Wagar Family Farm

I was out at a store about a month ago and purchased this movie as I thought that the kids would like it.  I am sorry to say that it was a disappointment all around.  It didn't keep the kids engaged.. B did laugh a couple of times when the beast wiggled around when it was smaller but the story itself was not all that engaging.  It was one of those you wish you would have borrowed from the library for free. 

Over the past couple of months the kids have had an itching for some cartoons, so Jennifer picked up a deal at Wal-Mart which was some of the good ole cartoons of yesteryear.  So for the last few movie nights and sometimes in-between we and they have been watching shows like Spin and Marty, Popeye (the black and white version), the three stooges, and Casper the friendly ghost.  Let me just say that the kids favorite has to be the three stooges.. B just laughs and laughs at those...

This week, our for our family night festivities, we sat down with Taco Salad and watch the classic Old Yeller.  If by some slim chance you have never seen Old Yeller, it's about a boy's love for his dog. 

"No film better portrays the powerful emotions of hope, courage, and friendship. When his younger brother adopts a frisky lop-eared stray, 15-year-old Travis, acting "man-of-the-house," tries to shoo him away. But Old Yeller soon proves he is anything but "yellow" when he protects the family farm and saves Travis' life. From its charming simplicity to its gripping conclusion, the drama, humor and heart of OLD YELLER belong in everyone's collection." - Amazon.com


Wagar Parents Recommendation = YES

Review by D

Once upon a time, a family moved to the country, but they flied on an airplane.  Do you wonder how many children there were?  And how old the children were?  They built a house like Laura Ingalls Wilder.  An airplane dropped a package in the water.  There were bears.  The dog was not the least bit scared of the bears!  I think you would like the movie.

First let me say this is NOT a film for children..

Based on South African playwright Athol Fugard's only novel, TSOTSI is a thrilling, provocative look at life in the ghettos outside present-day Johannesburg. Presley Chweneyagae stars as the title character, a teenager with a killer stare who lives alone in a ramshackle room in a poor shantytown, where he pulls off petty crimes with the help of three compatriots--Boston (Mothusi Magano), Butcher (Zenzo Ngqobe), and Aap (Kenneth Nkosi). But after they stab a man to death on the subway and Tsotsi (which means "thug" or "gangster") beats up Boston for trying to find out about his past, Tsotsi runs off to a wealthy section of the city, shoots a woman, and steals her car. Only later does he discover that there is a baby in the back seat--and decides to keep it for himself. As Tsotsi finally does look back at his own childhood, he tries to take care of the infant, carrying it around in a paper bag and forcing a young mother, Miriam (Terry Pheto), to breastfeed it at gunpoint. At this point, writer-director Gavin Hood could have opted for trite sentimentality, but instead he delves deeper into Tsotsi's psyche, as the young man might have already gone too far to turn back now. TSOTSI is a pulsating, electrifying film propelled by Chweneyagae's powerful, mesmerizing performance. The pounding soundtrack features popular local Kwaito music by Zola, who also plays crimelord Fela in the film. Winner of the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, TSOTSI "will rank as one of the best films ever to come out of South Africa," as Fugard himself said. (Above review is from www.rottentomatoes.com)

This is not the type of movie that you’re going to play again and again, however it does bring to light the type of societies whereby many children grow up both inside and outside of the United States.  A sad reality that each of us needs to view, pray, and do something about.

**Let me reiterate, this is NOT a film for children**

With that being said:

Wagar Parents Recommendation = YES

“Set in the exotic country of South Africa, Duma tells the powerful adventure tale of an unbreakable bond of friendship between a cheetah named Duma and a courageous young boy named Xan. Xan faces the true test of love when he must cross the wilds of Southern Africa to return his best friend to his rightful home.” (http://dumamovie.warnerbros.com/)

What a great gripping moving for the whole family.  The kids were literally at the edge of their seats through out most of the film.  It’s refreshing to once again stumble upon a fantastic family oriented film with an excellent plot. 

Be warned there are some intense scenes, as our 6 year old (girl) can attest to (she was a bit scared about a few of the animals), but our 4 year old (boy) was not going to look away as he didn’t want to miss a thing. 

Good Morals, Good Acting, Good Plot, Great Movie!!

Wagar Family Recommendation = YES

Facing the Giants is the second full-feature motion picture written, produced and directed by Sherwood Productions (a ministry at Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia).   

All I can say is…What a movie.  

It’s an action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team and himself.  And it must be good because it’s a football movie and Jennifer Loved it… (it also kept the attention of  our 5 and 6 year old children)

Here’s the story line: 

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season.  Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired.  This combined with pressure at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope and feels like he is Facing the Giants.   

It’s through these challenges that Coach Taylor finds a purpose bigger than just victories.  Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field and off. 

This movie boldly states the truth that With God, All Things Are Possible. 

Wagar Family Recommendation = YES

This movie, written, produced and directed by Sherwood Productions (a ministry at Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia) was their first attempt at movie making.  With a budget of just $20,000, they have developed a film that, although a bit rough at the edges at times (the entire cast are volunteers from the church), will bless everyone who takes the time to watch it. 

So what's the plot? 
Jay Austin wants to sell you a used car, but watch out! Many victims have fallen prey to his smiling face and hasty promises. Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are repeatedly exposed. Like many men, he becomes disgusted by the masks he wears and lies he tells. While having a classic convertible repaired, Austin begins a humorous and inspiring journey to win back the hearts of his wife, his son, and his community. In every man's life, there can be a turning point. When Jay Austin makes his turn, he never looks back.

As stated in the beginning of this review, the film is a real blessing to watch and although it is family friendly, the young children (5 and under) lost interest in it after about 30 minutes. 


Wagar Family Recommendation = YES

In this extremely funning 2007 follow-up to Bruce Almighty, Steve Carell (The Office) plays a vain junior congressman named Evan Baxter.  Evan’s motto throughout the movie is that he wishes to "change the world" which is heard by none other than God (Morgan Freeman). When God appears with the perplexing request to build an ark, Evan is sure he is losing it. But soon mysterious deliveries of wood and tools are being dropped on his doorstep, animals of every shape and size are flocking to him two by two, and his self-absorbed life goes from overnight success to almighty mess!

Unlike its predecessor, Bruce Almighty (which I do not recommend for those under the age of 18) this movie is very family friendly which our kids thoroughly enjoy watching again and again.

 

Wagar Family Recommendation = YES