For a number of years I’ve been a member of the Ground Force Network, an organization that utilizes grassroots endeavors to market various products and services – mainly around a faith-based subject matter. While sometimes the products I receive are less-than-optimal quality [...]]]>

For a number of years I’ve been a member of the Ground Force Network, an organization that utilizes grassroots endeavors to market various products and services – mainly around a faith-based subject matter. While sometimes the products I receive are less-than-optimal quality I’ve received several I’ve been quite impressed with – such as Kyle Strobel’s Metamorpha.

Ground Force Network rebranded as Team Buzz Plant and recently sent me a free preview DVD called Homeless for the Holidays. In a note they inserted into the package Team Buzz Plant wrote, “As you watch this movie, please keep in mind that this film is based on a true story. The story reflects what the film makers experienced in their own lives. This film was made on a much lower budget than originally planned and many of the actors involved even worked for free in order to make the film possible.” Well, that didn’t inspire me with much confidence. An excuse for the film before I even begin watching it? Yikes. Plus the timeline was rather tight – I was to publish a review by the 22nd – and I don’t get compensated for these reviews – other than the free DVD – so I wasn’t in a hurry….

That said, I was going home to New York for Thanksgiving and there would be plenty of time for a holiday, family-friendly movie during this visit – I figured I’d bring it, give it a try, and write a review when I returned home…and thus I am.

Put the movie in and it starts right up – its a pre-release version – so no previews or other fun stuff…just hop right into the film. Some decent CGI in a humorous style alongside with a professional narrator begin our story off right – things are looking hopeful…then the live action begins. One of my sisters groans. I’m willing to give it a chance, so is my brother Paul. We all sit quietly watching the movie. There are occasional laughs, groans, and comments.

The acting feels like something out of a TV serial comedy – and I don’t mean that in (necessarily) a bad way. Its over-exaggerated. I can’t quite figure out whether this is because the tone of the movie has been purposely set as such or whether its simply a poor production – I gave the benefit of the doubt and went with over-exaggerated.

The film’s storyline is fairly straightforward. Rich man gets humbled, learns the value of spending time with family, the value of faith in God, and the joy in helping others. There really are no surprises – though quirky characters throughout keep the laughs coming and the family moments overall are endearing.

Okay, it isn’t bad. I’m ready to give it a thumbs up for a quirky, family-friendly, positive message holiday movie – but then everything changes. I won’t ruin the ending for you – but lets just say I was crying – my brother was crying, my dad was crying. I can’t tell you about anyone else – but for us the story struck home. I kept fighting back the tears not wanting to sob at the end of a family-friendly comedy-with-a-message, but still the tears ran down my face.

Martha (one of my sister’s) replies, “Dave, you are a mush.” She still wasn’t a fan of the film. My mom wasn’t overly enthusiastic either (though she missed the ending – she has a bad habit of leaving in the middle of movies), but my younger siblings (Faith and Mary) seemed to enjoy it readily enough, though my two cousins (2 and 3) didn’t find it engaging enough to hold their attention.

I’m having a hard time putting a finger on how to recommend this movie. I can be a pretty devastating film critic. Rev. Bill Smith likes to call me a ‘film critic’ for my oftentimes harsh criticism of various faith and family friendly films which many enjoy thoroughly. One part of me wants to be critical, but in this instance the story, the passion, and the powerful ending have overwhelmed me – and I’m giving this film a thumbs up. It appears I’m not alone in this judgment, while there aren’t a ton of votes in over at the IMDb, the consensus thus far is 8.7/10 – not a bad score at all!

If you have kids – I think they will enjoy it…and the message is powerful and persuasive, the content is clean and enjoyable.

Related articles

• Homeless for the Holidays, a review (shelbylclarke.wordpress.com)
• Homeless For The Holidays – A Family Christmas Movie (christmas-dvds.net)
• DVD Review: Homeless for the Holidays (blogcritics.org)
• Many Americans Will Spend Holidays Homeless (npr.org)
• Top Movies for Christmas (socyberty.com)
• Top 10 Christmas Movies (collider.com)

I remember seeing the trailer for Battle in Seattle and saying to Charity (my wife), “Wow, that looks really good.” But it never came to theaters – in spite of an all-star cast and a compelling and fascinating storyline. When Netflix offered [...]]]>

I remember seeing the trailer for Battle in Seattle and saying to Charity (my wife), “Wow, that looks really good.” But it never came to theaters – in spite of an all-star cast and a compelling and fascinating storyline. When Netflix offered it on Watch Now Charity and I were all over it and loved it – definitely one to go on our favorite film lists.

Battle in Seattle dramatizes the protests that occurred during the World Trade Organization‘s 1999 meeting in Seattle. At this protest tens of thousands turned out from many diverse groups and while many were peaceful some where quite destructive. A fierce battle was waged between protesters and law enforcement as the latter attempted to maintain control of the city and ensure the continuance of the WTO’s meetings.

Here’s my top four reasons to see Battle in Seattle:

• Charlize Theron (Academy Award Winner, Monster, Cider House Rules, North Country), Woody Harrelson (Wag the Dog, The Thin Red Line, No Country for Old Men), and Ray Liotta (Emmy Award Winner, Hannibal, NARC).
• A beautiful tension is held in which the disparate characters are generally portrayed with realism and depth. The opposing sides, the innocents, are not all portrayed as one-dimensional characters – but characters with depth – humanity.
• A fascinating portrayal of a historic event that will drive you to learn more about the WTO and related issues.
• A moving portrayal that will spur compassion for those who are suffering and starving.

The movie is rated R and has violence, language, and some extremely brief documentary footage involving non-sexual nudity.

The first historical period I became fascinated with was the War for Texan Independence, and specifically the Battle for the Alamo. I was introduced to this battle via Disney’s Davy Crockett film and would continue my interest by reading a variety of [...]]]>

Cover of The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)

The first historical period I became fascinated with was the War for Texan Independence, and specifically the Battle for the Alamo. I was introduced to this battle via Disney’s Davy Crockett film and would continue my interest by reading a variety of books on the subject and seeing the various films produced concerning the battle – from John Wayne‘s epic The Alamo to Thirteen Days to Glory and most recently The Alamo with Dennis Quaid as Jim Bowie and Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett.

As I grew older I moved on to other historical periods – partially because of the moral ambiguity relative to many of my country’s actions during this time period. I still have not had the time to sit down and re-study those periods and draw a conclusive ruling in my mind on the morality of the actions taken – but there is at least great doubt in my mind. In any case, recently I was on Hulu and stumbled across a movie they were offering called One Man’s Hero. Unlike the many films I had seen previously this one portrayed history from a Mexican perspective.

One Man’s Hero tells the (true) story of the Saint Patrick‘s Battalion, whose most famous command was John Riley. The Saint Patrick’s Battalion fought with significant distinction and dedication during the Mexican-American War and consisted largely of combat veterans, mainly Irish, mainly deserters from the U.S. Army, but also including a wide variety of other nationalities – Germans, Canadians, English, French, Italians, and so on – mainly of a Roman Catholic religious persuasion. In any case, for a variety of reasons these individuals chose to fight (and many died) with the Mexicans.

It is a fascinating film and I would recommend it. While released in 1999 it has an older epic western feel to it – very similar to John Wayne’s The Alamo. One should not expect an action/adventure movie as so many of our films are these days. But if you are interested in history and/or enjoy westerns – this film is for you. While rated R it would easily fall as a PG-13 film in these days. There is a moderate amount of profanity, a significant amount of violence, but no nudity/sex. If you don’t have time for the film, you may be interested to read the Wikipedia article on Saint Patrick’s Battalion.