Pilgrim's Progress Movie Review and Giveaway!

Have you heard about the new movie coming out Easter Weekend? If not keep reading. I've had the privilege of viewing a pre-screening of the movie and I'm giving you a quick review here on the blog. Make sure you keep reading to the end of this post because I have an awesome giveaway too!!

Revelation Media and Fathom Events

About the book...

The Pilgrim's Progress. First published in 1678, this book has remained one of the most widely read Christian allegories still in print! More copies of this epic tale have been sold than any other Christian book, second only to the Bible.  It has been translated in more than 200 languages and has never been out of print. 

The author of the story, John Bunyan, was a pastor imprisoned for unauthorized
(not sanctioned by the Church of England) preaching of the gospel in small house meetings. During the 12 years of imprisonment, Bunyan wrote many books, one of which was The Pilgrim's Progress.  

It has been said that no-one just finds the book. But rather the book finds them. 

This powerful allegory gives us a tangible description of the spiritual journey a Christian must embark upon.  

It gives us a name for our struggle with doubt...even more, a place...a dungeon where lives the Giant Despair.  The Slough of Despond accurately gives a name to our times of discouragement and despair. Vanity Fair is a town that represents the indulgence of our own sinful desires. It gives a name to those who would walk beside us on our journey, Faithful and Hopeful. Each of these encounters and so many more in Bunyan's book give us a bird's eye view of what our spiritual journey requires, and in doing so brings hope and encouragement to the reader.
  

Throughout Christian's journey, the King sends reminders that he is not alone.

About the movie...

The movie is based on John Bunyan's epic masterpiece, The Pilgrim's Progress. A family-friendly feature-length CGI animated film and it is  coming to theaters Easter Weekend! April 18 & 20th. 

Check this site to find a theater near you: https://www.pilgrims.movie/theaters

Copyright Revelation Media and
Fathom Events

In watching the movie I was quickly drawn into Christian's journey. It is so rich in allegory, that I could not help but make comparisons of the obstacles that Christian encounters along his journey (to the Celestial City) with my own faith journey. Who would ever expect that an animated movie would bring about so much introspection? 

If you are looking for movies that give your children the courage to do the right thing...to stay true to the path that God has laid out for them, take them to see this movie.

I really enjoyed this movie and I think you will too. It is a vivid retelling of the original tale. I would recommend families watch it together and after the movie take some time to talk about Christian's journey. 

The Evil Apollyon will stop at nothing to keep Christian from the Celestial City.

Age appropriateness: I will say that this is probably not for very young(2-4 yrs) children as some of the scenes may be a bit intense, if not frightening, as there are times where it depicts the attacks on Christian...bringing to light the battle in the Spiritual realms as the attacks are demonic in nature.   

As for 5-6 years olds, it would depend on the sensitive nature and maturity of your child. For 7 year old to adults, I most definitely recommend going to see this movie.

The Hill of Salvation! Where Christian's burdens are released and his journey takes a turn.

Watch the Official movie trailer here and then scroll down to enter the giveaway!!
Trailer

Here's the giveaway...

• 6 Movie tickets!!! 2 movie tickets each to 3 separate winners!!! 
• A beautiful full-color coffee table style hardcover edition of The Pilgrim's Progress Illustrated Storybook($24.95 retail value)!! I have 3 copies to give away to 3 separate winners!!!

To enter leave a comment on this post. Then enter your info on the rafflecopter. I'll need your email to send your Fandango e-gift card for your tickets and to contact you to find out where to send the book. So...enter on the rafflecopter and then leave a comment in the comment section under this blog post. 

Enter info on the rafflecopter...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: only US-based giveaway winners are eligible due to Fandango limitations in Canada and outside the US

Oh...and if you have a group of 10 or more people, or if the movie is not scheduled to come to your town, the Group Tickets team can help you out. Just go to this link to fill out the form: GROUP TICKETS

See you at the movies!! 
#ThePilgrimsProgressL3

Leave Comment Below...

Healed By Grace 2...Review & Movie DVD Giveaway

Overview

Title: Healed By Grace 2: Ten Days of Grace

Studio: Blended Planet
Genre: Family/Drama
Rating: NR/Dove Approved: All Ages 
Run Time: 1:32
Release Dates: 8/20/18 Digital, 9/18/18 DVD.  
Talent: Sean Young, Kennedy Martin, Natalie Weese, David Matthew Weese

About

Jesse is approaching her 15th birthday and the only gift she desires is a horse. 

Unbeknownst to Jesse, her mother Brandy is in the throes of a cancer diagnosis which has Jesse's father jumping through unexpected obstacles. He signs Jesse up for summer camp, but when summer camp falls through he decides to have her stay with her estranged grandfather, an old gruff horse trainer named Gauff. Gauff, still recovering from the death of a special horse named Grace, now faces the challenges of teen negotiation. Gauff finds he must swallow his pride and ask his daughter Brandy for forgiveness. A humorous and inspiring story of how Grace works in mysterious ways. 

Themes

• Forgiveness
• Reconciliation
• Faith

Available now on Digital. Available on DVD 9/18/18! 

Purchase your copy here: Healed By Grace 2 DVD 

Official Movie Trailer

My Review

Healed By Grace 2 is the second in a film series set in an inspirational equestrian training setting.  While the movie begins by establishing Jesse's love of horses, it quickly gets into the tricky problem of dealing with a cancer scare for Jesse's mother, Brandy. Brandy doesn't want to let Jesse know about the possible cancer diagnosis until she has had time to go through diagnostic testing to establish whether it is cancer or not. So, they begin making plans to send Jesse to camp in order to give them time to work things out.

I don't want to retell the entire story in my review so I will just say that things begin to get a bit more complicated as Jesse's dad works on taking care of not only Jesse's situation with camp but also Brandy's need to take care of some emotional baggage in her own healing process with the cancer.  And it all becomes entangled with an old horse trainer named Gauff and a horse named Grace. 

The Takeaway

Again, as I said in my last movie review, like so many other movies within this genre there is a certain level of predictability. And some of the humor is a bit too cheesy for me...particularly the Christian camp director who Jesse's dad first spoke with. He was a bit too caricature-ish for me. 

That said, I would still recommend this movie as a good family movie. While it handles some serious subject matter, there is also a good amount of humor to lighten it up. 

I believe that there is value in watching movies with our children that handle difficult topics with grace. It can provide opportunities to discuss life's tuff stuff with our kids. In this case, there is family division, divorce, and cancer. But even more so the movie points out the importance of reconciliation, the role forgiveness plays in our healing both spiritually and physically, and the importance of unity within the family. 

This film will encourage you to trust "...that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."  


Here's the fun news! I have a flash giveaway! 
Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win not just one, but two DVD's! The original Healed By Grace and Healed By Grace 2!  

No purchase is necessary to enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Must live in the United States and be 18+ or older to enter. Must use a valid email address to enter. Winners will be notified by email used on the entry form and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.  

HURRY!! CONTEST ENDS  September 10th!

As a contributor for the Lev3L digital Influencer Program, I offer my honest opinion. I am not monetarily compensated, but I get to run the free DVD combo contest and receive a free DVD combo set for myself. So that's a possible win for you and a win-win for me! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grab some popcorn and enjoy the movie!
#HealedByGrace2L3