Here’s the synopsis:

When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months.

Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father.

Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions.

You can view the trailer here.

I had the privilege of watching this movie yesterday and I was impressed. This Family Movie Night movie is geared more for tweens and teens and I can’t wait for my boys to see it. The themes of family, loyalty and integrity are not found in most movies geared to this age group and all of them are well handled in this movie. The four main characters Zack (Titus Makin Jr), Sara (Dana de la Garza), Phillip (Nathan Kress) and Donald (Adam Cagley) work well together as a great ensemble cast of gamers. You really feel for Zack and the decisions he has to make throughout the movie.

Mark your calendar or set your DVR for Friday, December 2nd 8/7c on NBC. “Game of Your Life” is a great way to kick of the holiday season with your family. For more information you can Like Family Movie Night on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and check out their website.

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If you follow me on Twitter you’ve seen me comment on how I LOVE The Sing-Off because it showcases real vocal talent. It is impossible to be in a successful a cappella group and not be able to sing. There are no instruments or electronic devices to hide behind. Honestly, I turn off music whenever I hear more auto-tune than vocal talent-it just makes me sick. Another reason I love The Sing-Off is the judges. This season’s judging panel is made up of Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and Shawn Stockman. I don’t always agree with the judges but I love that the judging panel offers positive input and well-crafted constructive criticism. Their aim is to help the groups improve not to kill their hopes, dreams and self-esteem like some other vocal competition television shows.

Last week I had the opportunity to take part in a conference call with Nick Lachey, the host of The Sing-Off. Nick’s background in a cappella music makes him a great fit for The Sing-Off because he knows the genre and what kind of work and dedication it takes to excel. We asked Nick a myriad of questions and I’m going to share a few of them here.

If you weren’t the host would you rather be a judge or a competitor on The Sing-Off?  Boy you know what it’d be, I mean it’d obviously to be fun to be a contestant and then be a part of a group competing but, you know, at the same time I know how hard they have to work. I mean this competition is a lot of singing in a very short amount of time and the competition is really stiff. And I can’t imagine how much pressure, you know, those groups are under. But at the same time it’s neat to see the kind of family bond that they all share together. I mean they really do get a chance to bond together. And they really do pull for one another so it’s a neat dynamic.Oh gosh that’s a tough one. I guess I’d want to be a contestant.Judging’s not my thing.

I’m just wondering have you ever been really disappointed or maybe had a problem with any of the decisions the judges have made, like anybody that you really would’ve liked to have stay on the show or you believe should have been given another chance? Interesting question. I mean I think there is certainly situations where, you know, my opinion differed from what the judges ultimately decided.

But that’s, you know, that’s kind of the beauty of my role. I don’t get a voice that I don’t have to make those tough decisions. So, you know, but I think I’m probably not unlike anyone, you know, else watching at home who thinks oh man I can’t believe they went, you know, were sent home. I was expecting, you know, some other group. As I’m sitting backstage waiting for the judge’s decision, you know, sometimes when I ultimately, you know, see it and see who’s been sent home it’s, you know, it’s the same reaction.

So they certainly have their criteria and their, you know, their method if you well and even I am not privy to that. So it’s for me I’m almost a spectator in that sense.

Why do you think that The Sing-Off is so popular? You know what I think it’s just people understand and appreciate and enjoy watching real talent. And I think that The Sing-Off certainly, you know, maybe showcases that better than any other show. With acapella music there’s just nowhere to hide. So you really get a feel for how talented these groups are. And there’s, you know, just great performances. I think people gravitate to hearing great music and great music done well. And I think that we certainly do that on The Sing-Off so just appreciate everyone out there who supported the show and continues to watch it and continues to support what we’re doing.

I wanted to ask since all the judges music styles are very different how do you think that that adds to the show and their chemistry? Yes I think that’s a great point and it’s a great reason why our judging panel is in my opinion the best on television is they all come from such accomplished careers but very different careers.

You know, certainly Sean is the most accomplished R&B group ever. Sara as a solo artist, you know, who is I think one of the best songwriters I’ve ever
had the pleasure of meeting and an incredible performer. And then Ben who’s, you know, done the solo thing and the group thing. And everyone comes from a different place but it’s a very successful and established place. And I think that that’s why they bring so much knowledge and so much expertise to every comment they make.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into The Sing-Off and its host Nick Lachey. Are you a fan of The Sing-Off? Let me know your thoughts. If you’re watching this season-which group id your favorite and why? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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Here is the synopsis:

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Check out the movie on the web and Facebook .

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Though being billed as a movie that deals with bullying, Field of Vision, is not your typical after school special on bullying-far from it. It is a well written and well acted morality tale with bullying as one of its major themes. Also, just because the poster makes it look like this is a football movie and therefore a “guy” movie, again football and team dynamics are just some of the themes touched on in the movie.

My two favorite characters in the movie were Cory-the underdog played by Joe Adler and Lucy (Alyssa Jordan Shafer), whose faith and optimism help her to always see the positive. I don’t want to write a full review because I just want you to gather the family and watch this heartwarming movie. I will say that Faith Ford gives one of her best dramatic portrayals ever as mom and guidance counselor Jody McFarland.

Star quarterback, Tyler McFarland, learns that some of his teammates have been bullying a troubled new transfer student. Aware that sharing this information with the coach might get his friends kicked off the team and ultimately cost them the state championship, Tyler must choose what’s more important: winning or doing what’s right.

Please share this post with your friends and visit Family Movie Night on Facebook.

“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.”

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