• Hope at home with Dolphin Island

    ByKristin movies, review

    We were at home a lot in February, thanks to sickness, quarantine, and winter weather. We had school-at-home days for my kids, who are 13, 11, and 5. We pulled out toys the kids hadn’t seen in a while. We scrolled all the streaming services for something new to watch.

    And we were thankful for a family-friendly movie I got to screen from the comfort of our couch. My husband, mother-in-law, and I may have liked it more than the kids, but we also were glad for some clean entertainment to share with the youngsters in the house.

    “Dolphin Island” is a heartwarming feature film about 14-year-old Annabel who lives with her fisherman grandfather on an island paradise. They operate a nonprofit marine research and conservation center. She is surrounded by an extended family of loving but quirky neighbors and her best friend, a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with a shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York. Annabel and her friends navigate these circumstances to prove that love conquers all.

    My kids all reacted like anyone who knows them would expect: Rachel, who is 5, talked about how much she likes dolphins and asked about going to the beach. The 11-year-old Ben liked the action that came with the pirate-like barrister, which of course we had to define as an attorney for him. Cate, the resident teenager, wasn’t so sure about an inspirational film, but she periodically made comments about the main character.

    About the movie

    This 91-minute movie is available on digital HD on most video-on-demand platforms starting today (March 2). It’s a sweet movie with some adventure mixed in is a good choice for families who want to watch a new movie from the comfort and safety of their own home.

    Learn more at IMDB.com and the movie’s website, which includes additional resources such as a downloadable family discussion guide to spark meaningful conversations about courage, forgiveness, and faith. You can also watch the trailer on YouTube. It’s also available to buy or rent at Amazon.

    Giveaway

    One of you can receive a free digital code for unlimited access to this movie! This giveaway is open to North American residents. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win through Monday, March 8. I’ll announce a winner the following day.

    Enter Dolphin Island giveaway here!

    PLUS there’s an additional opportunity to win VIP access to “Dolphin Island” directly from the filmmakers. (Enter that giveaway here!) AND everyone who enters my giveaway with an email address will get a screen link to watch the movie.

    *****

    Many thanks to Entertainment Squad for providing this screener link for my family to review the movie. Opinions are 100 percent our own and not influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive the screen link and digital access to the movie in exchange for this review and post.

  • Overcomer – a movie & a message

    ByKristin movies

    Race finish lines make me teary – and I’m not usually the one running. I’ve run a few 5K races, and I only liked them because there’s victory in crossing the finish line. More often these days, I stand near the finish line with my fourth-grade son finishes his mile races as part of his school’s running club. And I get teary every time, even watching kids I don’t know finish.

    Of course, I got teary when I watched “Overcomer” too.

    My family of five watched “Overcomer” in September in our local movie theater and all enjoyed it. My 12-year-old Cate was inspired enough from the movie to join the running club at school. And my youngest, Rachel, who wasn’t quite four at the time, even liked it and later referred to it as “the Hannah movie,” referencing the young runner at the center of the story. My husband and I loved being able to take our kids to a movie that everyone could enjoy and also offered meaningful faith lessons.

    About the movie

    “Overcomer” is an inspiration, family-friendly sports drama created by Alex Kendrick, the actor/writer/director also behind “War Room” and “Courageous.” The digital version was released Nov. 26 and the Blu-ray and DVD comes out Dec. 17 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, AFFIRM Films and Provident Films. The movie stars Priscilla Shirer (“War Room” and “I Can Only Imagine”), Shari Rigby (“October Baby” and Wildflower”), Cameron Arnett (“Meet the Browns” and “Stand Your Ground”) and newcomer Aryn Wright-Thompson.

    This movie received a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and now is available in time for holiday gifting.

    In “Overcomer,” life changes overnight for coach John Harrison (Kendrick) after he loses his basketball team and is challenged by the school’s principal (Shirer) to coach a new sport he doesn’t know or like. As John questions his own worth, he dares to help the least likely runner take on the biggest race of the year. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, humor, and heart, this inspirational story will have you on the edge of your seat.

    The Blu-ray, DVD, and digital release come with an extensive array of bonus material, including 10 minutes of extended and deleted scenes, fun bloopers, exclusive commentary by Director Alex Kendrick and Producer Stephen Kendrick, and in-depth looks at the power of forgiveness and identity. During these features, viewers can learn about how the crew worked together with faith and prayer to create this incredible film, hear the cast and crew discuss what the theme of identity means to them, and enjoy the lip-sync music video for Mandisa’s popular song “Overcomer.” The Blu-ray and digital versions have additional exclusive content, including segments about how the stunning opening drone shot of the film was realized with a lot of ingenuity and a well-organized crew and how Alex, Stephen, and Shannon Kendrick found their path to filmmaking through authenticity and faith; behind-the-scene looks at editing, composing, coloring, and sound design; and a lyric video for “Enough” featuring Koryn Hawthorne.

    For more information, visit the movie’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and website, which also includes resources for churches and families. Of course, it’s available for pre-order and purchase at Amazon.

    *****

    I received a copy of “Overcomer” on Blu-ray and a signed promotional poster in exchange for a review, but my family of five paid to see the movie in the theaters in September. Thanks to Fly By Promotions for this opportunity.

  • Singing a story worth telling

    ByKristin movies
    15 Comments

    “I can only imagine what it will be like
    When I walk, by your side
    I can only imagine what my eyes will see
    When you face is before me
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine …”

    I know the song. You probably do too. But I love learning more about the story that inspired Bart Millard to write this song.

    “Dreams don’t pay the bills” was something Bart heard early on from his dad, but it was the same sentiment from the music executives who discouraged him after he arrived in Nashville. As he pursued his dream, he also realized he had to face the pain from which he was running.

    The road to forgiveness is messy and hard,
    but the redemption that comes is always glorious.

    {Tweet that.}

    Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins star in this inspiring true story behind MercyMe’s beloved hit song. Running from a troubled home life and a broken relationship, Bart Millard found escape in music. Hitting the road in a decrepit tour bus, Bart and his band MercyMe set out on an amazing journey none of them could have ever imagined, in this uplifting, music-filled movie that beautifully illustrates the power of forgiveness and God’s love.

    This is a beautiful story of relationships healed, dreams realized, and truth proclaimed. Bart recognized his father’s transformation from a man he hated to an example of the man he wanted to become.

    On a lighter note, the late ‘80s and early ‘90s culture references were spot on and made me a little nostalgic for my own coming-of-age story. “I Can Only Imagine” is a well-made movie obviously held to excellent standards, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the case for Christian movies.

    I will also say my 11-year-old girl watched this movie with me and I was totally comfortable with her doing so. Younger kids probably wouldn’t be as interested and there are multiple references to the abuse Bart experienced in his childhood home.

    The home entertainment release of “I Can Only Imagine” features more than three hours of extras, including seven deleted scenes, seven in-depth features, and audio commentary. This movie from Lions Gate studio is rated PG.

    Watch the trailer. Buy the movie. Learn more on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    “Surrounded by Your glory
    What will my heart feel
    Will I dance for you Jesus
    Or in awe of You be still
    Will I stand in your presence
    Or to my knees will I fall
    Will I sing hallelujah
    Will I be able to speak at all
    I can only imagine …”

    Giveaway

    Who wants to have a copy? I’ve got one to giveaway! Between now and Friday, June 15 use the Rafflecopter widget to enter to win. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    *****

    I received two copies of this DVD – one to review and one to share – courtesy Propeller Consulting / FlyBy Promotions. The giveaway winner and opinions are not influenced by monetary compensation.