Fiddler On The Roof

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I had never heard of "Fiddler on the Roof" till a friend of mine on the west coast highly suggested I watch it. So, for a while I put it off cause it was a 3 hour movie and I wanted to be able to watch it without a bunch of interruptions. One Wednesday afternoon when I had nothing else to do and it was quiet in the house, I turned it on and from the moment it began I fell in love the fiddler on the roof!

Movie Review

This is Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka. The poor milkman, Tevye, is tested by poverty, the romantic entanglements of his five daughters, and prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews.
Throughout the movie Tevye talks too God during his many trials. 

One of my favorite songs in the beginning is "If I were a rich man". I've been dancing, humming, and singing "Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum" for two weeks straight! Its catchy, how can it not get stuck in your head? Try singing it...it's stuck in your head now, isn't it? Hahaha! I told you. Chaim Topol, I can't see anyone else ever doing a better job than him (no offence to other actors, I'm sure you're great!), he's just classic! His voice has this rustic fatherly charm to it as well that I can't get enough of--no that is not weird! Right?

Music isn't the only good thing about this movie (there's a lot, but we'll get to all those in a moment) the first scene that made me really want to just get up and dance along was during "To Life". There was so much light and happiness, you couldn't help but want to join in. And when the Tevye and the non-Jews danced together, it just made you want to leap! It felt like having communion (they were drinking though, weren't they? haha!) with someone you thought hated each the other coming together under an umbrella of joy. Who wouldn't be glad that someone's daughter is getting married? Even the poor Tailor, once he stood up for Tzeitel's hand in marriage, couldn't contain his joy in "Miracle of Miracles". It made me feel like I was jumping on clouds in springtime!

Lastly, my favorite part was the wedding dances! Come on, how can you not? I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing it, but to those who have I about jumped out of the chair and started kicking my heels and clapping along!

There's biblical lessons and eye openers and things to make you think about as well. This movie made me think a lot about my own dad. Tevye reminds me so much, to include having to deal with a house full of women! Haha. But like Tevye, he always turns and talks to God. What did you take away from this movie?

I give this movie a 5 out of 5 Stars! If you'd like to see it you can find it on Amazon.com and if you already have Prime you can currently watch it free thanks to your membership! Or you can purchase it on Instant Stream or DVD. You can click on the movie picture for a direct link to the movie on Christianbooks.com I highly recommend making this movie a part of your household collection!

Hardflip: The Movie

Product Description

Caleb (Randy Wayne, To Save A Life) is a young skater who's ill mother (Roseanna Arquette, Pulp Fiction) and absent father (John Schneider, October Baby), leaves him reaching for the only hope he has - becoming a sponsored skater. After discovering a stack of old letters, he set out to find the father he never knew and inadvertently begins a journey he never could have expected. Caleb's story explores what happens when we let go of our anger and pain and forgive those who have hurt us the most, just as God forgives us. 

Rated PG-13. Dove approved (12+).

My Review

When I first put this movie on my list I had no idea who all was in it! But when I finally began watching the movie six months later I was pleasantly surprised to see Randy Wayne (To Save A Life was an amazing movie!) and Sean Michael (Akeelah and the Bee, To Save A Life) playing together again! And, even more pleasantly surprised to see John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard, October Baby) in another christian movie. Even Christopher Michael (7th Heaven) Okay, so now that's I've exclaimed my joy for the cast, let's move on to the real deal. 

Caleb is angry, life hasn't been what he wanted. As far as he knew he was the product of a summer fling his mother had and his father has never been a part of his life. He doesn't even know who his father is until after his mother falls into a coma and he stumbles across the letters and photos she saved of Jack. Discovering his father owns a million dollar architect company only fuels the flames inside. However, to me this movie is not only about Caleb, though he's obviously the lead, his father Jack has his own lesson to learn. Since he left Caleb and his mother eighteen years ago, work and money became the object of his life. But when Caleb enters into it he has to reevaluate his life's priorities and what's truly important. 

What I loved about this movie was not just the message on forgiveness, but that people are the most important thing. Work, money, possessions, all those things will not last, but you only have so much time with your family. That time with your family can make a difference. And, we shouldn't let anything of this world take us away from our priorities, which is our loved ones and Jesus Christ. And, that no matter what, we can all be made new through Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." --2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

I also really loved that they used two RED songs! First time I've ever heard one  used in a movie. Already Over Pt 2 and Take It All Away. They fit perfectly and gave a bigger impact to the scenes. All in all this is a movie I recommend seeing.

I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars!

You can click the picture for direct a link on Christianbooks.com (and currently CBD has the Blu-ray for $5! That's 80% off!) So check it out!

GOD BLESS

Unconditional: The Movie

Product Description 

Samantha Crawford (Lynn Collins, John Carter) is living a storybook life. That is, until her husband is killed in a senseless act of violence, causing her to lose her faith and her will to live. But will a death-defying encounter with two children---and a reunion with her childhood best friend, Joe Bradford (Michael Ealy, Common Law)---bring things into proper perspective again? Unconditional is inspired by true events. 

Dove approved (12+). Rated PG-13.

My Review

I had this movie on my Netflix watch list for months! I was looking through the Spiritual and Faith and it looked good. Little did I know just how good it would be! In past, watching a Christian movie meant you had to expect the low budget mediocrity cinema (I mean that lovingly). But over the last couple years I've seen great changes and I just have this to say about Unconditional. It's even better than Courageous (and I LOVE that movie). The actors are amazing the story telling was phenomenal and the cinematography astounding. If I had just passed by this on the TV I would have thought it was a high-end theater made movie (this did appear in select theaters in the US).

That alone makes you want to watch it, am I right? Well, don't let that be all. This movie is truly inspirational and spiritually uplifting. Seeing God's love pour out of Joe and to the children was enough to make me cry. And watching Samantha go through the trails she faced of losing her husband and then trying to find his killer and regaining her faith in God's unconditional love in the end. Well let's just say you will need some tissues for this movie. Tears of joy from the wonder of His mighty love are a very powerful thing.


One of my favorite parts and what I am so glad I can buy, is the book Firebird Samantha illustrates in the movie. It's a children's book but it's for all ages. It’s about a bird finding the light, God, behind the clouds. That no matter what trials and dark times we face, the light never vanishes. I don't own this book yet, but I am buying it when my first child is born one day.

I mentioned this movie on my Instagram and a fellow brother in Christ saw my post and watched it that very night. Here's what he had to say:

"I loved it! Thank you so much. It was so inspiring. I really needed that today because the enemy is laying it on thick against me and my faith in God. Thank you!" 

When someone feels better or his or her spirits are lifted even just a little bit higher, mine are lifted too. It breaks through the clouds and I see the sun even brighter.

I gave the movie and book each a 5 out of 5 stars!

Click the pictures for direct links to each product on Christianbooks.com

The Freedom of Silence: the movie

Product Description

In the year 2030, America has become a twisted version of freedom. Truth is silenced, and those with bold faith are now terrorists – terrorists who must be hunted down and destroyed. With the help of his friend Aaron, a Navy SEAL with expert computer skills, Zach devises a plan to breach the government’s lockdown on rogue webcasts. But his proclamation of faith comes with a heavy price. Now, imprisoned by the ruthless government official, Jack Johansen, Zach must fight for his life, his friends, and his precious wife and children. But even with death pounding at his door, Zach must complete his mission – a mission from which, he may never return. 

Not rated. 

My Review

I was curious when I saw the title and cover but I was most intrigued by the description. It reminded me of one of the book series I read not too long ago.
From the moment the movie starts you see the progression of the world through news reports from the president and congress signing a 
"Religious No Tolerance Act" to protesters at Capital Hill. The slow decline starts with a Pastor saying that until they can appeal to congress against the RNTA everyone should obey the Law. From there ten years go by and then another, showing how the government enforces their law. Investigating underground churches and taking in anyone with religious views. There were penalties for just having a bible in your possession, even if it didn't belong to you and you just picked it up off the street. Obviously, this is a dramatization, but it does make you wonder just how our America would be if something like this happened and honestly where we will be one of these days. 

Throughout the movie you switch from Zach's interrogation to his youth and the unfolding of his life in faith up to where his is captured. Including his best friend who he worries is in a dangerous relationship because she is not a believer and could very well be a government agent. Together though they put into actoin a very high tech operation to get the word of God's Salvation out to the entire world! It was really amazing! The arguments they use and the discussions between characters of their beliefs were well scripted. It wasn't forced; they made their points in a way that you went "yes!" because it was almost poetic and there was no way to argue back after it. It was truth and the truth will set you free. 

Now I must be honest, this is low budget film. It's not the worst I've seen, but it's not the best either. Sound affects and some acting are lacking; some of the acting was really great in my opinion, they had a pretty strong cast. Especially Tyler Messner (Zach Thompson) and Jeffrey Staab (Captain Johansen), honestly even the nurse who tried to help Zach was good to me, I just wish the editing could have been a bit better. And they needed to add some music, or more music, cause it was a little too quiet. But if you use some of that wonderful imagination and take it for what it is the story is good!

I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars and if you'd like to see it you can find it on Netflix Instant or purchase it from a local Christian store or web retailer.You can click the picture for direct a link on Christianbooks.com.



(Added) If you'd like to read the book this movie is based off, follow the link to order!

I hope you enjoy and God bless!

Panda, Go Panda!

I was browsing through Hulu.com and I couldn't believe they had this on there (and in English)! I watched this movie--actually it used to be separated into three episodes-- a few years ago and fell in love with it! 

It's cute, sweet, and hilarious! A must see for anyone who still bares the little kid in them. <3 

You'll love it. 

Panda! Go Panda!

"Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14