The Christmas Lodge {Family Night Movie}
December 13, 2011 by Homeschool Roster
Filed under family movies, movies, reviews
The Christmas Lodge is Thomas Kinkade on the screen and what I mean by that is if you are familiar with his magnificent artwork that draws you in and makes you want to be there, then that is exactly how Christmas Lodge makes you feel. The spirit of the season, family, faith, holiday traditions, and preserving the past all come together in this adorable movie that you will enjoy with your family and will want to make a family tradition to watch in forthcoming years.
On a weekend getaway to the mountains, Mary stumbles upon the Christmas lodge after rescuing a little girl who turns out to be the daughter of the owner (Jack) of the lodge which has fallen into disrepair over the years. Immediately upon entering the lodge, memories of many Christmases spent there with her family pass through her mind as she learns of Jack’s vision to return the Christmas Lodge to “her glory.” The only thing stopping him is the lack of funds.
Determined to salvage a place that had such a tremendous impact on her family, Mary uses her professional skills for building restoration, enlist the building construction skills of her family, and partners with Jack to make the lodge a place where other families can come and enjoy, as her family did, and make new memories. As Mary helps Jack rebuild a family treasure close to his heart, she also opens her heart to true love.
This movie is a wonderful pick for all family members and makes a great movie for family night. Mary’s close relationship with her grandfather, who actually inspires her to work on the project despite its challenges, is one built on love and hope, a mutual respect for the outdoors, and the belief in the miracles of God.
Oh, and the romance. Never did it make me blush, but it was still sweet. It was just the way you want it to be when you are watching a movie with your children.
Watch the trailer:
Spend some time at The Christmas Lodge. It is a place you will want to be with your family. If you think The Christmas Lodge
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“Disclosure of Material Connection: We were provided access to preview the product mentioned above for free in the hope that we would mention it on our blog. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“ |
Game of Your Life {Family Night Movie}
November 29, 2011 by Homeschool Roster
Filed under family movies, movies, reviews
We are big on family-friendly movies here at Homeschool Roster. Because of that, you will see a new movie trailer listed in the HR’s Family Movie of the Week section on the right sidebar every week of movies we think your family might enjoy. We recently had the opportunity to take an early peek at Game of Your Life, which is a new movie presented by partners P&G and Walmart that premieres this Friday, December 2 on NBC, 8PM ET/7PM CT.
Game of Your Life is the latest feature by these partners in their Family Movie Night movement where they hope to bring the family closer together as they watch movies that are “quality, are good for the whole family, and provide teachable moments all along with family friendly commercials in between.” As a family, we have already enjoyed quite a few of these Family Movie Night presentations which include A Walk in My Shoes, Change of Plans, Who is Simon Miller?, and a few others.
Zach Taylor – a.k.a. technology wiz, gamer, and a young man who proves that being “geeky” is totally cool. Zach is one of several students who is accepted to the Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD) which is a prestigious learning institute where the best of the best in technology and design attend. This rare opportunity offers hims the chance to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and gives him the major jump-start he needs to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional video game designer. Zach’s first challenge is making it through the first three months which is the “make it or break it” period for the freshman class during which many students will be eliminated from the program.
When Zach is presented with an opportunity to work on a special secret project with Marcus Bentton and also earn some money, he jumps at the chance with the hope of earning enough money to help his father who is struggling financially at home. This decision is made despite the warning given to the students at the beginning of the school year to only concentrate on their school work and not involve themselves in additional projects.
With the belief that he can handle the work required of both projects, Zach begins dividing his time and energy which soon proves to be too much for him. While trying to juggle everything, Zach begins to let down his teammates who trust him to uphold his part of the team project, threatens his academic status in school, and also eventually learns that the one he admires is truly not one to be trusted.
See movie trailer:
Game of Your Life is a nice addition to Family Movie Night. It was fun to watch an upcoming television show that we could watch together with our children without having to worry about the content being inappropriate. Another plus is that these movies provide lessons to be learned by the characters which opens up an opportunity for discussion with your children after (or during) the movie.
Put this one on your schedule to watch on Friday, December 2 on NBC. You can connect with other Game of Your Life fans on Facebook and also see what people are tweeting about the movie on Twitter.
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“Disclosure of Material Connection: We were provided access to preview the product mentioned above for free in the hope that we would mention it on our blog. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“ |
The Grace Card {review & giveaway}
August 16, 2011 by Homeschool Roster
Filed under giveaway, Homeschool Roster, movies, reviews
It is because of movies like The Grace Card that Homeschool Roster totally supports Christian cinema. It is one that moves you covering topics that affect all of us from racism, forgiveness, reconciliation, and then to grace which is something we all need a little (a lot) bit of as well as knowing how to extend it. The Grace Card is brought to us by Memphis optometrist Dr. David Evans who not only wrote and directed the movie, but also is the man behind Graceworks Pictures of which The Grace Card is its debut project. Many may already be familiar with Dr. Evans’ artistic work from seeing the Passion Play at Calvary Church (located in Cordova), which has been credited to his writing, producing, and directing talents for more than 15 years.
We get to see a lot of the city of Memphis which is not only used as a backdrop, but also “plays a central character” in the film as we ride along and experience days in the lives, on and off duty, of Memphis Police officers Bill “Mac” McDonald and “Sargent Pastor” Sam Wright, who are Caucasian and African American, respectively. Both men are at different points in their careers – Mac who has been a beat-cop for more than a decade and Sam who is a recently promoted Sargent – and have been temporarily partnered. Along with the differences in their professional lives, their personal lives also reveal a contrast with Sam being a loving family-man and part-time pastor and Mac with a home full of anger, bitterness, and resentment, which has been fueled by him ever since the tragic loss of his young son many years earlier.
Sam and Mac are two men struggling for purpose in their lives and only One really understands the reason for why these two men have been brought together. As the movie progresses and we watch the building of their relationship, we also begin to see the design of God at work as they move past their obvious differences and He begins the healing and provides the direction they both need in their lives. There are but a few things that make us different and so many more things that make us the same.
David Evans has created a beautiful story that touches on, but does not belabor the subject of racism and race, but neatly weaves the themes into the storyline and shows how both can easily permeate our lives and cause so many other emotions like unforgiveness and anger to manifest and slowly destroy or prevent the developing of a relationship. We can see this displayed in Mac’s life and how hopeless he has become as a result. On the other hand, Sam who views people as children of God is also tested as he realizes that it isn’t always so easy to love everyone. One thing to remember is that it is easier to receive grace than it is to extend it and we get to see the lesson displayed through the characters in the movie.
The ending of the movie will bring tears to your eyes, but make you that more thankful for grace. Just a suggestion…get your Grace Card ready so you will be able to play it when God asks you to.
Watch the movie trailer:
The Grace Card was released today. You can Buy It Now OR register to win a copy right here at Homeschool Roster.
GIVEAWAY PRIZE
One (1) lucky reader will win a copy of the DVD movie The Grace Card.
Congratulations to Dawn – “Bella, is my favorite one, and The Butterfly Circus.” An E-mail has been sent to you..
HOW TO ENTER
Complete the required entry below. Once the REQUIRED entry has been completed, then you may enter additional times by leaving an extra comment for each bonus entry completed.
REQUIRED ENTRY
Leave a comment on this post and tell me what is your favorite Christian movie. Yes, you may answer The Grace Card if you would like.
BONUS ENTRIES
- like Homeschool Roster on Facebook – 1 entry
- like The Grace Card on Facebook – 1 entry
- become a public Google blog follower (Go to Homeschool Roster homepage and click on Google box) – 1 entry
- subscribe to Homeschool Roster updates – 1 entry
- follow Homeschool Roster on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (you may use this text if you would like: Win a copy of The Grace Card the movie @tnhomeschoolers http://tinyurl.com/3e6jusp until 8/30. – 1 entry
If you have already liked Homeschool Roster on Facebook and have become a public Google follower, then you already have two bonus entries. Just remember to complete the REQUIRED entry and leave a comment for all you do/did.
GIVEAWAY RULES
The giveaway is open to U.S. and International residents and you must be at least 18 years old. The winner will be notified by E-mail. This giveaway ends 8/30/11 at 11:59PM CST.
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“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“ |
