Hero

Hero: Joe Finn (Burgess Jenkins) was a local legend in the world of baseball, but a miserable failure as a husband, father, and friend. Now, seven years after leaving home, he returns just in time to say goodbye to his dying wife (Ashlee Payne) and hello to a son (Justin Miles) and a community who consider him as good as dead.

Intent on making his life right, he turns to the only thing he knows -- baseball. But Little League is all but unrecognizable in Miller's Gap, and parental involvement is at an all-time low. Even as his actions begin to warm the hearts of some, others in the community threaten to get rid of Joe's team for good. Can Joe win back his son and revitalize a dying game, or is he seven years too late to redeem the mess of his own making?

Hero is directed by Manny Edwards, who also co-wrote with John Fornof. The stars are Burgess Jenkins, Justin Miles, R. Keith Harris, Gregory Alan Williams, Mark Joy, Ashlee Payne, Fred Griffith, Jim McKeny, Andrea Powell, and Nicholas Edwards as "Sammy" Also starry Blaine Goodwin, Sam Dubin, Ty Myatt, Kenny Hinkle, and Walker Anthony. George D. Escobar, Burgess Jenkins, and Michael Snyder are the producers.

Official Selection - Christian Worldview Film Festival
Official Selection - Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival

My Review: I have been hearing about this film since it was first being made, so I have kept up with the progress from the beginning. So, although I expected to like it, I truly did not expect to get drawn into the story as quickly as I did. I always watch a film a minimum of twice because my attention wanders; I consider the first viewing to just give me a general idea of the story before I really watch it. Within 5 minutes, I was sitting down, fully focused on the story being told.

This is a story of hope, forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption. I noticed a couple of little glitches, but nothing overly distracting. I enjoyed the acting, the cinematography, the sound (too often I have to go back to try to understand what was said in other films), and that there was closed captioning. At only 94 minutes, it's not too long, and it is great for a Family Film Night. Some of the material may be harder for kids younger than 10 to understand, but they will probably like the baseball scenes. I highly recommend this dvd.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this DVD from EDIFY MEDIA as part of the movie's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

GIVEAWAY: Edify Media has another copy of HERO to give away!! Just leave a comment on the blog to be entered. Deadline to Enter is Sept. 30 at Noon (CDT)Reminder: I do monitor due to Spammers. Be patient, and contact me only if your comment does not appear with 24 hours. Thanks!

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Ring The Bell

Ring The Bell is the story of a sports agent, Rob Decker (Ryan Scharoun) who lives for his work and how to make money. When challenged by his assistant (Trenell Mooring) to get out into the field and personally sign a high school baseball superstar, Shawn Hart (Craig C. Stewart), Rob accepts what he believes will be an easy deal. But, when Rob becomes stranded in the small town the people begin to give Rob a new way to view things. Content with the simple things of life, and more interested in God's plan for their lives over fame and fortune, Daisy (Ashley Anderson McCarthy), and her brother Scooter (Casey Bond)--- who own the boys home where Shawn lives--- really open his eyes to another set of values. Will Rob respond to the desire to let God in his life?

Ring The Bell features a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West, all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film: ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award winner), along with Ben Zobrist.

This family-friendly movie was produced by Mark Miller, Beach Street Records' founder and Casting Crowns’ producer. Miller, who is also the lead singer and founder of country music group Sawyer Brown, co-wrote the script with Thomas Weber and Weber directed the production. 

DVD Special Features:

The Heart of "Ring the Bell"

Casting Crowns “The Well” Music Video


On Set with Casting Crowns

Famous Faces


A Very Special Movie


Ringing the Bell


The Artists and Music of "Ring The Bell"

 "Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in 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."

Overall, I enjoyed the film. Some of those involved are clearly more comfortable being onscreen as an actor than others, but no one was just horribly bad. I also grew tired of some of the more extreme quirkiness of a couple of the characters. I realize that it is standard to have those characters populate all small towns in films, but sometimes they go a bit beyond quirky. These complaints, however, are trivial matters in my overall impression of the film.
 

The story line was good and was presented in a way that is palatable to most. There is no blood, violence, bad language, etc. to make it unacceptable for family viewing. The gospel is presented, but I feel this is more a film that gives the viewer a look at how following Christ has made an impact on the lives of the characters who are believers. Most of the people I know live out their faith like these people, so it was all familiar to me. Would I show this film to family and friends who are not believers? Yes, especially those who love music and/or baseball. I also recommend it to people who are believers and want to watch a Christian worldview film that both entertains and demonstrates the validity of living out their faith and following God's will. Btw, I LOVED the whole concept of "ringing the bell"!! It is a perfect example of Matthew 10:32-33.

Website:  Ring The Bell (the movie)

Watch the Trailer: Ring The Bell

Facebook: Ring The Bell

 GIVEAWAY: FlyBy Promotions has a copy in their office to mail to one of my readers. Please leave a comment on the blog post to be entered. You must be entered no later than 10pm, Thursday, May 9, 2013 to be eligible.

Home Run by Travis Thrasher

Hone Run is a novel about baseball star Cory Brand--a man who knows how to win the game. His personal life, though, is a falling apart and his escapades are becoming more legendary than his ability on the field. His past is full of regrets and memories that haunt him, and he has chosen to keep the past, including his family, out of sight and out of mind much of the time. However, his out of control drinking, temper, and other antics finally push his management and publicists into a suspension while he gets his life together and allows the PR people time to re-invent his public image.

"To save his career, Cory must go back to the town where it all began. His plan is simple: coach the local Little League team, complete a recovery program, and get out as fast as possible. Instead, he runs headfirst into memories he can’t escape ... and the love he left behind. Faced with a second chance he never expected, Cory embarks on a journey of faith, transformation and redemption. And along the way, he discovers a powerful truth: No one is beyond the healing of God."  (back cover)

Website: http://www.homerunthemovie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeRunTheMovie?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HomeRunTheMovie

 

 Ok, I have been hearing rave reviews about the film that will be released next month, so I was quite excited to be offered the chance to read the novel. I hate to say it, but I didn't feel the book held up to my expectations. I mean, it was good, but not great. Some of it seemed a bit superficial and I had a lot of questions that remained unanswered. (I won't get into them because I prefer not to do spoilers, esp for new products) That being said, I still want to see the film, and I do recommend the book to others. I will probably read it again because I do feel that it deserves another chance; I have changed my mind on other films and books before. So, I would give it a high 3 stars, but it's not close enough to be a solid 4 for me.

Speaking of the film, I am including the trailer here. I really do want to see the film (& then I will re-read the book).

The book is out now and  Home Run - the movie will be released in theaters on April 19th. Click here to find a theater in your state.
Also, if you need a Biblical, balanced program to help you with past hurts, hang ups, and habits, please look for a Celebrate Recovery group near you.

GIVEAWAY: To win a copy of this book, please leave a comment on blog to let me know you wish to be entered. The winner will be randomly selected on Sunday, April 7th at 6pm CDT.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in 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."
Also, all opinions about the product or other products or services are strictly my own.

One Hit From Home

One Hit From Home is a faith-based sports-themed film that apparently was written, directed, and stars the same group of people. Synopsis: After suffering a career ending knee injury, pro-baseball superstar Jimmy Easton returns to a place he has not been in a very long time…home. Here, Jimmy confronts dark memories from a tragic past as he tries to make peace with a life he once left behind. Things take an unexpected turn when he is forced back into the world of baseball as the coach of an underachieving college team. Coach Jimmy’s rocky relationship with Brandon Elliot, the team’s only star, forces both of them to deal with their similarly troubled pasts. (IMDb)

Frankly, I stayed so distracted by poor acting, coloring, editing, script that I couldn't focus on the story. For the first 30 minutes, Jimmy stayed in a bad mood. For the next 30, Brandon was in a bad mood. The final 30 minutes were a jumbled mess of changing circumstances, coincidences and, I assume, a happily ever after ending for everyone. I was majorly disappointed, and for the record, I stayed in a bad mood through the majority of the film. I would not recommend this film to anyone.