Eleanor's Bench - Episode 1

 “Eleanor’s Bench” is a touching show that shines a light on the juvenile justice system in an informative and enlightening way.

Eleanor Thomas success as a Washington, DC juvenile court judge is challenged when her inner-city past comes to court and demands more than judgment, prompting her to return to her impoverished neighborhood of youth. Will her renewed sense of purpose reinvigorate her faith?

This new show is full of important lessons about following God’s calling, practicing self control, learning from your past and discovering that we are enough and deserving of God’s love. Streaming exclusively on Pure Flix, check out the trailer, and make sure you are signed up for PureFlix.com!

Featuring: Karen Abercrombie, Demond Wilson, Cameron Arnett, T.C. Stallings, Lori Schultze, Wesley Williams, Rebecca Rogers, Durrel Nelson, Kamillah Matthews, Caleb J. Avery, and Scotty Curlee.

My Review: Episode 1 begins with Eleanor (Karen Abercrombie) returning to visit her father (Demond Wilson) on the first anniversary of her mom's death. Eleanor’s comfortable reality crashes around her when she realizes her father’s health is failing and she sees history repeating itself in her old neighborhood involving a family she once had close ties to. She determines to have the case heard in her courtroom to help make up for not following up a past commitment.

As with most series, the first episode involves introducing the main characters and giving a general idea of the series. This one pulled me in with some familiar faces (including Cameron Arnett and Scotty Curlee) and an intriguing story involving the juvenile court system and foster care.

Giveaway: A Free 3-month subscription to Pure Flix!
(Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.) Entry deadline is July 13, 2023! Use #EleanorsBenchMIN in a comment to enter.

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


Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids' content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

Tagline

Your Home for Wholesome Faith & Family Streaming

Pure Family. Pure Fun. Pure Faith.

Bible Verse

Whatever is pure … what is admirable … think about such things – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

God's Country Song

 “God’s Country Song” is a multi-generational story about faith, fatherhood and forgiveness. Noah has
always resented his father for not supporting his dreams of fame and fortune, but when he learns how his father gave up his own ambitions to serve God and his family, he learns a valuable lesson.

Just in time for Father's Day 2023, God's Country Song has come to Pure Flix! Noah is a country music star on the rise. Living life in the fast lane, he’s focused on his music, drinking and fame. Estranged from his own father, Noah thinks only of himself until he discovers that he is the father of a young son and has no place to go but home. Watch this film of 2nd chances to reconnect with both family and faith: God's Country Song.

My Review: I enjoyed the film. It's a familiar story of a young man, leaving his home to chase his dreams and getting caught up in the party life...until his past catches him. Returning to his parent's farm provided a safe haven for his son, there was more growing up to do before Noah realizes that strengthening his roots with his family and God is his first priority. Toss in a cute little boy, a supportive love interest, and good music and this is a satisfying story to enjoy.

There is drinking and a bar fight brawl, so this may not be a great choice for younger children, but it's good for middle-school ages and up. Excellent actors involved. I think Larry (the manager) is a wonderful character (and an actor whose work I enjoy).

Cast

Director Johnny Remo; Producer Shawn Boskie;
Actors - Justin Gaston, Noah Bryan; Mariel Hemingway, Sara Bryan; John Laughlin, Jeremiah Bryan; Christopher Michael, Larry; Justene Alpert, Leeann.

Introducing JJ Miller, JJ Bryan

Featuring Coffey Anderson, Colt Young

Giveaway: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix! Deadline to enter is June 22, 2023.
(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 Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Momentum Influencers Interview with JUSTIN GASTON from God's Country Song!

LINKS:
PureFlix
IMDb

SOUND OF FREEDOM trailer

Sound of Freedom, based on the incredible true story, shines a light on even the darkest of places. After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.

SOUND OF FREEDOM IS IN THEATERS JULY 4TH! SOME THEATERS ARE SELLING OUT! 
BUY TICKETS HERE NOW!

From the studio that brought you His Only Son and The Chosen (Angel Studios), and it's a POWERFUL film based on a real man, Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel), and his mission to rescue children from sex trafficking! The film is being released in theaters 4th of July weekend, and we want as many people to see it as possible. It's directed by Alejandro Monteverde and also stars Mira Sorvino and Kurt Fuller.

Special note: Angel Studios has a mission to pre-sell 2 million tickets (before opening weekend) to represent & raise awareness for the 2 million precious children who are being trafficked every year. We must act, and this is a powerful and beautiful way to spread knowledge and enact change. Learn more about the Angel Studios PAY IT FORWARD #2MillionFor2Million site.

LINKS:

• Get Tickets
  

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Angel Studios
• IMDb
  
  
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  Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) is leading the fight against sex trafficking and sexual exploitation with four bold strategies. They exist to rescue children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.    

 

Gate Zero - Bible Video Game Kickstarter

 

GATE ZERO is a story-rich adventure video game that allows you to "play the Bible." Travel back in time to explore ancient Israel, interact with gospel stories and examine the deeper meaning of Jesus' words.

Discover the history and culture of ancient Israel as you freely roam the streets of Jerusalem, Capernaum and surrounding areas, picking up missions and items along the way. Gather resources to help the locals and avoid danger by using your gear and stealth abilities. Unlock riddles after every mission to get one step closer to solving your grandmother's mystery. Witness history unfold as you interact with familiar characters and get involved with their stories.

Gate Zero - Official Reveal Trailer | Bible X Games

If you'd like to see more Christian resources in the gaming industry, consider sharing the trailer and spreading the word about the Kickstarter campaign at Kickstarter.com/projects/gatezero/gate-zero-a-bible-exploration-video-game

Play solo or connect mobile phones to the PC and turn a single-player game into a unique couch co-op experience. The intention is for Gate Zero to be a game that anyone - regardless of gaming experience - can enjoy. With this in mind, they've developed a feature called CoPlay, which allows players to connect their mobile phones to the main game by simply entering a four-digit code that shows up on the game screen - similar to the popular Jackbox games.

The developers work closely with religious scholars to ensure the game is as Biblically and historically accurate as possible.  
 

Witness history unfold as you interact with familiar characters and get involved with their stories. Watch cut scenes of pivotal moments in history and evaluate what you experience with dialogue choices, which you can use for further discussion in groups or independent Bible study.

Sun Moon

 COMING TO PURE FLIX ON MAY 5, 2023!

Kelsey is running from failure, heartbreak and humiliation. In an attempt to understand God’s purpose for her life, she goes to Taiwan to teach English. Will her leap of faith pay off? "Sun Moon" is a beautiful story about discovering joy and purpose despite cultural differences and difficulties.

See the trailer:

MY REVIEW: Sun Moon opens with Kelsey (MacKenzie Mauzy) lying in a bathtub, dressed in her bridal gown. After being jilted at the altar, she's sad, confused, and unsure what to do next. Her next step is to impulsively accept a temporary job teaching English at a private school---in Taiwan.

I have always loved "fish out of water" stories that are rich in humor and that lead to a greater understanding that we often have more in common than we think. There are some serious moments with relating to students and culture, but also laughter and romance

as Kelsey begins a journey of discovery both with her students and with fellow employee Horace (Justin Chien). As they learn more about each other, they both become aware that God can help you through the grief of losses and even use the anger, pain, and sorrow to make you stronger, more trusting of Him, and lead you to unexpected joy despite circumstances. God doesn't always do what we expect, but He can always be trusted!

Based on some of her personal experiences writer/director Sydney Tooley can be proud of making a film that can be enjoyed by all. Check out her interview with MIN's Jean Thomason:

CAST:
MacKenzie Mauzy, Kelsey
Justin Chien, Horace
Madison McLaughlin, Liz
Michael Jong-Quin Huang, Principal
Jason Burkey, Braden
Leanne Morgan, Maida



You will definitely want to watch "Sun Moon" on #PureFlix!

GIVEAWAY: 3-month subscription to Pure Flix!
Note: This is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months. Please submit your full name and email address in comments by 5/13/23.

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

Nefarious

NEFARIOUS, an incredible supernatural thriller, opens in Theaters on April 14th in select theaters. It's based on a novel by American talk show host, Steve Deace and written (and directed) for the screen by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon.

On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer (Sean Patrick Flanery) gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist (Jordan Belfi) will commit three murders of his own. 

My REVIEW: This is a film I was prepared to pass on at first glance. The poster looked scary and I saw it was listed as Horror--- a genre I normally avoid! But, when I received an email from Rich Gerberding of Christian Movie Central highly recommending the film, even comparing it to The Screwtape Letters, I was intrigued.

Rich also provided a link for an upcoming online screening, so I signed up. Within minutes I was pulled into the story and it kept my attention. NEFARIOUS is one of the best films I have watched in a while (and I have seen some good ones) and a mesmerizing psychological/suspense thriller. Sean Patrick Flanery is phenomenal as the demon-possessed man! I also enjoyed Jordan Belfi as the attorney. Other familiar faces I was pleased to see include Stelio Savante, Cameron Arnett, Jarret LeMaster, and Tom Ohmer.

It's not for children, yet there is also none of the blood, gore, etc. often associated with horror; I don't think it should be R-rated either. I definitely think it's an incredible film and recommend you see this movie while it's in theaters!

BUY TICKETS HERE!! 

whoisnefarious.com 

IMDb 

Steve Deace Podcast 

Christian Movie Central

The Journey

THE JOURNEY: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli is an exploration of moments that define us, songs that inspire us, and relationships that connect us to what matters most in life.
Bocelli’s hope is that the movie "offers an invitation to fully live and recognize our daily miracles."

"THE JOURNEY" combines world-class musical performances with intimate conversations across the awe-inspiring Italian country-side. In addition to Andrea Bocelli, "THE JOURNEY" features Michael W. Smith, Tori Kelly, Tauren Wells, TAYA, 2CELLOS (Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser) and many others in amazing musical performances across majestic locations.

Brought to you by TBN, "The Journey" is in select theaters April 2nd - 9th. BUY TICKETS HERE.

My Review: My one word review is, "Magnificent!" The music, the musicians, and the gorgeous view are each fabulous on their own, but the combination is an event you don't want to miss. I was already a fan of many of the musicians listed so I expected to LIKE "The Journey" but it exceeded my expectations. The conversations with both family and friends along the way added to intimacy yet invited the viewer to be a part. This is a perfect worship experience to add to your Holy Week activities.

Movie Website
Buy Tickets Link

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card!
Rules: Submit your FULL NAME and email address by EOD on April 9, 2023.This is limited to US winners only.

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

"We journeyed by horse for over 300 km. along a path that was not always easy to travel, but absolutely beautiful, made of meadows and forests; sacred places filled with lasting testimonies of faith, full of art of incredible beauty, and views in front of which one can’t but ponder about creation and the miraculous work of our Heavenly Father.” ~ Andrea Bocelli