The Grace Card DVD

I posted about this film earlier when it was entering theaters,
and now it is out on DVD!

ReelCast Review:

After his son's death, embittered police officer Mac McDonald loses faith in God and himself, but his new partner, part-time pastor Sam Wright, offers him friendship and sets him on the path to grace and redemption in this stirring Christian drama.

Heads up to anyone out there looking for Christian films worth watching! This film has good lead actors, fun scenes, tough moments, plot-twists and a powerful message of Grace! It is a bit intense a few times so caution is recommended for younger viewers. For being a church's first film, I was very impressed!

It does have a few weak side characters, a few scenes that could have been scripted a little better, and a few too many "fades-to-black," but the drama, action and redemption are top-notch! This a film that I will be keeping on my shelf to watch again! ...and to all you film makers, it is worth buying the DVD just for the Behind-the-Scenes featurette ;)

You can rent it from Netflix, iTunes, ChristianCinema, or go ahead and buy the DVD.

I highly encourage you to check it out!

Movie Rating: PG-13 for Some Violence and Thematic Elements 
Content Review: Click Here
Movie Trailer: Click Here
Movie Website: Click Here

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5 Ratings

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“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.”

Finding Hope In Hard Work

Years ago, I had a friend who said, “I love hard work. I can sit and watch people who are doing it for hours at a time.” Some people you know may be like that. They don’t mind hard work, as long as someone else is doing it. For themselves, they expect the resources for what they need each day – and for what they desire – will somehow come their way with little or no effort. Then, when they see others prospering and advancing personally and professionally, while they are not, these same people feel resentful and cry, “Unfair!”

I know of two men who as teenagers were both accomplished athletes. Both had the potential to succeed at the professional sports level. One man applied himself, diligently refining his strengths and working hard to overcome his weaknesses. Eventually he progressed to the top professional level of his sport and became a “star” for more than a decade. The other man, who was the same age and had grown up in the same city, expected opportunity to simply be handed to him. When he made mistakes, he offered excuses rather than recognizing his failings and working to improve deficiencies in his athletic prowess. Instead of becoming a star, he chose to be a sluggard. The closest he has ever come to professional sports was buying a ticket to see a contest.

The following principles from the ancient book of Proverbs in the Bible teach about hard work and diligence.  They remain amazingly relevant for the 21st century.

Hard work is motivated by need. If we had someone who guaranteed to pay for all of our expenses, or if we suddenly became wealthy beyond imagination, we probably would lose motivation for working as hard as we should. But when we have a need to fulfill, we suddenly realize how important it is to apply ourselves diligently to our work responsibilities. “The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).

Hard work often results in honor.

Because so few people truly work hard, giving everything they have to the task at hand and using their abilities to the maximum, they tend to be noticed. Often these are the individuals who receive promotions and special recognition for contributions to their companies. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 21:29). “He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored” (Proverbs 27:18).

Hard work prepares for leadership responsibilities.

Who would you rather work for – someone who sets the example through his or her own diligent efforts, or someone who sits back preferring to let everyone else do the work? When you consistently set the pace in working hard, it is likely that one day you will be asked to show others how to do the same. “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (Proverbs 12:24).

Hard work yields lasting results.

Sometimes we are tempted to act in haste, wanting to “work a deal” that promises to bring a quick and substantial financial return. However, acting hastily can bring devastating results because we failed to anticipate potential problems. Working diligently may take longer, and the financial return typically is not nearly as great, but in the long term it proves to be the wisest course. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

- Atricle By: Robert J. Tamasy

Captivated - Rhett's Story

Rhett shares his story about going on a media fast and the changes it brought about in his life. Rhett is one of several stories to be featured in the upcoming documentary "Captivated" being produced by Phillip Telfer and directed by Colin Gunn.

Vimeo Portfolio: Click Here
Movie Website: CaptivatedTheMovie.com

Beyond Acceptance

Synopsis:

When Evans, a ten-year-old unwanted child, enters his home, Aaron's life is permanently transformed. Believing they have much to offer, Aaron and his wife, Stacy, chose to use their family and stable home as a platform to reach out to children in need through foster care. However, this undertaking was not as simple as they had anticipated. Evans is their first placement. Abandoned as an infant and tossed from home to home, he is a boy with no hope of ever being wanted. Aaron and Stacy often find themselves wondering about the outcome of their ambitious undertaking. The coping behaviors Evans has developed as a result of his past make him extremely challenging. Tantrums, mysterious disappearances, food fights, and impenetrable silence become a new part of their everyday life. Aaron is shaken by his lack of control. Stacy is crushed by the rejection of her affection. Their daughter, Jennie, is resentful of the chaos now ruling her life. As each new obstacle surrounds their family, they are dragged continually closer to the breaking point. Their future is fraught with questions. Can they continue? Will Evans ever understand? Will they be able to entrust themselves wholeheartedly to the hands of God? Is it possible to love the unlovable. . . is he really beyond acceptance?

Click Here to Visit the Movie Webisite

Seven Days in Utopia

The producer for this movie (David L. Cook) spoke at the San Antonio Film Academy last year, and I was recently notified that it is coming out in theatres September 2nd. I thought it looked interesting and was at least worth mentioning. I have not seen the film, so this is by no means an endorsement!

Synopsis:

SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA follows the story of Luke Chisolm (Lucas Black), a talented young golfer set on making the pro tour. When his first big shot turns out to be a very public disaster, Luke escapes the pressures of the game and finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas, home to eccentric rancher Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall). But Johnny's more than meets the eye, and his profound ways of looking at life force Luke to question not only his past choices, but his direction for the future.

MOVIE WEBSITE

SevenDaysInUtopia.com

Captivated - Screen Stills

For the past month and a half I have been traveling around the country with Colin Gunn (Gunn Productions) and Phillip Telfer (Media Talk 101) working on their upcoming documentary, "Captivated." - CaptivatedTheMovie.com

Here are a few still images from some of the footage we have captured for the documentary! There isn't a trailer out yet, so this will have to tide you over ;)

MOVIE WEBSITE

www.CaptivatedTheMovie.com