Movie Monday: Chronicle Mysteries – Recovered

If you love suspense movies, Recovered, the first movie in the new collection of Chronicle Mysteries series, is just the ticket. Set in small town Pennsylvania, Alex McPherson (played by Alison Sweeney) makes it her goal to solve a cold case while keeping the audience of her well-followed podcast informed of each development.

No one knows what happened to Alex’s friend, Gina, after a car accident on a fateful night 20 years ago. Can Alex solve find the missing pieces to the puzzle? Why does someone not want the truth to be found?

Alex uses The Harrington Chronicle, a newspaper owned by her uncle, as her landing spot where she conducts research for her project. There, she meets the leading man, Drew Godfrey (played by Benjamin Ayres).

Those who are accustomed to clean suspense movies (Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye, Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, and Garage Sale Mysteries to name a few) will not be disappointed with this newest series starring Alison Sweeney.  For those of you movie buffs, you may recall that she also starred in the Murder, She Baked mystery series with leading man, Cameron Mathison.

Recovered is an enjoyable movie with twists and turns, adventure, humor, and, of course, a bit of romance. It’s perfect for a family night movie and contains nothing objectionable; however young viewers may be frightened by the car wreck scene (nothing graphic) and a duel with the bad guys.

I give Recovered a five out of five stars for those 10 and up. I can’t wait to watch the second installment!

 

 

Other posts on this blog that you may enjoy:

Movie Monday: Beautifully Broken

Mom-Approved Movies Listing

Movie Monday: God Bless the Broken Road

Movie Monday: Free Burma Rangers

proud to be an American

Movie Monday: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled

What happens when the POstables find a seemingly old disposable camera in the lost and misdirected mail with pictures on it? And not just any pictures, but one including a note with a child’s writing begging to be reunited with his dad?

Was the child kidnapped? If so, where is he/she now? The pictures offer few clues.

The POstables set out to find the answer. And so the adventure across Colorado begins in the old Winnebago that Rita’s parents gifted Norman and Rita. Along the way, the group not only discovers the surprising answer to their mystery, but also some important things about their relationships along the way. Will Rita complete the 100 things she “must” do according to a wedding magazine before she and Norman get married? Why is Norman being so evasive? And who is Alex Brighton – the one who continues to text Shayne? Does Oliver have reason to be concerned?

Humor, romance, drama, a mystery, and clean wholesome viewing occur once again in this episode. It contains nothing objectionable. However, young children may be frightened by the “kidnapping” theme. It is appropriate for tweens and up.

 

Those of you who follow the Movie Monday reviews on my blog likely realize that the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series is among my favorites. It’s right up there with the Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye Series,Where Love Found Me, The Redemption of Henry Myers, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, Finding Normal, Beautifully Broken, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, and Beyond the Mask. All awesome movies for family night (among many more too numerous to list, but that can be found on my Mom-Approved Movie Listing).

As a matter of fact, I can’t wait to watch the next installment of Signed, Sealed, Delivered when Rita and Norman finally head to the altar. Will Shayne and Oliver be next?

Movie Monday: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again

From the very first episode of Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I was hooked. Imagine my excitement when I discovered the latest installment in the series.

In Home Again, the Postables find a package with what appears to be an expensive vase. Who sent it and who was the intended recipient? After discovering the answers to these questions, they discover a family in dire need of help before they lose their family farm. Will they be able to assist the family in their dream of keeping the farm before it’s auctioned off to the highest bidder? Will they be able to convince one of the daughters who left years ago on bad terms to return home?

In other news, Norman and Rita receive a visit from Rita’s parents. Things get off to a bad start right away. What can Norman do to make Rita’s father like him?

Signed, Sealed, Delivered boasts great story lines, humor, romance, and a little mystery all thrown into one. There is nothing objectionable – this is truly family fare at its finest. The characters are realistic, the acting superb, and the storylines heartwarming. The only downside in Home Again is one unnecessary use of the Lord’s name in vain.

If you are looking for a series for your next family night, I highly recommend Signed, Sealed, Delivered. But start at the very first episode. It’s quite possible you’ll become an ardent fan as well!

 

Movie Review Monday – 25 all-time favorite family movies

I’ve been asked on several occasions to list some of our family’s all-time favorite family movies.

I have to admit that it’s difficult to narrow the list down to just 25!

I’m sure I’ll be including another “favorites” list in the coming months. Believe it or not, there are many great movies out there suitable for the entire family. It just takes a bit of investigating to find them.

I’ve noted on the list below if any movies are appropriate for certain age groups. Some of these movies have archived movie reviews at https://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/archived-mom-approved-movie-reviews/ so be sure to check that as well.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but here are 25 or our favorites in no particular order:

Sue Thomas F.B. Eye (ages 10 and older)

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

End of the Spear (ages 12 and older)

Christmas Angel (Pureflix with Della Reese)

Last Ounce of Courage

Drive Thru History Series

Courageous (ages 12 and older)

The Gospel of John

                                      Clancy (ages 12 and older)

The Christmas Card

Samantha (American Girl)

Fallen Angel (Hallmark)

Follow the Stars Home (Hallmark)

Love Comes Softly

Duma

Kit Kittredge (American Girl)

Time Changer

Game Time: Tackling the Past

Though None Go With Me

The Inheritance (Feature Films for Families)

Beautiful Dreamer (Feature Films for Families)

What If

Doc Series

Killer Flood: The Day the Dam Broke (ages 10 and older)

Sarah Plain and Tall Series (Hallmark)

A huge thank you to the directors, producers, and writers of wholesome films. You are appreciated!

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 Review 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 – Sarah Plain and Tall

I have long been a fan of the Hallmark movies and Sarah Plain and Tall is no exception. Set in Kansas in the early 1900s, this movie has all of the makings of a delightful family movie:  drama, humor, and some adventure.

When Sarah answers an advertisement for a mail order bride, she travels by train to the dusty prairies of Kansas – the opposite landscape from her beloved home by the sea in Maine. When she and widower Jacob meet for the first time, Sarah wonders if she will be able to stay and adjust to her new life. After all, she admits to being outspoken and she’s nothing like Jacob’s wife who lost her life in childbirth.  In addition, while the youngest child, Caleb instantly likes Sarah, the oldest child, Anna takes a dislike to Sarah. Still grieving the loss of her mother, Anna isn’t about to let anyone take the place of her mother in her own heart or in the heart of her father.

Can love be found in the least likely of places?

A touching movie with a dash of sweet romance, Sarah Plain and Tall has quickly become a classic that has been enjoyed for over two decades. This movie left me wishing Hallmark would again return to the treasured storylines it once created movies from – movies which included Fallen Angel, Rose Hill, Follow the Stars Home, The Water is Wide, The Courageous Heart of Irena Stendler, The Magic of Ordinary Days, and Beyond the Blackboard to name a few.

Sarah Plain and Tall contains nothing objectionable and is suitable for the entire family. However, a scene with a windstorm may frighten younger children.  I highly recommended it for your next family night.

 

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.