If you are looking for a new movie to watch this week, have I got the perfect one for you... I Still Believe, which releases tomorrow (May 5th) on DVD and Blu-ray, and is the true life story of Jeremy Camp and the love story between him and his first wife, Melissa, who passed away of cancer shortly after they married. I have been waiting to watch this movie, ever since I saw the trailer last year and heard of the movie's upcoming release in theaters. But, due to the Covid 19 virus, they ended up releasing the movie to digital rental a short time ago. I was going to rent it and watch it, but then I decided to wait, as I wanted to be able to own this movie and watch it whenever I wanted.
Earlier this week, on May 1st, I celebrated my 12th cancerversary. It was a big milestone for me, and one I look forward to each year...more than my birthday. It is crazy that it has been 12 years in remission from stage 2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, as it still feels like yesterday that I received the call from my ENT telling me my biopsy came back as cancer. I thought my world was ending, especially after reading up about this rare cancer online and how back in 2008, it still had a 50/50 survival rate. Only 2% of the US population was diagnosed with this cancer, and it was usually seen in Asians. Why was this happening to me? I had just bought my first house with my husband, and we were planning our future together...only to get this gut wrenching news. Having been through cancer like Jeremy's wife, I could relate to how she was feeling, and knew how my husband felt while I fought for my life. Even back in 2008 after 40 rounds of radiation to my head, neck and shoulder area, and 3 months of high dose chemotherapy, hearing "remission" from the doctors was a relief, but also scary at the same time, as we had no idea if it would come back, like some many other cases I had read and heard about. We tried to move on with our lives, but every day I had thoughts in the back of my mind, as did my husband. Slowly, though, as the years passed, those thoughts weren't as strong. Even today, I still have days where I feel an ache or pain, or lump or bump and wonder if it is a reoccurrence or a secondary cancer. But, I try to stay positive and live each day as a gift, just like Melissa did after she heard she was cancer free, and then when she found out her cancer had returned.
I got the opportunity to watch I Still Believe earlier today, and have to say, it was great. It was definitely sad, but the love that Melissa and Jeremy had for one another was seen and felt through the actors that portrayed them in the film. Yes, I did go through almost a whole box of tissues, as the movie will pull at your heartstrings from beginning to end. I already knew the ending of the movie, so it wasn't a spoiler...sadly, Melissa loses her battle with cancer. Jeremy went on to write this amazing song, which is also the title of the movie, and a few years later found love again, and has children (a dream that Melissa had hoped for). I am grateful to be able to wake and see my two girls every day, as I was told by doctors that I would never be able to have children, before going through the radiation and chemotherapy treatment. I didn't have a choice back them to wait and have children and then start treatment, as the cancer was going to spread, and they needed to do all they could to get rid of this rare cancer.
A few years ago, I stumbled across a book that Melissa's mother put out, in which she shared Melissa's personal diary entries. Just like with the movie, you can feel the love for life and her relationship with Jeremy as you read her personal thoughts. Melissa hoped that by telling her story she would be able to save one life...well, she has done more than that, thanks in part to Jeremy sharing their story through this movie, and Melissa's mom releasing the book. And, I know that once the movie releases to DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow, more people will be moved and touched by her story, and want to stay proactive in having medical issues/concerns checked out and followed up on. Melissa will live on forever in Jeremy's heart, through his music, and now through this powerful and heartwarming movie. I wholeheartedly recommend this movie for those who want to be inspired and come away from the movie feeling moved by this love story. I know I was moved, and am still thinking about it as I write this post up. I can't wait to go back and watch the movie again this weekend with my husband. I know that he will get emotional as he never handles cancer-related movies after having gone through it personally with me. But, he has heard me talk about this movie for a long time, and wanted to sit down and watch it with me. It came out right at the perfect time too, as I celebrate 12 years in remission. If only Melissa was so lucky. But, she is now a star up in the sky, shining bright. And, I know that she is proud of Jeremy and the life he now has, and the movie that he helped share with the world.
You can pick up I Still Believe starting tomorrow on DVD and Blu-Ray. This is one movie you don't want to miss, and one you will be talking about with family and friends for some time to come. Be sure to read on for a great giveaway I am hosting. One lucky reader will win a digital copy of this movie, as well as some other great movie swag and even a Q&A with Jeremy Camp through video. :-)
More about this movie:
"One love can change your life. One life can change the world. From the creators of I CAN ONLY IMAGINE comes an inspiring love story for the ages. Rediscover the wonder of love in I STILL BELIEVE, based on the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp."
BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Audio Commentary with Director Andrew Erwin & Writer-Director Jon Erwin
- “Origin” Featurette
- “Casting” Featurette
- “Music” Featurette
- “Bart & Jeremy” Featurette
- Deleted Scenes
Don't forget to follow I Still Believe on Facebook, to stay up to date on all things related to this amazing movie -- https://www.facebook.com/istillbelieve/.
--GIVEAWAY--
(Note: In Unison book not included)
One lucky inspired by savannah reader will have a chance to win the following I Still Believe Goodies...
- FREE digital edition of I STILL BELIEVE
- Official, commemorative pop socket
- Official, commemorative wristband
- Exclusive Q&A with Jeremy Camp (via video)
To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I was provided with a screener to help facilitate my review of the movie, thanks to the folks at LEV3L. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
I love the Movie Call of the Wild
ReplyDeleteI watched Part 1 of Plandicmovie.com (it is about Covid19).
ReplyDeleteI saw Onward recently and it really touched me.
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