Review of a The Woodcarver and a Chance to Score a Complimentary Copy!

Ever watch Cheers? Cliff Clavin is always spouting out random, useless trivia.  Wouldn't it be cool to have seen him share about the most important thing ever?  By that I'm talking about following Jesus.  Well, John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin, does just that in this great new movie, The Woodcarver.  


My family and I recently watched this movie as I got a complimentary copy from propeller so I could write up this review.  Keep reading to find out how you, too, can win a complimentary copy of this movie.  

About the Movie:

Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church's beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

My Thoughts:

We all loved this movie.  I especially loved John Ratzenberger's portrayal of Ernest, the woodcarver.  I think he had the most well-developed character in the whole film.  I wish he lived in my neighborhood.  I could think of a few of my own kids who'd I'd like him to befriend!  LOL  What I loved about the movie is that it is a good story, with a great message, but it doesn't come across as preachy.  Some Christian movies just seem so contrived.  (Though I have to say, they are getting better.)  I think having a well known face, and voice, makes it more marketable to a wider audience.  (So here's some Cliff Clavin-like trivia for you:  John Ratzenberger voices a character in every Pixar film ever made!)

I didn't find myself as endeared to the rest of the characters as I did to Earnest, but I could understand where they were coming from.  Today's society has really messed up family life!  We could make life a lot simpler if we all just learned to ask ourselves this simple question, What would Jesus do? As three people, all pretty much absorbed in their won selfish desires learn to ask this question, life takes a turn for the better.  Even Earnest learns a few things.  I highly recommend this movie!

Now for the giveaway rules.   Please read them CAREFULLY as I don't seem to be explaining them well enough.  LOL  

Leave a comment.  Tell me your favorite Christian movie to get one entry.  

Want more entries?  Here are five more ways you can enter, for a total of six ways to enter! :)

Take my poll in the sidebar, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST letting me know you did. (If you've already taken the poll, just let me know in a comment, and I will still count it as an additional entry.)

Follow me on facebook, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Follow me on Twitter, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Follow me with Google Friend Connect or Linky Followers, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (If you already follow, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner, and leave AN ADDITIONAL comment HERE ON THIS POST. (See sidebar. If you already subscribe, just leave an additional comment HERE ON THIS POST to let me know.)

You must be 13 years old or older to enter and not live in The Crazy House. :) Please leave your e-mail address or some other way I can contact you if you win, or I'll have to draw another winner. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY for up to six entries per person. More than one person may enter per household if they are at least 13 years old. That's about it. :)

The contest will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The winner will be chosen on Monday, April 2, 2012 or sometime soon after.

 “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy movie watching!!!

New Movie Review and Giveaway! The Christmas Lodge!

Contest Closed!

I was sent a DVD copy of The Christmas Lodge as part of the propeller blogger review program so that I could watch it and share my thoughts with you.  Check out the synopsis provided by propeller, then keep reading to get my thoughts and find out how win your own copy!

Synopsis:


Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now-dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

Check out the trailer:  http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1554553881/

My thoughts:

I actually watched this movie a few weeks ago, back in early November.  I admit, it was a bit early for a Christmas movie, but I still found myself enjoying it.  Okay, it's another "feel good" movie, and one with few real surprises, but there's actually something strangely satisfying about knowing everything's going to "turn out all right in the end" and watching it all play out in front of you.  Even Sane Man liked it.  :)

I suppose the thing I liked best about the movie was the closeness between Mary and her family.  You hear about so few families today that can even seem to get along, so to see a functional family in a movie is a breathe of fresh air.  I also appreciated the fact that God was part of the family's life and that they allowed Him to lead them in their endeavors to rebuild the Christmas Lodge.  I did find the whole idea of Mary's grandmother "speaking to her" from heaven a little odd, but not so much that it took away from my enjoyment of the movie.  I'd call it a "chick-flick" but, like I said, even Sane Man liked it, so I guess I can recommend it to everyone!  :)

The Contest!

And now for the giveaway! Would you like to win your own copy of The Christmas Lodge? If so, just leave me a comment telling me who you'd watch it with. ;) You can leave a comment either here or on my facebook page.


For additional entries:


Follow me on facebook.  (If you already follow, still leave an additional comment for an extra entry.)

Follow me on Twitter.  (If you already follow, still leave an additional comment for an extra entry.)

Follow me with Google Friend Connect. (See sidebar. If you already follow, still leave an additional comment for an extra entry.)

Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner. (See sidebar. If you already subscribe, still leave an additional comment for an extra entry.)


The rules:

You must be 13 years old or older to enter and not live in my house. :) Please leave your e-mail address or some other way I can contact you if you win. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY for up to five entries per person. More than one person may enter per household if they are at least 13 years old. That's about it. :)

The contest will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The winner will be chosen on Monday, December 12, 2011 or sometime soon after.




"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:  "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


Happy movie watching!!! :)

Heads Up for Reviews and Giveaways!

I have four new reviews and giveaways coming up real soon, so stay tuned!  There's a little bit of everything.  One is an animated DVD for kids called Theo, another is a math game for kids from Carlito C. Caterpiller's Math House Games, one is a brand new music CD from Ginny Owens, and another is a CD from Jeremy Riddle.  All of these reviews are of products promoted by Propeller.  I am new to them, but it looks likes it's going to be a great partnership.  I'll be able to share about a lot of great new family/Christian products, so, like I said, stay tuned!  :)