Thursday, February 29, 2024

Cabrini

"CABRINI" is the powerful epic story of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children.
Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini uses her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.

From Alejandro Monteverde, award-winning director of "Sound of Freedom," and Angel Studios, the film also stars Cristiana Dell'Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse, Romana Maggiora Vergano, and Giancarlo Giannini. Opening in theaters on March 8, you can buy tickets at
Angel.com/tickets/cabrini




 My Review: I was aware of a few basic facts about Mother Cabrini and her work among the poor, but had never taken a closer look at her life. Cabrini is a biopic based on her fight for the equality, health, and happiness of immigrant orphans. Her work, over a span of 34 years, includes establishing an astonishing 67 hospitals, orphanages, and schools. Despite health issues, her energy was fueled by an intense focus on serving Jesus in whatever He asked of her. Mother Cabrini was canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII and became the first American citizen to be named a saint. Four years later she was given the title of Patroness of Immigrants.

The film is wonderful. Cabrini was a remarkable woman by any standards, but the movie shows a clearer portrait of what women faced in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Without using graphic images to tell the story, the audience still gets a poignant reminder of life for immigrants who arrived in America, expecting streets of gold, but finding poverty, filth, rejection, disease, early death, and very little hope to succeed. A wonderful team of actors brought the story to life and you won't forget the performances. And I can't say enough about cinematography, directing, film angles, lighting, (because I don't know what I am talking about 😉) but the film looked marvelous and I loved it all. I highly recommend this movie to all. Go see it, beginning March 8th!

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card!
Please submit your full name and email address by 3/8/24.
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

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

Website

Buy Tickets

Instagram: @cabrinifilm and @angelstudios_inc

Facebook: The Cabrini Movie and Angel Studios

X: Cabrini and Angel Studios

IMDb


YouTube: Angel Studios

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Ordinary Angels

One of the most eagerly anticipated movies is coming to theaters on February 23, 2024! Based on a remarkable true story, ORDINARY ANGELS centers on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter (Emily Mitchell) waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels. WEBSITE

BUY TICKETS: Ordinary Angels tickets. Group tickets are also available!



My Review: My expectations were high...and they were met! Ordinary Angels is an outstanding movie with characters you grow to care about and an extraordinary story to tell. It is based on a true story, and from what I've read, does stay close to actual events. Writers Kelly Fremon Craig and Meg Tilly, along with director Jon Gunn, are to be commended. Actors Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Nancy Travers, Emily Mitchell, and Skywalker Hughes (plus the rest of the cast) are fantastic.

The story is about a child desperately needing a liver transplant and a stranger who feels compelled to help the family with mounting medical bills. It sounds like a tear-jerker, but this film offers hope along with laughter that keeps the viewer fully engrossed. In my opinion, "Ordinary Angels" is a Must-See film! Once again Kingdom Story Company (Jon Erwin, Andy Erwin, and Kevin Downes) have produced an amazing film! Distributed via Lionsgate.
BUY TICKETS: Ordinary Angels tickets.

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card. Please submit your full name and email address by 3/1/2024 to enter. US Residents Only.

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



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Help us make the impossible possible. Every $1 you donate eliminates $100 in medical debt. Together with RIP Medical Debt, we aim to erase $10,000,000 in medical debt relief. The gift of debt relief is life-changing—and every dollar makes a difference. #OrdinaryAngelsMovie #KingdomStoryCompany ordinaryangels.movie/rip





Saturday, February 17, 2024

County Rescue

 

EMTs are courageous, everyday heroes, but it’s challenging
to qualify for this critical job. This is the story of an EMT unit who save lives while
navigating their own life, love, and faith.

Check out this new family-friendly series, County Rescue, on Great American Pure Flix starting 2/23 and Great American Family starting 2/26! This new series stars Brett Varvel, Julia Reilly, Tim Perez-Ross, Riley Hough, Keller Fornes, Kristin Wollet, and Stacey Patino.
Created by Brian Baugh.



MY REVIEW: I have seen the first 5 episodes of County Rescue and I really enjoyed it. The actors I am familiar with gave their usual top-notch performances, and I was equally as pleased with those new to me. Of course there are dramatic moments---this is a series about EMTs. But there was also humor, quirky characters and traits, and a compelling storyline. I am looking forward to seeing to seeing more episodes in the future! Be sure to check it out for yourself! I recommend COUNTY RESCUE.

Links
Website: Great American Family (cable)
Trailer: Great American Family (cable)
Website: Great American Pure Flix (streaming)

Trailer: Great American Pure Flix (streaming)
IMDb

Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Great American Pure Flix! Please submit your giveaway winner’s full name and email by February 24, 2024.
(Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.)

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


Wednesday, February 7, 2024

GLORIA GAYNOR: I Will Survive

 

GLORIA GAYNOR: I WILL SURVIVE: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and a Magnificent Second Act. This One-Night-Only documentary is the story of a Disco legend who, for five decades, has inspired millions with her words I WILL SURVIVE. Gaynor only truly understood the lyrics when she hit rock bottom herself. This is a look at her journey!

"Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive" is in theaters only on February 13, 2024. BUY TICKETS.

At the age of 65, facing a devastating divorce to her husband and manager of 25 years, financial ruin, and spiraling health concerns, Gaynor sought to not only survive, but thrive with unwavering faith and the spark of new dreams.

The film follows Gaynor as she embarks on a difficult 8-year journey to write and record a gospel album. We discover a tale of the remarkable challenges that fueled Gaynor’s music and path to stardom. "GLORIA GAYNOR: I WILL SURVIVE" celebrates reinvention, the power of faith, and a magnificent second act.



My Review: I had the chance to see this in advance, so I want to write a personal recommendation. I confess that I have never been a huge fan of disco, but I Will Survive was an exception from the moment I heard it, and I still love the song. Gloria Gaynor is definitely talented and this film proves her voice is as beautiful as ever. Seeing the ups and downs of her career, marriage, and painful health issues demonstrate that "I Will Survive" is a poignant, powerful anthem to define her life. I also remember when she did an updated version after becoming a Christian, using "
Only the Lord could give me strength not to fall apart" in the lyrics.

Part of the movie is about her goal of making a gospel music album. Two of my favorite artists, Bart Millard and Jason Crabb, were involved in making this album. Released in 2019 [Gaither Music Group], "Testimony" won the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards.


LINKS

Buy Tickets

Website 

Facebook

Instagram 

YouTube

 


Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Chosen, Season 4, Episodes 1-3

 

Fans have eagerly anticipated Season 4 of The Chosen and the wait is over for those planning to watch in theaters. Episodes 1-3 are scheduled for February 1st through the 14th. You may buy your tickets here.

Season 4 is about... Clashing kingdoms. Rival rulers. The enemies of Jesus close in while His followers struggle to keep up, leaving Him to carry the burden alone. Threatened by the reality of Jesus’ growing influence, religious leaders do the unthinkable—ally
with their Roman oppressors. As the seeds of betrayal are planted and opposition to Jesus’ message turns violent, He’s left with no alternative but demand his followers RISE UP!




MY REVIEW: There is so much to say about the first three episodes, but I don't want to risk SPOILERS! Yes, if you've read the New Testament, you will know the story and can anticipate some of the action. Yet, the writers and actors have made the familiar come to life in a way that will touch the hearts of everyone. The black and white (& sometimes red) words spring into full living color!

And the creative background stories that are woven into The Chosen have given us a new perspective into the actual persons from the Bible, plus several "plausible" characters we have learned to love...or loathe. Season 4 brings even more intensity than the prior 3 seasons. I know that I felt the full range of emotions as these stories unfolded. I loved all 3 episodes, but the end of episode 3 left me gasping and saying, "No!! Don't end here! I NEED episode 4 NOW!" 
 
 Season 4 will be outstanding on the big screen! Check your local listings for scheduled times (and remember this is over 3 hours). Also, some scenes are a bit graphic for younger or more sensitive viewers. BUY TICKETS

GIVEAWAY: A $10 Amazon gift card!
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.) Please submit your full name and email address by February 9, 2024 to be entered in drawing. Use #TheChosen4MIN
 
Disclosure: Many thanks to Come and See Foundation, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.