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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Alone Yet Not Alone Returns For A Second Weekend

 Alone Yet Not Alone had an enormously successful weekend in its limited opening in Grand Rapids, MI; Franklin, TN; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Knoxville, TN; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Colorado Springs, CO. Due to the turnout, the film has been held over for a 2nd weekend in all locations. Get your tickets here.

Based on the true story taken from the novel of the same name written by Tracy Leininger Craven, Alone Yet Not Alone is designed to encourage and uplift families in difficult times and tells the inspiring story of Barbara and Regina Leininger and their journey of faith and survival during the French & Indian war in 1755. Captured by the Delaware Indians in a raid on their home and transported over 300 miles of wilderness to Ohio, the sisters are sustained only by their abiding trust in God, and their hope of escape against all odds to be reunited with their family.

A movie filled with action, drama and suspense, Alone Yet Not Alone was filmed on location at historical sites in Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina to allow audiences to take the journey with the characters. Filmmakers realized that in order to tell the story authentically, they would need to shoot where the events actually happened or those similar in terrain.

Highlighting themes of endurance, perseverance and faith with positive values and entertaining action sequences that make it safe viewing for families, the film recently garnered the “Family-Friendly Seal” (12+ years) with a five Dove rating from the prestigious Dove Foundation. AYNA stars Kelly Greyson (Return To The Hiding Place) with Jenn Gotzon (God’s Country, Frost Nixon) and actor/musical artist Clay Walker (Clay Walker: Jesse James). Directed by Ray Bengston with co-director George Escobar, screenplay by James Richards and George Escobar.

With its recent box office success, plans are currently underway to roll out a nationwide release of the family-favorite film on February 21, 2014 with opening cities to be announced at a later date.

For more information about Alone Yet Not Alone, please visit 
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Alone Yet Not Alone website
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