White Bird Review

You forget many things in life. But you never forget kindness. Be Brave. Choose Kind. 

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

A deeply moving coming-of-age story and testament to the courage it takes to extend kindness and love during the harshest of times, this movie is the right story at the right time:

White Bird

Something to Stand For by Mike Rowe

Filled with true stories of American Heroes, this movie narrated by Mike Rowe would make the perfect patriotic addition to your 4th of July plans!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

I wasn't initially drawn to review this movie, but after I watched the trailer and recognized the narrator's voice (from this hit show), I changed my mind:

Something to Stand For

Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film

A beautiful, immersive film that uses Deaf actors to bring the story of Jesus to life from a Deaf perspective for a Deaf audience!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Deaf Missions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

I was so curious about this movie when the review request meandered across my desk:

Jesus

Unsung Hero Film Review

Based on a remarkable true story, a mum's faith stands against all odds & inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs.

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

It took me approximately .004 seconds to say yes to reviewing this film once I heard that it was the family story behind FOR KING + COUNTRY:

Unsung Hero

Forty-Seven Days With Jesus Film

Get ready for Easter by taking your family to see this film!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Reel Big Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

A disconnected family finds hope and unity through a cinematic retelling of Jesus’ final 47 days on Earth:

Forty-Seven Days With Jesus

Surprised by Oxford Movie Review

Based on the memoir of the same name, this movie will immerse you in the luscious backdrop of Oxford while challenging you to consider life's big questions!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Evolve Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

I was excited when the opportunity to review this film came across my desk, because I happen to be married to someone who has visited Oxford, appreciates C.S. Lewis, and enjoys pondering life's big questions and this movie seemed like it would tick all those boxes for him:

Surprised by Oxford

Journey to Bethlehem Movie

A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it!

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Disclosure: Many thanks to AFFIRM Films, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

I was asked to review a new Christmas movie and didn't even have time to finish reading the title before my little sidekick spotted the word "Musical" and begged me to accept it:

Journey to Bethlehem

The Confession Musical

Bring your friends & family to see this inspiring and entertaining story of two worlds colliding as a young Amish woman seeks to find her birth mother!

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Blue Gate Musicals for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

“The Confession Musical,” starring John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard & Smallville) and Emmy® -nominated and best-selling comedian/actress Chonda Pierce, is in theaters for one night only on February 20th:

The Confession Musical

Friday Frivolity, Scary Movie Edition

It's time for this week's edition of Friday Frivolity - the blog party for all things fun, funny, hopeful & happy!

Just wait until you see what we dug up for this week's theme...

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At last week's party, we remembered the late, great Gene Wilder - in all his goofy glory.

This week, we're gearing up for the big spook day and highlighting scary movies.

I actually despise horror movies, but I do occasionally enjoy a thriller...

Not even touching the movies of this guy, because his stuff's just genius!

5 After 5, Foreign Film Edition

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Welcome to the second edition of 5 After 5!  In case you missed it, last week's list was 5 things beside your bed right now and if you're new to this series, you can read more about it here.

Today I've got my list of 5 to share, as well as next week's topic for you to stew about over the upcoming days.

I've turned this series into a link party, so be sure to get your own 5 things added below (or leave your answers in today's comments if you're not a blogger).  I loved reading everyone's comments from last week and I really can't wait to see what you share today!

List 5 foreign films you love

Gosh, I have so many that I really love - which makes it very difficult to narrow down my list to just five - but here are my top picks:

1.  He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not (French)

Fans of Amélie will definitely enjoy watching the adorable Audrey Tautou star in this dark comedy about love, but my favorite aspect of this movie was how much it surprised me with its innovative perspective twist.  I would love to hear your reaction - so let me know when you watch it!

2.  North Face (German)

 

I have never had a movie keep me on the edge of my seat quite like this one did - and I really envy G, who got to experience this film on the big screen when it appeared in his local theater down in Miami.  After watching this suspenseful action feature based on a true story, this outdoor adventurist gal can never approach a mountainside the same way again!

3.  A Town Called Panic (French)

This was the first foreign film G and I ever watched together and it had us cracking up the entire time.  We've made it a tradition to watch this wacky stop-motion picture (think Wallace & Gromit) every year, and I'm sure we'll be introducing it to Gv in the near future.

4.  The Valet (French)

This hilarious comedy from the director of another of my favorite movies (The Dinner Game) had me laughing for days after we watched it for the first time.  If you haven't seen many foreign films, check out this gem to understand why I think the French do farcical comedy so much better than Hollywood.

5.  Bride and Prejudice (British)

Maybe it was the fact that I watched this movie during my first flight overseas, or all the amazing colors and dancing that accompany its fun soundtrack, but this introduction to the world of Bollywood had me hooked from the start.  Director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) does a bang-up job with this musical adaptation of the classic Jane Austen story - I promise you won't be able to watch it without springing up out of your seat to hop around a bit, too!


I can't wait to see what foreign movies you love!  

And for next week:

List 5 Jobs You've Had (Career or Otherwise)

These could be jobs you've loved, jobs you've hated, jobs that have raked in the big bucks, or jobs that you've done for free.  If you're only working in your first official "job" right now, remember that you can always round out your list with things like "school safety patrol officer" and "table-setter."   

Even if you're not a blogger, I hope you participate. Start thinking of your list!

What's your list?  I'd love to hear!  Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Linked up with:  Merry Monday, Motivation Monday, Thoughtful Spot, Mom 2 Mom Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Two Uses Tuesday, Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Tell it to Me Tuesday, Good Tips Tuesday, Talented Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, A Little Bird Told Me, WFMW, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, The Mommy Club, Summer Family Fun Party, Creative Muster, Grandma Ideas, The Ladies Collective, This Is How We Roll, Frugal Family Linky, Creative Ways, Hearts for Home, Creative Exchange,I'm Lovin' It,Kitchen Fun & Crafty, Inspiration Spotlight, Home Matters, Pretty Pintastic Party, Front Porch Friday, Weekend Potluck, Awesome Life Friday, Creative Collection, 

Celebrating the Season: Birth {Day 25}

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Welcome back to Celebrating the Season!  If you're new around these parts, be sure to catch up on all the other posts in this series here.  Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of the fun from here on out, sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post, as well as some free printables, delivered right to your inbox.

Songs to Get You into the Spirit of the Season

Michael W. Smith has plenty of great Christmas albums, but this one is my favorite.  I adore pretty much every song, especially Lux Venit, Anthem for Christmas, and Christ the Messiah, but my absolute favorite is Gloria.  I even used it to choreograph a group number for a bunch of skaters in our winter ice show one year, just because I was inspired by about ten specific notes in this song.

An Activity to Add to the Jolly Atmosphere

Tonight is all about focusing on your family's traditions.  When I was growing up, Christmas Eve meant a candlelight service at church, a ride home along well-decorated streets, then fun snack food at home while we opened our presents while Christmas records played in the background.  I'd finally trot off to bed way past my bedtime, while my poor parents still had quite a bit of work ahead of them.

My Christmas Eve with G is still solidifying (especially now that Gv has joined us), but we follow church up with a special meal of fancy (for us) food (think imported cheeses, prosciutto, olives, bubbly) and then watch our final Christmas movies before heading to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads. 

Some Reading Sure to Garner a Great Response

You know you have a book problem when you discover you have seven copies of a book that gets read only once a year.  

Not that I know anything about that.

Oh, no.

So between the copies that were mine as a child and those we've gathered in the past few years, this adaptation is probably my favorite.  It's a really cool pop-up book and since every version of this story includes the same original poem by Clement C. Moore, the treatment of the illustrations in the book really make a difference.

A Movie to Get You in a Merry Mood

This was always shown on television around the same time as Frosty (same animators), but I haven't noticed it so much these days.  'Twas the Night Before Christmas is a fun cartoon with a clever storyline focusing on some mice and a clockmaker and belief in Santa.  It's short length is perfect for keeping the kids occupied while you get your evening's festivities set up.

Faith Focus to Put You in a Festive Frame of Mind

If you haven't downloaded them already, make sure to grab your free coordinating printables to go along with this portion of the series.  

Day 25 - Birth

Read Luke 2:1-20 to get the full narrative of Jesus' birth and focus your family's heart amidst all the presents.


Add your baby in the manger sticker to the tree to serve as a reminder for today's verses.

What will you be doing to observe this twenty-fifth day of Advent and what do your Christmas Eve traditions look like?  I'd love to hear!  Leave a comment or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Join me throughout the rest of this season for more great ideas to incorporate into your family traditions to help celebrate this special time of year.  Be sure to pin the series landing page so you can find every post, or better yet, sign up for free updates so you don't miss a single suggestion and to get your free printables!

Celebrating the Season: Shepherds {Day 24}

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Welcome back to Celebrating the Season!  If you're new around these parts, be sure to catch up on all the other posts in this series here.  Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of the fun from here on out, sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post, as well as some free printables, delivered right to your inbox.

Songs to Get You into the Spirit of the Season

Lincoln Brewster applies his amazing guitar skills and a variety of song formats (including rap, rock, and a full orchestra) to create a stand-out Christmas album floating in a sea of sameness.  Joy to the World brings you some of the greatest music from this popular worship leader and will be one you turn to time and again.

An Activity to Add to the Jolly Atmosphere

Get out and see some lights!  When I was growing up, there were always these three specific streets that went all out and had amazing lights decorating all the houses.  

I think only two houses out of maybe a hundred didn't join in on the fun.  We'd drive over and check these out each year and I can still remember singing along with the Carpenters into my seat belt (you come up with ideas like this when you're an only child) and bouncing up and down in the backseat, pretending to be on a sleigh ride with Leroy Anderson headlining our driving soundtrack.

We'll probably just take a stroll around the neighborhood to see some great decorations this year, but I'm thinking about turning the activity into a scavenger hunt.  Gv is a bit young for the game, but I'm not!  I've found a couple of cute ideas here and here for you to check out for inspiration. 

Some Reading Sure to Garner a Great Response

It's the right night to read this silly story of all that can got wrong during Christmas preparations  The Night Before the Night Before Christmas is a fun take on the Clement C. Moore poem and its comical illustrations just add to the quirkiness of the story. 

A Movie to Get You in a Merry Mood

Snuggle up with your favorite first lobster and watch a movie that's bursting at the seams with huge stars, loads of laughs, and endearing moments.  I can remember when Love Actually came out in the theaters and the previews made me think that it was the last movie I'd ever want to see (I'm more of a mobster/spy/silly movie kind of gal), but somehow I finally did and it has become one of my favorite movies ever, as well as a special movie for me and G (he even recreated a personalized version of the messages-on-the-cards-at-the-door scene for me soon after he proposed.)  Is Christmas all around you?  Do you feel it in your fingers and your toes?  Either way, go watch this movie!

Faith Focus to Put You in a Festive Frame of Mind

If you haven't downloaded them already, make sure to grab your free coordinating printables to go along with this portion of the series.  

Day 24 - Shepherds

Read Luke 2:8-20 to see how important it was that even a bunch of shepherds in a field received the greatest birth announcement ever, first-hand.

Today's study also includes a prophesy fulfillment.  Read Psalm 72:9, then Luke 2:9 to see how Jesus lives out Matthew 5:17 (see verse in graphic below) by being worshiped by those who dwell in the wilderness.

Add your sheep sticker to the tree to serve as a reminder for today's verses.

What will you be doing to observe this twenty-fourth day of Advent?  Can you think of any other good Love Actually quotes?  I'd love to hear!  Leave a comment or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Join me throughout the rest of this season for more great ideas to incorporate into your family traditions to help celebrate this special time of year.  Be sure to pin the series landing page so you can find every post, or better yet, sign up for free updates so you don't miss a single suggestion and to get your free printables!

Celebrating the Season: Bethlehem {Day 23}

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase something, I'll receive a small affiliate commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting my efforts with this blog!

Welcome back to Celebrating the Season!  If you're new around these parts, be sure to catch up on all the other posts in this series here.  Also, if you don't want to miss a single minute of the fun from here on out, sign up for free updates and then look forward to having each post, as well as some free printables, delivered right to your inbox.

Songs to Get You into the Spirit of the Season

This group brings its unique sound to a Christmas album.  I love that there is so much variety in this collection.  There are common standards, uncommon standards (In the Bleak Midwinter makes me think of a certain "good" family I know and love), and several original pieces, some instrumental and some with wonderful lyrics.  While many people would consider Christmas Songs to be haunting or meditative, I feel it imparts a feeling of reverence to my music mix and I think their version of Little Drummer Boy is the best ever!

An Activity to Add to the Jolly Atmosphere

Fire!  Fire!  (Anyone else out there willing to admit you just read that in a Beavis and Butthead voice?)

Tonight, turn up the heat and head outside to build a bonfire (if you live at a sweltering latitude, like we do) or gather around a roaring fire in your fireplace to take the chill off.  Whip up a batch of hot cocoa to sip as you watch the flames lick the logs and take a few moments to just relax and catch your breath amongst all the hustle and bustle of the season.

If you really want to get fancy, turn this little activity into a great get-together and create an amazing hot chocolate bar like this one. 

Some Reading Sure to Garner a Great Response

I just discovered this book this year and I already absolutely adore it!  I love how the illustrations resemble an old, cracked, masterpiece painting, but my favorite part is the absolute joy that radiates from each page as all of creation cries out in celebration of the greatest news ever.  It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Luke 19:40.  Song of the Stars is definitely one of those "special books" that you'll want to own as a hardback copy, to treasure for years to come.

A Movie to Get You in a Merry Mood

Ah, yes.  Such serious music and reading material for today, so of course I had to shake things up a bit with today's movie selection.  I often list this movie as my all-time favorite.  It is goofy and ridiculous and I can pretty much quote the entire thing by heart.  Any time someone starts to choke, they're "yakking on a bone" and I'm not even going to try and count how many times I've repeated a certain line while my dad is emptying the black water tank of his RV out at the dump station.  Christmas Vacation cajoles you into wrapping up your cat and green jello mold and joining your loved ones to celebrate what the holidays really look like.

Faith Focus to Put You in a Festive Frame of Mind

If you haven't downloaded them already, make sure to grab your free coordinating printables to go along with this portion of the series.  

Day 23 - Bethlehem

Read Luke 2:1-7 to learn what prompted Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem.

Today's study also includes a prophesy fulfillment.  Read Micah 5:2, then Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-5 to see how Jesus lives out Matthew 5:17 (see verse in graphic below) by being born in this special town.

Add your city sticker to the tree to serve as a reminder for today's verses.

What will you be doing to observe this twenty-third day of Advent?  Does your thermometer tell you to build your fire inside, or out?  I'd love to hear!  Leave a comment or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

Join me throughout the rest of this season for more great ideas to incorporate into your family traditions to help celebrate this special time of year.  Be sure to pin the series landing page so you can find every post, or better yet, sign up for free updates so you don't miss a single suggestion and to get your free printables!