, Mrs. Mladninich discusses basic pedagogy; from learning styles to classroom management. She helps the catechist understand her particular student’s age and educational needs, while employing her God-given gifts to impart the love of God. No two catechism classes are alike, says Mrs. Mladninich, but they can all be amazing as they train up young souls to know, love and serve God.

“Be an Amazing Catechist” helps the catechist know what to do when the inevitable challenges arise, for example when the students ask those pointed questions we all fear and how to lovingly handle challenging students who disrupt the class She shares secrets to getting the students personally engaged in the lesson whether they are kinesthetic learners who must keep moving, students with special needs. She offers ideas to get all one’s students parents engaged in the process, how to teach them to pray, and how to use celebration of the Church’s celebration of the Liturgical Year (Christmas, Easter, etc) in lesson plans. She suggests how to tie in craft, dramatic and musical activities to keep the children’s interest, and most importantly, how the catechist must nourish her own soul with the grace necessary to give so much to others

This handbook can be helpful to seasoned catechists as well, for there are many new resources, like the website Catholic Mom or the USCCB’s online Bible which are relatively new, and can offer new approaches to teaching the Faith which respect the doctrinal orthodoxy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church while employing the latest technology. My favorite aspect of this book is Mrs. Mladinich’s enthusiastic tone as she encourages her reader in their mission;

“With daily attention to prayer and the sacramental life, you and I can revolutionize the teaching of the Faith. We can thrill our students with the Truth, protect them against sin, and set them on fire with the knowledge of the Faith!”

Being a catechist is a wonderful means of participating in the Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."With this booklet in your hands, and Christ at your side, you can consider yourself well prepared to make your students into disciples, and know that, through them, you are changing the world!

"Be an Amazing Catechist" is available online from Our Sunday Visitor.

Book Review: "Stain of Guilt" by Brandilyn Collins

2011-07-22T22:09:00.000-04:00

When popular TV show American Fugitive does an update on a 20 year-old murder case, they engage forensic artist Annie Kingston to draw an age-progressed image of the main suspect, Bill Bland. In order to do this, Annie must immerse herself in the mind of Bland. But there is someone who doesn't want Annie to complete the drawing; she soon finds herself, and her family, in danger. Annie is determined to finish it, and, after years of non-believing, she turns to God for help. Will Annie fish the drawing in time for the show? Who is trying to stop her from finishing it?

This story combines lots of suspense with good character development, and the result is a captivating story you won't be able to put down.

Ms. Collins once again proves that it is possible to create a good murder mystery without the sordid content that is so prevalent in today's media. I especially appreciate the Christian theme that defines her stories.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - PG13

2011-07-20T10:37:00.000-04:00

This is the final battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort.

Knowing that this was the last movie in the Potter saga, there was an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation that added to the exciting battle scenes. Much of the story focused on a search for three items that, if destroyed, would help Harry against Voldemort. There were a couple of unexpected revelations, as well as a couple of positive recurring themes. The loyalty of Harry's friends Ron and Hermione is admirable. There are also a couple examples of self-sacrifice. The special effects were stunning. I won't give away any secrets, but I was very satisfied with the ending :)

HP7 may be a bit scary for smaller children but my nephews, 11 and 13, loved it.. A very exciting movie and a suitable ending to the series.

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com

WebSite Review: Pen Pal Kids Club

2011-07-18T16:17:00.001-04:00

http://www.penpalkidsclub.com/

This is a new site which provides a fun, safe, and educational place for kids to interact online. Here are some of the features it offers:

There are 6 fun games which also teach about other cultures in other parts of the world.
There is a library of articles from Encyclopedia Britannica for kids.
There is a Penpal function which I could not test because I was using a free account to review the site. It allows you to find a penpal based on common interests (music, sports, food etc)
There is a message function (email) which allows you to communicate directly with other users

I created both a parents account and a kids account. As a parent, I like the ability to control and monitor my kid's account. As a kid, it is neat to be able to interact with other kids in other countries.

Overall, Pen Pal Kid's Club is an entertaining and educational online environment for kids. It is free for the month of July, and $4.99/month thereafter.

My main concern, and it is a big one, is safety. Kids are pretty free to interact with each other on Pen Pal Kids Club.. Sadly, pedophiles and hackers can be quite clever. As with any online activity, I would strongly encourage parents to be vigilant.

Music Review: "Divine Mercy Flood My Soul" by Annie Karto

2011-07-18T14:20:00.001-04:00

This is Annie's newest CD, dedicated to the Divine Mercy. She is joined by Fr. Leszek Czelusniak. The CD includes both a spoken and sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. There are also 4 excerpts from the diary of Sr. Faustina, the Polish nun who first received both the image and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

There are several songs which highlight Annie's beautiful voice, which I would describe as crystal-like. "Divine Mercy Flood my Soul" is a beautiful song that highlights humility. The "Divine Mercy Praises" is spoken praise to Jesus for his Divine Mercy

The diary excerpts added both an historical and authentic aspect to the CD in that it shows the history of Divine Mercy. Fr. Leszek's Polish accent added even more authenticity :)

My favorite track on the CD is the sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It is sung in a captivating chant-like style.

I think the Divine Mercy devotion is a very important one, and Annie's CD is the best CD devoted to Divine Mercy that I've heard. I highly recommend this CD, and I encourage you to check out Annie's site (linked below), which has her store, her blog, and her pages on Facebook and YouTube. Below is a video of one of one of Annie's songs (not on this CD) to give you a sample of her singing.

Thank you Annie, for the opportunity to review your new CD!

http://www.anniekarto.com/

7 Film & 3 Not Inteview: Dallas Jenkins

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Interviews of filmmakers and actors are all the same. It seems like the journalists all have stock questions and the directors and actors all have stock answers. When was the last time you read an interview and learned anything new about those who are asking for our time and money?

With this in mind, I am beginning a new interview series I call 7 Film and 3 Not. The premise is simple. I ask seven film-related questions and three that have nothing to do with movies. The film-related questions will hopefully be able to give a glimpse into the decisions and drive of the filmmakers. The remaining three should hopefully shed a light on who they are apart from their profession.

To start, I posed questions to producer/director Dallas Jenkins (What If…, Midnight Clear and Hometown Legend).

What is it that draws your attention to a project? How does that change or grow as the production progresses?

I think what I’m most drawn to in a film is “motivated change,” meaning someone who goes from death to life in some way (big or small) and that the story actually justifies it. Nearly every movie includes change of some kind, but in most films the change isn’t motivated properly. I spend most of my films making sure that the changes in the characters happened for a reason, so nearly every scene I shoot is with that in mind. For example, in What If..., I really wanted the audience to buy the fact that this guy goes from having no interest in faith or family to actually liking it based on his experience in the alternate reality (wife and two kids). The film isn’t Shakespeare or Terrence Malick, but I think we did a decent job of showing why a guy like that would appreciate the craziness of family life. My inspiration was It’s a Wonderful Life, which for my money is the greatest execution of motivated change in film history.

What role does your faith play in choosing which productions to work on? How has that changed over the years?

My faith motivates my contribution to or appreciation of the big themes of the film. Good over evil, hope in the midst of darkness, God has a role in man’s affairs, that kind of stuff. And any good filmmaker is a personal filmmaker, so I’m going to steer towards stories that I know, that reflect my experience or worldview. In terms of the surface level stuff, such as the actions of the characters, the storyline itself, I don’t think my faith steers me to any particular settings or genres. However, my films have gotten more explicitly faith-based, and for better or worse, that’s as much as a result of my need to be a smart businessman as it is my desire to be a good artist. That sounds crass, I know, but that’s the market, so I’ve chosen to look for stuff that is more marketable, and right now that’s faith-based stuff. Then I just try to make it as artistic as I can within the genre, and I’ve come to appreciate genre-filmmaking more than I used to.

How do you navigate the actors’ individual talents/preferences during the first days of working together?

Great question, and it’s tough, especially because low budget films don’t have much rehearsal time. I have to learn the actors’ personalities quickly, and they’re all different. The best book on the subject, and it’s not even close, is I’ll Be In My Trailer,” by John Badham. Read it, believe me. To me, the biggest thing is trust; if I can earn the actor’s trust, everything else is easy. I earn that by being prepared and having a strong and clearly communicated vision, while also being willing to listen and let the best idea win, whether it comes from me or not. The rest is just about relationships and communication, and the “tricks of the trade” in directing actors aren’t much different than navigating through any social situation or workplace.

Do you have a specific way you approach scenes before shooting them? If so, how do you map them out? If not, how do you work them out?

The #1 job of a director is to find the balance between the technical and the storytelling. Of course they’re intertwined, but no one department on a crew can have their ideal situation, including actors. If the actor walked wherever they wanted with no regard for sound, it would look and sound horrible, but if the sound guys and cinematographer restrict the actor for the sake of technical purity, the scene has no life. So what I do is set the technical boundaries first; how much room do we have to move, what are the sound considerations, what are the best and worst spots for the camera? Once those boundaries are set (and I set them wider than the technicians themselves would), which is something I do the night before so I can come to set with a “shot list,” I’m obsessed with the actors and making sure they’re comfortable and understand the scene and that we’re all on the same page. I’m much more technically conscious than I used to be, but my primary passion and skill is still with the actors. Then we get them on the set, show them the boundaries, and I work with them to figure out how to get the most freedom within that space.

How has making movies impacted your faith in Christ, and vice versa?

My last film, What If..., changed my life because it taught me that I’m not as smart as I think I am. Even the choice to do an explicitly Christian film was something I came into kicking and screaming. From casting to locations to script decisions, so many times I chose what I was convinced was the best idea, only to see it not work out and frustrate me, only then to see God provide something last minute that ended up ten times better than I would have done it. It taught me so much about surrender, which ironically enough, is the theme of the film. And as I alluded to before, any good filmmaker is personal, so whenever I’m re-writing or tweaking a script, I’m always injecting some of my own thoughts or experiences or lessons learned.

How have non-Christians reacted to your work? Have you been surprised by the reactions?

That’s what’s so funny about What If.... It’s by far my most explicitly Christian film, but also the film that has gotten the best response from non-Christians. I’ve been mildly surprised by the discovery that it’s not explicit faith on screen that bothers people, it’s the quality level of the delivery, or whether or not the faith element is “crowbarred” into the film where it doesn’t belong naturally. Of course there are the message board folks and the artsy bloggers who hate anything sentimental (although I admit there are a few moments in the film that could have been pulled back a little), but overwhelmingly, the response has been “didn’t feel preachy, felt organic, was witty, etc.” Even though it’s about a preacher. But I’ve still got a long way to go. I want to make a great film someday, not just a good film, not just a film that’s great for the Christian market. I’ve got a lot to learn and a long way to go before I can make a film that is loved by both my church and Roger Ebert (or the Academy!).

When you get to the end of your career, what is it you want to have built? What would you like your body of work to look like?

All I know is that the main theme of my films is likely going to be hope in the midst of darkness...the struggle from death to life. What that looks like artistically is still in progress, but I’d really love to make films that challenge the culture on a spiritual level and make an impact on the pop culture dialogue. I love humor as well as emotion, so filmmakers whose body of work included both include Frank Capra, Rob Reiner, Cameron Crowe, among others. I’d love to end up with a few films that resemble something Capra or Reiner would have admired, with maybe a little Steven Soderbergh and Jason Reitman thrown in.

If you could recommend five non-film related websites, what would they be and why?

Oh goodness. I don’t do a ton of reading on the web, it’s mostly books and magazines; the web is more for news and social networking, but I’ll give this a shot. Any site where you can find JohnStossel’s blogs or columns is great, he’s my economic-political hero. Realclearpolitics.com has the widest range of great political articles every day. Rotoworld.com is where I get all my fantasy sports information. JamesMacdonald.com is the site for my pastor’s sermons, blog, etc., and one of the main reasons I came to work for him was that I think he’s one of the best communicators in the country. And there’s this small but growing upstart called Facebook, where you can really stay connected with people; I hate giving that away because I don’t want it to get crowded, but I consider it a nice little gem on the web.

What books have you always wanted to read and yet haven’t had a chance to get to yet?

I’ve got a stack of books that I’m working through. The one that I probably won’t get to for a while is Ronald Reagan’s, My life in Letters, because it’s so long. I also think that someday I should read Mein Kampf, not for enjoyment purposes, of course, but to understand evil better and how to learn from history.

What has been your greatest challenge, thus far, and how have you seen God working in it?

I think my current job (Director of Media at Harvest Bible Chapel) is my greatest challenge. Trying to make movies at a church while also trying to raise the bar for production and media there. I’ve never worked at a church before, I’ve never made videos before, I’ve never done live event production before, and now I’m responsible for all that. Plus, I’d been working for myself and my Dad for ten years, and now I’m essentially in a corporate environment. The lessons I’ve had to learn about myself and my need to learn submission have been massive; I’ve been molded more in one year than in the ten years prior. But God has been so good. He’s taught me patience, submission, and surrender. He’s taught me how to communicate better, how to love better, and yes, even though I haven’t made a film yet, I’ve learned a ton about storytelling and editing.

Dallas Jenkins started Jenkins Entertainment with his father, Jerry B. Jenkins, at the age of 25. Within a year, they developed, financed, and produced the feature Hometown Legend. Dallas then directed two short films, the award-winning Midnight Clear (starring Stephen Baldwin), and co-executive produced the Hallmark Channel original Though None Go with Me.

His feature directing debut, Midnight Clear, based on his short film and won several festival awards gate. His latest feature What If... (Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, John Ratzenberger and Debby Ryan) was released in 2010. The DVD for What If…can be purchased in the Good News Film Reviews onlinestore.

You can follow Dallas Jenkins on Twitter

Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See:
Watching Movies Through a Christian Lens

Book Review: "Brink of Death" by Brandilyn Collins

2011-07-05T11:47:00.002-04:00

When Annie Kingston's friend and neighbor Lisa Willet is killed in her home by an intruder, Annie interviews the only witness, Lisa's 12 year-old daughter Erin, and draws a composite of the man. As the investigation proceeds with no arrest, Annie wonders how accurate her composite is...did her inexperience mislead Erin? Annie, who has been an unbeliever, slowly begins to turn to God for help and strength. She also asks His help with her children, being a single parent trying to raise two teenagers.

I enjoy a good mystery that is not all that easy to anticipate, and the story flowed well, being told from different perspectives.

If you are looking for a good murder mystery without a lot of objectionable content, Ms. Collins is an author you should try.

Book Review: "Come My Beloved"

2011-06-28T22:22:00.002-04:00

Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship
by Ellen Gable Hrkach and Kathy Cassanto

When I was asked to review "Come My Beloved: Inspiring Stories of Catholic Courtship," I wasn't sure what to expect. I find reading "courtship" stories difficult because my experience of dating was so far removed from that ideal.

Yet, despite my hesitation, I found myself enjoying these love stories. Ellen Gable Hrkach and Kathy Cassanto asked a wide spectrum of couples to share their stories of how they met and came to the decision to marry. There are couples of all different ages, from different locales, and different backgrounds. Those who are familiar with Catholic writers will recognize the names of Sarah Reinhard and Regina Doman. It is a joy to read their stories. What all these courtships share is prayer to meet the right person before marriage and a commitment to live a married life centered on Christ.

That doesn't mean these couples didn't experience hardships along the way. There are times when the woman wanted nothing to do with the man at the beginning, but the man's persistence ultimately paid off. There are couples who had to struggle with being from different faith traditions and long-distance relationships and exploring a religious vocation before committing to marriage. There is one couple that married after both lost their spouses.

This book is an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a good love-story (made all the more enjoyable because they are true life.) I think that it's best purpose would be for teens starting to think about finding that special person. It would offer them hope and encourage them to seek to have a relationship rooted in God. This book gives me hope for my own children, that perhaps they can experience these types of relationships.

- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

Movie Review: Super 8 - PG13

2011-06-26T16:20:00.000-04:00

In 1979, a group of kids making a movie witness a train crash. When inexplicable events begin to happen in town, the main questions become :"what was on the train?" and "why did it crash?".

The action and special effects are entertaining, the problem is with the story.

The story does NOT live up to expectations, what you'd expect from the previews and trailer. The plot is very weak, and the story is mostly implausible.

Super 8 is super lame.

Music Review: "Forever Ended Yesterday" by These Hearts

2011-06-23T16:12:00.000-04:00

There were 11 songs on the "Forever Ended Yesterday" CD I received to review.

And I tried to listen to each and every one of them.

And I discovered something in the process...There are many ways, and various musical genres, through which you can express and share your Christian faith; hard rock should not be one of them. The lyrics were difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish, which negates any message that you may be trying to share.

As far as the style itself, you will likely enjoy it if you are a fan of hard rock; It is better than most hard rock I've listened to, without the anger that is usually conveyed through hard rock or metal.

Here is one of the tracks:

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Movie Review: Green Lantern - PG13

2011-06-17T22:23:00.000-04:00

The Green Lantern Corps is a small but powerful group of warriors who protect the universe. Each Green Lantern wears a ring from which they get their power, and their mission is to keep intergalactic order.

Test Pilot Hal Jordan, because of his fearlessness, is chosen to be the first human Green Lantern. A couple of other species of Green Lanterns look down on him because he is human, and consider him unworthy to be a Green Lantern, but when the earth and the entire universe are threatened by the evil force of Parallax , it is Hal who must stop him and prove himself as the greatest Green Lantern.

The prevalent theme, which I found quite poignant, is that evil is powered by fear, but good is powered by the will; and that is where the Green Lanterns' rings derive their power from. I couldn't help but think of how Satan uses our own weaknesses and failings to lure us into darkness, and that our faith in God will overcome all.

The action was very intense, and the special effects were stunning. I am hoping for a sequel.

Ryan Reynolds is perfect as the Green Lantern.

So far, my movie of the year...DON'T MISS IT!

http://greenlanternmovie.warnerbros.com/

Book Review: “The Invisible World” by Anthony DeStefano

2011-06-17T20:56:00.003-04:00

If you ever doubted the existence of God, the supernatural, angels, the devil, or Hell, this book will give you pause. Not only does DeStefano give a compelling argument for their existence; he argues that the devil tries to convince us of their nonexistence as one of his tools to win over your soul. Within a general traditional Christian framework of doctrine that both Catholics and Protestants can agree upon, the author offers ways that an openness to the spiritual world will enrich your life.

Did you ever feel the need to pick up the phone and call someone, and it turns out they were thinking about you and/or really needed your support at that exact moment? Did you ever wake up in the middle of the night and feel something was terribly wrong, and pray, and find out the next day that someone you loved was in a crisis? Did you ever have a terrible tension headache and find out that a family member was in trouble? DeStefano calls this “The Haunt Detector”. It could be the Holy Spirit was speaking to you.

Did you ever escape an accident by the most unusual of circumstances? Your guardian angels were looking out for you. DeStefano discusses “The World of the Angels” in his chapter “Invisible Helpers”. On the other hand, are you wondering why you or a loved one has fallen victim to a terrible illness? The author explains this in his chapter “The Power of Suffering”.

The author discusses the nature of the Invisible World including God, angels, demons, the soul, spiritual warfare, grace, suffering, your eternal destiny, and finally how to see the invisible. DeStefano is here to tell you to be open to God’s presence, in its many forms. Don’t be an impractical mystic, but live your life, while continually looking for the little ways He is present to you. Don’t ignore your gut instinct, which is actually the Holy Spirit, guiding you on the right path.

You might not need this book if you have already been reading the works of great spiritual writers such as St. Thomas Acquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Theresa of Avila, and St. Therese of Liseux. I highly recommend this book as an introduction to the spiritual world for the general reader.

“The Invisible World” by Anthony DeStefano was published by Doubleday in 2011. It is available on at Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores. For more information see the author’s webpage at www.anthonydestefano.com or see the video trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1foChLV7z7s

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - PG13

2011-06-11T13:28:00.001-04:00

Captain Jack Sparrow reluctantly teams with Angelica, a mysterious woman from his past, on Blackbeard's ship in a search for the legendary Fountain of Youth. One problem is that Captain Jack is not sure if he can trust Angelica; another problem is that they are not the only people looking for it.

Although the plot does not extend much beyond the search, Pirates 4 is very entertaining: The search consists of lots of action and some comedic moments. There are also a couple of good plot twists that propel the story.

My two nephews, age 13, really enjoyed it as well. There wasn't any inappropriate content.

I highly recommend Pirates 4...you will definitely be entertained!

http://disney.go.com/pirates/

St Bernadette of Lourdes

2011-05-31T13:55:00.000-04:00

Directed by Jim Morlino

Navis Pictures

Not Rated

1 hour 17 minutes

Do you remember, as a child playing school or spaceships? Did you realize that you were developing your natural acting talent? All children have acted out the stories they read in a book, saw in their favorite film, or heard from their parents. Innovative film-maker Jim Morlino keenly believes in the innate acting ability which children express in playtime. In an interview on the EWTN show “Life on the Rock”, Morlino described boys playing pirates and girls playing princesses in their backyards naturally and convincingly with few props. An off-Broadway and TV actor who left the field after conflicts with his blossoming Catholic faith, Morlino directed his own children in home movies using more and more sophisticated camera and sound techniques culled from internet tutorials. His first project was an adaptation of the Redwall series version of Robin Hood. St Bernadette of Lourdes is his first foray into professional level filmmaking, complete with a score composed by Yale grad David Hughes. His directing talent, combined with the sincere acting of 166 children and the gifted performance of his daughter Genevieve who plays St Bernadette offers a fresh style of filmmaking.

The candidness of children acting out the rejection of Bernadette’s visions because of poverty is deeply moving. Bernadette’s expression of radiant joy during the visions of the Blessed Mother emanate from a pure heart and her own faith, not from mere acting craft. Few young actors have had the freedom to express their childlike imaginations as their natural acting gifts are captured on film. That is what makes the youthful cast of “St Bernadette of Lourdes” so refreshing. Jim Morlino communicates the essence of the scene to his young actors, works out the camera angles and lets them express what is in their imaginations, and their hearts.

Playfulness and unexpected touches of humor keep the story line from being too dark for the children who act in it, yet there is little invention in the script, unlike the Oscar winning Hollywood production, “Song of Bernadette”. St Bernadette of Lourdes offers the viewer a unique point of view, that of the innocent souls of children. Morlino believes they require little direction beyond being told where to begin and end the scene, he allows their natural faith to shine through their performances. And shine they do, with startling clarity.

The film begins in an unanticipated point in history, in the ninth century when the Emperor Charlemagne had the Moors under siege in the fortress at the future site of the Grotto of Lourdes. It was a statue of Our Lady which ended the siege with the conversion to Christianity of the Muslim commander. Morlino has a passion for history and has plans to do a drama based upon events after the French Revolution. This places the events at Lourdes in 1958, over a millennium later, into perspective of God’s plan. The children who act in this film have a mature sense of mission, no less than transforming the culture.

“The arts compose a hugely influential component of our culture. If we can inspire one child to take up a career in those arts, and to create stunning beauty that lifts men’s souls towards God, and in doing so, glorify Him, we will have succeeded.”

With performances like these, they are off to a good start.

Recommended for all ages.

Website to purchase St Bernadette of Lourdes is Navis Pictures.

Book Review: "Judge & Jury" by James Patterson

2011-05-31T11:12:00.002-04:00

FBI agent Nick Pellisante has been pursuing Mafia don Dominic Cavello for a long time, and Cavello is finally on trial for the terrible, heinous crimes he is responsible for.

Andie DeGrasse, an aspiring actress and single mom, does her best to not get picked for the jury, but she is chosen nevertheless.

During the trial. an unexpected, terrible event shocks everyone and Andie and Nick must join forces to make sure that justice is done.

Mr. Patterson expertly combines the human interest of Andie and Nick's relationship with the suspense of pursuing Cavello. It is a gripping story that you won't want to put down.

Content warnings include language and one brief bed scene.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

2011-05-28T14:27:00.002-04:00

Should I see it?
Yes.

Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Written by: Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger
Starring: Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Michelle Yeoh

Sequels can be difficult things. Generally, the original film is a stand-alone production that resolves itself. Additional episodes have not only to survive the comparison to a successful first film, but they also must remold the characters into a new narrative which both relates to the original while also staking new ground to avoid be a cheap rehash.

Kung Fu Panda was a smart, beautifully designed family movie. It was also tightly structured and offered little direction for a sequel. Po (Jack Black), the titular panda, had become the Dragon Warrior and vanquished the menacing Tai Lung (Ian McShane). Instead of devising a new threat out of whole cloth, screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger smartly delved into Po's past, exploring his origin story.

Po has become equals with the Furious Five. He is still bumbling, gluttonous and given to grand proclamations on how awesome he can be. Despite these flaws, he has grown in his skills. While battling bandits in a local village, Po has a vision of his infancy. Confused, he brings his trouble to his father Mr. Ping (a swan goose). Mr. Ping admits to Po that he is indeed adopted, which comes as a shock to the dim-witted panda. Po was left on Ping's doorstep after his parent's village was destroyed by the evil Lord Shen. Shen has harnessed the power of gunpowder and cannoning .

Shen has returned to the region and threatens to take over all of China with his power weapons. Po and the Furious Five move to confront Shen. Po also hopes to learn more of his past and the fate of his parents.

This film is as well-written as the first. Black is given plenty of material to work with and makes Po one of the more likeable animated characters in recent years. As I mentioned in my review of the original film, I am no fan of Jack Black. In this role however, he is undeniably perfectly cast and should get most of the credit for the film's charm.

The design of the animation is also notable. The original film included a number of different animation styles woven into the story. This time around the design is even more elaborate and inventive. If the story had not worked, this would still be worth considering just for the visual creativity on the screen.

I generally will watch films like this in a full theater full of parents and children. Normally, I despise watching films in public with kids because of the noise, smells and disruptions. With something like this however, I find it instructive to gauge the film's reception. After all, I'm not a kid, so it is a little hard for me to speak on their behalf. The kids appeared to have loved it. I know my children were riveted by the action sequences and loved the humor. Another element I watch for is the laughter. If just the kids laugh, the humor is probably simple stuff. When parents and children laugh together, as they were doing during my viewing, you know you have genuine, well-written humor on the screen.

If you and/or your children enjoyed Kung Fu Panda you will like this follow up. I recommend it highly.

Worldview: Christian parents may be hesitant about letting their children watch this film. There are elements that are legitimate concerns. Since this film takes place in ancient China, Eastern philosophy is everywhere. Concepts such as yin yang are present.

There is also the element of divination through a prophesying soothsayer warning Lord Shen that a black and white warrior would one day defeat him. This warrior is Po and a couple of times Po's black and white body is transformed into a yin yang symbol. This essentially represents yin yang beating the evil.

You will need to decide for yourself if you would want your children to be introduced to these ideas in this venue. Personally, I argue that such an introduction is perfect. Your children will undoubtedly be entertained by the film. Many of these references will fly right past them without their knowledge. Following the film a Christian parent should instruct their child on what they saw and what was presented in the film. The best way to confront ideas is to talk about them, even when they're delivered by a cartoon panda.

Click on the Po to view the trailer

Related Reviews:
Animated movies
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Tangled (2010)

Movie Review: That's What I Am - PG

2011-05-28T09:09:00.000-04:00

Limited theater release, also available on DVD and Netflix.

Human Dignity + Compassion = Peace

That is the theme of this story, and one lesson that Mr. Simon (Ed Harris) shares with his class. The story takes place around 1965. 12 year-old Andy Nichol is disappointed when he is paired on a school project with Stanley Minor, known as 'Big G' because he is the resident school 'geek'. Stanley has bright red hair, big ears, and handles being the target of school bullies with dignity, and his head held high. In addition to learning from Stanley, Andy also has a crush on Mary, who he pursues.

Andy really matures in this story,and he is able to help Stanley as well. But he can't help when another character is unjustly accused of something.

I found the family interactions in 1965 especially interesting. Randy Orton from the WWE has a role as one of the student's father. This story was much more emotionally gripping than I expected.

A very family-oriented movie that you'll want to watch with your kids.

http://www.thatswhatiammovie.com/

Review of "Finding Fatima"

2011-05-16T13:26:00.005-04:00

by Ian and Dominic Higgins
90 minutes
Not rated

The Higgins brothers are the same British filmmakers who produced the Fatima drama "The 13th Day", "Finding Fatima" is a docu-drama about the apparitions which capitalizes on the interest their earlier film evoked by answering many of the questions left unanswered by the earlier film. They make a perfect companion set. They both have the unique chiaroscuro tint, and enough drama to keep the casual viewer interested.

In several interviews with Fatima experts like Fr Andrew Apostoli, relatives of eyewitnesses and the Fatima seers themselves, and dramatic recreations of eyewitness accounts illustrated with film clips, the actual events of the apparitions are described in a captivating way while providing the details which educate the viewer about that apparitions. Even if you have watched many films about Fatima, you will learn more about the apparitions, for example; the reaction of the children and their families to the apparitions, testimonies from the eyewitnesses of the Miracle of the Sun, the anti-Catholic political climate of Portugal in 1917, and the amazing impact of devotion to Our Lady of Fatima around the world.
The fascinating interaction of the most famous Marian Apparition of the 20th century with its historical context is explored in greater detail than in other films I have seen, in fact the film opens in an unexpected place; Hiroshima Japan on the day the first atomic bomb was dropped, sparing six German priests who attributed the miracle to living the messages of Fatima. This film explains how six apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a remote Portuguese village had an unprecedented impact on world wars, and especially upon the life of Blessed John Paul who said, "the message of Fatima is even more relevant today than it was in 1917". This week marks the 30th anniversary of the attempt on his life, which many feel was thwarted by a miracle wrought by Our Lady's hand.

What relevance to the Fatima messages have for us? Certainly offenses against the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts have increased exponentially in the past 94 years and Our Lady’s predictions about the spread of communism, the persecution of the Church and in particular the Holy Father have come true in our times. So Our Lady of Fatima’s call to prayer, penance, and conversion is more urgent than ever, yet there is even more reason to believe in the timeliness of these messages and to learn more about them. This film provides a modern means to share this life changing message with those who may not be moved by the traditional religious documentary. It also contains aspects of the apparitions which earlier documentaries do not cover.

One little explored aspect of Fatima is the connection Fatima has with Muslims. Perhaps one of the most relevant aspects of Fatima for our times; is the fact that many Muslims are drawn to Fatima. This was all in God’s plan, according to Archbishop Fulton Sheen who said,

Since nothing ever happens out of Heaven except with a finesse of all details, I believe that the blessed Virgin chose to be known as "Our Lady of Fatima" as a pledge and a sign of hope to the Muslim people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her divine Son too.

In my personal experience, I once met a Muslim leader at a Marian conference who said, "I have to know more about St Fatima, I have a statue of her in my home "( he was referring to Our Lady of Fatima) The gentleman finished the conference by breaking down in tears as he was prayed over by a priest. He seemed to be on the road to conversion. Could Fatima contain the secret to World Peace? Would adherence to the call of Fatima bring about the end of terrorism, the scourge of our times?
An excellent film for family movie night, though some of the recreation of the atomic bomb, hell and war torn Europe may be disturbing for children younger than 8 years,
Highly recommended.

Movie Review: Thor - PG13

2011-05-13T21:14:00.000-04:00

Because of his arrogance, and for breaking a truce with their enemy that had been in place, Thor is banished to earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). He soon meets Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), a scientist, and her friends who help him adapt. When a villain from his home world of Asgard threatens earth, it is up to Thor to try to regain his power and defend earth, and the people who have become his friends. He also learns a couple of valuable lessons in the process. I think the story was quite effective in teaching the value of humility and the folly of arrogance.

There is LOTS of action, very well integrated with a captivating story and spectacular cinematography and special effects. I thought Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Anthony Hopkins (Odin) were particularly good in their roles.

No content warnings. I took my nephews, 10 and 13, and there was nothing objectionable. We all loved it.

2 words: see it!

http://thor.marvel.com/

Justin Bieber's concert film; "Never say Never"

2011-05-11T19:14:00.000-04:00

Blu-ray/DVD Combo and DVD available Friday May 13

Paramount Home Entertainment

When a copy of this documentary about pop singer Justin Bieber arrived in my home it sent off a tsunami of excitement among my teenage daughters, who told me “Mom, you really made it as a reviewer, Justin Beiber is HUGE!” So, as a film critic, my popularity is related to the fact that I can comment on a 16 year old whose pants don’t quite cover his buttocks. Ah, Hollywood!

The reaction of my daughters is typical of Bieber’s effect on young women according to this documentary which shows scene after scene of hysterical tweens proclaiming their undying love for the charismatic singer. Bieber, who went from a YouTube debut to selling out Madison Square Garden at age 17, diffuses undeniable charm with his dimpled grin and downswept mop of hair. His instrumental gifts and resonant voice combined with boyish looks have made him a phenomenon akin to Elvis or the Beatles in terms of ticket sales. Bieber’s agent, Scooter Braun who discovered him, and fought the establishment to give him a chance, has earned his bragging rights. This film is his “I told you so” to those who unwisely downplayed Bieber’s talent and marketability.

The documentary traces the origins of Bieber’s meteoric rise to success by means of biographical interviews of those involved with his early life; his teachers, soccer coach, teammates, his young mother and doting grandparents. The father who abandoned Justin as a toddler has had a predictable change of heart and is back in his life, but was not interviewed on camera. Something about this outgoing, musically inclined kid, shown as a boy playing drums on chairs and anything available seemed to say, “someday this kid’s gonna be famous.”

Several scenes of Bieber being coached by Southern drawling voice teacher whose motherly approach seems to be the reason Bieber’s Christian faith is so far unmarred by superstardom like other child stars. We see fleeting shots of the Bieber team praying before concerts and he is never seen with a girlfriend or in a sexually suggestive situation. His songs are clean and upbeat, if a bit influenced by hip hop. He performs onstage with Will Smith’s son, Jaden, and with Usher, who was Bieber’s musical inspiration. There are the typical complaints about the discipline needed to rehearse and perform so many concerts, but his sensible voice coach reminds him this is what you bought in to when you became a singer. How refreshing to have a star with someone to keep his whining in check! Does this remarkable woman have time to mentor Lindsay Lohan?

Bieber fans will enjoy endearing home video clips, baby pictures, his backstage antics, and concert footage. My homegrown Bieber fans were watching this film beside me and emitting alternating squeals of enthusiasm while wiping tears of joy. Justin Bieber fans have made this early tribute of his short but remarkable career into the best-selling concert film of all time, and this crusty reviewer can find no reason to dampen their enthusiasm. He is a gifted young musician who doesn’t offend parents while entrancing his teenage audience with pop songs like “One Less Lonely Girl” He has even been quoted in the blogosphere recently as being pro-life, though this was not referred to in the film. What’s not to like?

Rated G. All audiences but recommended for Justin Beiber fans only.

Book Review: "Step on a Crack" by James Patterson

2011-05-11T16:00:00.001-04:00

NYPD Detective Mike Bennett really has his hands full. A dozen men are holding a group of celebrities hostage at St. Patrick's Cathedral at the funeral of a former first lady. Mike is chosen to be lead negotiator with the hostage-takers. While dealing with this, he must also tend to his 10 children, while also caring for his wife Maeve, who is in the hospital dying of cancer.

I've read a few of Patterson's Mike Bennett novels, and this one is definitely the most dramatic and emotional. The contrast between Bennett's family life and professional life adds to the suspense. This is a real page-turner: you will constantly be wondering what will happen next.

Bennett has become my favorite Patterson character..

Content warning includes language.

Music Review: "Identity" by Robert Pierre

2011-05-09T11:08:00.001-04:00

I had the opportunity to preview 4 songs from Robert's new album "Identity". Robert has a strong, beautiful voice, and I especially enjoyed how each song used a driving tempo and beat, well integrated with the lyrics, to deliver a specific message. Some thoughts on each:

In "Jesus", we are reminded of the one name we need to pray on our darkest day.
"Breaking My Heart" is a story of being transformed and letting go of worldly things to follow Christ.
"Identity" is about acknowledging and living our Christian identity.
"You Hold Me Now" reminded me very much of the well-known poem "Footprints" in that Jesus helps us carry our daily crosses, whatever they may be.

A very enjoyable and inspiring album!

You can hear some of Robert's music on his website, and he even has a free iphone app on iTunes.

http://robertpierre.com

Forgiven (2011)

2011-05-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewer: Scott Nehring

Director: Alan Autry
Writers: Alan Autry, Greg Grey
Stars: Alan Autry and Kimberlee Autry

Rated Straight to video. In other words, no rating.

This DVD was sent to me through a marketing group for Christian, or at least family friendly, movies. Never trust movies given to you in packs.

As you can see from the crew list above, Alan Autry is the auteur responsible for this cinematic effort. Autry, a former Green Bay Packer (which raises his stock with me) stars as Jake Kincaid, a wandering, mean-eyed cowboy who gets stranded in a small town and ends up working for Emma (Autry's wife Kimberlee). After that, nothing much happens.

Here is the problem with this film, it has no reason to exist. Autry pushes his story forward against its will, never allowing anything natural to occur. We are taken from one scene to the next without an organic flow and no narrative force. This script is a serious case of "this happened, then this happened" writing.

Autry pulled Jake Kincaid from a TV movie he made in 2002 called The Legend of Jake Kincaid. He apparently thinks everyone knows this 9 year old TV movie because he doesn't bother introducing the audience to his main character. He appears and there is a sense we're supposed to be impressed. By the time he starts to fumble around with character development Autry has already lost his audience and lost control of his storyline.

According to IMDb.com, the budget for this movie was around $500,000. I have no idea where that money went because it's certainly not on the screen. If you invested your money in this production, you got a seriously poor return on your cash. The sets look like tourist trap displays. If they had shot a scene in a gift shop it wouldn't have looked out of place. The actors are novices for the most part. This was written, directed and stars Autry and he cast his wife in the role opposite him. This is a really fancy home movie with costumes and predetermined dialog.

Even if you're not terribly discerning and enjoy the usual Christian film nonsense, this is still worth avoiding. It is just plain bad filmmaking.

Soul Surfer (2011)

2011-05-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewer: Scott Nehring

Should I see it?

Sure...but with low expectations.

Director: Sean McNamara
Written by: Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo and Helen Hunt

Rated PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material

Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is a focused, up-and-coming surfer. Her parents Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), both surfers, support their daughter following her dream of becoming a professional. After a dramatic win at a tournament, Bethany lands a sponsor and can see her dream being realized.

Tragedy strikes when Bethany is attacked by a shark which rips off her left arm at the shoulder. A tenacious sort, Bethany recovers from the devastating loss and returns to the surf to claim her dream despite her disability.

This is a true story and it is an inspiring one on many levels. Bethany is a strong girl who overcomes tremendous odds. Her bravery and determination are nice to see. Robb displays a powerful female who is capable, talented and formidable while still being feminine. This is very uncommon to see on screen. All too often women in film are forced to drop their feminine sides when they are to be strong. They bulk up with sinewy muscles, pull their hair back and adopt masculine clothes (see any Michelle Rodriguez movie) and strut like they've shown up to kick butt. Fewer and fewer female characters display inner strength while maintaining their feminine stature. Let alone being allowed to act feminine without that behavior being shown as silly, frivolous or negative.

Another interesting point about this film is the display of the family's faith. The Hamiltons are Christians and their faith is a part of their daily lives. Often when the issue of faith is raised in a film such as this, it is an awkward exercise that swallows up the narrative. Here the displays of faith are mostly natural and rather subdued. Someone will say "we will pray for you" while another character leaves the room. Tom casually reads the bible. The family consistently says grace before meals. These unobtrusive moments are what is needed in film.

Christian filmmakers too often feel they need to hammer faith into their audiences in order to make the point. I argue that through subtle displays of faith, showing prayer and concern for morality in casual moments will do more to help our culture than all of the hysterical Christian films ever made. We learn our social mores from the Arts, in particular film. Why do you think homosexual activists specifically targeted the entertainment industry in the early seventies? They knew that the greater population learned what to think through what they watched on screens. Change the image, change their minds. Christians should learn from this. If we constantly see prayer, charity and forgiveness in film, if we see the Christian lifestyle rather than get a Christian sermon, we will slowly begin to see the culture improve.

I'm on a tangent - back to the movie.

This is a pleasant film but it is flawed. The acting is very strong. AnnaSophia Robb has come into her own and easily carries the film. When I sat through her feature film debut Because of Winn-Dixie I found her to be grating. Then again, I loathe most child actors, so it may not be her fault. Robb has grown into a young woman and has found her voice. She is a strong lead and this production shows she is capable of handling much more.

In addition to Robb, Dennis Quaid, Heather Hunt and Kevin Sorbo also are notably good. While they aren't going to score Oscars, they do bring much to the production. Given the number of one-dimensional moments in the film, it would have been easy for these experienced actors to lay back and call it in. Each of these actors work with the material that is given to them and turn out some good performances.

The problem with the film is in its script. Seven people are credited with the screenplay and story. Seven. It takes less people to man the Space Shuttle than it did to write this movie.

The story is naturally interesting. People are fascinated by sharks (The Discovery Channel drags out Shark Week every year for a reason) and the idea of getting one's arm bitten off is an attention getter. The problem with the script is that after the indicdent there is barely any real conflict. Bethany's recoperation is quickly resolved. She doesn't appear to have much residual psychological issues. She's not scared of sharks. She's not scared of the water. At worse she gets frustrated by trying to open a bread bag with one hand and eventually cries about not understanding God's plan for her.

Without a vibrant conflict through which she can grow, there is very little to do until the final moments. She quickly heals, hops on the surfboard confidently and is off chasing her dream once again. Everyone around her stops to tell her how brave, strong and amazing she is. It is as if the film's central question is "Is Bethany simply awesome or is she super fantastic to boot?"

The script would have been helped by focusing closer on her family's reported troubles with their faith or possibly her natural concerns about her appearance and ability to surf. All of these items are either ignored or glossed over.

Despite the flawed script, I found this to be a mostly enjoyable, light film. People of faith will enjoy the production the most, and appreciate being taken seriously on screen. I think this would also be a good pick for families with young girls. Bethany Hamilton is a good role model and AnnaSophia Robb has done a wonderful job bringing her to the screen.

Book Review: The Lily Trilogy

2011-04-29T15:46:00.002-04:00

Novels can be dangerous; if they are compelling, they threaten to suck up all of a busy mother's time away from her children. For half a week, I have been capitalizing on the distraction of my family or stealing needed sleep from myself, in order to plunge headlong into the world of Lily in Sherry Boas' books The Lily Trilogy. Some novels tempt you to want to live in a fantasy world, to keep the characters you have come to know and love alive.

I wondered, then, why I was becoming so engrossed with a book about an acerbic old lady alone in a nursing home within the iron grip of the final stages of Parkinson's? It was the way author Sherry Boas described her adopted daughter Lily. Lily is a young woman with Down syndrome whom Bev had reluctantly agreed to raise when her sister Jen died of cancer at 39. I had never read a novel with a character with Down syndrome before, and Mrs. Boas write about Lily so vividly and with such appreciation of her childlike joy and limitless love, that I was immediately drawn in.
But the compelling novels of the Lily Trilogy: Until Lily, Wherever Lily Goes, and Life Entwined with Lily had something more attracting me than merely an affinity for those with Down syndrome, something deeper. I immersed myself into the world of a lonely old lady whose life was coming to an end, and then the lives of her adopted niece Terry and grandniece Beth in the subsequent books. I lost myself not because of exotic locations (Washington State) or romantic heroes. I was enthralled by such exquisitely detailed characters made me care deeply about what happened to them, whether Bev would die lonely and bitter, whether Terry would give up on her marriage to her handsome Jake who never picked up a tool around the house, whether Beth could open her broken heart and learn from Lily, that nothing matters in life more than love. I had to know what happened to them, and read these three books at a breathless pace, finding my heart wrapped around the characters. Especially the lovable, stubborn Lily who never gives up on someone she loves.

The characters in the Lily Trilogy are as real as your own family, and as flawed. Yet, there is a theme in these novels, a theme of redemption which starts faintly at first, as a thirty-something Lily walks her frail aunt down the nursing home corridors to patiently feed her meatloaf and mashed potatoes even though she has long ago lost her sense of taste, Lily gives the love Bev meted out to her in tiny pinches, in unmeasured generosity Bev knows she doesn't deserve. But Lily's prodigious love changes Bev, and heals her. Not by taking away from the suffering of losing control of her limbs to the Parkinson's, but helping her to see beyond this life, to an eternal love mirrored in the gentle touch of the soft hands of a young woman whom the world rejects.

The power of selfishness to destroy lives versus the power of self-giving love to restore hope is the theme of this amazing story set in the future. Strange as it was to see dates like 2066 written as dates in the past of the novel's characters, this is no science fiction book. It is a story about real people who resemble people around us, whose flaws hurt and whose love heals us, and the hope that turns despair into love though the power of pure intentions.

The Lily Trilogy are the most Catholic of books in that that glory of the fullness of truth well lived and the devastating consequences of the Culture of Death are juxtaposed in stunning relief. The story tells it all, with profound relationships and moving symbolism, and enough realistic detail to remind the reader of a similar drama in their own lives.

I hugged my nine year old daughter with Down syndrome each time I reluctantly put the books down, and saw heretofore unappreciated qualities in my family. The Lily Trilogy filled my heart with gratitude for my family, and made me determined to be the catalyst of God's healing in my family.

Give it to your mother for Mother's Day and let a little of Lily’s light intertwine in your own life.

These are the novels I want my daughters losing themselves in this summer. I want to sit outside with cups of tea in the summer twilight and talk about Lily, Beth, Pablo and Terry. Then, I want to pick up the books and visit them again. These books, after drawing me into their world, make me reflect on my own with appreciation and want to become the transformed Terry who sees the nobility in her husband she missed in 20 years as he moved across the country to care for her sister Lily. To make my home radiate with the joy of their renewed love. To take my precious nine year old daughter Christina in my arms and thank her for the joy she has brought to us, and not to fear what her adulthood will bring. Whether or not she lives independently, she, like Lily will be a blessing to whoever shares her life.

How many times can it be said that a novel makes you a more grateful, loving person who reenters life from the world of the novel to embrace the challenges which sent you running into the pages of the book in the first place?
Recommended for ages 14 and up, no objective content.

Books may be purchased online athttp://lilytrilogy.com/index.html

Book Review: "Worst Case" by James Patterson

2011-04-28T22:10:00.002-04:00

NYPD Detective Mike Bennett teams up with FBI Agent Emily Parker to find out who is kidnapping and killing the children of wealthy New Yorkers. Mike also

Very suspenseful and captivating; as they say in the ads, 'unputdownable'.

I like the way that character development is integrated with the story.

As usual. Patterson gives us a unique, quirky villain.

Content warnings include some language, and a couple of violent scenes.

The Ten Commandments Winners; new prize

2011-04-26T14:14:00.001-04:00

The winners of the Easter giveaway of the two boxed set of DVD's of The Ten Commandments were; Fr Joseph Tito of Connecticut, and Ron Oliver of California. Congratulations to both of them!
For those who love Charlton Heston, and didn't win, here is another opportunity.
I have three DVD sets of Charlton Heston reading parts of the King James Bible in the Holy Land. The four DVDs include; Genesis, The Story of Moses, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Passion.

Leave a comment below if you want to be one of the three lucky winners.

Book Review: "Run For Your Life" by James Patterson

2011-04-25T19:38:00.002-04:00

NYPD Detective Mike Bennett is pursuing a new killer who calls himself the Teacher, because he is supposedly teaching society a lesson on how to treat people by killing those who are on his his list for being offensive in some way. Although Mike is trying to deal with his 10 kids, who all have the flu at once, he must stay focused on the Teacher, because he only has hours to stop his deadly plan.

Patterson expertly integrates his character development with his story. I especially enjoy the uniqueness and quirkiness of his villains.

There is plenty of action. suspense, and violence, but Mike's family keeps us grounded through it all. Unfortunately, the teacher poses a threat to them directly, as well.

The Passion of the Christ (full movie)

2011-04-17T21:37:00.001-04:00

Book Review: "Double Cross" by James Patterson

2011-04-14T15:59:00.000-04:00

Detective Alex Cross is back, and this time he faces two serial killers: DCAK (DC Audience Killer) and Alex's arch nemesis Kyle Craig, who recently escaped from the maximum security prison Alex had put him in four years ago Of course, both have targeted Alex. Alex is a therapist, but now he is back on the force and working with his friend John Sampson and his girlfriend Bree, who is also a homicide detective,. to stop DCAK's killing spree and find out how/if it is connected to Kyle Craig, Alex's team becomes both the hunters and the hunted. And DCAK is closer than Alex realizes.

The plot is pretty engaging, but the best part of James Patterson's stories, whether Alex Cross or Michael Bennett, is the villains. The overall character development is typically pretty strong, but the villains are so off the wall they make for intriguing and entertaining reading.

Content warnings include language, 1 bed scene, and of course the murders that are committed.

Movie Review: Truth Be Told

2011-04-12T16:01:00.001-04:00

"Truth Be Told" airs Saturday April 16 on Fox 8:00 p.m. EST.

Marriage counselor Annie Morgan has an opportunity for her own talk show, but she feels that it would improve her chances if she were married. She convinces her friend Mark, a widower with two children, to pose as her husband during a weekend with her potential boss. Their efforts to keep up the charade have some comedic results, but things turn more serious as they determine when/how the truth be told.

The character development is very good, and adds to the story. We really get to know the characters and how they feel, and why they feel how they do. The scenery is beautiful also.

This was an entertaining family-oriented movie. I will definitely be showing it to my nephews.
KUDO's to Walmart and P&G for sponsoring it.

http://familymovienight.com/truth-be-told/

Movie Review: Hanna - PG13

2011-04-11T16:54:00.002-04:00

Hanna is a 16 year-old girl raised and trained in isolation by her father, an ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she chooses to leave their home in the woods and when she does, it doesn't take long for some disreputable agents to start hunting her.

I found it fascinating to watch the irony of Hanna learning about things in the modern world (she freaks out a bit when watching TV), yet being so adept at survival. She does find friends along the way, and she does have a specific mission.

Naturally, most of the character development focuses on Hanna, her father, and Marissa, the woman hunting her.

There was plenty of action, and I especially admired how it was integrated into the story. It was not gratuitous.

Content warnings include some language, and violence. There was some blood in a couple scenes, but not as much gore.

A very captivating and entertaining movie.

http://www.hannathemovie.com

Book Review: "A Willing Heart"

2011-04-08T22:07:00.001-04:00

A Willing Heart: How to Serve When You Think You Can't
by Marci Alborghetti
Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2011

What does it mean to practice Christian service? Do we really love Jesus if we ignore His frequent exhortation to service? How do we open ourselves to the God-given grace that makes service possible? These are the questions Marci Alborghetti sets out to answer in “A Willing Heart: How to Serve When You Think You Can’t.”

Jesus instructs us to “love our enemies.” How can we possibly love someone we don’t even like? Alborghetti states that “we must think of love as an act of will, an action we take and not a feeling that overwhelms us – a verb and not a noun. . . The best way to actually love is through service.” Alborghetti goes on to explore the many forms that service can take and ways to make it a natural part of life.

Service can (and should) be a family activity. Children who see their parents engaging in service will soon incorporate it into their own lives. Prayer is an important form of service in itself. An easy way to begin incorporating service into one’s life is to choose one person in need to pray for each day. Prayer also “strengthens and prepares us for active service.”

We need to allow God to choose who we serve. While we may have inclinations about where we would like to serve, “we must follow where God leads us when it comes to service, even when we are uncertain about the results or have no expectation.” God will both stretch our comfort zones as well as teach us valuable lessons. “No one is off-limits. We are not allowed to reject anyone.”

Alborghetti also discusses how to cope when we are tired and worn out by service. She acknowledges the need to rest from time to time, but emphasizes that God will provide the grace we need to persevere.

“A Willing Heart” is full of inspiration and practical advice. It will help readers progress in their ability and willingness to serve.

Reviewed by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

Movie Review: Magdalena: Through Her Eyes

2011-04-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

Magdalena was like other stories I've seen on the life of Jesus. In fact, Brian Deacon, who starred as Jesus in the Jesus movie, portrays Him here as well. Magdalena is relating the story of Jesus' life and ministry to a group of children who want to learn about Him.

Of course, this includes some of the more well-known bible stories such as the multiplication of the fish and loaves of bread, raising people from the dead, and healing people, including when He cast demons out of Mary Magdalene. Aside from the passion scenes, the scene that touched me most was the woman at the well.

For those of you who found the passion scenes in "Passion of the Christ" hard to watch, don't be concerned; although she tells the story of the passion, the scenes are not nearly as graphic as in that movie.

There are two versions of Magdalena on the DVD: an 82 minute full version and a 60 minute condensed version. I watched the full version, and I am so glad I got to review it during Lent.

I recommend Magdalena, especially during the Lent and Easter seasons.

http://magdalenatoday.com/

Music Review: "I Will Praise You" by Rebecca St. James

2011-04-02T15:46:00.000-04:00

"I Will Praise You" is available April 5.

One of the things I liked best about "I Will Praise You" is that some of the songs focused on worshiping God, and some focused on the graces that God gives us. It was pretty well balanced in that regard. Some impressions of specific songs:

The title song "I Will Praise You" begins the album with a great tempo and fast beat.

The best song is "The Kindness of our God". "You never Let Go" is based on the 23rd psalm. "You Still Amaze Me" is a remake of "Amazing Grace". "In a Moment" contains a lot of Allelu...., so you may want to listen to that one after Lent :) .

The two that best showcase Rebecca's beautiful voice are "Almighty God"" and "The Kindness of our God".

An excellent album!

http://rsjames.com/