Midnight Special releases tomorrow and I have two free movie tickets to give away. This movie looks thrilling and is being compared to Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
How far will a mom and dad go to protect their child when he doesn’t fit into the “normal” mold?
Comment here to win two free movie tickets!
I just finished watching this sweet video. A flood of emotions comes at the opening song as I remember my son laying across his bed with his feet in the air, singing those same words. Ahhh, where does the time go?
This video will be released tomorrow, and I have a copy to giveaway! You won’t want to miss this movie. Just leave a comment and subscribe to the blog and a random winner will be picked on Thursday!
Noah’s Ark-a Lesson in Trusting God
Shem (Wayne Brady) and his new wife Sadie are fresh off their honeymoon, making all kinds of plans when they return to find Noah building an Ark. Shem is upset because the Ark is sitting where he was going to build his house and start his life.
Reluctantly, Shem begins to work on the Ark, and when the rains come, he prepares himself for a short distraction of his plans. But those weren’t God’s plans. Shem sings-Your plans are in my way, I’ve got plans!
Noah encourages Shem to trust in God and He will see us through, but again, Shem takes over and devises a plan B so he can be in control of his own destiny. God showed Shem in the end that His plans are good. Shem’s plans left him alone, adrift and afraid.
Does any of that resonate with you? What area have you taken the reins from God and pushed His plans aside?
God’s plans are much better than our own.
“And whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” – Mark 3:11 “It’s not every day a truly scary movie comes along with strong theme about the power of God – but THE CONJURING is exactly that kind of film. Does evil exist? Are demons real? Can they possess people? Who is strong enough to defeat them? These are the questions raised by this thriller directed by James Wan (SAW, INSIDIOUS). A family moves into a farmhouse in Rhode Island and finds themselves terrorized by the supernatural. With the help of Ed and Lorraine Warren, they must rely on God to help them fight and exorcise the evil that has entered their lives. THE CONJURING was intended by screenwriters Chad and Carey Hayes as a movie where “God wins.” “That was a non-negotiable for us,” Carey said. “We’re never going to glorify evil.” Added Chad: “We want people to feel great after seeing it. To be scared and entertained, of course, but to walk out of the theater with a good feeling because good, God, is victorious.”
When I received the invite for the pre-screening, I mentioned it to my husband and was ready to delete the email. I don’t do scary movies. When I was younger, yes. Stuff like that didn’t bother me.
I couldn’t even watch the entire movie trailer without closing my eyes and looking away! Why would I want to torture myself?
My world was rocked when my husband said he would like to see the movie.
Have I subjected him to multiple viewings of Hope Floats and Steel Magnolias? Yes!
Maybe I should take one for the team and plan on a date night.
So I started doing a little research. The movie is based on a true story about the Perron family, and the horrors they experienced after moving into their new home in 1973. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were asked to help the family rid themselves of the dark, malevolent forces that were terrorizing their secluded farmhouse. When Ed and Lorraine Warren visit the farmhouse to help the Perron’s they find themselves caught up in the most terrifying case of their lives.
“There is no conceivable way to condense what we as a family endured in the farmhouse into a two-hour motion picture but James (Wan) captured the essence of it and for this I will remain eternally grateful. There are liberties taken and a few discrepancies but overall, it is what it claims to be — based on a true story, believe it or not .” Andrea Perron
I had to admit the story intrigued me, so I took one for the team and we went to the movie. As Brian sat eating his butter drenched popcorn, I listened in on the conversations around me. The guy next to me said his brother saw it the day before and thought it was the scariest movie he’d seen in a while. The girl in front said she had heard the only reason it was rated R was for the terror. There was none of the nudity, cursing, or graphic bloody violence that is normally associated with horror films. She was right on most of those. I heard the Lord’s name taken in vain on two or three occasions, and really felt like that didn’t need to be there. It was refreshing to not have the F-bomb flying though.
The Conjuring began and I was immediately scared. There really wasn’t a dull moment in the movie. Most of it was intensely terrifying.
I had goose bumps.
I jumped and screamed…multiple times.
I honestly was so scared at one point that I was crying.
Brian said I broke his thumb when I was squeezing his hand. He also said it “was the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.”
From beginning to end, this movie has you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next. If you love scary movies, you should run out and see this movie. If the paranormal intrigues you, go see this movie. If you are a chicken like me but know your husband wants to see this movie, go see this movie. Everyone should see this movie.
Except for my nine year old. He wouldn’t sleep in his own bed for months if he saw this movie. Everyone else, go see The Conjuring.
Undefeated is a coming of age documentary from filmmakers T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay based on the 2009 football season of the Manassas Tigers. The original plan was for a thirty minute documentary focused on O.C. Brown, and that turned into a full-blown movie project. Undefeated recently won the Oscar for Best Documentary!!
Manassas High School was founded in 1899, and the Tigers had never won a playoff game. It’s a school that doesn’t have the funds for a fancy field, proper equipment, or even a coach. What it does have though, is kids that want to be a part of something bigger.
Bill Courtney loved to coach. It was his dream actually, but it wouldn’t pay the bills, so he started his own business in 2001. He says he never quit coaching though. Coaching was his passion. His passion led him to Manassas, and 17 players that had a 6-54 record for the previous six years.
Courtney and his team of volunteers impacted those boys that were from the inner city. They cared about them and they prayed with them. It was more than just football, but it changed the way that football was played by those kids.
It changed lives.
It changed Manassas football.
There were a few times that I cried while watching. The stories of the boys are so endearing and heart breaking too. I was rooting for them personally and on the field, just like Courtney was.
There’s a line in the film where Courtney says, “If you think football builds character, it does not. It reveals character.” It’s such a powerful moment. I think I can still hear him saying it.
My husband came in while I was watching it, and sat down with me. He’s telling his friends they need to see it. That’s what I’m telling you. See it, it’s great. There are a few curse words in it, so you’ve been warned. It is PG-13, from The Weinstein Company.
Click here to watch the trailer. UNDEFEATED
Tonight I attended the advanced screening for The Vow from Sony Pictures, and let me just say you have to go see it this Friday! 
We arrived about twenty minutes early with our reservation printed out, and bypassed the line to go straight into the theater. There were a couple other people standing by the ticket taker with their printed reservations, and they were being told that the seats were all taken, but they could come back tomorrow for a different movie showing. My friend and I looked at each other in a panic, and all sorts of thoughts were running through my head. The other people put their name on a list and left, and I handed my reservation to the man. He looked at it and said, “oh, you’re with Grace Hill Media, we have seats for you.” Then he took us to our seats, and they had signs on them with my name! I totally felt like a rock star!
The movie started without any previews and we were hooked from the beginning. I can’t give you details, but I am telling you to see this movie! It is so heartwarming and tender.
Tomorrow I have the honor of interviewing the couple that this film was based on. What do you think I should ask them?
I’ll be posting my interview with them on Valentine’s day!
The Vow will be in theaters nationwide beginning Friday, February 10th. The film is inspired by the real-life story of Kim & Krickett Carpenter. They fell in love and got married, but Krickett lost her memory of Kim just two months after their wedding because of a car accident. Kim had to win Krickett’s heart all over again.
Kim and Krickett were able to fall in love again because of their shared faith in the Lord, Kim’s patience, and Krickett’s compassion. They recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary!
The movie stars Rachel McAdams as Paige and Channing Tatum as Leo. What a beautiful couple for this romantic drama!
“Paige and Leo are a happy newlywed couple whose lives are shattered by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, Paige has no memory of Leo or their marriage, a confusing relationship with her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange), and an ex-fiance` (Scott Speedman) she may still have feelings for. ”
I’m looking forward to this Sony Pictures film, and I was asked to an advanced screening tomorrow night! I’m so excited to see it, and I’m taking my kleenex.
This movie is the perfect date night movie. My daughter and her boyfriend will be seeing it opening day to celebrate their 4 month anniversary and Valentine’s Day. When will you see it?
Click here to watch the trailer_The Vow
This giveaway is now closed.
Today I’m giving you the chance to win the movie Dolphin Tale, from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Group. It will be released to the public tomorrow, but you could win the Blu-ray combo pack, DVD and Digital Download valued at $35.99 right here.
“Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun.
Losing her tail may cost Winter her life. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant prosthetics doctor, and the unwavering devotion of a young boy to bring about a groundbreaking miracle- a miracle that might not only save Winter but could also help thousands of people around the world.
The real Winter, who plays herself in “Dolphin Tale,” today serves as a symbol of courage and hope to millions of people-especially those facing their own physical challenges-who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.”
This is an amazing true story of a dolphin and brave boy who makes it his mission to save her. It includes a fabulous cast of Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, and many more! Every New Year’s Eve we snuggle in and watch movies as a family, and this movie is on our list. I can’t wait to watch it, and share it with you. Just leave me a comment to be entered to win. Tell me what you think of the movie, if you haven’t seen it yet, or what you’re having for Christmas dinner. It doesn’t really matter what you say, just say something. I will draw a winner this Friday at noon and let you know.
This Giveaway is now closed. I used Random generator and lucky commenters number one and four win! I will be sending you an email to get your address. Thank you for participating!
A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Mitch Albom about his book turned movie, Have a Little Faith. I’m excited that I have two copies of the book to give away!
Enter by leaving me a comment here. Tell me if you’ve read the book, watched the movie, your favorite part, or if this will be a gift. You can get a second entry if you tweet about the giveaway and link back to me, @jenprays. I will keep the drawing open until 12 Eastern time on Wednesday, December 14th. At that time I will draw two random winners and notify you.
This giveaway is possible because of the great people at Grace Hill Media. You can find the movie airing on The Hallmark Channel too. I watched it again last night.
I had the pleasure of talking to Mitch Albom today about his latest book turned movie, Have a Little Faith. It is a true story of Mitch’s journey to know his old rabbi better. Five words started this journey. His 82 year old rabbi asked, “will you do my eulogy?”
Mitch had grown up with the rabbi since he was six months old, but had fallen away from the church. He calls it apathy. Everything was going ok in his life without God, so he really didn’t feel the need to find a church. So when he ran into the rabbi at a speaking engagement, and he asked him to deliver his eulogy, Mitch thought he should know the rabbi as a man. They began to meet.
At this same time, Mitch met with a Detroit pastor who was a reformed drug dealer and convict. They were two very different men, in two very different situations, but they had a similarity that bound them together. It was their faith. Believing in something bigger than yourself. What transpired in those meetings sparked a change in Mitch.
You can watch this Hallmark movie, Have a Little Faith, this Sunday November 27th on ABC at 9/8C.
Here is what we talked about today.
Me: You call yourself a cynic. What changed you?
Mitch Albom: I think when you see people living a life of faith up close, away from the pulpit and robes, you see it’s a very admirable and special thing. I saw how faith guided their lives, and how it completely turned Henry’s life around.
Me: This is your fourth movie. Did you have a lot of control in the process of making it?
Mitch: I think I had the most important say so. When Hallmark approached me, my request was that it be done in Detroit, where it all took place. They came to Detroit and we sat in pews for the business meeting. This movie was made where it happened, with real congregants and real homeless people.
Me: What do you hope people learn from this movie?
Mitch: That faith pull us together, it doesn’t divide us. You can be black, white, Christian, or Jew. You can be very different but still find common ground in faith.
Me: I saw you had a charity premier at the Emagine Theater in Detroit. Tell me how that went.
Mitch: All the stars were there from the movie, and they didn’t have to be! Before the premier they came down to the church and got to hang out with some of the people. There were 1600 people in a donated multiplex theater, with the movie showing on ten screens. Over $60,000 was made in one night to help fix up the church.
Me: What is one thing you want my readers to know?
Mitch: It’s never too late to wander back to God. It’s not a one way street. You’re not a hypocrite. You learn everyday about new things, and new lessons. You learn and admit that you were wrong to walk away. Come back. You won’t be punished. You can always go back to God if you want.
Thank you Mitch! It was an honor to talk to you today, and my family is looking forward to watching Have a Little Faith this Sunday night on ABC at 9/8C.
You need to watch it too! Have a Little Faith
UPDATE: The movie was on ABC last Sunday. If you missed it, check out the Hallmark Channel as it should be on very soon.
I am so excited to bring you this sneak peak of Mitch Albom’s new movie. For some reason I can’t embed the video, so please click on the link.
The movie premieres Sunday, November 27th at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central on ABC. A big thanks to Hallmark for making such wonderful family friendly movies!
I know where I’m going to be Sunday night after Thanksgiving, what about you?
Be sure to meet me back here the following Monday because I will be interviewing Mitch and sharing the details with all of you!