New Family-Friendly Movies from Bridgestone Multimedia Group (Reviews)

Here are a handful of recent releases from Bridgestone Multimedia Group.  I always look forward to screeners from them, as they offer inspirational faith-based films that the whole family can sit down and enjoy together.  I have watched all but "Indescribable," which my husband and I will be watching this weekend.  But, friends who have seen this movie, say it is one that the whole family will enjoy.  I can't wait for the weekend to get here, so that we can watch it. :-)

So, if you are looking for a great faith-based/family-friendly film to watch this weekend, why not consider one or more of the following from Bridgestone Multimedia group?
 



Buy now for only $19.95.

Synopsis:

"In the year 2030, all religious freedoms Americans once enjoyed have disappeared, replaced by a universal church in which Christianity is outlawed. The government silences all truth and views those who dare to speak about their faith as terrorists who must be hunted down and destroyed. Only one man, Zach Thompson, has the courage to stand up for the truth.

With the help of his friend Aaron, a Navy Seal with expert computer skills, Zach devises a plan to breach the government's lockdown on religious webcasts, but Zach's proclamation of faith comes with a heavy price. Imprisoned by a ruthless government official, Captain Jack Johansen, Zach stays focused on his mission, even with death pounding at his door."

My Thoughts:

What would you do if you could not practice your own religion, and had to attend a universal church?  Well, this the premise of this movie, set in 2030, in which the man character Zach Thompson, courageously stands up for his religious beliefs.  With the help of his friend, he hopes to breach government ruling of all thing church and religious based -- but, he does so at a price.

Even though I hope nothing like this ever comes to us, in which we lose our religious freedoms, I did find them movie riveting, and was at the edge of my seat throughout the entire film.  With death hanging over Zach's head, does Zach get out of turn and achieve this personal mission to stand up and fight for what he beliefs in?  Don't worry, I will not spoil the ending for you.  I will just say that is a great "what if" movie, full of suspense.

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Buy now for only $14.95.

Synopsis:

"Buckle up and ride along with host Dave Stotts as he takes a whirlwind tour through American history in the award-winning Drive Thru History series. Based on the work of Christian historian David Barton, Discovering America's Founders escorts viewers through Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Virginia to learn about key patriots like George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Noah Webster.

Shot on location in England and the United States, this compelling documentary brings a detailed and researched perspective to America's history through interviews with leading experts and many never-before-seen archival letters and documents. Grab the keys and ride on the edge of your seat as you explore America's past and discover how faith and commitment to God contributed to the founding of our nation."

My Thoughts:

My husband and I watched this movie over the weekend, and loved how well it presented the Founding Fathers.  I know that religion cannot be discussed in schools, but this would make for a great home school video, to help teach children about how our nation was founded, and how God played a role in it.  I loved the use of interviews with leading experts, along with never-before-seen archival letters and documents, in presenting the history of America.  Even though history was never a favorite subject of mine in school, I have to say that I got excited about what I was learning about America and the Founding Fathers through this documentary.  Definitely worth checking out if you have young children studying about the history of America -- with a tie in of faith and commitment to God.

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Buy now for only $19.95.

Synopsis:

"Medical student Sarah Goodall is grieving her mother's death when she is assigned to write an essay on how the world came into being. Now, questioning her faith and her purpose, Sarah watches her life spiral downward, and a growing relationship with the mysterious bad boy Dane only adds to Sarah's confusion. Once an honor student, she begins failing her classes, jeopardizing her scholarship and her future. Then, an American transfer student, Mike, takes a vested interest in Sarah and helps her rediscover what she's counted as lost.

Creationism is a central theme in Charge Over You, which takes its title from Psalm 91:11, "For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." Although Sarah loses her mother, the young woman discovers a renewed sense of hope and comes to understand the mysteriousness of God. As the inspirational film says, "Sometimes life takes things from us so that others will go in the right direction."

My Thoughts:

This is a great movie for anyone at a crossroads in life, who are searching to find their way and purpose in life.  During this time, we oftentimes find ourselves weighing the good with the bad, while trying to fight off evils, as we try to get back on the right path.  "Charge over You" shares the story about a young college student who has lost her direction in life after her mother passes away.  It is not until God steps in to help, that she realizes that we all have a purpose in life, and that God has a plan for us.  Even if we don't see it, or lose sight of it, God is always there to get us back on track.

Children and adults will enjoy this film, and can relate it to instances in their life that they struggled (or are struggling) to choose the right direction.  If they know that God has a plan for all us, and that He works in mysterious ways, then they will find comfort in knowing that He is here to help and will always guide us through thick and thin.  And, even though the right path seems worlds away, if you take time to breath, compose yourself, and push on, you will find your way, with a little help from the man upstairs.

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Buy now for only $19.95.


Synopsis:

"Amid financial pressures and the uncertainties of World War I, Pastor Frederick Lehman begins to compose a song about the love of God. When Frederick gets stuck on the third verse, his ten-year-old son, Blynn, calls a sibling council to help Papa finish the song. While the Lehman kids get to work, they waste a lot of paper, explore an old asylum, meet a real Jewish Rabbi, and learn about events that took place over eight centuries earlier.

As Blynn grapples with feelings of failure and grief, it's up to Frederick to help his son discover the truth about God's love. The true story of how the classic hymn "The Love of God" came to be, Indescribable features the vocals of gospel music singer Guy Penrod."

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Buy now for only $19.95.

Synopsis:

"From award-winning director David Anspaugh (Rudy, Hoosiers) and acclaimed screenwriter Patrick Duncan (Mr. Holland's Opus), Little Red Wagon tells the extraordinary true story of young philanthropist Zach Bonner. Eight-year-old Zach dreams of making a difference in the world, and he refuses to let anything or anyone stand in his way.

Armed with nothing more than a blazing spirit of generosity and his beat-up little red wagon, Zach sets out to help the 1.3 million homeless children in America, one wagon full at a time. In the process, Zach sweeps along his fractured family and, ultimately, the entire country."

My Thoughts:

  Little Red Wagon is about an eight year old boy, named Zach Bonner (played by Chandler Canterbury), who lives in Tampa, FL with her mom (played by Anna Gunn), and 16-year old sister, Kelley (played by Daveigh Chase).  In 2004, the Florida Coast got hit by Hurricane Charley, leaving many families homeless, as a result of the storm.  When Zach saw the newscast about the damage and those who lost everything and were now homeless, he wanted to do something to help.  He thought he would be able to collect enough water, clothing, food and other supplies, and began traveling around his neighborhood and surrounding area transporting these much needed supplies in his little red wagon.  I liked the scene in the movie where is mom pulled into the driveway and saw his wagon full of water and supplies.  Then, he told her that this wasn't all of it, and then opened the garage door.  The entire garage floor was filled with supplies he had gathered and that were given to him.  It was truly an inspiring moment to see how one little boy's desire to help those in need produced a garage full of supplies.  As I watched this movie, I couldn't help but think about the recent Hurricane Sandy, which hit NJ and NY and left many people homeless (even to this day as they are waiting for Hurricane Relief Funds).  I wondered if there were other children or families who thought about helping in the capacity like Zach Bonner did, to help gather up must needed supplies to give to those without?  
As the movie progressed, we saw how Zach's initial desire to help those affected by Hurricane Charley, resulted in him founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation.  Zach is one of the youngest to create a non-profit, which in itself is truly remarkable.  The Little Red Wagon Foundation create “Zach Packs" -- backpacks filled with life’s bare essentials – plus a toy, to show homeless kids that someone cares about them.  In addition to gathering up supplies for Hurricane Charlie victims,  Zach also decides he will walk from Tampa to Tallahassee, to bring help, hope and shed light on the increasing number of homeless youth in America.  Will he fulfill this goal?  And, will his family stand behind him and his efforts?  You will have to pick up this movie and watch for yourself. :-)  And, when you are done watching it with your family, you will inspired to want to help those in need by donating money or supplies, volunteering, etc.  So, instead of choosing to lose weight, save for trip, etc. as your New Year's resolution, why not choose to help those in need?  Zach's story will definitely inspire you to want to do great things. :-)

Disclosure: I was sent screener copies of these films from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.