Movie Recommendations - Amazing Love, the Story of Hosea, etc.

During Lent, our family abstains from secular movies as much as possible. We watch Catholic movies which we have not seen such as Restless Heart and Edith Stein - The Seventh Chamber.  We also watch our old favorites during Lent such as the Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, the Robe, and of course on Good Friday we will watch the Passion of the Christ.  We also watch Christian (Protestant) films which are wholesome and have good messages.   For the most part, we have not encountered anything that blatantly goes against the Catholic Church's teaching.

We watched one such movie last evening. The movie is Amazing Love, the Story of Hosea. It was produced by Christian Films.

The following is a description from the film's website:

Teen friends, Steve, Carrie, Cooper, and Gameboy embark on a weekend camping trip lead by their church youth group leader Stuart (Sean Astin) and his wife Beth (Erin Bethea). Joining them is an outsider Ashley, a self-involved rich kid, whose attitude causes a major commotion within the group, specifically between her and Carrie. Before it gets too out of hand though, Stuart takes this opportunity to share with the kids the incredibly powerful biblical story of Hosea; a story of immovable faith, impeccable commitment, and impervious love.

The movie starts off in the present and then the story-telling past comes to life. It is a good movie for the whole family. What God suffers for love of us is made quite clear. Amazing Love Website If you subscribed to Netflix, it is available via streaming.

Other movies we have enjoyed are as follows: Movies produced by the Kendrick brothers:

Flywheel
Fireproof
Courageous
Fighting the Giants

If any of you have recommendations, please feel free to share.

New Movie With Eduardo Verástegui - The Butterfly Circus

You can see it here

At the height of the Great Depression, the showman of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed. Starring Eduardo Verástegui (Bella), Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, Fantastic Four) and featuring the debut performance of Nick Vujicic.

The 13th Day - New Fatima Movie

The 13th Day

Based on the memoirs of the oldest Seer, Lucia Santos, and many thousands of independent eye-witness accounts, The 13th Day dramatizes the TRUE story of three young shepherds who experienced six interactive apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, which culminated into the final prophesized Miracle.

Source Thanks for the video Tito!

The 13th Day

New movie about the apparitions in Fatima.

You can watch the trailer here

The 13th Day

Latest News about The 13th Day
13th Day Ready For Distribution
marche du film at Cannes

The 13th Day is now complete, and fully mastered in High Definition, Dolby surround sound ready for distribution.

We will be making our industry premiere on May 13th 2009, the opening day at the Marche Du Film in Cannes Palais F at 11.30am.

We aim to make it available to view as soon as possible, so our current focus is to find a distributor with the right commercial and spiritual sensibilities to exploit the full market and message delivery potential of the film.

We are currently negotiating for the license rights in North America, and so hope to be able to make the film available to view and buy within 6 months.

The 13th Day will Premiere for cast, crew and the press in select ‘invitation only’ screenings at the end of May. These will be in Birmingham, UK, and of course in Fatima, Portugal. Dates t.b.c.

Synopsis

October 13th 1917, Fatima, Portugal.

FACT: Over 70,000 witnesses watched the sun spinning in the sky before plummeting towards the earth, in an extraordinary prophesised event, which became known as ‘The Miracle of the Sun’.

In a world torn apart by persecution, war and oppression, 3 children were chosen to offer a message of hope to the world.

Based on the memoirs of the oldest Seer, Lucia Santos, and many thousands of independent eye-witness accounts, The 13th Day dramatizes the TRUE story of three young shepherds who experienced six interactive apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, which culminated into the final prophesized Miracle.

Abducted from their homes, thrown into prison and interrogated under the threat of death in the government’s attempt to silence them, the children remained true to their story.

The lady, who later revealed herself to be the Blessed Mary, gave a SECRET to the children told in three parts, from a harrowing vision of hell, to prophetic warnings of future events including the advent and timing of the Second World War, the spread of communism, and the assassination of the Pope.

All three Seers have since die. Two of them have been beatified.

Stylistically beautiful and technically innovative, writer-directors Ian & Dominic Higgins use state-of-the-art digital effects to create stunning images of the visions and the final miracle that have never before been fully realized on screen.

Shot on location in Portugal and in the UK, 13th Day Films worked with a cast of over 250 to re-create the scenes of the 70,000 strong crowds, and 3 Portuguese children play the iconic roles of the Seers.

Witness the greatest miracle of the 20th Century, and experience the incredible, emotionally-charged and often harrowing world of three young children whose choice to remain loyal to their beliefs, even in the face of death, would inspire thousands.

Thanks to Janina for sharing this.

New Movie - The Stoning of Soraya M.

There is a new movie opening up this June, 2000 from the producers or The Passion of the Christ and starring Jim Caviezel. It is based on the international best-selling book by French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam.

This film is based on a true story. Stranded in a remote Iranian village, Sahebjam is approached by Zahra, a woman with a harrowing tale to tell about her niece, Soraya, and the bloody circumstances of her death just two weeks before. Her story exposes the dark power of mob rule, uncivil law, and the lack of rights for women. Her last and only hope for justice lies in the hands of the journalist who must escape with the story - and his life - in order to communicate the violence to the world.

Source Wikipedia

The Stoning

News From St. Luke Productions

Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2009 through June 2010 a YEAR OF THE PRIESTHOOD and has dedicated the entire year to SAINT JOHN VIANNEY. This year, he explained, marks "the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé of Ars, Jean Marie Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock." During this year, the Pope will also proclaim Saint John Vianney, who is currently known as the patron saint of parish priests and confessors, the "patron of all priests of the world."

VIANNEY DRAMA OPENS AUGUST 4, 2009

St. John Vianney's Feast Day


We are now booking performances for a limited one year tour of VIANNEY, the inspiring story of Saint John Vianney, in commemoration of his 150th anniversary. We urge you to bring this powerful drama to your own community!

The U.S. tour of VIANNEY will travel to parishes, theaters, seminaries, universities and throughout the Catholic school system, as a significant contribution to the year-long celebration and renewal of the priesthood and family life.

The Curé of Ars is the saint who will inspire all of us, especially young people, with a deeper understanding of the heroic life of the priest. We believe a tremendous upsurge in vocations will spring from this Year of the Priesthood because our youth are seeking a radical choice, a way to make a difference in our world, and John Vianney points the way through his dramatic life of self-sacrifice and his struggle with evil.

For more information on the new VIANNEY production, visit

Vianney Drama

Born-alive abortion movie stuns viewers

Born-alive abortion movie stuns viewers

22 Weeks the Movie

Demand it. BTW, only 3 people in Hawaii have demanded this movie so far.

Fireproof My Marriage - Catholic Resources

Fireproof My Marriage

H/T to Melissa.

Local Event - Bella

Hawaii, here is your chance to watch Bella. It is only here for a very limited time. It is being shown at the Regal Theaters (Dole Cannery).

11/09/2007 (11:50 AM), (2:20), (4:50), 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/10/2007 (11:50 AM), (2:20), 4:50, 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/11/2007 (11:50 AM), (2:20), 4:50, 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/12/2007 (11:50 AM), (2:20), 4:50, 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/13/2007 (1:30 PM), (4:15), 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/14/2007 (1:30 PM), (4:15), 7:05, 9:30 PM
11/15/2007 (1:30 PM), (4:15), 7:05, 9:30 PM

Please support this movie by taking your friends and family. (Click here for Dole movie listings)or visit Movie Tickets.

I saw an interview with Eduardo Verastegui the lead actor and (also producer of the movie) on the O'Reilly Factor yesterday. He stressed that ticket sales this weekend will be very critical to the successful of this pro-life/family movie.

Please make an extra effort to go. You won't be sorry.

Also, if you do go, remember to thank Regal Theaters for bringing another good and decent movie to us. If you recall, they also showed Therese and the Nativity Story.

Catholic Families and the Movies

For those of you who know me, I am a huge movie buff. The older the movie, the better. Silents, b/w, foreign, etc. I've probably seen it.

It is therefore wonderful to find that the Love2Learn Ladies have created a new blog for Catholic movie fans like my family and me.

The Love2Learn Movie Blog I mentioned to Ana one of the bloggers, that I am currently working on a list of my favorite movies. When it is complete, I will share it here and with them.

Your Movie Buff Quotient: 68%

You are a total movie buff. Classics, blockbusters, indie favorites... you've seen most of them. Your friends know to come to you whenever they need a few good DVD rental suggestions.

Are You a Movie Buff?

Bella the Prolife Movie

Did I mention to you that a prolife group here in Hawaii, Aloha Problem Pregnancy Center, is bringing the movie here to us? As soon as I get more definite details, I will share them. Just be sure to keep November 8th open so you can attend. It is a fundraiser. Even though the tickets are free, please be generous when donating.

Which brings me to my post, Tito of Custos Fidei a fellow Catholic blogger with Hawaiian ties, has a very interesting article on Bella's debut in Houston.

Texas Right to Life held their annual banquet last Friday on September 14 A.D. 2007 here in Houston. The movie producer, Leo Severino, and the leading man, Eduardo Verastegui, both of the movie Bella, were guest speakers among others. Pat Gray was the Master of Ceremonies and was very entertaining to say the least.

Be sure to check it out.

Hollywood and Money

Creative Minority Report blogs about Hollywood Cares About Money Again. Hooray!

It also gives you a sneak peak about the movie Bella.

I'd also ask that you say a prayer that Bella comes to Hawaii.

Vatican's Best Film List

H/T to Fr. Stephanos

CLICK HERE for the entire list. The following are the ones I have watched:

Religion
Ben-Hur (1959)

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

The Mission (1986)

Values
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Schindler's List (1993)

Art
Citizen Kane (1941)

Fantasia (1940)

Little Women (1933)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

2006 Movie Picks - Mercatornet

As I mentioned in a previous post, Francis Philips reviews books for Theotokos and by the way the last review was under her pen name Jack Carrigan. She also reviews for Mercatornet.

Today, I visted their site with a little more care and I found the list of movie picks very interesting considering it listed M. Night Shyamalan's film The Lady in the Water as one of the movies they liked.

My family and I are big fans of M. Night Shyamalan, specifically, The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. My DH and DS loved Signs. However, we were disappointed with The Village, even though we enjoyed it up to the end.

From all we had heard and read, the critics hated the Lady in the Water. We therefore were in no rush to watch it. Finally, on St. Valentine's Day we did. And, we loved it! It was just one of those movies that grab your attention and keeps it there until the end. We were not disappointed at the ending either.

The following is from Mercatornet

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, Bill Irwin, Bob Balaban.

This modern fairy tale was panned by some critics as self-indulgent mythmaking by director M. Night Shyamalan, but others loved it. A depressed doctor now working as a janitor in an apartment complex discovers that the person taking illegal night-time swims in the pool is a narf. A narf, he learns from a Korean woman, is a water nymph who belongs in the sea. But she is afraid to leave because of malevolent spirits who are prowling outside. The mysterious fairy-like creature draws together the eccentrics living in the complex as they battle to return her to the ocean. Spooky, atmospheric and quirky. One of the characters is a sour, twisted book and film critic -- no doubt a dig by the director at hostile reviewers.

Click HERE for the complete list.