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

Smitten Book Club by C.C; K.B; D.H; D.H

Description

At a rummage sale, Heather, a member of the Fireside Book Club, discovers a turn-of-the-century romantic advice book written by a once-famous Smitten, Vermont, resident. When she shares the precious volume with her friends in the club, they find clues about a hidden treasure rumored to be buried in their tiny town.

As Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly take turns reading the book, each projects onto it her own literary tastes. Heather sees it as a mystery. Abby discovers delicious dashes of Jane Austen. Lia sees in it the idealism of a bygone day. And Molly just wishes they'd made the book into a movie!

My Review

This was my first time visiting the town of Smitten and I must say. I wasn't sure how these four wonderful authors were going to write this book together, but when I saw they each wrote an individual story I was interested to see how it would come together. 

Heather DeMerrit, a single mom always ready and willing to help her friends. That’s how it all began, the treasure hunt would never had taken flight had it not been for Heather's determination to follow Chambers love advice book. But when it comes to trusting the man she once loved, and still loves, she hastily runs in the opposite direction. Not ready to be humiliated and heart broken by him again. 

Abby Gray, worker at Smitten library and has seemed to catch the eye of a very handsome bachelor. His adventurous lifestyle has her crawling back to her shell but daydreaming for something more. When she finds out her father sent him to deliver a message, she discovers he could be the very angel to help spread her wings and fly. 

Elliana Burton, a kindergarten teacher with a lot of love and compassion but when her best friend from childhood comes back to Smitten with his five-year-old daughter, she doesn't know what to do. With a little help from her mother (loved her!) she boils it down. Let him go and try to move on (miserably) or tell him her feelings and mess up their friendship forever? But even that is put aside when she hears he isn't going to celebrate Christmas with his daughter, hiding her from the haunting memories. But Elliana won’t let the shadows of the past snuff out the spirit and true meaning of Christmas that brought so much healing to the world and to their hearts. 

Molly Moore, recent widow and single mom and Smitten expeditions owner. After her husband dies in a firefighter accident, she’s left with the mess he left behind. The business is drowning and she has no clue what she’s doing. On the very strand of failure, hope comes walking in with an offer of help. Her rival competitor offers to assist her, training her and looking over her books. But what happens when he spends money that she doesn't have? And what about the secret treasure left by her late husband’s great grandmother Pearl Chambers gold mine? If only they could find it she would make it. Except, her growing feelings towards her rival has begun to fill her heart more than any gold could ever fill.  

I really loved the quotes from the Gentleman Guide to Love and Courtship. I wanted a full copy of my own and share it with my friends! Even just for a good laugh or discussion topic; a lot of it was true and accurate. 

The only thing I maybe disliked were some parts felts a tad too rushed in between when it was running so smoothly I didn't want it to end! In the end though I wished each story could have been written into full-length novel. I guess I’ll just have to go back and read the other two, which I highly recommend anyway. Otherwise you won’t know the characters as well and you will feel a bit tossed in the middle of it all, like I did. It was a great book though and I wish Smitten was a real town cause I would move there tomorrow!

BookLook Bloggers provided this book to me for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review as part of their BookLook Bloggers Program. 

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!