Since last week’s wholesome movie reviews was such a big hit I figured I’d continue the trend and share my family friendly movies reviews on movies we’ve watched that have been really good. I have to agree that it really is harder to find them in our world today.
A Long Way Off
This movie is based off the prodigal son story from the Bible. I was captivated by this movie from the beginning because it did in fact remind me very much of the story in the Bible. The young son didn’t appreciate working for his family’s business. It’s really HARD to not give away everything on this movie.
In a way it reminded me of my decision to move back to Ohio when I was 19 years old to so called ‘pursue a better life.’ In reality, that was the start to my downward spiral in my life. I pulled completely away from God and left behind my family and friends here in SC. In fact I left this state with NO contact with my Mom at all! She and I had killed our relationship for a period of time.
Ironically, my mom battled her first round of her thyroid cancer without me even knowing about it until AFTER the fact. She didn’t want me to come back and take care of her. She wanted me to come back to be there because I wanted to be there not due to some type of obligation to her.
When I finally did return to SC in May 2005, it was the oddest feeling in the world for her and I both. It wasn’t a grand welcome home party for us, but I will say that the members of my church that I was raised in made sure that I was welcomed with a big hug and lots of love. That surprised the tar out of me, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. In fact, in 2006 when I got in my car accident that forever changed my life, they stocked our home with enough groceries that lasted us almost a year literally. They took turns checking on us too.
I think this movie and this story in the Bible hits home a lot for me because I have always wanted the grander things in life. I’ve always been a dreamer. I wasn’t content or happy with what I had in my life until my car accident. Then I pursued what really mattered in my life (my relationship with God and my current husband.) I mended the fences between my mom and I as much as could humanly be done.
To this day, I still have big dreams. However, I’m am also content and satisfied with the life I have. I know that God is always going to provide me with what I need. It may not always be what I want, but he will never forsake me or leave me.
Stranded in Paradise
This movie is from Hallmark. Yes, I should become an ambassador for Hallmark and UpTV. However, so far all my movie reviews from their channels are given to you from my own love of their movies.
Stranded in Paradise is about a woman who was fired from a job that she’s been at for 15 years. She decided to go to an HR convention anyways, and got stranded in that town due to a natural disaster. While there she meets this man (James Dention—I’m a fan!) They have a nice little romance build up between them even if they don’t want to acknowledge it.
If I say to much more, I’ll give away the ending. However, it is a sweet romance. It does show the true power of love. When I met my husband I knew he had me wrapped around his finger, and I fought it for many years. However, he had me hooked the first time I met him. I’ll never forget the feeling that went throughout my entire being when I met him for as long as I live. This movie reminds me of those moments when my feelings for my husband have literally consumed all of me.
When Calls the Heart Second Chances
This is another addition to the When Calls the Heart series. Like all the rest of them it’s a good little series. There is always loads of drama in each series. This one just like all the rest have many different lessons thrown in it too. Delbert LOVES this series with a passion. This series hasn’t lost its appeal for me yet.
What has been a good family movie that you’ve watched lately?
Disclosure: I was given one or more of these movies to review in exchange for an honest blog review, but that in no way shaped my opinion of these movies.
By the way, any woman or man who has ever been around kids will love the movie Mom’s Night Out. It comes out on DVD on September 2nd. Mark it on your calendars! It’s my top movie of the year so far. I’m counting down!!
I don’t watch movies much, because my husband likes ones with serious blood and guts. I just sit with him and work or play on my laptop. If I could watch the When Calls The Heart series, I sure would.
I am going to watch A Long Way Off with hubby soon! It’s our date night movie 🙂
What’s the best way to find these movies?
The last one I just watched was Muppets Most Wanted. Its was a lot of fun and the whole family enjoyed. it. Thank for sharing these great films.
I love movie nights with my family! These sound like some great ones to check out!
My husband asked if I wanted to surprise him with a blu ray copy of SpiderMan 2. Love him dearly, but I really don’t want to run any errands. I think the last family movie we watched was also Muppets Most Wanted, also.
I haven’t seen any of these! I feel like I need a movie night!
These sound like great movies!
After reading your reviews, it makes me want to find all three of these movies. Thanks.
Moms Nite Out is the only one of these I’ve heard of but they all sound promising. When Moms Nite Out released in theaters, I wanted to go see it but didn’t. Still haven’t. Thanks for the heads-up that it is coming out soon!
I want to see the When Calls the Heart series. My fiancé and I both LOVE movies and we’re always redboxing or buying a new movie. I watched the Moms Nite Out movie and LOVED it – can’t wait for it to come out. As far as a recent family movie, the last one we watched was Rio 2, but we have the movie Gods Not Dead on the schedule for this weekend 🙂
I have been hearing about A Long Way Off for a while, and it sounds like a great movie!
I always love a good Hallmark movie. And happy to hear that Mom’s Night Out is coming to DVD.
All of these sound great I’d enjoy them all. I really want to see A Long Way Off.
I have never heard of any of these titles, but I’ll definitely be on the look out!
Honestly, those all sound like movies I’d watch. With the hubs heading out on deployment again – this is perfect!!
Thank you for sharing these movies and your reasons for loving them. I’m always looking for movies with real meaning to share with my girls. I love the connection you made with “A Long Way Off” and happy for you that you have begun healing your relationship with your mom. God is capable of miracles when we let Him in and surrender to His grace.
I love movies that are family friendly. It seems like they are becoming harder to find.
Great picks. I need some new movie ideas so I’ll have to check these out!
These are a great place to start. They are all good movies to watch.
Thanks for these suggestions, I am always looking for family-friendly movie ideas!
I’ll have quite a few of them coming up in the weeks to come I’m sure. I am glad you enjoyed these suggestions.
I am going to watch A Long Way Off with hubby! It looks like something we’d enjoy watching together.
I’d love hear what you think of it once you watch it. It’s a really good movie.
I haven’t seen on e lately, I don’t think but I love Hallmark movies. I always subscribe at holiday time to get a good fill of them.
Oh don’t get me started on their holiday movies. I’m glued to Hallmark during the Christmas season. I think I’ve watched every new Christmas movie they’ve made for as long as I can remember now.
I really love these kind of movies. It is what I like to watch on a weekend, kicking back at the house!
I’m glad to hear that. I look forward to hearing what you think of them when you watch them.
We recently watched Wreck It Ralph. It was cute. All of these sound good. I’ll have to see where I can find them. 🙂
UPTV is airing a few of these again in the near future. Wreck It Ralph was a great family movie.
I know some people who would like this movie. I can see how it can be harder to find those types of movies now a days for sure!
This is so true. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow I’ve never heard of these thanks for the list.
You’re welcome. I love sharing good family movies.
I didn’t get to see Mom’s Night Out when it was in the theaters, so I will definitely be getting the DVD!
I just found out that they have a book for this movie too. Now my fingers are itching to read it too.
I’ve been wanting to see Mom’s Night Out for awhile now. These look like great chick flicks!
They are all good movies. My kids enjoyed watching them too.
Mom’s Night Out is one I’m counting down to own it!
I’ve never heard of this movie until now. Sounds good!
I’ve been wanting to see Mom’s Day Out. I didn’t know it was coming to DVD so soon. Yay!
Thanks so much for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop)!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Thank you so much for hosting the link up. Mom’s Night Out is soooo utterly worth watching. I can’t wait to OWN it. I know it is one of those movies that I will watch over and over. (Very few get that rating from me.)
I’ve never heard of any of these movies. I’ll have to add them to my Netflix queue and check them out!
They are all great movies. I didn’t check to see if they were all on Netflix or not yet. I do know they are worth hunting down to watch.
I’m pinning this to my family entertainment board! These look like great movies.
I’m always looking for family friendly movies and haven’t seen this one yet– looks like one my husband and I would love, so I’m adding it to my must-watch list- thanks!
Is the When Calls the Heart Second Chances based on the book series by Janette Oke as well? I owned and read all of her books years ago. I loved them.
Yes, the movies are based on the books. It’s been YEARS since I’ve read the books too, and I don’t remember them enough to know if they are following along with the book per say. However, it is based off it.
Like your family, we enjoy watching movies too. We just got Netfilx and haven’t even gotten into the movies yet.