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Nowadays there are so many different family compositions, where one child may have both parents and grandparents in the home, where another child may just one parent in the home. Birdie and Bogey is a family movie where the twelve year old girl called Birdie (Amanda Alch), had only her father Danny (Mike Norris) at home.

Danny and Birdie had both been hurt by the abandonment of his wife and her mother, but they had each other and each other was all that they needed- well that and the game of golf! Birdie had been taught by her father all the skills that she needed to be one of the best golfers of her age! She was not proud of herself for her accomplishments, but of her Dad who she thought to be the best golfer that had ever played! The problem was, he had stopped playing golf with no intention of playing again. However, in Birdie & Bogey you see how a daughter can truly influence the life of her father!

Birdie and Bogey shows how a young girl puts others before herself and proves that the love and encouragement of family and friends shows what is also found in faith. Birdie and her father’s friend Amy (Janine Turner) help Danny get through past failure and to reenter the game of golf. Just as this takes off, an unexpected emergency occurs and  Birdie and Danny rely fully on their faith and the strong father/daughter relationship that they have.

Birdie & Bogey is a great family entertaining DVD, perfect for children of all ages! A story of hope, determination, friendship and the bond that is eternal. Watch here for a clip:  Birdie & Bogey

Review by Guest Writer Dana Chafin

On January 22, 2010 To Save a Life opens in theaters nationwide. This exciting Christian film confronts many teen issues. New Song Pictures gives viewers a touching story that will certainly change the way they see people. The story is inspiring and the way it deals with the issues the characters face is remarkable.

To Save a Life is the story of a teenage boy, Jake (Randy Wayne), who must make the choice to do what is popular or what is right. In the past he made the choice to be popular and it cost him a friend, literally. Now he will not let that happen again. Jake must also decide what he believes as far as God. A youth pastor, Chris (Joshua Weigel), comes into Jake’s path and he has a very unique, but effective way of dealing with the teens. Jake’s faith is tested by many difficulties, but the final outcome is inspirational.

To Save a Lifediscusses difficult topics such as suicide, cutting, divorce, teen pregnancy, dating, partying, drinking/drugs, depression, abortion, adultery and more. Although it is very tastefully handled, parents and leaders should know. This is a very moving film that will help adults to understand what our teens are facing and teens to see what their actions towards others could be saying.

To Save a Life is a powerful movie. It is a great film for any teen, parent, youth group, etc. I do want to warn there are some topics that might be too mature for younger kids; however most teens are aware of these issues.  Today many teens are faced with issues and situations similar to those discussed in the movie and this film may be just what is needed, to save a life.

by Philip Pfanstiel

I didn’t want to watch this movie. Knowing that “The Heart of Texas” is about tragedy and forgiveness and that it involves the death of a young child; these were all things that kept me from watching the movie. It hits too close to home. With five young children, thoughts of losing any of them to tragedy is a thought I want to avoid.

Surprisingly, when I did watch the DVD it was one of the most heartwarming, redemptive and thoughtful films I’ve seen in years. I would highly recommend it.

The premise of “The Heart of Texas” is simple; a young child is killed in a tragic accident and the film follows how the family and community responds. What is not so simple is how the family, especially the father responds.

The recommendation of Jesus to go the extra mile does not even begin to describe how the father reacts to this tragedy. I would go into more detail but the video does an extremely powerful and poignant job, so I won’t mar it.

However; I do think the practical examination of forgiveness and how forgiveness looks in real life was very powerful. I’ve shared with my students the basic premise of the movie and they are amazed that the father didn’t just “get even.”

I explained that no one ever gets even. You hurt me, I hurt you, you hurt me back … and the gift goes on and on. The teeter totter of hurt will only stop when one person decides to stop pushing back. As Gandhi wrote “an eye for an eye and the world will go blind.”

No one wins in the cycle of hurt and retribution that is glamorized by movies, TV and video games. While revenge satisfies a primal need, it in the end leaves everyone worse off. There is a power in forgiveness that the mainstream media doesn’t understand, but this film reveals beautifully.

As a recent immigrant to the Empire of Texas, I’ve often heard that things are always bigger in Texas, this film definitely proves that there is an immensity to “The Heart of Texas.”

by Philip Pfanstiel

I came clean today in class. I admitted to my 6^th grade students that I watched a chick flick called “Love Comes Softly” last night.

And now the confessional continues as I admit in cyberspace my man-crime.

I watched a movie for girls… and I liked it.

After researching for my previous article the series of books by Janette Oke that have been turned into made for TV movies for the Hallmark Channel, I thought I should watch a couple of these movies.

I started by watching the most recent production, “Love Takes Wing“ (the 7^th movie made) and then watched “Love Comes Softly” (the 1^st movie in the series).

The only problem is that I now want to watch more of the movies with my daughters and don’t have any available. I’m sure my sons will watch and enjoy them to, but they’ll probably be as reticent as I was to admit it.

As providence would have it (yes, we all saw this coming - very bad foreshadowing), there is going to be a movie marathon on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday (September 5^th) showing all seven of the movies followed by the worldwide premiere of the 8^th and final movie, “Love Finds a Home.”

After the premiere on the Hallmark Channel “Love Finds a Home” will hit stores shelves on November 17th.  But you can pre-order it from www.FamilyChristianMovies.com and it will be delivered November 17^th.

If you don’t have access to the Hallmark Channel, or just want to own the collection of movies for your library, we do have these DVDs available on FamilyChristianMovies.com

I’ll be reviewing “Love Finds a Home” this coming weekend after its premiere and will have the tissues ready … in case my daughters need them.

Have you watched any of the Love Comes Softly series?  Let us know what you thought of them in the comments.  Do you think this series is fit for men as well as women?

Recently as I’ve reflected on the question of Fathers in Christian films, I’ve kept coming back to the Godly example of a Father portrayed in the recently released film Pendragon: Sword of His Father.

Pendragon is a beautifully filmed pre-Medieval story of bravery, courage, war, deceit and love, and at the very heart of the story is a young man who lived a godly life of courage honor and vision because he’d seen it modeled by his father.

The opening scenes of Pendragon set the tone for the entire film. In the interactions between father and son, you see a father who lives up the God-given calling that all fathers have.   He imparts vision, challenges his son to a heavenly calling,  he gives an example of work ethic and courage,  he trains his son to follow and glorify God and makes his love for his son clear.

If you have father who you’d like to honor this June, or if you know a young father who you’d like to inspire, I highly recommend Pendragon as a Father’s Day gift.  You can watch the trailer or purchase the film here.

“God doesn’t just have a purpose for your days, but for your LIFE”
Justinian the Pendragon – spoken to his son Artos