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.

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The Blind

 The Blind is a powerful true story that showcases God’s redemptive power to change our lives when we surrender to Him! Long before Phil Robertson was a reality TV star, he fell in love, started a family, and began to spiral out of control. THE BLIND shares never-before-revealed moments in Phil’s life as he seeks to conquer the shame of his past, ultimately finding redemption in an unlikely place.

Experience the incredible story of Duck Dynasty's Phil and Kay Robertson in theaters Sept. 28th! Get your tickets now!

My Review: Phil and "Miss Kay" Robertson and their family shot to international fame in 2012 with their reality tv show, Duck Dynasty. They are known, of course, for their duck calls and love of hunting, but also for their deep and abiding Christian faith.

"The Blind" takes us back to the "before-they-were-famous" years with a glimpse at Phil's childhood, meeting Kay as a teenager, and his time playing quarterback for the Louisiana Tech University football team. However, the film's main focus is the tumultuous years of his and Kay's marriage with little money, young sons, and Phil's growing erratic behavior due to alcohol.

Then Phil turned his life around when he committed his life to Jesus Christ. His marriage and family were restored to him and his love of hunting led to his invention of an improved duck call. The rest is history.

I enjoyed the film. Although I was never on the Duck Dynasty bandwagon, I did know about the show and read/seen articles and interviews with various family members. I frequently listen to Phil's Unashamed podcast so I am more familiar with the family's faith than with their business ventures. My only complaint was with some of the accents, and even they weren't bad all the time. The actors playing Uncle Si (shown at various ages) were great at capturing his quirkiness and provided the comic relief. I recommend you get out this weekend to see the film in theaters. There are 2 options for groups: buy group tickets or arrange to have the movie shown at your church. Links are provided below.

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card! Deadline to Enter is October 6, 2023. Comment (or Message on social media) with your Full Name, Email, and #TheBlindMIN
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

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

LINKS
TheBlindMovie.com

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Bring To My Church 

 

The Least of These

As the social fabric of life in rural India disintegrates in the late 1990s, journalist Manav Banerjee (Sharman Joshi) moves with his pregnant wife to the town of Orissa in hope of a better life and the promise of a lucrative career. When speculation mounts that local Australian missionary Graham Staines (Stephen Baldwin) is illegally proselytizing leprosy patients, Manav agrees to investigate undercover for the newspaper. What he finds is a series of revelations that are difficult to fathom and even harder to explain, and Manav is forced to make a choice between his own ambition and the truth. In the end, his actions spark a tragic event that is felt around the world.

Based on a true story and shot on location in India, Staines beautifully illustrates the power of love, hope and forgiveness to overcome hate. Aneesh Daniel directs the film, featuring Stephen Baldwin, Shari Rigby, and Bollywood star Sharman Joshi.

My Review: "The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story" uses a (fictional) journalist to unfold the story of what is happening in India in the late 1990s as the backdrop leading up to the ultimate death of Graham Staines and his two sons. It's a very good storytelling device that introduces us to all of the characters and gives a connection with each. Filmed in India, the scenes present both the beautiful and bleakness of India, but my deepest recollection is the stunning beauty shown. The story does tell us about Graham Staines, but he is seen as part of God's plan rather than this being a biography of his entire life. He is clearly portrayed as a man of courage and humor while being determined to fulfill God's purpose in his life through his love for God, his family, and the people of India, especially the lepers.

Many of the actors were unknown to me, but all impressed me with their talent. I loved Sharman Joshi as the ambitious journalist who is sincere in seeking the truth, yet open to seeing the truth as it unfolds throughout his investigation. Stephen Baldwin was excellent as Staines. His accent bothered me a bit, but considering Staines had lived in India for over 30 years, it made sense that the accent would not be as strong. Shari Rigby was perfect was the quiet yet strong wife of Graham. The actual Gladys Staines both forgave the people who murdered her sons and husband and remained in India with daughter Esther until 2004.

The original soundtrack of the film was outstanding and included award-winning musical artists such as Michael W. Smith, Nicole C Mullen and Toby Mac.
TheLeastOfThese.movie
Graham and Gladys Staines - Missionaries to Orrisa  

See "The Heart of the Movie" for more background info on the making of the film:

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