The Good Lie – In Theaters Now!

The Good Lie opened this past weekend in a limited release and the studio plans to go wider in the weeks ahead. I have not yet viewed the movie, but I am looking forward to taking in this film. From what I hear, this is a incredible heartwarming story of the human spirit that will cause you to stop, think and evaluate your life.

Let us know what you think about the movie.

SYNOPSIS

They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.”

Orphaned by the brutal Civil war in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety.  Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America.

In “The Good Lie,” Philippe Falardeau, (writer and director of the Oscar®- nominated Foreign Language film “Monsieur Lazhar”) brings the story of their survival and triumph to life.   Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) stars alongside Sudanese actors Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and newcomer Nyakuoth Weil, many of whom were also children of war.

Mamere and Theo are sons of the Chief in their village in Southern Sudan.  When an attack by the Northern militia destroys their home and kills their parents, eldest son Theo is forced to assume the role of Chief and lead a group of young survivors, including his sister Abital, away from harm.  But the hostile, treacherous terrain has other dangers in store for them.

As the tattered group makes the difficult trek to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, they meet other fleeing children, forging a bond with Jeremiah, who, at 13, is already a man of faith, and Paul, whose skills become essential to their survival.

Thirteen years later, the now young adults are given the opportunity to leave the camp and resettle in America.  Upon arriving in Kansas, they are met by Carrie Davis (Witherspoon), an employment agency counselor who has been enlisted to help find them jobs—no easy task, when things like straws, light switches and telephones are brand new to them.

Although Carrie has successfully kept herself from any emotional entanglements, these refugees, who desperately require help navigating the 20th century and rebuilding their shattered lives, need just that.   So Carrie embarks on her own unchartered territory, enlisting the help of her boss, Jack (Corey Stoll).

Together, against the backdrop of their shared losses, the Lost Boys and these unlikely strangers find humor in the clash of cultures, and heartbreak as well as hope in the challenges of life in America.

Stand with Coram Deo Studios

Brad Silverman and Russ Rice of Coram Deo Studios are launching a new film and they are enlisting support from the Christian community. They are attempting to make the boldest Gospel-centered family film ever.  Take a look at the video below to hear more about this new endeavor from Brad and Russ.

Here is a synopsis of the new movie from Coram Deo Studios.

“This touching & poignant family film traces the story of husband, father & author Scott Dempsey who calls himself a Christian, but his life simply doesn’t reflect it. He can talk the talk – but doesn’t walk the walk. That is until Al Watson (a seventy-five-year-old African American who happens to be the Jackie Robinson of NASCAR) befriends Scott’s young family and lives out a loving, Christ-like example before them. Over time, Al presents Scott with the true, Biblical, regenerating gospel of Jesus Christ… then the real journey begins.” The film will go into production early next year and plan for Summer2015 release.

If you would like to know more about this project and to support the movie with your dollars, click on the link below.

click here to find out more information. 

Produce is Coming To Theaters!

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You Never Know Where Hope Grows

This year has been the year filled with movies based upon the Bible. The new year seems to be no different and may even deliver many more faith films than 2014.  There is a new film called “Produce” that is slated for theaters in the Spring of 2015. This is a film that not only entertains, but leaves you inspired. You will appreciate the simple things in life and gain a greater understanding of how to view the world with a little different perspective. Check out the trailer and keep your eyes open for “Produce” the movie.

Heaven is For Real In Theaters April 16 2014

 photoTriStar Pictures, Affirm and Provident Films presents a new film called Heaven Is For Real. It’s based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name, written by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. It tells the true story of a small-town Pastor who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience. Heaven Is For Real is directed by Randall Wallace (Bravehart, Pearl Harbor, We Were Soldiers, Secretariat). The screenplay is by Christopher Parker and Randall Wallace. It stars Greg Kinnear (“As Good As It Gets,” “Little Miss Sunshine”) as Todd Burpo and co-stars Kelly Reilly (“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” “Flight”) as Sonja Burpo, the real-life couple whose son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum) experiences Heaven during emergency surgery. Colton recounts the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence. He describes Heaven in vivid detail, and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth … things he couldn’t possibly know.  Todd is called upon by his congregation to explain the meaning of Colton’s revelations, and he and his family are challenged to examine their faith and draw meaning from this remarkable event.

From what I can see so far and after reading the book and previewing the film, I believe this movie could start and in some cases reignite a conversation about the subject of “Heaven” and what happens when we die.  The fact is, we all will face death one day and hopefully this movie cause’s us all to explore the question “if there really is a heaven.”   You know we have all asked the question “Is Heaven for Real?”  Maybe not out load – but we all wonder about life after death. I for one find myself thinking and also preparing for heaven much more than I have done so in the recent past. We are all on a journey thru life and my prayer is that this movie will encourage people to help others to reach heaven thru faith in Christ.

I highly encourage families to see Heaven is For Real on opening weekend. The first showings start Wednesday April 16, 2014.

Here is the trailer for the movie Heaven is For Real;

Check out the heart of the movie from Todd Burpo.

Grace Unplugged In Theaters October 4th

GU_FacebookCover2Summer has come to an end and Fall is in the air.  This means new school clothes, a new teacher, new friends and many other elements that are indicators that change is in the air.  With the new season also comes a fresh batch of  movies to theaters for families. Grace Unplugged is one of the releases that is Just around the corner and will hit the big screen on Friday October 4th. Family Films had the privilege to preview the film a few times this summer and we wanted to share our thoughts and encourage families to check out Grace Unplugged on opening weekend.

Here is a brief overview of the story:

image17Just 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than singing at her church. So she runs off to Los Angeles and begins to taste the stardom she’s always dreamed of, including a Top-10 song. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith … or rediscover it?

This summer Family Films had the chance to interview Brad Silverman who is the director and writer of Grace Unplugged. We were able to ask Brad a few questions about Grace Unplugged, how a movie can impact culture and how he landed in the film business.

Check out the official movie trailer to Grace Unplugged:

We continue our interview with the Director and writer Brad Silverman regarding the inspiration for Grace Unplugged.

Grace Unplugged is an inspiring story that will cause you to laugh, cry, rejoice and sing. The cast is superb and features Kevin Pollack, James Denton, Shanwee Smith, Jamie Grace, AJ Michalka and an appearance from Chris Tomlin. The soundtrack is off the hook and you  will find yourself singing along and tapping your foot (featuring Colton Dixon, Jamie Grace, Toby Mac, Shawn MacDonald, Luminate, Nine Lashes, AJ Michalka, Josh Wilson and Chris Tomlin). You can download the CD on Itunes now.

It’s refreshing to have a film that is safe for the whole family and delivers an entertaining story that will leave you still thinking about the movie days after you exit the theater.

So mark your calendars to see Grace Unplugged on opening weekend of October 4th.

We’ll see you at the movies!

Dave Almgren- Faith & Family Films

“Grace Unplugged is a powerful depiction of God extending forgiveness and mercy toward us all.” Chris Tomlin

New Veggietales and Soul Surfer Products Coming Soon!

Spring is almost here and so are some of the new Veggietales products. I am so excited!! Spring usually bring a few new items and this Easter season is no different for ever Veggietales fan.

For those who love Bob and Larry as well as checkers. Have we got a game for you!! That’s right Veggie Checkers – so cool.

We also have some new Veggietales toys that are available now and a few more coming soon. The Veggie Bus has already parked and is available to order as well as the Veggietales Play Dough Play Set. We are still waiting for the Larry Silly Dress up Play Set ( this is in the vain of the Mr. Potato Head type of toy). This item is coming the first week of May and is sure to be a hit. Pre orders are coming in at a steady clip.

We have also added a few new Veggietales birthday items that are sure to help make every Veggietales birthday party a BIG hit. We also have new Veggietales napkins, cups and Veggietales dessert plates.

If you have not caught the wave yet and gone to see the new hit movie Soul Surfer – don’t worry you still have a chance to go this weekend. The movie is playing every where. So check it out this weekend.  So speaking of Bethany Hamilton and Soul Surfer – KidzOnEarth.com has added a few new products from the Surfing world.

Check out the new surfing books from Bethany and a cool new DVD called Walking On Water.

Click here to check out a trailer for Walking On Water.

Thanks for checking back to the web site. We hope you like the new look!

 

Click here to go to KidzOnEarth.com

Dave Almgren

New KidzOnEarth.com Web Site is Now Live!

It has been ten years since the launch of KidzOnEarth.com. We started small and had the web site built to bring Veggietales products to families across the USA. Ten years later . . . As of today we have launched a brand new web site featuring family friendly products with our featured products being the Veggietales brand. We feel this new site will serve our customer well and has features that are long over do.

So check out the web site and thank you for your interest in the products featured on our web site.

Dave Almgren
KidzOnEarth.com

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 2,700 times in 2010. That’s about 6 full 747s.

 

In 2010, there were 17 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 29 posts. There were 29 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 2mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was March 30th with 43 views. The most popular post that day was Veggietales Girl Power Coming This Summer!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were kidzonearth.com, ow.ly, tyndale.com, blogger.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for veggietales sweetpea beauty, phil vischer, veggie tales sweetpea beauty, sweetpea beauty veggietales, and veggie tales bedding.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Veggietales Girl Power Coming This Summer! March 2010

2

New Veggietales Bedding to Arrive Soon at Kidzonearth.com February 2010

3

Check Out Jelly Telly – Coming this Fall! October 2008

4

What’s in Phil Vischers – “What’s in The Bible?” February 2010
3 comments

5

Larryboy Mobile is Coming Back to Kidz On Earth July 2010

Plant Seeds with Veggietales Values Products!

It is almost time to turn the corner from 2010 to the new year.  We will soon move past Christmas and the snow and all the great stuff that this season brings.  I have to say that  I am always sad that Christmas moves by the window of life so fast. Hmmm  . . . enjoying the journey!!

Soon it is will time to think about planting new seeds for a wonderful harvest. In regards to our kids – I am not sure there is ever a season where we do not want to continually plant seeds in their lives. It is an ongoing exercise that we must continue to maintain. Sometimes it helps to have some tools that assist with the process.

At KidzOnEarth.com we are continually watching for new products that will assist you ( the parent) to reach your goal of instilling Godly values in your children. Veggietales has a new batch of learning tools coming this next three months. Veggietales – Values to grow by is the new mantra and I sure do like it!!

Big Idea is launching a new book series that will span 32 All new book titles with great lessons in
being nice, making good choices, handling fear and playing fair with a Biblical perspective. Here are a few of the titles  . . . Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Mop? The Good, The Good, The Bad and the Silly,  Good Knight Duke and Fair and Squaresville.

There is also a brand new DVD title coming on March 5th, 2011 called “Twas The Night Before Easter”.   Here is an overview of the story.

It’s Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade (Petunia Rhubarb) is hunting for a way to help others. On a tip that the old town theater will be shut down, Marlee cooks up a plan to save the stage and make a difference through the power of musical theater! With a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20-foot robot rabbit – “Up With Bunnies” is hatched! There’s only one thing missing – the star of the show! When news spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava (Melinda Doolittle) is arriving to perform in her hometown church’s Easter service, Marlee gets worried. Concerned about the competition, she schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee’s dreams – or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about?

Well – that is all for now!  Keep checking back for more Family Friendly product news from KidzOnEarth.com.

Click here to view new Veggietales tools for learning.