Usually my husband watches all the movies I review with me. I value his input and perspective. Unfortunately, he was not at home the night I had to watch the movie so I was watching solo. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this movie but it sounded interesting so I was excited to watch it. I was intrigued by the true story being portrayed through the movie.

The real life events that THE FIRING SQUAD is based on took place in 2015, not even 10 years ago, but I hadn’t heard about it and you probably haven’t either. The bulk of the movie takes place in a prison camp in Indonesia. The warden of the camp, played by Tupua Ainu’u, is a man full of hate and torment-which he takes out daily as he abuses his inmates physically and verbally. The main character, played by James Barrington, is an inmate who suffers a lot of the abuse. During a stint in solitary confinement he has a lifechanging encounter with God. I don’t want to give away to much of the story because you need to go see it. The film’s tagline says all you need to know, “They faced death. And chose life.”

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

THE FIRING SQUAD is an intense, intriguing, powerful movie. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more powerful. As an American, it’s difficult to believe how different the justice system is in other parts of the world. I was gripped by the story and the filmmaking from the beginning. I was drawn in by the acting and by seeing a world I know nothing about. By the end of the movie I was in tears, it touched my heart deeply.

My husband came home about 2/3 of the way through the movie. He walked in and I rudely said, “Shhh” as soon as he walked in. I was so engrossed I didn’t want to pause and get him up to speed or hear about the event he was at, all of that could wait til I saw how the movie ended.

This movie is PG-13 but because of the heavy themes, I don’t know if I would have let my sons see it at that age. Parents, you know your kids best, use your judgement. There is no on camera blood or gore. There is talk about drugs as well as verbal and physical abuse. There are lots of guns as well.

The real theme of this movie is the redemptive power of a relationship with Jesus Christ. God is no respecter of persons, anyone can repent, believe, and live for the great Hope of eternity in heaven.

About THE FIRING SQUAD

The movie opens in theaters August 2, 2024. There are many pre-screenings going on now across the country to help get the word out. You can find out about them here. The movie’s website is full of information, including how you can invest in the film. The makers of the movie have set a goal of reaching 1 Million souls for Jesus through this film. Please share this post with your friends. Make plans to see the movie with the unsaved. God is moving and using this movie to touch hearts of stone, do your part and share it!

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About Journey to Bethlehem

A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown.

This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith, and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told—the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it. See JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters beginning November 10.

The Cast:

• Mary-Fiona Palomo
• Joseph-Milo Manheim
• Herod-Antonio Banderas
• Antipater-Joel Smallbone
• Gabriel-Lecrae
• Melchior-Omid Djalili
• Gaspar-Rizwan Manji
• Bathazar-Geno Sergers
• Deborah-Moriah
• Rebekah-Stephanie Gil

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I want to start by telling you there is artistic license taken with this movie. The biggest being that, we all know the Wise Men didn’t arrive to see Jesus until He was about 2 years old. In this movie they follow the star to His birth. I’ll be honest, this bugged me. The other biggie was that Antipater (Herod’s son) came to see the baby, to arrest them but what he witnessed changed him. He told them to leave Bethlehem. Again, this is not at all what the Bible says happened.

There are comedic elements woven into this holy story. The wise men bring most of the comedy, which works pretty well. It seemed very odd for Gabriel to bring some comedy, that didn’t sit right with Ron at all.

The music in this film is amazing!! You can listen to it now on Spotify. I loved every second of music, the performances were wonderful! I can’t wait to watch it again so I can experience the music and dancing again.

The casting and acting were top notch. Fiona and Milo were wonderful as Mary and Joseph. The bond between Mary and her sisters was very authentic. The characters of Herod and Antipater had such an interesting relationship, it drew you in and made you feel for the position Antipater was in. The Wise Men were a hoot and added levity to a pretty serious story.

If you love musicals and Christmas, get your tickets now to see JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters beginning November 10th.

You can download coloring sheets, discussion guides, and more here.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card. This giveaway is open to US based readers only. This giveaway ends at 12:00am ET on 11/14/23. The winner will be verified and submitted to the sponsor who will then be responsible for providing the prize to the winner.

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About Miracle in East Texas

Inspired by one of the most improbable true stories ever, this is the entertaining tale of two aging con men at the dawn of the Great Depression and the biggest oil strike in the history of the world.

Irving Tanner, Jr. (Lou Gossett, Jr.) recounts the 1930 legend. Times are hard when the unluckiest wildcatter in the world, Dad Everett (John Ratzenberger), teams up with Doc Boyd (Kevin Sorbo), a charming snake oil salesman. Together they convince several new widows (Sam Sorbo, Paula Boudreau, and others) to invest in their worthless oil wells.

Then, the unthinkable happens! Now our two Casanovas faced with a challenge: declare another dry hole for a clean escape, or bring the well in like genuine oil men and likely spend the rest of their lives in jail?

Meanwhile, some of their investors are angry and fixing to do something about it. And one of them is truly a “mountain” of a man (Tyler Mane).

What happens next? Doc preaches, the Good Lord teaches, and a judge reaches a surprising conclusion. The mostly true story will make you laugh, shed a tear, and give you pride in the God-blessed American way.

Sorbo Studios

This movie is produced by Sorbo Studios. Miracle in East Texas is directed by Kevin Sorbo. It stars Kevin Sorbo, John Ratzenberger, Lou Gossett Jr., Tyler Mane, Sam Sorbo, and Braeden Sorbo.

Miracle in East Texas is only in theaters THIS WEEKEND October 29-30, 2023 so get your tickets NOW!

Who Should See Miracle in East Texas

If you are a US history buff, homeschool family studying American History, someone who enjoys uplifting entertainment or a lover of movies based on true stories, then this film is for you.

Homeschoolers, you can download free curricula for the movie here. There is also a discussion guide available here.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

You know I am always honest in my reviews…I dozed off several times during this movie. While the underlying message of redemption and God’s provision is there and the acting is good, the story is slow and very repetitive.

The first part of the movie is Dad and Doc pulling the same scam over and over again on different widows, it felt like seeing this twice would have gotten the point across without boring the viewer.

We enjoyed the ending and seeing how God showed up for His people, I’m all for a happy ending-even in an historical piece. It is an important story from American history that needs to be told, one I wasn’t aware of, as a homeschool mom who taught a lot of American history, I enjoyed learning something new!

Make plans to go see this movie this weekend. You will learn some American history and see a story about hope, redemption, forgiveness and God’s provision.

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“Divine Influencer” is such a timely movie as the world of social media expands at a rapid pace. The
message of this film is a reflection on how easy it is to live for the likes, the shares and the comments
instead of living our lives for God or to serve others.

About Divine Influencer

Olivia, a 29 year old social media influencer, is the social media face of a store. She is all about the likes, shares, and going viral. She accidentally posts a video of her bashing the store owner and a product they carry which causes her to lose her job. She realizes she has no money, no more perks of being an influencer, and no purpose in life. Her parents then throw her another curveball by cutting her off financially (one they should have thrown a few years earlier in my opinion) and Olivia is suddenly, broke and homeless and oh so very lost.

The rest of the film is about Olivia learning who she is and what God created her for. Olivia is not perfect, she makes many mistakes along her way. God’s grace is sufficient and she grows and changes throughout the film.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We thoroughly enjoyed “Divine Influencer”. The script was well thought out. The acting was top notch. The characters had good chemistry. You could feel the emotions portrayed on the screen.

This isn’t a cheesy Christian movie. Olivia has to work through her issues, they don’t magically disappear. She works hard, initially for the wrong reasons, but it is the first real work she’s ever done. I love a movie when I can watch a character grown, learn, and become more of who God called them to be. That is what “Divine Influencer” is all about. “Divine Influencer” is a movie about humility, the power of prayer and trusting God to show us the direction for our lives.

You can stream “Divine Influencer” on Pure Flix beginning September 15th. Don’t have Pure Flix yet? Enter my giveaway to win a 3 month trial subscription!

Giveaway

You can only watch “Divine Influencer” on Pure Flix. If you don’t have a streaming subscription yet, enter to win a 3 month trial subscription! The giveaway ends at 12:00am on Saturday, September 23, 2023 it is open to US residents only who have not won a trial subscription in the last 6 months.

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I want to start off with a word of caution, unlike most Pure Flix films, I don’t feel God’s Country Song is appropriate for kids under the age of 13. There is significant alcohol use/abuse, and some violence. Use your own discretion.

With that being said, God’s Country Song is a redemption story based on Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Noah is a broken man pursuing his dreams at all costs. On a journey of redemption and forgiveness, he rediscovers what truly matters in life: faith and family.

God’s Country Song Cast

• Justin Gaston as Noah Bryan (The Young and the Restless, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, SANTA BOOTCAMP)
• Mariel Hemingway as Sara Bryan (ON SACRED GROUND, GRACE AND GRIT, MANHATTAN)
• John Laughlin as Jeremiah Bryan (THE ROCK, FOOTLOOSE, NCIS)
• Christopher Michael as Larry (7th Heaven, FOOLS RUSH IN, THE CABLE GUY)
• Justene Alpert as Leeann (The Lincoln Lawyer, THE MATCHMAKERS PLAYBOOK)
• JJ Miller as JJ Bryan (Saved by Grace)
• Featuring Coffey Anderson, Colt Young (Country Ever After)

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

This is a very well done movie. While not what I consider to be typical Pure Flix fare, we really enjoyed it. Yes, the subject matter is difficult, a but gritty but it’s an honest look at a life that tries to hide it’s hurts with alcohol. Justin Gaston’s portrayal of Noah Bryan is spot on. He is a singer/songwriter as well as an actor so all the scenes performing his music on stage were authentic and it showed.

This film is about faith, fatherhood, and forgiveness. Noah has always resented his father for not supporting his dreams of fame and fortune. Always feeling that you don’t have the love and support of your family as you chase your dreams is a heavy weight to carry. Of course, there are always two sides to every story and as Noah learns why his father feels this way, thanks to mom sharing dad’s big secret, Noah begins to understand his father’s side.

I hope you’ll watch God’s Country Song when it starts streaming on Pure Flix starting June 16th.

Giveaway

Pure Flix is your home for faith and family-friendly exclusive movies and shows where you can confidently stream with the entire family. With new high-quality original entertainment every week, you can strengthen your faith and family with Pure Flix – a streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains. Don’t have a Pure Flix yet? I’m giving away a 3 month trial subscription! This giveaway is limited to US winners only, and only to those who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months.

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Other Pure Flix films you might like:

Sun Moon

Miracle at Manchester

A Thousand Tomorrows

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About Sun Moon

Kelsey, MacKenzie Mauzy, is shocked and stuck after being left at the altar – unsure of everything she thought was God’s plan for her life. She abandons her faith and church. She is running from failure, heartbreak and humiliation. In an attempt to understand God’s purpose for her life, she goes to Taiwan to teach English. Will her leap of faith pay off?

Why Taiwan, you may ask? Missionaries to Taiwan were speaking at her church when she went to pick up the remains of her wedding decor and cake. She spoke to the missionary and he offered her a job teaching English at the Taiwan Adventist Academy.

As you can imagine, this huge life change had its share of hurdles, the language barrier being just one of them. The movie follows Kelsey, her students, and another young teacher, Horace, Justin Chien, as they learn and grow together. Sun Moon is a story about all kinds of love and how unexpected relationships can be exactly what we need in order to draw closer to God.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

We enjoyed Sun Moon. It’s a sweet movie that introduces us to some of Taiwanese culture. The majority of the movie takes place at the Taiwan Adventist Academy where the majority of students and teachers speak Mandarin. There are no subtitles so the audience is as baffled as Kelsey is about what is being said.

Thankfully, later in the movie, just before Kelsey is scheduled to return to America after her one semester contract is up, Horace takes her to explore the area and we get to see more of the beauty of the country.

Kelsey isn’t just running away from being left at the alter. She had quit her job, to focus on being a new wife. While all this is happening, her mother is critically ill and she just doesn’t know how to deal with that, so her younger sister spends a lot of her time at mom’s bedside. All of this has led Kelsey to question where God is and what is His plan.

Taking the Message of Sun Moon Farther

On the Pure Flix website there are 3 small group discussion guides with accompanying video clips that you can use after viewing the movie. The themes of the three lessons are:

• God works everything together for our good.
• Learning to trust God.
• Finding your confidence in God.

I recommend you watch Sun Moon on Pure Flix for your next movie night.

Giveaway

I am giving away a 3 month trial membership to Pure Flix. The giveaway is open to US residents who haven’t won a trial membership in the last 6 months. The giveaway ends at 12:00am EDT 5-11-23.

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Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids’ content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films. We love our Pure Flix subscription and we think you will love it too.

About Heaven Sent

Elise, a grandmother hurt by her past, and Patrick, a widowed pastor, have closed the door on love. But with faith and a little help from technology, will their live-streamed romance find away?

Elise has made raising her, now 19 year old grandson, her entire life. Derek, her grandson, is more than ready to live his own life but, he is also concerned about leaving his grandmother. He lives a more virtual life online and livestreaming things going on around him, with no thought about other people’s privacy.

Pastor Patrick is being urged by a younger friend, who is having his own marital troubles, to “get back out there” five years after losing his wife.

“Heaven Sent” has many layers – as we see storylines interconnect and overlap to form a beautiful mosaic showing relationships at all different stages: young and new love, established love that’s currently experiencing some conflict and new love that’s blossoming after healing from past experiences.

The amazingly talented Karen Abercrombie co-wrote, executive produced, and stars in “Heaven Sent”. She is known for playing one of my favorite film characters ever, Miss Clara in “War Room”. The cast also includes Jemarcus Kilgore, J Leon Pridgen II, Charlene Tilton, Michael J. Patterson, Elizabeth Byland and Gary Doudran.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts on “Heaven Sent”

We loved this movie. It had great acting, characters wading through difficult emotions and wounds from their past, new love, old friends, as well as family dynamics we can probably all relate with. I’ll admit I had a tough time when Derek started livestreaming his grandmother’s life without her permission, that is just wrong, and I got angry at him.

If you are looking for a well done, faith based RomCom, check out “Heaven Sent” on Pure Flix, you won’t be disappointed.

Giveaway

I am giving away a 3 month subscription to Pure Flix to 1 US reader who hasn’t won a subscription in the last 6 months.

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I love a good comeback story. We all make wrong choices sometimes. They can be in our personal life, relationships, professional life, whatever. When someone sees the error of their ways and decides to make a change to not only be better moving forward, but to do what they can to right the wrongs of their past, that’s a story I’m interested in. When that change comes not only from outward motivation but from a heart change, one that has made the most important decision in every person’s life, to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, than I’m all in. In a nutshell that is what THE MULLIGAN is all about.

Based on the popular book by former PGA touring pro Wally Armstrong and bestselling author and business executive Ken Blanchard, THE MULLIGAN is an inspiring reminder that second chances are only one step away. From the producer of BOBBY JONES: STROKE OF GENIUS, and the director-producer team behind THE ULTIMATE GIFT comes THE MULLIGAN, sporting an all-star cast that includes Eric Close (NASHVILLE, AMERICAN SNIPER) as Paul, Pat Boone as the Old Pro, and PGA golfer Tom Lehman and broadcasting legend Jim Nantz as themselves.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

Hubby and I watched the movie the other night and we enjoyed it. It does get a little slow at a few points, but not too bad. The characters are mostly well developed and well acted. The part of Jake could have used a bit more depth. I thoroughly enjoyed Pat Boone as Will Dunn, The Old Pro. His love of golf and heart for the people around him shone bright. The Old Pro had a gold analogy for just about every life struggle. He was the heart of the movie. Eric Close was believable as entrepreneur and CEO Paul McAllister. The actor embodied the mental and heart shifts that take place in his character throughout the film.

THE MULLIGAN is only in theaters April 18 & 18, 2022 so get your tickets now! If there’s not a theater near you showing The Mulligan, you can also host a showing at your church? Click HERE to learn more!

The Giveaway

I am giving away a digital copy of the book The Mulligan. THE MULLIGAN is based on the beloved book by Wally Armstrong and Ken Blanchard. This inspiring story about relationships, forgiveness, and priorities is a shot of grace. Golf’s gracious do-over, a mulligan is the beginning of Paul McAllister’s second chance. Guided by the wisdom and advice of the Old Pro, Paul learns about priorities, self-confidence, and
playing a good game both on and off the course. The Mulligan is a parable of second chances.

The giveaway ends at 12:00AM on 4/25/22. Winners will be verified and their email will be sent to the sponsor who is responsible for emailing out the link to the book.

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Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing a sample of the product for this review.
Opinions are 100% my own.

About Tyson’s Run

When fifteen-year-old Tyson attends public school for the first time, his life is changed forever. While helping his father clean up after the football team, Tyson befriends champion marathon runner Aklilu. Never letting his autism hold him back, Tyson becomes determined to run his first marathon in hopes of winning his father’s approval.

With the help of an unlikely friend and his parents, Tyson learns that with faith in yourself and the courage to take the first step, anything is possible.

TysonsRun.com

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

Have you ever found yourself trying to get the approval of a parent? If not, you likely know someone who has. That’s where Tyson, a teen with autism, finds himself as he watches his hero father lead the high school football team. Tyson’s Run is not only relatable, but also a beautiful picture of the rewards of dreams, determination, and relationships when we don’t quit.

What I loved about this movie is that two characters showed a lot of growth. Tyson, of course, as he navigates the public high school setting after years of being homeschooled because of his autism. This transition puts him in new and difficult social settings that he has to learn to navigate. He is also now attending the school where his father is the renowned state championship football coach, so there is a lot of underlying stigma that Coach Hollerman is dealing with since his son is “different”.

Both Tyson and his dad grow as individuals and as a family in this movie. Tyson, played by Major Dodson, who is himself on the autism spectrum and credits acting to helping him better reach his potential, gains confidence and friends as he maneuvers through high school. Coach Hollerman, played by Rory Cochrane, opens his heart and learns to see his son as the blessing he truly is.

Tyson’s Run hits theaters this weekend, 3-11-22 and you can get your tickets here.

Tyson’s Run is rated PG for offensive slurs, thematic elements, and some language.

Enter HERE to win a $20 Amazon giftcard.

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Since I had never read the book, I was very excited to be asked to preview the movie and share my thoughts with you, my readers. You know I give you my honest opinion on everything I review, and that is what you will get here.

Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions
are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Redeeming Love

Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple’s relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850. For any couple who wants take their relationship up a notch, they might want to check out products, such as the ones on the We-Vibe Tango X review.

Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart begins to mend.

As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn’t think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.

REDEEMING LOVE is rated PG-13 (Partial Nudity, Mature Thematic Content, Sexual Content, Strong Violent Content).

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

The story is a beautiful depiction of the unconditional love that God has for us. It is a retelling of a true story from the Bible, with some literary license taken, of course. The acting is believable and well-done. Difficult subjects are handled well.

This movie may be rated PG-13 but I wouldn’t let my kids watch it that young, and you probably shouldn’t either. The combination of the violence, mature subject matter, and all of the sex, I don’t think it is appropriate for at least under age 17. We haven’t watched anything with that much sex in it in 20 years. It was a lot and I actually thought about turning it off a few times, but I had committed to writing this review, so I didn’t.

There is a time in the movie where Michael leaves the house late at night and jumps in the pond, aka 1850s cold shower, and my husband and I laughed because as the audience, we felt it too.

REDEEMING LOVE is a beautiful story of God’s unfailing, unconditional, never-ending redemptive love for us. It is not a family-friendly film though, so choose wisely who gets to see it.

REDEEMING LOVE comes to theaters this weekend, opening day is Friday, January 21, 2021. You can get your tickets here.

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