Unsung Hero

 

UNSUNG HERO opens in theaters on April 26th! When David Smallbone's successful music company collapses, his family emigrates from Australia to the United States. With only their 6 children, 16 suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY's Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives from the ground up.

Daisy Betts as Helen Smallbone

Based on a remarkable true story, a mum's faith stands firm; and inspires her husband and children to turn adversity into adventure while bonding into a close-knit group who prioritize God and family. Buy tickets today to see Unsung Hero in theaters starting April 26th!

MY REVIEW: This is an excellent movie that is so much more than a biopic about the Smallbone family. Many people know Rebecca St. James and the for King and Country brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone for their music. I was aware they had emigrated from Australia to Tennessee, but I knew few details other than they were a large family.

UNSUNG HERO is the story of why they left Australia and the struggles of their early years in America. When the expected job David was depending on to restart his career as a Christian music promoter fell through, his wife provided the firm conviction that their faith in God would hold them together and that He would provide their needs and she remained confident that her husband would become successful. Helen Smallbone became the "backbone" as she taught her young children to rely on God and each other in a joint effort to hold her family together. Her ability to provide faith-building ideas, along with gifting her children with a sense of adventure during the hardships is a source of inspiration to all mothers who know the struggle of holding everything together...even if you feel like falling apart sometime.

Lucas Black

Each actor involved was wonderful in his or her role. I especially loved Terry O'Quinn as David's dad, Candace Cameron Bure as the pastor's wife was a lot of fun to watch, and my fellow Alabamian Lucas Black is always a special treat in any role. Older viewers also need to watch for former HAPPY DAYS actor Donny Most (Ralph Malph) in a brief role.

I thoroughly loved the movie...I watched it 3 times! It is inspirational without being sappy and a strong testament to the power of faith and the blessings and strength that come with hard work, a vow to support one another, finding joy in the little things, never giving up, and always remembering God is with you at all times.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE!

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card!
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.) Please submit your full
name and email address by 5/2.2024.

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

LINKS:
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Jean Thomason Interviews Luke Smallbone
Kingdom Story Company YT
Rebecca St. James
for King and Country
Soundtrack
YouVersion Bible Study

Journey to Bethlehem

A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown.

This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith, and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told—the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it. See JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters beginning November 10.

Buy tickets today at Journey to Bethlehem Tickets.

• You can also give the gift of giving and make someone’s Christmas brighter by providing tickets for JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM! https://fandango.egifter.com/journeytobethlehem

 

 

 My Review: I do have a mixed reaction to "Journey to Bethlehem." It's mostly positive, but my initial reaction doesn't completely embrace the film.

Negative: I tend to view historical events in films through the lens of the customs and laws of that time period, so Mary and Joseph seemed a bit immature to me to be taking on the the responsibility of raising our Savior. I've also never thought of their story as a Rom-Com. But, this also can open the door to a great conversation starter with people who want to know more. Some of the scenes did not work very well for me, but it may have just been my mood. I do plan to see the film again.

Positive: There was some great music! I do need a longer version of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" since this version was amazing! My other favorite was "In My Blood" by Joel Smallbone (for King + Country)! Most of the comedy was entertaining too. (I can overlook a joke or song that I simply didn't like.)

I could not find fault based on Scripture either. Of course, people don't normally break out in song and dance (although I often wish they did), but this is a MUSICAL. I do love musicals.

 

I was impressed with the acting. Antonio Banderas made an excellent villain in the role of Herod, and I enjoyed Joel Smallbone as Antipater as much as I loved his music. Fiona Palomo and Milo Manheim were not quite the Mary and Joseph in MY mind, but they are both wonderful in the film's version And I was entertained by the 3 Wise Men: Omid Djalili (Melchoir), Rizwan Manji (Gaspar), and Geno Segers (Balthazar). Adam Anders wrote (with Peter Barsocchini), directed, and produced Journey to Bethlehem.

While I do understand why some will find the story offensive, I won't go that far. Some of the story seemed a little irreverent. However, I don't believe that is the intent of the filmmakers. I'm not familiar with their previous work, so it may be simply be their method of telling a story.

Scroll down to Links to find a clip of the director titled, "No Scripture Harmed." There are also several resources you can use for "Journey to Bethlehem."

GIVEAWAY: One person will win 2 Free Tickets to see JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM! The deadline to enter is Nov. 12, 2023 (USA only) Leave a comment on this blog or under the blog post shared on other social media platforms.

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

LINKS:

JourneyToBethlehemmovie.com

Buy Tickets

The Heart of the Movie

"Can We Make This Work?"


No Scripture Harmed (short version)

 

RESOURCES - Downloadable family discussion guides suitable for different ages, coloring sheets, photos, video clips, and Spanish resources.

 

Journey to Bethlehem trailer

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told, the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it.

This movie has some amazing original music, featuring the talents of Joel Smallbone (for KING and COUNTRY), Antonio Banderas, Milo Manheim, Lecrae, and more! Journey to Bethlehem is coming to theaters 11/10/2023!

LINKS

• JourneyToBethlehemmovie.com
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• YouTube - Affirm Films
• Updates - Sony Pictures 
  

 

Priceless DVD

Priceless is the story, inspired by true events of a widower (Joel Smallbone) who loses custody of his young daughter (Sierra Rose Smith). Unable to keep a job, he agrees to drive a truck across the country. Their stipulation of "No Questions Asked" proves to be more than he bargained for when he accidentally discovers his cargo. He must then make a life-changing choice that threatens his future hope. 

PRICELESS stars Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), Bianca Santos (THE DUFF), Amber Midthunder (“Longmire”) with Jim Parrack (SUICIDE SQUAD, “True Blood”) and David Koechner (ANCHORMAN, “The Goldbergs”). PRICELESS is the first film from the Smallbone Brothers. Ben Smallbone directs from the script by Chris Dowling & Tyler Poelle. The film was produced by Steve Barnett (300). David Smallbone and Luke Smallbone serve as executive producers, and Jacob “Cubbie” Fink is co-producer. 

Priceless is a well-intentioned film, and I had very high hopes for it. The subject of human trafficking is one that needs to be talked about often, and kept in the forefront of people's minds. The premise of the story is a man who has hit rock bottom after his wife dies and eventually losing custody of his daughter due to a series of bad choices. So he is willing to risk driving a truck with unknown cargo to earn money. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so perhaps it makes sense he would make another questionable decision. I never quite understood how or why things went downhill so fast, so I would have liked to have had a bit more back story. 

This film is based on actual events, so perhaps my expectations were too high. There were simply moments that I found too unbelievable, and I found my mind wandering more than once. The movie isn't really bad, but there was just something missing for me. However, it is a wonderful conversation opener on a subject that needs to be shared worldwide. I would recommend it for anyone wanting to share more about human trafficking and to offer hope to those who have been sexually abused. The ultimate message is that there is freedom for the captive, whether it be actual captivity or self-induced through drugs, alcohol, and anger.

Thanks to Icon Media group for sending me a link to review the film. Priceless will be available on Digital HD on Jan 31, 2017, and Blu-Ray, DVD, and On Demand on Feb 14, 2017.

Living Hope: The Documentary DVD

LIVING HOPE is the story of three extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to serving the poor in South Africa. It is a feature length documentary created by the filmmakers behind Journey to Everest, Apostles of Comedy, and Honoring a Father’s Dream: Sons of Lwala.  John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.  Joey Lankford, a businessman and father of four who moved his young family from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty.  Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution.

My Review: I am not always a fan of documentaries, but this is a well made film that draws you into the lives of the people who have been impacted by Living Hope Ministries. The stories were not necessarily connected, but were smoothly woven together to give an overall view of the impressive work being done by those who simply want to love Jesus through others, and how the results have made a difference that keep giving. I loved the way Living Hope is split into 4 ministries that deal with specific issues:
Living Care -   Healthcare
Living Grace - Homeless and addiction
Living Right -  HIV education and prevention
Living Way -   Economic empowerment

 John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John and his wife, Avril, through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.

Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution. She now works as a nursing assistant at Living Care Health Care and speaks to others who are going through the Living Grace system.

Joey Lankford, a businessman and wife Courtney, along with their four children, moved from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty as part of Living Way. (Today Joey is the executive director of Nashville-based Cul2vate poverty alleviation ministry).
 
'Living Hope' also features President George W. Bush, Dana Perino and Michael W. Smith with narration by Joel Smallbone of King and Country and was created by the filmmakers David Kiern and Mitchell Galin. 'Living Hope' was the official selection at the UK Christian Film Festival. To learn more about Living Hope Ministries, the website is www.livinghope.co.za

I received Living Hope by Word Films compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any compensation aside from a free copy of this DVD.