S Club Mama

Christmas is coming! It's almost here! Well, once Thanksgiving passes, of course. I love this holiday season - thankfulness, joy, giving, ba-humbug...wait, what? But seriously, what would this season be without Mr. Scrooge? Thankfully, a new movie "The Man Who Invented Christmas" is about to open (November 22) that will give us the insider's view on how Charles Dickens wrote his classic "A Christmas Carol." Film Synopsis: The Man Who Invented Christmas  tells the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol. Directed by Bharat Nalluri ( Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day ), the film shows how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) mixed real life inspirations with his vivid imagination to conjure up unforgettable characters and a timeless tale, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration we know today. image via Grace Hill Media Doesn't that sou...

Hillsong United's DVD, "Hillsong - Let Hope Rise" is releasing December 20 on DVD and Blu-Ray combo pack.  Here's a clip from the film featuring United's Taya Smith talking about the meaning of worship.  And in case you want a closer look at the movie, here is a trailer:  GIVEAWAY: I have one (1) DVD to giveaway to a lucky reader! This would make a wonderful addition to your movie collection. HOW TO ENTER:   Mandatory: Tell me your favorite Christmas movie.  Please LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment also so I can contact you. If you don't, I may not be able to contact you to let you know if you have won. Giveaway is open to residents of the US (or people with US PO boxes, Stacey) 18 or over (void where prohibited). Giveaway will run today until Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 11:59pm (CST).  Disclaimer: I received a DVD in order to host this giveaway. I think it's awesome and I'm excited to share this with others. ...

Think back to 2010 when the world was entranced by the tragedy of "The 33," the Chilean miners trapped below ground for 69 days. They were buried 200 stories below the surface in suffocating heat, waiting for rescue. While rescuers desperately attempted to get them out, the new film "The 33" based upon this reveals the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, depicting the courage of the miners and their families. The international cast is led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo and Naomi Scott.  Patricia Riggen directed “The 33” from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the scr...

Filmmakers are finally listening to audiences and going with more family friendly movies. War Room has done amazingly in the box office, God's Not Dead 2 is gaining steam in production, and Woodlawn (in theaters October 16) is highly anticipated! The tagline for the movie is One Hope. One Truth. One Way . The setting for the movie is Birmingham, Alabama in the 1970s. The story is a talented high school football player who must stay true to his faith and talent as he battles racial tensions in a very racially sensitive time in history. This is a true story of "how love and unity overcome hate and division." images via Grace Hill Media Sean Astin (Rudy, Lord of the Ring trilogy) stars in this film along with newcomer Caleb Castille, Nic Bishop (Covert Affairs), Jon Voight (Ali, National Treasure), C. Thomas Howell (The Outsiders, Red Dawn), and Sherri Shepherd (The View). images via Grace Hill Media It's directed by The Erwin Brothers (October Baby, ...

I've been a Reese Witherspoon fan since she dated Ryan Philippe back in the day but I'm still her fan several boyfriends, children, and years later. I'm excited to share with you this giveaway offer of one of her new movies, released in October, called "The Good Lie." The movie is a true-life tale about the Lost Boys of Sudan. Their lives were torn apart by civil war while they were left to grow up in refugee camps and then finally given the opportunity (through the efforts of church groups and other charities) to start new lives in the U.S. Reese Witherspoon may be the celebrity name in this but some former Lost Boys are actually in the movie, too. I think that's incredible that they get to be a part of telling their very important story. This movie could be a part of your home library! GIVEAWAY! Mandatory: You MUST complete this entry in order to be eligible to win this prize. Spread the news about this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or Pint...

My family and I just watched "Dolphin Tale" for our family movie night last week in anticipation of "Dolphin Tale 2" coming to theaters September 12. I am also a blog ambassador for the movie, so I got sent a huge pile of awesome stuff to help promote the show. My kids have been doing their part by wearing their Hope + Winter shirts (seriously, it's all they want to wear), hat, sunglasses, reading the book, drying with the towel. I love the tote - it's huge and great for church. I have been well taken care of just for saying "hey go watch this movie." Really, though, go watch this movie. The first one was awesome! Such a cute tale, my kids enjoyed it (and it wasn't a cartoon - amen?!), full of wonderful actors (Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick, Jr.). So pick up a copy of "Dolphin Tale" AND get a ticket to go see "Dolphin Tale 2" September 12. they are so cute in this hat! Disclaimer: I received all o...

I have posted about Noah (starring Russel Crowe) and then stopped when it got really controversial. Then I was asked to review the movie and host a giveaway. Well, all this controversy got me curious and I asked Big A about whether I should watch it. He said yes, for entertainment. So I just want to preface this review by saying this movie is purely entertainment and very very very very very loosely based upon biblical and historical accuracy (very very loose). Noah has an interpretive spirit to it that made me talk a lot during the whole movie (what? How did that...? That didn't....), probably to Big A's dismay (just kidding, he's used to me talking during movies). There are things I like about this movie (the cast!) and things I definitely disagree with. Disclaimer: spoilers ahead. I do not like how God is portrayed as unfeeling, uncommunicative (silent), unmerciful. When the Fallen Angels/The Watchers want to help man after the fall, God said no so they went against ...

Well to kick off our first day of swimming lessons 2014, I thought I'd share with you the official full trailer for the coming movie, Dolphin Tale 2. Again, this looks like such a sweet little movie about two dolphins, Winter and Hope. Check it out for yourself.

I really like feel-good movies and Dolphin Tale 2 promises to be just that. I also love movies that my children can see with me that aren't animated (love me some animation but even minions can get old!).

There is a lot of discussion, we'll say, around the internet about the movie, "Noah," coming out March 28, 2014. I know this movie has taken much artistic interpretation but most biblical movies do to some extent (I think this one looks like it's to a large extent). However, I pray this film brings about conversation. Conversation about Noah that leads to conversation about Jesus. To His grace, sacrifice, and unfailing love. To lives transformed by this amazing love and mercy enacted toward us. Here's a little featurette about what some faith leaders think of this new film. I don't necessarily agree with everything said in this featurette, just like I won't agree with everything in this film (or the Divergent film I saw last night....), but I think it's interesting and can also be good fodder for discussion.

" Son of Man " from producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett opens in theaters this weekend (I may even get a date night out of this!!)! If you haven't seen "The Bible" miniseries that was on tv awhile back, you must see this movie version of it (which includes my cable-less self). This is the first major studio film about Jesus' ministry and teaching in over half a century! It's about time. Downey and Burnett are a powerhouse couple bringing light to a dark world. image via Pinterest via Grace Hill Media I am thrilled to be able to bring a great gift package giveaway to you, my readers. This is a double giveaway - TWO WINNERS ! What will you win? Thanks for asking! Diogo Morgado stars as Jesus in the film. Each package, honoring this film's release, will include: one (1) copy of the Son of Man soundtrack, one (1) copy of the Son of Man companion novel, and one (1) 1,000 piece puzzle. I've shared the actual trailer for the movie o...

Have I mentioned Grace UnPlugged before (perhaps here about the book  and here about the movie soundtrack )?? Well it's being released on DVD so I am excited to be able to host a giveaway for the DVD for one of you! image via Grace Hill Media via Pinterest Here's the skinny on the movie: Grace's dad is a one-hit-wonder turned Christian. He leads their church's worship band and, Grace feels, holds her back. When opportunity rises for her to make it big, she runs away from home and takes that chance. Will she make it big? Will she find out if she believes in the God her parents believe in? Will she crash? image via Grace Hill Media via Pinterest While this sounds like it's based on the life of [insert many options of super stars who have crashed here], it's not really, but it hits close to home. As a parent, I pray I don't assume a faith in my children but really lead them to own it on their own. You don't get to heaven on another's sh...

Have you heard of this movie coming out February 7 called "The Monuments Men"? It looks awesome and has an AMAZING cast - Matt Damon, George Clooney, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett - and many others - oh also Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey fans, this is Lord Grantham). Star struck right there. Usually with George Clooney films I'm a little wary - there's always a lot of cursing and explicit scenes. It's been rare that I've seen a film of his...at least without regret. This film is PG-13 and follows the true story of men who shouldn't be at the front of a war (over-the-hill, out-of-shape nerds) that went to the front lines during WWII in order to rescue the world's artistic masterpieces from the Nazis. image via Grace Hill Media via Pinterest I know my husband would never have put his life on the line to preserve art. And that's OK but I'm so pleased these men thought it important to preserve artifacts that depicted civilizati...

"Gimme Shelter" stars Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, James Earl Jones, and Brendan Frasier. The synposis is basically that a teenage girl from a really rough, abusive home flees to her wealthy father she's never known. She finds out she's with child and is left with a huge decision to make. Ultimately she runs away and ends up in the hospital where a very persistent priest takes her under his wing. He leads her to a shelter for teenage moms where she has the chance at making a family. Rosario Dawson as June Bailey image via Grace Hill Media While viewing this movie at home wasn't as glamorous as a premiere may have been, I appreciate the opportunity to screen this movie at all. What a heartbreaking tale. Teenage pregnancy really hits home as my older sister and I were born to our mother very early in life. She was tenacious and provided us with every earthly thing that we needed. We didn't have a lot growing up, even when my parents married but it...

Not only is Noah coming to theaters, but more importantly, Son of God is coming! Son of God is theatrical version of The Bible series from  Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.  Again, I am thrilled to bring to you a trailer showing a movie I'm very excited to see. I think it is so important for the Word of God to be heard and seen in many avenues; film is another that has been used for years and continues to show how amazing Christ is as our Lord and Savior. GIVEAWAY:  I have a copy of  “A Story of Christmas and All of Us”, special edition, full color book chronicling the journey of Mary and Joseph, the appearance of the shepherds, and the story of the wise men that I get to share with one of you! What a beautiful book to give at this time of the year when we honor the birth of Jesus Christ. HOW TO ENTER: Mandatory (one entry per comment): Tell me what movie you are excited to see in theaters and will you go see Son of God. One entry per person. Winner will be a...