The Blind Side

The Blind Side, is inspirational and amazing. Sandra Bullock portrays Leah Anne, the matriarch of the affluent Memphis family who adopted Michael Oher, an offensive tackle for the American football team, the Baltimore Ravens. Michael was held back two years in elementary school and had a spotty educational record with a 0.6 GPA in high school. He was born to a family of 12 children and spent most of his life a ward of the state of Tennessee.

Religious organizations provide enormous benefits to family for involvement, support, and growth. Studies reporting on substance use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs have shown that children that have attended religious services were less likely to have experiment with substances. The studies have also shown that the more services attended by the child the lower the possibility of experimentation with substances.

Children need to have their efforts recognized and validated, not just the Michael Oher’s of the world, but the children who spend the game on the side lines, need to know that their family care enough to show up. There are other social activities that are beneficial to children include, boy scouts, girl scouts, and explorer scouts to name a few.

What is important is that you involve your child in activities using community social groups; community sports organizations, or sports and social groups through the child’s school. The more involved you are as a parent the better, it sends a message to the child that you support the child and that they are important.

Facing the Giants

Facing the Giants is struggling to keep the school's football program alive. Then, just when things seem like they can't get any worse, a stranger shows up in Grant's office and shares a Scripture verse, saying that the Lord sent him there. Suddenly, it's a whole new ballgame! Grant prays, gets inspired, and revamps his entire philosophy of coaching. His enthusiasm spreads to the whole team, and then the whole school, and suddenly, as Grant notes, it's like a whole new team.

And then there's the theology. An assistant coach twists Jesus' words about the wide and narrow gates to apply to kicking field goals. And despite writer and the director Kendrick's insistence that he's "not a name it and claim it guy," that's just what happens in the movie: After Grant gets right with Jesus, everything goes his way. We won't give away the plot developments, but suffice it to say that every situation that could go either way ends up going the "right" way on and off the field. The "giants" aren't merely faced; they're all slain, and everybody lives happily ever after. Seems a bit like "prosperity gospel" dressed up in helmets and shoulder pads.

The acting is just as bad. Kendrick is at times as wooden as one of George Lucas' actors, at other times so melodramatic that he actually reminds one of Will Ferrell only, he's not trying to be funny. Fields also turns in a performance that somehow manages to be exaggerated and flat at the same time, and most of the grown-up supporting cast members are no better. The younger actors who play the team members give some of the most convincing performances, which helps to highlight the movie's strongest feature when the cheesy dialogue and story shut down and the football kicks in, there's a surprisingly well-done sense of realism here, as the film does an admirable job of capturing the atmosphere of a high school football game.

Courageous

Four men, one calling to serve and protect as law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes and their partners are confident and focused. They willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet when they take off their badges at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift further and further away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those that are most dear to them.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God and to their children.

Moviegoers will again find themselves crying, laughing and cheering sometimes simultaneously as they are inspired by everyday heroes who long to be fathers that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting and serving from one another is the means for everyone and the lesson we can apply in life.

Standing Firm

Standing Firm is a dramatic portrayal of one family's tragedy and the challenges they face in a struggle to survive financially, relationally and spiritually. Production qualities are top-notch, the story is gripping and the power of God to transform lives is crystal clear. Believers will find it a dynamite tool to share the gospel with others.

David, a widower, is working himself to death. Late nights doing paperwork and running on fumes is normal. Bills are piling up by the week, and foreclosure looms on the horizon. Blaming God for his wife's death, he ends his relationship with the church. Steven, the remaining Christian of the household, has been watching his father's unhealthy lifestyle with great concern. With help from his grandpa and best friend Maggie, Steven reaches out to his father in any way he can. Despite his grieving and worsening financial problems, David begins seeking an answer to the question haunting him since his wife's death.

Why Standing Firm is a story of suffering, for the reason of God's purpose in it, and being joyful despite all the obstacles that need to pass and it is occurrence in everyones life. Then again hold on to the promise of God whom you must put your love, trust and faith for this is the will of the Lord, to prosper us and not to harm us.

Fireproof

Fireproof is the story of a firefighter whose marriage is suffering and the process of recovery. Without giving away all the details, Caleb Holt, played by Kirk Cameron decides to take part in an experiment called “The Love Dare” in order to prevent divorce between him and his wife. The catch as he finds is that the experiment can only be successful if he finds true love through Christ and applies that understanding to his marriage.

This story is inspirational on so many levels. For those who are struggling with their marriage, it provides understanding and sympathy as well as provides information on how to begin the restoration process for a hurting marriage. For those who do not struggle in this area, it gives a true appreciation for what they have, reinforcing the strength already present in that marriage. Even for singles people, it is inspirational so that you will know what to expect from marriage should it ever be a consideration.

For anyone willing to open their heart to the same understanding the character goes through, this could be a truly life changing movie. Even for Christians, a solid depiction of the gospel is depicted which just reinforces Faith.

Green Lantern

In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected.

Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax… He will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.

In the story we can relate and learn a lesson to put in application to ourself in the reality to be a responsible person in the society and make our own ways on how to do kindness for all the people, knowing first their security than our own self.

Conan the Barbarian

A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.

Years later, the Cimmerians are at war with a rival clan. Corin's pregnant wife is fatally injured in the battle, but is able to give birth to a son, Conan, before succumbing to her injuries. Conan's birth on a battlefield, and subsequent survival, is considered to be a powerful omen. Armed with the knowledge of Tamara's importance, and confident that Zym will not recognize him, Conan masquerades as a bounty hunter, claiming to sell Tamara to Zym for a substantial sum of gold. Once he is satisfied that Zym and Marique have come alone, Conan reveals his true intentions, prompting him to cross swords. Conan and Zym first seem to be nearly evenly matched, but Conan's rage gives him the upper hand. Marique saves her father by invoking soldiers made of sand and then poisoning Conan with a poison-laced boomerang sword. Conan save tamara before the bridge gives way, they are cornered by Zym, who uses the Mask's power to summon Maliva's spirit. In an act of defiance, Conan proceeds to destroy the bridge supports with his sword, before jumping to safety with Tamara. The bridge collapses, and Zym falls to his death.

With the snake cult destroyed, Conan returns Tamara to her birthplace, telling her that they'll meet again. He then returns to his old village and tells his father that he has avenged his death and recovered the sword Zym stole from him, before departing in search of new pursuits.