Movie Monday – Pit Pony

My suggestion for this week’s Movie Monday is Pit Pony (Feature Films for Families):

Once in awhile, you stumble upon a movie that stays with you long after the credits have rolled. I discovered such a movie in Pit Pony (Feature Films for Families).

This touching film shows the dedication of young Willie MacLean, who must work in the dangerous mines so that his poverty-stricken family doesn’t succomb to starvation.  Willie excels in school, but he must leave his education behind to support his family, as he is their only hope. Not only that, but Willie also helps to care for his younger siblings. In the midst of this burden, Willie befriends a pony named Gem, who becomes the ray of hope Willie needs during a particularly difficult time in his life.

This heartwarming movie is one of my all-time favorites and has no objectionable content. However, it is not for the very young due to scary scenes in the mine and the loss of a loved one. It has several wonderful discussion opportunities, including the importance of courage, doing what’s right in the midst of hardship, family loyalty, family unity, responsibility, and treating others with mercy and grace when they least deserve it.

I would highly recommend this movie!

For an archived list of movie reviews, go to my newly created Archived Movie Reviews page. This page will be updated regularly to show all movies included in Movie Monday.

For a listing of all mom-approved movies, go here.

Join me each week for a new movie suggestion of recommended movies suitable for the entire family with reviews written from a Christian worldview.

Movie Monday – The Perfect Game

My suggestion for this week’s Movie Monday is The Perfect Game (Feature Films for Families)...

One of my favorite things about The Perfect Game was that, because it is based on true story, original black- and-white footage is shown throughout the movie.  The story opens with a man named Cesar who has lost his job with a baseball team and has returned to his home in Mexico as a laborer.  His life has taken a turn for the worse and he survives day-to-day with his heart heavy with failure.

Enter into the story several young poverty-stricken Mexican boys who, under the care of a Catholic Priest, dream of becoming “real” baseball players. They listen to their favorite teams on the radio and practice in the streets with humble baseball equipment. What happens when Cesar and the boys’ paths cross?

This movie is a hidden gem among movies. There hasn’t been much publicity about it, and to me, that’s a shame. It is perfect family-night fare and includes valuable discussion lessons. For instance, is it all right to look down upon someone because of the color of their skin? The Bible tells us we are all made in His image. Other great discussion questions include: is it all right to lie to others about your past because of your shame? Is it ever all right to drown your sorrows in alcohol? Even if two people have their eye on playing the position of pitcher, can that be overcome to avoid tension in a friendship? What can happen when people reach out in love and help those in need? Just how powerful is the power of prayer?

Will the underdogs in this film make it all the way to the Little League World Championship? You won’t want to miss this movie to find out the answer to that very question!

For an archived list of movie reviews, go to my newly created Archived Movie Reviews page.

For a listing of all mom-approved movies, go here.

Join me each week for a new movie suggestion of recommended movies suitable for the entire family with reviews written from a Christian worldview.

Movie Monday – Civil Love – 10/01/12

This week’s Movie Monday suggestion is Civil Love…

Once in awhile you come across a love story to be added to your list of favorites. For me, Civil Love is one of those movies.

Rachel and her two children must find a way to survive on their own after the death of Rachel’s husband a year earlier. A soldier for the Union Army during the Civil War, Rachel’s husband was killed by enemy soldiers. When faced with a proposition to remarry the local sheriff, will Rachel do so, even if it means being married to someone she doesn’t love? And what will she do about the stranger she found injured in her barn? After all, the stranger is a Confederate soldier – just like the ones who killed her husband.

Daniel recently escaped from a Union Army prison. A Confederate soldier from Georgia, Daniel is shot in his attempt to return home. Will he survive the brutal cold? Will he be able to outrun the two men relentlessly searching for him? What happens when he collapses in a barn, only to discover later it is the barn of a woman who has lost her Union Army husband at the hands of Daniel’s fellow soldiers? Will she turn him in to the sheriff?

Civil Love is not only a love story, but it’s also an action story, which makes it perfect for a husband/wife movie night. The characters are real-to-life and the plot is engaging.  Family unity, loyalty, love, honesty, and not judging others are the themes showcased in this movie.

Civil Love contains nothing offensive and I would highly recommend it for those ages nine and over due to a scene showing Daniel’s wound, a scary scene of a burglary, and a shoot-out which might frighten very young children.

I have placed this movie in my library of favorite movies  – thank you SunWorld Pictures for creating enjoyable and wholesome family entertainment!

I am passionate about finding movies suitable for families. For a complete listing of family movie suggestions and an archive of past reviews from a Christian worldview for Movie Monday, please go to my Mom-Approved Movies Page.

Join me each Monday for a new movie review. Until then, have a blessed week!